Haunted by fear and uncertainty, Estela found assurance in Christ and lived a life marked by quiet courage and compassion.
Estela’s Testimony (60 years old)
Tell me, what was your life like before you knew Christ?
I was a fearful child, afraid of so many things. I didn’t know my future. I knew there was heaven, hell, and heaven, but I didn’t have salvation, and that scared me a lot. So I stayed sad, thinking, “What will become of me? Where will I go if I die?” Even as a child, I thought that.
How did you come to know Christ?
Well, when I was a child, between 12 and 15 years old, I went to the evangelical church, but I wasn’t a Christian. God used the sermons of the pastor at the church I attended because he often preached about the rapture.
And I also had dreams about the rapture. My mom became a Christian, so in the dream I saw my mom going up to heaven, she went up, and I… I didn’t go up. I tried to reach my mom, but I couldn’t reach her. So I see that God used the pastor’s sermons and that dream about the rapture.
How did you accept Christ?
I don’t remember the exact day, but I remember getting up in the middle of the night, kneeling, and accepting Christ by myself. But I didn’t feel a change in me, because there wasn’t anyone saying, “Look, now you’re going to study, now you’re going to pray properly,” nothing. I felt like the same sinner. Ah, but I was religious. I went through Sunday School, then Youth Group, and after they even had me preach to the women. But I didn’t have security.
Maybe I was a child of God, but I didn’t have spiritual maturity until November 12, 2000. By then, I was married. So I told my husband, “I want to secure my life. I don’t have eternal life, or maybe I do, I don’t know, but I don’t have security. I feel I am a sinner and I don’t have salvation. I want to secure my salvation.” And I accepted Christ on November 12.
How did your family or community react when you decided to follow Christ?
Well, even my ‘Chrsitian’ family distanced themselves a little because I told them that if they had parties or activities on Sunday, I wouldn’t attend. For me, the priority was Christ, and I couldn’t go to their activities. So they stopped inviting me but I said, “That’s not important to me. What’s important is seeking Christ on Sundays.” I chose to be with Christ on Sundays, going to church.
When did you feel that you suffered for Christ?
Well, I started to suffer for Christ when I began helping needy people, orphans, and some who were being hurt or abused at home. I started helping them find help. And because of that my neighbors and relatives told me not to get involved. But those who needed help came looking for me because they needed someone. I even received death threats for reporting abuse situations. But I said, “If Christ died for me, why wouldn’t I do the same?” I risked my life to help them. Some families stopped speaking to me, they cut off contact. That was my small but great suffering.
How did your life start to change when you began following Christ? Or how have you seen God work in your life?
I’ve seen how God has worked in my life. He hasn’t abandoned me. Even though I’m a widow with one child, He has always provided daily sustenance, clothing, and work. But above all, He has stirred my heart with His love and compassion for the sheep who need nourishment. He has given me a heart of mercy, so I can help others, spiritually or economically when I can. I can’t give much, but some groceries or a small offering is what I can do.
What is the desire of your heart for how God could use you to expand His kingdom?
My desire is to disciple new Christians, to evangelize everyone around me and I have asked God to always give me the opportunity to do that. Third, to also help missionaries in other countries financially, giving my small monthly tithe.
