Loss and Walking the Journey

Almost two weeks ago we said goodbye to Kevin’s mom, Deborah Alice Trowbridge.  It was not really goodbye…  more like “see ya later”.  But, we will really miss her!  Mom began to have stomach issues last fall.  She was losing weight and not feeling well.  At 91 she deteriorated quickly.  At about 3 weeks before we were to leave for the Philippines, mom was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.   But, we don’t want to talk about the last couple of months…  when there is a lifetime of Godly living and love to share.

Deborah taught school, and for many years cared for severely disabled children in her home.  She fiercely loved her children, Heather, Jannise and Kevin and adored her grandchildren.  She faithfully prayed for each one.  She accepted and loved her daughter-in-law as one of her own.

Grandma D, as the kids called her, always made time to do caramel apples with the kids.  She loved a good political discussion as much as a passionate theological debate.  She enjoyed making investments and traveling in her younger years.   She suffered from fibromyalgia since her early 30’s and this greatly affected her mobility.

We thank you for your prayers for Deborah and Kevin’s family.  Mom no longer suffers and we envision her running around heaven sparking all sorts of conversations with Jesus, the prophets, and the disciples.  She was comforted at the thought of seeing her family and loved ones who had gone before her.  Heaven becomes so real when our loved ones go on ahead.

We will be in California June 4 to 11 to attend Deborah’s Celebration of Life service.  Any who are interested in her service:

Saturday, June 9th at 11:00am– The Celebration of Life Service for Mom will be at Hilltop Church (previously San Dimas Wesleyan), 125 E. Gladstone St., San Dimas, CA

We had a local group from Grace Community Fellowship, Antipolo  come and help us with the rehab of Unit 7, men’s dormitory at the Seminary.  It needed a bunch of prep and a good paint job.  We worked about 5 days.  We were able to get Unit 7 looking good and the planters landscaped in front of the new cafeteria before graduation on May 5.  The weather has turned extreeeemly hot.  We are having days at 96 degree days which with the heat index feels like 105.  Ugh!  We are super thankful for the local team and all the hard work of our Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary facility staff.

We were so blessed to join with Pastor JoAnn Bastien of the Devon Aire Community Church, a Church of the Nazarene in  Livonia, Michigan as they partnered with Faith Church of the Nazarene in Calamba Philippines!  This is such a fun story about two Preacher Kids raised in the Philippines, one ends up serving in Michigan and one shepherding a local church here.  The story begins with Pastor Rex Ray Dela Peret sharing with his friends Pastor JoAnn and Rob Bastien about his brother’s church and how it was destroyed in a typhoon.  The Devon Aire church picked up the baton and raised funds to do the rebuild and send their pastor and family to help with the project.  Pastor Donald Dela Peret of the Calamba church was excited to have his brother and new Michigan church family to help with the build.  Pastor Donald worked hard to have supports and roofing on when we arrived.  Everyone worked in the heat of the summer season here.  We laid block.  It was so much fun on this job site.  It was truly one big happy family.  We were hosted each day with wonderful Filipino food and we enjoyed a day at the beach with many from the local church.  We are so thankful for churches who believe that God is at work in the world and find ways to join Him there.  This church plant in Livonia Michigan has changed the future for this church in Calamba PI and visa versa!  For we know we are never the same after we jump into missions.  I am excited to see what future missions…local and global come out of both of these church communities.

Check out this video of a VBS that was finishing up the day we arrived.  Faith church goes to impoverished area’s in their community and sets up VBS.  They tell the children about Jesus and love on them.  The children quoted verses and sang songs.  All lead by young adults in the church.  Love this!

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The first Sunday in Calamba Faith Church!

Kevin and I want to thank you for following our story and encouraging our hearts.  We are blessed to follow God’s calling and see the fruit of His work.