BEEF trooper uses divine touch to reach, help others

Photo By 2nd Lt. Christopher Garibay | Master Sgt. Reynel Lora smiles as he receives a warm welcome during a gospel service at the Main Chapel. “Lora has such an overwhelming value; he has the attributes of a great leader,” said Pastor Darryl Lezama.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

10.16.2015

Story by Sgt. Christopher Garibay 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Life and death situations allow for a unique perspective on life and one’s purpose in it. Master Sgt. Reynel Lora, operations flight superintendent with the Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force 17, deployed to Iraq in 2009, where his unit was subject to random mortar attacks. One day, a close friend asked if he answered to a higher purpose. When Lora realized he did not, it dawned on him that his life should be different.

There are few people in the world who can have an immediate impact in your life, who can affect your thoughts in a positive manner, and leave a lasting impression in your mind; Lora is undoubtedly one of those people. He initially comes across as someone with a quiet demeanor, someone who remains in the background and observes the world around him. If you believe that, you would be wrong. Within minutes of getting to know him, his infectious charisma and welcoming spirit hooks you. He is someone you are not likely to forget. “I enjoy working with him,” said Master Sgt. Rodolfo Pena, first sergeant of the BEEF, who exclaimed Lora’s spirituality meets the Air Force pillar of spirituality. “He always says things that motivate those around him.

In the military, we tend to focus only on the work or the job, but he focuses on the good that it does. There’s messages he’s given to me that I pass on to younger troops.” Lora came from an impoverished
community in Barraquilla, Colombia, and at the age of 27 his parents sponsored him to come to the U.S. Upon his arrival in Passaic, New Jersey, Lora found work, but quickly realized he could end up stuck in a rut or as he describes it, a cycle of poverty. “Coming from a poor family, you have a different perspective on life,” said Lora. “I had my mind set on the American dream and stability, but I didn’t speak English.”

Instead of being a victim of circumstance Lora decided he would learn English, get his associate degree at his local community college, and make a dash for the American dream. Realizing there were other opportunities, he walked into an Air Force recruiter’s office – the “better” of the four branches, or so he claims. In 2000, he enlisted as a member of the Air Force. “I always wanted to be a part of something bigger,” said Lora. “Sometimes you get stuck working in low paying jobs, sending money back home, getting taken advantage of; you get trapped. The Air Force took me out of that circle.” Throughout his deployment to Iraq, Lora found answers to questions he did not even know he had. During the occasional mortar attacks on base, as well as a friend’s encouragement caused Lora to dedicate his life to Christ. According to Lora, the Air Force requires service to others and putting other’s needs before your own. He invested time learning the bible, attending Global University, earning a degree in Biblical and Ministerial Studies so he could begin to preach. This newfound purpose led Lora to establish a church in Olivehurst, California, a town plagued with drug use, alcoholism, and domestic violence. Of course, as with many members of the military, Lora was informed he would deploy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to support the Prime BEEF’s mission. His wife, Maria, is serving the flock in livehurst, in his absence. Upon his arrival, Lora made an immediate impact to the Gospel Service at GTMO, conducting sermons in only his third week. During a recent Sunday service, he gave the invocation to a faithful crowd. As he rose to the podium, he read the scripture and as he began to describe what the passage meant to him, his voice rose to a crescendo until it thundered throughout the chapel. Members of the ministry raised their hands, closed their eyes and received every word, every bit of energy delivered by Lora in that moment. Sonya Jefferson, chief petty officer with Joint Medical Group, and a pastor with the Gospel Service, rose to the podium and before she read the daily scripture, she expressed her admiration for his invocation. “Well I guess we can just skip to the
benediction after that,” said Jefferson, with admiration. Jefferson smiled and thanked Lora, moved by his fiery morning prayer. Sunday’s service is not the only place where Lora’s presence can be felt in the ministry. Pastor Darryl Lezama, with the Gospel Ministry at GTMO, said Lora made an immediate impact on the ministry team. Lezama, a 20-year Navy veteran, had several positive reflections on Lora. “When I think of Master Sgt. Lora, the word ‘legacy’ comes to mind,” said Lezama. “He understands the urgency of helping people; he is such an incredible resource for those he touches.” Lezama credits Lora with finding creative ways to improve existing processes and methods for reaching out to people. He said Lora never lets anyone get complacent, bringing everyone’s brilliant ideas together, ensuring the ministry’s vision can move forward. “God is doing something different here in GTMO,” said Lora. “I consider GTMO a spiritual boot camp where people give their problems to God … they are touched by the message, to have confidence in helping others.” Lora has loftier goals when he returns home to La Iglesia Luz de Sion, Zion Light Church, the ministry he and his wife started, which currently has approximately 50 members.

“It’s going to be a big ministry,” said Lora. “Using my experience in the Air Force, managing resources and projects, I want (to) use the same (skill set) to help people. My community’s got a lot of problems that, as
a Christian, I know I can help. I can make a difference. If I have to move to another assignment, I know I will have trained a new leader in my church so that together we can continue our work in more communities.” In the mean time, he and Maria are committed to bringing change to the ills of their community. Maria said, through the power of God, they would help those afflicted by addictions and violence through their ministry, particularly with the children in the community. She said the children are the future of a healthy community and our country. Since Lora is active duty he will someday
come down on orders to leave Olivehurst. He is not worried, thought as he plans to establish a new ministry wherever he goes. Lezama has lamented Lora leaving GTMO, even though the event is not in the near future. “In the two years I’ve been here, we’ve been fortunate to have people leave but be replaced with someone with additional experiences or knowledge so that we maintain our posture,” said Lezama. “Lora has such an overwhelming value; he has the attributes of a great leader.”

While he remains a vital member of the local ministry and the BEEF mission, Lora seeks to help others in need of support. Lora and Lezama invite JTF Troopers to use them as a resource when they find themselves in need of spiritual guidance, support or those simply seeking someone to discuss personal or professional issues. Gospel Service is open to everyone at the chapel at 1 p.m. every Sunday. Additionally, Women’s Ministry is every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in room 14 of the Chapel Annex and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in room 12 for Men’s Bible Study.

• Date Taken: 10.16.2015
• Date Posted: 03.02.2016 09:30
• Story ID: 190808
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU