Rebeca

Rebeca February 2015

 I remember when I first met Rebeca's mother, Liz.  A vivacious, full of life and love for the Lord lady, I was drawn to her at the start.  She was leading the Evangelism in Depth for children's ministry and I began to help her in the work.  We became good friends and I prayed with her during her three year courtship with Jacob.  I joyfully attended their wedding and eagerly waited with them as they desired to have a child.

One day I was visiting Liz and Jacob at her mother’s house.  In the kitchen she handed me a large envelope. 

“What’s this?”  I asked.  "Open it," she insisted with a large smile.

  I opened the envelope and was confused at first at what seemed like fuzzy photos.  I quickly realized that it was the ultrasound of a baby!

 "If it's a girl", she told me, “we’re going to name her Rebekah Meyerend, after you!” she chanted gleefully.   On August 9th 2002, Rebeca Gaspar Ortega was born. I was so blessed the first time I held the precious child.  However, when Rebeca was just two years old, cancer took the life of our beloved Liz.  

Jacob moved in with his mother and older sister and they helped him raise Rebeca.  Although her mom was gone, God provided her with a loving family to surround her and her she and her daddy were very close.  I kept in touch with the family, visiting them often.  Rebe always loved to play tag and other games in her grandma’s garden and it was quite a challenge to keep up with the rambunctious child.  Her mom and grandma made sure she was active in church.

Shortly before Rebeca's 11th birthday, her aunt Irma called me with news that left me numb.  Jacob had cancer and it was spreading fast.  My heart sank.  Could it be possible?  Was Rebeca to be left an orphan at so young an age? I spoke to Jacob and he sounded weak and tired.  When I saw him a few months later, he was stronger and encouraged that the chemo was helping. He was determined to do all he could to be around for Rebeca.  Having drifted away from His relationship with the Lord after Liz's death, he was again praying and attending church on a regular basis.  He was ready to go if that was the Lord's will but very much wanted to live.  We all prayed for a miracle although the doctors didn't give much hope.

On May 30th I got a call on my cell phone from one of Rebeca's cousins.  Jacob had died earlier that evening, his suffering was over.  I hung up the phone in shock and the tears started to flow.  I couldn't believe it, it just couldn't be. I pulled myself together and took the midnight bus to Mexico City and arrived at about 5.a.m.  Liz's sister Martha picked me up at the bus station and took me straight to the funeral home.  Jacob's family was present as well as Liz's mom and sisters.  Rebseca was asleep, stretched out on a couch.  I couldn't bear to look at Jacob's body; I wanted to remember him as he was.

Later that morning his earthly tent was laid to rest next Liz, the love of his life.   I was asked to share a few words and spoke from John 14. "Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also." (verses 1 to3).  We miss him so terribly, but we cling to the hope that we will all be together one day.    

Rebeca commented, “I’m going to be buried right there, between the two of them”.

  “Oh sweetie,” I replied.  “You’re going to grow up, get married and have many children.  Then you’ll be buried next to your own husband.”  She wasn’t convinced. I returned home the next day with a grieving heart for my beautiful namesake and her family.

Just recently I took the trip again to visit her.  As usual, she wanted to play and kept me running, this time after a soccer ball.  She told her aunt she didn’t want to grow up, but wished she could stay a little girl.   I praise God she remains in the same home with her godly grandma and auntie.  Her mother’s family also continues to be involved. I believe wholeheartedly that God has a special plan for her life.  Why He chose to make her an orphan before her 12th birthday, only He knows.  I do know that He has not abandoned her and I look forward to seeing the woman she will become.  May God pour His grace and favor on her life. 

Rebeca and Rebekah, February 2015

 

Rebeca and Jacob 2013