In our search for property to develop our ministry, Loma Linda Campestre,* God led us to the Coy family, who agreed to sell us their property. Four of them are Seventh-day Adventists known for their loyalty towards God, keeping their faith and setting an example of steadfastness among the local believers.
The Coy family is composed of eight siblings who plant corn and potatoes together and take turns caring for their 90-year-old widowed mother who loves country living. Since last September, we have been spending much time with them as we share the house where they grew up.
The Coys are encouraged to see us developing our project on their property. “This is what we have always dreamed of seeing take place on this beautiful land after the death of our father,” they shared.
On December 30, 2018, the Coy family decided to end the year with a special family reunion. As they started their trip, eager to prepare a meal and enjoy it together, a back tire on one of their vehicles exploded and the car rolled several times. Sadly, 12-year-old Santiago and his aunt Amanda were ejected from the vehicle and died almost immediately. What a great loss and terrible experience for this close-knit family!
“When heart-breaking thoughts come, God reminds me that we shall see our sister and our little nephew again at Jesus’ soon return,” says Guillermina, one of the survivors. “We have been strengthened through each hug, phone call, and visit that we get. What would become of us if we didn’t believe in the great hope of salvation written in the Bible?”
She also says, “If I had died, I would not have felt the pain of losing a loved one, but Ecclesiastes 7:2–3 teaches me that ‘It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; …for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.’”
As we move forward with plans for expanding our ministry, we trust that God is in control, and is preparing us to remain steadfast during experiences that could damage our relationship with Him, including the death of loved ones. Though Satan tries to discourage us, our faith is strong that God will prevail and His purpose for us to teach others the true gospel of Jesus will be accomplished.
*–An alumni project supported through Hartland’s “Lord, Send Me” program