Testimonies
The greatest adventure of our lives
We arrived in Betel in 1989, very young and, at the same time, broken. Ivan was deep in drug addiction, and Encarni was carrying the “baggage” of a broken family and a chaotic life.
At first, our only goal was for Ivan to kick his habit so he could lead a “normal” life. We never imagined that God had very different plans for us; His ways are always higher than ours. Over time, we both felt that the true purpose of our existence was to serve Jesus, being His feet and His hands on earth. So, we decided to stay at Betel to help others find the same hope that we had received.
Over the course of these 37 years, we have lived the greatest adventure of our lives. A journey that has taken us across three continents, blessed us with three wonderful children who fill us with pride, and given us a global family that has always stood by our side.
For the past 20 years, we have lived and served in Asia, where we’ve had the privilege of witnessing God’s power: restoring lives, healing wounds, and restoring hope to people whom society had already given up on. One example of this is the more than 40 children rescued from a childhood of abuse and deprivation; today they have a new life, many of them pursuing a college education and, above all, a bright future ahead.
Certainly, it has not been an easy journey. There have been battles, opposition, moments of discouragement, illness, and the sadness of seeing those who decide to give up without giving God a chance, walk away. However, the overall outcome is positive. Despite the challenges, we can make the prophet Samuel’s declaration our own: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Gerard’s story
My name is Gerard Fernandez, I’m 41 years old and I am currently a supervisor at Betel Alicante. I want to tell you all my story.
When I was a teenager, I began to have problems with gambling. I started with slot-machines but as the years went by, I began to lead a life of deceit, manipulation, jail, and endless problems.
After entering into various paid rehabilitation centers, my parents were tired of helping me and I had to look for a free place where I could enter of my own accord. I found out about Betel through social media and I decided to try it. After a year and a couple of months, I left. A short time later, I relapsed. I lost my children and my wife, but thanks to God, I had the opportunity to enter into Betel Alicante. Here, with the help and support of my pastors ValentIn and Marisi, I found God’s peace in my life again.
The Lord returned not only my wellbeing to me, but also my children and my family. Because of this, I made the choice to stay here with my family so that I could serve the Lord and give back to Him, in some way, everything that He is doing for me. I am sure that He will continue to help me in everything I do.
We also receive added assistance from such respected secular organizations as the Bournville Village Trust, Aston Reinvestment Trust, The Charities Aid foundation, The TRIODOS Bank, Proyecto Trust, The Frist Fruits Foundation, and many other institutions. We have also signed agreements of collaboration with various local, regional, and state governmental institutions.
Restoration and transformation
My name is Loli, I’m from Malaga, and I’m 58 years old. I come from a broken family. My parents separated and my grandmother raised me. I got married at 16, had two children, and because drugs were so accessible, I fell into addiction. I was in that world for a long time, which led me to separate from my husband and children. I went from one disaster to another, sinking deeper each time. As I see it now, God made a way for me to find Betel Malaga.
I was shattered when I came to Betel. My family, mother and children did not want to have anything to do with me, because of my chaotic life. Betel welcomed me, and my restoration began.
I started to believe in myself again, to believe that I could overcome my addictions, and I began to want to live.
When I arrived, I had no relationship with my mother or children, but as they saw the change in me, and through God’s grace, those relationships were gradually restored.
I got married here in Betel, and we decided to stay and serve in the social program, helping others. I will always be grateful to God, to my pastors, and to my leaders. They gave me an opportunity and I took it.
I am a new person, with new values and principles. I will always be grateful for this opportunity.
A new opportunity
I am Evangelina Nsue. I am 46 years old and I was born in Equatorial Guinea. When I was two years old my father died. Despite this I had the opportunity to go to school, graduate high school and go to university, obtaining a degree in Forestry Engineering.
At the age of 27, I got married and my life changed completely. I had to abandon my profession to take care of the house. The most important thing in this relationship was the birth of my son. My mother, who had been the pillar of my life, fell ill and I could not cope with the fact that she was dying little by little until God took her away. The loss of my mother and my failed marriage led me to a dead end and I started drinking day and night. I felt I had nothing left to do in this world. The only thing that gave me strength to get up in the morning was my son.
My sister contacted Betel. I entered with doubts, but God is wonderful and from the first day, I met the social educator, who made me see the world in a different way. Her professional ethics and her attitude made me see that there was a solution and that God was giving me an opportunity to change my life. She, along with the leadership team did everything possible to bring my son to Betel, which I have always been grateful. Without my son at my side I would not have been able to overcome this situation.
I have felt very welcome here by everyone and in particular the leaders of the house, Lucia, and my pastors Oscar and Nines. I’m grateful for their emotional and spiritual support. They are there for me every day.
I have managed to get out of that dark hole, which I thought was impossible. Now I know that God is giving me the opportunity to change my life and I have to take advantage of it and move forward.