Reader comments
Filipino missionary killed, two others injured

Patrick from China | 1:32 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008

It is very sad to hear the young missionary killed in this kind of car accident. May God bless his family with peace and comfort. Wish the other two missionaries to recover soon.

Ruth | 5:55 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008

I am so sorry to hear this. It is a sad thing when we loose anyone but a missionary doing the Lord's work is very sad.
My condolences to his family. I pray the Lords blessing upon them.

Anonymous | 7:34 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008

Kuya Eugene ma mimiss kita talga. I want you to know na im very proud of you. Continue to serve the Lord there. Wagmo kaming kakalimutan. Ikaw and the best. D bale magkikita naman ta u d ba. I'll see you there na lang. We miss you kuya Eugene. You're my idol!!!!!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 7:57 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008

Though I havent seen Elder Fontanos,I knew he has been a great servant.....
I knew his mission doesnt end up here...
My deepest condolence to the family ,and I knew the Lord ......will never leave you comfortless and to the family as well of Elder Smith and the ward missionary....

princessK | 9:35 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008

My condolences to the Fontanos family. Its a terrible experience to go through when your child dies at 23. I know though that death while serving the Lord is honorable and that is the work you one continues doing on the other side of the veil.It is not the end.
I pray that Elder Smith and Elder Terante will heal completely. I have not witnessed a friend die on the spot but i have had one die the same day i said bye to her, in a terrible road crush and it still hurts.
Trust in the Lord who has left a comforter with us,is all we can do in times of trial and i know the surviving missionaries know in whom to trust for their comfort.
Heavenly Father loves His missionaries.

Romie | 1:27 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008

I am so sorry for that, but for sure He is now there doing the greatest work he was doing here. My utmost condolence to the bereaved family of Elder Fontanos.

suzyk | 6:38 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008

When you die in the service of the Lord...there is joy, peace and comfort waiting for you on the other side. Our condolences go to the Fontanos and our prayers will continually be with the two missionaries that were injured. May the Lord's choicest blessings abide with their families.

Lynn | 7:20 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008

I am very sad for the families of these elders, and also for the other missionaries in that mission who have served closely with these young men. It must be a big shock to them. My son is there, but he is new, so perhaps the impact is not as great. And I realize this Elder could have been killed any time in his own home town before his mission. Still, when we send them out we seriously expect them to return so I feel for the family's grief. I will pray for them all.

Marie Devine | 9:03 a.m. March 2, 2008

It is sad to lose a son, only love for God and His precious promises of eternal life can ease that.

We call strength and healing for those injured and for the families of all concerned. May this tragedy magnify their witness and their efforts to bring forth the truth of Jesus Christ. I pray, that the hearts of the people there will hear with more loving ears the words that the elders brought. May this cause a great harvest for those afflicted.

God bless them all.

Becca | 8:38 p.m. March 2, 2008

Elder Smith is my brother, and I wanted to thank everyone for their outpouring of kindness. The comments posted here meant a lot to me. This is an incredibly difficult time for my brother, our family, and the Fontanos family; our hearts are broken for them. Praying for peace.

Browns from Magna | 2:06 a.m. March 3, 2008

We are in shock. Although we do not know the Elders involved, our son is serving there and could only imagine the pain the parents are going through now. Our prayers are with the missionaries and their families and just know that God is well aware of all of us. It's comforting to know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we'll see our loved ones again. We love all our missionaries and pray for their safety. Mahal kita!

Denise | 9:38 a.m. March 3, 2008

Thank you all for your concern and prayers. Elder Smith is my son- we are able to speak to him daily as he is still hospitalized. It looks like he may be returning home to allow for a complete recovery, and hopefully reassigned. In the Philippines only a month, he regrets this, but has also shown a great deal of faith and courage in following what the Lord intends. As President Hinkley would say "Everything will work out alright." The Lord has a plan, we feel that the events of last tuesday were known and allowed by Him- and feel that someday, with renewed perspective, it will all work out for the good, even for the Fontanos family. I have felt such sorrow for this sweet mother...please continue to pray for them. Once again, thank you!

Ken from California | 1:31 p.m. March 3, 2008

Our son is serving as a district leader just outside Bacolod City. In his weekly e-mail yesterday, he sent a picture of his companion and Elder Smith in the hospital (bandage on head but smiling). Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved and their families.

Mr. Butuan | 8:07 p.m. March 3, 2008

I would like to tell you that we are all praying for The Smiths, Fontanos and terantes here in Butuan.

We love you and hope that you will all be blessed and comforted. The Church is true and the Lord loves us eventhough we don't completely understand why some things happen.

We also express our love and support to Pres. and Sister Daquioag of the Bacolod Mission. I know this is a difficult time for both of you as well. You are in our prayers.

HALONG PIRME!!!

jarom of cebu | 6:17 a.m. March 4, 2008

to his family: we love you & hope you can recover from this very sad & contemplating trials. I'm sure the Lord loves elder fontanos. He is sure of a happy life, continuing what he has not finished here. Hope we too can pass this probationary state and continue a life of happiness in the next life.

David | 11:05 a.m. March 4, 2008

Our daughter is in the district with Elder Smith and Elder Fontanos and Elder Terante. She asked us to pray for these families and we are. We hope the Lord's comforting peace is upon you. We all know that Elder Fontanos has been transferred and continues his mission. We pray that both Elder Smith and Elder Terante will be able to heal and complete theirs. The atonement is real and covers both sins and sorrows. May it do so for all involved.

Jennifer | 6:10 a.m. March 6, 2008

He is my neighbor and a quiet young boy.

I've spoke to his mother just 3 weeks back and told me that it is the wish of late Eugene to serve before God. Hope he will rest in peace and paents will recover soon.

Of course I will miss you Eugene.

Fafais in WVC | 6:31 p.m. March 6, 2008

We express our deepest sympathy and condelences to the Fontanos family. May the knowledge of the "plan of salvation" brings them peace, strength and comfort at this time of sadness. As written in the gospel of St Matthew, "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted."

We have no doubt that Elder Fontanos is now rejoicing his great reward in Heaven.

Our family will pray for speedy recovery of both Elder Smith and Elder Terante.

May God bless all these families!

haidz of sibalom | 1:11 a.m. March 13, 2008

elder fontanos is a very great missionary.i know him very well in his four and half months stay in sibalom branch.hes so dedicated,..a very humble missionary of the Lord..he was a great loss to the work but i know with all my heart that God has plan for him there...im going to miss him...

Elder Lucas | 8:29 p.m. March 13, 2008

Without really knowing who Elder Fontanos is in person, I still know that he has the greatest testimony for the importance of the work, that it cost his life. By the time that I'll be serving in Bacolod Mission, you will be one of my reasons on why I should take the work seriously, even if my life will also be on the line.

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