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By Caleb Ávila Founder and Director, Lone Star Newspaper and El Perico Newspaper October 2026
Hello, my dear friends. Wherever you may find yourselves today, I send you my warmest greetings and heartfelt blessings. As has become my tradition, my editorials are written from the depths of my heart, and this occasion is no exception. Today, I want to share a story about faith, sacrifice, perseverance, and the strength that God gives us when life seems determined to defeat us. It is a story about a soldier and his sword, a symbol of everything he has fought to build, protect, and preserve throughout his journey. I have learned that a soldier should never be asked to surrender his sword, especially when that sword represents the purpose God placed in his hands.
Throughout my life, I have traveled a difficult road filled with challenges, disappointments, sacrifices, and victories. My journey as a newspaper founder, businessman, and broadcaster began many years ago without financial resources, professional experience, or anyone to guide me. There were times when I had no home, when I slept inside my vehicle, and when finding enough food to survive became a daily struggle. Yet, even during those darkest moments, I believed that God had a purpose for my existence. I refused to surrender to circumstances because somewhere deep within my heart, I knew that my story was not finished.
As the years passed, God placed a sword in my hands, a remarkable sword with a golden tip. That sword was not made of ordinary metal. It was forged through suffering, tears, sacrifice, betrayal, disappointment, and countless battles that tested my faith and determination. It was strengthened by the painful lessons of life, including the betrayal of people I trusted and the wounds left by those who approached me with the kiss of Judas. Nevertheless, that sword became the instrument through which I began building something meaningful where nothing had previously existed. Every hardship sharpened its blade, and every victory reminded me that God’s blessings often arrive through extraordinary struggles.
For more than 25 years, that sword has helped me establish a foundation that has benefited many individuals and families. I was given the privilege of placing the cornerstone of what I consider a great temple, not necessarily a building made of bricks and cement, but a mission constructed through service, opportunity, faith, and love. That temple represents the businesses, newspapers, projects, and opportunities that have emerged from years of dedication. It represents a place where others have found encouragement, employment, guidance, and the possibility of building a better future. I have always believed that everything God allows us to accomplish should become a blessing to those who enter our lives.
Today, I can proudly say that my sword remains strong, perhaps stronger than ever before. However, it is important to understand that this sword was never intended to harm another human being. It is not a weapon designed for hatred, revenge, or physical confrontation. I do not seek enemies, nor do I desire to fight against anyone. My sword represents wisdom, perseverance, responsibility, and the courage to continue when exhaustion threatens to overcome me. It is a spiritual instrument that reminds me of where I came from, what I have endured, and why I must continue defending the mission entrusted to me by God.
Along the way, I believed that certain individuals possessed the intelligence, character, strength, and understanding necessary to carry that sword forward. I trusted them with responsibilities because I hoped they would recognize the sacrifices upon which everything had been built. I wanted them to understand that leadership is not a privilege designed for personal glory, but a commitment to serve others with humility and gratitude.
Some began building castles, palaces, and mansions, living with the privileges of kings and members of the nobility. In their pursuit of personal comfort, they seemed to forget the foundation upon which those opportunities had been created. They forgot the tears, the hunger, the sleepless nights, and the countless sacrifices that made their achievements possible. What troubled me most was not their prosperity, because I have always wanted others to succeed. What saddened me was the possibility that they had forgotten the responsibility that accompanied the sword. They had received an opportunity to protect a mission, yet they appeared to misunderstand its true purpose.
Eventually, I realized that the time had come to reclaim my sword. I could no longer allow the mission that God placed in my hands to lose its direction. Today, I carry that sword once again, facing battles that are sometimes painful, exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming. There are moments when my strength seems to disappear, when my heart grows weary, and when I wonder whether I can continue fighting. I am no longer the young man who began this journey with nothing but determination and faith. The years have left their marks upon my body and spirit, but they have not destroyed my desire to fulfill the purpose for which I believe God created me.
Despite everything, I remain grateful and proud because I am once again building something important. I am working on a new vision, a project that I hope will become a lasting blessing for those who truly understand my mission. My intention is not to accumulate riches or seek admiration. My greatest desire is to leave behind something meaningful, something that will continue providing opportunities and support long after my journey on this earth has ended. I want those who follow me to understand that the greatest inheritance is not simply money or property, but the wisdom, discipline, faith, and responsibility necessary to preserve what has been entrusted to them.
I have discovered that success can sometimes become a dangerous temptation when people allow pride, vanity, and personal ambition to replace humility and gratitude. Those who forget their beginnings may eventually lose sight of the very principles that made their accomplishments possible. For this reason, I ask God to grant me additional time and strength to complete the work that remains unfinished. I want to establish a foundation strong enough to withstand difficult times and provide security for future generations. I want those who become part of this mission to understand that everything we build must be guided by compassion, integrity, service, and an unwavering belief in God.
And so, today, I declare with conviction that a soldier should never surrender his sword. This soldier has reclaimed his, and he does not intend to surrender it again. The warrior whom God has shaped through suffering, the man who identifies with the courage of Samson, the leadership of Joshua, and the faith of Caleb, will continue moving forward. I may carry scars from battles that few people understand, but those scars are reminders that I have survived circumstances that once seemed impossible. My sword remains in my hands, not because I seek power over others, but because I recognize the responsibility of protecting everything that God has allowed me to build.
My prayer today is simple. I ask God for more time, renewed strength, and the opportunity to leave behind a legacy that will endure for generations. I ask Him to restore the joy within my heart, to give me reasons to smile again, and to help me rediscover the peace that sometimes becomes difficult to find after so many years of struggle. I want to continue loving, teaching, creating, and helping others discover their own purpose. Although much has already been accomplished, I know that my mission is not yet complete. There are still dreams waiting to become reality, people who need encouragement, and opportunities that can transform lives.
The Bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and I firmly believe that love must remain at the center of everything we do.
To all my dear friends and faithful readers, thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and the time you dedicate to reading my editorials. Thank you for allowing me to share the experiences, struggles, and lessons that have shaped my life. I remain that soldier who was once wounded by circumstances, disappointment, and betrayal, but who has now recovered his sword and found the determination to continue his journey. With God’s guidance, I will keep fighting the good fight, writing from my heart, and working to fulfill the mission He placed before me. May God bless each of you, protect your families, and grant you the strength to overcome your own battles. A soldier may grow tired, a soldier may carry wounds, but as long as God gives him life and purpose, his sword will never fall from his hands. Amen.
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