Cristina’s Testimony
When human relationships fail her, a single mother seeks the Lord.
The sun barely peeked over the trees as I trudged to the barn, milk pail in hand. After the milking, I would have to clean the pigsties, and after breakfast the vineyard would need to be weeded. Oh, I wish Father hadn’t been killed, I told myself for the thousandth time. Life on my stepfather’s farm meant endless chores—some of them quite difficult for a 5-year-old girl. Not only that, but he treated me and my sister harshly. I missed being someone’s little girl, and I dreamed of someday having a loving husband and family of my own.
Instead of getting married, however, I became pregnant at 22. When my boyfriend found out, he told me to have an abortion. “I will pay the medical bills,” he said.
His words broke my heart. “What should I do?” I sobbed to my mother. After eight weeks of his pressuring, I decided to ask my boyfriend for the money. I didn’t tell him that I didn’t plan to follow through with the abortion.
A few days later, he called and asked how I was doing. I told him the truth—that I would not have an abortion. He yelled bitter words, and I never heard from him again.
Shortly after giving birth to my daughter Sofía, I began working at a supermarket. I did well there, earning several promotions. There I met Cristian, who became my partner for the next nine years. Cristian and his family had once been Adventists, and after the birth of our son, Dylan, I often asked Cristian if we could get married at his church. Every time, he dodged the topic.
As time went on, our relationship changed. Cristian became inattentive and cold. In my blind desire to make the relationship work, I gave everything, but nothing improved. Eventually, I discovered Cristian’s unfaithfulness. Our relationship deteriorated, and even Cristian’s family began speaking poorly of me. Several times, Cristian left me and the children, only to return later. All of this deeply affected me. I lost my focus and started making poor decisions.
Then another man, Diego, entered my life. Once again, I was deceived with fair words—and ended up pregnant with my youngest son, Ismael. Now alone with three children, I felt desperately confused, and I began seeking God.
I visited a friend’s evangelical church, but I didn’t enjoy it. I decided to pray and study the Bible more intentionally, asking God to show me His will. A few weeks later, Cristian’s mother invited me to her church. She apologized for everything she had done to hurt me. When I met her pastor and his wife, I sensed something like a family atmosphere.
A few more weeks passed, and I attended an evangelistic campaign at the church. The messages touched my heart deeply, and I began studying the Bible with the pastor. He helped me find the answers to my many questions, and during those personal Bible studies, I fell in love with Jesus and knew that I had found a friend in my Lord. I decided to be baptized together with Cristian’s mother.
The days after my baptism were not easy. I still live alone with my three children, and both my 11-year-old daughter and my 3-year-old son have been battling illness. Despite the trials, I am grateful to God for the gift of knowing Him. My new church family has been very attentive to our needs, and Cristian’s family has been helpful as well. Please pray for me to be strong in the faith and raise my children to know the Lord.
Location
Colombia
Author
Narrated by Cristina to Juvenal Galo, the director of the Bible and Evangelism Department at Fundación Las Delicias.
How You Can Help
Pray for Cristina to remain faithful to the message and be a witness to the power of God in her life.
Give to the work in Colombia by sending your donations marked “Colombia Evangelism” to:
Mission Projects International
PO Box 237
Kirksville, MO 63501
To give securely online, visit:
www.missionspro.org/donate
Thank you. Fundación Las Delicias says “thank you” to all the MPI supporters for your contributions to God’s work in their part of the world!