“ 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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