Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
What is your “BHAG”? The phrase “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” (BHAG – pronounced Bee-HAG) is used by author Jim Collins to describe the passion, the desire, the purpose, the vision that drives you. It is a clear and compelling long term goal that you strive for and progress toward. What are you passionate about? What are you great at? What drives you? When you discover the answer to these questions, you have discovered your BHAG!
The “Great Grandmaster Adventure” is my BHAG – it is what drives me and what I am passionate about. As a Martial Artist my long term goal is to earn the rank of Grandmaster (10th Degree Black Belt). But more importantly, I desire to gain firsthand knowledge of what the Martial Arts world has to offer and to experience different styles, training methods, relationships, and cultures. In 2033, at the young age of 77, I will reach the honorable rank of Grandmaster and thus my “Great Grandmaster Adventure” will be complete. My purpose in this adventure, however, is about more than just the Martial Arts. God has put this mission in my heart and I pray that, by living it to the fullest, I may inspire others to reach for their full potential as well. As a Christian, my goal is to be a Godly example, to inspire, and to lead others to Christ. It’s more than just a long term goal…it’s about eternity!
As most of you know, 2007 has been the kick-off year for my adventure. Each trip has been a short-term step in the progress toward my goal. So far my trips have included: Madison, Wisconsin where I trained with my friend Grandmaster Ron Van Browning and, fellow PMA school owner, Randy Reid; Bangkok, Thailand where I trained at the world renowned Fairtex Muay Thai Training Camp; Dallas, Texas where I attended the first Kick-4-College Karate Championship; and Jupiter, Florida where I attended the first Premier Mixed Martial Arts Certification. My time at home has been just as memorable as my time away. Some highlights have included: hosting and training in the Modern Arnis Winter Camp with students from all over the country and world; directing the Battle of Texas Karate Champions for my cousins, the Benavidez’s; witnessing the Baptism of three AGMA students into God’s Kingdom; being treated to the UFC Fights at the Toyota Center as a birthday present from my student and friend, Roy Starr; and spending Easter at home with my wonderful family. While some steps have been bigger than others, each has been an opportunity to learn and grow, and the best part has been sharing the knowledge and experience gained with my students.
And that brings up to today…when I will take the next step as I leave for Rio, Brazil! After walking daily by faith and waiting for guidance from God, He spoke and He provided the necessary funds for me to book my flight. In an effort to avoid overburdening my family or my school, my student and accountant, Mr. Joseph Polizzi offered to sponsor my flight to Brazil. At Graduation last week, Mr. Polizzi gave his testimony as to why he feels that this sponsorship will benefit him as a student and as a business owner. For those of you who were there, I hope you enjoyed his talk.
I have been advised by Mr. Polizzi to offer the same opportunity to those AGMA business owners and supporters who might like to be used by God in providing for the rest of the funds for Brazil and for future travels. In return, beyond the eternal blessings, sponsors could receive marketing for their business or cause. For example, business names of sponsors will be listed in all email updates (sent out to hundreds of students, businesses, and friends), sponsors will be listed in an e-book that will be written about the Great Grandmaster Adventure, etc. In addition, I will be offering private lessons in the Martial Art of each country that I visit (i.e. Muay Thai from Thailand, Brazilian Jujitsu from Brazil, etc.). I hope that anyone who is able will consider taking advantage of this opportunity and be blessed through the funding of this cause.
“Where God guides, God provides!” This has been our motto since beginning this adventure. Walking in faith is not only believing that God’s Word is true; but also believing that every one of His miracles is real and can be real in your life, and every one of His promises is kept and will be kept in your life. In faith, we must take what we know to be truth and apply it to our own life. So, I ask for your prayers as I walk in faith, knowing that God will continue to provide as I seek to do His will.
Matthew 23:11-12 says, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself may be exalted.” Wherever I am, I pray that I will continue to humble myself before the Lord so that I may serve others and be used to do His will.
I have enjoyed my time at home with my family and my students and I am now full of anticipation as to what adventures my Brazil trip might hold. I am looking forward to sharing those blessings with you all! Thank you for your continued prayers and support in my travels!!
God’s Love & Peace,
Master Al Garza
P.S. I hope you enjoyed the three updates from Thailand. If you didn’t receive them and would like to, please contact Kim or Ashley (by replying to this email) to request them.
WALK BY FAITH!
(in the Word of God)...
BE BIG!
(Blessed in God)...
DIP!
(Lower yourself before the Lord)
www.algarza.com
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Brazil Update #2
Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
Great Christians “Think GREAT thoughts!” According to Pastor Chip Ingram, this is one of the principles that allows Christians to move from “Good to Great in God’s Eyes.” This is one of my favorite scriptures, written by Paul to encourage the Philippians:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good reputation, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” - Philippians 4:8
If we allow it, God’s Word can transform our minds from thinking negative thoughts to thinking positive thoughts – from focusing on what is bad, to focusing on what is good. I have definitely needed Paul’s encouragement since my departure from home and arrival to Brazil. Though filled with its challenges, I will spare you the gory details and focus on the good!
There is plenty of good to share…beginning with my nine hour flight from Dulles to San Paulo, where I sat next to a Christian gentleman named Christopher Dietmar, who was on his way home to Brazil. Light conversation led to a deep Bible study (for three hours), after I discovered that Christopher was a Christian. “As iron sharpens iron,” he and I were both sharper in God’s Word when we parted ways.
I arrived in Rio, Brazil on Wednesday at 11:00am. Unfortunately, upon arrival I found out that my apartment would not be ready until Thursday. No, I didn’t have to sleep on the streets like some of the unfortunate souls who I have seen down here (and back at home). Instead, I had the opportunity to stay with the owner of the apartment and share some of my favorite scriptures along with a daily devotional. As I said, my arrival was not without its challenges, but my apartment was ready for me to move in to on Thursday around 3:00pm and this was the beginning of breakthough!
Breakthrough came when I arrived at the Brazilian Top Team (BTT) gym where I would be training for the next three weeks. BTT is located in the hub of Zona Sul, on the border of a lagoon and in view of the mountains. BTT fighters train in Vale Tudo (“anything goes” in Portuguese), which is the same as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). They are one of the most famous teams in the world. What an awesome experience to train in their environment!
There I met world famous Mario Sperry who has a reputation for being one of the greatest ground fighters in the world. Mario spoke English and he introduced me to Claudio Palmieri and Christo da Conceicao (who goes by “Banana”), who have been my private instructors since Saturday. Claudio and Banana are two of the most sincere and friendliest people I have ever met. We have had three awesome private lessons in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) – just them and me! The language barrier is not as bad here for me as it was in Thailand. Portuguese parallels Spanish quite a bit and I am very fluent in Tex-Mex (as long as it is spoken sloooooooowly)J! On our second lesson, a third person joined us to act as a translator and this helped tremendously. Just like in Thailand, communication gets easier and I become more comfortable with the environment each day.
Aside from training and sharing the Word as much as I can, one of my objectives in my travels is to learn and observe the best and most up to date training methods, so that I can come home and torture (I mean train J) my students like the world’s best. Lookout students…I’m coming home with some great stuff! Brazilian Top Team fighters train in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling under the direction of Mario Sperry and his partner, Murilo Bustamante. I have spent some quality time speaking with Mario and watching and taking notes as he trains his fighters. He is no-nonsense and intense in his training, yet he has taken the time to be courteous and to welcome me with respect. I have enjoyed asking him questions about the training and asking him to translate for me. While I can follow his teaching for the most part, it is sometimes nice to understand the spirit of what he is saying on a deeper level.
I have also bonded with Darryl Gholar, a wrestling coach who teaches the wrestling and take down component of the Vale Tudo. Darryl is a world class wrestler who has beaten Randy Couture (not too shabby). Another wrestling coach named Jefferson Teixeira, a three time national champion and former collegiate coach, has been highly recommended to me. I have a private lesson scheduled with him on Friday morning where I will seek to get more training in wrestling takedowns.
I owe my next meeting to one of AGPMA’s own Black Belts, Bea Grant. She arranged for me to meet up with her dad, Professor Rudolph Hermanny, who is a long time Judo, Capoeira, and now Jiu-Jitsu player. He met me at my apartment on Monday at three and treated me to another breakthrough…the most delicious dinner I have had in a long time. The restaurant had a huge salad bar and the main course was meat, meat, and more meat – at least five kinds of meat served Brazilian style (one at a time to your table)! As the meat kept coming, I kept saying “Sim” (yes) and “Abrigodo” (thank you)! I rolled myself out of there and we went to “Pao de Acucar” (the Sugar Loaf), the western hemisphere’s most famous monolith. It rises from the dark sea to just under 400 meters high, towering over Botafogo beach and separating Guanabara Bay from the open Atlantic Ocean. The views from the top by cable car are unforgettable. Rio de Janeiro is a city like none other, incredibly built into cliffs and mountains and surrounded by the lagoons and beaches of a tropical forest.
From there, we visited Professor Hermanny’s friend, Professor Kastriot Mehdi, at the Academia De Judo, where we watched him teach two great Judo classes. We ended the night at the club where Professor Hermanny trains in Jui-Jitsu and teaches an exercise class to a group of ladies who have been with him for over 20 years. There we watched a Shotokan class, which reminded me of my love for that style and the respect I have for its founder, Gischin Funakoshi. One of his philosophies that I live by to this day is that “Karate always begins and ends with respect.” Great Stuff!
As you can see, what got off to a rocky start has transitioned into a series of blessings and opportunities that can only be described as divine arrangements. Daily challenges have continued to show their ugly face, but I continuously strive to be a “good finder.” I just can’t help but think about how often we are faced with a challenge and lose heart. Instead of finding the positive we become overwhelmed with the negative and give up just before breakthrough. I encourage you to become a “good finder,” stay focused on what is “excellent or praiseworthy.” It will give you the power to see your life to breakthrough!
