Honoring Barb

Jerry and Barb Osbron, taken on the day they said goodbye to us, fifteen years ago

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree...

- Psalm 92:12

We held a memorial service to honor the life of Barb Osbron tonight.

My sister in law offered to hold it at their home, to make the affair more intimate, personal, and meaningful.

The Osbrons pastored our church in its early years, from 1978 to 1994. A total of fifteen years.

Those were very happy, formative years because the church was new, and the total membership at the start was less than a hundred. We were like a closely knit family, celebrating the events of our lives together for many years.

Many of the original members have already moved to Manila and other different parts of the world such as the United States, England, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.

About fifty of the original members, the "old-timers" we called ourselves, gathered tonight.

We tried to invite even former members who have already moved to other local churches, and we were happy that many of them came.

The love of Jesus, and our faith in what He accomplished through the cross, was the common thread that bound our lives together.

As we sang the old praise songs that we used to sing, like Something Beautiful, You Are My Hiding Place, In His Time, many of us couldn't keep the tears from falling.

Those were the foundational years of our church, and we all remember what it was like.

Jerry and Barb were our spiritual parents. They truly gave us the best years of their lives.

As Ruby said tonight, she will never forget them because what they taught us had an eternal value. And things with eternal value last for eternity!

From a small group of about 20-30 people in 1979 (thirty years ago!) when Ernie and I first came, meeting every Sunday in the open terrace of the Osbron residence, and at different homes each day of the week, we have grown today to thousands, with multiple worship services meeting every Sunday in different parts of the city, and for care group ministries throughout the week.

It was awesome to realize that two tiny seeds represented by the life of Jerry and Barb have become full grown trees... very many trees that are now bearing fruits.

The evening was indeed a heart warming celebration of the life of Barb. We sang her favorite songs, shared the beautiful experiences we had with her, and enjoyed the special video compilation of old pictures taken of our early years togetther.

At the end of the memorial service, we all sat down to a sumptuous meal, reminiscent of the many meals we had eaten together in the past.

Although we are sad at Barb's passing away, we know the separation is temporary.

Heaven will someday be a glad reunion for all who have Jesus as their Savior and Lord!


I have posted some pictures below.

Cecile, Mayang, Eileen, Neneng, and Ruby

Me, Mayang, Janice, Mylene, Amor, Letty, and Connie

Bodie, Tony, Hernan, and Elena

Cecile, Bolet, and Rebecca

Pastor Joe and his wife, Marilou

Ruby and Jean

Marie Rose and Bodie

Read Pioneer Press obituary and guest book here