Dealing with Cancer #3, Chemotherapy

Lesson #3 Chemotherapy is not fun, and its effects are cumulative.  Don’t be lulled after the first or second infusion into thinking, “This isn’t that bad.”  Be prepared for the physical, mental, and spiritual challenge that will grow more intense with each session.  Regimens and side effects are different from one person to the next, …

Dealing with Cancer #2, PSA

Lesson #2 There is no substitute for PSA testing when a man reaches 40 years old.  Knowing his PSA level at that stage in a man’s life and beyond is MANDATORY along with the digital exam for early detection and treatment. Based on my primary care team’s prostate assessment in January 2022, I considered myself …

Heroes Under Fire

I’ve been communicating for several hours since early this morning with my three closest contacts in Haiti. It started with Benoit who always begins each conversation asking about my health and my family and friends.  His next statement was chilling.  “The bandits are trying to kill me.” Justin confirmed the fear and urgency in Benoit’s …

Foot Washing

We first posted this four years ago. I consider this act of Jesus at the heart of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus, and I will continue to repost it. In his Gospel, the evangelist John describes a poignant scene as Jesus celebrates his final Passover meal. Jesus… gets up from the table, takes off …

Palm Sunday and the Third Fall

The fourth part of my personal credo may be the most important… I am called to emulate Jesus… I am reminded of the magnitude of that aspect of my belief most strongly on Palm Sunday as I prepare to share with millions of people around the world the final steps of Christ’s final journey. Up …

The Alphabet School – A Literacy School for Adult Education

Five years ago, we first wrote about the “education triangle”, and we updated the original post in 2022 when we opened The Barefoot School. Speaking from experience, Mrs. tVM and I spent countless hours at the kitchen table helping our children with their schoolwork and encouraging them to complete it.   I say with 100% certainty …

The Children Are in School

Despite the gunfire and gang violence, we managed to complete semester testing at the Barefoot School in Cité Soleil in February.  I received the report cards for 149 students this week.  Regardless of performance, THESE CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL and are trying.  That is MOST important:  THEY ARE IN SCHOOL, which is a major accomplishment …