I want to thank my supporters – Mr. Polizzi (of Polizzi Financial Services) and all of you who have responded to his offer by using his services and supporting this cause. Also, I want to thank all the prayer warriors who are keeping me showered in prayers. Thank you all for your continued support!
God’s Love and Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
Great Christians “Think GREAT thoughts!” According to Pastor Chip Ingram, this is one of the principles that allows Christians to move from “Good to Great in God’s Eyes.” This is one of my favorite scriptures, written by Paul to encourage the Philippians:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good reputation, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” - Philippians 4:8
If we allow it, God’s Word can transform our minds from thinking negative thoughts to thinking positive thoughts – from focusing on what is bad, to focusing on what is good. I have definitely needed Paul’s encouragement since my departure from home and arrival to Brazil. Though filled with its challenges, I will spare you the gory details and focus on the good!
There is plenty of good to share…beginning with my nine hour flight from Dulles to San Paulo, where I sat next to a Christian gentleman named Christopher Dietmar, who was on his way home to Brazil. Light conversation led to a deep Bible study (for three hours), after I discovered that Christopher was a Christian. “As iron sharpens iron,” he and I were both sharper in God’s Word when we parted ways.
I arrived in Rio, Brazil on Wednesday at 11:00am. Unfortunately, upon arrival I found out that my apartment would not be ready until Thursday. No, I didn’t have to sleep on the streets like some of the unfortunate souls who I have seen down here (and back at home). Instead, I had the opportunity to stay with the owner of the apartment and share some of my favorite scriptures along with a daily devotional. As I said, my arrival was not without its challenges, but my apartment was ready for me to move in to on Thursday around 3:00pm and this was the beginning of breakthough!
Breakthrough came when I arrived at the Brazilian Top Team (BTT) gym where I would be training for the next three weeks. BTT is located in the hub of Zona Sul, on the border of a lagoon and in view of the mountains. BTT fighters train in Vale Tudo (“anything goes” in Portuguese), which is the same as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). They are one of the most famous teams in the world. What an awesome experience to train in their environment!
There I met world famous Mario Sperry who has a reputation for being one of the greatest ground fighters in the world. Mario spoke English and he introduced me to Claudio Palmieri and Christo da Conceicao (who goes by “Banana”), who have been my private instructors since Saturday. Claudio and Banana are two of the most sincere and friendliest people I have ever met. We have had three awesome private lessons in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) – just them and me! The language barrier is not as bad here for me as it was in Thailand. Portuguese parallels Spanish quite a bit and I am very fluent in Tex-Mex (as long as it is spoken sloooooooowly)J! On our second lesson, a third person joined us to act as a translator and this helped tremendously. Just like in Thailand, communication gets easier and I become more comfortable with the environment each day.
Aside from training and sharing the Word as much as I can, one of my objectives in my travels is to learn and observe the best and most up to date training methods, so that I can come home and torture (I mean train J) my students like the world’s best. Lookout students…I’m coming home with some great stuff! Brazilian Top Team fighters train in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling under the direction of Mario Sperry and his partner, Murilo Bustamante. I have spent some quality time speaking with Mario and watching and taking notes as he trains his fighters. He is no-nonsense and intense in his training, yet he has taken the time to be courteous and to welcome me with respect. I have enjoyed asking him questions about the training and asking him to translate for me. While I can follow his teaching for the most part, it is sometimes nice to understand the spirit of what he is saying on a deeper level.
I have also bonded with Darryl Gholar, a wrestling coach who teaches the wrestling and take down component of the Vale Tudo. Darryl is a world class wrestler who has beaten Randy Couture (not too shabby). Another wrestling coach named Jefferson Teixeira, a three time national champion and former collegiate coach, has been highly recommended to me. I have a private lesson scheduled with him on Friday morning where I will seek to get more training in wrestling takedowns.
I owe my next meeting to one of AGPMA’s own Black Belts, Bea Grant. She arranged for me to meet up with her dad, Professor Rudolph Hermanny, who is a long time Judo, Capoeira, and now Jiu-Jitsu player. He met me at my apartment on Monday at three and treated me to another breakthrough…the most delicious dinner I have had in a long time. The restaurant had a huge salad bar and the main course was meat, meat, and more meat – at least five kinds of meat served Brazilian style (one at a time to your table)! As the meat kept coming, I kept saying “Sim” (yes) and “Abrigodo” (thank you)! I rolled myself out of there and we went to “Pao de Acucar” (the Sugar Loaf), the western hemisphere’s most famous monolith. It rises from the dark sea to just under 400 meters high, towering over Botafogo beach and separating Guanabara Bay from the open Atlantic Ocean. The views from the top by cable car are unforgettable. Rio de Janeiro is a city like none other, incredibly built into cliffs and mountains and surrounded by the lagoons and beaches of a tropical forest.
From there, we visited Professor Hermanny’s friend, Professor Kastriot Mehdi, at the Academia De Judo, where we watched him teach two great Judo classes. We ended the night at the club where Professor Hermanny trains in Jui-Jitsu and teaches an exercise class to a group of ladies who have been with him for over 20 years. There we watched a Shotokan class, which reminded me of my love for that style and the respect I have for its founder, Gischin Funakoshi. One of his philosophies that I live by to this day is that “Karate always begins and ends with respect.” Great Stuff!
As you can see, what got off to a rocky start has transitioned into a series of blessings and opportunities that can only be described as divine arrangements. Daily challenges have continued to show their ugly face, but I continuously strive to be a “good finder.” I just can’t help but think about how often we are faced with a challenge and lose heart. Instead of finding the positive we become overwhelmed with the negative and give up just before breakthrough. I encourage you to become a “good finder,” stay focused on what is “excellent or praiseworthy.” It will give you the power to see your life to breakthrough!
I want to thank my supporters – Mr. Polizzi (of Polizzi Financial Services) and all of you who have responded to his offer by using his services and supporting this cause. Also, I want to thank all the prayer warriors who are keeping me showered in prayers. Thank you all for your continued support!
God’s Love and Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Brazil Update #3
Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
“A man in a hurry will be miserable in Brazil!” These are the words of Peter Fleming, author of one of Brazil’s best travel books. I have to agree that is certainly true here in Rio, since it takes so much time to take in all of the surrounding beauty. Though, I would have to admit that the saying would not hold true to the taxi and bus drivers around here. Man alive, to them, time is money and they are out to get all they can (not to look down on them since I know they are doing what they can to provide for their families just like everyone else). They have got to be some of the best drivers in the world and they rely totally on their brakes (and, therefore, so do I)! It has taken two weeks, but I have learned to relax and smile (on the outside) as I think “brakes don’t fail me now” (on the inside). Peter Fleming also says that people in Rio don’t notice their problems because they are always looking at the beach! So let’s follow the Brazilian way and go to the beach…
My apartment is two blocks from the Copacabana Beach and, believe it or not, it took me 12 days to make that walk. Not only did I take a walk, but I went for a run in one of the best environments I’ve ever run – surrounded by mountains, skyscrapers, and sandy white beaches. I can definitely understand how you could forget the day to day worries when you are surrounded by such breathtaking beauty! Since my first run on Sunday, I have enjoyed a daily run on the beach and today (Tuesday) I accepted an invitation from Professor Hermanny (Bea’s Dad) “to go for a walk by the sea” as he so invitingly put it. By the time I made it back to my apartment (two and a half hours later), I had walked two beaches and a lagoon. What an unforgettable introduction to part of God’s creation!
Let me describe one more attraction I was introduced to in Rio and then I will get to the superb Martial Arts training I have experienced here…
The Christo Redentor (“Christ the Redeemer”) statue on Corcovado Mountain came highly recommended for me to see. The Christ statue (as it is referred to) seems to cradle Rio in its embrace from the top of Corcovado Mountain. The view from the statue is said to be the most spectacular view of the city, especially at sunset. You are surrounded by rainforest on all sides, and in front of you are the “Sugar Loaf” (Rio’s famous monolith) and a multitude of mountains rising from the Atlantic and bordered by endless beaches. I have felt a certain peace while here, as it seems that from any place in the city I can look up to the top of Corcovada Mountain and see “Christ the Redeemer” watching over me. During my Bible study, God gave me this scripture of encouragement and, in a sense, I feel that it is also an assignment:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”
- Isaiah 52:7
Doesn’t that remind you of Philippians 4:8 (“Whatever is good…”)?
As I mentioned in my first update, Bea arranged for me to meet up with her dad, Professor Rudolf Hermanny. He is now 75 years young. He represented Capoeira in the original Vale Tudo (anything goes) in the 50’s and 60’s, then went on to study and advance as one of the top Judo players in Brazil, and now finds the Jiu-Jitsu ground game something that he can enjoy without as much risk of injury. What a living legend…full of life and full of interesting stories!! I trained in a Jiu-Jitsu class with him that was taught by a Gracie Jui-Jitsu Black Belt, Mr. Carodoso. I was one of three students in the class and I got first-rate instruction and care.
The next highlight was my (much anticipated) workout with Jefferson Teixeira last Friday morning. It was a very exhilarating morning, beginning with a private lesson with Jefferson in wrestling. I was totally impressed with his way of teaching me…another great trainer here at Brazilian Top Team! The training and information passed on was very valuable and will make its way into everything that I teach in PMA, self protection, and MMA. I followed that lesson with another private with Claudio and Banana and they are just as exceptional. That combination of training (which I repeated today) is one of the toughest workouts I’ve had. It involved strength and conditioning drills, wrestling, and extra rolling (basically ground sparring) with Claudio and Banana. If I compared my trainers or my workouts, I wouldn’t be giving any of them the respect or value they deserve, so I’ll just say it’s all top notch!
