Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 11, 2011

Global Glimpses

Mary teaching in Cambodia.

Who | Mary Whittington

Where I’ve Traveled with Kingsland | I have traveled to Uganda four times and to Thailand and Cambodia this past year.

My Most Recent Trip | A few months ago, we joined the Life International team in Cambodia in partnership with Steve Hyde, Director of Asia for Jesus, to teach church leaders about the sanctity of human life. We also visited one of the children’s homes that Steve and his wife Noit founded to care for orphans along the Cambodia/Thai border. These are children who otherwise would be vulnerable to being kidnapped and trafficked for sex and labor purposes.

Why This Matters to Me | The Christian church is very “young” in Cambodia — a culture that has known only death and oppression. It is crucial in this culture to disciple and train church leaders on the value of life. This is foundational for protecting the unborn from abortion and for helping Christian women and men who have experienced abortion to heal and to experience God’s forgiveness. To value life is also to rescue and protect children and adults who are victims of or at risk of human trafficking.

What Troubled Me Most | The bondage of past abortions and the toll it has taken on some of the women I prayed with was heartbreaking for me. One woman, the mother of 9, had 2 abortions after 2 months of development. She grieved not only her aborted children but also her lack of bonding with her living children. After the conference she understood her pain and loss.

My eyes told me more than I wanted to know about human trafficking and forced prostitution in Cambodia and Thailand. I watched a 3-4 year old little girl from my hotel room wander in and out of her lean-to shelter unattended all day. She wandered alone up and down the road of the slums where her family lived. She is forever on my heart. I have even given her a name that I use when I pray for her.

Why We Must Care and Act | God uses us to move and act for justice. The people of Cambodia and Thailand are valuable to Him – they are not discards. A chorus in one of the Cambodian songs says “Cambodia is for Christ.” And, Christ is for Cambodia.

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Posted in Cambodia, Global Glimpses, Thailand, Uganda

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 10, 2011

More Than A Workbench

I recently came across something that I had written in my journal in August 1991 while living in San Antonio, Texas. My own words caused me to stop and to reflect on the past twenty-five plus years of being a parent. A lot has happened during those years. My kids are now grown and deal with entirely different challenges. The things my kids call me about today are bigger than the things we repaired on my workbench when they were growing up. But, I’m glad that they still ask for advice and for help with the challenges that they face today. I hope you enjoy this little nostalgic peek at one of the pages of my journal.
• • • • •

With my son. | India 2010

“Dad. I’m going to put this on your workbench. It needs to be fixed,” said my son Jonathan as he made his way to the garage. “O.K.,” I replied. “I’ll take a look at it a little later.” This quick conversation got me to thinking about my workbench. I’ve had it for several years. When Cheryl and I moved into our first house I found myself with an empty garage. I didn’t have a lawn mower or tools or any of the neat garage-stuff that my neighbors had, and I didn’t have a workbench. “But why would someone as mechanically obnoxious as me need a workbench?,” I asked myself. “If I buy a workbench then I’ll have to buy tools and other workbench-stuff.” No matter. The garage would not seem complete without a workbench. I simply had to have a workbench.

Being a young seminary student with little spare cash and a new mortgage, I decided that it would be cheaper to build a workbench. So the next time my mechanically-gifted brother was in town I asked him if he would build me a workbench. “No problem. Consider it done,” said my brother. I took him to the lumber yard, bought the lumber, and before the day’s end I was the proud owner of a workbench. My brother even bought me a stool for my new workbench. The following week I bought a piece of pegboard and an assortment of pliers and screwdrivers and other miscellaneous workbench-stuff. It all looked great in my garage. I was sure the neighbors would be impressed.

My workbench sat idle for the first few years. I did not have any workbench projects until the kids came along. Now my workbench is the place where my children put whatever they have that needs to be fixed. Every week I find something in need of repair on my workbench. I have performed emergency surgery on many Barbie dolls, reattaching heads and arms and legs. I have replaced the batteries on countless toys. I have glued broken doll furniture and worked on pine wood derby cars. I have even had to give last rights to things beyond repair.

