Fully Alive & Kicking

Letter dated June 18, 2016
Received via mail on Thursday July 7, 2016

This is an interesting letter because it is almost virtually identical to Fr. Hattie's letter to me dated June 11, 2016. In addition, another letter was on the reverse side from "John" to Fr. Hattie reporting on a donation from a family in East Amherst, NY. It references a card that reads (in part): "Our love and prayers will be with you as you continue your wonderful work in Uganda. I'm sue you are anxious to get back and I'm sure that all there are anxiously waiting your arrival. Safe travel and good health so you can continue the work that you love."

As usual, when I scanned the letter, I added a little aqua tint to recall the days of old when his letters arrived via Aerogram. Below is my transcription of the letter for those who have a difficult time reading the type written page. I have corrected some apparent errors (original spelling in [brackets]) but if you disagree with my interpretation, please let me know. Feedback is welcome.

If you want to brave reading the actual typed copy, click on the image of the letter above. Then right click on that image, select <Open image in a new tab>. When you go to the new tab, click on the image and it will open into a larger view that facilitates easy reading.

My Fr. Hattie page contains a list of Father's letters that I have received and transcribed. It also contains contact information for Fr. Hattie plus how to donate to help support "his orphans" in Nsumba, Uganda.

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June 18, 2016        

My dear Rick:      Peace of Christ!

      Please, be believing, not unbelieving. Neither am I lying supine on the bottom of some sea or other; nor am I pierced on some mountain [moun-ting] jagged tops; nor [now] am I buried under bucketfuls of African mud, for I am fully alive & kicking and [a] deliriously happy to be BACK [BACH] HOME once again & for good.  I arrive late on the night of March 25 & have resettled [resettling]. BUT, it is COLD here throughout [thruout] the year and there is no way to keep warm since there is NO heat in the house. I was welcomed by 3 carloads of SJs and that was great.

     Since I am not allowed to travel alone (I'm edging 94), 1 of the nurses accompanied me from Detroit-Boston & handed me over to the young African SJ priest who was to convey me to Nairobi. And, a prince he was, treating me like a little Mother Hen. We arrived here about 10 PM & was welcomed by 3 carloads of SJs and that made me feel quite welcome. And, then to bed under 3 blankets.

     Many years ago, an Englishwoman & her daughter wanted to relocate to England so they gave us their extensive acres and 2 furnished homes. Since then many other buildings have gone up and now we have a huge Retreat. Just now 6 Retreats are ongoing, 1 of 30 days for men and women.

     Our Community is a real League of Nations; 2 Yanks & a Canadian as retirees; Indians, Africans, 2 more Yanks, an SJ Bishop from Ecuador & an SJ from Bolivia.  And, I cannot forget the sweetheart of an elderly Bavarian who spoils us rotten, so I call her Mother. Come on over & join the crowd...but with a coat.

     Since my 1000 orphans live in Uganda, our adjoining country, I haven't seen them yet. But, as soon as an SJ car goes there, I'll hitch a ride, visit them, and make a report. I also want to find my 'son' whom I adopted some years ago when he was just 5 and without a single living relative. I put him thru 4 yrs of college & built a small house for him. He was fired as Manager of a bank for causing financial loss, but a lawyer friend of mine got him free. But, 2 officials of the bank keep harassing & trying to force him to accuse a man in court whom he doesn't even know. Twice they kidnapped/tortured him & showed him guns. He knows nothing about me. I shall confront them to turn them over to the police.

     Be sure that all of you have a special niche in my daily Mass & in those of the Sisters and kids...When I get a computer, letters shouldn't take 2 weeks to arrive...Please excuse this miserable typing, for both of my hands are half-numb (& the cold doesn't help) & I have to type with only 2 fingers & 1 eye shut...In the meantime, Keep smiling & spreading His & Her love, peace and joy in every nook & corner of W. Hartford. And my love to your dear Mom.

Tons¹⁰⁰ of love & gratitude,     

Fr. Gene, SJ               

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Links:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2016/07/now-back-home-in-africa.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogram
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/p/letters-from-fr-hattie.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Nations
SJ=Society of Jesus (Jesuits) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Jesus
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Written: Saturday 10 August 2019.