Hello! Our names are Juan and Lucy Fernandez. This is our testimony of being instruments of His Glory through Life Together Nicaragua.
Before we both started working for Life Together Nicaragua, we owned our own transportation company. We had many buses and vans in our fleet and had many drivers who worked for us. Lucy was the company bookkeeper, and I oversaw the operation of our company. It was through this business that in 2013, we were introduced to Tim and Amy Taylor. Our mutual friend introduced us as LTN was looking for a transportation company for their mission teams. Little did we know at that time what God was planning and how He would change our lives.
Between 2013 and 2018, our transportation company thrived. We lived a good life and had a lot of money in the bank. We lived without fear. We lived with little to no worries. We lived comfortably. That life we knew quickly came to a halt in 2018 when Nicaragua went through a difficult period, the country shut down, schools stopped running, and tourism stopped altogether. Our livelihood quickly diminished. Without schools and tourism happening, our transportation company ceased its work. In order to pay our bills, we quickly ran through our savings account. We had to sell our buses and vans, and by the end of 2018, we had $100 to our name.
It was in 2019 that Tim and Amy asked if I would drive a bus for their school program. I knew I had to do it to provide for my family, but inside, there was turmoil. I questioned God why He would put me in a lower position than a bus driver? I was proud and got angry with God. However, at the time, I didn’t understand that God had to help me release my pride for Him to use me in ways I never imagined. In 2020, the Taylors had to leave Nicaragua because of Tim’s health. It was then that they offered us a full-time job. Lucy as LTN’s bookkeeper and me as the Legal Representative. We never imagined our lives and jobs would be centered full-time in ministry and the community of Cristo Rey, but it was God’s will, and we knew He brought us to this place.
Through working in Cristo Rey and for LTN, we have learned to love the children of this community. We have learned to reach for God’s mercy during difficult times in our lives. We have seen God heal Lucy from severe allergies. We have learned to trust God with every aspect of our work and personal lives. We have found purpose, and we are being used by God to love. We have been blessed with wonderful co-workers who are now part of our family. We serve alongside them with all of our strength.
Finally, we pray to our Lord that He will continue to allow us to be instruments of His Glory and that our greatest desire is to be a living witness of how great a love our God is in our lives. All we can say to Him is thank you.
To our brothers and sisters in Christ in the United States and the Board of Directors, we thank you for your support of LTN. We thank you for your commitment to this ministry and the families of Cristo Rey. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your family. We ask the Lord to bless you as you are making a difference in the lives of the families of Cristo Rey.