My workbench has become more than a workbench over the years. It has become a symbol in our home. It is a symbol of my kid’s trust in my willingness and ability to help them with their problems. It has, for them, become a symbol of my interest in helping them to repair the things that are important to them. My children are still children and most of their problems fit neatly on my workbench. Most of their problems can be repaired with glue and a pair of pliers or a new set of batteries. However, as they mature they will encounter problems that will no longer fit on my workbench. They will encounter and experience problems that will require more than glue and pliers to repair. When that happens I want for my children to trust me. I want for them to discuss their problems with me. I want for them to know that I am interested in helping them repair the things that are important to them. But if I expect my children to trust me with the bigger and more complex problems they will encounter later in life, I will have to continue helping them with the problems they leave on my workbench today.

So, my workbench is more than a workbench. It is a place where my children and I are building trust with pliers and glue and new sets of batteries — one repair at a time.

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Posted in Home and Family

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 9, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Gujarati Woman | 2009 | New Delhi, India

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Posted in India, Wordless Wednesday

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 7, 2011

Caring for Katy 2011

On March 6, Kingsland closed its doors for the fourth time on a Sunday morning. Our parking lots and pews were empty. With the exception of a few greeters, there was not a soul in sight on our campus. For the fourth time on a Sunday, we asked our folks to not come to church but instead to go out into the community to be the church. And once again, an army of servants blessed people throughout our community by performing practical acts of kindness. Our small groups identified almost two-hundred service initiatives in more than fifty geographical locations in Katy and then mobilized to meet those needs. It was an amazing day as we worked side by side to care for so many people throughout Katy — people in pain, people who have suffered loss and setbacks, people who are lonely, people who serve others at local hospitals and clinics and food pantries, people who care for the elderly, and more. I wish we had a way to measure the amount of love, hope, joy, and encouragement that was restored to those we served. But, if the joy reflected on the faces of those who served is any indication, then our investment in the lives of those we served on Sunday is immeasurable.

These are a few of the things that made our Fourth Annual Caring for Katy Day a success.

Identification | Our small groups took the time to look at our community and to identify needs. One thing we have learned over the past few years is the importance of sharpening our peripheral vision and developing peripheral compassion. It’s far too easy for us to overlook the needs to our left and to our right when we are in a hurry to get from Point A to Point B. We have learned that many of the needs in our community are found in the blurry world of our peripheral vision. I am thankful to each of our small groups for slowing down and identifying needs.

Mobilization | Identifying needs is only the first step. Caring for Katy is about mobilizing our people to meet the needs they have identified. There is no way to describe the feeling of seeing our people meeting needs throughout the community. I was more impressed than ever by the organization and careful planning that went into every single initiative. And, I am grateful to Jon Davis, our Missions Associate, for assisting our small groups with their plans and for getting them the resources they needed for their respective initiatives.

Cooperation | Caring for Katy was characterized by the highest level of cooperation. Our small groups worked together, got their hands dirty, and included their kids in serving others. Moms and Dads made special memories with their kids. We were reminded that we need one another and can accomplish great things when we work together.

Inspiration | Not only were our folks inspired by the stories of those they served, but those we served were inspired by our practical expressions of God’s love. Our connections with so many people in need gave us the opportunity to remind them that they are not forgotten but are loved by God. It’s one thing to say “God loves you.” It’s another thing to demonstrate that love in a tangible and practical way.

Conversation | Caring for Katy gave us many opportunities to have conversations about God and His love for us. Jon and I spent three long days helping our groups purchase their supplies at Lowe’s. While doing so, we had many opportunities to share the story of God’s love with others. And, those who served also shared with others the story of God’s love and how His love compels us to serve.

But, the best thing about Caring for Katy is that God was glorified. Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). And, as a result of the practical expressions of God’s love demonstrated to so many on Sunday, many people in our community now think differently about God. Proverbs 3:3-4 remind us of what happens when we live out our faith — “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.” Thanks to each of you who rolled up your sleeves to bring glory to God and to help make Caring for Katy a special day in our community.

