You may be asking yourself, "Who are these people, the Mingo family?". Or you may have even met us but maybe don't know much about us so we would like to share with you who we really are, what we do and what we believe.
Adrian's Story
I was born and grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of the largest cities in the world. At a young age I began to work, and thus, met many new friends. As is in most big cities, there were many new things to experience and I did just that. My father worked many long hours and therefore there was not a lot of communication between us. When I reached my teenage years I had many questions about life and what it had in store for me. I began looking to my friends for answers. One of these so called "friends" offered me something new "that would change my life completely". My friend was right. For the next 8 years not a day went by that I was not stoned on drugs and alcohol. All began with one small cigarette of marihuana. I often thought of quitting, and at first, I believed I had the power to do so. I never realized it when I crossed that fine line, where I no longer controlled the drugs, but the drugs controlled me. At the age of 23, I was invited to a Word of Life summer camp in Argentina, where I heard that Jesus Christ, God's only son, had come to earth as a baby and then died on a cross for the sins of the world. I had heard the story before, but the that night I realized that my problem went much deeper than drugs, alcohol or any other vice. My problem was sin. I saw that the only thing that could fix that problem was faith in what Christ had done for me on that cross. I asked Jesus to come into my life and save me from my sin and eternal damnation in hell that night and thus, I began a personal relationship with my Savior. My life did not change instantly but as the Bible says, I did become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) and God began working in me. After 4 years of studying at the Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina I graduated and married Cheryl. Together we decided to become missionaries with Word of Life Fellowship, an international organization that works with young people in 37 countries around the world. After 7 years of living and working in Panama City, Panama we felt that God was calling us to a ministry in Nicaragua with Chosen Children Ministries.. I never dreamed I would be who I am today, or where I am today, or have what I have today, a wonderful family. But more importantly, I have the assurance that when I die, I will go to heaven because I have believed on Jesus Christ as my personal and only Savior. How about you?
Cheryl's Story
I was born in Washington state and had the privilege of growing up in a wonderful Christian home. We always went to church and we were taught about the Bible at home as well. I realized when I was six years old that, in spite of my Christian heritage, I did not have a personal relationship with God. I wanted to go to heaven and knew that I must believe and accept that Jesus died for my sins on the cross and rose again so that I too could have eternal life. I prayed and asked God for forgiveness of my sins, recognizing that, even though I was only six, I was a sinner (Romans 3:23) and I received the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23) that He so freely gives to anyone who calls upon Him. There was nothing I could do to earn that gift...going to church, being good, etc. It was a free gift and I accepted that gift. As I grew up I learned more about the Bible and had the desire to be a missionary, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others in a Spanish speaking country. I went to the Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina and met Adrian there my first year. After 2 1/2 years of dating we got married in Tacoma, WA. and have been enjoying each other ever since.
We have six children, Keila (16), Noelia (15), Micael (12), Lorena (10), Alexandra (8) and Natalia (8). We work with Chosen Children Ministries, an organization that is dedicated to reaching the children of Nicaragua by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. We are specifically working with church planting and leadership training because we feel that is important to reach the parents and leaders of these children and train them to live godly lives that glorify Christ.
If you would like more information on how you too can have forgiveness of sins, a peace that passes all understanding, and an eternal home in heaven please contact us! mingos@themingos.com
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