Natán grew up in a home that was filled with unhappy moments. Before he entered his teens he knew what his plans were. As soon as possible he would leave home, join the Sendero Luminoso (the terrorist group), return to his village and kill those who were causing great problems in his family. A young 12 year old boy had his plan, but God also had HIS plan.
Natán ran away from home to the big city of Arequipa. He stayed with extended family who invited him to a youth group at a local church where his uncle was the pastor. That night Natán recognized God had a different plan for his life.
Even though he had grown up in church,Natán realized he needed to repent of his sins, receive God´s grace and forgiveness and enter into a relationship with Christ. God´s plan began unfolding from that time onward.
A short time later he began attending a rural Bible Institute in Chiguata, Arequipa, Peru. He was being discipled, learning about ministry and discerning God´s plan for his life.
After graduating from the Bible school God directed Natán to attend the biblical seminary in Lima to prepare to be a pastor. While studying there he began a relationship with one of the girls from Chiguata, Patricia who would later become his wife.
In 2016 Natán accepted a position as a pastor of a church in Lima, Peru. It was his first time to be the main pastor of an entire church. He was asking God for help, direction and maybe someone who could walk alongside him during this time.
During a visit to the seminary his path crossed with one of his former teachers at the Bible Institute in Chiguata. It was a joyful reunion for both Natán and me, Vikki!
An even greater joy was shared as Natán met my husband Nelson and they began a friendship. Soon after we moved to Lima Natán asked Nelson to work alongside him; to be his mentor and coach as he began discovering what it means to be a pastor of a church.
Natán thought he knew his plans for the future. God stepped in and reshaped those plans.
We thought we knew our plans for our future in Arequipa. God stepped in and reshaped those plans.
We are so thankful for His plans.