Ghie is a remarkable woman. She is knowledgeable, experienced, and wise, but her journey has not been easy.

When I met Ghie (pronounced "G") and her husband, Sanger, they were poised to take leadership of a dynamic organization working among the largest unreached ethnic minority of the Philippines. Under their leadership, the organization would become fully indigenous, an exciting step for all involved.

Then came the blow; Sanger had a fast-growing tumor in his brain. They turned over their responsibilities and immediately moved to the capital for treatment. Months of waiting were both agonizing and dull. Three surgeries later, the strength of their faith in God was a testimony to all who knew them. Everyone prayed for healing, but God chose to take Sanger home.

That was September of 2005. Now Ghie is a single parent to 9 year old Hannah, daily grieving the loss of her life partner who was a blessing to all who knew him. His gift of shepherding made him a natural at leadership development. Ghie, with her gifts of exhortation and encouragement, was a perfect complement to him. Today she's wrestling with a new identity. "Who am I now without Sanger?" she asks. "Definitely, I am not a wife anymore. I am now a widow and a single parent to Hannah. I have to learn to live life in new ways. I have to re-learn how to make tough decisions on my own."

God is giving her joy for the journey ahead. And He has used these trials to strengthen Ghie's desire to minister to other missionaries. Her dream? "[To] see strong and reproducing indigenous churches planted among Ethnic people; and to see fulfilled and effective Filipino missionaries serving in Ethnic ministry for the long haul, for God's glory."

SIM is blessed to be welcoming Ghie as she serves in a vital new role as the overseer of the House of Barnabas. This retreat house is being established to serve the needs of the Filipino workers. In addition to being the overseer, she will be a mentor and an encouragement to missionaries serving among ethnic minorities from many organizations. Like Barnabas of the Bible, she is an encourager, just right for the job. Ghie is a living demonstration of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Learn more and get involved with the House of Barnabas Project.