Omar Mastrapa Amado, the first-born of Pastor Mastrapa and Rosalina Amado, was born on October 5, 1936 in a town in the city of Victoria de Las Tunas. Years later his siblings Olivia and Oliver Mastrapa were born. Omar had a happy childhood on the “Las Arenas” farm, surrounded by the love of his parents, brothers and grandparents.
At the age of 6, his parents wanted him to attend the Adventist School that existed in the town of Mastrapa, where he studied until finishing the sixth grade. He then completed his secondary studies in the city of Victoria de las Tunas, and in September 1953 he enrolled at the Colegio de Las Antillas (CA), in the city of Santa Clara until completing his high school studies.
Omar Mastrapa Amado, the first-born of Pastor Mastrapa and Rosalina Amado, was born on October 5, 1936 in a town in the city of Victoria de Las Tunas. Years later his siblings Olivia and Oliver Mastrapa were born. Omar had a happy childhood on the “Las Arenas” farm, surrounded by the love of his parents, brothers and grandparents.
In 1957, on a trip to Havana, he met Isela Márquez León, affectionately known to everyone as “Chela.” From this meeting a love was born that lasted for more than 65 years, and after 2 years of courtship, Omar and Isela married on January 31, 1959 in the city of Havana. From this union, 3 children were born: Liliam Esther, Juan Carlos and Orlando Ricardo.
During the sixties, after working as a history and geography teacher at the Colegio de las Antillas, he received a call to be pastor of the churches of Manzanillo, Pilón, Bayamo and Niquero. It was at this time that the persecution and prosecution of many members of the church began in Cuba. As a result, during a baptism in one of the rivers of Cuba, Omar, along with Pastor Vázquez, was imprisoned. After leaving prison, the Eastern Association assigned him to the Church of Santiago de Cuba where he served as pastor for several years. In 1980, Omar received another call to work in the Mantilla church in the city of Havana.
On May 3, 1983, Omar along with his wife and children emigrated to Costa Rica. Three months later, the family emigrated again to the United States. Soon after, pursuing his dreams of pursuing higher education, he enrolled at Andrews Adventist University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Facing several challenges that included studying in another language, working long hours at 2 jobs, caring for his sick mother, and maintaining a super busy school curriculum of 16 credits per semester, Omar was able to graduate with honors and receive his Master of Education in 1987.
A year later, in 1988, the family moved to Orlando, Florida. Although he worked at Florida Hospital for 13 long years, his love for serving God always kept him active working to win souls for the Lord. Omar worked as a Lay Pastor in the churches of Sheeler Oaks, Ponciana and Deltona, being a great support to the pastoral ministry of his brother and Pastor Oliver Mastrapa.
He is survived by his wife Chela, his daughter Lilliam and José Medina, his children Juan Carlos and Jessica Mastrapa, Orlando Mastrapa and Liginnette (Ginny) Calderón. His grandchildren Lissette and Pablo Bonnetti, Lilibeth and Alexei Pérez, Sailys and Liannys Mastrapa, and great-grandchildren Michael and Zoe Bonnetti.
In short, Omar was a faithful, noble, dedicated and humble servant of God. He was a loving, respectful and loyal husband. He was a loving, patient, generous and helpful father and grandfather, a good advisor, dedicated to his family and who could be counted on at any time. Today rest on the biblical promises. When Jesus comes, he will resurrect to reunite with his beloved Chela, his children and all of us who believe in the Lord. That is why we say today: Maranatha, Come quickly Lord Jesus.