Hope for the future...
31 July 2026
Wow, so much has happened since the last update. Here's the short version of a very long few months.
Over the last 6 months, Bob & his family have faced: a brain tumor diagnosis, diabetes diagnosis, debulking surgery, radiotherapy, their house burning down & loss of passports, expiring visas, an immigration appeal, both unable to work, the start of chemo, Bob's cognitive decline, a hospital admission, an MRI read as aggressive terminal regrowth—later reviewed as brain swelling from treatment, needing recovery time before chemo could continue. Through all this, their future in NZ stayed uncertain, with no word yet from Immigration or Vanuatu.
Phew. It's been a wild ride!
But on Wednesday, Bob, Becky & their family flew back to Vanuatu — carrying a little more hope than they had a fortnight ago...
Two weeks ago, Bob was told his treatment wasn't working & he had months to live. Days later, a reviewed MRI suggested it was working, and the side effects would ease with time. Hope.
As departure plans were finalised, a long-awaited letter from Immigration said the whole family could apply for new work/student visas, regardless of Bob's health. Hope.
Then, the day before travel, word came from Vanuatu that their passports could be reissued. Hope.
Thanks to the support & prayers of people like you, the Tafan family's future looks hopeful. They return to Vanuatu to sort their documents, with hope of coming back soon to finish Bob's treatment & build the years ahead as a family.
