gracias Señor por la vida de Pastor Miguel

I learned early this morning that Pastor Miguel Villanueva of La Roca in Colonia Grupo Mexico had passed away.  Immediately I thought back to the many times I was able to sit across the table from him with a cup of coffee and share life together.  I hadn't thought about the fact I wouldn't see him on earth again.  But, indeed he is now present with the Lord.  

What a privilege it was to know him.  I first met Pastor Miguel in 1998 while traveling with a group of students from NWC on a spring break trip to Tijuana.  I immediately fell in love with the people of La Roca and returned to this same hillside for a consecutive seven spring breaks.  And, a couple of summer visits as well.

Pastor Miguel's life and story had such an impact on me. He was a great storyteller (the five gallon bucket!), a prankster (getting Miguelito to eat the hot pepper!) and a man of huge vision and faith.  He was also a patient teacher; as I have grown in my understanding of culture, race and privilege, I realize how patient he was with me and my ignorance.  Tonight I pulled out a few dvd recordings of our visits to Tijuana and listened to Pastor Miguel as he led morning prayers and gave words of encouragement.  It was great to hear his voice again.

The most powerful influence Pastor Miguel (and the other people of La Roca) have had on my life is the example of living a life of gratitude.  He modeled the practice of rising each morning to gather as a community to give thanks for everything.  This turned into an encouragement, a challenge, and a calling for me to be thankful for every aspect, every detail, and every thing in my life.  Pastor Miguel and my time in Tijuana transformed me to live a fully thankful life, aware of God's gifts all around me.

For those of you who also knew Pastor Miguel, I'm confident Guille and his children would love to hear words of how he and La Roca impacted you and your life.  Please consider sending them a note or card as they grieve his death and celebrate his legacy and eternal life.

Their US mailing address is:
Guille Villanueva (and Sinai, Sarai, Israel and Isai)
PO Box 120321
Chula Vista, CA  91912

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to cross paths with Pastor Miguel in 1998
for La Roca and the beautiful people who live there
for the morning meetings in the chapel
for the patience the people of La Roca had with us, the hermanos de Minnesota
for Guille, Sinai, Sarai, David and Isai
for all I learned from Miguel
for your grace and love for me and for showing me grace and love through the people of La Roca

Gracias Señor por la vida de Pastor Miguel