In the fall of 2024, Fiorella arrived in Columbus from Peru, stepping into a brand-new chapter of life at OSU.
Just one day after landing, she stopped by an IFI table on campus, where she was warmly welcomed by students and staff from Latin America. It didn’t take long for her to find her place, building friendships, attending gatherings, and eventually joining a weekly Bible discussion led by Bob, Karen, and Fabi, IFI Columbus staff.
One Friday during a Bible discussion, Fiorella asked a simple but profound question:
“How can I make sure I have Jesus in my life?”
That conversation stayed with her. Though she didn’t share it right away, that same night, Fiorella chose to accept Jesus into her life. From that moment on, her faith began to grow in visible and meaningful ways.
“I believed in God since I was a child,” Fiorella said. “But my trust and love for Jesus have grown so much since that day. I now have a personal, close relationship with Him.”
Fiorella’s journey hasn’t been without hardship. Her father left when she was just three years old, and her mother raised her and her siblings on her own.
Yet even amid difficulty, Fiorella has seen God at work. She began studying the Bible with her sister-in-law and intentionally sharing her faith with her family back in Peru.
“Jesus has given me a level of peace I didn’t have before,” Fiorella said. “Through the difficult moments, I’ve learned to give Him my worries and fears. He is my refuge, my safe place. I know He is in control of everything.”
A few months later, Fiorella felt ready to take the next step: baptism. Surrounded by friends in Columbus and family watching the Zoom stream from Peru, she shared her testimony in both English and Spanish. It was a powerful moment, reflecting a life of transformation.
“I’m very grateful to God for everything He is giving me,” Fiorella shared. “He has allowed me to meet wonderful people here— people with beautiful hearts who have welcomed me and shown me so much love. Being far from my family is not easy, but having people like them in my life brings great comfort to my heart.”
Today, Fiorella continues to grow, trusting God with her future and praying her family will come to know His love, too.