Twenty years ago I stood in the cafeteria of Azusa Pacific University and dreamt of a day that I would walk onto a college campus as a student.
Twenty years ago I stood behind a cafeteria food counter and served morning breakfast foods to affluent, educated college kids on Saturday mornings wearing white sweatshirts with orange embroidered letters, A-P-U.
Twenty years ago my father was the cook behind the grill at APU’s cafeteria serving up food daily to over 5,000 students who knew Pancho for his big smile and warm heart.
Twenty years ago Pancho taught his children that no matter what, God was faithful. No matter what, God cared. No matter what, God heard our cries. No matter what, God had a plan for our life.
Twenty years later, I walked onto the campus of APU as a college and graduate school graduate.
Twenty years later, I walked into the Johnson Hall, the exact location of the student cafeteria where my father served hot food to hungry students.
Twenty years later, I walked onto a stage and served up a different type of food—a soul food, if you will—to people who were hungry for Jesus.
This past Saturday, twenty years later, I stood before a crowd of people at Azusa Pacific University and professed that no matter what, God is faithful. No matter what, God cares. No matter what, God hears our cry. No matter what, God has a plan for our life.
Twenty years later, the pain, confusion, desperation, and pleas faded away as I relished—if only for a moment—in the plan God uniquely laid out for my father and for me.
God. Is. Faithful.
What an inspiring&encouraging message dear Bianca:)
God bless you richly
Such a good story. I have tears thinking about His same faithfulness in my story over the last almost 32 years. He is so faithful.
You cried, didn’t you?
My husband and I love your dad so much! We learned so much when we attended CCM, and it’s awesome just to bring a heart of servant hood to CC South Bay. What great words of honor for your daddy. May I also say, I love how you put it out there too! With humor, with realness and straight out truth. Continue doing whatcha do!
Gave me the chills…this is so cool, and so like God!
AMEN! He is good and good all the time. 🙂
Thank you for proclaiming His faithfulness. It’s so encouraging to see & read how God works in the lives of those who love Him! I am incredibly grateful that you allow us to watch your story unfold. 🙂
Love this.
A beautiful post written by a beautiful person! 🙂
Love the theme of your story that reminds me of the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (my mom’s favorite) and the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 (my life verse)- “For I know the plans I have for you, thus saith the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 🙂
All the best to you and your family, Bianca! 🙂
So faithful.
Encouraging post! Thank you so much for sharing!
Love this! I’ve been mulling over God’s faithfulness lately too. Amazing how He orchestrates our lives and brings our dreams along when we least expect it and how we least expect it.
God is good all the time…and all the time God is good.
I need to visit APU ( the main campus). I recently started the graduate program for counseling at the Orange. We all wonder what the main campus is like. 🙂 Wow I had no idea our pastor worked there.. that is aweeeeesome!!! 🙂 Go Cougars! 🙂