Freckles (Pecas) 

Hello friends!  My name is Pecas, (Freckles in Spanish) sometimes I´m called Pequitas (little Freckle face) and sometimes they call me “Pecaminosa” ("little sinner")…now why would they say such a thing? Maybe because in my youth I was a rather mischievous?! Now I´m old and a bit overweight, but I can still defend myself, especially when my cousin, Kiwi, bothers me.  Today´s youth just don´t know how to respect their elders!  It´s been a long and good life and I thank my Creator for so many blessings and His goodness to me.

My life hasn´t always been so full of such rich blessings.  I was born in Mexico City.  As I grew up, I was always being scolded me for my pranks.  I loved making holes in the yard, playing with the toilet paper, chewing on books and looking for ways to escape from the yard.  What´s wrong with that?  Don´t all puppies do such things?  Life was such fun, so many adventures to live.  But everything was about to change and later I was sorry for all my mischief.

One day my family put me I the care and we travelled to a place that had lots of cars, people and these big and noisy things that flew over our heads.  The car stopped and I jumped out quickly to explore.  I didn´t realize that I was getting further and further away from where my family was.  I was having too much fun playing with the other dogs, smelling such exciting odors and eating all the fascinating left over food  lying around.  After a while I was tired and decided I´d head back to the spot where the car was.  Where was it? Where was my family? I was lost! Had I been abandoned? I was frightened and exhausted.  What should I do?  I finally found a somewhat quiet corner and fell asleep. 

I awoke later hungry and sore.  I began investigating my surroundings dodging the cars and trying to hide from those noisy machines that passed through the sky. There were advantages to freedom, no one scolded me or prevented me from eating what I wanted when I wanted.  I could go wherever I felt like without any restraints.  However, the food I found to eat was smelly and yucky, I soon tired of sleeping on the hard pavement or finding a dirty patch of grass to sleep on.  I missed my comfy bed and the loving caresses of my people.  I began to hunt desperately for my family, looking longingly at the cars and the people who were hurrying back and forth.  But nobody paid attention to a poor, dirty white cocker with freckles on her nose and brown patches on her back.  Some even shouted at me and kicked me.    

The days passed and I became weak and sick.  My long, beautiful white fur was dirty, matted and full of mud.  My ears hurt all the time and I started sneezing and having trouble breathing.  I wanted to sleep and never wake up.  How long could I survive?

One chilly morning I approached a car with several people in it.  I looked at them, pleading with my big brown eyes, desperate for help. 

They looked at me compassionately. 

“Poor little thing.  How in the world did she get here to the airport?  Was she lost or abandoned?”

My heart began to beat faster.  Maybe, just maybe these kind folks would help me.

“Poor mutt,” said one of the ladies. “She´s sick.  We can´t leave her here or she´ll die.  Let´s take her home.  Surely we´ll find someone to adopt a pretty little dog like her. “

Was it truly happening?  Were these kind ladies really going to rescue me?

“You´re right,” said the other one.  “We´ll tie my belt around her and put her in the car.  She needs a name. I can´t take a creature home without a name.”

“She has lots of brown freckles on her nose.  We´ll call her “Freckles.”

And so it was that with my new name I was taken to their home and met their other dogs, my new cousins.  I was so tired that after I ate a delicious supper of real dog food, I slept for almost an entire day!

A few days later a visitor came to our house.  It was love at first sight! I rolled over on my back so she could rub my belly.  She was smitten.  She adopted me and took me to her house to live.  She loved me very much.  She took me for walks every day and gave me yummy food to eat. 

My new mama still took me every day to visit with my cousins and aunties (the ladies who rescued me) while she went to work.  I still created a lot of mischief, especially when I was alone, I was afraid of being abandoned again! But even though they scolded me, I was always treated with love and affection.

Ten years have gone by.  My cousins have now passed on to that place where all the good and beloved dogs go, and someday soon I´ll catch up to them there.  Recently life gave an unexpected turn when my mama and aunties not only share me, “Freckle face” but also the same house!  How wonderful to all be together, to be safe, loved and protected.  Yes, it has been along and interesting life.  Thanks to my creator for His goodness to me! 

