Rejected and wounded, Carmen discovered the love of Christ and found belonging, hope, and healing.
Carmen’s Testimony (29 years old)
What was your life like before you knew Christ?
Before I knew Christ my life felt meaningless, you know? I was kind of out of it. I hadn’t known the love of Christ yet, and I felt very lonely because I also didn’t have much connection with my mom. My dad had rejected us and abandoned my mom because we were all girls and he didn’t want us. So I just felt alone, hopeless, without friends, without anyone to talk to.
How did you come to know Christ?
I came to know Christ because at school I had classmates who already went to the Evangelical church, and they invited me to the church service. So I went and I accepted Christ. It was something sudden and unexpected, something I can’t really explain, and I felt filled with peace and calm.
Well, after I accepted Christ, I started going to that church with my Aunt Auna. When my sister and I told my mom that we wouldn’t be going with her to the Catholic church anymore she got so upset and when she found out the reason why, that we had started going to the Evangelical church she got even more upset. For her, it was an act of disobedience.
She said things that hurt me and she beat my sister and I and completely rejected us. It was bad. A painful moment. But we still went to church and little by little things changed.
How did you suffer for Christ?
Yes… mostly family violence, psychological hurt, and being treated differently. My family didn’t treat us the same anymore. A complete rejections that lasted almost a year. But God fixed it. Now my mom has changed. She encourages us instead of hating us.
How did your life start to change once you began following Christ?
My attitude changed. I felt loved by Christ. Even if my mother didn’t show love, I felt that someone loved me, cared for me and I realized that’s the love and peace of God. And I also had people to talk to at church, to guide me.
How have you seen God work in your life?
Seeing the change in my mom, in my sisters, that has been clear. God has blessed us in many ways, even in small things. During the pandemic, we never went without food because people helped. Even when we had no electricity, the church helped restore it. All of that showed me that God is watching and He is taking care of us.
Also, I saw God work in the life of my husband. I met him at church but then he fell away from God. He stopped going to church and started drinking. It was such a struggle raising two young boys and trying to teach them to follow the Lord when their father did not.
But after years and years of praying, Edgar repented and reconciled with Christ. He has returned to church and is training to be a deacon. He’s a wonderful father to our two sons and is leading them to love the Lord.
What people or experiences have supported you in your walk with Christ?
First, communion with Christ Himself, learning to pray. Then, the brothers and sisters in the church, they helped me hand everything over to God, trust that He has control of everything. They guided me, spiritually supported me, reminded me to follow God’s Word little by little, their guidance shaped me.
What is the desire of your heart for how God could use you to expand His kingdom?
My heart’s desire is to keep discipling, especially teaching children—they are the future. Starting with my own two kids, teaching them the right way. And also encouraging everyone around me, sharing Christ with neighbors and family. I want them to know, have faith, persevere spiritually, and see God work in their lives too.
