To Love a Rose: An Ethiopian Adoption Journal

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Pictures from the Cancer Battleground, Part 13: in[VINCE]ible




One of Vince's friends made this lovely tribute to him using his "Strong Arm" photo - just beautiful!

Tonight was our friend Vince Guereca's wake.  We couldn't be there; so, we streamed it online through his churches website.  Ever since Vince passed last Thursday, I've been sad; but I had no idea I would break down so much tonight.  My whole body was shaking; I just could not contain the sadness any longer.

Knowing that I couldn't be there, I prepared a written word to be read at the wake tonight.  It was completely surreal watching someone else read my words through the video screen.  My dad wrote something too, and it was beautiful.  So many people got up to share stories of how Vince had impacted their lives; it was a wonderful testimony of Vince's work for God here on Earth.

Vince was such a wonderful person.  It's so hard to reconcile the outcome of his battle with cancer in my heart and mind; but I know that there are many things I will not be privy to in this lifetime.

One thing I forgot to put in my speech about Vince was something that happened one Sunday when he was particularly not feeling well.  I remember he asked me, Mr. C, and our friend Neil (also a stem cell patient who just successfully underwent his third transplant - AMEN!) to go down to the little chapel just down the hall from the stem cell out-patient clinic to go to a service with him.  The CTCA has chaplains and pastors who will put on mini-services every Sunday for those of us stuck in the hospital and unable to attend at our home churches, etc.

Of course, we went with him.  He was hooked up to a bunch of tubes, getting some sort of infusion; and honestly, he was looking thin and tired.  When we got to the service, we sat in the back, as we were the last people in; and naturally, the pastor asked us to introduce ourselves and say if we had any prayer requests.

Stupidly, I acted like an idiot, barely talking and barely even remembering to mention my mother who was upstairs in the stem cell in-patient ward at the time.  I don't know why I was acting so thoughtless, it's not like me to be tongue-tied in any way; but I was, and I felt like a fool.

Vince was just sitting a few chairs away from me; so when it was his turn to speak, he stood up and introduced himself.  The only prayer request he had was that everyone please pray for Mr. C and my adoption of Desmond - that it go smoothly and that we receive all the funding that we need.

Needless to say, I was humbled to the point that I wished I could literally crawl under a chair like a shy, little kid!  Here is a man fighting for his very life, and instead of asking for people to pray for him, he asked only that they pray for US!  That is something I will just never forget.

That is just a tiny portrait of what Vince's heart was like.  It was beautiful and selfless, and so full of love for people and his Abba God.  I was so blessed to have known him, and I look forward to hearing all of the amazing things he has to tell me when I get to see my brother again one day in Heaven.

Here is what I wrote that was read at his wake this evening...such a sad attempt at capturing the beautiful human being I got to know these past 5 months:


May 7th, 2012

(To be read at Vince Guereca’s celebration of life.  New Life Church, Chicago, IL)


To Silvia, Julie, Priscilla, Elliot, and Jesse:

My heart is aching for you all right now.  It has been for days.  I keep trying to think of just the right thing to say, the right thing to write…nothing seems adequate.  But here is my attempt at trying:

I met Vince Guereca on a battlefield – the stem cell unit of the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, IL where my mom was and still is undergoing treatment for stage 4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  As in many battles, you seem to quickly bond with those in the trenches alongside you – your brothers in arms – and my entire family got to know and love Vince and Silvia both.

It was very easy to love Vince – with his big, bright smile and readiness to listen, he was an instant friend to my family and my mom especially.  They would often encourage each other with Bible verses and stories about life and what God had already done for them both – so many miracles.

Yes, it IS a cancer center; but it wasn’t all dreary and dull.  We had good days too - an afternoon playing Apples to Apples (Silvia won, of course J) or the day we got Vince to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken (no mere feat considering how much his appetite had waned at that time in his treatment).

But my favorite times were when Vince would talk about Jesus.  He had such a HUGE heart for our Abba God, and he wanted everyone to KNOW how much Christ loved his children.  I can honestly say I doubt I’ve met anyone as willing to be bold for Christ in a real-life sense as Vince; and I hope I can be more like him in that respect each and every day.

When Vince talked about Jesus his whole face lit up, and when you seemed to “get” what he was trying to tell you about God, he broke out into that famous big grin of his - the only other time I saw his face shine that bright was when he spoke of his beloved wife, Silvia, or his four kids. 

He once told me that if his journey with cancer ended with him in Heaven, it wouldn’t matter how miraculous it all was around him, he would be waiting for Silvia to join him so that he could enjoy it all with his sweetheart.  While I’m sure Vince actually really IS enjoying himself in Heaven at this very moment, it was still touching to me to hear him speak this way and how full of love he obviously was for his wife.

Vince also praised his children often during the hours spent getting infusions and treatments in the stem cell clinic.  He was beyond thrilled to be a dad, and he would say over and over how he knew God had amazing plans for each one of his kids.  He couldn’t wait to see what they were going to become, because he already knew each one was such a wonderful human being who loved Jesus…”everything else is just a bonus”, he told me.

