Heaven’s Gain

July 10, 2016

Hello everyone,

Summer is upon us and thankfully here in Idaho the temperatures are in the 70’s and low 80’s.  My heart is drawn to talk about an unsung hero of mine who recently passed away.  John Pinkney was a man that God used to change the course of my life.  I met John in the summer of 1980.  I took on a job at a company that made tennis rackets out of graphite.  John was a black man so I was automatically drawn to him because I figured we’d have music tastes in common.  John had a radio he listened to while he worked.  I figured out right away John was different than most guys I had ever met.  He listened to family radio and what I would call “old lady church music.”  I laughingly asked John “Is someone making you listen to that?!”  He slowly and methodically said to me, “No, I only listen to what glorifies Jesus and I don’t care what other people think of me, they can take it up with God if it bothers them.”  I was floored by John’s very strong and confident statement.  At first I thought “This guy is weird and I need to keep my distance from him.”  But as God had planned I ended up working right next to John and was forced to listen to his station of “old lady church music.”  I began to ask John about this Jesus he loved so much and after a few months I was a believer too.  John later told me that as soon as he met me God told him he was to pray for me.  John was a man of prayer and spent many hours in intercession for whatever and whoever God laid on his heart.  John told me that he battled in the spirit for many days before he felt a release.  The very next day I told him I was ready to commit my life to God.  John prayed with me and I had a glorious conversion; I was 16 years old.

 John spent the next two years discipling me and I have never been the same since.  John and I parted ways but kept in contact over the years until I moved my family to Idaho.  Some years ago, thanks to Facebook, we reconnected.   I will never forget how much John loved Jesus.   Several people thought John was a bit extreme, but I didn’t.  He unashamedly loved God and wanted the whole world to know Jesus like he did.  I loved that about him.  I was drawn to God because of John’s complete and unashamed love for Him.  I wanted what John had.  John would always tell me I was his son in the Lord even though he was only a few years older than me.  The last time we spoke John told me God is not done with me yet.  I believe him.  Every day I long for a deeper walk with my Savior just like John.

John has now met his Savior face to face and I know he is in awe of the beauty that surrounds him.  Whenever John spoke of Jesus, with a big smile on his face, He’d chuckle and shout “Halleluiah!  What a glorious day our meeting will be!”  Thank you, John for listening to God and fighting for me through prayer.   I will never forget you.  I hope I make you proud. 

A couple weeks ago while in San Diego for my brother’s funeral I had the privilege of meeting Larry and Sharon Lindstrom.  I was literally on my way to the airport to catch a flight back home to Boise. Sylvia Payan and Lawanda Uribe asked if I’d mind going and praying with Larry.  They explained Larry has cancer and may not have much time left.  He and Sharon were a part of their home group.  Honestly, I was not in the mood to talk to anyone else that was ill and didn’t know what I’d say to him or his wife who I’d never met.  I just wanted to get home to my family.  I remember thinking to myself and praying to God and asking Him to give me something for Larry and Sharon.  I walked into their home and right away felt God’s presence.  Sharon was very kind and told me Larry was in the room down the hall and would love to meet me.  I followed Sharon and the rest of the gang to the room where Larry was in bed.  I immediately knew that I was there to help Larry let go.  After introducing myself and quickly telling Larry my story I asked him what worried him the most.  What did he want me to pray for?   Larry told me with tears in his eyes that he was worried about Sharon being left alone.  As soon as I began to pray the presence of God fell on that room.  I told Larry that God hears his prayers and not to be concerned about Sharon.  God loves her like He loves him and will never leave her nor forsake her.  There were several other things God gave me for Larry that afternoon.  I’m so overwhelmed at God’s goodness that He would use me in such a profound way to speak to this couple that needed to hear from Him.  Larry passed away this last week and is in the presence of the One who is able and willing to care for his family.  Larry and Sharon it was an honor and privilege meeting you both and my pleasure to be used by our God to help Larry find the peace he so desperately needed.  I love that we serve a living God who cares for our every need.

On a lighter note, I and my family have been granted an all-expense paid family vacation back to San Diego to attend our family reunion.   An organization here in Idaho called Wish Granter’s is blessing us with this trip.  Please pray for us as we go and have some fun. We’ll be in San Diego July 14-18.  Looking forward to spending time with family, some I’ve not seen in many years. 

Continue to pray for our pending trip to NYC in September.  We’ll need to book flights and hotel accommodations late July or early August.  Funds are very low, so please pray about how you can help.  Here's a link to our giving page: https://www.youcaring.com/david-garcia-515242 

Much love and gratitude,

Dave