I was born in Cuba and came to the United States to Hartford, Connecticut with my mother and father in April of 1961 as residents. We later became naturalized citizens in 1970 and are very grateful to this country for all of the opportunities given and for freedom from the tyranny of communism.

I was born again and Spirit–filled in 1973. Jesus Christ is my most prized relationship. My primary calling is to be found faithful to my Savior, to be a godly mother and to show forth the light of His salvation, grace, and toward me to others. It was in the Bible belt of Texas that I gave my life to the Lord as precious friends, Karen and Jim Griffin shared a book with me; The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsay. In my ignorance and desperation, I accepted Jesus at the end of every chapter. Karen equipped me with my first Bible for the adventure of eternity and with her as my new sister in the Lord, I discovered intimacy, transparency, and what it means to belong to the Body of Christ. At North Texas State University, the Lord gave me a God-appointment with Margaret Johnson, very knowledgeable in the Word, to disciple and befriend me. My first healing was that I now felt that I belonged; no longer expatriated or with one foot in one culture and the other in another. Now I was a citizen of a heavenly and eternal city. What if I had never heard? What of others who don’t know? This became my inward cry and the foundation for all of the choices toward my destiny in HIM.

My secondary calling is to be a vessel through which counsel, healing and deliverance can flow, especially to those wounded and marred by trauma and oppression. The main vehicle for that calling has been to do counseling in private practice. However, in 1991, God called me to accept the first invitation to speak in a church. Counseling has been my comfort zone because of His unquestionable anointing and presence. Then came Dr. Pam Highfill ; the catalyst. She strongly encouraged me to give a conference to Christian teachers on how to recognize the signs of child abuse. Shortly thereafter, the Lord let me know that I was to accept every invitation. The invitations started coming, and along with them a journey from fear to overcoming. I am grateful for God’s grace and direction in my life.

I’ve heard His voice and caught the vision for being able to touch more lives than I ever could one - on - one. In 2006, at one of my many invitations to speak at the Feast of Tabernacles for the Church of God Gulf South States territory by Bishop Vernon Philips, my dear friend Lillian Goff prophesied that my counseling ministry needed to be married to “the new ministry.” Many Manna Ministry is now born.

I am blessed to have two grown sons and precious daughters-in-law and four grandchildren that bring untold joy to my life.

I would like to acknowledge God and many people in the Body of Christ for their support.

Jehovah, Christ, and the Holy Spirit for His grace and never failing anointing.

My parents Nory and Miguel Alvarez for unconditional love and radical support of me always.

To my anointed son Carlos who has encouraged and prayed for my ministry for years and with whom I have done and will do ministry. To my son Miguel who sees the “big picture”. I am thankful for my daughters - in - law, Luvit and Jonnie, and for wonderful grandchildren: Gabriel, Marissa, Isaac, and Pia.

To my faithful friend Marilyn Miller, who has been an armor bearer in my life since 1984.

To my sister in the Lord, Karen Griffin, for giving me the experience of what it is like to have a sister for eternity.

To Pastor Everett Fjordbak, for being a covering to my counseling ministry in the early years.

To Pastors Phil and Dian Ligon, who are and have been friends and a powerful prophetic voice in my life.

To Pastors Steve and Diane Solomon of Riverwalk Fellowship Church, for 6 years of impartation of anointing and a journey into joy and signs and wonders.

To Pastor Lillian Goff, who has exhorted and energized me for years through her friendship and invitations to preach.

To Bishop Vernon and Deborah Philips of Gulf South States Church of God, a man and woman of rare integrity who have graced me with many opportunities and encouragement.

To Pat and Bob Reynolds, friends who have spoken into my life volumes and have helped me and my children through some the most difficult years of my life. I am grateful for their gifts and apostolic ministry.

To Jeanne and Rob Nyberg, for their friendship and all of their hard technical work on setting up the web site and helping organize the first conference.