Pastor's Blog

Please allow me this opportunity to recap the funeral service for Cristy Leytham.  The service was to begin at 11:00AM but it actually began at 10:30AM with her son, Tony, leading in a time of musical praise and worship.  After that, another gentleman joined Tony and they shared several songs.

I was then asked to preached and Tico Vargas served as the translator.  During my time, I asked Dr. Mike Clark to share how Paul & Cristy were instrumental in helping Miss Dottie and him secure their first piece of property in Guatemala for the Casa Aleluya Children’s Home.

After I finished preaching, Manolo & Mildred Padilla shared two songs.  Andy, Cristy’s grandson, shared a few words as did a niece from El Salvador.

The casket was then loaded into the bed of Roberto’s truck and most everyone walked behind the truck to the cemetery which was about one half mile away on the top of the mountain.  There was singing, I shared about the resurrection and Carmina, daughter-in-law read the 27th Psalm.  The casket was placed in the mausoleum and the brick mason closed it up.

We walked away from the cemetery just before 2:30PM so the service in total was just under four hours long.  In my opinion, it was a good service and one that honored Jesus.

I have received several e-mails of support from members of the Friendship family.  I appreciate the encouragement and support.  For me, coming to Guatemala will never be the same.  I am thankful to have known Cristy Leytham for the past fourteen years.  Pray for her family!