Cruz Rodriguez-De Reyes

Cruz Rodriguez de Reyes was born on July 22, 1942 in Juana Diaz, a small township in the south of Puerto Rico. Crucita, as family and friends called her, was an extraordinary Christian, mother and wife. Although Crucita came from a very humble background and her childhood was denied of a loving upbringing, God had singled her out and inscribed in her heart His love, compassion and an unique talent to serve others. In 1965, she married her loving husband Hector who was always her friend, companion, and most assiduous supporter. From a very young age Crucita committed her life to serving the Lord by preaching the Gospels and assisting the poor and destitute. She supported many young forming-missionaries and missions in different Latin-American countries, and helped to rehabilitate troubled youngsters who had fallen victims of the drugs. In 1975, she graduated with an Associated degree in Theology from the Inter-American Biblical College--presently known as the Caribbean Theological University--where she worked as secretary. She also taught the History of the Church in one of the extensions of the Biblical College at the Mission Board Church in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. But even before she commenced her seminary studies, she listened to the Lord's calling, and single-handedly established Gosen, a mission in the province of Jarabacoa in the Dominican Republic dedicated to the teaching the word of God to children of under-priviledged communities. Since its foundation in 1972, the scope of Gosen has been to win children and their parents for Christ and to provide support for the community. Crucita's unbreakable faith in Christ allowed her to overcame many obstacles and hurdles that threatened her missionary work. Even when cancer stroke her in 1991, she believed in the promise God gave her to restore her health and continued his labor giving the testimony of how He manifested his power through that trying period. Gosen celebrated recently its fourty-second anniversary and throughout these decades Crucita saw generations of children growing up to become productive citizens who along with their parents still serve the Lord. Crucita is survived by her beloved husband Hector, who always supported and encouraged her missionary work and spiritual quest. She will be missed by her sons Daniel, Reyito and her daughter Ines. She will be missed by her daughter-in-law, Phyllis-Marie, her grandchildren Alexandra, Raquel, Valerie, Hector-Daniel, Phyllis-Arlene, David-Daniel, and by her great-grandchildren Gabriel, Isaac, Jayden, Brandon, Aiden, Nicholas, Adrian, Daniel, Alana, and Caleb. She will always be missed by all her friends in Christ.

Cruz Rodriguez-De Reyes

July 22, 1942 - March 6, 2014