Into Life Eternal

ROBERT J. PETRO - September 21, 1957 March 7, 2002

Bob Petro was born with congenital heart disease. His cardiologist gave him little chance of survival past infancy. Bob was saved at age four. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry and later graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute. When the Petros applied for missionary service with ABWE, some wondered if it was worth the risk because of the hole in Bob's heart. Bob's answer was, "The only thing that can fill my heart is reaching people for Christ in the Philippines."

Bob and Val were appointed to the Philippines in 1988. In spite of medical and financial obstacles, they persevered and arrived in their place of service in 1994. Bob routinely ran seven miles a day. He participated in marathons and knew the importance of endurance.

During two terms of missionary service, Bob and Val planted the Bambang Baptist Church in the central mountains of Northern Luzon. Unaware of the blood infection that had invaded his body, Bob offered training to Filipino pastors and laymen at a four-hour daily module during the last week of his life. On Saturday, he hiked a mountain and swam in a river with young people from the church. On Sunday, March 3, Bob's final message was "What Keeps Us Going?" He quoted Paul's dilemma in Philipians 1:23, "…having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. " The Petros' Filipino coworkers, Jeff and Luding Albino, continue the work in Bambang.

On March 7 at 3:15 AM, Bob broke the tape and finished his race. Nearly 200 gathered for the memorial service and burial in Bambang, Nueva Viscaya on Sunday, March 10. Bob is survived by his wife, Val, and their children: Andrea (11), Luke (9), and Darek (7), and his mother, Ruth. His father, James, died in 1991.

George Toensfeldt - October 8, 1919-February 15, 2002

George was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to George and Maude Toensfeldt and was saved at the age of 12. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy and spent a year and a half in the Philippine Islands. God burdened his heart to return with the gospel. He married Lillian Donn in February1946.

The Toensfeldts attended the Bible Institute of Los Angeles where George received his B.A. degree. The couple were accepted as ABWE missionaries in 1950 and appointed to the Philippines. They arrived on the island of Palawan the following year. The Toensfeldts served there and in south Luzon, conducting open air evangelistic meetings and helping in church planting efforts throughout the Philippines. They were instrumental in establishing a permanent campsite for Christian youth in Luzon, and helped run the camp on several occasions. George also received additional training that enabled him to teach in the Bible Institute.

After retiring in 1986, the Toensfeldts remained active participants with ABWE, representing the mission on the West Coast. George regularly taught a Bible class at the nearby Air Force Academy, and was preparing for a trip to represent ABWE when he suffered a massive stroke.

His wife, Lillian; their children Georgia Hurst, John, and Donn Toensfeldt, Marilou Dachtler; and seven grandchildren survive him.

His missionary and Filipino colleagues will remember George Toensfeldt as a faithful teacher who led by example.