The Story Behind hrt4Peru

My Story
I’m a daughter, a mother, a friend, a sister, a teacher—and most importantly, a woman who has experienced the transforming love of Christ.

I grew up in a Christian home and knew all the right things to say and do. I made a profession of faith when I was twelve, went to a Christian college, and built a life that looked right on the outside. But inside, I struggled with doubt, pride, and a lack of real relationship with God. For years, I was simply going through the motions.

A Breaking Point
In 2005, after ten years of marriage, I went through a difficult divorce. It shook everything. The pain, anger, and bitterness that followed began to take over my life. I continued to attend church, but I was far from God and had no real relationship with Him.

At one point, the weight of it all became overwhelming. I found myself standing on the edge of a bridge, ready to end my life. In that moment, a friend called and reminded me that I was loved—by her, and by God. That moment didn’t fix everything overnight, but it stopped me from making a decision I couldn’t undo.

The years that followed were still a struggle. Depression, anger, and brokenness continued, and eventually I lost custody of my daughters for a time due to how deeply those struggles had affected me. It was one of the most painful seasons of my life—but also the one God used to begin real change.

Finding Healing
In November 2011, after years of pretending, I came to a place of honesty before God. I finally saw my need—not just to know about Him, but to truly belong to Him.

That was the moment everything began to change.

God began to heal not just my circumstances, but my identity. He showed me that I was not unworthy or a failure, but His daughter. He began to untangle years of anger and unforgiveness and taught me how to release it.

That healing didn’t happen overnight—but it was real.

Over time, He restored what I thought was lost, including my relationships with both of my daughters. What once felt broken beyond repair became a testimony of His faithfulness.

Called to Peru
In 2014, I went on my first mission trip to Peru with my daughter. From the very beginning, something was different. The people, the need, the openness—it was clear that God was doing something in my heart.

I returned to Peru several times over the next few years, serving women, teens, and children in different areas. Each time, the calling became clearer. God was leading me specifically to San Ramón in the Chanchamayo region.

In July 2018, I moved to Peru.

This is where God has called me to serve.

What God Is Doing Now
Today, I have the privilege of walking with women who are hurting—many of whom are facing abuse, instability, and deep emotional wounds.

Through teaching, counseling, and discipleship, I’ve been able to build relationships and minister in the local community. Out of that ongoing work, Refugio de Vida was born.

Refugio de Vida is a residential program providing a safe and stable place for women and their children to step out of abusive situations and begin to rebuild their lives.

The same healing that God worked in my life is what I now desire to see in the lives of the women I serve.

My heart is to help women understand that they are not alone, not forgotten, and not without hope—that true healing and identity are found in Christ.

Moving Forward
The need in Peru is real. Women are hurting. Families are broken. But there is also hope.

What began as my story has become part of a much bigger story—one that God is continuing to write in the lives of others.

Thank you for taking the time to read it.