I grew up on a farm in Iowa. I gave my life to serve the Lord when I was 18 years old. I attended the University of Northern Iowa, then transferred to Faith Baptist Bible College, in Ankeny, Iowa and graduated with a BA degree.Then I taught five years on a mission station in New Mexico. After going on a missionary apprenticeship program to the Caribean and South America, I became a missionary under Baptist Mid-Missions to Lima, Peru. I taught five years at Fetzer Memorial Academy.
I received my Master Degree in Elementary Education in 1990 from Pensacola Christian College. I also was a register/secretary for Midway Baptist School in San Diego and a secretary for two pastors at Fullerton Evangelical Free Church. I met my husband, Cesar, in Peru.