Bob and Janice had begun their ministry sailing from Florida and landing in Guatemala around December of 2008. They ended up in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala where we met them in January of 2009. During this time we had frequent fellowship including the sharing of a house, meals, Bible study, church attendance, and a genuine friendship between our families.
In May my family and I return to the United States for the summer and Bob and Janice followed soon thereafter. They spent the summer months with family, wrapping up loose ends and seeking support from individuals and churches. They returned to Guatemala around August and began the work that God set before them. 30 days later the accident occurred which ended their earthly lives and changed ours. How we praise God for the time he allowed us to be in their presence, working alongside them!
God’s hands were all over this in a number of different ways. We invite you to comment on any of these pages with personal stories and interactions that can bless others. We will simply give you this one story out of many.
On September 2, 2009, while my family and I were in the United States we received word of a need we were not capable of fulfilling because of our absence. I called Panajachel and asked one of my coworkers in the Ministry to call Bob and ask for his assistance; Bob and Janice rarely said no!
A few minutes later he was to call me back with some perplexing news. When he called Bob’s cell phone number, it was answered by the police who would only tell him there had been an accident. My thoughts were that possibly Bob and Janice needed help so I asked my coworker to call our attorney. We received the news that Bob and Janice had been killed in a car accident. I immediately called Pastor Chuck, a local “gringo” Pastor and asked for his assistance.
The interesting part of this story is that in Guatemala there are very few morgues. The hospitals have no refrigeration to keep the bodies of the deceased waiting for transport. The law here is that the deceased who are unknown and unclaimed must be buried in a common grave within only hours of the death. Had this need of ours not existed, no one would have been aware of the death until after it was too late to claim the bodies.
We don’t mourn the passing of Bob and Janice into the presence of God. Far from it. We celebrate their life and their work and, though we have sadness for ourselves and the families, we move on with their work and we invite you to see what they were involved in and what the future holds.
On the next page we identify The **** Work of Friends Across The Water.****
Thank you so much for this update. I was very sad when I heard of their accident. However, I am also rejoicing knowing they are in the presence of Jesus. I am thankful for their faithful service to the King. We will meet again.
Vicky Hayse
I will always cherish the times I have spent with Bob and Janice in Tallahassee. I had lost touch with them and was saddened for us left behind when I heard of the accident. I know they have earned a great reward with our heavenly Father. I wish the work they were doing God’s blessings as it continues.
I appreciate your sending this as I had not heard much about their work or the accident.
I am very sad to hear of their deaths. I was their nurse practitioner and can say with certainty that they were doing what God and their personal mission demanded of them. Guatemala has lost two tremendous advocates for the common man. Their grace persists on even as they are gone.