Flower in the Bush
Head of the Obstetrics Department in a hospital in London, England, Chrissie tells us of the beauty and goodness of a long friendship.
In January 2006, Chrissie heard about the death of Sr. Marie-Paule. With much gratitude, she sent a letter to Sr. Pauline Longtin, M.I.C., whom she knows well. With ail her heart, she wrote the following letter and proposed that her life journey be published.
Toward the end of the 1950s, a Scottish engineer came to work for the Malawian government in Central East Africa. According to the local custom, a house and personnel were provided. Some time later, the African cook, who was also considered the housemaid, became pregnant; she therefore had to leave her work. A little mulatto girl was born and named Chrissie. The young mother, a poor, single parent, had difficulty raising her child. When her daughter reached school age, things began to change. Her path crossed that of Sr. Marie-Paule Gaudreau, a Missionary of the Immaculate Conception. This religious had a determining impact on the child. After some years, Chrissie's father returned to Scotland. At the end of his life, he revealed to his family that he had a child in Africa.
Dear Sister Pauline,
I thank God for the life of Sr. Marie-Paule, who was a special friend and a mother to me; she will be missed as she has a special place in my heart. Sr. Marie-Paule first spotted me when the MIC sisters opened the provincial house in Mzimba, in 1966.
She found out that I was an only child, brought up by a single mother in a nearby little mud house. Sister taught religion in the school. One day, we were given a test and I happened to be top of the class. She had prizes to give and I had the first choice. I took a rosary among other bigger prizes which people thought I might have chosen. Touched by my choice and seeing me often at morning Mass, also knowing my capacity for learning, Sister wanted me to pursue my studies; I was then in Standard III. After school hours, she would teach me some math and check my homework. She would also give me extra assignments while she did her own chores; upon her return, she would verify my performance. All this care was essential to my success.
In 1969, Sr. Marie-Paule wanted to send me to Katete Girls' Boarding School which was then run by the MIC sisters. She discussed this with my mother who thought it was a good idea, but she did not have enough money. Sister said she would ask her brother to support me and he kindly agreed. So, I went to the Boarding School for two years. In 1972, I went to Bwaila Secondary School, in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Sr. Marie-Paule continued to be my guardian; she was very happy and proud of my success. All my school reports went to her and she would explain to my mother how I was doing; she never left her out. We were all together in this adventure.
One day, I found out that my father was still in the country. I went looking for him and discovered he was working in Kasungu. I phoned him - he seemed delighted to hear my voice. He expressed his wish to help me financially. But I told him I just wanted to get to know him, as my school fees were being taken care of by Sr. Marie-Paule. He asked me to send him Sister's address. Without delay, he wrote to her explaining everything. He thanked her and all the other sisters who looked after me. He wished to reimburse their expenses and added: "Of course, I will never be able to give all the love you have given to Chrissie." I never met my father, but "my second mother" has had the opportunity.
After completing secondary school, I wanted to do my nursing course. However for some reason, that year I wasn't accepted. I was very upset! My mother just said: "Why are you sad? Does God close all doors?" When I went to see Sr. Marie-Paule, she said: "Doesn't God take care of you?" She decided to eau Sr. Marie Stella at St. John's School of Nursing in Mzuzu and she arranged that which was necessary for me to start studying nursing.
When the way seemed dark, Sister was always there by my side, reminding me of God's presence reassuring me that light would be at the end of the tunnel!
Years later, I found my father's relatives in Scotland. Sr. Marie-Paule joined me and we visited my Auntie Mary and my Uncle Graham. In 1997, my husband Keith and I visited Sr. Marie-Paule in Rimouski, Quebec. We met her sisters Blanche and Huguette, her sister-in-law Jacqueline and her niece, Claire; it was like meeting my other family. Though apart, we remained United by means of correspondence or phone calls. Sr. Marie-Paule rejoiced when I went to Ireland and to London to complete my midwifery studies. She shared my greatest joys: my marriage and my two children.
Today, I thank God for Sr. Marie-Paule's undaunted missionary life; her determination encouraged and inspired me through all the years of my life. She also has helped many others. The exceptional work she did with groups of handicapped children changed their lives. After rehabilitation, most of them were better accepted by their own people in their villages. I thank all the sisters who were in Malawi with Sr. Marie-Paule for they too welcomed me wholeheartedly - all are my mothers and sisters.
I thank Délia Tétreault for her dream, and for her courageous endeavour in realizing the work that has led other young women to follow Christ. May the Lord bless you all for the wonderful apostolate you are doing. May the Holy Spirit fill you with grace, joy and peace.
by Pauline Longtin, m.i.c., and Chrissie Hay
In her last letter, Sr. Marie-Paule wrote: "Chrissie... I love you!" In turn, I say: "I love you too! Rest in peace!"