Guest
blog: Melissa Baxter
Shortly
after graduating high school, Tracy Zayasbazan went to see a
recruiter with her friend who wanted to join the Navy but it was
Tracy, instead of her friend, who enlisted. Her dad was a Navy man
but, before that day, she hadn't really considered it.
Her walk
with Jesus was tough. She hadn't found a place for Christian
fellowship and discipleship between boot camp, school and her first
duty station. God carried her and protected her through her time in
the service.
Tracy's
time in the service prepared her for life, giving her structure and a
mission. She was stationed in Florida, Mississippi, Bermuda and,
prior to her discharge, the Great Lakes Naval Hospital; near her home
town.
She
married Jorge and served a church where she connected with other
believers and really begin to learn what it is to be a true follower
of Jesus. Tracy, a cancer survivor, said, “God has always been my
rock especially when my health was compromised or our finances
weren't aligned to what He would want them to be. My times of trials
have drawn me so much closer to my savior and have allowed me to
mature and completely depend on Him and live in a way that glorifies
Him.”
There is
a strong military tradition in Tracy's family. Her father is a
retired naval officer, her brother a Colonel in the Marine Corps and
her son serves in the Army Reserve. Her sister, too, is a veteran,
serving a tour with the Air Force. She had to lean heavily on her
faith when her husband, Jorge, was called to serve in Operation Iraqi
Freedom; leaving her a solo parent for over a year.
She
continues to serve today as a pastor's wife and at the American
GI Forum National Veterans Outreach, where she helps find housing
for homeless veterans.
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