The Journey Continues: Eloy Chavez
A journey last summer took me on mission to the Valley of Texas.
In Acts 2:44, “All the believers were together and had everything in common; selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
They were filled with the Holy Spirit; they trusted and respected each other. We can’t improve on such relationships and friendships today.
I am reminded of my special friendship with Eloy Chavez, presently living in Edinburg, Texas. Our friendship began long ago at the San Marcos Baptist Academy. But first, do you know what is better than a friend? That’s an old friend and Chavez and I go back to 1990.
I had a planned absence and needed a supply preacher for Redwood Baptist Mission where I was the pastor. My wife, Judy, and women of the Mission traveled to San Antonio to the Baptist University of the Americas where they were introduced to Chavez, a ministerial student, who was also a graduate of Howard Payne University. God answered our prayers, Chavez was a perfect match for the community.
The San Marcos Baptist Academy heard my praise of Chavez, which resulted in his employment for six years as a teacher of Advanced Spanish, Bible, World , U.S. and Texas History, evening chaplain, soccer coach and dorm assistant. Concurrently, he spent three years as the bi-vocational pastor of Redwood Baptist Mission, where his evangelistic outreach built the attendance.
On his journey, Chavez felt called to return to Edinburg where he continued to do evangelism. He married Nancy de la Garza in 2004 and started his own successful business, The Chavez Old West Saddle Shop. He has the skill to design and build a complete saddle. Also, he teaches leather-working classes for the Tandy Leather Company. He joined a local law firm where his fluent Spanish provided employment as translator and case manager. Hid wife is assistant principal at the local middle school with the challenge of working with youth that she must both discipline and encourage.
They have visited in our home in San Marcos and he always invites us to their home. An excellent opportunity to visit them came last summer when Judy and I volunteered at the McAllen Respite Center (Catholic Charities) for a weekend. As guests in his home we were treated to fabulous hospitality. Their daughter, Mangova Bella Chavez, age 9, gave us a “wake up” each morning and we ate homemade breakfast tacos served on special blue china. Chavez cooked scrumptious suppers – thick steaks and lots of barbecue. We reconnected with his parents and younger brother, Efrain and his family at the evening meal prior to our returning to San Marcos.
From his years at the Academy, 1993 to 1999, he has great recall of names and events. He cared and respected students; and they in turn respected to him.
After my visit to the Valley, I gave President Jimmie Scott an update about Chavez. With great respect, Scott said, “Call Eloy and invite him to speak at the Academy Chapel to the students."
Chavez's life verse is:
“Jesus answered, I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Chavez follows the model of Jesus in teaching how to respect each other.
