Dear Rowin and Menchie,
When I was in Shekou last Sunday for a mass, Ellen told me after the mass of the heartbreaking news of the sudden death of your dearly beloved daughter and the sickness of your son..... your agony at loss and of consolation. She mentioned that your hearts were even more burdened because there were no church people nearby to assist you. I immediately mentioned , although I had no way to contact you directly, that she tell you to contact Fr. Manaldo or Fr. Passeportein Macau....Filipino fathers of St. Paul. They could reach Zhuhai quickly and may be of assistance. I asked her to contact you that I would be offering my mass for the repose of her soul... although my prayers are mostly that from her place before the Throne of another Father she would be praying for us who remain "on the way". How privilege you are to have your child in eternal glory before God! There, time is no more; There, heartaches cannot enter; There, sufferings are unknown. We ask here prayers that you, her mother and father, and us, her brothers and sisters, might achieve the same glory!
There is no shame in being broken hearted over your lovely daughter's death. Even God expect that as a sign of our love of His Will (which is always for good) love for those He created. I am sure you will appreciate that one day when you meet God and your daughter again in heaven. Our existence is not a "grin and bear it". Existence - it is an existence that Christ indicated by His life on earth and His beckoning: "Seek first the kingdom of Heaven and all graces will be given to you!"
My condolences Rowin and Menchie, and prayers that the Lord grant to your daughter that eternal glory for which she was created , and to you and to your wife, consolations and graces abundant and divine!
All of us of the Shekou Society pray for you.
Father Adam Gudalefsky
For the past 12 years, our family has been a conduit of small acts of kindness and gestures of charity to the less fortunate. With the loving and generous support of our families, friends and Brgy China OFW community, the purpose to bring smiles to others as our beloved Maia has done for us in her short lived life. Her death signaled the birth of our Maia Outreach Programs.
Yes, 12 years ago, our family was the one in deep despair and unfathomable pain after the sudden departure of our beloved Maia at 22 months old. It was a faith-shaking and life-changing moment that we could have not come through without the Divine hands of God reaching out to comfort us in the form of families, friends and even from total strangers whom we have never even personally met.
Yes, we received so much love in our lowest moment and these love is simply too hard to be contained and not shared. The kindness we received then became our inspiration to be also the extension of God's charity to others for the best of our lives.
We miss and love you always, Maia!
