Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 8, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Syrian refugee in camp outside of Amman, Jordan. | 24 April 2012

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 4, 2012

An Unexpected Finish

Ok, I was wrong. Despite having completed the 260-mile Texas Water Safari in June, competing in the 22-mile Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race today was still tough. What was I thinking? I was definitely reminded again today why they call this race the toughest “little” canoe race in the Republic of Texas. Just try to imagine what it would be like to be trapped in a pin-ball game for several hours and you will have some idea of what this race is like. The 22-mile race course is littered with fallen trees, submerged logs, and enough spider webs to fill a haunted mansion. Contestants have to navigate what seem like impassable obstacles along the way. Once again, I reached the finish line with a fair share of cuts and scratches and completely baked in the East Texas heat. But, I loved every minute of it.

My son Jonathan and I set a goal to beat our finish time from last year’s race and to finish in as close to 5 hours as possible. When they called for those competing in the Adventure Tandem Division to get in the water we lined up with all of the other boats. And as soon as the starting signal was given we started paddling and never looked back. Fortunately, we were able to reach some of the obstacles before they jammed up with boats. This immediately gave us a really great advantage. I will say that I did feel better prepared for this race because of all the conditioning from races and training runs that Jonathan and I did over the past year. The theme of this race for us was “keep paddling” — which is exactly what we did. Although we did not stop, our GPS recorded that we had 6-minutes of stop time because of how slow we had to go in order to navigate around some of the toughest obstacles on the river.

The best part about the whole experience was reaching the finish line. That’s when Jonathan and I learned that we had finished first in our division. The second place boat arrived about a half-hour later and the third place finisher almost an hour later. Wow! While we wanted to better our time, it really did not cross our minds that we might actually place in our division much less come in first. We both were excited and could not stop smiling. What a blessing! But, as with every race we have done together over the past year, the biggest blessing was getting to spend time together. Jonathan and I enjoyed good conversation along the way and faced and solved every challenge together. That’s something that is hard to beat!

Jonathan could not contain his excitement when our names were announced.

Receiving our awards for finishing first in the Adventure Tandem Division.

It was still hard to believe that we actually placed!

Our friend John Crowe and his son Justin competed for the first time this year.

The race route as recorded by our Spot Tracker.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 3, 2012

Back Where I Started

I am back where I started my journey into the world of marathon canoe racing. One year ago, my son Jonathan and I competed in the Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race, billed as the toughest “little” canoe race in the Republic of Texas. Jonathan entered us in this 22-mile race as the first step in his year-long plan to get me ready to compete with him in the Texas Water Safari, the world’s toughest canoe race. When we reached the finish line of this obstacle-ridden race on the Neches River, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment. This little race gave me my first inkling of an idea of what to expect on the much longer and much tougher 260-mile Texas Water Safari.

Jonathan turned up the heat a month later when he had me join him for the Colorado River 100 — a challenging endurance race down one-hundred miles of the slow-moving Colorado River. Little by little throughout the year, Jonathan pushed me to work a little harder and go a little farther. All of the shorter races and training runs that we did together paid off for us on the Texas Water Safari. If there is one thing I am certain of after completing five races with Jonathan, it is the understanding that we can push past pain and discomfort one paddle stroke at a time and that perseverance pays off.

Before Jonathan arrived from the Dallas area to meet us in Palestine today, Cheryl and Gina and I drove from the city of Palestine toward Lake Palestine where the race will start tomorrow. On the way there I saw the most random sign along the way. Someone had written the words “Keep Going” on a white sign and placed that sign along the side of the road. I have no idea for whom the sign was intended but could not help but nod in agreement with its message. It’s easy to grow weary or discouraged along our journey and to harbor thoughts of giving in, giving up, or getting out. Those are the times we need to keep going — to keep putting our paddle into the water and to continue making progress one stroke at a time. If we persevere, we will make it past the junk and stuff that can discourage us along the way.

So, I am back where I started. And I am more excited than ever to get back on the water with Jonathan. One year later, the 22-mile race on the Neches does not seem nearly as intimidating or daunting as it did when I started my journey into the world of marathon canoe racing. I am richer for the lessons I have learned by paddling down Texas rivers with Jonathan over the past year. And I am more determined than ever to keep going!

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | August 1, 2012

Far Views | Mongolia

Among the Reindeer People (Tsaatan Mongols) | 2000 | Northern Mongolia

Children living in a single teepee.

Getting acquainted.

Every family member must contribute to survival.

Boy fetching water from frozen lake.

A new friend.

Reindeer people campsite.

Reindeer herd.

Curiosity.

Hiking out.

A long journey to and from the ends of the earth.

For more on the Reindeer People, please read my article entitled In Search of the Reindeer People, published in the December 2001 issue of HomeLife magazine.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | July 30, 2012

My Journaling Journey

I have had a love affair with journaling since I was a kid. For whatever reason, I have always enjoyed introducing written words to blank pages. When I was a kid I used to take scraps of paper and make my own little journals, folded and saddle-stitched with safety pins. I used these homemade journals to chronicle my scouting adventures — fishing, camping, hiking, gear notes, and more. Later, I started using spiral notebooks to record thoughts, poems, and miscellaneous ramblings.

