Today our family attended the Memorial Service of Gloria Garcia, a wonderful woman and sister in the Faith that went to see Jesus this week. There were probably 500 people attending, and a celebration that went for 2 hours. A central theme throughout was how much she loved God, loved people, and how much she wanted people to know that God loved them too.
Stories were shared of how she had ministered to several hundred visitors in her last days. I hope I have the courage to do that someday. She seemed to have a desire to tell others about this Jesus she knew so well, and knew she didn't have much time. She was an incredible evangelist.
And it was also evident that she was very much a part of the pastoral team of the Garcias, Baltazar and Gloria. Here is a picture of these wonderful people:
Pastor Garcia was one of the pastors that married Melissa and I 15+ years ago. We shared in ministry at Butler Church in Fresno, and have been friends all these years. We have lost touch mostly, as we have entered separate fields of service, but are quick to hug each other when we see one another every few years.
I was wondering why today seemed so important to me. I think it may be, in part, due to the fact we are leaving soon to Peru. Days like today won't be part of our lives for the upcoming years. Old friends like the Garcias may go on before us to see the Lord before we do, and we won't be here to see them off. Celebrations of Life like we had today will be missed.
But our future, our hope is in Christ. It is the same hope for Gloria as it is for me, no matter whether I am here in Fresno or in the northern most reaches of Peru. We will see each other again. We will talk about the people we loved, and the ministries we were a part of. And I hope that, like Gloria, I can finish strong. She certainly did, and is an incredible model of what a good and faithful servant is to the rest of us.
See you Sister on the other side. Thank you for blessing me and my family with your friendship and love over these many years.
Lowell
