"Be careful what you pray for,” says Armando Rave — an unusual bit of advice from one of the newest staff members of the Central California Conference. He didn’t realize when he prayed so earnestly following a horrific traffic accident in March 2005 that his prayers would change his life.

“I survived with few injuries,” says Rave. “I thanked the Lord, and in my prayers I told Him that if He spared my life because He had other plans for me, then to use me in any way He needed.”

Born in Medellin, Colombia, into a Seventh-day Adventist family, he was 10-years-old when his family moved to the United States in 1958. He graduated from Redlands University with a degree in business and worked in the public sector as an income tax preparer. Often pressured to work on Sabbath, he finally opened his own company.

He and his wife of 35 years, Piedad, have been active members of the Chino Spanish Church, along with their children Annette, Daniel and daughter-in-law Danitza.

That fateful day in 2005 when his life was spared changed this committed Christian’s life. As a result he became even more active as a part of the Spanish men’s ministry and as a deacon. “I preached my first sermon on my birthday, July 22, 2005,” he said. “You could say I got what I asked for.”

But the changes didn’t stop there. For years, the Trust Services department of the Central California Conference has felt a need for more representation within their Spanish-speaking members. A search for an experienced individual who was available seemed almost hopeless. That was until Rave made a promise to God.

“The hiring of Armando, our first bilingual planned giving consultant, is a huge benefit to our program,” said Jan Biloff, director of Planned Giving Trust Services. “Our Spanish-speaking members and the Spanish churches are already calling for his services.” And what does he feel most excited about?

“I’m doing the Lord’s work,” he said. In addition to helping individuals with their wills and trusts and providing seminars for local churches, God is still stretching him. “I’m being asked to preach at some of the local churches — something that is very new to me, but it’s helping me grow spiritually.”

For more information or for assistance from a local certified Planned Giving and Trust Services representative, call 559-347-3128 or toll-free 888-424-5777 or visit ccc.adventisttrust.org.