When I started traveling, one of the things I enjoyed most was finding just the right journal to chronicle my adventures on each of my trips. I filled lots of these journals with handwritten notes and drawings recorded on the field in many countries. I still enjoy perusing through those old journals. Doing so reminds me of how easy it is to forget so many of the interesting things that have happened along the way. Someday I hope to take each of these journals and copy my notes into digital files.

My journaling journey took an unexpected turn when I discovered the wonderful world of  blogging. At first, I continued to blog and to keep a handwritten journal and soon transitioned to only blogging. One thing I like about blogging is being able to make posts available instantly online for a wider audience than just myself. An added benefit of blogging is interacting with readers via comments and email exchanges. And, I have enjoyed watching my blog readership steadily grow from month to month. I am especially encouraged that during the month of July more than 10,500 guests (as of this writing) visited my blog — a new record.

Blogging holds me accountable for thinking deeply and challenges me to glean a lesson or two from the things that happen daily along my journey as a Christ-follower. And, it continues to scratch my itch of wanting to marry written words with blank pages, or rather a blank screen. I appreciate each of you who visit my blog on a regular basis and who encourage me with your comments and emails. I will continue to try to honor your trust by posting what I learn on my journey in ways that are interesting and engaging. Thanks for being a part of my journaling journey.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | July 30, 2012

Christopher’s Treasure

Christopher Dunlap unwittingly left a treasure for his family — the kind of treasure that you can’t really put a value on. He didn’t leave a large bank account or a safety deposit box stuffed with jewelry or real estate holdings. Instead he left a simple treasury of words, nothing more. But those words, composed by Christopher in the year before he was killed in a catastrophic car accident, mean more to his family than any monetary treasure. I told the story of Christopher’s death in a blog I posted in February of this year from El Salvador. Lloyd and Cindy, Christopher’s parents, traveled to El Salvador with our water well drilling team. That’s where I learned about Christopher and how, after his death, his sister found a file on his computer entitled “Life Lessons.” These life lessons are a lot like proverbs that Christopher had written in his own words. Christopher’s proverbs gave his family precious insight into his walk with God and have been like a soothing balm to them.

Lloyd has written a book about his son’s proverbs entitled Lessons We Leave Behind, scheduled  for release in October. Each chapter of the book is devoted to one of Christopher’s life lessons along with an explanation of what that particular lesson meant to Christopher. Lloyd not only took the time to put each lesson into the context of Christopher’s life, but to show how we can benefit from these practical and common-sense lessons. Writing this book has been a significant part of the healing process for Lloyd and his family. And, this project is also a way in which Christopher’s family is honoring his memory and preserving his legacy. I can’t wait to read the book. In the meantime, Lloyd has posted information on their journey toward healing at a new webiste: Lessons We Leave Behind. I hope that you will take a moment to visit this site and that you will buy and read Lloyd’s book when it becomes available.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | July 28, 2012

The List Keeper

I finally took the time today to clean my garage — something I’ve needed to do since my son Jonathan and I returned home from the Texas Water Safari. After the race, we put the canoe in the garage and stacked up our gear boxes, each stuffed with an assortment of items we used on the race and in total disarray. Since Jonathan lives in north Texas, it fell to me to tackle the job of getting everything back in order. Part of the reason for doing this today is because Jonathan and I are scheduled to compete in the Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race next weekend and I need to make sure that I pack the right gear for that particular race. Jonathan is already reminding me to be sure to pack this and that and to be absolutely certain that I do not leave the paddles at home! So, it is clearly time for me to make a list to make sure that I do not forget a thing.

As I was sorting, cleaning, and repacking each item of gear into its respective box, I came across a couple of Jonathan’s lists that he had made for the Texas Water Safari. As we prepared for that big race, Jonathan had written out several lists of tasks to complete — everything from modifications to our canoe to things we still needed to buy. As the race got closer his lists changed to reflect those final specific things we still needed to do or to have for the race. There are so many little things that can make a big difference that he did not want to run the risk of forgetting any of them. Reading the lists that I found today made me thankful for lists. Because Jonathan is a list keeper we had everything we needed for the 260-mile race from San Marcos to Seadrift.