Toward the end of Vince’s battle, he and I would talk about F.F. Bosworth’s book Christ the Healer a lot; and maybe it is particularly because of those conversations that Vince’s passing has been so especially difficult for me.  For the first couple of days, I just could not understand how our loving Christ Jesus, who so obviously wants to heal his children, would not heal Vince.  Why he would let this disease “win”.  I was praying and praying for some sort of understanding…some sort of peace; but I felt as though God was not answering my prayers.  It was not until last night while I was once again trying to figure out what to write here that God spoke to me. 

Often, when God talks to me personally, it is a mere word or phrase; and I feel like He then leaves it up to me to discover the significance for my life and circumstances.  Perhaps this is because my Abba knows me better than anyone and knows how much I like a good mystery (haha!); but deep-down I’m sure it’s because He wants me to grow and learn.
Last night, the only word I received from Heaven was this:

INVINCIBLE”

One word.  Very simple.

But I was angered by this word – invincible?!  Really, God?!  Vince is no longer with us, and you give me the word “invincible” as my answer as to why?  I was bewildered.

But as I said, God knows me better than anyone…

I began to twist the word around and around in my head.  You see, I love languages; and in college, I got to study several, including many years delving into Latin.

“Invincible” just so happens to be rooted in Latin.  Its core stems from the Latin verb “vincere” or “to conquer or vanquish”.  Putting “ible” at the end of a verb denotes ability – in this case the “ability to be conquered”.  And lastly, prefixing a word with “in” negates whatever is to come, making this not so much a mere word, but a bold statement:

ONE WHO CANNOT BE CONQUERED.

Take also into account the fact that Vince’s name (or at least the sound) is right smack in the middle of this word, and it all became clear to me.  Vince was not conquered.  He was not vanquished.  He did NOT lose.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in ALL CREATION will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39

Yes, it may seem to the world that he did lose.  It may seem that Satan won; that the disease won…but that is the glorious thing about Christ’s never-ending love and mercy – we get to live forever with him, no matter what our circumstances here on Earth may have been.

Vince is “more than a conqueror” through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.  Vince is in Heaven – totally restored, totally whole, totally healthy!  AMEN!

So, HAHA, cancer!
HAHA, Satan!

YOU are the losers!  YOU are the vanquished ones!

Yes, we will all miss Vince while we live out the remainder of our days here on Earth, that is a sad truth; BUT we can live on with the constant reassurance that we will be reunited with him again for all eternity.

I am so glad that we all serve a SAVIOR who never closes a door without opening a window.  I am so glad that Christ Jesus loves us lowly humans enough to always gift us HOPE.  I am so glad that when we ask for grace and mercy and peace, it is given to us.  And I am so glad that God allowed me to know my brother, Vince Guereca, even if only for a short while here on Earth; and I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven – he will have so much to tell me (and all of us), I’m sure! 

So, that is how I will remember invincible Vince Guereca: “he who cannot be conquered”.  And to those of you who may be listening to these words, I am praying for Christ’s love to overwhelm you with peace and warmth at this time and always, especially Silvia, Julie, Priscilla, Elliot, and Jesse and all of Vince’s family and friends…

All the Love in the World to You – Blessings,
*mandie*

PS: Vincent means "conquering"...he was born to be a winner!  RIP, my friend.

26 comments:

  1. I just watched Glorious about a man named Vince and after reading your blog it seems you are speaking of the same person. The movie said he passed in 2012 and I wanted to know what happened so I searched and found this. Your blog is beautiful and your eulogy is spot on. God bless you! We have a wonderful Lord and witnessing his wonder in our daily lives sure makes life wonderful and even makes the bad ok. All praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.

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  2. I too researched because I wanted to know the rest of the story. Indeed your eulogy was beautiful. Vince did indeed conquer by the grace, mercy and redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray his family is doing well. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light!

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  3. Glory to Jesus our LORD! It's so great to hear such a life story as Vince. Just to depict how Awesome, Magnificent, and Wonderful our God is! I thank God that he allows his people to emulate such love. As a God fearing person, I know it is about "LOVE". The LOVE our Abba father have for his children and the LOVE we should have for one another. Glory and honor to our Lord saviour!

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  4. I wholeheartedly echo all comments. What an amazing eulogy about a life LIVED for our beloved God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Vince overcame so much in his life agnes eventually overcame death, through Christ. He lived through a lot of pain, yet experienced the ultimate victory. My prayers are with my brothers family, who certainly still miss him here on earth. To his family, thank you for sharing his life with us through the movie "Glorius" and thank you for sharing Vince's eulogy. All praise and glory to the Most High God forever and ever!!!

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  5. Awesome. Praise God. God bless his family. Such a wonderful testimony about God pursuing us. Thank u Jesus

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  6. I just watched the movie glorious very inspirational i also read more about his full life story, very beautiful .Just something to consider we as Christians are a 100% guaranteed to receive GODS healing should we face sickness ,the question is will GOD heal us today, tomorrow, next year or like our brother Vince when we get home to heaven. I can only hope i have the courage Vince had to complete GODS work at hand should i become ill and not receive my healing until Heaven. Hats off to my courageous brother in Christ and thank you to everyone who brought all of his works to light.

