Elena del Pilar Rivera Velastegui

Community Coordinator

My name is Elena del Pilar Rivera Velastegui. I am the last of seven siblings. I was born in Quito, Ecuador in a home that, despite the economic problems and other circumstances, I was very happy. My mother and brothers met the church when I was just 6 years old. They were baptized in January 1976. They were my great example and after two years I made the decision to be baptized. My baptism was July 1978 when I was 8 years old and since then we have never left the church despite the opposition we had from my father since he never accepted the gospel. At 19 years old I became the mother of a boy whose name is Geovanny David. He served a full time mission in Bolivia La Paz. It was my greatest blessing and happiness knowing that I was an instrument in the hands of the Lord. In 1999 I had the opportunity to enter the Guayaquil Ecuador Temple where I was able to perform my ordinances. I am currently a grandmother of three children, Hannita is 9 years old, Helen is 8 years old and in May and David is 4 years old.

I have served the church in various callings: Young Women President, Primary Counselor, Stake Primary Counselor, Primary President, Family History Consultant, Stake Relief Society Counselor, Ward Relief Society President, Relief Society counselor and now stake Relief Society secretary. For me the greatest thing is to be able to serve the Lord in some way. I know this gospel is true. I love this work and I am so grateful to Heavenly Father to be a part of this gospel and have the certainty that one day we will be together as eternal families.

In 2010 when I was serving as a Stake Relief Society counselor for the first time I was introduced to the Liahona Foundation where I learned of good people who help children who are underweight and short. I am so grateful to be able to help in the Foundation. During this time we have been able to help many children who were malnourished. The mothers of these little ones are very grateful for the help they have given them. There are many children who have finished the program and managed to recover. I would like to tell you that before this opportunity presented itself, I was praying to be able to help in some foundation and the Father granted me this wish for which I am very grateful. I thank the people who help these little ones and their families, I also appreciate being able to serve these people.