From left to right: Brothers Jean-Jude SIMON, Valmyr DABEL, Gaston KOUMBOUM (from Togo)
It was the Day after the Start of the 2026-2027 School Year, Tuesday, September 8th, 2026. The Community of Les Cayes, already missing a Member due to Brother Rocky Jacob’s Replacement in Cap-Haïtien for Health Reasons of Brother Dufreine AUGUSTE, eagerly awaited its Missionary Brother, Brother Gaston KOUMBOUM. He had landed in the Northern Metropolis two Days earlier.
There was Joy when Our Confrère arrived at Brother Odile-Joseph College (FOJ) after a short 40-minute Flight from Cap-Haïtien. The School was open, and all the Students were in Class when the Car passed through the Entrance Gate. Accompanied by Brother Valmyr Dabel, who had just met him at the Airport, he made a quick Tour of the Offices for the usual Greetings and then went up to the Community to Settle in.
Like a Good Missionary, he quickly Familiarized himself with the Community’s Routines, learning about the Schedule and Habits. Just a few Hours after his Arrival, he requested his Timetable and the Materials he would need for his Classes (History, Geography, and Catechism). The very next Morning, he was Introduced to the Students, the Teachers, and the Entire School Community.
Simplicity, Helpfulness, Joviality, Punctuality, Piety, Sense of Fraternity: these were the First Qualities that stroke one about Brother Gaston and which already gave him an Influence in the Community and in the College.
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Three Wonderful Gatherings were organized to Welcome Brother Gaston.
On the Evening of his Arrival, we took a short Trip to the Seaside in Gelée with all the Employees and Technicians of the House. Joy was in the Air and the “Prestige” was much Appreciated!
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As a Community, we went on an Outing on Saturday, September 26th. The Objective was threefold: To allow Our Confrère to discover part of Haiti’s Southern Coast, to hold Our Recollection Day, to Launch Our Community Project, and to say Goodbye to Father Ellince Martyr, who was leaving for the Juniorate in Pétionville where he would now serve as Chaplain. Before leaving that Beautiful Village, we bravely climbed the 500 Steps at the top of which stood the Calvary and the Virgin of the Hills. On that Peaceful Summit, we entrusted to Mary Our Community, Our Missionary Brother, the Life of Our Saint Louis de Gonzague Province, and all those who composed Our Mission at Brother Odile-Joseph School.
On October 2nd, the Community organized the Opening of the Year with the Mennaisian Laity. In addition to celebrating recent Anniversaries, it was an Opportunity for the Mennaisian Fraternity of FOJ to welcome Brother Gaston in Prayer and around a Fraternal Meal.
We Wish you a Wonderful Missionary Experience in Haiti, Dear Brother Gaston! May Your fraternal Presence and Influence help the Community and the FOJ College to become more and more Images of Jesus every day!
Brother Valmyr DABEL