Saturday, November 24, 2007

AG Author Introduces Latino Tradition


Vasthi Reyes Acosta introduces readers to the Latino tradition of celebrating Three King’s Day (Epiphany) in the first inspirational Latino novella published by Barbour. Her novella, “Gifts from the Magi,” is in the anthology A Big Apple Christmas. It is the first inspirational novella by Barbour centered on a Latino family.

Dr. Acosta states, “We as a community have so many stories to tell, our faith journey, our history of pain and struggle and triumph through Christ, the stories of our families and their celebration of faith. It is necessary to have our children see themselves reflected in books. See their culture, their heritage, and their faith in the stories they read to help them find their place in this world.”

Acosta, a Puerto Rican New Yorker, is one of three daughters born to an Assemblies of God minister, Rev. Carlos Reyes, in the Spanish Eastern District. She attends Englewood Assembly of God in Englewood, New Jersey, where she currently teaches Sunday School. She often speaks at women's conferences and weekend retreats. (Email: vasthi1201@aol.com.)

1 comment:

Lynette Sowell said...

I am one of Vasthi Acosta's coauthors, and I was thrilled to work alongside her on this collection of novellas. I believe her story added a wonderful flavor to the mix. The kaleidoscope of culture is beautiful in the city, especially at Christmas time. Vasthi did a fabulous job of showing traditions through her characters' experiences. Thanks for sharing about A Big Apple Christmas on the Evangel blog! I also attend an AG church, Five Hills Assembly of God in Copperas Cove, Texas.