A Tribute to my Mother (English)

Last April 23, 2008 (Wednesday), my beloved mother passed away. She was laid to rest last April 28, 2008(monday). She went peacefully, as if she was just having a deep sleep.

Corazon Vacunawa Diaz is her real name but she was dearly called "Nanay Cora" by those who know her. She was about 78-82 yrs.old when she passed away. We were not sure of her exact age and so we only based it on the age of her "siblings". She is the eldest among 10 siblings composed of 5 brothers and 5 sisters.
We desired for her to stay a little longer because, admittedly, we wanted to be with her. But, it must be that it is God's will for her to go. During Enoch's time , people lived up to 900 yrs. (Gen 5.24-27), but Enoch lived only up to 365 yrs. He lived his life walking with God and God was pleased with it. God took him to be with him forever.

My mother was a "woman of God". From her came 3 offspring that became "men of God". She gave birth into this world - 5 children - 1 girl and 4 boys. The youngest (Cory) and the second to the eldest who was the Junior(Federico) of my father, both died when they were just infants. We were also young when our father died in 1964 at a very tender age of 32 yrs.old. He died in a car accident.

My mother read the Bible everyday. She also prayed everyday. It is an understatement to say that truly she was a "woman of the Bible and of Prayer". Even when she was still an unbeliever , she was already religious and prayerful. The only thing was that, her prayers were directed to the wrong gods. She recited her rosary everyday without fail, even did it inside passenger jeepneys. She had a collection of images or "rebultos" and whenever there were news of so called- false miracles such as "crying Mama Mary" or "dancing Sto. Niño", we would run there. She also regularly visited "albularyos" and "mangtatawas" (quack/witch doctors). But despite her being religious, she was also full of vices. She drank alcohol. She smoked. She spoke bad words and she gambled.

When I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in October 4, 1985, I immediately shared my new found salvation to my mother. She didn't hesitate and also decided to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. Her life was changed. The vices and wrongdoings were gone. She began to worship and serve the only True God in spirit and in truth(John 4.24). The One True God who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It was from this point that everyday, she read the Bible and prayed to the One and Only True God. My mother was also a soulwinner. She led many souls to Christ. She was also used by God to heal the sick. Many were healed thru her prayer. The gift of healing manifested in her life.

When God called all of us, her sons, into full time ministry, our mother did not hinder us. Instead, she was full of joy seeing us, serve the Lord. She became our "great intercessor". She did not stop praying for us, for our families and relatives, for the churches, leaders and the flocks that the Lord has entrusted to us. She also did not stop praying for all the people who were in need of salvation and help from God.

We, and the countless lives that she has touched, will surely miss her. We lost a great intercessor and encourager. But, definitely, she is now in a better place. She is with the Lord. God has chosen to take my mother into His presence in heaven because God was pleased with her ; because she walked with God. She might not be here now, but her memories will remain with us forever, even those whose lives she has touched and blessed. Surely, she will not be disappointed with her dreams for us. We will serve God all the more. We will fulfill our God-given calling and responsibilities all the more and we will bring souls to Jesus' feet all the more. We might have lost our great intercessor here on earth, but we still have the "Greatest Intercessor and Encourager of all time", no other than our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of our eternal life (1 John 5.13). The one who has chosen us to become true Servants of God. The one who gave us the Great Privilege to serve Him and do His will. The "good work" that God has started in our lives.., He is able to fulfill it to the end(Phil.1:6). He will fulfill all His promises to us, more than we ever think of or expect.

To God be - all the Thanksgiving , Praise and Honor ...

forever and ever...

In Jesus name , Amen!

Ephesians 3.20
"Now to Him, who is able to do immeasureably morethan all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

1 Corinthians 2.9
..."No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him".