Norma Castilleja de Ortiz did not know it at the time – when she shared her Haggai Institute experience with a young lady named Lucila Erendira Garcia Rivera (Lucy) – that she would ignite a spark in the young woman’s heart that would grow into a large flame to share the Gospel throughout Mexico in the coming years.

No matter the level of Lucy’s initial excitement, there was one major obstacle standing in the way of her dream of attending Haggai Institute. She did not speak English fluently, which is one of the requirements to be considered as part of H.I.’s international sessions.

Attending Haggai Institute was so important to Lucy that she determined to master a second language so she could make her goal a reality.

It took 16 years of sacrifice to realize her goal – as this commitment had to be woven into her other responsibilities – with the full support of her family and friends!

In 2001, Lucy was able to travel to Maui to fulfill her dream. Imagine the sense of anticipation as she entered the Mid-Pacific Center, reflecting back on the years since her first encounter with a pastor’s wife, named Norma Castilleja, who enthusiastically shared her H.I. experience.

As with most H.I. alumni who express a “life transformation,” made possible by the Holy Spirit while at the H.I. training, Lucy returned home a different person – determined to reach others for Christ in whatever language necessary!

God used Norma Castelleja to tell Lucy about the H.I. training, and Lucy wanted to return the favor by telling others. At the request of Dr. Aldo Fontao, former vice president of international training at H.I.’s Mid-Pacific Center in Maui, Lucy began recruiting people to attend a regional H.I. seminar in Argentina.

It was a challenge, since the people attending the seminar would have to pay their own expenses (about $2,000 USD). Lucy was able to recruit 12 people, including her husband Noél, a medical doctor on staff with Sandvik, a Swedish company with a manufacturing plant in Mexico. He is now an energetic partner with her in the work of H.I. in Mexico! Another of Lucy’s first steps was to contact Daniel Montenegro, H.I.’s Latin American Regional Representative.

Together, they planned activities designed to bring more believers to Haggai Institute seminars. Lucy organized seminars in her church and on the national level and saw people transformed through the power of God’s Word.

Not only has she had the opportunity to share her story throughout Mexico, but also in places like Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

In addition to her continued excitement about H.I. and reaching her personal goal of increasing those taught to 3,000, Lucy has been involved in church planting. She founded the Biblical Theological Institute in Mexico 10 years ago, with her husband Noél.

Dr. Aldo Fontao said that even though he has trained more than 4,800 leaders, he clearly remembers Lucy as a “fantastic, sparkling leader” with “energy and a craving for learning.”

He noted that Lucy’s “exquisite intelligence and high commitment to action has had a great impact on Mexico and other Latin American nations.”

“Lucy is a clear example of H.I.’s vision to train Christian leaders who can train others, and are committed to do so.” noted Dr. Fontao.