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Posted in Caring for Katy, Local Missions Initiatives

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 5, 2011

Highs at Lowe’s

On Sunday, March 6, we will close the doors to the church and go into our community to be the church. This will be Kingsland’s Fourth Annual Caring for Katy initiative — my favorite Sunday of the year. Caring for Katy is the day when Kingsland members invade our community en masse — demonstrating God’s love to others in practical ways. Kingsland members will serve single moms, widows, families in need, local assistance ministries, in area hospitals and clinics, in public schools, at the YMCA Day Camp and more. Jon Davis, our Missions Ministry Associate, has worked with our small groups to coordinate more than 100 service projects in more an 50 geographical locations around our community. We will invest approximately $100,000.00 in meeting needs and serving the people who call Katy home.

On the three days prior to the big day, Jon and I live at Lowe’s. We spend those days purchasing materials for the various projects. One of the things we budget for is blessing folks who happen to be at Lowe’s when we are at the cash register paying for supplies for our respective small group projects. We enjoy blessing folks who are in queue to pay for their purchase. We simply approach them and tell them that the Lord would like to bless them. The most common reaction is wide-eyed disbelief. When people ask us why, we tell them that we love God and love people. And we also share with them about Caring for Katy.

Yesterday, a man and his special needs son could not contain their gratitude. Another fellow and his friend said, “Wow. This is amazing. We were not sure we had enough money to pay for for these supplies.” A lady who was shopping with her elderly mother gave me a hug and talked about how much they needed the supplies for some repairs. Another man who had just a few items said that he had been struggling to buy groceries. Several people gave us their names and asked why the people of Kingsland would exhibit such kindness to total strangers. One cashier, a man originally from New Delhi, India said, “I have worked at Lowe’s for eight years and I have never known anyone to do such a nice thing for people they do not know.” Jon and I then spent some time talking with him about how we are motivated to love others because God loves us.

In a few hours the people of Kingsland will head into the highways and byways of our community to be Jesus with skin on and have wonderful experiences serving others. There is no greater high than allowing God to work through us to meet the needs of others. I am grateful for the highs that Jon and I have already experienced at Lowe’s in preparation for Caring for Katy. We are more excited than ever about how God will use this bold initiative to make His name famous in our community.

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Posted in Caring for Katy, Local Missions Initiatives

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 4, 2011

Global Glimpses

Who | Tara Hall

First Trip with Kingsland | My first trip with Kingsland was to Uganda. While there, we met with pastors of village churches to teach about the sanctity of human life. I chose this particular trip because I know the unborn need a voice and I felt God calling me to speak for them. I knew that God was calling me out of my comfort zone — and just about everything on this trip pushed those boundaries.

The Purpose of Our Trip | The purpose of our trip was to teach pastors of local churches about the sanctity of human life. Specifically, I taught about the scientific aspects of life from conception to birth and what God’s Word says about life.

My Favorite Memory | My favorite memory took place at the first village that we visited. The group of pastors were so eager to hear the Word of God that they sat on the edges of their seats, pressed in closely to hear us over the rain that was falling outside, with Bibles open, taking notes and soaking in every word. It made me wonder how often I listen to or read God’s Word with that much anticipation. This experience challenged me in a new way.

My Most Recent Trip with Kingsland | Last month, I went to El Salvador and helped drill a water well for the people of San Lucas. Not only did I get to help with some of the aspects of providing clean water and teach about hygiene, but I also had the privilege of spending time speaking with the women and children about the Living Water that comes through Jesus. Once again, God showed me that He can use me with all my faults, failures, and imperfections to accomplish His will. He doesn’t require perfection or need me to have everything together; He just wants me to be willing to step out and follow Him in obedience.

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Posted in El Salvador, Global Glimpses, Uganda

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 3, 2011

By Love Compelled

My new friend Dacques Nini in El Salvador.

One of the things I enjoy most about what I do is having the opportunity to meet and to serve alongside so many people who love Jesus. Last month, I had the privilege of serving with a team that drilled a water well in El Salvador. Our team demonstrated God’s love to the people of the poor village of San Lucas by drilling a water well and also by making meaningful personal connections with the people. We spent time in homes and also interacted with people at the drilling site. I was inspired by how our team loved and cared for the people of San Lucas. It was clear that our team members were compelled by love to serve people they had not previously met.

