Marleny Mijahuanga is a young mother of two girls and a loyal listener of Radio Nuevo Tiempo in Lima, Peru, on 103.3 FM. At 5 a.m., she is ready for work. She climbs into the public transport vehicle, where she works collecting fares, and begins to encourage passengers to get into the car: “Lima, Lima! Get in, sir.”

The public transport vehicles are called los chosicanos and characterized by the high volume of music played during the trip from the district of Chosica to the center of Lima (two-to-three hours of travel), very common in the nation’s capital.

Marleny has a long day ahead of her, but she is in good spirits. "It's hard work and tiring, but you get through the day listening to Radio Nuevo Tiempo," she says. Despite having a past she doesn't want to remember, having two daughters by her side motivates her to continue.

At the age of 11, Marleny left home for fear of being sexually abused by one of her uncles. She arrived in Lima when she was 17, and there she met a man who seemed to give her the security and happiness for which she was looking. However, as time went by, she became pregnant, and everything changed.

Marleny’s strength was exhausted. The physical and emotional violence she experienced took the shine from her eyes to such an extent that she decided to extinguish her life and that of her daughters. However, she could not, for the One who owns her life had a better plan.

Encountering the Radio

Marleny went out to look for work and met Brayan, a driver for un chosicano, and he offered her the job to collect fares on the condition that they would not work on Saturdays. At first, she did not question and simply accepted the deal. As the days passed, Brayan recommended that Marleny listen to Radio Nuevo Tiempo on her cell phone, and she downloaded the application. "While I was getting ready, I listened to the radio, and that began to give me peace of mind, to feel more confident, and my attitude towards life began to change," she says.

When leaving for work, Marleny would place the signal of Radio Nuevo Tiempo in the public transport vehicle so passengers could benefit from the programming of the station that brings peace and hope. However, people asked to change the radio. "What does that music teach you? Nothing! It teaches you nothing. Instead, this radio strengthens you," Marleny replied in protest.

Throughout her route, Marleny tunes in to 103.3 FM, the latest frequency acquired by Nuevo Tiempo Peru thanks to the contribution of the Adventist Church worldwide, in South America and Peru, through the Nuevo Tiempo 2022 Annual Offering.

To reinforce her biblical knowledge and strengthen her faith in God, Brayan helped Marleny study the Bible, and finally, she was baptized in the Seventh-day Adventist Church on the day of the celebration for the acquisition of 103.3 FM.

Today, Marleny is deeply grateful to have access to the radio that is changing her life and encourages listeners to participate, this July 22, in the New Time 2023 Annual Offering, the proceeds of which will support the maintenance and sustainability of radio and television equipment and antennas in Peru. You can join this crusade through the collection account in dollars BCP: 193-1552758-1-32.

Marleny's story has been published in a short film to encourage more people to find Jesus through Radio Nuevo Tiempo Peru. Watch the full video here.

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.