Last Friday we held our monthly team meeting. It was an unusual day. I was very exhausted before it even began because I had been at camp and had spent 2 days in debriefing for a short termer. On Monday we had learned that the husband of Ann Magalong had passed away and the ACTION funeral for him would be Friday after our team meeting. The day began on a somber note. I had just learned that a pastor from our church, Greenhills Christian Fellowship, was going out for Valentine's day date with his wife on the 14th. Their car was hit by a bus, killing both of them and leaving 2 children ages 10 and 8. Pastor Kevin shared a special concern for Micah as a soldier and prayed for her last December.
We had many guests there, Kathy Fothergill who is a former ACTION missionary was there with her daughter Ruth and Ruth's husband Paul Ortiz as well as their 3 children. Their testimony was full of memories and stories of what God is doing in their lives today. Kathy left Manila after her husband Kent passed away from a heart attack. Fond memories of Kent were shared.
Then we had a testimony from Carmen Salacsacan. She is a Filipina missionary whom we sent to serve in Mexico. This is her first furlough after 7 years. Some of what she shared was how she had learned how to conduct Kid's Clubs under the teaching of Kent Fothergill. Our other Filipina missionary--Raquel deJesus is holding Kid's Clubs in Colombia.
We also had a despidida for Mike and Rebecca Watters. It is hard for our field to loose them but they will remain with ACTION and serve in the US or Africa. They will depart on March 2. I am glad that I will get to see them in April and then again in Minnesota. They will be greatly missed.
Then we went to the funeral home where we held a service for Pastor Jun Magalong. It really felt like I was with family as I traveled there with the ACTION staff. We care so much for Ann and her two boys, Paul who is going to graduate from high school in March and Timothy who is in 3rd grade (those are the names of my brothers).
This past year I have been learning what it means to bear one another's burdens. In one regard, we have to bear our own burden and I can't totally take away another's burden. But my love, presence, serving, caring, can help to lighten their load and give them hope.
