“ Gate 3 with service to Cusco is now boarding . Gate 3 with service to Cusco is now boarding .”
My heart was racing , butterflies were swelling up my stomach and I could feel my breakfast on the verge of spewing out . This was a nightmare that had come to my life . I have never flew on a plane before and I never had any desire to . One person was responsible for all my horror , and her name was Carmen Inugay .
It all began in 2002 when she visited my church and presented the [ Children of Jesus ] program that centered on helping the children . Our church promptly started the program . Two years later , Sister Carmen would return to ask for prayer and support in an event in 2005 which expected to have 50,000 children attend . Seeing all the miracles the COJ program had brought to my church , I gladly volunteered to help .
After a fruitful crusade , I continued to volunteer whenever I had time after my job . But in June of 2006 , Sister Carmen asked if I would be willing to work for the COJ ministry in a full time position . I knew God had given me the gift of serving and prayer so I gladly accepted the position , not entirely aware of what was to come .
In matter of months , Sister Carmen asked me to do something that brought me to halt . “ You are flying with me to visit a few churches in Cusco .” I pleaded with her to find someone else and shared my fear of flying with her , but to no avail .
“ Let ’ s go ! Let nothing stop you from doing His work ,” she said .
As we lined up to board the plane , I pleaded one last time for me to stay in Lima . Sister Carmen reassured that she would be seated right next to me and everything would be okay . When my fears did not cease , she suggested we pray for peace . That calmed my nerves and an hour and a half later , we landed in Cusco safe and sound , just as she prayed for .
That was the type of person Carmen Inugay was . She had an unwavering faith in God . She always seemed fearless and certain of herself . I could tell that she had her share of worries and doubts as well . But whenever those feelings arose , without hesitation , she would drop on her knees and pray for her faith to be strengthened .
Despite her age , she would endure any obstacle to help those who needed a helping hand . She was tireless in doing everything for God and her zeal for the COJ ministry was infectious . I would often see tired and burned out pastors become passionate and determined more than ever after meeting with Sister Carmen . She had a certain charisma about her that uplifted the burdened , broken spirits of the children she touched . But her love did not stop there , countless families and members of the communities she visited would have their lives recommitted to God after talking to her .
I experienced so much of Jesus ’ love by simply being in the presence of Sister Carmen . Up until her last breaths on this earth , her heart and prayers were still for God to protect and guide others .
On paper , she was my boss . But she was so much more to me . She was my best friend , my rock through the storms seasons , my shoulder to cry on and the light to many amidst the darkness . She completely dedicated herself to the work of the Lord . I know she is in Heaven now right next to our Father God . I can almost hear her encouraging cries as I continue to fly to children all across Peru to share God ’ s love . “ Go ! Let nothing stop you from doing His work !” -Clara E . Paredes ( Lima , Peru )
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