God will be always with you no matter how far from him you want to be. Let’s remember when Prophet Jonas didn’t want to obey God when he wanted to take a ship to go in the opposite direction. Then, a big fish ate him. God was there with him, even in the fish belly.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Vanessa Nieto.
Vanessa Nieto graduated with a Ph.D. in computer science and is an award-winning professor of systems engineering. Additionally, Nieto has received numerous international awards for her scientific articles published in highly-respected academic and scientific journals, including IEEE Access, Soft Computing, and The Journal of Universal Computer Science. Apart from her academic work, she regularly travels the world as a lecturer and missionary in countries such as Nepal, Portugal, Cuba, the United States, and Colombia. Her greatest passion is writing about God’s infinite love and sharing the Gospel with children and people in remote towns and villages. She creates exciting stories with unique characters, infused with her personal experiences and unique personality. Nieto has written many love stories, poems, romance novels, and short stories such as Monserrat and Great Stories for Little Giants, which is available in both English and Spanish.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I was born and raised by a single mom who was very lovely and caring. She left my father because of domestic violence, and she didn’t want that kind of life for me. When I was two years old, we moved to a city far from my dad. I was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease that required an urgent and very expensive surgery that my mother couldn’t afford. During that difficult time, God encountered my mother and me. We both gave our lives to Christ when I was three years old. She raised me to love and serve God no matter what. Four years ago, my mother went up to heaven. Before leaving this world after a severe cancer battle, she told me not to blame God for whatever could happen. The greatest inheritance she gave me was to raise me and teach me about the only and true God.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
It’s funny. My mother was studying theology and had to read The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. After she read it, she recommended it to me. I thought since it was a “college” book that I wouldn’t be able to understand it; however, I read it. It turned out to be an easy and pleasant novel. I was a teenager with a blurry path in front of me. Once I read the book, I knew one and only one thing: I had to go to Santiago de Compostela and make the pilgrimage. I didn’t have money, the visa, or anything for me to get there, but I ended up making the pilgrimage three times in my life walking more than 200 miles to get there. The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is a spiritual path I recommend everyone to make.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I was young, I trusted anyone who told me nice things. I didn’t know my value. I accepted anyone who saw my beauty. These days, I understand my value doesn’t come from the acceptance of other people but from God himself and the expensive price he paid for me. I wish I knew I was a treasure before, so I would have appreciated myself like that.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
One of my favorite parts of this book is that after each story there is a prayer and a “discuss with your parents” section where parents can get to know their children better as well as talk and teach their child the word of God. Therefore, it is not just a story book but the living word of God sown in the family while they spend time together and communicate with each other. They share the word of God as a family, which is something the rush and concerns of this world is taking aways from us
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
This book delves into some men of the Bible — not just one story for each man. For example, we have the story of Jacob, a liar, brother, son, and son-in-law. A man who was not trustworthy and deceived many people. However, Jacob had many dreams and wanted to achieve wellness for his family. We spend four chapters talking about his life. We don’t talk about Saints but about normal people, like you and me, with defects and problems to solve. But, they became great men of faith because they trust God, and they let God be their only God and change whatever was wrong in their heart — something that they couldn’t do through their own strength.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
My aunt and I wrote this book with the help of the Holy Spirit. Every time we sat down to write a story, we prayed and asked for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance because we didn’t want to change the Holy Scriptures and create things that didn’t happen. He is a lovely and great friend to us because the Holy Spirit sat down with us and instructed us on what to write. When we realized God’s presence was there with us writing this book, we knew He wanted to share his message with all families.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One of the most moving and sad days for me was one day when I was in Kathmandu in Nepal. I was on a mission trip and taught English in a house full of children of all ages three times a week. In Nepal, children go to the school in the capital city because they don’t have schools in the small villages. Therefore, parents from all over the country go to Kathmandu and leave their children at these houses the whole year and barely see their children. One day, I arrived early to the class, and a father had just left his three-year-old daughter. She was hopelessly crying. I knew what was happening and how hard it would be for her. I carried her and started singing for her. I guess she didn’t understand me but felt comfort in my arms and stopped crying. Every time I went there to teach them, she ran to me and hugged me. Thank God this little girl arrived in this Christian home with an amazing married couple that couldn’t have children of their own. However, God blessed them with many children in His own way. I still stay in touch with the children and help them.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Sure. Politicians can help the government itself promote spiritual education. It’s important to educate citizens of the world with knowledge in science, math, and language, but they should promote the good health of the mind, the body, and the spirit.
Society should be aware that the root of childhood problems is what’s learned at home. Our own morals are not enough to educate good children. Therefore, God leaves us his commandments, and his Holy Scripture is meant to guide our lives to be good people and successful. These days, young people rob, murder, do drugs, and so on because there is a misconception of success and how to earn life. As a society, we should take active participation in our children’s education.
Lastly, the community should be more involved in community service. Sometimes, we are so blinded by our own problems that we don’t realize how helpful we could be to others. Out there is someone who needs a hug, a word of comfort, a glass of water, and little things that you have right now that you can give.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is waking up from your chair and doing something in any given situation where you don’t see anyone else doing anything. For example, if you hear that someone in your family has a problem, and even though people have their own opinion about what this person should or shouldn’t do, you instead just talk, you create a fundraiser, or get some flowers and visit your family member. Whatever action you do or even talking to really help in that situation is leadership.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
God will be always with you no matter how far from him you want to be. Let’s remember when Prophet Jonas didn’t want to obey God when he wanted to take a ship to go in the opposite direction. Then, a big fish ate him. God was there with him, even in the fish belly.
Parents are not eternal. I would have spent more time with my mother.
Siblings, one day, will leave the house. I shouldn’t have fought with my brother over little things.
Errors in your childhood don’t make consequences smaller. I lost a very good friend of mine in middle school for being envious that she was able to travel, and I wasn’t.
You can receive God’s forgiveness. If you don’t forgive yourself for your past deeds, you won’t receive God’s blessings.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Treat others as you want to be treated.” Still today, I am learning that I must treat others with the same kindness and compassion I want to receive. Every time I feel mistreated, I meditate on how I have treated others.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
That would be Khloe Kardashian, I think she is a great person and mother. I would love to tell her how much God loves her and why he sent his only son to save her.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow my upcoming missionary trips and books on my Instagram at @vaneperegrina or instagram.com/vaneperegrina, and Facebook at facebook.com/vaneperegrina. Also, Great Stories for Little Giants is available for purchase now at amzn.to/3X9qX69 and Monserrat is also available for purchase at amzn.to/3GqiHZq.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Vanessa Nieto Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.