My life was lost because I was a sinner. My sins made me a slave. I loved religious traditions and I was trapped by alcoholism. I fought with my family. Life was a sad situation for my wife and children.

One day when I was participating in a pagan religious festival common to our tradition in these mountain villages, I and my friends needed a place to stay for the night. Some of the other participants took me to their friend's house to stay for the night. There, a Christian lady talked to me about a creator God, but I did not believe her.  She also explained how sin offended the creator and condemned all people to eternal hell. Even after she explained the grace and mercy of God in sending His son, Jesus Christ to pay for the debt of my sins, on a cross, I still did not believe.

But I could not forget the words which she shared with me that morning. It was like a seed in my heart.  Over several years the same little elderly lady continued to share with me from the Bible. When I would visit her, she would hand me her Bible and ask me to read certain passages. She new the references, but could not read them herself. She never learned to read herself, but could explain the texts as she time and again shared the gospel with me. 

She was always encouraging me to go to the little Bible church meetings down in the town of Cotahuasi, where I could understand more completely the meaning of God's word and see for myself if what she was saying was the truth.

One day, I was convinced that I would go to Cotahuasi (two hours walk form my village up and over the mountain) so that I could find out for myself if what she was telling me was the truth or not.

When I heard God's word preached I realized how foolish I had been to wait so long in finally going.  I did understand now, and came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord that day.  I remember how hungry I was for more of God's word. I immediately was filled with so many questions, but also with the confidence that God had answers to them and that I was soon to find them. 

One alarming feeling I had was, "why aren't the Catholic priests teaching the Bible and the truth we have in the scriptures?"

I remember, right after the church service, Gina the missionary invited me to come to the ministry center where she and her family live, so that I might find more answers to all of my questions.  There brother Brad and others explained from the scriptures all about what is happening in the world, with man, God, and my enemy Satan.

My family and I are now new creatures in Jesus Christ. Now we have new life in Him, and thanks to His grace and mercy, He has pardoned our sins.  Even though we have many difficult struggles, we have His Joy. He has called us to serve Him in ministry now, and as we grow in Him, we share with others the Hope we have, that is Christ in us.

Church planting in 3 villages, is an elder in Cotahuasi church and serves in support roles for the Ministry Center.

David (3-12-75) has a wife and 4 young children.  His father died as a result of alcoholism, and his mother also turned to alcohol, trying to cope with life.  An elderly Christian woman planted a seed in David's heart, and he gave his life to Christ through the church in Cotahuasi.  He has since been dedicated to bringing the Gospel to rural villages, traveling long distances by foot or mule to reach them.