Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

Miss Kelly: when a woman decides to ignite a movement

In Jicamarca, in Lima, Peru, God chose to begin something unexpected through Miss Kelly, a schoolteacher from San Juan de Lurigancho who decided to stay in a place marked by hardship and political indifference. To many, she is just a teacher. But to those who have seen her serve, she is the heart of a gospel movement that started small and is now transforming an entire community. Her dream is to see Jicamarca filled with life where today there is only dust and difficult paths.

During the week, Kelly lives at the school because her home is two hours away. Every Friday she returns with her mother, and every Sunday she comes back alone—convinced that God has placed her there for something greater than teaching classes. In a place where many children grow up on their own and families struggle to survive, she chose to be light.

In that context, DBS 17:17 began walking alongside Kelly. Lucila, Flor, and Amanda, volunteer coordinators of the ministry, mentored and discipled her until she was able to lead Discovery Bible Studies on her own. With them, the first group of mothers was born.

Then came the children, and later the teenagers. What began with just a few kids grew into a larger group: several were baptized, the youth invited their friends, and the news spread through homes and classrooms. At every step, DBS 17:17 provided Bibles, food, and biblical materials to sustain the movement that was emerging.

Today, around fifty young people gather each week to learn the Word. Many are students from the school; others are neighbors, friends, or cousins who heard that “something is happening.” In the middle of dirt roads and hills, now there is life. There is Scripture. There is hope.

It all began because one woman decided to stay. Miss Kelly, a catalyst for gospel movements, continues walking in faith while two more teachers have joined the work. What started with one teacher alone among the hills is now a living network of mothers, children, and teenagers sharing the gospel in homes of peace, in one of the most challenging areas of Lima.

This is the story of how a small group became a movement—and how God uses a willing woman to ignite life where there was once only dust.

Let us pray for Miss Kelly, that God continues strengthening her life and her dream in Jicamarca; for Lucila, Flor, and Amanda, who continue supporting this movement; and for every mother, child, and teenager hearing the Word, that this growth remains and keeps igniting hope throughout the community.