Friday’s “icing on the cake” was watching the Pro BTT train for three hours, led by Mario Sperry. At the end of their workout, they huddle in a tight circle and say the Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary. I could see their great spirit and love for each other. Before Mario went into the circle, I complimented him for leading his team to do that and he was very humble and receptive to my praise. I asked him if he was familiar with 1st Corinthians 9:24-27 and I recited it to him. His eyes lit up and I could tell that he liked it. I told him that I would like to give him a copy and asked if I could email it to him. He gave me his email and I sent it to him that day. Here is his reply…words of wisdom from a Champion trainer!!
"Thank you very much for your e-mail...
It is funny, how sometimes, I come a long with some things that I always try to pass to my students, without expect those things to happen...What I am trying to say (forgive me about my English... Some times is hard to express myself), I got in a point in my personal and professional life, that when I teach, I learn more than anything... In a way, your words are exactly what I am looking for: to have goal, is the most important thing... With a goal, we can train the desire, with the desire, we have the power to achieve it... And than, we have the act to achieve it: the attitude to do it...
Everyday, I pray to God to give to my fellow students and partners, to give them the wisdom to learn and teach me something...To get near the perfection is nothing more than become teacher and student at the same time... That's what motivates me more those days...
Thank you very much for spending your time with us... I am learning a lot from you...Most people do not understand that, sometimes we get in a point that, to train the body is something that is not enough... We need to train our minds and than, the last stage : our own spirits...Than we can became, as near we can get from our God... We can get near the perfection...
Some times it happens once, twice or even several times ( it really depends how much you train, why you train and how you train)... When you win a important fight without notice. When you do a move without thinking about it, and it works 100%... In my point of view, those blessed moments, are the result of years of training... When your body, spirit and soul are one... I already felt, sometimes, those moments... And I am willing to fell them again... Not just because of the money and the glamour of being a great fighter ( I am not reach, but I have enough to have a good life and I have many important titles, in different martial arts), but just to feel again, even for less than a second, the presence of God..... That's what really motivates me...
I guess, God gave us the Martial Arts skills, to inspire people, to people notice you and follow our example... No matter what we do, if you have a talent, you are going to be notice by the others and by our attitude, we can inspire the others to be better human beings...You can be a great lower, doctor, engineering... Your talent is nothing more than God's hand to make a better world...
God bless us all... And let's pray to HIM, to give us the desire and the will to
keep on in our path of spiritual winnings, because we do not need nothing
more than that...
Regards from you student;
Mario Sperry
Ps: I am send some pictures where I felt some of those moments, I was telling o about.... "
As you can see, God is making the way daily…to share His word with a hungry world of those who have never heard the loving Word of God, with those who have been turned off by religion and walked away from a loving God, and with those Christians who know the Word but (it breaks my heart to see) are not living a fulfilled life.
Take care and live a GREAT life in God’s eyes!!
God’s Love and Peace,
Al Garza
“A man in a hurry will be miserable in Brazil!” These are the words of Peter Fleming, author of one of Brazil’s best travel books. I have to agree that is certainly true here in Rio, since it takes so much time to take in all of the surrounding beauty. Though, I would have to admit that the saying would not hold true to the taxi and bus drivers around here. Man alive, to them, time is money and they are out to get all they can (not to look down on them since I know they are doing what they can to provide for their families just like everyone else). They have got to be some of the best drivers in the world and they rely totally on their brakes (and, therefore, so do I)! It has taken two weeks, but I have learned to relax and smile (on the outside) as I think “brakes don’t fail me now” (on the inside). Peter Fleming also says that people in Rio don’t notice their problems because they are always looking at the beach! So let’s follow the Brazilian way and go to the beach…
My apartment is two blocks from the Copacabana Beach and, believe it or not, it took me 12 days to make that walk. Not only did I take a walk, but I went for a run in one of the best environments I’ve ever run – surrounded by mountains, skyscrapers, and sandy white beaches. I can definitely understand how you could forget the day to day worries when you are surrounded by such breathtaking beauty! Since my first run on Sunday, I have enjoyed a daily run on the beach and today (Tuesday) I accepted an invitation from Professor Hermanny (Bea’s Dad) “to go for a walk by the sea” as he so invitingly put it. By the time I made it back to my apartment (two and a half hours later), I had walked two beaches and a lagoon. What an unforgettable introduction to part of God’s creation!
Let me describe one more attraction I was introduced to in Rio and then I will get to the superb Martial Arts training I have experienced here…
The Christo Redentor (“Christ the Redeemer”) statue on Corcovado Mountain came highly recommended for me to see. The Christ statue (as it is referred to) seems to cradle Rio in its embrace from the top of Corcovado Mountain. The view from the statue is said to be the most spectacular view of the city, especially at sunset. You are surrounded by rainforest on all sides, and in front of you are the “Sugar Loaf” (Rio’s famous monolith) and a multitude of mountains rising from the Atlantic and bordered by endless beaches. I have felt a certain peace while here, as it seems that from any place in the city I can look up to the top of Corcovada Mountain and see “Christ the Redeemer” watching over me. During my Bible study, God gave me this scripture of encouragement and, in a sense, I feel that it is also an assignment:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”
- Isaiah 52:7
Doesn’t that remind you of Philippians 4:8 (“Whatever is good…”)?
As I mentioned in my first update, Bea arranged for me to meet up with her dad, Professor Rudolf Hermanny. He is now 75 years young. He represented Capoeira in the original Vale Tudo (anything goes) in the 50’s and 60’s, then went on to study and advance as one of the top Judo players in Brazil, and now finds the Jiu-Jitsu ground game something that he can enjoy without as much risk of injury. What a living legend…full of life and full of interesting stories!! I trained in a Jiu-Jitsu class with him that was taught by a Gracie Jui-Jitsu Black Belt, Mr. Carodoso. I was one of three students in the class and I got first-rate instruction and care.
The next highlight was my (much anticipated) workout with Jefferson Teixeira last Friday morning. It was a very exhilarating morning, beginning with a private lesson with Jefferson in wrestling. I was totally impressed with his way of teaching me…another great trainer here at Brazilian Top Team! The training and information passed on was very valuable and will make its way into everything that I teach in PMA, self protection, and MMA. I followed that lesson with another private with Claudio and Banana and they are just as exceptional. That combination of training (which I repeated today) is one of the toughest workouts I’ve had. It involved strength and conditioning drills, wrestling, and extra rolling (basically ground sparring) with Claudio and Banana. If I compared my trainers or my workouts, I wouldn’t be giving any of them the respect or value they deserve, so I’ll just say it’s all top notch!
Friday’s “icing on the cake” was watching the Pro BTT train for three hours, led by Mario Sperry. At the end of their workout, they huddle in a tight circle and say the Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary. I could see their great spirit and love for each other. Before Mario went into the circle, I complimented him for leading his team to do that and he was very humble and receptive to my praise. I asked him if he was familiar with 1st Corinthians 9:24-27 and I recited it to him. His eyes lit up and I could tell that he liked it. I told him that I would like to give him a copy and asked if I could email it to him. He gave me his email and I sent it to him that day. Here is his reply…words of wisdom from a Champion trainer!!
"Thank you very much for your e-mail...
It is funny, how sometimes, I come a long with some things that I always try to pass to my students, without expect those things to happen...What I am trying to say (forgive me about my English... Some times is hard to express myself), I got in a point in my personal and professional life, that when I teach, I learn more than anything... In a way, your words are exactly what I am looking for: to have goal, is the most important thing... With a goal, we can train the desire, with the desire, we have the power to achieve it... And than, we have the act to achieve it: the attitude to do it...
Everyday, I pray to God to give to my fellow students and partners, to give them the wisdom to learn and teach me something...To get near the perfection is nothing more than become teacher and student at the same time... That's what motivates me more those days...
Thank you very much for spending your time with us... I am learning a lot from you...Most people do not understand that, sometimes we get in a point that, to train the body is something that is not enough... We need to train our minds and than, the last stage : our own spirits...Than we can became, as near we can get from our God... We can get near the perfection...
Some times it happens once, twice or even several times ( it really depends how much you train, why you train and how you train)... When you win a important fight without notice. When you do a move without thinking about it, and it works 100%... In my point of view, those blessed moments, are the result of years of training... When your body, spirit and soul are one... I already felt, sometimes, those moments... And I am willing to fell them again... Not just because of the money and the glamour of being a great fighter ( I am not reach, but I have enough to have a good life and I have many important titles, in different martial arts), but just to feel again, even for less than a second, the presence of God..... That's what really motivates me...
I guess, God gave us the Martial Arts skills, to inspire people, to people notice you and follow our example... No matter what we do, if you have a talent, you are going to be notice by the others and by our attitude, we can inspire the others to be better human beings...You can be a great lower, doctor, engineering... Your talent is nothing more than God's hand to make a better world...
God bless us all... And let's pray to HIM, to give us the desire and the will to
keep on in our path of spiritual winnings, because we do not need nothing
more than that...
Regards from you student;
Mario Sperry
Ps: I am send some pictures where I felt some of those moments, I was telling o about.... "
As you can see, God is making the way daily…to share His word with a hungry world of those who have never heard the loving Word of God, with those who have been turned off by religion and walked away from a loving God, and with those Christians who know the Word but (it breaks my heart to see) are not living a fulfilled life.
Take care and live a GREAT life in God’s eyes!!
