SAN ANTONIO – Last Chance Ministries was a packed house Saturday, as a vigil was held Saturday to remember Victoria Robles, who was killed in a crash along with two others this week, and to stand by her father, Pastor Jimmy Robles.
“Embrace your children, because you never know when their time will come,” Robles said.
Victoria Robles, 19, was killed along with two children earlier this week in a single-vehicle accident.
Jose Garza, who is a minister at Last Chance Ministries and friend of the Robles family, described from experience part of what it feels like in the aftermath of losing someone close.
"You do eulogies. You go to funeral homes. You pray in the hospital. You do this, but (you) never know, (you’re) never ready ‘til when it hits home. It’s totally different,” Garza said.
Garza was one of dozens of Last Chance Ministries regulars who gathered at the church Saturday. Kickstands were up by 3 p.m., as they rode to the crash site off of Loop 410, where Victoria and the two children were killed. Friends, family and congregants rode to support their pastor.
"Thank you for being here, man. It's going to mean a lot to my daughter," said Robles, thanking the crowd surrounding him.
The group rode back to the church for the scheduled 7 p.m. memorial service. Dignitaries and city leaders, as well as dozens of local pastors and church leaders, filled the church.
"The church came together, the ministers and the leaders, I mean, they don't know how to show pastor how much they love him. This pastor is well liked in San Antonio, " Garza said.
Artist Jondavid De Leon painted a picture in memoriam of Victoria Robles. He named it after a Bible Psalm, entitled, "Joy Comes in the Morning."
As the artist's wife, Jennifer De Leon, unveiled and presented the artwork to the Robles family, Jondavid De Leon paraphrased biblical scripture, "The word says I long to see you again. For I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again."