MANILA, Philippines: Recently, Higaunon believers Ronnie and Aling lost their 13-year-old son Rodil when a severe asthma attack took his life.
"We got a text message from our co-workers that Rodil had died," wrote missionary Debbie Howells. "We were in such shock. Rodil had been on the best medicines but he just had one of the worst types of asthma."
Sometimes the boy wished God would take him home to heaven because he could hardly stand the pain in his chest. Now Rodil breathes freely.
An asthma attack started in the night. His parents used the inhalers, the nebuliser, and even the shot of adrenaline the Howells gave them for emergencies. But Rodil said, "Dad, I can't take anymore of this," and he closed his eyes and died in his father's arms.
Higaunon believers Elsa and Bugs arrived just minutes later with the emergency kit and Elsa examined the boy. It wasn't until Elsa looked up and said, "Rodil's gone, oh Aling, he is gone." and had reached out to hug them both that they had all broken down in sobs. The whole house was full of weeping and crying, getting louder and louder as family and friends heard and came running.
The believers supported Ronnie and Aling. Many gave food and money, others dug the grave and prepared cement, made the coffin, cooked and served so that Ronnie and Aling didn't have to worry about anything.
"The unbelievers were so amazed and touched by the wonderful unity and love they witnessed amongst the believers," wrote Debbie, "and especially by the calmness they saw in Ronnie and Aling, that they didn't grieve as those who had no hope but had a quiet peace and trust."
The next morning, as the coffin was carried up the hill, Aling and Ronnie walked along a few steps behind, holding hands as the young people sang songs of praise all the way to the cemetery.
At the gravesite, Paul Howells shared and many unbelievers were quiet and thoughtful as they listened. Later that afternoon, one man spent a long time talking with Ronnie, amazed at how he could be so at peace. Ronnie told him why.
Two days later they were in the Sunday meeting at church and Ronnie looked so pale, but they were there, hugging their brothers and sisters, crying when the young people's group sang a song in memory of Rodil, allowing the body of believers to encourage and strengthen them.
"I have accepted that this is what God wants for Rodil," Aling said. "He has taken him home to heaven because he suffered so much when he would have his asthma attacks. Now he is free from that."
They continue with their ministry and responsibilities in their church, desiring to lead as many people as they can to their Savior. This week, Ronnie and Aling taught a group about Jesus' death and resurrection and now nine Higaunons are believers.
"We said to them last week, 'If that was our son who had just died, we don't know if we would be doing as well as you are,'" wrote Debbie. "But Ronnie said, 'That is how we feel before something happens, but when you are actually going through it, God gives you the grace to bear it.'"
Pray for them, and their two older sons, as they deal with the empty places in their hearts and home that Rodil left.
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