After a 15 month battle with aggressive cancer Sary Rodas closed her eyes and fell asleep during the night of Wednesday 24th September. Months ago she had explained to her family; 2 daughters and husband that she was ready for what the Lord had planned.
Together, with her husband Rodolfo, she founded Education for Life which works to expand the horizons of young people in Zaragoza. This is what took us to a kids camp in Zaragoza before Christmas 2013.
The 25th contained a day long wake with a praise and worship service in the evening. The 26th was the day of the funeral. The Cemetery Las Flores is a peaceful place with a chapel and reception area then vast acres of green grass and trees and like most places in Guatemala has armed guards. The reception area houses a lobby with a courtyard and rooms off that. Sary was in one of the rooms in a large wooden silver coffin. People stood around chatting and sharing stories. The family, who had been on the go since Wednesday night, were tirelessly greeting people.
Having been ushered into the T-shaped chapel the family followed the coffin in. The chapel was large and full of people from Zaragoza, Church friends, University friends, Christian Union friends and family. The chapel contained varnished wooden pews with integrated kneelers. There was a staging area with a simple cross behind. In the corner, behind a velvet curtain, was a cross containing a sculpture of Christ Crucified. It is likely the curtain is open when it is a Catholic Funeral.
We sang songs of praise and worship to God, including Santiago Benevides ‘Who but you’. A friend, who first met Sary at University, spoke of this amazing woman of faith in Jesus. A half hour sermon on Psalm 16 followed. More songs followed and the two daughters bravely shared their and their mother’s faith in Christ. We also watched a video of the couple discussing the Christian Union. As the service finished we followed the coffin out through the parking lot and into the lush green cemetery with trees around and sculptures of sheep along with white and coloured peacocks and a large pond with relaxing fountain. It was a fare walk to the burial spot so people were swapping in and out of the pole bearer role.
The coffin was laid upon a lowering platform, surrounded by green mats and covered by a green gazebo on wheels. There were three gazebos behind, again on green mats, with seats underneath. We crowded round and read Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Many people shared stories and encouraged the family.
Sary was a flower fanatic and had planted a flower for each of her daughters, these were due to flower in December but had flowered this week. Rodolfo shared, while looking at the coffin, ready to go into the ground, of his partner in life of over 30 years. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
While the two grounds men, in their blue suits and number 1 dress hats, lowered the coffin everyone let their white helium balloons ascend into the sky symbolizing Sary´s spirit ascending to heaven. The coffin was covered with a thin slab and then a green mat covered the grave and the many many wreaths were laid on top.
Quien sino tu
Tu nos has traído hasta aquí no nuestras fuerzas ni nuestra bondad tu nos has traído hasta aquí por eso toda la gloria, y la gratitud, por eso todo el honor para Ti. Pues quien sino Tú has sido refugio y quien sino Tú calmo nuestra sed y quien sino Tú has sido el sustento cuando todo faltaba Señor sino Tú que por siempre eres fiel. Tú nos has traído hasta aquí tu viento ha soplado con poder y verdad y hasta donde bien nos quieras llevar que en nosotros hable tu voz y brille tu vida y vengan tu justicia y tu paz. Pues quien sino ti has sido refugio y quien sino tu calmo nuestra sed y quien sino tú has sido el sustento cuando todo faltaba señor sino tu que por siempre eres fiel. Y quien sino tu nos dio su palabra quien puso sus sueños en el corazón quien edificó con sus manos a casa planto la semilla señor sino tu traspasaban de amor. Quien edifico con sus manos la casa y planto la semilla señor sino tu traspasaban de amor
Who but you
You have brought us up to this point not our own strength nor our own kindness. You have brought us up to this point so all the glory and thanks and all the honour are yours. For who but you has been our refuge and who but you can quench our thirst and who but you has been our support when all else fail, Lord, but you who is faithful forever. You have brought us up to this point your wind has blown with power and truth and until where you want to take us and in us speaks your voice and your life shines and brings your justice and your peace. For who but you has been our refuge and who but you can quench our thirst and who but you has been our support when all else fail, Lord, but you who is faithful forever. Who but you gave us your word who put your dreams in our heart who with their hands built a home and planted the seed Lord but they pierced you for love. Who with their hands built a home and planted the seed Lord but they pierced you for love.
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