Education moments: Open opportunities
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Returning home to Guatemala in 2001 after serving in the Costa Rica San Jose Mission, I started school at San Carlos University. The cost of school and the daily travel were extremely difficult for me, so I found a job with Buscamed in 2004 as a common laborer in its sawdust plant.
The work was all consuming. I was lifting heavy sacks during the day. I was sweeping all day in the sun. I thought my body was not going to withstand the work. I went home exhausted. I did not have strength to work in the Church or to spend meaningful time with my family.
I prayed a lot to my Heavenly Father to find a better way to make a living.
I had to study at night and show up at the university on Saturdays. On top of that, I was called as a branch president. I not only had to take care of my family, but also the lives of about 150 members in my branch. At one point, I thought I would have to either stop being branch president or stop going to school.
My wife and I decided to consider and pray about the Perpetual Education Fund. We felt it was the best option to help our economic situation, and we decided to do it. Though the money for school helped relieve some of the stress, I still spent eight more months in the sawdust plant.
Finally, education opened opportunities to work in an office. I went through many interviews and finally was promoted to technical control and assets administrator. For me, this was a huge blessing.
In order to apply for the position, I needed two years at the university, which, thanks to PEF, I had completed at that precise time. The technical schooling was a great blessing for me.
I have now been promoted many times. I have worked as an administrator for four years and make three times more money than I used to.
I see how Heavenly Father has blessed me, and I have told Him so. I testify of this wherever I go. I have not failed in making my payments to the Perpetual Education Fund. — Omar Victorino Perez, Cuilapa Branch, Cuilapa Guatemala District