They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In Jonathan’s case that is true because I too, am a list keeper. I keep a task list on my iPad and iPhone so iRemember to do stuff. I have short lists scribbled on sticky notes on my desk at work and on my mirror at home. Even with all my lists, I have the additional safety net of having Amy, my assistant, who is one-hundred times more reliable than Siri. Amy also keeps lists of things I need to do and is very good about reminding me. The busier and older I get the more I depend on lists to help me stay on track. Even with all of my lists and as careful as I am, occasionally something will fall through the cracks and get overlooked. That’s life. Forgetting stuff happens. That’s why I am committed to keeping my lists and checking them twice. Hopefully I will continue to get to where I need to be with what I need to have and, by keeping lists, make it harder for things to fall through the cracks.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | July 26, 2012

Twenty Dollars for Church

It’s easy for us to convince ourselves that everything we have belongs to us when, in reality, it doesn’t. I was reminded of this foundational truth a few days ago when I stopped by the ATM at my bank to get some cash. When the menu of options appeared on the touch screen, I tapped on the requisite icon to withdraw $100.00. Within seconds five $20.00 bills emerged from the ATM. I reached down and pulled the money out of the dispenser, grabbed my receipt, and drove away. Later when I pulled the money out of my pocket I noticed that one of the $20.00 bills had the word “Church” written across one end. I smiled as I wondered about who might have written this word on the money and conjectured that it was probably a Christ-follower — someone who needed a simple  little reminder that they are not the owner of all they have.

I wish I could retrace the journey of that marked $20.00 bill. I imagine that the person who wrote the note placed the money in the offering plate at some point. Perhaps it represented a tithe of their earnings or just a humble offering. Regardless, it indicates an understanding that what we have comes from God and belongs to Him. In my quiet time earlier this week, I read these words spoken by King David on the occasion of a special offering designated for the construction of the Temple: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your own hand” (1 Chronicles 29:14). King David and his leaders gave so generously to the cause that they inspired the people to do the same (1 Chronicles 29:9). They also understood that what they had given to God had, in fact, come from His divine hand.

From my earliest days as a Christ-follower, I leaned the basic truth that God owns it all. I am simply a steward and not the owner of what comes my way. Like King David and his leaders, I have a responsibility to support the work of the kingdom with my tithes and offerings. If anyone ever looks at my checkbook they will see that my wife Cheryl and I really do put our money where our heart is. We invest in the kingdom. Call me old-fashioned, but I tremble at the thought of robbing God (Malachi 3:8-10). I am not a name it and claim it guy. However, I am someone who has learned that you cannot out-give God and that He is absolutely faithful to provide. I’m glad that I ended up with the $20.00 bill marked with the word “Church” so that I could add it to what we already give to the work of God’s kingdom. If for some reason you have forgotten that you are a steward and not an owner, then write yourself a note on the margin of the bucks in your wallet to remind yourself that all that you have comes from God.

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | July 25, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

Artist at work. | October 2011 | Ta Prohm Temple outside of Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Posted by: Omar C. Garcia | July 23, 2012

Hope at Freedom Place

Human sex trafficking is not just an international problem — it’s a domestic problem as well. The city of Houston is one of the largest hubs of human trafficking in the United States. The commercial sex trade operates inconspicuously throughout our community in places you would least expect. Among those trapped in this dark world are young American girls, minors as young as 12 years old. According to National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Throwaway Children, there are an estimated 6,000 runaways in Houston. One out of every three of these children is lured into sex trafficking within 48 hours of being on the streets. Once they are trafficked, these unfortunate young victims lose all remaining remnants of childhood innocence — one rape at a time.

Those fortunate enough to be rescued from sex slavery need a safe place where they can begin the process of healing and rehabilitation. While there are federal funds set aside to assist internationally trafficked women and children, little or no funds exist to help the young victims of domestic trafficking. To make matters worse, there are fewer than 100 beds available nationwide in rehabilitative safe houses for victims of domestic child sex trafficking, making it difficult to give these children the specialized kind of care that they require after they are rescued. Fortunately, this sad scenario is beginning to change. Freedom Place, a Christ-centered safe house for the victims of domestic trafficking, recently opened its doors. Situated on a 110-acre wooded campus on the outskirts of Houston, Freedom Place is the state’s first privately run safe house that provides long-term housing for American girls who are victims of sex trafficking. It is a safe haven where girls are not considered offenders but regarded as victims.

A few months ago, my friend Nikki Richnow, the Church and Community Liaison for  Freedom Place, asked if Kingsland’s missions ministry would create a prayer garden at Freedom Place — a tranquil oasis where their residents can spend quiet moments with God. Jon Davis, our Missions Associate, agreed to serve as our point man for this project and recruited the help of Kingsland member Fred Abbot. Jon and Fred visited the site and sketched out the plans for a beautiful garden on a napkin! The plans include a large central gazebo with decks that lead to two additional seating areas. Once the decks and gazebos are completed we will add a water feature and some beautiful plants.

Over the past weeks, Jon and Fred and a number of Kingsland volunteers have made great progress on the garden. Now that I am back in town, I had the opportunity to join our men this past Saturday. Things are taking shape and should be completed within a few weeks as our weekend warriors continue their labor of love. I am grateful to Jon and Fred and all of the men who have invested their time in turning this dream into a reality. The young women who reside at Freedom Place absolutely deserve to be surrounded by beautiful things, especially after being rescued from the hell created by unprincipled and unscrupulous individuals.

Please pray for the work of Freedom Place and consider making a donation. Freedom Place receives no government funding but instead depends totally on private donations. Learn more by visiting their website at FreedomPlaceUS.org. Let’s make sure that the girls rescued from sex trafficking will always be able to find hope and to make a new start at Freedom Place.



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