HATS and Haiti update Feb 2024
Greetings to all our friends, family, and our supporters who pray for, and encourage, us. Luckner in our school office...
Karen Huxter, the founder and Director of Hands Across the Sea, was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and is proud of her Newfie roots and heritage. She lived in various places across Canada such as Quebec, the Yukon, Ontario, Alberta and BC before moving to Haiti in 1995. In her professional career, Karen worked in teaching, banking and administration and did extensive volunteer work with community groups and charities. A mother of two grown daughters, one young adopted son and seven grandchildren, Karen is energetic and passionate about the work in Haiti. She loves each of the children and has a heart of compassion for children, women and families in the country of Haiti.
Greetings to all our friends, family, and our supporters who pray for, and encourage, us. Luckner in our school office...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024 from all at Hands Across the Sea-Haiti. 2016 Christmas at the mission Thank...
Greetings folks. I am endeavoring to fill you in a little on the very difficult and dangerous situation in Haiti...
As some of you know, I cannot be in Haiti at this time because of the gang situation. I am...
Luckner, teachers, and everyone working with the mission, are doing everything they can in a continuing very difficult situation in...
Hello everyone, On my last blog, March 18th, things were quite bad in our area of the Artibonite Valley. This...
Hi folks. Thank you to those of you who have reached out to me in various ways as you are...
Hello again folks. My heart is heavy and my eyes are wet as I try to write this. Many of...
I come to you today asking for prayer for our HATS mission – Children’s Home, school, and our HATS church....
Greetings, I apologize for not having written a blog for far too long. I attempted to do so several times...
We have some photos of our children at our Children’s Home, and in their uniforms at our school, IMKH. Anne,...
Thank you so very much to all who donated funds towards a Christmas meal for approx 450 students and staff...
Christmas is coming. Children in Canada are starting to look forward to the special, fun, family time of Christmas, when...
Inclusiveness and sportsmanship abounded in the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial School Soccer Tournament held in St. Lawrence October 14, 15...
Luckner continues to do a good job with our HATS-Haiti mission despite difficult circumstances in the country. The situation in...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to return.
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.
I am so thankful to Jesus for the opportunity to serve at HATS and to finally experience the great work that God is doing there. I look forward to seeing them all again when I visit next time.
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.
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