September 9, 2007

Dear: Victory in Christ Church,

I would like to thank the congregation for your gift of kindness in order to help deliver Cynthia’s van to her in Salinas.  This was such a spiritual experience for me that I have a strong desire to share it with you, since you were such a large part of it.

It started Friday.  Cynthia called me and told me that her car had been stolen Thursday night.  When she had called her work they told her she could miss Friday, but must be back to work on Monday.  (Being a single mother of four she has to leave scheduled work regularly to care for her children’s needs).

I told her that I would try to get her van to her.  She said “No!” She would figure out a way to come and get it herself.  She did not know when or how because her family was not able to help her either.  I told her again, I would figure out a way to help her.  She told me, “It doesn’t matter, I’m sinking, and if not now it will be soon”.  Then she said a few things to attack my ego.  To my own shame, that seems to work every time.

(I have a major issue with pride I can not ask others for help.  I am person who would rather suffer than admit and ask for help.  I have and still do beseech the Lord to humble me.)

After the attacks I became stiff-necked and decided to let her self-destruct; maybe she would learn.  Even still Cynthia’s situation troubled me all weekend.

After I gave the communion message on Sunday, I was sitting in the back of the church listening to Mike’s message. It was about not doing our own will but doing our Lord’s will even up to death. 

In my heart I knew Cynthia said those things to me because she was afraid.  I also knew her faith was not strong.  It was not the faith that has no doubt, not the faith that you know God is there, that he loves you, that he is here for you and he will not abandon you..

When Mike finished the message and asked if they were any prayer requests I was still stiff-necked.  But within me arose a struggle.  I did not want to ask for help. I would not!  But I would ask for a prayer to strengthen Cynthia’s faith.  I found myself walking up to the front of the church and even in those few steps I was being told to ask for help to deliver the van to Cynthia.  I will not! I thought, I will ask for prayer to strengthen her faith, but no more than that.  As I asked for prayer from the congregation I was overwhelmed and the grip of pride diminished.  The Lord gave me the strength to overcome myself and ask for your help.  What a blessing to see the church give without hesitation, without limits.    I was given money from many in large quantities and in small, from the young and the not so young, from those who have plenty and those who have little.

So quickly I said, “That is enough”, but still more came.  (My heart was filled with such joy; it poured over as tears flowed from my eyes.) Again, I said “I have more than enough”, and yet more came.  Thank you for your love.

I don’t know if it is appropriate to say, but I will because it lifts my heart.  I was handed a couple of dollars from a pair of young ladies, instantly I thought of the Gospel of Mark (12:41-44) how great the reward that awaits them.

I loaded the van onto the trailer and was on the road by 2:30 P.M.  I arrived at Cynthia’s house about 7:45 P.M.; I unloaded the van and called her on the phone.  She invited me in and thanked me.  I explained to her how the church made it possible and she began to cry.  She walked away and went into the back room; I did not know what to do, so I started talking to the children.  Anna, Cynthia’s daughter, went to check on her.  She came back out and told me to go talk to her mom, so I did. Cynthia was sitting on the floor in the hall way, I walked over and sat across from her.  She was still crying.  I could see the weight of the burdens upon her shoulders was too much, she could bear no more.  I put my hand on hers and for a while cried with her. 

It made me think of Job and his friends.  I asked Cynthia for her Bible. “You don’t understand!” she said exasperated. “They got everything! Everything was in the car, my ID, bankcard, and Anna’s fundraiser money.  They got everything!

I pulled the money from my wallet, removed what I thought would get me home, and handed her the rest.  She said, “Keep your money Mike”.  I responded, “This is not my money”.  I leaned over and put into her jacket pocket without protest from her.  I went and retrieved the Bible from my truck.  When I returned I did not turn to Job, instead I went Matthew 6:19 and we read through verse 34 and talked about it.  Then we turned to Job 1:13 and read through verse 22.  Cynthia told me, “I thought I was being punished for something I did”.  I told her, “God does not do bad thing to us, bad things happen.  When we put our faith in God he carries us through it”.  We talked about the many times Israel turned away from God and he brought them back to him. We also talked about the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to look for the one that was lost.  In my own thoughts I likened myself to Jonah.  She told me she was sorry for the things she had said to me.  I told her not to worry about it.  She asked, “Why did you go through all this trouble to bring the van?”  I told her, “I was not going to, I am not here on my own accord. I am only the messenger”. 

After a while we stood up and I put my arms around her to reassure her and we prayed.  She asked me how long I was going to be in town.  “I’m going back right now”, I said.  “Already”, she asked?  I told her, “Today, I am only the messenger”.  I said goodbye to the children and left.  I arrived at home at 2:00 A.M.

What a blessed experience.  Blessed are these eyes that have seen God’s love revealed in you and through you.  I am truly blessed as are you, children of the one true God.  I thank you for your compassion and your generosity.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

Mike Garcia