Dora (Doris) Marina Mazariegos Bámaca de Dubon, a founding member of the ASELSI board of directors, died Tuesday, March 26 after fighting cancer. She was 62.

Born December 21, 1956, Doris was known for her love for people, prayer, and for reaching out to her neighbors.

She poured her life into a squatters’ village on the edge of the Guatemalan capital and founded a ministry called Amar Es Servir (To Love Is To Serve) there. She started with food distribution and evangelism but developed the ministry into a day school for the children of the slums to get a start on education and a foundation of faith. Hundreds of children have attended this school over the 20 years she ministered there.

As a member of the ASELSI board, Doris was a faithful prayer warrior for the ministry of ASELSI and its staff. She traveled to teach at Bible School extensions in Mexico and participated in the annual ASELSI conference. Her ready laugh and strong vision drew others along with her as she encouraged, taught, and inspired.

“We have a calling to love people and transform lives,” she once said during an interview for the book Libre Soy that told part of her story.  That’s pretty much what Doris’ life was about—loving people and helping transform their situation spiritually and educationally.

In a joint statement from ASELSI Founders, John and Sharon Harvey, they wrote of Doris, “We will miss her joyful spirit, devotion to her Lord and her great heart for the poor and needy. She has exemplified God's heart and always shared a word of encouragement and a Word of the Lord to whoever she met.”

Doris served as the secretary of the ASELSI board and was one of the original board members who helped ASELSI begin and grow as a ministry.

“Doris was a person characterized by her sincere love, joy, and total confidence in God,”recalled Emanuel, director of ASELSI. “She had a profound love for her family, a passion to serve God and great love for the children and families in Nuevo Amanecer where she ministered.”

Please join the ASELSI staff in praying for the Dubon family and the Amar Es Servir ministry.