Pedro Reynoso, 47, born in Mexico, came to the United States looking for opportunities to improve his family’s lifestyle. He left everything behind, risking it all for success. Years later, Reynoso, a local minister and Aramark employee, said he has achieved his dream.
Reynoso, the second of five brothers, grew up in a small, poor town in Guanajuato where he did not have the opportunity to complete elementary school. At the age of 16, he said he was inspired by people who had gone to Mexico City and returned with nicer clothes and gifts for their families. Reynoso decided to leave as well. Once in the city, he lived in an apartment, where he slept on the floor. For the first time in his life, he had access to a pair of tennis shoes.
Reynoso said his faith in God and determination strengthened him to find a job and work in the city for about three years. During that time he was able to send money to improve his family’s lifestyle. Also, he started dating the woman who later became his wife. In 1983 he decided to go to California and promised his fiance that he would return to marry her.
In 1985, Reynoso returned from California to get married. His first son was born that same year. In 1985 an earthquake struck Mexico and in 1987 President Reagan signed an immigration reform bill granting amnesty to illegal aliens. Reynoso said these were decisive factors for him bringing his family to the U.S.
In 1989, they moved to Elgin, Ill., but his marriage almost came to an end. Reynoso said the difficulty in his marriage led him to accept Jesus as his personal savior and he began his Christian journey two years later. However, he said he did not forget his original goal of supporting his family. Two more children were born, and his passion for working in the church increased. He understood God’s will for his life and decided to serve him.
In 2011, Reynoso and his family arrived in Searcy and he began serving as a minister for Ministerio Cristiano Dios Habla Hoy., which has grown from only one family to more than 70 members. He is also a full-time Aramark employee. He said he sees his work as a sport he enjoys that keeps him active. His work is a blessing that allows him to take care of the church members and expand the kingdom of God, he said.
“During the last three years, I have had the most wonderful years of my entire life,” Reynoso said. “This time (in) Arkansas has been simply the most amazing and stunning years.”
