Farewell My Friend And Brother

This picture was taken after the final service I attended in my local church in the Philippines six days before I moved to the United States. On the left hand corner from behind where Omie is sitting is his wife Gina. I had my last lunch out together with Church and Bible Study members at an Italian Restaurant.

Around 6am (8pm Philippine Time) I spoke to the members of my Friday Bible Study Group called PGIF short for Praise God It's Friday! Gina, Omie's wife requested all members of Omie's church and Bible Study to come to the hospital to say goodbye to our Brother Omie. I had an overwhelmingly emotional conversation with the members of the Bible Study... I could not stop myself from crying.

On my way to drop off my eldest daughter to school we were both silent but we were both in tears (my kids are very close to their Tito Omie) my youngest still has a hard time accepting that Tito Omie is about to leave us. On my way home from school while listening to a Christian Radio Station I heard them play the song "Wish You Were Here" which talks about someone who passed away telling his loved one that he's at a better place "running with angels on streets made of gold" and enjoying himself in God's presence. It was almost as if God was communicating to me and giving me the assurance that my friend Omie is now in His presence.

Please pray for me and my friends whom Omie also grew up with like Jojo, Raffy, Tootsie, Francis, Ringgo, Cuyot, other friends who are also grieving who have been part Omie's life like Jun D., Toto, Joey, Jun U., Ryan, Cedric, Tellet, Phillip, Terrie, Leeanne, Shawi, Maggy, Pie, Pastor Chaz (who has been by Omie's bedside inside the ICU almost every night). Pray for the Sola Family Omie's sisters and brothers nephews and nieces and his Mom. And of course please pray for his wife Gina that God would give her the strength and the comfort that she needs at this most difficult time.

On Saturday February 16 at 6 a.m. (Friday afternoon 4pm U.S. Central Time) Omie's life support will be turned off he will then be coming home to Jesus where he will run with the angels 0n streets made of gold. I will see you soon my friend.

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

2Cor. 5:1

Update: Omie's life support system has not yet been turned off he is still hanging on as of 9:42pm Feb. 16 (Philippine Time) his heart rate has increased to a little over 100 although his blood pressure has not been registering for 9 hours. Continue to be in prayer for Omie's family and friends in Bacolod (Philippines) and here in the United States.