Motivation matters, especially when it comes to serving God. Paul left no doubt about his motivation for ministry. It was “Christ’s love” that compelled him to serve (2 Cor. 5:14-15). This may be understood to mean “Christ’s love for Paul” or “Paul’s love for Christ.” Although Greek grammar permits either interpretation, Christ loved Paul first — which explains why Paul loved Christ. The word “compels” means to constrain or to hold fast a person to a course of action. Christ’s love was at the core of Paul’s motivation for ministry. Christ had demonstrated His love for Paul by dying for him. Paul demonstrated his love for Christ by living for Him. The magnitude of Christ’s love left Paul with no choice but to live for the One who had died for him. In light of Christ’s death for all, we have no right to live selfishly. Every follower of Christ should abandon their old and selfish ways. We must no longer live for ourselves or to please ourselves. Instead we should die to ourselves and live for Christ.

Christ’s love also compelled Paul to share the love of Christ with all who did not know Him. Paul saw himself as someone under obligation or in debt to those who did not know Christ (Rom. 1:15). He felt that because he knew and had experienced the love of Christ, he owed Christ to everyone who did not know him. Christ’s love compelled him “to evangelize where Christ has not been named” (Rom. 15:20) and to “plead on Christ’s behalf” that others would “be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20). Like Paul, every Christ follower is under obligation to share Christ’s love with those who do not know Him. The greatest crime we can commit against others is to withhold the message of Christ from them. We owe Christ to all people. Christ’s love is the greatest motivation for serving Him, demonstrating His love through practical acts of kindness, and sharing His story with others. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the people of San Lucas with new friends who are motivated by Christ’s love to serve others.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, El Salvador

Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | March 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Snake charmer and cobra. | 1999 | Bangladesh

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Posted in Bangladesh, Wordless Wednesday

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

Running for Their Lives

I had the opportunity to visit with Sarah Thompson yesterday. Sarah serves on the staff of Aid Sudan — an inter-denominational, non-profit organization working in two locations across the U.S. and in four targeted regions in Southern Sudan, with an an East Africa regional office in Kampala, Uganda. Sudan, Africa’s largest country, is steeped in suffering. For years, Sudan was listed as one of the top ten countries where Christians are persecuted. Christians and tribal peoples in the southern part of the country suffered unimaginable atrocities at the hands of their persecutors while the government and the Janjaweed contributed to genocide in Darfur. I visited two of the camps for displaced peoples in Darfur in 2005 and witnessed the suffering of the people there. I have never forgotten what I saw. It changed the way I pray for Sudan.

I asked Sarah Thompson a few questions about the work of Aid Sudan and their upcoming 5k run to raise awareness and funds to benefit the people of southern Sudan. Here are Sarah’s answers.

OG | Sarah, what is your role with Aid Sudan?

ST | I serve as the Director of Administration with Aid Sudan, and also work on some of our development projects. One of the most exciting projects we have going on is our hand-held radios project. Through our satellite based radio network, we broadcast the Bible in chronological stories in the heart languages of the people. Programming also includes health and hygiene training and the news, and it’s received by southern Sudanese via solar-powered, hand-held radios. In a region with a literacy rate estimated at less than 1%, radios are the perfect way to communicate the Good News of Jesus. We’re hearing awesome things about how the gospel is changing lives through the radios!

OG | What kind of initiatives is Aid Sudan involved in and how can we learn more about those initiatives?

ST | God is really at work among the Sudanese, and we’re seeing that in our work stateside as well as in southern Sudan. In our Houston and Dallas offices, we build relationships with local Sudanese churches and serve in the areas of discipleship and evangelism, as well as with life skills projects and meeting basic needs. In southern Sudan, our projects center around our four pillars of work, meeting needs in the areas of health, education, water, and church. Our vision is to see holistic transformation occur in southern Sudan with the spread of the gospel and community development, as both spiritual and physical needs are met. You can learn more about what we do by visiting our website.

OG| What can people do to get involved with or to support the work of Aid Sudan?

