Missing Francisco

Have you ever had a gift and not opened it? I can understand a gift that someone gives you and you open it, but never use it... I'm talking about a packaged wrapped, with a surprise inside? No one knows until you open it. I debated of having this image or having no image. Of course this picture isn't of a person nor would a blank image be acceptable. But, it's my project and my life lesson and I had a gift, an opportunity... missed. Several years back, my friend Steve Novak was working with our church by going out into the community, finding needs and asking people, "how are things with you and the Lord?" Bold thing to do, but that's Steve. Upon arriving at a home where a younger man was working under the hood of his vehicle, Steve, for the first time would meet Francisco. As the conversation led from one thing to the next, Steve asked Francisco, "If the Lord was to return right now, do you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you would go be with Him in heaven?" Upon hearing this, Francisco said, "If that happened now, I would be doomed." Francisco, came to our church and had dinner with a bunch of us. He looked a bit rough in his sleeveless shirt and his large muscles and a tattoo band around his biceps, but he was there. As we shared later that evening, Francisco has questions... He looked at the Bible, asked challenging questions and after several days, committed his life to Christ in the waters of Baptism. I remember, I was there. Francisco, would stop by the building to find peace and quite and a place to pray. He had a girlfriend and they had a child that he loved with all his heart. Though he knew he should get married, his girlfriend wasn't to keen on the idea. She thought things were just fine as there were... she had not embraced the faith that he had days before. No matter what, he was set to change his life and raise up his kid in the Lord. He would come in his sleeveless shirts but his little kids dressed in the best clothes available. Opportunities came soon that would give him the change to be manager for a local food chain. But, like King David and King Solomon, He had a weakness. Women. He came to me and shared what he had done. I gave him straight forward advice, told him to repent and follow his commitments. It was February of 2007. Sharing a bit more, I told him I loved him and that he had a wonderful story and there I asked him if I might take his picture for a project I was working on. He was thrilled. We kept missing shoot times and then things took a turn for the worse. He had been falsely accused of something that could bring jail time. The evidence was weak at best, but what came out was that he was not a legal resident. His parents had moved here from Mexico when he was a boy and he never gained citizenship. When the law began making threats to send him to jail for several years and then deport him back to Mexico. Scared, and who wouldn't be, one day he just fled. If he was to be deported anyhow, no need to spend time in jail first. I never got to take his picture. Last I heard he was making $2 US a day. I don't know if I will ever see him this side of heaven. I don't know. He was a wonderful story of God living in him... even in all this mess. He told me once... "All I want is to be an 'Ultimate Fighting Champion.'" In Christ, he is an Ultimate Fighting Champ. Wherever you are Francisco, you have family here always. I will always be your brother. I wish I could take this all away. However, remember that when you are weak, He can make you strong. Do me a favor, take that picture and listen to someone's story. peace. johno~

Mr. Browne

Singing has never been one of my strong points. A gift of Gods given to more worthy people... like Marlon Brown. Marlon married into a family that I have known since my early years here in Wenatchee. I love that, from the very beginning, we could talk straight forward to each other in way most would not. Age, background, spiritual, political, race... none of them off the chart. But the place he truly shines is in song. When Marlon lead our church community into worship it seems to impact many who are in attendance. The sign of a good leader. He's not to overpowering, and not to soft. He has a way of leading that makes you think you're a better singer than you really are. Because, it's not performance, it's "Joyful noise." Next year he will be a father. Right now his youthfulness is talking a lot of smack... that's ok, I did it too. I know he will be a good and loving father, because he is a good and loving husband. As with many others in my "52" list, he's not perfect, just forgiven. A man who trust in the Lord, is a strong man. peace. johno~

Campy Darryl

Working with kids is one of the best jobs anyone could have. I know that sometimes things can get bad, but who cares... I have a job that allows me to study the Word of God, share and interact with kids... all kids both young and old. Jesus said, "unless you become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God." Darryl is in a similar situation as I am. He's a camp director for a local Christian camp that we use for retreats here in central Washington. When I first met him I thought, "man, he's just a kid." I learned, who better to lead a camp for teens. Anything we have ever needed at our time at Camas meadow, Darryl has provided... even good coffee, not that nasty old camp coffee. In the Kingdom of God, it's nice to know I am not alone. There are other good men and women who are doing the service of the King and at anytime, we can gather forces together and love God and love our neighbor. Even though Darryl and I only get to see each other once or twice a year, the time between never seems to interrupt right where we left off. One of the MANY beautiful things that the Love of Jesus brings to his people. peace. johno~

Steve N

Steve Novak, my personal friend and local drug dealer... don't worry, it's legal. I first met Steve shortly after moving to Wenatchee. I'll never forget our first golf game. I love golf, but I'm not that good. I think I'm good, but my great friend Steve always reminds me that I am not. It doesn't matter though. The fact is: it's better to play bad golf than to do yard work. I digress... Steve and I have been through a lot together. Most of it is personal and not really the story I feel needs to be shared here. What does need to be shared is the example of the power and faithfulness of God working in peoples lives. Like Steve. From the impossible odds of adopting a wonderful little girl and then being able to adopt her brother, is a story of Steve letting go and letting God. Against all odds in later years of almost losing them, Steve's faithfulness to "STAND" in the midst of muck and mud, at the end trusting God, kept all his children close and also gave him an opportunity to be a real father to even more children without a father. His heart is pure, wise and seeks God in the most unlikely of places. His sarcasm is a gift, which sometimes does more damage than good... Especially when we are together. (We ask for your prayers not your criticism) But his humor can lift you out of many difficult times. He has the ability to help you focus on what really matters and an authentic gift for teaching. We have been through a lot together... I'm sure we will go through a lot more. One thing for sure, I'm proud of his stubborn clinging to the Cross of Christ. Steve, has a wonderful story about finding God. As Steve would say, "I never was a bad person. I always treated others well. I never killed anyone. I wasn't an alcoholic... etc, etc. I never saw the need for God. I was a good person." Why would I believe in God?" Then he watched the movie "Contact" in which there is a conversation between two of the main characters, Palmer Joss, a Pastor/friend and Ellie, a scientist who has a hard time believing that anyone could "prove" the existence of God. In the scene, Ellie challenges Palmer to prove the existence of God. Palmer Joss: Did you love your father? Ellie Arroway: What? Palmer Joss: Your dad. Did you love him? Ellie Arroway: Yes, very much. Palmer Joss: Prove it. Amazingly those few lines challenged Steve in his faith of God. How do you "prove" love? There is where it began. His faith journey is not ended... yet. I am honored to have been able to stand by him and be called his friend. I'm still no good at golf, but Steve takes me right where I am... and taught me. peace. johno~