Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | September 1, 2011

When Life Seems Unfair

For some reason I thought about an old friend this morning that I have not seen in several years. When I lived in Houston in the 1990’s, my friend Sharon checked into the hospital for what she expected to be a routine surgery. In the course of her surgery she lapsed into a coma. While in a coma she experienced circulation problems and eventually developed an infection in one leg that resulted in amputation. She then suffered a heart attack and had open heart surgery. While still in a coma she developed gangrene in her remaining foot.

Over thirty days after she entered the hospital Sharon opened her eyes — thinking she had just come out of the anesthesia from that initial surgery. Imagine her surprise when she learned all that had happened to her while in a coma. What happened to Sharon seemed grossly unfair. Yet, she never complained nor did she blame God. Instead, she continued to place her hope in God, trusting Him to help her to adjust to the difficulties immediately ahead.

“That’s not fair!” is a phrase often invoked by children when they sense that the scales are not balanced in their favor. I must admit that I cried foul more than once while growing up in a household with four siblings. As adults, most of us have lamented that life is not fair. The next time the scales are not tipped in your favor and you feel like crying foul, keep these things in mind.

Perplexity — Accept that you will not fully understand the reasons why things happen as they do.

Perspective — Acknowledge that your perspective is limited and that God’s ways are higher than yours.

Pundits — Be prepared for the “experts” who will shower you with advice.

Perseverance — Maintain your hope in God even when you cannot see the road ahead.

Prayer — Stay in close contact with God and trust Him to guide you safely through.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 31, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

With my friend Mike Briggs among the Reindeer People. | 2000 | Northern Mongolia

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Posted in Mongolia, Wordless Wednesday

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 30, 2011

The Road to Hope

Managua, Nicaragua

Women in prostitution on the road to hope.

Casa Esperanza is situated at the end of a dirt road that is scarred by erosion and flanked by tall tress. Hundreds of women in prostitution in Managua know this road well because it is the road to hope. Every week these women, many with children in tow, make their way to Casa Esperanza, the House of Hope. They walk there to hear an encouraging message from founder April Havlin and to make greeting cards and jewelry, part of a vocational training program offered at Casa Esperanza. April is committed to loving and empowering women in prostitution to leave the world’s oldest profession in order to realize their greater potential in Christ. And, women in large numbers are responding to her invitation and efforts to help. The difficulties and challenges of her work do little to slow her down. April is a woman on a mission — on a rescue mission.

In 2006, April started a new initiative to give women a hand up rather than a hand out. She offers women micro-grants to start businesses that can help them to support themselves and their families without having to return to the brothels. Since starting the program, April has given $75 grants to more than one-hundred fifty women who had good ideas for business ventures but did not have the resources to realize their dreams. The results are impressive. Out of more than one-hundred fifty businesses started, at least 75% proved successful. These are just some of the businesses started and that continue to provide income to women who once sold themselves in order to support their families:

• A piñata-making business.
• Selling flip-flops.
• Making and selling hammocks.
• Various baking and pastry businesses.
• A pig-slaughtering/processing business.
• Transporting goods to local markets.
• Selling women’s and children’s under-garments.

I spoke with a woman named Anna who used her grant to purchase a sewing machine five years ago. She now runs a successful tailoring business that has enabled her to support her family. She no longer has to sell herself in order to put food on her table. She has been out of the brothels for over five years, all because of a $75 dollar grant that enabled her to buy a sewing machine. When recent flood waters inundated her little home, she told me that she and her sons moved the sewing machine to higher ground but lost everything else. They have no regrets about choosing the sewing machine over all other possessions. To many of us in America, $75 dollars is not a lot of money, but to the women who have been selling themselves in Nicaragua’s brothels for $1.50 per customer, this grant means the difference between a life of continuing despair or a life of hope. Because of the kindness of Kingsland members, our missions ministry is providing the funds to underwrite grants to an additional forty women — money well invested to bless women on the road to hope.

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Posted in Justice, Nicaragua | Tags:

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 29, 2011

A Field of Dreams

Matagalpa, Nicaragua

The centuries-old city of Matagalpa is situated along the Continental Divide between the  Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Known as La Perla del Septentrión or The Pearl of the North, Matagalpa has a long history dating back to the mid-fifteenth century when the Spaniards stumbled across it while trying to find a passage from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Soon after, Dominican and Mercedarian missionaries arrived along with Spanish settlers to live among the Matagalpa Indians. Today, Matagalpa is the fifth largest city in Nicaragua and known for its production of high quality coffee and a variety of produce. The highway that connects Matagalpa with Managua is one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in Central America.

