Jose Vicente Reamer

Jose Vicente Reamer

We lost one of our good brothers recently. Vicente went to join our Lord on March 3, 2010.  He was 29 years old.   He was born on April 22, 1980.  He had resided at En El Corazon de Jesus since February 2009.  I met Vincent in February of 2009.  He had come to Guatemala from Phoenix, Arizona eight years earlier. Although born in Guatemala Vicente was adopted by Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Reamer in October 1990.  He had been in an orphanage in Santa Cruz del Quiche for 7 years.  

Vicente could speak English and was my interpreter many times.  The other men at the center called him “Americano”.  When I came in the door of the center, the men would yell out Americano, because they knew I needed help to communicate with Victor.  Vicente would often speak Spanish to me and English to Victor, and I would say ok, Vicente, I am learning, but not there yet.  We had a great deal of fun together.

The reason I met Vicente the first time is he was very sick and I ask our Doctor, Sherwood Pope to see him.  He was one of three men that needed some medical attention.  After Dr. Pope saw him we took him to the local hospital and he was checked in.  He had a very serious case of diabetes, and was near a coma stage when Dr. Pope saw him.  Vincent told us he was not aware he had diabetes and his alcohol addiction made this worse.

Victors father and I talked on one occasion and he told me that Victor had been a troubled youth and addiction had been the major problem.  Vincent had told me that he left Phoenix because he could not stay away from bad influences while he stayed there.  He returned to Guatemala and was here for 7 years before joining En El Corazon de Jesus.  Vicente lived in Antigua and Santa Cruz del Quiche when he came back.  He worked as a translator in Antigua.  

Vicente found Christ while here and became a helper as well as a patient while there.  Unfortunately his health did continue to deteriorate.  He told me his leg pain was almost unbearable at times.  

In addition to En El Corazon de Jesus Vicente had a very good friend who lives in Santa Cruz del Quiche, Benjamin Tipaz.  Vicente will be missed.