08134
February 20, 2008

Faith, the simple life and coffee

by Emily Enders Odom
Associate for Mission Communications
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Jacob Goad and Elvira Nélida Saccaco Vasquez are serenaded by a Peruvian musician while sharing a cup of coffee. Photo courtesy of Jacob Goad

LIMA, Peru – Unbeknownst to Elvira Nélida Saccaco Vasquez, hidden in the midst of the coffee beans — one of her great passions in life — was an even more precious gift.

The beans concealed an engagement ring, signifying the promise of a mutually shared life in Christ through the covenant of marriage.

“I told her I was taking her out to coffee,” said Vasquez’s fiancé, PC(USA) long-term mission volunteer Jacob Goad. “Well, there was coffee, but there was also another surprise. Live, romantic, Peruvian music, wine and a ring.”

Goad, a native of Climax, NC, is currently serving in Peru in a two-year appointment funded through the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands as the PC(USA)’s delegations and partnership coordinator in conjunction with the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru and Joining Hands Peru. He met Vasquez in Chupaca, Peru, where both attended a conference on counseling. Vasquez won his heart when she presented a sketch on the history of political violence in Peru. That night they talked for hours on faith, the simple life and coffee.

The heart on the table was made from toasted grains of coffee. On top of it sits an engagement ring. Photo courtesy of Jacob Goad

Known since her childhood as Janeth, Vasquez comes from a family of eight brothers and sisters. Her father is a coffee farmer, while her mother runs a family restaurant. Both Vasquez and Goad are deeply committed to the family of faith, and hope one day to have children of their own.
                                                 
“Janeth and I love coffee, nature, and most importantly, we love each other,” said a beaming Goad. “We look forward to our spending the rest of our lives together.”

Vasquez and Goad plan to marry in Peru in July 2008. At the conclusion of Goad’s mission service in December 2008, the couple will return to the United States, where Goad hopes to attend graduate school in North Carolina.

Since his work in Peru has been strongly characterized by a commitment to peace and justice – including educating U.S. church groups on the effects of the extreme contamination caused by a U.S.-owned company in La Oroya – Goad hopes eventually to pursue a career in the non-profit sector and in fair-trade commerce.

In Lima, Goad has worked in human rights alongside the Rev. Hunter Farrell, a former career mission worker who left Peru last summer for Louisville, KY, to answer the call to serve as director of World Mission for the General Assembly Council.

Farrell responded to the news of the engagement by saying, “That these two people have united through their shared commitment to God’s justice brings to mind the Psalmist’s declaration that ‘mercy and faith have come together; righteousness and peace have given one another a kiss.’ And so now have Jacob and Janeth. May they experience God’s blessings in their new life together.”