I was born in 1977 in Tucuman (Northwest Argentina) in extremely humble circumstances. My parents separated when I was a child, and I grew up essentially alone. At age 8 I moved to Mar del Plata, and a year later I was forced into the dark world of child labor. Five years later, a miracle occurred. The missionaries visited and taught one of our neighbors and she shared the message with me. Shortly afterwards, I joined the Church.

From that moment, a new world opened up for me where there was room for hope. I did all kinds of menial work and, step by step, I learned different ways of making a living, such as house painter and auto mechanic's assistant.

At age 19, I had the privilege of serving as a missionary in the Chile Valdivia Mission.

Thanks to my missionary companions and other great people I met, I came to know that if I wanted to escape from the poverty I had lived in, it was necessary for me to get some training. But when I returned home, I was again confronted by my reality. My desire was great, but there was just no opportunity.

Meanwhile, I met the one who would become my wife, Paula, and we were sealed in 2002 in the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple. Later on, our family expanded as the Lord sent us our beautiful daughter Sofia.

Necessities were many and money was scarce. I had to work many hours each day, limiting time for family and Church service. I wanted to serve and felt spiritually prepared, but I was unable because of a lack of time.

Finally, the Lord sent us the blessing of the Perpetual Education Fund. I requested a loan in order to pursue a technical course in radiology. After difficult years of study, in 2007 I obtained my degree and found work right away in the Children's Hospital, the most important hospital in the city and in the region.

I am paying back the loan as I earn more than double what I used to earn. But this isn't just about money — I feel that I am doing a job that is truly important. Every day, many children have tests performed for their cure or treatment. I am very thankful to be able to serve through my work. And this isn't where it ends. I am going to continue studying, and this time I hope to graduate as a trauma physician.

I currently serve as a member of the high council in the Mar del Plata Argentina Stake. Thanks to the Perpetual Education Fund, I can better serve in the Church. I am living a totally different life, a better life in every way. I have come to better understand true doctrine, to better comprehend what God is to me and to seek to be more like Him. — Carlos Alberto Suarez