Our beloved Anita Bertrand has passed away

Monday afternoon, October 4, 2021 our wonderful friend and fellow servant in Christ Anita Bertrand went to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, after a very short illness with Covid-19.

It is with deep sorrow that we write to you to tell you that our dear friend and fellow missionary, Anita Bertrand, passed away on Monday October 4th, 2021in the Philippines. Those of you who know Anita, know that she always served Jesus with joy and enthusiastic energy. We had been praying for Paul and Anita as they had both been infected by COVID. In His providence, God has called Anita home. We thank God for Anita’s faithful, loving testimony.

We ask you to please pray, pray, pray God’s comfort for those left behind, most immediately Paul and their two children Michael and Cherry Ann. Anita came from a large family; her younger sister is Ruth Copsey a fellow EI Missionary with her husband Ken. Pray for Ruth, their Dad, Mom and the rest of Anita’s siblings who live all around the world.

Anita has been involved with Emmanuel International since the early 80’s. She and Paul served faithfully in Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi, Canada and most recently in the Philippines.

Earthly distances and COVID restrictions make things even more difficult. Ruth shared that their Dad, in his sorrow, continues to remind his family… and the rest of us… that our hope is in Jesus. He is refuge for Paul, Michael, Cherry Ann. He is their comfort, and ours. We do not grieve without hope. Psalm 116:15 tell us: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Anita will be greatly missed by all. Thank you for continuing to pray for the family.

Michael, Cherry Ann, Anita and Paul