Tributes have poured in for missionary Michael “Soy” Taylor, who died Oct. 2 in Guatemala after being shot at his home during a robbery attempt.
“Devastated to hear the news of the passing of our friend Michael “Soy” Taylor. Longtime friend and precious partner in the gospel. His life made such an impact for the Kingdom! Thankful he knew Jesus and is celebrating with Him now. Pray for his sweet wife and beautiful kids and his precious parents and siblings,” wrote one friend.
“Absolutely heartbroken losing Soy,” wrote another. “He was an amazing man and had a deep impact on my husband since their teenage years. Feeling so angry about the senseless act that took his life and leaves his family with a gaping hole.”
Taylor was shot Sept. 30 by armed men who approached the family’s home in Guatemala while they were watching TV on the front porch.
Taylor was shot once in the stomach, and the three men fled. He had surgery, was stabilized and seemed to be recovering, but died Oct. 2 from an infection.
“My husband protected his family without ever second-guessing anything,” Deidra Taylor said in an interview with WKRG, Mobile’s CBS News affiliate.
Alabama ties
Taylor and his family are members of Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay. Deidra Taylor’s father, Teddie Turrentine, is the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay and has provided updates on the situation through his blog.
The Taylors had lived in Guatemala for six years. As part of their ministry, they had established a school for the children of Chimaltenango and helped in the construction of homes for people in the area. Friends say Taylor’s nickname came from his lifelong love of soy sauce.
A celebration of Taylor’s life was held in Guatemala Oct. 4. More than 400 people attended, while an additional 4,000 viewed the livestream. A memorial service also will be held Oct. 12 at Friendship. Taylor will be buried in Richton, Mississippi, Turrentine said.
Deidra Taylor said she forgives the men who shot her husband of 16 years.
“We may never see them again,” she said. “We may never know that, but somehow God will send someone to share salvation and love found only through Jesus Christ, and with everything in us we want those three men to know Jesus.”
She said she plans to return to Guatemala to continue the work they have started.
“We want to grieve with the very ones that we love in Guatemala,” she told WKRG. “We want to minister to them. Even at this moment, I cannot explain that. I cannot explain how God has given us a heart for that.”
Taylor is survived by his wife and three daughters, Lizzi, Sydney and Audrey, along with a host of other family members and friends.
To help offset medical and other expenses, a memorial fund has been established. Click here for more information.
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