God’s Love and Peace,
Al Garza
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Brazil Update #4
Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
While Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles”, Brazil is known as the “Land of Happiness.” Everyone is very kicked back and relaxed and I think that it may have something to do with all the holidays that they celebrate here. But, to just say that Brazil celebrates a lot of holidays would be an understatement! It seems that they recognize national holidays, regional holidays, and local holidays as well as holidays dedicated to certain events, people, and festivities. I have witnessed this during my short three week stay in which at least 4-5 holidays have been observed! I would attempt to schedule my workouts with my trainers and each week they would say “Oh no!” not this Saturday or next Monday or the following Tuesday, “It’s a holiday!” I could sense a little concern with making a consistent cash flow, but the up side is that they get lots of R&R and plenty of time on the beach! What a deal!!
I have really enjoyed the beauty of the different cultures that I have experienced thus far in my Great Grandmaster Adventure. For example, in Thailand people greet you with a slight bow (their hands in a prayer position) and a huge smile. In Brazil, you are greeted with a thumbs up and just as big of a smile. I was also introduced to the kiss on each cheek greeting when I met Professor Hermanny’s wife, Sandra. What a cool way to say hello! One of the first things that I noticed at the Brazilian Top Team was how everyone took the time to go around the room to personally shake hands and say “Bon Dia” (Good Morning), when arriving, and “Tchau” (Good Bye), when departing. One day, when Claudio, my BTT trainer, was leaving he gave me a kiss on the top of my head. You just have to love their compassion and personal touch! I pray that I have caught it so that I can bring it home and pass it on!!
Another thing that I must mention is Brazil’s amazing fruit drinks! I was encouraged by Bea to try the natural energy drinks that can be purchased at fruit stands on every corner for a very reasonable price. I had the privilege of trying several kinds of fruit that are unique to Brazil and I must say, there is nowhere better to get fruit juices and smoothies. Tasty and healthy (makes for a great combination) and great after a hard workout, which I had my share of. Thanks Bea, for the great recommendation!
One more thing before I get to my final days of training…I would like to announce that I am now “officially” fluent in Tex-Mex-uguese and it has not failed me yet, muto obrigado (thank you very much)! “Fale ingles?” (Do you speak English?) was my first question upon entering each cab and, 99% of the time, the reply was “Nao fale ingles!” (No!). But not to worry, I would just turn on the Tex-Mex-uguese and it got me where I was going 100% of the time. That’s how I know that I am fluent J! I gotta tell you though, there is no better language than the language of love. This is the language that I tried to speak the most. As God’s Word says, “Love will conquer all.” It was amazing to see how it just brings down the walls of difference and finds common ground to build on. I am happy to say that I left my trainers with nine English words – the “Fruits of the Spirit” found in Galatians 5:22-23 (And what do you know? The first one is “Love”!)
How about this “bonus”? Sunday, I went with Professor Hermanny to some Vale Tudo fights held in Rio. Great fights! It was great to see many of the techniques that I have been learning being applied by the fighters. But, here is the “bonus” I was referring to…I got to sit next to UFC Champion Anderson Silva (and I got to take a picture with him)! If you are a UFC fan, you probably watched Anderson Silva win the title from Rich Franklin (quite decisively, I might add). What a humble and respectful man…A great role model for the sport!
I don’t want to scare anyone away from training in Jui-Jitsu, but one of the consequences of being a lifelong Jui-Jitsu fighter is “orelha estourada” (also known as “cauliflower ears”). They appear to be kind of like a trophy to those who have them as they sport them with a sense of pride in what they have earned. I asked Mario Sperry about it and he basically said that it meant that “they got their *** kicked too many times!” Of course, his ears show no sign of orelha estourada. I’ll leave it to you to decide what the reality is…I just know that I wouldn’t want to mess with any of those guys! To avoid orelha estourada, fighters can wear ear protection like you see wrestlers wear. I will be ordering my ear protectors first thing when I get home. May not be the coolest look…but my ears are already big enough!
Monday was the day before Brazil’s Labor Day, so BTT took the day off. It worked out as a blessing though because I was able to train in BJJ and “Gi” with Professor Hermanny. Today’s Jui-Jitsu fighters are trained in what is referred to as “Gi” or “No Gi” or they are trained in “Gi AND No Gi.” I was fortunate enough to receive training in BOTH, which is what I had hoped and prepared for. For a while in the Mixed Martial Arts world, training in “No Gi” was the popular thing to do and only traditionalists trained in “Gi.” From what I have gathered, however, the trend now seems to be more of an “AND” thing. Both methods of training have lessons to be learned and applied. To explain the difference, I will quote Sam Sheridan from his book “A Fighter’s Heart”:
“The gi is a mystery; it chokes and pulls and twists around your body. It controls you. By controlling the gi, you control the man inside it. Gi grappling is all about the gi, you grab it at every turn, pulling pant legs, twisting sleeves, gripping and pulling the belt, the lapels, un-tucking your opponent’s gi and twisting the loose ends around his body to turn him, to choke him. The cloth controls the body underneath, and the body controls the cloth and breaks grips.
If you’re grappling no gi, the sweat and slipperiness of your hands give you a decent chance to escape with a strong whipping pull; there is a lot less to hold on to. So the pace with gi seems slower, more deliberate, more thoughtful—punctuated by seconds of desperate movement, muscle straining, attempts to surprise your opponent. In no-gi the movements and straining and changing positions are endless.”
So, as you can see, each has its own skills and techniques and I seek to experience and understand them both. Thanks to Professor Hermanny and Sensei Cardoso, I received training in “Gi”; and thanks to Brazilian Top Team, I received training in “No Gi.” I’d say I got to experience the best of both worlds!
After my lesson with Professor Hermanny, I met Jefferson Teixeira at Centro de Lutas Nova Geracao’s facility for my final private lesson in wrestling. Jefferson focused on seven basic techniques that will help to bring together my MMA training – from the Muay Thai stand up to the wrestling take-downs to the BJJ ground control. What an awesome teacher and what a great way to finish!
Since today (Tuesday) is a holiday, I failed in setting up a final lesson, but this has allowed me the time to write my final update. I came here “ready for anything” – with an open mind and a notebook full of questions – and I have received more than I ever imagined. There were so many “bonuses” and I know that God had his hand in each one of them. Professor Hermanny, a living legend…what a blessing to have him as my personal companion and guide during much of my stay. Thank you, Professor, for the training opportunities, for the personal guided tours, and for the home cooked meals (prepared by Cida who has been his cook since 1963). (And, thank you Bea for making all that possible!) Mario Sperry, the general of BTT…how awesome to see him in person and watch him in action. I look forward to keeping in touch with him and returning for future training. The best part is that I enjoyed all this while my team at home had a great month and made things happen for the students and for the business. Thank you to my team…YOU ROCK! And thank you to Mr. Silva and Mr. Van Over for your excellence in leadership! Victories like these are exactly why I became part of Premier Martial Arts.
I can’t help but think of Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” That’s why, as I close the door to Brazil, I can walk by faith and know that He is already making arrangements for the next step in my Great Grandmaster Adventure.
I am excited to return and begin passing on the lessons that I have learned to my AGPMA team.
This week, I will be passing them on privately to my instructors and, during the next month, I will be making my rounds to teach in all the classes. I am also looking forward to the start of my “Beach Body Boot Camp” on May 12, which will run for seven weeks. I plan to use many of the conditioning drills that I have learned while in Thailand and in Brazil along with some of the awesome PMA curriculum and more. I will pass the training on to all my Black Belt Candidates in their last few months of training, and I will be reaching as many kids as possible in this year’s Summer Camp. I will also be seeking to give back to my fellow Premier Martial Arts school owners as the opportunity presents itself.
As I leave Brazil today, I pray that God be glorified in all I have said and done here and in all that I will do as I return to share my experience with my family, students, and friends. Also, I am in prayer as I await my marching orders from above and wait to see where the Lord will lead me next. I pray that God will inspire others to follow as I attempt to make the “Leap from Good to Great in God’s Eyes”!
God’s Love and Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
While Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles”, Brazil is known as the “Land of Happiness.” Everyone is very kicked back and relaxed and I think that it may have something to do with all the holidays that they celebrate here. But, to just say that Brazil celebrates a lot of holidays would be an understatement! It seems that they recognize national holidays, regional holidays, and local holidays as well as holidays dedicated to certain events, people, and festivities. I have witnessed this during my short three week stay in which at least 4-5 holidays have been observed! I would attempt to schedule my workouts with my trainers and each week they would say “Oh no!” not this Saturday or next Monday or the following Tuesday, “It’s a holiday!” I could sense a little concern with making a consistent cash flow, but the up side is that they get lots of R&R and plenty of time on the beach! What a deal!!
I have really enjoyed the beauty of the different cultures that I have experienced thus far in my Great Grandmaster Adventure. For example, in Thailand people greet you with a slight bow (their hands in a prayer position) and a huge smile. In Brazil, you are greeted with a thumbs up and just as big of a smile. I was also introduced to the kiss on each cheek greeting when I met Professor Hermanny’s wife, Sandra. What a cool way to say hello! One of the first things that I noticed at the Brazilian Top Team was how everyone took the time to go around the room to personally shake hands and say “Bon Dia” (Good Morning), when arriving, and “Tchau” (Good Bye), when departing. One day, when Claudio, my BTT trainer, was leaving he gave me a kiss on the top of my head. You just have to love their compassion and personal touch! I pray that I have caught it so that I can bring it home and pass it on!!
Another thing that I must mention is Brazil’s amazing fruit drinks! I was encouraged by Bea to try the natural energy drinks that can be purchased at fruit stands on every corner for a very reasonable price. I had the privilege of trying several kinds of fruit that are unique to Brazil and I must say, there is nowhere better to get fruit juices and smoothies. Tasty and healthy (makes for a great combination) and great after a hard workout, which I had my share of. Thanks Bea, for the great recommendation!
