Paco and Elena

Paco and Elena each came to Pan de Vida from different paths with a passion to serve God.
God used that desire to bring them together.

Elena, who is from Texas, heard about Pan de Vida from a missionary. She wanted to serve God with her passion for the Spanish language and helpìng children. She came to Pan de Vida last June with the intention to volunteer for a year.

“I recognize the hand of God’s blessing on this place, ” Elena said.

Paco, who is from the state of Tlaxcala in Mexico, was praying for direction in ministry. He was invited by Tio Dario, the general director of Pan de Vida, to help in construction and maintenance. He came to Pan de Vida a day after Elena arrived.

“I felt God leading me here,” Paco said.

Paco started helping welding and maintenance and Elena starting teaching junior high and high school students last fall. They both teach Sunday School classes.

Paco and Elena and some other volunteers hung out in their free time. When the other volunteers left, they continued to spend time together. After prayer and fasting, Paco and Elena started dating last August. They wanted their relationship to be pleasing to God.

Their relationship grew and Paco and Elena got engaged last January and are getting married on August 11.

Elena and Paco are thinking of spending two more years at Pan de Vida to help meet the needs of the children. They would like to be missionaries and plant churches in Mexico.

They are committed to serve despite the sacrifices and challenges of missionary life.

“We want to give it all up for God,” they said.