My friend Jon Davis and I arrived in Managua last night to visit with our friends the Loftsgards. Eric is the president of the Nicaragua Christianity Academy school board. Nicaragua Christian Academy (NCA) was founded in 1991 by three missionary families seeking a strong Christian education for their children. Today, NCA’s classrooms are filled with almost 300 students and has become the first school in Central America to be accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). In 2005, NCA started a daughter school in the nearby community of Nejapa. Jon and I have come to Nicaragua to visit with Eric about NCA’s plans to start another Christian academy on twelve acres of land in Matagalpa. Early this morning we set out from Managua to Matagalpa along the scenic highway that winds its way to increasingly higher altitudes in Nicaragua’s verdant hills. The route certainly lived up to its reputation as one of the most scenic drives in Nicaragua.

Jon and Eric with local boy in the field of dreams.

When we arrived in Matagalpa, Eric took us to the property where the next academy will be built. At present it is an undeveloped piece of property that cascades down rolling terraces to the river below. As we walked the property, Eric explained how it could possibly be transformed into a campus where local children can receive an excellent education. More than once, Eric asked in impassioned tones, “Can you see it?” Eric is excited and committed to seeing this empty property developed into another campus because he believes deeply in the mission statement of the Nicaragua Christian Academy: To equip children of Christian parents with the spiritual discernment, the moral courage and the academic excellence to impact society through Christian living motivated by a heartfelt love for God.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be in Nicaragua to explore how our missions ministry can come alongside Eric and the NCA team to turn the field of dreams in Matagalpa into a reality. We agree with Eric that God will use many of the students currently enrolled in NCA to impact the future of Nicaragua in a God-honoring way. And we believe that equipping the next generation to love God and love people is a dream worth pursuing.

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Posted in Nicaragua

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 28, 2011

Living In A Hard Place

What would you do if you lived in one of the toughest inner-city neighborhoods in Houston and knew that moving away was not an option? Those who live in tough urban neighborhoods have the same, albeit more intense, concerns for their safety as those who live in suburbia. The difference is that the dangers in urban areas are often more obvious — things like abandoned houses on overgrown lots, buildings tagged with graffiti, unemployed people hanging out on street corners, and more. This past weekend our missions ministry engaged in three service initiatives in Houston’s Third Ward in cooperation with our ministry partner Mike Malkemes of Generation One. As we drove from one project to another, Mike commented, “The more  time I spend in the Third Ward the more I love it and the people who live here.” Mike’s words are indicative of a divine call to live out his faith in a hard place — a place from which many would prefer to escape.

Mike and his wife Kenzie are committed to investing their lives in the Third Ward. They believe that this is the only way to effectively reach the generation of at-risk kids that first beckoned them to these tough streets. And because they live where they serve, they know both the problems and the potential of these kids and how to mobilize resources and partners to help them in their work. The fruit of their labor is becoming increasingly evident as the actual landscape of the Third Ward is changing because of their efforts to demolish crack houses and clean abandoned lots covered with urban debris. But even more important is how God is using them to sow the seeds of hope in soil packed hard by despair. Little by little, change is coming. Our team was privileged to lead a young boy to faith in Christ this past weekend, a reminder that change comes one life at a time.

As I was leaving the familiar streets of the Third Ward, I drove past a group from one of the neighborhood churches. These folks were preaching and praying on a street corner across from a liquor store. I stopped to listen to the impassioned pleas of the street preacher while customers walked in and out of the liquor store. While I am not convinced that this is the most effective way to bring about change in the Third Ward, I do have lots of respect for the folks standing and preaching the gospel in triple-digit heat. Regardless of what we may think about them, they were undoubtedly motivated to do something to make a difference in their own community. It’s far too easy to sit at home and complain that the neighborhood is going to hell in a hand basket. However, it’s harder to  get out into the streets and do something about it. So, kudos to the street preacher and those who stood with him. Like Mike and Kenzie, they too care about their neighbors and their neighborhood.