(Our precious Pecas recently joined her cousins in that place where all the beloved pets go.  She is greatly missed and fondly remembered, not just for her mischievous pranks, but for all the love and joy she brought to her household.  We are thankful for the many years we had to enjoy her.)

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

Read the Bible for Yourself

Recently an article appeared in a local newspaper under the faith section.  The pastor who wrote the article had some good points.  She insisted that we need to read the Bible for ourselves, not just go on hearsay, listening to what others have said.  However, as I read through her article I became increasingly alarmed.  She shared passages out of Genesis to prove that if we truly read though the Bible, we'll understand that God does not discriminate against those who chose to live an alternate lifestyle, that we are to accept and celebrate those who chose to wed members of the same sex.  I wrote back to the reverend sharing my understanding of Scripture, from one who has read it for herself many times. 

I read with interest your article in Saturday’s paper, “Don’t let anyone tell you what the Bible says, read it for yourself.” I add a hearty “Amen” to that, which our pastor says means, “I agree.”  How quick we are to judge another or rely on hearsay when so often we neglect the lecture of God’s Word for ourselves. So often I run into people who claim to know God, but rarely if ever open His book and examine it for themselves.  Even so, being the sinful human creatures that we are, we need to ask God's Holy Spirit to illumine our reading that we may understand it and apply it to our daily lives.

I was glad to read that although you were tempted to “skip” your reading through the Bible this year, you went ahead and opened it anyway and God showed you something new.  Yes, He did create light out of darkness, and His desire is to shine His light into our hearts, that we may declare HIs praises to another. (I Peter 2:9)

Here our agreement ends.  I  ask, what Bible are you reading? Is yours different than mine? Has something been changed or altered to the Word that generations of people have found comfort and conviction from? The same passage in Genesis 1 that explains how God brought something out of nothing, how He made light to shine out of darkness, is the very same God who creates man and woman in His own image and blesses them.  The woman was made out of man, from his side to be equal with him but not the same. In chapter 2 verse 24 God says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh.”  You’re right, we do not like to take the Bible literally and yes, we all fail sometimes in the application.  Does that make His ways less true?  HIs purposes, His original design have changed because mankind wants to bend the rules and say it doesn't apply to him or her?

Perhaps we need to examine Scripture further on to see if this holds true in other places.  Just recently was reading in Romans chapter 1 and was struck by the harsh words here.  Yes, God is loving and merciful, but He does and will bring judgment on those who defy His commandments.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them.”  The passage (when you read it for yourself) continues onto talk about God's hatred of those who worship the created thing, idols, instead of Him.  He will not share His glory with another.    The Apostle Paul continues, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves…For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even the women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature…Likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in the lust for one another. “

Words from God Himself.

In chapter 2, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for whatever you judge another you condemn yourself...But we know that judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.” (Romans 2:1,2)

I am not able to judge, condemn you or anyone who choses an "alternate lifestyle."  However, it is my responsibility to share God's word so that we can be saved form His wrath.  God wants all to repent and come to the knowledge of Him.  We know He loves us, for He made us in His image.  But He is grieved and angered when we chose to ignore His laws and do things our own way.  I urge you and your congregation to read the Bible again, for we cannot, should not, pick and choose the passages we like and want to obey.  God also tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that whoever breaks one part of the law is guilty of breaking it all. (Matthew 5:18)  That is why Christ came, so that we could be saved by His grace and mercy.  Please do not despise the riches of His grace that leads us to repentance.

I too, am a sinner saved by grace.  I know God is love (I john 1), and for that very reason I pray my life is honoring to Him.  I pray that you will continue in your lecture of the Word this year, that you will read with an open heart and receptive to the Holy Spirit as He helps you to understand.

Listen to your mother!

     After a wonderful vacation with my brother and his family,mom and I were on our way.  I was driving and mom was the guide.  Before we left I asked her, teasingly, if she knew the way home.  Of course she did, she's the "directioneer" of the family, I'm the one that's always getting lost! After a few minutes we came to a crossroads, without consulting mom I turned right.