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  7. I just watched the movie Glorious. This movie should be the anthem for Chicago. What a brave and courageous human Vince was. So inspirational to be lead to God and to speak of him and spread his word. Hod works in so many ways and Vince although not here on the earthly plain, he is in the spiritual realm of heaven guiding as he did here. Blessings of love to his family and friends that said good bye to this young soul so soon. Blessed Be

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  8. sending all our love to you and your family. I was impacted by the movie glorious, and I'm so grateful I watched it. Vince has shown that anyone can be a force for good.

    Ofa atu,

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  9. Very heart touching movie...my boyfriend watched it and loved it. He is not a Christian...yet. I know the movie touched him and I pray it will touch many...to God be all the Praise and all the Glory.... Jesus. Christ is Lord..may many accept Him as Savior by Vince's short life here

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  10. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three (3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster Dr Azuka have help a man to get back her wife and i gave him a reply to his email (dr.azukasolutionhome@gmail.com) and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 24 hours  that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Azuka..or add him up on whats-app +44 7520 636249

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    Replies
    1. This comment is inappropriate and has nothing to do with Vince Guereca nor the love of our Heavenly Father. This looks more like a fictional comment created as an advertisement. Not cool. Please delete.

      Delete
  11. Amazing is all I can say. I too went searching after I saw this wonderfully done movie. I agree with all sentiments above. Praise be to God. I pray God continue to envelop this family and his friends in love and comfort. I pray his family and friends find solace in knowing what a wonderful example of Christ love Vince was. Thank you for posting you eulogy as well. It gave great insight...on so many levels. May God bless you all. (I am writing this on the eve of a strange, weird but glorious Easter/Resurrection day that we are a part in these COVID 19 days, knowing that Christ has died for me, so I can live. This writing truly has given me such courage. Yes there will hard days, weeks, seasons but with God with us who can stand against.)

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  12. I was diagnosed with PCOS and premature ovarian failure three years ago, and was told by my fertility doctor that I had little hope of having any baby, not only because of my relatively old age (I am 42). I had pretty much given no hope and had nothing to strive or opt for. As a last effort, my mother bought me Priest Babaka pregnancy herbal supplement and i drink it exactly as instructed 2 times daily and found myself holding a positive home pregnancy test in less than 4 weeks and 7days . It has been the greatest gift I have EVER received and a true life changer. Thanks to your supplement I am on the road to becoming a mother and I owe it all to you. " Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for your help..for inquiring or to order contact via email : babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka










    I was diagnosed with PCOS and premature ovarian failure three years ago, and was told by my fertility doctor that I had little hope of having any baby, not only because of my relatively old age (I am 42). I had pretty much given no hope and had nothing to strive or opt for. As a last effort, my mother bought me Priest Babaka pregnancy herbal supplement and i drink it exactly as instructed 2 times daily and found myself holding a positive home pregnancy test in less than 4 weeks and 7days . It has been the greatest gift I have EVER received and a true life changer. Thanks to your supplement I am on the road to becoming a mother and I owe it all to you. " Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for your help..for inquiring or to order contact via email : babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka

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  13. We serve a mighty Elohim (GOD)

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  14. Yeah—that was God alright. Invincible. Ha ha. I love it. And I can relate. 5 years ago I was told I had thyroid cancer and had a total thyroidectomy...it was a very difficult time in my life..and God gave me a word—Overcomer. One who prevails. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. God bless brother Vince and may God continue to comfort his family and use his testimony to draw many to Jesus Christ

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  16. my partner and I have been trying for a baby for over two years now, We were going to a fertility clinic for about 5 months before somebody at baby center told us to contact this spell caster who is so powerful, We contacted him at this email; babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka , for him to help us, then we told him our problem, he told us that we will conceive once we follow his instructions ,but after two years of trying we were at a point where we were willing to try anything. And I'm glad we came to Priest Babaka, Because his pregnancy spell cast and herbal remedy help us, and I honestly believe him, and his gods really helped us as well, I am thankful for all he has done. contact him via email: babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka if you are trying to have a baby or want your lover back. he has powers to do it, he has done mine

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  18. GLORY BE TO GOD 🙌❤️

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  19. Just watched the movie Glorious. Such a powerful and inspirational story of God's love and redeeming grace. My heart goes out to Vince's family and friends, but I praise God for the love and courage he had for God and in telling others about God's love. What a wonderful and true servant he was. I hope to meet him in Heaven one day also.

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  20. Just watched Glorious on Epoch Times. Vince is still inspiring people, still gaining treasure in heaven. I hope his family is doing well.

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  21. Beautifully spoken, written, explained and never to be forgotten ✝️

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  22. Just watched the movie Glorious and it was a great testimony. GOD can truly change anyone and free them of any past mistakes. Jesus is merciful and forgiving.

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  23. Just watched the movie Glorious.
    Thank you for the movie it was very emotional for me to watch all the pain this boy went through in his life. But
    Wow!! What a Glorious God we have!!
    Prayers for Vince’s family and friends.

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