God Called Her to the Amazon at 64 — Now She’s Raising Up Young Disciples

🚀 MISSIONARY? 🚀 Turn one story into a week of content in minutes. Get the FREE Content Multiplier: 👉 WatchMissionsLive.com/ContentMultiplier 🤝 PARTNER WITH US: Help us equip 1,000 missionaries this year. Become a Missions Multiplier Partner for just $10/month: 👉 WatchMissionsLive.com SUMMARY What if God called you into missions after most people would already be thinking about retirement? Donna Gustafson went on her first mission trip at 64 years old. Not long after that, she retired from her job, sold or gave away most of what she owned, and moved to Peru. What started with a short-term trip eventually led her deep into the Amazon region, where she now runs an albergue for girls who need a place to live so they can continue their education. Pasted text Pasted text Her journey did not unfold according to a perfect plan. The orphanage she originally moved to serve had already closed by the time she arrived. Later, while serving in the jungle, one opportunity after another opened—from becoming a house mom at a boys’ albergue to eventually starting a home for girls. Pasted text Pasted text Donna also travels to Indigenous communities for Bible studies and discipleship. One of those ministries expanded when a man literally flagged down her boat and asked her to bring Bible studies to his tribe too. Pasted text This episode is a reminder that missions is not just for young people. Obedience can begin at any age, and sometimes God reveals the next step only after you start moving. KEY POINTS In this episode, Aaron and Donna talk about: Going on her first mission trip at 64 years old Leaving Iowa, retiring, and moving to Peru Learning ministry through serving at a boys’ albergue Why she felt there also needed to be a place for girls Starting an albergue so young women could continue their education Reaching Yahwa and Bora communities through Bible study and discipleship A stranger flagging down her boat and asking her to bring Bible studies to his people Trusting God for provision when there was not enough money for food Donna’s story shows how often God reveals direction one step at a time. She did not have the whole plan when she started. She simply kept saying yes to the next opportunity God placed in front of her. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Meet Donna and Her Mission in Peru 01:24 – Life Near Iquitos in the Amazon 02:40 – Nine Years Living in the Jungle 03:06 – How Her Granddaughter Introduced Her to Missions 04:03 – God Calls Donna to Peru 04:47 – Starting Missions at 64 Years Old 06:37 – Moving to Peru and Finding the Orphanage Closed 07:36 – Falling in Love With Life in the Jungle 08:05 – An Unexpected Invitation to Become a House Mom 10:46 – Why Donna Wanted a Place for Girls 11:45 – Finding the Property for the Girls’ Albergue 14:36 – Reaching Yahwa and Bora Communities 17:17 – Donna’s God Story of Provision 18:30 – Helping Eight Girls Grow and Make Disciples 19:43 – Donna’s Challenge: Go on a Mission Trip SPONSORED BY SCALABILITY Healthy organizations grow by building better systems. Scalability is a all in one sales and marketing platform that allows you to run your entire business or ministry in one place. 👉 14-Day FREE Trial: https://www.fastscalability.com 🚀 MISSIONARY? 🚀 Turn one story into a week of content in minutes. Get the FREE Content Multiplier: 👉 WatchMissionsLive.com/ContentMultiplier 🤝 PARTNER WITH US: Help us equip 1,000 missionaries this year. Become a Missions Multiplier Partner for just $10/month: 👉 WatchMissionsLive.com