"No dear, we need to go straight, then we turn right." she told me knowingly.
"It´s fine, mom, didn´t you see the arrow that pointed east?  It´s this way."
"No honey, I don´t think so.  We have to go west and then to the east."
"Well, we´ll see." I said as we continued down the road.  I was a bit uneasy, maybe she was right? Mom kept quiet not wanting to argue with me.  We chatted pleasantly all the while looking for signs to direct us towards home. Suddenly we saw a sign, for a toll both!  On our way to the resort we didn't pass a toll both.
 "See, I told you we should've gone straight.  We didn't pass a toll.  Do you have money to pay the fare?  I've got about 30  cents."
I groaned.  I didn't have any cash either, I'd spent it all during the week. I hadn't even had  enough to put in the Sunday offering.  What to do?  They wern't going to accept a credit card to pay the fee.
"Let me look in my wallet just in case.  Maybe I missed something." I said.
 I opened my wallet and checked all the corners.  Praise  God, there folded over in a side pocked I found a wrinkled $5.00 bill.  We paid the toll and asked directions.  Sure enough, we had to return the way we came, meaning we had to pay another toll! Forty five minutes and $4.50 later we returned to where made the wrong turn.  This time I listened to my mother and eventually made it  home safe and sound.
     I learned a valuable lesson...always listen to you mother! I also reflected on
my relationship to God. I go through life, sure I know what I'm doing, not asking His direction.  When things go wrong, I realize I should have listened in the first place.  God in His mercy and forgiveness always provides a way out, even though I have to go back to where I started.  Thank God for His love and patience!

MOM´S VISIT

It was great to have my mom with me in Tuxpan for a couple weeks.  We were both a bit apprehensive about the visit.  Would she be able to handle the stairs at my house?  Would the change in diet affect her?  Would she bored without any T.V.  (no T.V. in our house )?.. She was concerned about bathrooms being easily accessible and would she tire too easily?  All anxieties were overcome and she had a blessed time. She was amazed it took three days to get from her home in Port Orange, Florida, to mine in Tuxpan, Veracruz!  First day travel to hotel near Orlando airport...second day flight to Mexico City and stay at Sally´s house...third day six hour bus trip to Tuxpan and my home.  Whew, it´s a wonder she wasn´t worn out before we started!

She was  excited to visit a  Baptist church on  Sunday  and when the children received gift boxes sent from Samaritan´s purse.  It was a pleasure to see the joy on the children´s faces as they opened their gifts.  It was exciting to her because she knew my brother´s church in Brooklyn N.Y. had been involved in packing some gift boxes to send overseas.  Could they be the same ones?  Maybe not but it shows how much the effort is appreciated by children in other countries.

On Monday we visited the children in the Life and Peace children´s home.  Between the few words of English the kids spoke, and the few words of Spanish mom knows, they got along fine!  Luis was impressed that she knew the answers to the riddles (which I translated) he was reading out of a joke book.
We then took a few days to tour the port city of Veracruz.  Another long bus ride landed us in a nice hotel in the historic district.  The hotel did have T.V...but mostly in Spanish!  No matter, we had plenty to do.  A trip to a fort, a bus ride around the city and a visit to the aquarium were enjoyed by both of us.  Lots of good food too!
Back to Tuxpan,quicker this time as we got the "luxury class" bus, she settled back into our home.  Saturday we were invited to eat Pozole (a corn soup) at Lili´s house.  She is a good friend of mine and also on the board of the children´s home. This Sunday I took her to the church I attend where she was warmly welcomed.  That afternoon the weather was gorgeous so we drove out to Camp Kikomar (about 15 mins) and visited with some young people (English speaking) from Mexico City. Cynthia Ramierez is the daughter of my supervisor, Sally (whose house we stayed at) had come to do some filming of the camp. Mom told Cynthia how she prays for her and her mom every day. 
Monday we went one more time to visit the kids and again they got a kick out of trying to speak to her.  Maybe all those English lessons wern´t wasted after all! When we left one of the girls said ," I love you," and mom responded "¡Amo te!"

All too soon our time came to an end.  Tuesday we packed up and took one last bus ride back to Mexico City.  I took her to the airport early Wednesday morning and sadly said goodbye.  It had been good to have her with me and I miss her!  I am so grateful that she is in good health and was able to do this trip.  Mostly I´m thankful that she could meet the people whom I talk about and whom she prays for faithfully.  Praise God for those prayers that stand behind this ministry!