One more thing before I get to my final days of training…I would like to announce that I am now “officially” fluent in Tex-Mex-uguese and it has not failed me yet, muto obrigado (thank you very much)! “Fale ingles?” (Do you speak English?) was my first question upon entering each cab and, 99% of the time, the reply was “Nao fale ingles!” (No!). But not to worry, I would just turn on the Tex-Mex-uguese and it got me where I was going 100% of the time. That’s how I know that I am fluent J! I gotta tell you though, there is no better language than the language of love. This is the language that I tried to speak the most. As God’s Word says, “Love will conquer all.” It was amazing to see how it just brings down the walls of difference and finds common ground to build on. I am happy to say that I left my trainers with nine English words – the “Fruits of the Spirit” found in Galatians 5:22-23 (And what do you know? The first one is “Love”!)
How about this “bonus”? Sunday, I went with Professor Hermanny to some Vale Tudo fights held in Rio. Great fights! It was great to see many of the techniques that I have been learning being applied by the fighters. But, here is the “bonus” I was referring to…I got to sit next to UFC Champion Anderson Silva (and I got to take a picture with him)! If you are a UFC fan, you probably watched Anderson Silva win the title from Rich Franklin (quite decisively, I might add). What a humble and respectful man…A great role model for the sport!
I don’t want to scare anyone away from training in Jui-Jitsu, but one of the consequences of being a lifelong Jui-Jitsu fighter is “orelha estourada” (also known as “cauliflower ears”). They appear to be kind of like a trophy to those who have them as they sport them with a sense of pride in what they have earned. I asked Mario Sperry about it and he basically said that it meant that “they got their *** kicked too many times!” Of course, his ears show no sign of orelha estourada. I’ll leave it to you to decide what the reality is…I just know that I wouldn’t want to mess with any of those guys! To avoid orelha estourada, fighters can wear ear protection like you see wrestlers wear. I will be ordering my ear protectors first thing when I get home. May not be the coolest look…but my ears are already big enough!
Monday was the day before Brazil’s Labor Day, so BTT took the day off. It worked out as a blessing though because I was able to train in BJJ and “Gi” with Professor Hermanny. Today’s Jui-Jitsu fighters are trained in what is referred to as “Gi” or “No Gi” or they are trained in “Gi AND No Gi.” I was fortunate enough to receive training in BOTH, which is what I had hoped and prepared for. For a while in the Mixed Martial Arts world, training in “No Gi” was the popular thing to do and only traditionalists trained in “Gi.” From what I have gathered, however, the trend now seems to be more of an “AND” thing. Both methods of training have lessons to be learned and applied. To explain the difference, I will quote Sam Sheridan from his book “A Fighter’s Heart”:
“The gi is a mystery; it chokes and pulls and twists around your body. It controls you. By controlling the gi, you control the man inside it. Gi grappling is all about the gi, you grab it at every turn, pulling pant legs, twisting sleeves, gripping and pulling the belt, the lapels, un-tucking your opponent’s gi and twisting the loose ends around his body to turn him, to choke him. The cloth controls the body underneath, and the body controls the cloth and breaks grips.
If you’re grappling no gi, the sweat and slipperiness of your hands give you a decent chance to escape with a strong whipping pull; there is a lot less to hold on to. So the pace with gi seems slower, more deliberate, more thoughtful—punctuated by seconds of desperate movement, muscle straining, attempts to surprise your opponent. In no-gi the movements and straining and changing positions are endless.”
So, as you can see, each has its own skills and techniques and I seek to experience and understand them both. Thanks to Professor Hermanny and Sensei Cardoso, I received training in “Gi”; and thanks to Brazilian Top Team, I received training in “No Gi.” I’d say I got to experience the best of both worlds!
After my lesson with Professor Hermanny, I met Jefferson Teixeira at Centro de Lutas Nova Geracao’s facility for my final private lesson in wrestling. Jefferson focused on seven basic techniques that will help to bring together my MMA training – from the Muay Thai stand up to the wrestling take-downs to the BJJ ground control. What an awesome teacher and what a great way to finish!
Since today (Tuesday) is a holiday, I failed in setting up a final lesson, but this has allowed me the time to write my final update. I came here “ready for anything” – with an open mind and a notebook full of questions – and I have received more than I ever imagined. There were so many “bonuses” and I know that God had his hand in each one of them. Professor Hermanny, a living legend…what a blessing to have him as my personal companion and guide during much of my stay. Thank you, Professor, for the training opportunities, for the personal guided tours, and for the home cooked meals (prepared by Cida who has been his cook since 1963). (And, thank you Bea for making all that possible!) Mario Sperry, the general of BTT…how awesome to see him in person and watch him in action. I look forward to keeping in touch with him and returning for future training. The best part is that I enjoyed all this while my team at home had a great month and made things happen for the students and for the business. Thank you to my team…YOU ROCK! And thank you to Mr. Silva and Mr. Van Over for your excellence in leadership! Victories like these are exactly why I became part of Premier Martial Arts.
I can’t help but think of Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” That’s why, as I close the door to Brazil, I can walk by faith and know that He is already making arrangements for the next step in my Great Grandmaster Adventure.
I am excited to return and begin passing on the lessons that I have learned to my AGPMA team.
This week, I will be passing them on privately to my instructors and, during the next month, I will be making my rounds to teach in all the classes. I am also looking forward to the start of my “Beach Body Boot Camp” on May 12, which will run for seven weeks. I plan to use many of the conditioning drills that I have learned while in Thailand and in Brazil along with some of the awesome PMA curriculum and more. I will pass the training on to all my Black Belt Candidates in their last few months of training, and I will be reaching as many kids as possible in this year’s Summer Camp. I will also be seeking to give back to my fellow Premier Martial Arts school owners as the opportunity presents itself.
As I leave Brazil today, I pray that God be glorified in all I have said and done here and in all that I will do as I return to share my experience with my family, students, and friends. Also, I am in prayer as I await my marching orders from above and wait to see where the Lord will lead me next. I pray that God will inspire others to follow as I attempt to make the “Leap from Good to Great in God’s Eyes”!
God’s Love and Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
Thailand Update #1
Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
“Why be good when you can be GREAT?” Well…if you ask yourself this question enough times, God will eventually lead you do to things that will move you from good to great in His eyes. The “Great Grandmaster Adventure” was born from this search and desire to become great in God’s eyes.
In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins states that each one of us is a potential “pocket of greatness,” wherever we are and whatever we are doing. I believe that “pockets of greatness” can be found all over the world where people pursue the things that they are passionate about. In my travels, I desire to discover “pockets of greatness” and to be a “pocket of greatness” wherever I am. I want to experience first hand training from Masters of the native Martial Arts in each country that I visit. While I train, I will be seeking opportunities to share my Martial Arts experience and, more importantly, to spread the abundant love and peace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I officially kicked off my much anticipated adventure on January 18 by traveling to Madison, Wisconsin to train in several inches of snow and -1° temperatures (not exactly what this Texas boy is used to)! That’s right…my first country to travel in was the great USA!! We must not overlook how many great Martial Artists train and teach right here in our own country. I was fortunate to spend some time training with my good friends, Master Randy Reid and Grandmaster Ron Van Browning, who have teamed up to open a Premier Martial Arts “Advanced Training Facility” which will service the other Premier facilities in Master Reid’s organization. The team plans to eventually cover the state with Premier Martial Arts schools.
Bringing together the experience of these two men definitely has the potential to create a “pocket of greatness.” Everything these men do is world class! I spent one week learning from Randy and Ron, and teaching Premier Martial Arts to their staff and students. I will be keeping tabs on the team and their progress and returning for more training and sharing in the near future.
Back home for 5 days and I was off again…this time headed to Thailand (a little more out of my comfort zone). On January 30, I jumped on a plane in Houston and 28 hours later (midnight on January 31) I landed in Bangkok. God blessed me with safe travels, great timing on connecting flights, and reliable ground transportation. Twenty minutes outside of Bangkok, I arrived at the world renowned Fairtex Muay Thai Training Camp which would be my home for the next three weeks. I spent the next day recovering from the jet lag and resting up so that I would be ready for training at 6:00am on Friday.
The training is going good. Well…the communication is a challenge, but luckily Muay Thai is very non-verbal. I train twice a day and read my Bible, write, and sleep (very little) between workouts. The training is all private and my trainer’s name is “Big Guy.” He’s smaller than me, so I guess that makes me “Giant Guy.” He only speaks Thai and I only speak English (and Tex-Mex). It’s challenging sometimes, but we’re getting along good and getting better at understanding each other. I am teaching him the Fruits of the Spirit and we have made it to “Goodness.” I think that he is Buddhist, but he will know something about Jesus’ love when I leave.
The Muay Thai kicks are quite different – no folds, kick with the shin instead of the instep, and stand on the ball of the foot when kicking. After 35 years of folding my kicks and keeping my heel down, it’s a little challenging, but I am doing better each day. I got a chance to spar with “Big Guy” yesterday. It was very controlled and I got lots of coaching throughout the fight. Praise the Lord…no one got hurt (namely me)! It has been a very positive experience even with the aces and pains, swollen feet, and sore muscles.
The food here is tasty. We eat in a small room with three tables. They put some plates and bowls of food on each table and there are about 15–20 hungry guys going after it (its kind of like eating at home with my kids). I’m learning to eat faster though…If you’ve ever eaten with me you know that will add some time to my day because I usually eat VERY slowly!!
We went to some Muay Thai fights last night and WOW…these are some of the toughest guys on the planet! The knees and elbows are killer!! Two of the guys who have been training here for a while are fighting on Thursday night and we will be going to cheer them on. I’m meeting people from all over the world and most are friendly. Most of the guys staying here are scheduled to be here for two months, six months, or even a year (and I thought three weeks was a long time).
