Hi, everyone,
Thank you for stopping by my blog. My name is Karla Oliver-Ayala, I was born in El Salvador. I’m married to a lovely man of God named Kevin; I also have a daughter Abigail.
I’m the youngest of 7 and was raised with 2 brothers and 4 sisters. During my childhood, the things I enjoyed the most were jumping barefoot in the puddles when it rained, star gazing, riding my bicycle, and climbing trees. When I was little, I always had pets: dogs, birds, raccoons, fish, and even monkeys.
Ever since I can remember I always felt the need of helping others. I always had a connection with the less fortunate.
When I was little my dad and I drove back and forth from El Salvador to the United States using a paper map. Without a doubt, God was preparing me for the missionary field!
I was raised Catholic, and even when I didn’t know how to have a relationship with the Lord growing up, I can see His Hand and His covering all throughout my life. Growing up I was an avid swimmer and a dedicated student. I attended college in San Salvador where I received my BA in Arts and a dual Major in Communication and Public Relations.
After graduating, I moved to the States for good, and I started working as an Assistant Teacher and Summer Camp specialist at a Montessori School where I developed my passion for working with children. However, while visiting my homeland in 2001, an earthquake took place and in 45 seconds I lost most of my childhood friends and neighbors. In an effort to help find their bodies I decided to join a volunteer disaster relief group called Los Topos. I went to Mexico to receive training in organization, evacuation for emergencies, and disaster preparedness. I wanted to help others in any way I could. For the next couple of months, I led workshops and consulted schools in developing their disaster plans. However, I found myself depressed, hopeless, fearful, anxious, struggling with PTSD, and dealing with survivor’s guilt. Little did I know again that God was going to use that tragedy and my brokenness to spring me towards HIS calling for my life!
In 2003, my life changed forever when I had my daughter Abigail, and I committed my life to Jesus! It was the most joyous change I could have experienced. I made the decision of pursuing God, and in return, HE blessed me with HIS covering love, and mercy. He redeemed my brokenness. I re-discovered myself, my love for nature, and my passion for serving others. I started participating and leading many short-term mission trips to Haiti, Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Asheville, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, New Mexico, and more. Everywhere I went I observed the same problems: People struggling with hopelessness, shame, depression, Suicide, Addiction, Poverty, sex trafficking, false religions, and abuse.
Then I came about Beauty for Ashes, this is a ministry that exists to share God’s restoration, hope, and healing with women through ministry and training. I was thrilled! This ministry desires to see women of all nations serving as Christ’s ambassadors for change, healing, and freedom in their homes, communities, and cultures. I started by taking the Facilitator training and asking the leaders at my church if they would let me share with the women at the church. I was invited several times to speak and share God’s good news and to lead a weekly Bible Study.
Many things have changed. I’ve changed! But one thing remains… my faith and my commitment to live my life to the fullest each and every day and to continue to share about God’s love, His redemptive power, to share the gospel, and to continue to work towards the expansion of God’s Kingdom on earth.
