Staff
Eliana Carrillo Toledo
- elianacarillo.toledo@wordmadeflesh.org
- Country
- Bolivia
Eliana Carrillo Toledo is 56 years old and was born in the province of Tartagal, Argentina. When she was 18 years old, she met a friend who invited her to work as a waitress in Bolivia. A need to escape family problems led Eliana to accept the offer. However, this "friend" had lied and tricked her; in reality she had been hired to work in a cabaret, where she was forced to begin a life of prostitution. Two years later, she met the man who would be the father of her children, and Edwin and Elizabeth were born. Sadly, her children were taken away from her when they were very young.
Later she moved to La Paz and continued working in the brothels where she met Andy Baker. She was afraid to get to know this gringuito (white guy), but the other girls told her that he was a friend who wanted to help. Knowing her need to change, she decided to go to La Casa de Esperanza with a friend to look for work. She was received with open arms and soon began the new life that she so greatly desired. She began working in La Casa de Esperanza as the housekeeper.
During that time, the Bakers invited Eliana to participate in their church, which she enjoyed very much. Although she did not know how to read the Bible, she was able to hear the Word in the services (she has since learned to read the Scriptures for herself!). In September 2005 she was baptized, and that confirmed her decision of faith in her Lord. She counts this as the most important decision of her life. Upon baptism, she took her new name, "Eliana," to symbolize her rebirth. Her desire is to continue serving and praying for her friends who prostitute, with the wisdom of her Lord.