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Posted in Local Missions Initiatives

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 27, 2011

A Savage Determination

I first learned about Roz Savage, a British adventurer and environmentalist, in 2010. What got my attention about Roz is how her life changed when she sat down to write two versions of her obituary — the one she wanted and the one she had. This simple but profound exercise helped her to realize that she was on the wrong track. As a result, Roz took dramatic measures to reorder her life in order to ensure that she lived up to the obituary she wanted. Her convictions about the environment motivated her to raise awareness about pollution in the world’s oceans, especially the plastic products that harm so much of marine life. So, Roz set out to row across the Atlantic Ocean and later the Pacific Ocean — the first woman to accomplish these feats solo. As of this writing, Roz is rowing across the Indian Ocean in her twenty-three foot rowboat.

Rowing across an ocean is an amazing accomplishment. On her three-thousand mile Atlantic crossing from the Canaries to Antigua, Roz encountered all sorts of challenges. In addition to the physical and mental fatigue of the journey, the following are just a few of the challenges she had to deal with.

Day 12 | First oar breaks.
Day 15 | Second oar breaks.
Day 20 | Camping stove stops working.
Day 37 | Navigations instruments die.
Day 38 | Third oar breaks.
Day 41 | Stereo stops working.
Day 48 | Fourth and last oar breaks. Roz patches her oars and carries on.
Day 79 | Satellite phone breaks leaving Roz totally isolated.
Day 103 | Roz rows into English Harbour, Antigua, and into the history books.

What makes a person like Roz do something like row alone across three oceans? In a word — convictions. When convictions become more important than comfort, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Whether or not you share Roz’s concerns about the environment, she believes that our oceans are in danger because of the current rate of pollution. And she believes it enough to do something about it. In a recent blog post, Roz quoted a British politician who said that doing something is a bit better than being someone. I agree. Or in the words of my late grandfather, “Don’t just be good, be good for something!” People like Roz make it hard for the rest of us to remain passive about our convictions. Roz’s determination should cause us to consider what we believe and whether we believe it enough to forsake comfort in order to make a difference. That’s what going beyond is all about. I admire Roz Savage’s determination. Thank you, Roz, for reminding us that the only way to stop drifting is to start rowing!

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Posted in Endurance Challenges | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 25, 2011

When God Shouts

Laura Story is one of my new favorite Christian singers whose songs have found a place among my diverse iPod playlists. Blessings, one of her newest releases, is one of those insightful pieces that causes me to think deeply every time I listen to it. The lyrics challenge me to look at the difficulties and pains of this life in a new light. Laura sings:

What if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re near?
What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Like you, I do not particularly like difficulties, tears, sleepless nights, and pain. Yet, more than once God has used each of these to get my attention. In his book entitled The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” At times He has startled me with such a thunderous volume of pain that it caused me to drop everything and give Him my undivided attention. God has also gotten my attention when I have been close enough to hear him summon others through His megaphone of pain. Sometimes difficulties and pain are the best instruments for God to use to pry loose our grip on behaviors and attitudes that do not please Him and to get us to look in His direction.

Someone noted that painful circumstances will make you either bitter or better. I think it’s safe to say that most of us feel blessed by God when things are going well but have a tendency to complain when things go wrong or not according to our plan. Some fall into despair and turn away from God while others respond to painful times by turning to God. Others confess that their difficulties taught them spiritual lessons and brought them into closer fellowship with God and later testify about God’s help in their time of need.

Sooner or later each of us will be roused by the deafening decibels of difficulties and pain. When you hear God shouting to you through your pain, stop what you are doing and turn to Him. Determine that you will listen and learn from Him. Consider the possibility that God could be trying to discipline or teach you and determine to respond positively to such measures.

Difficulties and painful times will come. When they do, remember that some but not all suffering is sent as discipline from God. However, all experiences of suffering can help us to grow spiritually. Here are a few things to keep in mind the next time you experience painful periods.

Listen | Listen to God. Be sensitive to how He may be speaking to you. Consider that He may be using pain or adversity to get your attention.

Look | Take a close look at your life. God may be using adversity to give you guidance about some area of your life or to turn you from destructive patterns of thought and behavior.

Learn | Ask God to help you learn the lessons that will help you to honor Him with your life. Take the time to reevaluate and, if necessary, to reorder your values and priorities.

Leave | Repent and leave destructive attitudes and behaviors behind.

