Peter Hudy is a missionary of the General Board of Global ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to Bolivia. He serves as director of the Rio Colorado Agricultural School in Yucumo, Beni. His responsibilities include administering the school, handling Advance funds donated by church groups, teaching several subjects and managing the computer system.

     Peter says he hopes to "influence high school students by offering them the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge as they begin their adult lives." He says he felt called to this ministry during an Emmaus Walk. Despite doubts and misgivings about the application process, he says, "At each of these moments of doubts, God provided a clear ray of light, so strong that it could not be ignored." He concludes, "It was God's desire for us to continue and do His will."

     A native of Detroit, MI, Peter earned a B.S. degree in Biology from Michigan Technical University and an M.S. degree in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University. Prior to accepting this assignment, he worked four years with the US Department of Agriculture as a research technician. He also worked three years with the US Peace Corps in Guatemala where he met and married his wife.

     Peter is married to Maria Estela Velasco Xocop de Hudy, also a GBGM missionary. They have two sons: Oseas Benjamin Hudy-Velasco and Isai Jonatan Hudy-Velasco. His parents are Raymond Carl Hudy of Redford, MI, and Mary Ann Simmons Brush of Madison Heights, MI.

     Maria Velasco Xocop de Hudy is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned to Bolivia. She works in community development for the Rio Colorado Agricultural School in Yucumo, Beni. Her responsibilities include leading Bible study, organizing community projects and teaching at the school.

     Speaking of her call to mission, she says, "In my Emmaus walk, God confirmed to me to go into this ministry." She notes, "I will start each work session with a Bible verse and prayer."

     A native of Guatemala, Estela received her teacher certification from Escuela Normal Regional de Occidente in Solola, Guatemala. She is a member of Central United Methodist Church in Lansing, MI. She says she has worked at home with her children since the birth of her first child. "I felt really called to dedicate myself completely to the children and their needs," she says.

     She is married to Peter Sempronius Hudy, also a GBGM missionary. They have two children, Oseas Benjamin Hudy-Velasco and Isai Jonatan Hudy-Velasco. Her parents are Emilio Velasco Catu and Gudelia Xocop Tzunun of Guatemala.