“We can and should keep believing for miracles. God is more than able and willing to grant impossible things. But whether our prayers are answered in the way we expect or not, God’s faithfulness is never nullified. Because it is not what we get from God that keeps us going — it is that we get God Himself. And that is more than enough.”
Gia Garcia was only 14 years old when she was first diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Before then, Gia was a student leader, theatre performer, singer, dancer and a consistent honor student. After her diagnosis and confinement, she was forced to stop these passions including school. At that moment when the world seemingly took everything that she loved, she found Jesus and from then on, Gia lived her life for Christ.
As she recovered from lupus, she used her voice to join the music team in church and to lead people in worship. She started leading Bible study groups of young women wanting to grow in their faith. She then chose to work full-time as an Administrative & Executive Assistant for Every Nation (everynation.org) Campus Ministry, despite strong opposition from people close to her and despite having to settle for a lower pay grade. Yet she had big dreams – dreams to become a full-time campus missionary and cross-cultural missionary to reach out to others who did not know Jesus. This was her God-given calling and she looked forward to fulfilling all of these in her lifetime. But God had other plans for her.
After being in remission for 8 years, her sickness started manifesting again on December 2018. On January of 2019, confined in the hospital, she wrote:
“I have learned in the truest way that nothing comes from me. Not my strength, not my ability, not my will, not even my faith. Everything is but by the grace of God. Because of His grace I can believe against all odds, and hope against all hope that I will receive my healing too. I know I have a faithful Abba.”
The root word of courage actually means heart, and Gia, wholeheartedly trusted God – whether in times of strength or weakness, in times of certainty or of intense faith-shaking questions. Knowing God and His love and trusting in Him were the only things that kept her going, all the way until the end.
Gia passed away in February 2019. She is remembered for the way she loved, and the way she gave her life to Christ. Like Gia, will you have the courage to trust God and His plans for you, even when it is difficult, and despite your suffering and pain?
Stories from Gia’s former boyfriend Red Calayan, Gia’s mom Joji Upano, and Gia’s bestfriend Faith Valle