One Down, Five To Go! - The Road So Far
25 June 2026
Yesterday, as we celebrated Bob finishing his first round of chemo (1 down, 5 to go), we also reflect on the journey so far and the deep care of our community...
Jan — Bob was diagnosed with a brain tumour & underwent emergency surgery
Feb — a weekly meal roster supported the family with food & this givealittle with finances
Mar — Bob started daily radiotherapy, with a volunteer driver team making the Te Puke–Tauranga commute for 6 weeks
Apr — His radiotherapy finished & our attention turns to their visa situation
May — just as visa applications are being prepared, an accidental fire destroys their home. Our community rallies again — accommodation, clothes, food! A week later, Bob starts chemo
Jun — Support continues to come in - even the schools run neat activities to fundraise. Loosing their identity documents in the fire complicates the visa process; an urgent humanitarian appeal has been made to Immigration
This journey has been more than hard and is definitely taking its toll. These are exceptional circumstances — a heavy burden on body, mind and spirit. Becky has been a wonder woman holding her family together; the children mostly still smile at school, but you can see worry lurking.
What's next? Bob needs to rest before his next chemo, a house needs to be found, and while we wait, we pray - for compassion at the highest levels.
We are so deeply grateful for every donation here — it is currently the only thing standing between this family and further hardship.