I am buying a few sets of training equipment (shin pads, waist guard, and Thai pads) and shipping them back home. I am learning lots of details in the techniques and some good drills to use in training. I look forward to getting back and training the staff and students in what I have learned.
I will be lifting you up in my prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support.
God’s Love & Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
“Why be good when you can be GREAT?” Well…if you ask yourself this question enough times, God will eventually lead you do to things that will move you from good to great in His eyes. The “Great Grandmaster Adventure” was born from this search and desire to become great in God’s eyes.
In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins states that each one of us is a potential “pocket of greatness,” wherever we are and whatever we are doing. I believe that “pockets of greatness” can be found all over the world where people pursue the things that they are passionate about. In my travels, I desire to discover “pockets of greatness” and to be a “pocket of greatness” wherever I am. I want to experience first hand training from Masters of the native Martial Arts in each country that I visit. While I train, I will be seeking opportunities to share my Martial Arts experience and, more importantly, to spread the abundant love and peace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I officially kicked off my much anticipated adventure on January 18 by traveling to Madison, Wisconsin to train in several inches of snow and -1° temperatures (not exactly what this Texas boy is used to)! That’s right…my first country to travel in was the great USA!! We must not overlook how many great Martial Artists train and teach right here in our own country. I was fortunate to spend some time training with my good friends, Master Randy Reid and Grandmaster Ron Van Browning, who have teamed up to open a Premier Martial Arts “Advanced Training Facility” which will service the other Premier facilities in Master Reid’s organization. The team plans to eventually cover the state with Premier Martial Arts schools.
Bringing together the experience of these two men definitely has the potential to create a “pocket of greatness.” Everything these men do is world class! I spent one week learning from Randy and Ron, and teaching Premier Martial Arts to their staff and students. I will be keeping tabs on the team and their progress and returning for more training and sharing in the near future.
Back home for 5 days and I was off again…this time headed to Thailand (a little more out of my comfort zone). On January 30, I jumped on a plane in Houston and 28 hours later (midnight on January 31) I landed in Bangkok. God blessed me with safe travels, great timing on connecting flights, and reliable ground transportation. Twenty minutes outside of Bangkok, I arrived at the world renowned Fairtex Muay Thai Training Camp which would be my home for the next three weeks. I spent the next day recovering from the jet lag and resting up so that I would be ready for training at 6:00am on Friday.
The training is going good. Well…the communication is a challenge, but luckily Muay Thai is very non-verbal. I train twice a day and read my Bible, write, and sleep (very little) between workouts. The training is all private and my trainer’s name is “Big Guy.” He’s smaller than me, so I guess that makes me “Giant Guy.” He only speaks Thai and I only speak English (and Tex-Mex). It’s challenging sometimes, but we’re getting along good and getting better at understanding each other. I am teaching him the Fruits of the Spirit and we have made it to “Goodness.” I think that he is Buddhist, but he will know something about Jesus’ love when I leave.
The Muay Thai kicks are quite different – no folds, kick with the shin instead of the instep, and stand on the ball of the foot when kicking. After 35 years of folding my kicks and keeping my heel down, it’s a little challenging, but I am doing better each day. I got a chance to spar with “Big Guy” yesterday. It was very controlled and I got lots of coaching throughout the fight. Praise the Lord…no one got hurt (namely me)! It has been a very positive experience even with the aces and pains, swollen feet, and sore muscles.
The food here is tasty. We eat in a small room with three tables. They put some plates and bowls of food on each table and there are about 15–20 hungry guys going after it (its kind of like eating at home with my kids). I’m learning to eat faster though…If you’ve ever eaten with me you know that will add some time to my day because I usually eat VERY slowly!!
We went to some Muay Thai fights last night and WOW…these are some of the toughest guys on the planet! The knees and elbows are killer!! Two of the guys who have been training here for a while are fighting on Thursday night and we will be going to cheer them on. I’m meeting people from all over the world and most are friendly. Most of the guys staying here are scheduled to be here for two months, six months, or even a year (and I thought three weeks was a long time).
I am buying a few sets of training equipment (shin pads, waist guard, and Thai pads) and shipping them back home. I am learning lots of details in the techniques and some good drills to use in training. I look forward to getting back and training the staff and students in what I have learned.
I will be lifting you up in my prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support.
God’s Love & Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Thailand Update #2
Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
How do you define a “Pocket of Greatness”? That question has been asked of me more than once in sharing the term with others. Here is one answer that God gave me last summer while getting ready for the open performance for our Master’s test: Would you say that a superstar would be synonymous with greatness? I got this from my Life Application Bible:
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3
Application: Many people try to be stars in the world, only to find their stardom temporary. God tells us how we can be eternal “stars” – by being wise and leading many to God’s righteousness. If we can share our Lord with others, we can be true stars, radiantly beautiful in God’s sight!
We all have the opportunity to care, influence, and set an example for others. I approach my adventure full of hope that I may lead a righteous life and seek every opportunity to lead others in a Godly direction.
The Muay Thai training is getting better every day. The aches and pains are not as many and I think my body is adapting to the torture (I mean training)! In some respects, Muay Thai is a very simple and effective fighting system. But when you get in close, working on the inside with the clenches and take downs and mix in the knees and elbows, it brings it to a whole new level of complexity. I believe that I made a good choice in beginning my training at the Fairtex Camp. After all, my base is striking and I never want to get too far from my base.
In my last letter, I mentioned our two fighters who were scheduled to fight last Thursday night in Pattraya. I am happy to report that both Ben and Andrew were victorious in BIG ways! Once again, I was so impressed with the mental and physical toughness of all the Thai fighters. They show no sign of pain, no matter how much of a beating they take. They are beyond tough!!
I have had the pleasure of being taken out to Bangkok a couple of times. The first time, to enjoy some traditional Thai food and, the second time, to eat a traditional greasy American hamburger (and I mean GREASY)!! For dessert, I found a Starbucks and indulged in a Caramel Macchiato and I’m happy to report that it tasted just like home!
I am rapidly falling in love with the Thais who have an innocence about them that radiates care and concern. They seem to have true servant’s hearts while working for little to nothing. They lead simple lives and are surrounded by many of the temptations that I remember growing up with. I thank God that someone took time to share the Lord with me and that I surrendered my life when I did. (Otherwise…who knows where I’d be??) Daily, I seek the opportunity to share God’s love and peace with my trainers and my fellow Thai students. I never would have thought of myself as a missionary because I always said that I am surrounded by people who need to meet the Lord right at home. But here I am, seeking to build his kingdom in Thailand. His Word says it all…”His ways are not our ways. He sees so much more.”
With this trip, Kim and I have entered “no man’s land”!! In the 30 years that we’ve been together, we’ve never been apart for more than 10 days! I’ve been counting down the days ‘til I return while, at the same time, getting the most from my training and giving all to my purpose here.
Pick up your training and stay true to your heart…once you’ve given it to the Lord!!
God’s Love & Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
How do you define a “Pocket of Greatness”? That question has been asked of me more than once in sharing the term with others. Here is one answer that God gave me last summer while getting ready for the open performance for our Master’s test: Would you say that a superstar would be synonymous with greatness? I got this from my Life Application Bible:
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3
Application: Many people try to be stars in the world, only to find their stardom temporary. God tells us how we can be eternal “stars” – by being wise and leading many to God’s righteousness. If we can share our Lord with others, we can be true stars, radiantly beautiful in God’s sight!
We all have the opportunity to care, influence, and set an example for others. I approach my adventure full of hope that I may lead a righteous life and seek every opportunity to lead others in a Godly direction.
The Muay Thai training is getting better every day. The aches and pains are not as many and I think my body is adapting to the torture (I mean training)! In some respects, Muay Thai is a very simple and effective fighting system. But when you get in close, working on the inside with the clenches and take downs and mix in the knees and elbows, it brings it to a whole new level of complexity. I believe that I made a good choice in beginning my training at the Fairtex Camp. After all, my base is striking and I never want to get too far from my base.
In my last letter, I mentioned our two fighters who were scheduled to fight last Thursday night in Pattraya. I am happy to report that both Ben and Andrew were victorious in BIG ways! Once again, I was so impressed with the mental and physical toughness of all the Thai fighters. They show no sign of pain, no matter how much of a beating they take. They are beyond tough!!
I have had the pleasure of being taken out to Bangkok a couple of times. The first time, to enjoy some traditional Thai food and, the second time, to eat a traditional greasy American hamburger (and I mean GREASY)!! For dessert, I found a Starbucks and indulged in a Caramel Macchiato and I’m happy to report that it tasted just like home!
I am rapidly falling in love with the Thais who have an innocence about them that radiates care and concern. They seem to have true servant’s hearts while working for little to nothing. They lead simple lives and are surrounded by many of the temptations that I remember growing up with. I thank God that someone took time to share the Lord with me and that I surrendered my life when I did. (Otherwise…who knows where I’d be??) Daily, I seek the opportunity to share God’s love and peace with my trainers and my fellow Thai students. I never would have thought of myself as a missionary because I always said that I am surrounded by people who need to meet the Lord right at home. But here I am, seeking to build his kingdom in Thailand. His Word says it all…”His ways are not our ways. He sees so much more.”
With this trip, Kim and I have entered “no man’s land”!! In the 30 years that we’ve been together, we’ve never been apart for more than 10 days! I’ve been counting down the days ‘til I return while, at the same time, getting the most from my training and giving all to my purpose here.
Pick up your training and stay true to your heart…once you’ve given it to the Lord!!
God’s Love & Peace,
Al Garza
http://www.algarza.com/
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thailand Update #3
Hello AGPMA Friends and Family,
I hope you enjoyed the first two updates on my “Great Grandmaster Adventure.” If you didn’t receive them and would like to, please contact Kim or Ashley (by replying to this email) to request them.