Lean | Lean on the Lord. Determine to trust and obey Him. And remember that the trials of this life — the rain, the storms, the hardest nights — may very well be His mercies in disguise.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 24, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Elderly couple aboard ferry boat on the Padma River. | 2004 | Bangladesh

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Posted in Bangladesh, Wordless Wednesday

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 23, 2011

9/11 Tribute Movement

Like most Americans I will never forget where I was on the morning of September 11, 2001. While driving down Irving Boulevard in Irving, Texas I listened to the news report about a plane that had crashed into one of the Twin Towers in Manhattan. My interest was immediately piqued because I had visited the towers on two occasions in previous years. Later that morning I watched the television report about the second plane that had crashed into the second tower. I stood in front of that television silent and in stunned disbelief. I had a sick feeling in my gut that the world had suddenly changed before my very eyes. I was scheduled to fly to Bangladesh later that week but had to postpone my trip because flights were cancelled in the wake of this national tragedy. And, in the days that followed, the skies over Dallas and Fort Worth were eerily silent because no planes were flying into or out of DFW and Love Field, the two airports near our home.

In a few weeks we will observe the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11 — an opportunity for each of us to reflect deeply on the events of that terrible day. We owe it to the nearly 3,000 civilians and civil servants who lost their lives in those terrorist attacks to never allow the events of that day to fade from our collective national consciousness. Osama Bin Laden certainly did not forget. A cursory examination of the evidence seized after his death indicated that Bin Laden and other senior Al Queda leaders were communicating about possible terrorist attacks on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 showed us the worst that those who hate America can do. But these attacks also revealed what is best about America as people from all walks of life rallied together to help.

On the upcoming tenth anniversary of 9/11, we will have an opportunity to show the world what is best about America. A non-profit organization called MyGoodDeed is partnering with Hands-On Network to co-lead efforts to organize the single largest day of charitable service in United States history. David Paine, the co-founder and President of MyGoodDeed said, “Collectively, through our positive actions that help others in need, we will create a remarkable and lasting tribute to those we lost on 9/11, and demonstrate emphatically that goodness ultimately wins over evil.” Learn more about how you can join the 9/11 Tribute Movement by visiting 911day.org. Prayerfully consider what you and your family will do to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of 9/11. You can read about what others plan to do and also register your good deed at this site.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). To take revenge or to repay evil with evil makes us indistinguishable from those who unleashed their destructive acts of terror on our country. However, if we “hate what is evil” and “cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9), we can indeed overcome evil. Hating what is evil calls for emotional involvement and clinging to what is good calls for energetic and intentional action. I hope that between today and September 11 you will prayerfully consider what you will do to take part in this national opportunity to overcome evil with good.

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Posted in Current Events | Tags: ,

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 21, 2011

My 600th Blog Post

This is officially my 600th blog post and, for that reason, thought it a significant enough milestone to write about. As someone who has enjoyed journaling through the years, I am thankful for the blogging platform. In the beginning, I missed writing in an actual journal much like I missed holding a hard cover book in my hands after I purchased my first Kindle. But I am now more than comfortable with blogging and would not want to go back to recording my thoughts with pen and ink. As much as I loved purchasing and writing in handsome journals, a hand-written journal has its limitations — not the least of which is that a journal entry can only be shared with one person at a time. Blogging on the other hand, opened a door to a much broader audience. I have now replaced pen and paper with my iPad which enables me to redeem the time by allowing me to write wherever I go, while I wait for this or that, and whenever the mood strikes me.

Blogging has also allowed me to make some online friendships with people I have never actually met but who read my posts and leave an occasional comment. These readers hail from all over the world. And, through the technology of the visitors map on my blog, I can see the various locations around the world from which readers have accessed my blog. This little map motivates me to be a good steward of the opportunity that I have to share my stories, thoughts, and views with a very diverse audience — and to do so courteously and with respect while remaining true to my convictions. I believe that the transparent exchange of ideas is good and I welcome every opportunity to share my views and to respond to the views of others through the medium of blogging. Blogging gives average people like me the opportunity to set up a booth in the marketplace of ideas. And while not everything sells, I do learn a lot through the process and enjoy the interaction.

So, I am hopelessly addicted to blogging — an experience that has certainly caused me to reflect more deeply about everything I write and to even reconsider and review some of my own positions. That’s not a bad thing but instead what the exchange of ideas ought to be about. In the words of the writer of Proverbs, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). In order for that to happen we must be willing to have civil dialogue and to express our thoughts and ideas in a responsible manner. Blogging provides a platform for doing so while the readers in the marketplace of ideas hold us accountable for what we are selling. Thanks to each and every one of you who stroll by and who occasionally linger at my little booth in the marketplace of ideas. You have made my blogging experience all the more enjoyable.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts | Tags: ,

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