Greetings Livingsong family! 

Can you believe spring is almost here?!  We graciously thank God for you for taking the time to read this newsletter - it really means more than you know.  We also appreciate all of your encouragement and faithful prayers as it is the backbone of our ministry.   Your prayers have truly made an impact on our mission efforts and are greatly appreciated as we continue to serve the least, the last, and the lost.  Especially this year in ministry, so far we have noticed an increase of people in the recovery support programs and homeless shelters we have visited.  This news may seem discouraging, but with this increase, we have also witnessed a growing desperate hunger for truth, and a genuine desire to be free from addiction and the shame it brings which keeps many in bondage.  Did you know that the NCDAS (National Center of Drug Abuse Statistics) shows that just in the United States, 31.9 million Americans (ages 12 and older) are currently illegal drug users?  Furthermore, an article by the CDC in Nov 2021 stated that drug overdose deaths climbed to over 100,000 people annually.   Indeed there is a great need to advance the Gospel to our generation, especially in such a time as this.  

Currently, we’re in Orlando FL, with a couple of days off to finally prepare this newsletter.  🙌 😊  There is so much to cover about the exciting connections we have made so far in this area, but before moving too far ahead, we wanted to share these two photos above that were taken at our last South FL worship service.  It’s a special residential recovery program in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Several of the residents responded that evening, but God was especially working in the heart of one lady.  Her name is “Sonya”, who was super friendly, animated and very enthusiastic.   Thankfully everything ran smoothly, the setup, soundcheck, the service program, and the participation of the residents.   We were permitted an extra half hour, so with the extra time, we had an open share with the group.  This moment gave everyone the opportunity to share their thoughts and questions about the message.   Even some of the newer residents began to open up.  It was at this time Sonya also opened up to express the extreme guilt she has been carrying for over 30 years, over the death of her son.  As she wept profusely, she pleaded desperately for the Lord's forgiveness, and for the Lord to help her to forgive herself.    As we all listened to Sonya, we were taken back by the change in her countenance that started off with such a cheerful and carefree demeanor, to becoming so sorrowful.  It was a reminder that we really don’t know what someone is wrestling with inside at first impression.

Our hearts ache for the brokenness we see in the places we visit, but it motivates us to keep proclaiming the finished work of the cross through Christ Jesus. Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  This is a promise we believe only Christ can provide.  Like Sonya, perhaps you too are able to conceal your burden very well.   The fact is that we all will go through difficult situations from time to time, and some experiences may, unfortunately, cause trauma.   With that being said, we encourage you today, whatever it may be, to remember that you can lay it down at the foot of the cross.   Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light”. - Matthew 11:28–30   Your faith isn’t only nourished through the sermons you listen to or the study of scripture.  Being fed spiritually is crucial, still, your faith also grows experientially by walking with Jesus through the storms of your life, amen?   This is why the proclamation of the Gospel is so important.   We as members of one body must care because He cares.   “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”  - Matthew 9:36    We recognize that the blessing to labor in the mission God has called us to, would not be possible without the faithful monthly donations and continued prayers.  We sincerely thank you for the impact you are making in the lives of those who have heard and received the saving message of the Gospel through our ministry.

So what’s next?   

As mentioned in the past couple of newsletters, we appreciate your prayers for the preparations leading up to our chapel service at the Trinity Rescue Mission Homeless Shelter in Jacksonville on Thursday, April 21st.   As seen in the photos below, we will have the blessing of setting up a church service in the same room the shelter will be prepared. 

We have several ministry commitments before that time as well, but what we are seeking for this specific service is someone able to help us tow a small trailer on that date full of donated clothing for the men, women, and children at the shelter.  Our dear friends and ministry partners, Pastor Paul and Tracy Lucas of First Baptist Church of Boulougne FL are providing the donations, (praise God) and our pick-up time is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19th.  However, that can be moved to the following date if needed.  We will just need a few hours to sort out, arrange, and load the donations into a trailer.   If you have a vehicle with a tow hitch for a small trailer, or a pick-up truck to take some containers of donations, we need your help!   It will be a blessing for many in need, and we hope you’ll consider participating in what God has in store for this special evening of worship.  Lastly, our season serving in Florida is coming to a close sooner than we would like.   With the time we still have left, we hope you’ll keep our ministry efforts in the “sunshine state” in prayer.    Until next time,  we would really love to hear from you, and if the Lord has spoken to you in any way through this newsletter, please consider sharing it with us.   Please feel free to send us any prayer requests as well.   Every breath is borrowed dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s choose to live every moment for the glory of God.   Sending you our love and hugs! 

Abiding in Him,

Manny & Erika Lynn Garcia

Livingsong 

• Website: www.livingsongministry.com
• Donate: https://actintl.givingfuel.com/livingsong

Prayer Request

• Continued prayers for the Ukrainian people.  This Russian invasion is being called the most aggressive act of war since World War II.   Please lift up all those suffering, for the Lord’s divine comfort and wisdom for our world leaders. 

• Prayers for our dear sister in Christ, Tamara Jones.  Back in August of last year, we had a prayer request for her recovery after Covid, which put her in the ICU for two weeks.  Unfortunately, since then, she has had complications and is continuing to experience health issues.  We pray to the Lord to provide her comfort in the midst of her emotional, mental, or physical hardship, and for His healing to flow and restore her to wholeness and strength for the service of His kingdom.

• We have been invited to serve at Camp Anderson for nine weeks this summer!  It would be such an awesome experience for us to join our friends again!  For those of you who have known us for years, you know how we sometimes get too excited and stretch ourselves too thin more often than we would like to admit.   This is why we are humbly asking you to please keep our dear friends in prayer and this opportunity - for the Lord to meet their needs in every area of ministry and for the Lord’s guidance for us.   It is a commitment specifically focused on youth, so it will most likely limit our availability for outreach to the communities we would serve in the time we have left in Florida.  We will be visiting their Vero Beach campus soon, and hopefully will hear from the Lord by then.  

Praise Reports  

• Happy Belated Birthday wishes to my sweet mama/faithful ministry partner, Patti Gumerson, and our dear sister in the Lord, Kelly Pryce.  We love you both and are praying the Lord will richly bless you both for many many more years to come!

• We are so excited to share the wonderful new about our dear brother in Christ who has been a big part of our ministry for years.  Angelo Hall and his wife, Deanna are pregnant and expecting their baby this August!!!

• There's definitely a movement growing out of Florida to reach the recovery community!  #RecoveryChurchMovement - It was a blessing to meet our new friends from the Delray Beach campus leadership team, and for the opportunity to share our testimony. 

Testimony

“Thank You very much for coming to the Tree of Life Church Sunday morning, to share your wonderful voices and the awesome message of God. Thank you again. God Bless!”  - Erin Engels