Like the saying goes, “I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news.” First, the GOOD news…this will be my last update from Thailand as I am now getting ready to head home. Now, the BAD news…if you’re busy, you might want to read this one in a few sittings because it’s going to be a looong one! By the time you get this letter, I will (hopefully) be safe at home with my family. In 30 years of being together, I have never missed my wife as much as I do right now (not to mention my kiddos). I am looking forward to seeing them and I can’t wait to teach my staff and my students all the lessons that I have learned in Thailand.
It’s Monday night around 11:00pm (Thailand time) and I’m sitting down to write my final overview of my Thailand adventure. I just can’t help but start with praising my Lord and Savior. I pray that I can convey to you the provisions and the mercy He’s given me and express to you what an awesome God we serve. It is so rewarding to be on his team!
I will leave Fairtex tomorrow morning at 4:00am to catch my return flight scheduled for 6:40am on Tuesday, February 20. I am scheduled to arrive at home in Houston, approximately 23+ hours later, at 4:40pm on Tuesday, February 20 (figure out the math on that one)!
While in Thailand, I have had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with some interesting people. My friend and student Lisa Kurrass put me in touch with Mr. Prayoon Dhum, who lives in Bangkok and is involved with real estate and politics in the area, and Mr. Blair Duffy, an American who actually landed in Bangkok three days after I did to begin his new job in Thailand. Through these two gentlemen, I learned a little bit about the Thai culture, got to see some impressive landmarks in Bangkok, and was treated to some Thai hospitality. I will continue to pray for these men as they are doing God’s work in a place where there is much work to be done. As the proverb says…“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
I had the honor of learning from Master “Big Guy” and Muay Thai Champions Dum, Jeckell, and Abday (due to the language barrier, that’s the best that I can do on the names and spellings) and I will be incorporating their lessons in my teachings to my staff and my students. (By the way, I did make it through all the fruits of the spirit with my trainers!) As I mentioned before, in some respects, Muay Thai is a very simple and effective fighting system. I think that the simplicity comes from the fact that there are basically 2 kicks – a push kick and a round kick. So…if you can, just imagine working out for two hours twice a day for 20 days. How many round kicks do you think you could throw in approximately 80 hours of training? Well, that’s how many I threw during my three weeks in Thailand!
For my first foreign mission…”Mission Accomplished” is an understatement! God watched over me as I trained and gave me the strength to push my body to new levels. I return from Thailand in better physical condition (5 pounds lighter), a better Martial Artist, and a better person for having been in the presence of so many of God’s remarkable children (known as the Thais). As his representative, He opened doors for me to plant seeds of His love and peace wherever I was. Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles.” Their smiles are in their hearts and it radiates on their face as they serve you through and through. Falling in love with the Thais was easy! My final assessment of Fairtex is that it is a potential “pocket of greatness” in my book. I will be leaving a better person for being here. I am in prayer about the possibility of future Thailand visits as I desire to learn more from and contribute more to this “pocket of greatness.”
As I reflect back to a few years ago when God first put this adventure on my heart, I remember the obstacles, speed bumps, and what appeared to be road blocks which are too many to list in this letter. I have to give thanks to my Lord, my family, my staff, Mr. Silva and Mr. Van Over (for Premier Martial Arts), and my students for supporting and understanding me (and even supporting me when you don’t understand me). I love the acrostic for TEAM: Together Everyone Accomplishes Miracles. Get ready for more miracles in the life of AGPMA. Our team has witnessed a few miracles (or answered prayers) that have helped us get here. To name a few…I’ll start with Premier Martial Arts, the transition to our new curriculum, and the colleges that have brought our staff to a new level of performance. Ashley, my daughter, and Jonathan, my new son-in-law, have graduated from college, gotten married, and joined the team to help lead the way in my absence. My key people, Master Falco and Mr. McHenry, have been loyal and persistent in their pursuit of perfecting our new Premier Martial Arts curriculum and business systems. Thanks also goes out to my Master Instructor, World Champion Ishmael Robles (who I hear taught an awesome sparring class for us last Monday night). I don’t ever want to take this man for granted…he is definitely a “pocket of greatness” and, without his inspiration, none of this would be possible.
We all have the opportunity to care for, to influence, and to set an example for others. I appreciate everyone who has taken time to care for and encourage me. Thanks to Mr. Gene Wofford who gave me the Traveler’s Devotional Bible that has given me daily inspiration. You are such an awesome guy and a blessing in my life. Pastor Larry Garza, thank you for your prayers and for passing on your Thailand experience and Godly wisdom as I prepared for this trip. A special thanks to those who generously donated to make this mission a reality (you know who you are!). Mr. Dill sent me the following reminder: “The Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are saved.” I’m happy to say that by daily putting on the Armor of God, I was able to remain safe from temptation and safe from harm. Mr. Dill, Thank you sir! Thanks to Leslie Johnson for sending me the “Valentine to the Lord” which was a reminder of what true love is really about (Leslie, I didn’t just like it, I loved it!). Thank you to everyone who sent me encouraging emails. I had a very small dose of what our soldiers go through when they are away from their family and their country. I have a whole new respect for you, Major Jose Aguilar, and your soldiers in Iraq. May God be with you and keep you safe. I could go on thanking all the people who have encouraged me and who have made this possible, but (as it is 3:00am and I need to jump in the shower before my ride gets here) I will stop there and assure you that God has delivered on His promises and provided for me beyond what I could have imagined.
In Jeremiah 29:11, God says that he has a plan and a purpose for you – plans to prosper you and give you success, plans to give you a hope and a future. Isn’t that exciting? He is unfolding his plan and purpose for AGPMA one day at a time. I invite you to pray with me for the next step in my “Great Grandmaster Adventure.” I will let you know where I will be going as soon as I receive the final confirmation from above. In the meantime, I will work to be a “pocket of greatness” wherever I am. I am looking forward to some time at home to share and fellowship with everyone at AGPMA! Thank you all for your prayers and support!!
God’s Love & Peace,
Al Garza
P.S. I got the following scripture from my Traveler’s Devotional Bible. It is an exert from 2 Timothy 3:10-4:2 (NLT).
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus: Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
P.S.S. For those of you who have some extra time…I wanted to pass on this (belated) “Valentines to the Lord” that Leslie sent me. It says so much of what I would like to express to you.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Lord!"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12.30-31
The Great Commandment - we’ve done studies on it; we’ve heard sermons on it; it’s ingrained in the collective conscience of Christians from early on. As we smile and nod, we can recite it, swear by it and even settle theological disputes with it. But with a few notable exceptions, we don’t do it.
Love. Love with all you have. Love with all you are. Love passionately and fully. Love without hesitation or fear. Invest it all and love with abandon. Start with God. In the end, this is all that will matter.
Children love like this, with innocence and honesty, and as they grow up, adults, other children, and life itself work in tandem to steal their willingness to love. The thief comes to kill and to destroy… We build up barriers and place restrictions. We lower our expectations. We fail and fall short. We protect ourselves. We tell ourselves that it’s too late, there’s no hope, and we are too tired. We are full of pride, and we are consumed by fear. Day by day, year by year, we love less.
As C.S. Lewis once observed, "Our passions are not too strong; they are too weak. We are far too easily pleased." We expect little of life, and we get it. We give little to life, and life gives little in return. In Jesus Christ, God has given us life, and His Spirit is poured out in our hearts in order that we may live, live fully and abundantly. We were not created for lives of meaningless consumption or mundane mediocrity. We were created to love and to be loved, starting with God.
Why is the ‘starting with God’ a repeated qualification? Because in this life, sin will hurt and near-destroy the heart’s capacity for love, either from within or without. However, if our love rests first in our Father, never do we love that the Spirit cannot triumph and restore. Love is from God, and no love is lost in Him; no love is ever rejected or humiliated or broken. If we are truly to love, we must learn to love in and through Christ, whose love is infinite and everlasting, a vast ocean of love that heals and restores and gives life.
Theologians and pastors go to great lengths to separate out various Greek expressions of love - eros, philos, and agape. While each of these are assigned to different types of relationships, they are just distinctions in the same theme - on living with passion and investing in others with abandon. The word Jesus uses here is agape - sacrificial, self-giving love for the good of the other. That sounds so costly, so negative and unappealing. Yet, that is exactly the point: give it all, give it without reserve, and give it readily. The Cross certainly was hell, but it was nothing by comparison to the Resurrection! Whatever the cost, however great the pain, never sell the resurrection short. Go for the resurrection - the abundance of life and love in Jesus Christ.
Somewhere along the line in Christianity, we began to postpone living until after death. The good stuff comes when we die. No doubt, we see dimly as in a mirror, but we do see if we look. While our resurrection is not complete in this life, loving is the means by which we start living the resurrection now. Jesus didn’t say "When you get to heaven, love then." No, the command is to love now, love with our all, and love indiscriminately. If it lives and breathes, love it.
Sin has made us by nature a cautious, fearful people. We prefer the security of slavery in Egypt to the life of freedom in the Promised Land. When we choose caution over passion, we limit life. St. Irenaeus understood that, "The glory of God is a fully alive human being." The glory of God is a fully alive human being - what fantastic meaning human life is given! God does not want us to be less; He wants us to be more! But every time we step back, every time we protect ourselves, every time we withhold love, we close a window on the glory of God.
This week is Valentine’s with all its sappy romance and sentimentalism, and in our society, a little perversion is sure to be thrown in the mix. So it goes. Sin is always the case with human nature; it’s what we do. Just smile, and then love. Love with all you have. Love with all you are. Love passionately and fully. Love without hesitation or fear. Invest it all and love with abandon. Start with God.
www.algarza.com
I hope you enjoyed the first two updates on my “Great Grandmaster Adventure.” If you didn’t receive them and would like to, please contact Kim or Ashley (by replying to this email) to request them.
