MY FATHER'S FOLDER: A Veteran of the Mexican Revolution.

Don Ricardo Garcia

     Memories of an extraordinary man from the past who had a great impact on my father as well as myself.  We all knew him as Don Ricardo.
     My father had the unusual privilege of working with him during the time that there was much persecution and hatred of the gospel in Mexico.
     Don Ricardo came into our lives with a colorful background and a tribute to the Grace of God.  He was a veteran of the Mexican Revolution as well as a veteran of the Lord's Army.
     While serving as a revolutionary, life was of little value to him.  He lived to please himself at the expense of others.  Murder was his favorite joy and drinking his favorite pastime, as he tried to drown his sorrows and heartaches.

Don Ricardo with his wife Maria & Daughter, Ofelia

     One day the Lord took hold of his heart, followed by tremendous enthusiasm and dedicating his energies to serve the Lord.  The Lord used him mightily in the salvation of hundreds and many villages were opened to the gospel due to that enthusiasm and encouragement.

On The Trail

     When persecution intensified in the State of Hidalgo and prevented him from continuing in that area, he came to work with Dad for two years in the Sierra Sempoala.  They traveled by horseback, mule and on foot, visiting one village after another.
    

Don Ricardo (sitting) with first Cuautempan congregation in front of our first home here in Cuau that we shared with Dona Emilia (Far right)

    Don Ricardo carried with him everywhere, a list of people he prayed for regularly.   At night he would wake up, take his flashlight and go over that list time and again until those prayers were answered.

A Baptism

     His wife, Maria was illiterate, but memorized countless Scripture verses.  She had more verses memorized than most literate Christians.
      One day Don Ricardo burdened to return to Hidalgo, sensed that conditions where more favorable toward the gospel than they ever were before, returned to his previous work of evangelism.
     One night during a service, he was forcefully removed at gun point, pushed along the trail, stabbed to death and his body thrown over a ravine.   
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