IN THIS ISSUE --
This is a Special Edition of Friday FAX in loving memory of Elder
Manuel Vasquez, Vice President for Multilingual Ministries for the North
American Division for the past 15 years.


IN MEMORIAL
Manuel Vasquez, May 19, 1937 - January 29, 2005

Dr. Manuel Vasquez, Vice President of Multilingual Ministries for the
North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists for the past 15 years,
is resting in Jesus until His return. A copy of the February 7 funeral
program, conducted in the General Conference auditorium, is available
online at www.nadadventist.org/fridayfax, and includes a brief
biographical sketch.

The oldest of four brothers, he joined the U.S. Navy when he was 19,
and it was while he was serving onboard the USS Bexar that he became a
Seventh-day Adventist. Many times he had to stand up for his faith for
such things as refusing to bear arms or to work on the Sabbath. He was
made the Protestant lay leader for his ship, and actually preached his
first sermon following a terrible typhoon that took the lives of several
sailors. The topic of his first sermon was "Why God Allows
Suffering," a topic he had been studying in the Voice of Prophecy
Bible lessons.

"There was always a spring in his step, he was happy, smiling,
energetic, and dashing," said Juan Prestol. "However, on the day he
came to the division as Vice President for Multilingual Ministries, that
was not the man I saw. He was heavy burdened. He could not smile. It
was the burden of responsibility that was given to him that basically,
as he felt it, it was just too much for him. .... Manuel made friends
with everyone - the bank teller, his barber, the photo shop person, the
person at the dry cleaners - people that became friends with him so that
when they had troubles and questions, they came to him. And he had an
opportunity to eat with them. He took time for them. He truly loved
people. He was a man of faith, and lived that faith each and every day.
He was a man of prayer, and truly lived his life, living, as the Bible
says, that through God all things are possible.... I believe we can best
honor his memory by recommitting ourselves and serving the God he
served," said Prestol.

"If I had to say one thing about Manuel, I would have to say that he
exhibited a relentless pursuit of excellence: in relationships, in
leadership, and in spirituality," exclaimed Ignacio Chaviano, who
delivered the Homily.

The funeral was conducted according to Manuel's own design, and he
had asked his wife, Nancy, to say something about him. So even though
it was very difficult, Nancy told of what it was like to be married to
Manuel. "Manuel," she said, "is Spanish for 'Emanuel,' which
means, 'God with us,' and Manuel lived up to that name in
demonstrating through his life what the love of God is like - accepting
and unconditional. He was kind and patient and understanding. He used
to preach on the essential qualities of a good marriage, and he truly
practiced what he preached." For Nancy's entire tribute to Manuel,
go to: www.nadadventist.org/fridayfax.

Many stood, during the nearly-three-hour funeral, and told of their
personal friendship and experiences with Manuel that demonstrated his
love, concern, excellence, prayerfulness, abilities, dedication, and
love for God, and for his wife and family, and when describing his
excellent qualities, many would add, "That's just the kind of man he
was."

He was buried with full military honors in the Maryland Veterans
Cemetery in Crownsville, Maryland. We will miss him! Even so, come Lord
Jesus!



***
Managing Editor - Lynetta Murdoch
Consulting Editor - Fred Kinsey
lynetta.murdoch@nad.adventist.org
Fax 301-680-6464
*