“I Lost My Way, Yet He Found Me!”

By Dalila Correa

I am Ianna from the Philippines. I knew Jesus since high school, but later on started living behind Him. When I finished college I got in a relationship with a lesbian for 15 years, and because of my willingness to obey God, He used my cousin to separate me of her (I see that now). I got in jail because of my cousin who convinced me to work abroad for one month parttime, to buy jewelry and bring back to her, so I agree with that. I left my country without saying goodbye to my family and my girlfriend. When I got in Lima, Peru, I realized that it was drug trafficking, so I asked my cousin to bring me back home, but she did not listen, so I did not have success with this, and even was threatened that something could happen to my family. So I was arrested.

I called my family to tell them that I was in jail and asked them for forgiveness. I heard my father crying. For two years in jail God did not leave me. I started attending Bible studies in prison, taught by Dalila Correa, a missionary with Source of Light Peru. God taught me a lot, the difference of trying to be independent and far from my family that did not approve what I was doing. He showed me His unconditional love, that it was me who left Him but He did not leave me, so I got hold on His promise and asked Him to help me. God taught me that He did not forget me or forsake me. 

After two years in jail, I got the benefit to be released and go out on parole. Now I am out of jail and continue seeking God. I was baptized in April 2014. God continues working in my life and I still face difficulties. My parents died, but I couldn’t be at home because I can’t leave the country yet. I still need to complete my sentence. I almost gave up, but God is still giving me hope in every battle. I got a job, a safe house to sleep, and friends that I can rely on when I need them, a small group, and family church. Everything I need God gave…now. He still continues to work in my life. I praise Him for all He did and does for me. I don’t know yet what I will do at completing my sentence; to go back to my country or stay in Peru, but I know He will show me the path.