My Latest Ramblings From A Sad and Happy Heart: Its a bit awkward to not have focused on the anniversary of my pastors (Chuck Smith) departure from this alien planet yesterday. Both the celebration of his going to heaven and the sadness of it to me were engulfed by the loss of my brother Pedro Buford. And although I rarely kept in touch with my brother Steve Mays, I was saddened by his departure as well. Chuck raised all three of us in Christ. He was our pastor, but also a good friend and mentor; one who not only taught us and discipled us, but also traveled and played with us as a friend. Steve, Pedro and I were close friends from the very early days of Calvary Chapel. We spent a lot of time together, although Steve was involved in the house ministries while Pedro and I were musical evangelists. The house ministries were like the house churches of today. They were places where people lived and met to worship and study the bible, as well as a social community. Steve was a natural leader and was the elder of several house ministries both here in Orange County and in the Inland Empire. I have a permanent vision of him, sitting at a crowded little desk with his earphones on, listening to Chucks bible studies on cassette! He admired Chuck probably more than the rest of us and wanted to be exactly like him. But we all loved Chuck equally. Steve was a bad boy. He had a lot of anger issues, had a hard time speaking and expressing himself. It was absolutely amazing to see how God fashioned him into the man he became; a more patient eloquent speaking, compassionate man of God. After his passing, several friends shared some great Steve stories. He was doing a lot of good things for people that I never heard about. It pleased my heart to hear these things! I first met Pedro in the Laguna Canyon. I had seen him around Laguna Beach on the Coast Highway and beaches, but never met him personally. Pedro was drunk and lying in the street and I picked him up and took him into my house. After he sobered up, I found out that he was part of a band called Salvation. Certainly not a Christian band. The other members of the band were meth addicts and Pedro was a heavy drinker. He never spoke. Pedro never said a word. He would nod. So, you would have to set up a question and he would nod yes or no. Or, you might find yourself talking to him with him looking at you and saying nothing. But this man could play the flute! And one day I heard incredible piano music coming from across the way from “Blind Ted’s” house and it turned out that Pedro was also an accomplished pianist! I thought to myself…who is this guy? But it remained a mystery as he never talked. Then he disappeared for a short while from our canyon neighborhood. When he reappeared, he wore a pure white shirt with a tiny gold cross on the lapel. He was clear eyed and his face glowed. He had met Jesus! He also talked!!! Mostly he would say, “Praise the LORD!” He shared about how he had met Jesus and it was wonderful and amazing to actually hear his voice and know his thoughts. His transformation is what helped me to realize that Jesus Christ was real and alive in him. And although I did not come to accept Christ for another year, it changed the course of my thinking. When I did finally say, “yes” to Jesus, I realized that He had always been there with me throughout my life. I remembered the many times when I was alone in despair or in great need and there was a presence which would come and calm my heart. When I met Jesus, He was not a stranger. It was Him all the time, all my life, and I was elated. After receiving Christ, I began to attend Calvary Chapel when it was still a little chapel out in a bean field. I also opened up my home for a potluck where sometimes hundreds would come to eat, fellowship, worship, and listen to special music and an evangelist message. Pedro had joined a trio called Mustard Seed. It consisted of Wade Link (guitar and vocals/main songwriter) , Dan Leist ( vocals), and Pedro on flute and recorder. When Dan left the group, I was asked to fill in for him. I ended up staying in the group for a lot longer than I had first intended. It was Chuck Smith who added the word, “faith” to the Mustard Seed as he announced us one time. Pedro was the person whom God used to interest me in Jesus Christ. Pedro revealed so much of Christ in his heart. He was a very godly, almost angelic, highly intelligent, very funny, greatly musical Saint. I thank God that I had the privilege of knowing Pedro and playing music and ministering alongside of this spiritual giant of a man. I will miss him terribly. But I know that I will see him very soon. Chuck Smith, Steve Mays, Charles (Pedro) Buford; all men who allowed God to use their lives and do great works. Earlier this year, we also lost Bill Ketts, another pastor/teacher who co labored with Pedro and I to establish Poiema Christian Fellowship. I think I see a rush to the door, the threshold to heaven!
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 18:53:54 +0000
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