From Chile to Ipswich

Danny was born and brought up in Chile and first came to Britain in 1987 to assist evangelist Don Double, ministering across the UK. He subsequently moved to London and worked as a telecoms engineer for Mercury communications, based in Fulham. Returning to Chile in 1996, he responded to a call to the ministry that had been in the background of his life for many years, and he became a pastor in 2003.

Danny said that coming to serve in the church in the UK had been far from his mind originally. “My wife had said to me that it was time to think about moving to a new post, but I was reluctant to make a change. Some friends from England visited us and we prayed together, which cleared my mind of fear and helped me to accept whatever the Lord had planned for me.”

 

“Being unsure of the way ahead” he said “I spoke to the Archdeacon and we wrote to several friends, including Bishop Henry Scriven. It so happened that Revd John Battman, who lives here in Ipswich and is involved with mission work in South America, had also been in touch with the Bishop, explaining the need for a new minister at the All Saints and Triangle churches in Ipswich. We were put in touch and when I saw details of the position it really jumped out at me, although there were several other possibilities. I just felt Ipswich was somewhere where I could minister.”

 

“Anyway, we had no money available for me to come over for interview, so I asked if I could be interviewed via Skype. This was not possible, and we thought that might be that, but we said if God is in this he will provide, and just three days later someone gave me the money to fly over for interview - the first of several indications that this was the right move.”

 

The move is a big one for the whole family, and members of the church in Ipswich have helped by providing furnishings and equipment for the new house, as nearly all the family’s larger possessions had to be left behind. Danny’s wife, Ary, is a physiotherapist; oldest son, Samuel (19), is hoping to take part in a Discipleship Training School with YWAM at Lausanne; Michael (17), will be going to Suffolk New College and Andrew (11), will be attending St Matthews school. Danny said that, although this is a major change for them, they are all looking forward to starting their new life.

 

“God has provided every step of the way” he said. “I didn’t ask to be here, God has led, and I think he must have something planned for us; so we look forward to see what he will do. I must add that we have always worked as a family – a real family ministry. And quite a few people in Chile are praying for us and for Ipswich. There is an awareness that something is happening in the UK at the moment, perhaps a time of reaping.”