Substitute teachers can face many challenges. Sometimes they can be
taken advantage of or be the recipients of some student pranks. Some
substitute teachers, however, are deeply respected and make a profound
and lasting influence on the lives of their students. Jose Villaruel,
affectionately known as “Mr. V” by his students, was one of those
beloved substitute teachers in the Fontana (CA) Unified School District.
One of Mr. V’s former students, Steven Nava, recently re-connected with
his former teacher. Nava has many good things to say about Villaruel.
He said Villaruel always acted like a “family figure” to his students.
“[Villarruel]
was just someone that kind of wanted you to stay on and guide you on
that right path.” Nava added: “Mr. V has influenced [me] … to be a
better person. He’s taught me to have that drive and that ‘never give
up’ attitude whenever facing a struggle in my life and that’s what’s
helped me be the person I am now.”
Those powerful lessons from his teacher were re-emphasized when Nava was
recently reunited with him in Fontana. Nava saw Villaruel rummaging in
his car, recognized him, and stopped to ask how he was doing. Mr. V,
now 77-years-old, opened up to his former student about his struggles.
He had been living in his car for the past eight years trying to make
ends meet. The pandemic had made his situation worse because he had not
had opportunities to work as a substitute teacher to supplement his
Social Security income. He had been sending most of his money to help
care for his sick wife who was living in Mexico.
Nava, 21-years-old, was
heartbroken to see his beloved teacher going through such a difficult
time and vowed to help. Nava created a GoFundMe account and asked his
followers on social media to help Mr. V. In just a few days, thanks to
the generosity of people throughout the world, Nava was able to raise
$27,000 for Villaruel. He presented a check for that amount to Mr. V on
his 77th birthday. With the money, Villaruel was able to pay off some
debts and prepare to return to his family in Mexico.
When we were destitute
and alone due to our sins, Someone came to our rescue. That Someone was
Jesus, the Son of God. He paid our sin debt by dying on the cross for
our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). He invites us into His family in which
we can be under the watchful care of the Father and enjoy fellowship
with other members of God’s family, the church. When our situation is
bleak and hopeless due to our sin, Jesus offers grace and life, eternal
life.
God will save, add to His family, and give eternal
life to those who place their faith
and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from
their sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus
before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are
baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin
and prepare for a heavenly home those who continue to walk in the light
of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).
Alone and struggling
because of sin, we have not been forgotten. God loves us and desires to
save us. And He will, if we will only submit our lives to Him in
trusting obedience.
-- David A. Sargent
* Information gleaned from “California substitute
teacher living in car gets surprise $27,000 check on 77th birthday from
former student” by Daniella Genovese,
www.foxnews.com.
David A. Sargent,
Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
Archived
issues of Living Water
can be viewed and
accessed from our website at:
www.creekwoodcc.org
Please
visit our Web site AND share a drink of Living
Water with a friend!
Searching
For Truth??? Learn more about God and His will for your life!
Download Searching
For Truth
videos. They're
FREE
-- visit: www.searchingfortruth.org
To Subscribe
to Living Water, simply Click-n-Send an e-mail
to:
HTML (graphics) version: Subscribe-html
TEXT version: Subscribe-text
Follow
this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com
If you received
this transmission in error or want to leave
Living Water just Click-n-Send to unsubscribe.
