Still in Canada, Schooling Results!!
NOTE: This post is from August 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Greetings to all...
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.
NOTE: This post is from August 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Greetings to all...
NOTE: This post is from July 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Greetings to all...
NOTE: This post is from June 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. We were happy...
NOTE: This post is from April 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Our school students...
NOTE: This post is from March 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Warm greetings once...
NOTE: This post is from November 2008 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. You heard last...
NOTE: This post is from September 2008 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Many of you...
NOTE: This post is from August 2008 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Greetings once again...
NOTE: This post is from May 2008 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Greetings from hot...
NOTE: This post is from January 2008 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Warm greetings from...
NOTE: This post is from October 2007 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Greetings to all our...
NOTE: This post is from May 2007 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Hello once again from...
NOTE: This post is from February 2007 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. January 9th saw...
NOTE: This post is from December 2006 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs. Once again...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
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.
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.
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.
I have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.
One thing that has impacted me on this trip is seeing the children and all the dedication in this orphanage. There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep the HATS orphanage and school running.
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.
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.
They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.
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