VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/29/10)—It is with a heavy heart that International Ministries announces the passing of beloved missionary Rosa Iris Morales on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Iris courageously battled cancer since 2007 and died peacefully surrounded by family and friends in a hospital in Houston Texas. Iris will be deeply missed by her husband, Mario, and their two sons, Seth Benjamin, age 17, and Mario Joshua, age 20, as well as by IM missionaries, IM staff and her friends and colleagues in Bolivia.
A native of El Salvador, Iris came to the U.S. in high school to escape the political instability of her home country. She met Mario a few years later and they married in 1985. She said, “As I go back in my memory through the years we have worked in South California, I realize that I have already been a local missionary.” Iris spent several years teaching and was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” in 1998 by the Parent Institute for Quality Education in California. A colleague noted Iris’ sense of humor – an important quality when working with children.
Iris and Mario were commissioned as American Baptist International Ministries missionaries to Bolivia in 1999. They served God at the Baptist Seminary of Cochabamba where Iris taught classes in Psychology. Together, Mario and Iris trained future Bolivian leaders by enabling these young believers to discover God’s will for their lives and ministry, as well as for the churches and society of Bolivia.
The House of Hope is a multi-faceted ministry in Cochabamba that serves the needs of women, children, pastors and families. It was especially near and dear to Iris with programs that help women find jobs, a school of music and art, a food ministry and a carpentry shop ministry. The House of Hope reaches up into the Andean Mountain to the Quechua communities, and down into the urban areas. Medical teams bring medical and dental services, soy milk and medications, baby baths, vacation Bible schools and even some adult education programs. It was Iris’ great joy to visit this program every time she went back to Bolivia, and celebrate with them when children accepted the Lord as their personal savior.
Iris is remembered by American Baptist Women for her outstanding presentation at the national women’s conference in 2003. She shared about a new ministry in the prisons of Cochabamba. In that culture, when women were sentenced to prison, their young children went with them. Iris was involved in a ministry of outreach to these children that provided weekly baths and clean clothing, toys and stories, some schooling and hot meals. The passion in Iris’ voice and her photos, helped many women realize that being a missionary is something all of us can do. Iris urged each one to do whatever she could to be the hands and feet of God in her own community.
In 2006, the Xtreme team went to Bolivia. During this trip, Iris discovered a growing lump in her throat. Despite the fear and discomfort, Iris helped the group through several challenges, including lost luggage for five days, a burglary, and a bankrupt airline, until Mario joined them. Iris and the Xtreme team washed babies in a garbage dump, participated in the ministry outreach to children of women in prison, and shined shoes with the street children. Through Iris' ministries and passion for social justice, the Xtreme team was able to see, feel, and be the hands and feet of Jesus in Bolivia.
When the family discovered Iris had cancer of the thyroid in 2007, they made the difficult decision to return to the United States for treatment in Texas. One of the side effects of the radiation, was that Iris’s voice became very soft and raspy. She was no longer able to enjoy one of her favorite activities – singing. The whole Morales family had been involved in worship and music at their church in Bolivia. Iris' favorite hymn was "Great is Thy Faithfulness.” On special occasions she would play the guitar or lead a children’s choir.
By the spring of 2008, the doctors discovered spots on Iris’ lungs and operated to remove several new tumors in her neck and brain. Iris was optimistic and in good spirits as she reflected God’s presence in their lives. In August of 2008 while undergoing cancer treatment here in the states, Iris and Mario took on the added role of Missionaries on Special Assignment as Recruitment Associates. In this role, Iris, along with Mario, ministered to missionary candidates in the discernment process to help candidates identify their call to cross-cultural ministry.
One of Iris’ dreams, was that her family be united in the Christian faith. Mario Jr., pastors a church in Los Angeles, the same church that his father pastored before becoming a missionary. Mario Jr. will begin studying at Fuller Seminary in August. His younger brother Benjamin, will begin his university studies this fall in Arizona.
Area Director, Rev. Dr. Jose Norat-Rodriguez, flew to Houston on July 21 to be with the family. He reported that, “Facing this cruel illness, her testimony of faith has been powerful and effective. Her mother, sister and brother-in-law arrived at the hospital and this emotional meeting was peaceful, and filled with the certainty that God always welcomes us into His presence in life or in death." Throughout her final days, Mario lovingly referred to his wife as “my Queen.” There are two scriptures that have been particularly meaningful to Iris:
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Executive Director for International Ministries, Rev. Dr. Reid Trulson said, “Iris indeed exhibited remarkable strength and courage in what she called her 'journey with cancer.' She continued to faithfully and passionately fulfill the ministry to which Christ Jesus had called her. Hers was a confident demonstration that cancer had not overcome God's love and the Spirit's peace. She has finished the course with power and grace. We thank God for the ways that she touched our lives and praise God for the fullness of joy that now is hers.”
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.