Truth Archive

Simeon Sarmiento was a Filipino worker for 60 years, many of them in Indonesia. He composed this email shortly before he passed away, a few days before his 86th birthday.
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My dear Fellow labourers and friends far and near,
The following message has been in my heart for some time now. Some of you may know that I have had time in the hospital in Manila these past two weeks. The reason for this is my prostate problem which has flared up to the extent that I have to be hospitalized. Tomorrow the doctors will perform a procedure to find out what to do next. I’m glad for the brothers taking turns to be with me in the
hospital to assist me in what I need. Quite a few friends old and young in Manila and around Manila have come to visit, cheer and comfort me. A clear demonstration of what is written in the Scripture. When a member suffers, the rest of the body suffers with it. Over the years, we have proven that when a member suffers, all the members of the body suffers with it, also. I feel deeply thankful for this clear demonstration of this truth in the
Bible. Long ago, I found out that ‘no man is an island’, we need the help of one another. Over the years, one way or another we need each one to help us along in God’s way. Old or young contributes to the well being of another. Whether we are workers in the fields or saints in the homes we need the help of one another. And God has faithfully provided us the help that we need at any given time. In all my 86 years, it has just been the last couple of years that I have been poorly in health and I have experienced deeply the help of both workers and friends when I needed assistance during my bouts of sickness. Their visits and help in so many ways have meant a lot to me.
There is not enough time and space to mention each one by name and in details but the God of Heaven who forgets not, remembers each individual loving act and rewards the doer. Thank you very kindly for your help, for your comfort, for your fellowship and for every act of kindness that I have been on the receiving end of. I wish I could thank each one personally but each of you is known of the Lord. And I would like to say thank you very kindly for all that you have been to me in my lifetime. Please overlook my many shortcomings in this note.
Your grateful brother, Simeon Sarmiento

Note: Uncle Simeon’s final message comes from the deepest part of his heart.
I remembered him composing this email with tears.