We first came to know Marilou Ventura when we were stationed in the Philippines. She was a bandswoman, songster, timbrellist, a very active Salvationist.
Eighteen years ago she came to work at the Home for the Aged in Singapore and attended the meetings at the Pasir Panjang Corps (church) which shared the same premises with Home. We were asked to hold on as pastors for the church in 1998 for ten months. So we worked closely with Marilou. She gave excellent support.
The Home later moved to Changi and a few years later was changed to the Peacehaven Nursing Home. Marilou of course had to move to Changi, but she continued her membership with church.
Pasir Panjang Corps later moved to Upper Bukit Timah and became the William Booth Corps. Marilou continued worshiping with us at William Booth Corps.
Last Sunday was her farewell. As usual she took part in the band, and worship team and after the message by our pastor Major Ruth Pascoe, it was my privilege to offer the special prayer for Marilou.
She is leaving today for the Philippines. She will be living at Tondo and look after he aged mother and support the family. She will be back in the Tondo band and Songsters and take an active part once again at the home church.
God bless Marilou. She has relinquished her responsibilities in Singapore but that is not the end of the road for her. It was just a bend and the journey resumes that will take her to new responsibilities or ministries bringing glory to God.
The closing song was No 821 which says,
"We're an Army fighting for a glorious King;
We will make the world with hallelujahs ring;
With victorious voices we will ever sing:
There's salvation for the world.
Chorus:
For the world, for the world, Jesus died, Jesus died,
For the world, for the world, there is room in Jesus' side.
All the world to save, to battle we will go,
And we ever will our colours boldly show
With a trumpet voice we'll let the millions know
There's salvation for the world.
This song was written by William J Pearson (1832-92) an early day salvationist. Converted at the age of 14 he later became a local preacher. He moved from Derby to London in 1874 and joined The Christian Mission (which later became The Salvation Army) He travelled a lot preaching the gospel and was well known for his ministry of faith healing. For a number of years he wrote on song per week and contributed to the Army's publication "The War Cry" and occasionally "The Musical Salvationist" In our present Song Book there are 21 songs written by him, e.g
"Come join our Army to battle we go" 681
Joy, joy joy there is joy in The Salvation Army"807
"O Thou God for every nation" 622
"I'm set apart for Jesus" 495
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