Yes, Lord… but Could You Even Send Me? – Colombia

By Dalila Correa

Luis David Páez, 57 years old, is a veterinary doctor and works independently. Here is his story in his words:

My life was deeply affected since childhood, as I was caught up in prostitution and the use of marijuana. I grew up living a double life of appearance before others but had a dark life with street women and so forth.

Before graduating as a veterinarian, my first daughter was born. I was driving a cab on weekends and became more entangled in the dark Before graduating as a veterinarian, my first daughter was born. I was driving a cab on weekends and became more entangled in the dark world of the night. Then I worked selling liquor and other jobs, earning good money but my messy life led me to lose it all.

I separated from the mother of my daughter and had a son with another woman. She left me too, because of my way of living. On several occasions I tried to take my life, and in a hotel, destroyed by separation and loneliness, I was determined to commit the worst.

A New Testament left there spoke to my heart. I read in Galatians, where it says that neither thieves, fornicators, adulterers, or liars would inherit the Kingdom of God. I cried for several hours as I saw all the evil in my heart. I asked God to change me and make me a different person. That day I gave my life to God and He began to work in my life greatly.

I apologized to all the people whom I had offended, from my parents for stealing from them, to married women I had harmed, to young people that I damaged, to my son’s mother for the abortions committed.

I realized that God used the separation of the mothers of my children to show me that true love was not in a person but in Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave His life for this vile sinner. My problems of addiction to pornography and women is something that God has changed in my life greatly.

I traveled to Bogotá penniless but willing to start from scratch. I worked with a veterinary friend for two years and started looking for a church of sound doctrine. Later, I set up a veterinary business and God allowed my son to come and live with me so I can raise him in the fear of our Savior and Lord.

I was discipled for a year and a half in the church that I was attending, with brother Gilberto Vanegas, through Emmaus and Source of Light courses. I discovered then that God gave me the gift of evangelism because I share the Gospel with people easily.

For 15 years I have been working with people with addiction problems, handing out SLM lessons that have been a great blessing to people living in the streets and through which God has worked in their hearts.

I have been married for 10 years to Angela Patricia, with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life. Praise be to God who gave me a new opportunity with a great Christian woman. We are blessed with four children.

We are encouraged to continue sowing the Word of God in people’s hearts. Families are taking a serious and systematic study of the Word of God. It is a great blessing to serve God in His work and see people transformed by His power.

Currently, I am the leader of the congregation, but my greatest desire is to work full time for God, taking the Word of God to all of Colombia, using these wonderful tools to disciple people with His Word.

I know that during all this time, God has been preparing and helping me in the different areas of my life to work for Him. I just can say, “Here I am, send me.”