Living by Grace in 2014

     I woke up on January 1st, 2014 amazed that it was a start of a new year.  How did 2013 go by so quickly and was I ready to start another year?  I laid in bed for a while reflecting on the changes, challenges,joys and frustrations of the previous year.  On one hand, calenders don´t mean much to God, He is far above time and space.  He calls us to live day by day, focusing on each moment as we live for Him. On the other hand, the start of a new year is a chance to reevaluate our lives and make a new start.
     I´ve never been one to make new year´s resolutions, believing that as I become aware of areas that I need to grow in my life, I need to work on them at the moment.  Besides, how many times do I swear I´m going to change, do things differently and then fall back into the same patterns?  No, I don´t like new year´s resolutions so I don´t think I´ll start now.
     However, my year did get off to a rough start.  A couple days before a precious friend expressed to me some things I had done that were hurtful.  Words I said, indirect comments and attitudes that were unkind and upsetting. Of course I didn´t mean to do or say these things, it wasn´t planned but, it wasn´t the first time I´d had to be shown my errors. I appreciated her honesty in sharing her feelings and only wish she had done it sooner. I was forced to stop, pray and reflect on what had happened.  I could see the things that had led up to the problem and recognize there are always two sides to every conflict.  Still, I knew I was wrong and I was truly sorry.
      But, what to do when sorry isn´t enough?  Paul in Corinthians commends the believers because their sorrow led to a zeal for repentance, "godly sorrow brings repentance."  I must demonstrate my sorrow and repentance by my actions, changing the ways I act that hurt others and striving to do things differently.  That is the challenge. Sometimes words aren´t enough, and then I despair that I can truly change.  Thinking on this I read, also in Corinthians how Paul, struggling with something in his own life (the thorn he speaks of) hears the Lord's words to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." He draws the conclusion, "Therefore I will rather boast in my infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me....For when I am weak, then I am strong." ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Does this apply also to sin in my life?  Those things I do that we know are not pleasing to God?  When I complain, quarrel, am selfish and unthoughtful?  I think it does, only as I truly repent and seek His grace, forgiveness and help, and then am willing to work at it.  I always hear about "surrender all to the Lord...throw yourself on Him when you don´t know what to do."  But how do I do that?  I certainly cried my heart out to Him, repented of my sin and asked for help to do better.  But a few days I forget and I find I´ve gone and done it again.  This, I´m learning is where His grace and forgiveness come in.  As another dear friend reminded me, "Fold into what God wants here as He works in you and in them to become holy in all ways, not necessarily happy, but at least (or at most) holy and Christ like. It is not easy but God is at work in all of us through all of us." True, and no, not easy. My own wants and desires interfere, I want to be happy, yet I seek His grace to put His will and others needs and interests before my own.
     I often pray for Christians suffering great persecution for their faith. Our brothers in sisters in prison who suffer torture and the loss of home and land.  Women who have and become widows and now struggle to raise their children alone, because their husbands refused to renounce their faith in Christ.  Again I look at my own life and see how short I come of that kind of faith.  If I truly know, experience and live the love of Christ, then it will be a privilege to suffer for Him.  Oh, how I fear suffering!  Yet returning to the passage in Corinthians, I must trust that His grace is sufficient and I can count the loss of all things as gain for Him. Then, weather it´s something as simple ( yet as hard) as yielding my will to bless and honor others, or something as challenging as being persecuted for my faith in Christ, I can truly live for Him and become more like Him.
    Therefore, if you happen to read this blog and can relate to any of it, please let me know.  What are your challenges and struggles as you face a new year?
And pray for me that:  
1.  I will  think before I speak or act, seeking to put others first.
2. Learn to live God´s love and grace- having the courage to serve Him no matter what.
3. Accept His love and forgiveness, not living in self-condemnation or self-contempt, but trusting Him to change and mold me into His image.
Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog!  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!  I pray that you too may experience God´s love and grace this coming year as you allow Him to mold you into His image.

The City of Gold

"And he...showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God...

and the city was of pure gold, like clear glass." 

Revelation 21:10a,18b

Elida had been battling cancer for about five years.  Her sisters cared for her and loved her through the ravages of her disease.  A close knit family, the battle was hard for all. I met Elida for the first time when the cancer was already well advanced.  Her sister Lili, who lives in my city, was caring for her.  I visited and prayed for her briefly but didn´t stay long because she tired quickly. Although Lili and her sisters begged Elida to stay with them, she was eager to get to her own home in a small town about for hours away.  