Like the saying goes, “I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news.” First, the GOOD news…this will be my last update from Thailand as I am now getting ready to head home. Now, the BAD news…if you’re busy, you might want to read this one in a few sittings because it’s going to be a looong one! By the time you get this letter, I will (hopefully) be safe at home with my family. In 30 years of being together, I have never missed my wife as much as I do right now (not to mention my kiddos). I am looking forward to seeing them and I can’t wait to teach my staff and my students all the lessons that I have learned in Thailand.
It’s Monday night around 11:00pm (Thailand time) and I’m sitting down to write my final overview of my Thailand adventure. I just can’t help but start with praising my Lord and Savior. I pray that I can convey to you the provisions and the mercy He’s given me and express to you what an awesome God we serve. It is so rewarding to be on his team!
I will leave Fairtex tomorrow morning at 4:00am to catch my return flight scheduled for 6:40am on Tuesday, February 20. I am scheduled to arrive at home in Houston, approximately 23+ hours later, at 4:40pm on Tuesday, February 20 (figure out the math on that one)!
While in Thailand, I have had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with some interesting people. My friend and student Lisa Kurrass put me in touch with Mr. Prayoon Dhum, who lives in Bangkok and is involved with real estate and politics in the area, and Mr. Blair Duffy, an American who actually landed in Bangkok three days after I did to begin his new job in Thailand. Through these two gentlemen, I learned a little bit about the Thai culture, got to see some impressive landmarks in Bangkok, and was treated to some Thai hospitality. I will continue to pray for these men as they are doing God’s work in a place where there is much work to be done. As the proverb says…“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
I had the honor of learning from Master “Big Guy” and Muay Thai Champions Dum, Jeckell, and Abday (due to the language barrier, that’s the best that I can do on the names and spellings) and I will be incorporating their lessons in my teachings to my staff and my students. (By the way, I did make it through all the fruits of the spirit with my trainers!) As I mentioned before, in some respects, Muay Thai is a very simple and effective fighting system. I think that the simplicity comes from the fact that there are basically 2 kicks – a push kick and a round kick. So…if you can, just imagine working out for two hours twice a day for 20 days. How many round kicks do you think you could throw in approximately 80 hours of training? Well, that’s how many I threw during my three weeks in Thailand!
For my first foreign mission…”Mission Accomplished” is an understatement! God watched over me as I trained and gave me the strength to push my body to new levels. I return from Thailand in better physical condition (5 pounds lighter), a better Martial Artist, and a better person for having been in the presence of so many of God’s remarkable children (known as the Thais). As his representative, He opened doors for me to plant seeds of His love and peace wherever I was. Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles.” Their smiles are in their hearts and it radiates on their face as they serve you through and through. Falling in love with the Thais was easy! My final assessment of Fairtex is that it is a potential “pocket of greatness” in my book. I will be leaving a better person for being here. I am in prayer about the possibility of future Thailand visits as I desire to learn more from and contribute more to this “pocket of greatness.”
As I reflect back to a few years ago when God first put this adventure on my heart, I remember the obstacles, speed bumps, and what appeared to be road blocks which are too many to list in this letter. I have to give thanks to my Lord, my family, my staff, Mr. Silva and Mr. Van Over (for Premier Martial Arts), and my students for supporting and understanding me (and even supporting me when you don’t understand me). I love the acrostic for TEAM: Together Everyone Accomplishes Miracles. Get ready for more miracles in the life of AGPMA. Our team has witnessed a few miracles (or answered prayers) that have helped us get here. To name a few…I’ll start with Premier Martial Arts, the transition to our new curriculum, and the colleges that have brought our staff to a new level of performance. Ashley, my daughter, and Jonathan, my new son-in-law, have graduated from college, gotten married, and joined the team to help lead the way in my absence. My key people, Master Falco and Mr. McHenry, have been loyal and persistent in their pursuit of perfecting our new Premier Martial Arts curriculum and business systems. Thanks also goes out to my Master Instructor, World Champion Ishmael Robles (who I hear taught an awesome sparring class for us last Monday night). I don’t ever want to take this man for granted…he is definitely a “pocket of greatness” and, without his inspiration, none of this would be possible.
We all have the opportunity to care for, to influence, and to set an example for others. I appreciate everyone who has taken time to care for and encourage me. Thanks to Mr. Gene Wofford who gave me the Traveler’s Devotional Bible that has given me daily inspiration. You are such an awesome guy and a blessing in my life. Pastor Larry Garza, thank you for your prayers and for passing on your Thailand experience and Godly wisdom as I prepared for this trip. A special thanks to those who generously donated to make this mission a reality (you know who you are!). Mr. Dill sent me the following reminder: “The Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are saved.” I’m happy to say that by daily putting on the Armor of God, I was able to remain safe from temptation and safe from harm. Mr. Dill, Thank you sir! Thanks to Leslie Johnson for sending me the “Valentine to the Lord” which was a reminder of what true love is really about (Leslie, I didn’t just like it, I loved it!). Thank you to everyone who sent me encouraging emails. I had a very small dose of what our soldiers go through when they are away from their family and their country. I have a whole new respect for you, Major Jose Aguilar, and your soldiers in Iraq. May God be with you and keep you safe. I could go on thanking all the people who have encouraged me and who have made this possible, but (as it is 3:00am and I need to jump in the shower before my ride gets here) I will stop there and assure you that God has delivered on His promises and provided for me beyond what I could have imagined.
In Jeremiah 29:11, God says that he has a plan and a purpose for you – plans to prosper you and give you success, plans to give you a hope and a future. Isn’t that exciting? He is unfolding his plan and purpose for AGPMA one day at a time. I invite you to pray with me for the next step in my “Great Grandmaster Adventure.” I will let you know where I will be going as soon as I receive the final confirmation from above. In the meantime, I will work to be a “pocket of greatness” wherever I am. I am looking forward to some time at home to share and fellowship with everyone at AGPMA! Thank you all for your prayers and support!!
God’s Love & Peace,
Al Garza
P.S. I got the following scripture from my Traveler’s Devotional Bible. It is an exert from 2 Timothy 3:10-4:2 (NLT).
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus: Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
P.S.S. For those of you who have some extra time…I wanted to pass on this (belated) “Valentines to the Lord” that Leslie sent me. It says so much of what I would like to express to you.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Lord!"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12.30-31
The Great Commandment - we’ve done studies on it; we’ve heard sermons on it; it’s ingrained in the collective conscience of Christians from early on. As we smile and nod, we can recite it, swear by it and even settle theological disputes with it. But with a few notable exceptions, we don’t do it.
Love. Love with all you have. Love with all you are. Love passionately and fully. Love without hesitation or fear. Invest it all and love with abandon. Start with God. In the end, this is all that will matter.
Children love like this, with innocence and honesty, and as they grow up, adults, other children, and life itself work in tandem to steal their willingness to love. The thief comes to kill and to destroy… We build up barriers and place restrictions. We lower our expectations. We fail and fall short. We protect ourselves. We tell ourselves that it’s too late, there’s no hope, and we are too tired. We are full of pride, and we are consumed by fear. Day by day, year by year, we love less.
As C.S. Lewis once observed, "Our passions are not too strong; they are too weak. We are far too easily pleased." We expect little of life, and we get it. We give little to life, and life gives little in return. In Jesus Christ, God has given us life, and His Spirit is poured out in our hearts in order that we may live, live fully and abundantly. We were not created for lives of meaningless consumption or mundane mediocrity. We were created to love and to be loved, starting with God.
Why is the ‘starting with God’ a repeated qualification? Because in this life, sin will hurt and near-destroy the heart’s capacity for love, either from within or without. However, if our love rests first in our Father, never do we love that the Spirit cannot triumph and restore. Love is from God, and no love is lost in Him; no love is ever rejected or humiliated or broken. If we are truly to love, we must learn to love in and through Christ, whose love is infinite and everlasting, a vast ocean of love that heals and restores and gives life.
Theologians and pastors go to great lengths to separate out various Greek expressions of love - eros, philos, and agape. While each of these are assigned to different types of relationships, they are just distinctions in the same theme - on living with passion and investing in others with abandon. The word Jesus uses here is agape - sacrificial, self-giving love for the good of the other. That sounds so costly, so negative and unappealing. Yet, that is exactly the point: give it all, give it without reserve, and give it readily. The Cross certainly was hell, but it was nothing by comparison to the Resurrection! Whatever the cost, however great the pain, never sell the resurrection short. Go for the resurrection - the abundance of life and love in Jesus Christ.
Somewhere along the line in Christianity, we began to postpone living until after death. The good stuff comes when we die. No doubt, we see dimly as in a mirror, but we do see if we look. While our resurrection is not complete in this life, loving is the means by which we start living the resurrection now. Jesus didn’t say "When you get to heaven, love then." No, the command is to love now, love with our all, and love indiscriminately. If it lives and breathes, love it.
Sin has made us by nature a cautious, fearful people. We prefer the security of slavery in Egypt to the life of freedom in the Promised Land. When we choose caution over passion, we limit life. St. Irenaeus understood that, "The glory of God is a fully alive human being." The glory of God is a fully alive human being - what fantastic meaning human life is given! God does not want us to be less; He wants us to be more! But every time we step back, every time we protect ourselves, every time we withhold love, we close a window on the glory of God.
This week is Valentine’s with all its sappy romance and sentimentalism, and in our society, a little perversion is sure to be thrown in the mix. So it goes. Sin is always the case with human nature; it’s what we do. Just smile, and then love. Love with all you have. Love with all you are. Love passionately and fully. Love without hesitation or fear. Invest it all and love with abandon. Start with God.
www.algarza.com
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