My life up until I received Christ was uncertain and without meaning, revolving around idolatry and sin.  I was born in a modest, but not particularly religious, home.  I had a deep desire in my heart to know the true God who would fill the emptiness in my heart.  This desire was not satisfied by the gods that I was placing all my hope and happiness in. 

Christ wanted me to know Him in a very special time, when terrorism entered my village of Cotahuasi.  I was a policeman, and the terrorists came to my house.  They came with guns, intending to execute me and my family.  They came to the door during the night, but we did not let them in.  Thanks to God He gave us wisdom, and we were able to flee from them.  A while later, God used His servant

Robert Rich, to  share the gospel with us.  That's when I came to know God and that the promises in His word are true.  I received Christ as my Lord and Savior and gave my whole life over to Him.  I finally came to know the peace and joy that I needed. 

Now my Christian life is all about testifying about the Lord, in every place and circumstance, and to every person that God brings into my life.  I'm also one of the ones responsible before God for the Cotahuasi church, as pastor and elder.  May God help us all to obey Him to see His will done here.

Elder of Cotahuasi church, preaching and teaching.

Joel (11-14-38) is local to the Cotahuasi canyon area, and has dedicated his retired years to serving the Lord in the village of Cotahuasi.  Joel heard the gospel during the period of terrorism in Cotahuasi, and committed his life to Christ.  His heart is now for preaching, teaching, and evangelism.  He desires to see God's word brought to all the unreached villages.