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It
is with sad hearts that we announce the death of Matteo Gutierrez,
NAD Volunteer and Pacific Union College music education student. Matt
died as a result of an injury suffered during a snowboarding accident
on March 1, 2001. He was working at Holbrook Indian Mission School
in Holbrook, AZ as a teaching assistant. He planned to pursue a future
in education as a result of his experience at Holbrook. He is survived
by parents Michael and Gherie of Carmichael, CA, and sister Emilia,
currently attending La Sierra University. |
| "We
see the Lord's hand working around us through this," says mother,
Gherie, "He is touching lives even with his death, and I know
we will see Matt again. We are held up by the love of Jesus Christ
and the stories we've heard of the work and the life Matt led. We
have seen how he touched the lives of so many people.” |
| The
Navajo culture is steeped in spiritualism and Satan's minions had
been felt on the Holbrook campus. An exorcism had been conducted on
a student a few months prior. One night Matt was awakened with his
bed shaking violently. Though he tried to pray he could not speak.
All he could muster was to call out the name of Jesus! When he did
the bed stopped shaking immediately! Many of the Wawona folks know
of a prayer session during which they were visited by "unfriendly
beings." We believe Matt was growing closer and closer to God
and Satan was trying to prevent it. |
| His
friends noted a peacefulness about him when he came home for Christmas.
Philip, one of his Fresno friends at Holbrook, said they had stayed
up into the early morning hours one day and talked about "stuff"
and of their commitment to God. Though Matt always had a Bible by
his bed he was not one to study for any lengthy period. But, Philip
said when he went into Matt's trailer after his death, he saw his
Bible opened by his bed! |
| When
Jeremy (Matt's roommate at Holbrook from September to December) first
talked about leaving Holbrook, Matt didn't know whether he should
stay or leave as well. Within a week his sister, Emilia, called him
and said she would come and work there to be with him! Then Philip
called and said he wanted to come and for Matt to see if they had
space for him. Then he found out about another Wawona staff member
who was looking into going to Holbrook as well. He told me, "Dad
I think God is telling me to stay." I answered, "Matt, I
think He's hitting you on the head with a two by four!" After
Jeremy left we again talked about how this would affect him. Would
he truly stay? His words gave me great comfort! He said, "Dad,
I've prayed about it and I don't think God wants me to leave yet.
I think He wants me here, I'm reaching some of the kids and I still
have work to finish." |
| Even
in his death God was gracious to Matt. He was doing two things he
enjoyed, sno-boarding and working with the kids! He was teaching them
to jump when the suspect fall occurred. The doctors say he was sitting
up and talking one second and was in cardiac arrest the next. He never
knew what hit him! No suffering, no pain! His next sight will be that
of God calling him to join him in the clouds of glory! |
| Praise
Be To God for His Infinite Love! Something we cannot fully comprehend!
For He Voluntarily Gave His Son to Die a Violent Death on the Cross
for Me and Matt and You! |
| Since
Matt's death we've heard of a student at Holbrook that has pledged
her life to Christ. We've heard of a former member who has been out
of the church for 20+ years who has pledged to be re-baptized. The
announcement of Matt's death at Sacramento Adventist Academy was followed
by a meeting of a literature evangelistic effort in Sacramento, and
a request for commitment and help was asked from the kids. The response
was overwhelming. More kids then ever before responded to the call.
Many students from SAA sent notes to "Mrs G," expressing
their thoughts for her during this time! |
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We
hope that Matt's death has you thinking about your own salvation.
Please read your Bible, pray, and listen to what God has to say.
That may mean turning off the television and radio so you can hear
His voice. He has a special plan for each and everyone of you. We
didn't know that Matt had touched so many lives. You never know
how you have touched someone. Spread the word. Jesus is coming again!
Very, very soon.
By: Michael
and Gherie Gutierrez
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