ST | There are various ways to get involved in Aid Sudan’s ministry, whether through local work or in Sudan. We take several short-term mission trips each year, and still have some with openings for 2011. Those interested can contact Andrew Brown, our Mission Trips Director at andrew@aidsudan.org or 713.414.5490. We also have several events each year, and are looking forward to our annual gala at the Hyatt Downtown on April 28, as well as a 5k run in April and a concert for hand-held radios later this year. We also greatly value both financial and prayer support, and all are welcome to visit our website and sign up to receive our prayer and newsletter emails, and for information on donating.

OG | Aid Sudan is hosting a 5k run in April. What is the purpose of the 5k run and how can people sign up to participate — to run for the lives of the Sudanese?

ST | The 5k Fun Run/Walk allows people from all over Houston to participate in a great event and learn more about the work that we do. Each year we’re joined by several members of the Sudanese community here in Houston, and there’s also a Kid’s 1k for the little ones. Houston’s First Baptist church sponsors the run, and all proceeds go directly to our ministry. It’s a really great day and fun event for walkers, runners, and even those who just want to enjoy a post-race party! For more information and to sign up, visit www.aidsudan.org/events.

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Posted in Interviews

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

Free the Captives

I returned home from our water-well drilling trip to El Salvador on Friday, a day early, in order to speak at the Houston Anti-Human Trafficking Conference on Saturday. This conference was sponsored by Free the Captives, an interdenominational, evangelical anti-human trafficking organization that desires to engage and mobilize the Christian community and partner with non-profits, law enforcement, and government agencies in the fight against modern day slavery. My friend Julie Waters, the Director of Free the Captives, asked me to tell the story of Kingsland’s journey into the arena of justice initiatives and to offer practical advise on how churches can mobilize to get involved in the fight against modern-day slavery. I enjoyed the opportunity to tell our story. But, I especially enjoyed the opportunity to meet others who are engaged in fighting for the rights of those who live in the unimaginable hells created by those who traffic in human flesh. Freeing the captives is a task that is bigger than any single person or organization can handle alone and will require some sanctified synergy — working cooperatively under God’s leadership to change the world for the 27 million people living in some form of slavery today.

What made the issue even more real for those of us involved in the fight was listening to the personal testimonies of two women who lived through the hell we are working to eliminate. These two young ladies had dreams and hopes of a good life — the normal kind of existence most of us enjoy. However, things turned out much different for them. Because of a convergence of abuse and torment in their respective homes, these young ladies were thrust into the darkness and became ensnared in a life they never would have chosen for themselves. They each lost their innocence and valuable years of their lives but eventually were able to escape from their respective hells. After listening to their stories I understood a little better why they had survived. They are strong women who clung to even the smallest scraps of hope when the night was darkest. They emerged with a determination to invest their lives in making a difference for those who are still held captive in the dark world of the commercial sex trade. God is using each of these young ladies to raise awareness about the problem of sex trafficking and to educate and mobilize people to take action.

Being aware of the scope and magnitude of the problem is the first step toward making a difference. However, once we become aware we must not remain silent or unengaged. We must act. And, our concern and action must be reflected on our calendars and in our check books. While we can’t do everything we can do something to make a difference. If each of us will determine to take ownership of even a small slice of the justice pie, then we can make a difference in our generation. Our Just Change for a Just Cause initiative at Kingsland is one small example of something simple that anyone can do to help make a difference. By collecting our pocket change and giving up a meal a week and investing the savings in our justice initiatives, we are already making a difference in the lives of young girls rescued from brothels in South Asia.

I am grateful to Julie Waters for organizing the conference on Saturday and for lining up speakers who are actively engaged in the fight. Attending the conference gave me a renewed appreciation for all who are working to combat human trafficking in our own community. Seeing all the folks at the conference also reminded me that we cannot do this alone but need to work in partnership and cooperation with others who are engaged in the fight for justice. At Kingsland, we see ourselves as members of a larger justice team and understand that we are all trying to move the ball toward the same goal line. We are committed to working cooperatively with others and are grateful to God for the various individuals and organizations that are going beyond in their efforts to help Free the Captives. We believe that together and with God’s help we can and we will make a difference in our generation.

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Posted in Justice

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