Gonzalo Carrion’s Testimony
This testimony is written for anyone who is interested in having the peace of
God, and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
My name is
Gonzalo Carrion and I’m Ecuadorian, born March 9th, 1944 out in the
countryside of Azuay province, southeast of the city of Cuenca. I was educated
in the little country school of a village called Susudel until I finished the
fourth grade. Later I worked as a farm laborer until I was fifteen years old.
Afterwards my mother and I
moved to the beautiful city of Cuenca where I learned the vocation of a jewelry
crafter. From this art I earned a living to support us.
When I was twenty-one I
married a woman of my own faith and we worked together in crafting jewelry.
We had four children who we wanted to raise up to be like ourselves. With my
strong macho-type character, what I did was alienate my children and wife. I
mistreated them. That’s what the big wigs did in the so-called ”society” which
I tried so hard to be imitate in evil. I lost all peace and instead of
bettering my relationship with my family, things got worse day by day with my
family and those with whom I associated. I spent my money on women. I followed
the saying, “You don’t get ahead, but you enjoy yourself.”
One day when I had an
adventure planned, the girl didn’t show up and I went home disgusted. I didn’t
take my family out either. I just told my oldest son to put the TV on. PTL
Club was on and a man was giving his testimony. All he said sounded just like
the adventures of my life. He had money. He spent it on women. He smoked,
drank, and lied. After he told of his past life, he explained that the Lord had
forgiven him for all of this. He said he was a new creation. Hearing that, I
wanted the Lord to forgive me, too. I was seeking forgiveness, but didn’t find
it. I said, “Where is this Jesus who forgives sins?” It was impossible to find
peace. So I asked my wife if we had ever done any thing for the Lord. She said
that we hadn’t. This just added to my anguish and desperation. I wanted a
solution for this terrible burden. I couldn’t go on living with this thorn.
Finally the moment came in
which I confessed to my wife the way in which I had betrayed her. I could no
longer continue hide my betrayals from her. I said, “I want to tell you the
truth. I haven’t been faithful to you. I’ve betrayed you, but I’m tired of
lying. Forgive me. I don’t want to go on lying.” I told her all and began to
cry like a little child.
I repented of all the evil
I had done to my family. After this confession, a peace I had never known
filled my heart. I had a precious experience. Finally Jesus had come into my
life. I was a new creature. God began to work in my family. Besides that,
people I had hated, I now loved. Before, I couldn’t stand the Evangelicals.
Now I loved them.
The Lord permitted me to
see great miracles which He did though an American missionary. I hated him
before I knew Christ. Now the Lord united us and we walked together in the
Christian life, looking for lost souls. Twenty-four years later, I can say that
no one could separate us. We’re family. God has added many more to this family
and several congregations. We desire that God would continue changing lives and
that those who give their lives to the Lord would have peace which He gives to
those who seek Him sincerely in humility.
For myself—I’m very
blessed. All my kids serve the Lord, from the youngest to the oldest. If it
hadn’t been for the Lord my family would have been a failure. He rescued us and
enabled us to tell how great His mercy is with those sinners who seek Him and
really want to have changed lives.
As an unworthy servant, I,
Gonzalo Carrion, want to thank the Lord for blessing me with brethren who have
helped us from the start of our relation with the Lord. They are the Simpson
family. May the Lord richly bless them to overflowing for all the time, love,
and unfailing patience with us and the congregations the Lord has committed to
our care.
And to you, our friends who
read this; May the Lord bless you in Christ Jesus, our Lord, and Lord of all
Heaven and earth. To Him be all the honor and glory for all eternity.
In Him,
the Carrion Family (2nd Corinthians 9:8-15)
