Generosity in Action
Twenty years ago, Grace Z. Miller, affectionately known as “Mama Grace” arrived on the island of O’ahu, to visit her daughter and son-in-law after the birth of their first child. It was during this visit that Mama Grace testified to hearing the voice of the Lord tell her she was not returning to Buffalo, NY. In a remarkable act of faith, she resigned from her job to provide full-time childcare services to her extremely premature grandson, who was born at 24 weeks gestation. This allowed her daughter to remain on active duty in the United States Navy.
Mama Grace’s servant’s heart led her to serve other military and local families in need of childcare. Today, she is the beloved Hanai mother and grandmother of many sons, daughters, and grandchildren in Hawaii.
Driven by her dream of attaining her diploma, she returned to school. Mama Grace is a proud graduate of Leilehua High School for Adults. Prior to returning to the HealthCare profession, she became a licensed Nurse Aide for the State of Hawaii.
Mama Grace has also become an invaluable leader in Rock Church Oahu, where she serves as the Hospitality Team Lead. Every Sunday, Mama Grace can be seen greeting guests and members with aloha; while giving the biggest smiles and most welcoming hugs. She has an uncanny way of making all people feel seen, heard, and loved by God. In response to her calling to Biblical Church Leadership and Evangelism, Mama Grace is actively pursuing her Pastoral Support Team qualification at Rock Church Oahu, where she was recently honored to perform her first baptism. God continues to use Mama Grace in various acts of selfless service to her ohana, church, strangers, and community.
When she is not ministering at Rock Church Oahu, Mama Grace is a full-time employee at FedEx. Through inspirational leadership, she offers support, encouragement, and guidance to team members. Mama Grace is often sought out for her listening ear, spiritual counsel, and wisdom.
Recently, on her commute to and from work, Mama Grace’s car began becoming unreliable. It needed major repairs. While Mama Grace was able to borrow a car from a relative, she knew that she needed a long-term solution and a dependable car to get to work. She shared her need with Rock Church Oahu Campus Pastor Mark Richardson. Feeling the pressure though, Mama Grace took out a loan to get a car but after praying, she felt like God told her to not do the loan. Little did she know that Arica was working to surprise Mama Grace with a much needed car.
Arica Carranza and her husband Daniel both work in the automotive collision industry and attend Rock Church in Point Loma. A couple years ago, they started a non-profit organization because they wanted to be able to use the gifts and talents God had given them in auto repair, coupled with their contacts throughout the U.S. to be able to be a conduit for Christ in the community. Cars are donated through NABC-Recycled Rides through various circumstances and are in need of repair and a new owner. Arica and her husband reached out to their network of body shop owners and mechanics to repair and restore the car. Because the car will be gifted to the person, they have to qualify in order to be considered.
When the opportunity to gift a car in Oahu was shared with Arica, she knew exactly who to call. She reached out to Rock Church Pastor Ariel who connected her with Oahu Campus Pastor Mark Richardson. He shared with Arica about Mama Grace’s story and her need for a car. Arica agreed that Mama Grace would make a great candidate for the new car.
She reached out to her colleagues at Oka’s Auto Body, Island Fender, and assistance from their colleagues at CCG and AzkoNobel. The Body shops and mechanics rallied together to donate supplies and their time to fix and restore the car. This past month, Pastor Mark Richardson and Arica were able to present Mama Grace with a car.
When the team presented Mama Grace with the car, she was filled with joy and understood why God had spoken to her about not taking the loan out. For Arica and her husband, they were excited to help a fellow Rock Church member and are already praying and planning their next surprise blessing.
