Leaving a Legacy
With sadness I am informing the World Missions family and the Church of God around the world that on Saturday, September 27, Bob Phillips, missionary builder from Ninety Six, SC, passed away.
Bob Phillips and his faithful wife Sarah worked full time in missions over the past 30 years, fulfilling their calls as missionary builder and nurse. As one of the original “Men of Action”, Bob has built three hospital buildings-Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as well as Rus Rus and Roatán, Honduras. He also built two houses for missionaries, a large tabernacle building in Puerto Lempira, and a large church, an administrative building, a Bible School and dormitory facility all in Roatán. His latest project is the “Vessels of Mercy Medical Clinic” in French Cay, Roatán. This charity hospital exists in order to help the poor and will serve as a lighthouse to many thousands of lost people in the islands of Honduras.
Bob and Sarah’s life work has touched and blessed many souls. Bob was a man of great faith and great works. Below is a letter sent to Sarah by Dr. Otoniel Collins on behalf of the Church of God in Honduras.
There are some men who leave footprints wherever they go, and Bro. Bob Phillips is one of them. Wherever he walked he left a legacy that represented his vision and mission on this earth. It didn’t matter where he had to go, if it were to the most remote place or an island in the middle of the ocean, there the hands of Bro. Bob built up the kingdom of God.
I am a witness to this grace that God gave Bob, which allowed him to turn vision into action and reality. It is like the story of Joseph in Egypt, who because of his integrity and obedience to God, everything his hands touched prospered, even in difficult times. The more difficult and challenging the obstacles, the more strength flowed from the hands of Bro. Bob. He never gave up regardless of how great the obstacle was.
The best example I can give to demonstrate what I am talking about is found in his great work at the Rus Rus Hospital, located in one of the most remote regions of Honduras. Because of obedience, dedication, and commitment to the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ, Bob and Sarah built a beautiful hospital that to this day is still the only medical hope for more than 18,000 indigenous Miskito. The hospital is like an oasis in the middle of the desert.
It would be impossible to count the number of persons who have received and continue to receive medical attention-mothers giving birth, surgeries that save lives, etc-but these were not the most important results for Bro. Bob. What touched his heart was when a soul received Christ as Lord and Savior.
He always said to me with tears in his eyes, “Dr. Collins, the reason I do these things is to share the love of Christ.”
I am sure our Lord Jesus has said to him these words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Sister Sarah, you are part of our family and we grieve with you. The Church of God in Honduras is earnestly praying for you and your family.
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Ken Anderson, Field Director, Central America/Mexico/Brazil
. . . . . © 2008 Church of God World Missions
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