Carlos Bermeo’s Testimony
When I was fulfilling my military obligation in 1986, I contracted a kidney disease. The doctor diagnosed the bleeding as from an unknown source or disease. After a while in the military hospital, I was discharged to await the results of the lab work to find the cause of the problem. I returned to my battalion for complete rest for two months in the infirmary. I couldn’t do any physical activity because it would produce another attack of blood in my urinary tract. A few days before I was to get out of the infirmary, some relatives who were evangelical Christians came and talked to me about the Gospel and the wonderful gift that God offered me for my life. I recognized my need for God and salvation. I then received this wonderful gift, eternal life. Together with the salvation of my soul, God, in His love and mercy healed my body, as well. My kidneys were restored completely by the healing power of the Lord. Hallelujah! I was able to finish my military service and I received the level of sergeant in the reserves.
Back in civilian life I began to attend the Christian Church, Love and Peace (Amor y Paz), pastored by Gonzalo Carrion. There I was able to mature and grow in the Christian life. I was grateful to the Lord for the changes He had made in my life and I desired that He do His will in my life. God, in His mercy, began to awaken in me a love and concern for people that didn’t know His love and forgiveness and, therefore, had not received the wonderful gift of eternal life from God.
For about five years I worked as youth leader. During this time the Lord also used me in the congregation by teaching and preaching. In 1992 God began to work in me in a special way. At first I didn’t understand that He was calling me into full-time work for Him. I was crazy about my work and profession as an industrial mechanic and was working in a workshop, using my skills.
By August I could no longer resist this calling, so I gave my resignation at my work and presented myself at the church as a volunteer to serve the Lord. By this time the Lord had permitted me to receive some theological training.
When I was twenty-five years old, in 1993, I married Mery Carrion Arevalo. She’s another precious gift that God has given me. She had been working with her parents in the church planting. Together we formed a team. In that same year the church leaders laid their hands on us to set us apart for ministry. We began by working for the Lord in the town of Azogues for two years. Mery worked in the music ministry and with the children and I worked with the adults.
After beginning the church in Azogues we went to the coast where we continued in ministry for two years in Guayas and El Oro. Then we returned to Azogues and the church we had formed there. Today we are battling there along with the church with the vision to grow and share the Gospel in this tremendously idolatrous city. Our greatest battle is to free people from idolatry and we have seen some lives changed by the power of God. There’s much work to be done, sharing the Gospel that is the power of God given to men for salvation.
As I write this I feel concerned that we have been able to do so little to extend the Kingdom of God, but I trust the Lord, gratefully knowing that He in His love and mercy will give us new strength and aid to continue moving ahead with His calling. We’ve learned this meaning of success--to be in the place where God has put us and to be doing what He has given us to do. So here, I add myself to what Paul said, and my wife, as well, “…I count not myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:13, 14
Mery Carrion’s Testimony
I was born in Cuenca, Ecuador, on October 2nd, 1971. I came to know the Lord Jesus when I was six years old. My parents, Gonzalo and Esperanza Carrión guided me along in my spiritual life with good Bible principles. When I was fourteen my ministry began along side my parents. We went from one place to another evangelizing. While they discipled adults, I did the same with children. I also was involved in music ministry. Thus, I worked alongside my parents until I was twenty years old.
In 1992 I met my future husband, Carlos Bermeo. He became involved in the youth ministry of the Amor y Paz Church and came to be the youth leader. We were married on April 16, 1993. The same year we were set apart for ministry on July 18th. Thus, our lives were joined and we began a wonderful team ministry. Carlos would bring the Word and disciple new believers and I led the music and taught the love of God to the children.
Our first place of service was Azogues for two years. Later we traveled toward the coast to a city called El Triunfo (Triumph) near Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Next we went on to Machala, where we worked for one year. After these areas of ministry, we returned to Azogues.
The blessings of the Lord have never ended and one of the greatest blessings is our children. Our first little one was Kimberly and later Carlitos Jr. came along. God has been with us always, giving us strength to continue on in His work. (2 Samuel 22:33)
We established a church in Azogues and we are still ministering there to this day. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for giving us this wonderful work.
I’m grateful, too, that God gave me a happy home.
I’m thankful to my parents for helping me to grow spiritually.
I’m thankful for the Simpson Family, who brought us the Gospel.
I’m thankful to Young Min Lee and his wife for helping me to develop my music ministry.
I want to end this testimony with the words of the Apostle Paul: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14)
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