NW Valley Times

Mar 13 2024

Roberto Garcia, a longtime facilities worker at Grand Canyon University, has been creating wooden crosses from scrap wood found around campus. Despite facing a dire diagnosis of stage four prostate cancer, Garcia's faith and craftsmanship have led him to spread peace and joy through his creations.

Garcia, reflecting on his health struggles, shared, "If God wants me to be here, I’ll be here." He emphasized the role of faith in his life, noting a shift in his attitude towards spirituality since his diagnosis. Garcia explained, “Your attitude changes in life. You start looking back at the things you do, and you have done."

The wooden crosses made by Garcia hold a significant meaning for him. He expressed, “A cross brings a lot of peace, a lot of joy.” Each cross carries a unique story, with some crafted from materials salvaged from the old gymnasium on campus. Garcia pointed out the details of one cross, saying, “It’s pine and has the old paint. The steps were painted, that way you knew where you were supposed to walk.”

Garcia's journey into creating crosses began when he noticed discarded wood piles from the campus renovations. Asking to take some home, he started crafting crosses out of the materials. Over the years, his creations have garnered attention and admiration, with orders coming in from various parts of the campus.

Despite the challenges posed by his illness, Garcia finds solace in his craft. He revealed, “I never used to get a pleasure out of it. Now I do. Because I told you what I got." Embracing a slower pace of life, he added, “I try to enjoy life more. I never enjoyed life. I was always in a hurry. Now I do.”

As Garcia continues to make an impact through his work at GCU, he aims to leave a lasting legacy. He remarked, “I want to leave my mark. Roberto was here.” Through his dedication to craftsmanship and faith, Garcia's crosses serve as a symbol of hope and resilience on the university campus.

For more information, contact Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen at [email protected].