We are deeply saddened to report the death of our beloved co-founder and director, Haig Rushdoony, who went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 22, 2010. Many people read the Bible, but Haig lived it. He especially loved the Book of James and his life was epitomized by James 1:22 that says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” Haig poured his life into the Macedonian Outreach and will be sorely missed by all those he touched around the world and especially by his loving wife, and fellow servant of the Lord, Vula, who co-founded the ministry with him. Our dear brother in Christ, is now with the Lord hearing the words, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
Please feel free to write of your memories of Haig in the comment section below…
Dear Vula and family,
we thank the Lord that God gave us the opportunity to meet Haig through the ministry in Albania. We always remember his love, his patience and his smile. Most of all we thank the Lord for using Haig in His ministry. May the Lord bless you all and cover you with His love and encouragement. We love you and pray for you
Miltiades and Veta Pantelios for the Greek Evangelical Church of Corfu
Our dearest Vula,
Maria and I are so thankful to God for bring you and Haig into our lives. Both of you were and still are a motivation to serve the Lord and an example how to do so. The generosity of both of you made us to see another way of giving and serving. Haig has left to heaven hut he is leaving in our hearts and in the every day ministry at Helping Hands.
I cannot forget the time we met up in mountain Olympus and were talking about the refugee ministry and right there and then, Haig allowed his generous heart to speak and said to you Vula, “can we support Helping Hands with…… and said an amount”. And since then, The Macedonian Outreach is feeding hundreds of refugees every week at our center in Athens.
Vula, we love you, pray for you and looking forward to see.
Nikos & Maria Stefanidis
Though I did not meet Papa Haig personally, I saw and heard of his love for the Lord in our Christian camp in Albania. I met Mama Vula and his children while the served the Lord in the camp. I was greatly blessed by the ministry of Papa Haig and Vula. Many people were encouraged by their prayers and love and sponsorship of our camps. It is hard when people like Papa Haig leave us as we miss him a lot.
Our prayers are with you Mama Vula. We pray that the Lord will give you strength and comfort and that you will be blessed as much as you have been a blessing to so many people. We love you. (Ju duam) From your friends in Delvina, Albania. – Roland. I hope to see you in the near future.
Dear aunt Vula ,
first of all, receive sincere condolences from my family and me.
When I received your e-mail, I was very sad and still am.
When you love and respect somebody, regardless his age and disease, the loss always hurts, especially Haig’s death.
I would like for you to know that I am honored, and I had the priviledge that I have had a friend like him, because he has been to me like a second father.
Haig was wonderful, intelligent, reasonable, a very good christian and a great humanist…one word : He was precious!
Last year,when Harry and Joan were here in Nis,we talked about uncle Haig and we told that he is – the miracle man!
And because of that,he’s a good example for me how to fight for life and health.
Also,He was a gentleman whom I adored the most. I believe that he’s now in a much better place where there’s no pain and suffering..with our Lord Christ!
He’s gone, but in my heart and mind he will always live.
I know that your suffering is the biggest and may the Lord give you strenght for everything, I would like to be there to hug you. Please, be strong.
I love you so much, Sonja and Family
My wife Joan and I met Haig and Vula after establishing BENJAMIN Orphan Society in 1994, and have worked together to bring relief to many orphans in the Balkans.
We are so saddened to learn about his leaving.
Haig, what a nice, quiet but dynamic MAN. Just look at the achievements of this remarkable man. What an example for all of us us who are trying to help those unfortunate around us. He will truly be missed by all of us.
Dear Vula, may our Lord comfort you and your family and we know that the best memorial for this wonderful man will be to continue the work you two started back in 1989.
My sweet sweet friend,
I am so saddened to hear about precious Haig…What a hero!!! You both have been so special in our life and I am sad we have not been in touch lately. Please know my heart that I love and admire how you live your lives. Hope I can talk with you soon.
Love from Tennessee
Alan, Donna, and family
DEAR OUR FAMILY VULA RUSHDOONY. AS A CHURCH WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTWARMING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. ALL THE CHURCH, SPIRO, ALEKSANDRA, STEFAN, KUJTIM, GEORGE, LAURA AND… ALL BROTHERS , SISTERS REMEMBER BROTHER HAIG IN OUR MINDS AND THEY PRAYING FOR YOU.
OUR LORD KEEPING YOU IN HIS COMFORT. ISAIA 41:10
Mama Vula, we are with you and we pray to the Lord to give you strength and peace for continuing the work of Papa Haig. Mama we are with you, we love you Mama kane kuragio kai dynami emis imaste mazi su aftes tis stigmes.
Haig was and is a man that I admire. The week in Greece that Easter you Vula invited to was the real beginning of our relationship. Both of you got me out of my comfort zone. Thank you for that. Yes, Haig lived the book of James, also Philippians 1 – For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. I also know this for myself. As we reach up for help from the Lord He holds our hand tight, and as He holds our hand tight, He leads us through life, and as He leads us through life He brings us home. Vula, I do not know your pain but can feel it.
GOD BLESS YOU,
Wil Swihart
We meet Haig and Vula here in Albania in Kosovo crisis 1999. in that time our hearts engage like father and son. For Bona is difficult to pronounce the word “father” to somebody else, but for Haig it was very easy. For me Papa Haig is the sweet father, his advice,his smile and funny jokes are stilling always in my memory.
for us Papa Haig is a very good example of the Men of God, when he advise me to keep faith for the ministry, to trusting in Our Lord Jesus Christ. Papa we miss you.
When most couples are winding down ready for the good life in retirement Haig and Vula were just getting started. When we think of Haig it is much more the missionary and the Christian than the college professor. That is not to diminish the importance of his first career but it highlights all that was and is being accomplished by Macedonian Outreach. What a kind loving man…we will all miss him.
My wife and I have known Haig and Vula for a long time. They are our mentors and we have had an amazing time serving in their ministry in the Balkans. We will miss Haig very much and we appreciated his servant leadership. We look forward to seeing him again in heaven! May Christ comfort Vula and their family through this challenging time!
My husband and I had the priviledge of being with Haig and Vula in Greece and the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia on a short term mission. We were both so impressed by Haig; his quiet, gentle nature coupled with a strong, bold faith. We will miss him, but we carry fond memories of a godly man.
Haig was not of great physical stature but he was a giant of a man! We will all miss him.