Lili and sister Letty made several trips back and forth to visit her.  However, the disease continued to take its toll in spite of the fervent prayers of her family.  

Finally my schedule allowed me to go with Lili and Letty to visit Elida.  Our friend Carmen and her husband also accompanied us.  We arrived at Elida´s home about 12:30 in the afternoon and went straight into her room to pray for her.  She was extremely thin and her skin was oh so cold.  She could not speak but seemed to recognize Lily and Letty.  She had not eaten in several days. Many people were there, sisters, aunts, in-laws and friends.  Carmen prayed with all her heart for God´s mercy and His restoration and preservation of Elida´s life.  I prayed silently for God´s mercy, strength and comfort, and the ability to trust that His ways are best. 

We were called to eat and I slipped out of the room, leaving Elida surrounded by loving family.  The Lord had laid it on my heart to just to read Scripture to her.  He had reminded me of several passages that would comfort and encourage.  After eating I had an opportunity to return to her bedside.  I pulled out my little pocket Testament and began by reading Psalm 91, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty..."  Psalm 23, the beloved psalm which bring such peace and comfort, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

Her oldest sister, Lupita, was at the head of Elida´s bed and suggested several passages to read. 

I Thessalonians 4,"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voices of an archangel....And the dead in Christ will rise first....And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 

I Corinthians 15:20,"But now, Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep....(v.25) the last enemy to be destroyed is death." (Hallelujah, how we long for that day!) 

I had been reading for about 20 minutes when Lupita asked me to read Revelation 21. By now family members and friends again had gathered in the room listening, and  praying silently or in a soft murmur.  I prayed too, that Elida would hear and understand the words, allowing her blessed Savior to comfort and encourage her that she would soon be in His presence.  I knew she loved Him and had served Him faithfully.  Later, I found out how large her heart and home were when they told me that Elida not only raised three children of her own, but had also adopted and loved four others.

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Then I, John, saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  (Revelation 21:1-4)

My heart ached for this dear saint who had suffered so much pain these last years. I continued reading the chapter and was stuck when by verse 18, "..and the city was of pure gold, like clear glass:"  Mostly I read without comment, allowing God to speak.  However, when I read about the city of gold I said, "Just think, Elida.  We always hear about the streets of gold, but the city itself is pure gold!  Are your ready to walk with Jesus in the city of gold?"

Elida made no response. I continued on to Revelation chapter 22, sensing that the end was very near.  I dared not look to see if she was still breathing.  

"He who says these things says, ¨Surely I am coming quickly.¨  Amen. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

I looked up and realized it was over. Elida had breathed her last breath on this earth.  Her sisters felt her pulse and closed her eyes as they wept.  Elida´s  painful journey through this life was finally over and she was at peace.  I quietly sneaked out of the room, leaving the family to grieve privately.  I was in awe; her going was so quiet, barely discernible.  At what moment had she left us?  All I knew was that Elida was rejoicing at Jesus´ side because, "We are confident...to be absent form the body and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:6)

I walked slowly down to the river where Carmen and her husband were sitting and told them that Elida was gone.  We talked softly for a few moments as the current sped by around and over the rocks, reminding us how quickly life passes.  We walked back to the house to be with the family.  We stayed that night and  the next day for the service and when they took what remained of Elida´s frail body to be buried.  How hard it is to be separated from one who means so much to us!

Carmen, her husband and I returned to our city later that day after the burial.  We were thankful to arrive safely home and be able to continue with our lives, praising God for His faithfulness as we continued to pray His comfort for our beloved friends.  The next day I read in my devotional book,

"E´en for the dead I will not bind my soul to grief,

Death cannot long divide. 

For is it not as though the rose that climbed m garden wall 

Has blossomed on the other side?

Death doth hide,

But not divide,

Thou art but on Christ´s other side!

Thou art with Christ, and  Christ with me;

In Christ united still we are."

 (p. 346, Streams in the Desert, vol 1, Mrs. Charles E. Cowman) 

Rest in peace, our precious Elida, we will soon see you on the other side!