The prophet Amos asked the question, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Most of the world simply does not have our same convictions and this makes it tough for us all, but especially for a believing young man or woman at such an ungodly place as a university. 

Sister Raquel (17 years of age) is a shining light in the city of Medellin, Colombia. She is holding her head high as a daughter of the King, and she found comfort in the one thing that will never leave her. We hope you are encouraged by her testimony; we certainly were! 

God bless you, dear brothers and sisters.

I hope this testimony will help someone.

My name is Raquel. I am 17 years old and I live in Medellín, Colombia. In February this year, I started a music preparatory in the university; the instrument I play is the viola. I was very excited to start college, since it would be a new experience for me. Time went on and I got to know people playing other instruments, and started taking part in the students' orchestra.

Months later, I began to feel discouraged. I just felt I couldn’t fit in this place. I was like a sheep among wolves: homosexuality, drugs, smokers, and insane people; that was just one part of what I had to see daily, not to mention that some days students rioted in the campus (sometimes the university needs to be evacuated).

It seemed I was by myself, as even my “Christian” classmates didn’t act as such. On top of that, you could feel an overwhelming atmosphere of egocentricity when entering the faculty of music. I tried to remain strong through this situation, it was like going against the current. I felt so sad about this delirious world full of evil everywhere. It was then when I realized that my best Friend was Jesus Christ, and that I wasn’t alone, and the only way I could let off the pressure was in His arms, my only shelter, and the place to run to is that PRECIOUS ROCK OF AGES.

There’s been a quote painted on a wall inside the university that has caught my attention. It says, “If you don’t burn, if I don’t burn, if we don’t burn, who will light up the darkness?” It seemed like God was reminding me that if I don’t make His Light shine there, who would? We must be SHINING lights. Out of all this, I’ve learned to hold onto Him only, loving Him even more. The tapes have been my anchor, my lighthouse during the storm, and the testimonies from VGR have really, really helped me.

I take along in my viola case the lapel pins for “Tape Girl”, “YF”, “Quiet Time” and one with the picture of Hoffman's head of Christ. They have helped me as a testimony of my faith. Brother, Sister, if you are going through something similar, where it looks so dark, do not worry, there is a Man here that can turn on the light. And if He was not ashamed of us, why should we be ashamed of Him? Let’s show proudly to the world that we are His.

God Bless you.

Your sister in Christ,

Raquel Peralta

Colombia