Merry Christmas Everyone!
This year has been full of changes. The parish of Riviere Mancell finally split into two parishes. The new parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe, is flourishing under the leadership of Fr. Dachemy.
In the middle of August, Fr. Gracia, parish priest of Riviere Mancelle, was replaced by Fr. Janin.
This new dynamic is creating an opportunity to evaluate past projects and relationships and move forward with the benefit of lessons learned from those experiences.
In September Denise was diagnosed with lung cancer. She had the upper lobe of her right lung removed with 100% of the cancer. She is now recuperating and we are planning on returning to Haiti together the first of February.
Due to these circumstances I traveled to Haiti by myself for a short three week mission the end of October. This time was spent meeting with the priest and establishing our working relationships.
While I was there I experienced an episode where I experienced chest pains, extreme shortness of breath and collapsed. I was checked out at the local hospital and determined not to be having a heart attack. I took it easy after that until I could return to the US and see my doctor.
After prodding and poking, (actually a cardiac catheter), I was declared to have a healthy heart!
Further evaluation led my Doctor to evaluate my blood pressure medication. He had changed my medication this past summer and had added a diuretic. I physically work hard, and perspire very freely. Accordingly, I drink lots of water. But with the diuretic, it is not enough.
My medication has been changed and I have not had further issues. But the real test is when I return to a hot climate.
These changes and personal issues are causing Denise and I to evaluate our past 18 years working in Haiti, and where we need to focus our efforts on our remaining time there.
We realize that the next five years are a time of transition as we enter this season of our lives.
Our vision for the next five years is to build upon the foundations that have been laid, help the schools. the educational programs, The Fr JIm Agriculture Center and the vanilla project mature into strong, self sustaining programs that continue to grow and become stronger without the need of outside help.
Not that our help will not be available, but Haitians will be empowered to take control of their own lives, recognizing and developing the resources they have and solving their own problems.
Normally we have published an advent newsletter by this time. We have not. But, Lord willing we will be publishing before long with more details of this past year and our vision moving forward.
Thank each of you for your faithful support and partnership. We are humbled and blessed to have such a wonderful support community.
Meci anpi and Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
Bob and of course, Denise
Merry Christmas to both of you. Your work is an inspiration to the rest of us. I will keep you in my prayers are you continue to discern your future.
May our Lord and Savior continue to bless you both.
Marry Christmas Bob and Denise. I’m currently near San Pedro, D.R. in a rural largely Haitian community. Planning to bring some of Monfort’s family here since here there is more economic opportunity. The Haitians and the Dominicans get along great in this particular area. It has been nice to discover.