THE COLLEGE OF NAVOJOA
The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord’ (Proverbs 21:31).
PERSEVERANCE
In May 1948, Luis Villarreal Ortega, my grandfather, was the pastor of the Adventist church in Ciudad Obregón (Sonora, Mexico), to the northwest of the country. Guadalupe, his wife, was a woman highly committed to her husband’s ministry and supported all kinds of church activities. At that time, she embarked on the charity collection for the Philanthropic and Educational Civil Association (the name of the institution that managed the Adventist social work in Mexico) along with one of his daughters. Both women decided to go to Navojoa, some seventy kilometers south of their locality, where they visited several businesses asking for help for the those in need. They came to the house of Mr. Francisco L. Byerly, a businessman from the region, to invite him to donate some money. The man received them Kindly and listened to the ladies’ explanation. However, he did not show much interest in collaborating. Then, perceiving that the gentleman was not going to give them anything, my bold grandmother frowned and stared at the man. Suddenly, she took out her Bible from her purse and began to give him a Bible study on the Adventist faith in a short summary. Mr. Francisco was astonished at how that woman described the moment of Jesus’s second coming to this world. Finally, my grandmother said goodbye to the man and thanked him for his attention. Then she told my aunt: «He has not given us money, but h has been left with the Christian message.»
A month after that visit, some lawyers went to find the Adventist pastor of Ciudad Obregon, They explained that Mr. Byerly had been moved by the visit of some women who had gone to ask for a donation for philanthropic work, as well as explaining biblical doctrines. So the businessman had decided to donate fifty hectares in the region of El Sicome (Navojoa, Mexico), buildings and agriculture equipment for the establishment of an educational institution, as well as funds to maintain the institution during the first few years. My grandfather could not believe what he was hearing. So he immediately communicated with the church leaders to inform them what was happening. The project brought so much enthusiasm to the Adventist leaders, who soon made accommodations for the Industrial Agricultural School of the Pacific to open its doors in September 1948. In 1967, the name was changed to College of the Pacific. It is currently the University of Navojoa.
The miracles of heaven can happen at any moment. Sometimes, there is only one human ingredient left for God’s blessings to be poured out: perseverance.
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Youth 2020
«A New You»
From: Alejandro Medina Villareal
Collaborators: Gezer Noria & Misael Morillo