Roni

Last weekend was such a hard weekend for all of us at Casa. Pamela, a staff member at casa lost her husband unexpectedly. She was more than just an employee. She was our neighbor, part of our church family and had become a good friend of ours.
Early Saturday morning I got a phone call from Pamela blubbering into the phone. I just couldn't understand what she was saying. So I woke Dorian up and told him to talk to her because I could not understand her. Dorian was unable to understand her either so she had to pass off the phone to her mom to talk to us and explain what had happened. We were in shock. We both jumped out of bed upon hearing the words Roni has been killed and gathered our clothes and out the door we went to her house. She had already left by the time we got to the house.
I called Marc to let him know what had happened and he journeyed along with us to see what he could do to help. We got into our cars and went up the road a ways to where Roni's parents live and found Pamela. She was besides herself. I stayed with her all day long just to be there for her. Marc and Dorian were busy running lots of errands for the family and were in and out all day.
We came to find out Roni had gotten off work Friday night late and it was rainy, dark and very foggy and Roni began to make his way home on the road to Santa Ana. Although he did not make it very far. It looks as if someone did not see him as it was very foggy and he was hit and killed. His body was found the next day early in the morning on the side of the road. He left behind his wife and two year old son.

When someone dies in Honduras it is all very quick. The body had been taken early in the morning before Pamela even got to see his body to Forensic Medicine to do a complete autopsy. Everyone there at the house was scrambling around to help and make preparations. Some had loaded up and went to the cemetary and started digging the hole, as other got seats loaded up and sat up, along with the family making food for all of those who would come to visit. Others were busy getting the table and area ready for the viewing of the body. Then there was the truck loaded that headed to town pick up the body and get the casket.
Word traveled fast and soon all of the neighbors, family and friends had come near and far to help this family out in tragedy. Roni's body arrived back in Santa Ana about 10am and the changed his clothes and got him ready for viewing.
This was a very difficult moment for Pamela as she was unsure if she wanted to see Roni like this. All afternoon and evening we were there for Pamela to listen to her, to love her, comfort her, and remember all of the good memories with her. About 6pm we talked Pamela into going home for a little bit to rest and come back later.
We loaded up and headed home to shower and rest for a little bit. We picked her back up at 9pm and headed back to Roni's parents house. We had worship service from 9 til 11pm. Then at midnight we loaded everything up and went to Pamela's house. She had decided to split the viewing. Part of the time at his parents house and then the other part at her house.
The viewing continued all night and carried on into Sunday. It really is amazing to see all that come to surround and be with the family in this tragic time.
Sunday morning she had asked that Sunday morning worship be held at her house. The church along with many others gathered there and did worship. I gave the older kids at Casa the option if they were going to go or not. I explained to them what had happened and etc and told them this was their choice if they wanted to go. About 7 or 8 of the kids went with us for worship and the burial. Pamela loved having the kids there to hug on her. They all had come to love her with her working at casa.
After worship the family has lunch prepared for everyone. Then about 1pm all of Roni's cousins picked up the casket and starting walking towards the cemetary as we all followed in procession. May along the road joined in the procession.
The casket was opened one last time at the cemetary and then a few words were spoken. As the body was lowered into the hole and then covered with dirt songs of praise were sung to our God.

The amazing part in all of this is that Roni had taken the decision to be baptized in April. Praise God!! We will never know why God took him from so many who love him at such a young age. He was 23 years old and leaving behind his wife and two year old son who doesn't even begin to understand where his daddy has went.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers for this family. Please continue to pray for this family.