Mary Soltero

My name is Maria Elena Soltero.  Most people call me “Mary”.  I was born in Tucson, Arizona on Meyer Street, which is now in the center of town.  A young Presbyterian missionary went through a small mining town in Mexico about 100 years ago and led my grandparents to the Lord.  My mother than was saved and so I can see God’s faithfulness in my family:  Grandparents, Parents, Me, my children, my grandchildren and on down to my great-grand children all worshiping the Lord.   All of this, because one missionary dared to go!

I asked Jesus into my heart when I was five years old and was baptized at age 10.  I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be a missionary to China or Africa. To prepare myself I attended the Chinese Baptist Church on Sunday afternoons.  I didn’t understand what they were saying but I faithfully continued. 

However, in my early twenties, I chose God’s good (getting married) for God’s best (going to the mission field).

I have divided my life into twenty year segments.  The first twenty years of my life I spent in the home where I grew up.  The second twenty year segment I spent married and raising my four children.  The third twenty year segment I spent working at the University of Arizona as an Academic Advisor.  The fourth twenty year segment I have finally served the Lord in  different capacities in the following countries:  Ecuador, Colombia, Honduras, Peru, and Mexico.  I am now waiting expectantly for my fifth twenty year segment which means being absent from the body will be present with the Lord.