Lidia Furelos
Salvation Experience
I was born in Córdoba, Argentina. My parents, Modesto and Constancia Zalazar dedicated their life to serve our Lord and Savior. They always had one room in our home to worship the Lord, to praise His name. We used to go house by house inviting people to the service.
They preach and explain the love of God; Sometimes getting together in the street corner, we started singing and telling others about Jesus. Papá always has the promise of Isaiah 55:11 "So is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it".
I was born in a Christian home. What a blessing! My parents taught me about Jesus. Every day we had Bible Devotional, where we read and memorize verses of the Bible, and sang praises to the Lord.
In our neighborhood, there were families where their children did not read or write. Their parents talk to our parents if would be possible for me to teach their children. It was a very unique experience. In the Summer, Mamá would prepare lemonade with cookies and in Winter hot chocolate with homemade bread and cookies. Children were so happy and... I did too. There were times we went with the children to the Barrio Square, teach them the word of God, sang praises, learn a Bible verse and everybody left singing what they learned. What a joy ! Never forget.
The time came when Papá did start visiting some big and small cities in different parts of Argentina, also in Bolivia and Chile. The Lord was helping him to take the Word of God to so many people. Sometimes he went by train or by bus. Mamá went with him sometimes and my older sister and brothers were taking care of us.
The marvelous time came when the Lord provided a Bible Coach, papá fixed it, some brothers came to help him and the coach was full of Bibles, New Testaments, Christian magazines, clothes for so many people in need, they all were so happy and grateful and later many of them went to the services. It was great to see the Lord's help.
In 1968, I came to USA. I attended the 1st Baptist Church in San Francisco. The choir director invited me to go to the choir practice, just wonderful. To me was like a dream. They all were so nice and friendly. Then I went to 1st Baptist Church in San Francisco. I did start learning English in the International Institute in San Francisco and also going to the school as well.
I met Jorge, my husband in the Spanish Church in San Francisco. In July 1970 we got married. My brother lived in San Leandro. As my parents were planning to come to visit us, we prayed asking the Lord for a house to buy. Everything went quite smooth and we bought our home; it was like a dream coming true. We enjoyed their company so much and took them to 3Crosses in Castro Valley. When they saw such a big building, the 3Crosses in front of the church, people so friendly and all singing praises to the Lord. Other Sundays we took them to different Spanish Churches in the bay area as well. They preached, tell congregation different experiences. They really felt welcome, happy and blessed.
I went to the School in San Leandro, took classes, really wanted to learn about USA and it was my dream to become US Citizen. One of the teachers asked me if I could teach one of his Spanish class about Argentina and also to teach them Spanish, show pictures and just to make the class attractive and interesting. My husband helped me to prepare all the material needed and we accomplished our purpose. Very happy and grateful to the Lord. When I finish the courses in San Leandro High, decided to go to Chabot College.
I was looking for a job. In the morning went to different places among them one of San Leandro Bank. the manager and his assistant were very help full. They took me different tests and thanks God I was feeling his company and over having a lot of peace. Well, when I finished and gave my tests to the manager ask me when I could start working and I said Now... The next week I was able to start working. They needed Spanish speaking and I loved to be helping in whatever was necessary. I went to training and that was the beginning in the bank where I worked for over 28 years. I started as teller, Customer Service, New Accounts and with the time they offered me to be working in Investment. The training was necessary and over all I enjoy my job. If my customer was bringing a problem... my goal was to see him leaving with and smile... I had the blessing to participate in awards and win some of them. The awards were beautiful and very challenging. Had the opportunity to go to Cancún, and visit beautiful places, there were excursions and seemed always were surprises around the corner. Also visited New Orleans, San Francisco, Monterrey and many excursions to different places. Also had the opportunity to meet different employees from different branches coming to enjoy their awards. In all the circumstances Jorge was coming with us, and that made a lot of difference.
While I was working so hard in the Bank I was attending Chabot College. I was able to finish my Degree of Associate of Arts and Associate in Arts in Human Services.
I had the promise from my Lord in Isaiah 58:9 "Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."
As we were attending our Church in Castro Valley, Pastor Leonetti from 1st Baptist Church in Union City, ask us If we could help in the Church as he needed to go to Argentina with all his family. Well, there was another time to be praying and asking direction from the Lord. Yes, they left and we helped as much as we could. I was helping in the music, the class for teen age girls in Sunday School and serving the Lord were ever was needed. It was a real blessing serving the Lord with all brothers and sister. The Pastor came back and we notice the place it was getting smaller. We started working together, just baking cookies and cakes and selling to the members. They all love it and starting having plans how to enlarge the place. We had the land, the church was getting smaller so we said, What can we do? Brothers did start working permission from the city, and we all started working and cooperating in the best way. We decided to work making Flea Markets on Saturdays. Took months of dedication to be working, brothers and sisters were ready to cooperate and singing... "If we all work together and in peace... what a joy that will be."
The time came when the Lord help us from the beginning to the end. Many brothers had ideas how to work in construction, all were doing different jobs but all serving the Lord. The day came and we finish our beautiful building were we all did our best to finish for the Lord. "Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessings see what God had done..."
"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good. His love endures forever." Jeremiah 33:11
God Bless you,
Lidia Z. Furelos
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