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Each month we will devote space to this new column which will feature the diverse backgrounds of ACAP members, how they got here and what they are doing here. It should be another fun way to connect with fellow members. If you would like to participate please contact ACBertsch@aol.com OR we'll find you.

Jose & Sheila Jenneau

In May of 1994 Jose & Sheila Christenson were playing tennis on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago when he “accidentally” hit her on the back of the head with a tennis ball… no damage was done but it was the beginning of a long term match.

Jose Jenneau was born in 1938 in Lima, Peru. At the age of 16, he entered the Naval Academy in La Punta, Callao beginning a career that lasted 29 years. Among his assignments were Commander of the Special Forces (Navy Seals) and serving as Commander of Submarines.

Sheila Christiansen was born in March of 1963. Her father was also a civil engineer. She grew up in Chicago and attended Regis University in Denver, Colorado. A competitive tennis player, Sheila played in local and national tennis tournaments. Her career has taken such twists as valet car parker, tennis instructor to Chicago Board of Trade Stock Exchange checker and real estate.

Together they moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (with their Labrador retriever, Ruby) and several years later on June 14 1997 they were married in Chicago among friends and family.

They lived and worked in Ft.Lauderdale until Jose began to think about retirement. The option of coming to Peru was one of their last thoughts. Jose had not lived in Peru for 25 years…but, off they went on a research trip. The trip was a success and they returned to Florida to set things in motion. They arrived here permanently in their new home in La Punta in April 2007. But Jose had one more task to complete and on May 1, 2007 he began sailing their 30 foot Catalina from Florida , arriving in La Punta on June 13, 2007. From hurricanes earthquakes…what a life!
Currently Sheila, Jose and Jacques Cousteau (their Jack Russell Terrier) are busy and happy in La Punta. Jose has donated his boat to the Escuela Naval (but he and Sheila still have the privilege of using it whenever they want.) He has been active reconnecting with old friends and family. They play tennis several times a week. Sheila volunteers at AVINABIF in Pueblo Libre at the orphanage and together they have been volunteering time at Dr Tony Lazzara's Clinica Hogar San Francisco de Asis in Chaclacayo.

And so, from Peru to Peru…it's been a long journey but they're here and they're happy and they are active in ACAP events, “so get to know them.”