Moises was born in Puerto Armuelles, Chiriqui, on the 18th of June, 1950.  He graduated from high school and went to live in Panama City with his sister Gladys, where he started working as an encyclopedia seller.  Later, doors were opened for him to go to Mexico, where he finished his studies as an industrial engineer with an option in mechanics, graduating in 1976. Moises returned to his hometown, where he started working with Chiriqui Land Company (CLC), the producers of Chiquita Banana. Through the CLC, he was sent to Denver, CO, where he learned English for six months, returning to CLC-Panama to continue working.  In 1979, meets Talsy when she accepted a job with CLC as a Material and Control secretary.  They married three months later while being transferred to Tela Railroad Co. in Lima, Honduras.  Later in 1981, the Vegas got transferred back to Puerto Armuelles-Panama; three months later, they decided that it was time to be free and work on their own, so they got Lazarus truck and a 6-wheel truck and went to live at the highlands of Chiriqui.  It was good at the beginning, but after a year or so, the big truck broke down; adding to that, their marriage was falling apart, and they had a debt with the bank.  What was happening?

The Lord used all this for His purposes.  In 1983, God opened doors through one of Moises's sisters (Rosario) to go and work in the Sudan, North of Africa.  Moises went as an engineer under a bachelor's contract.  A year later, Talsy, who was left back in Panama, wanted a divorce; God used this for Moises to ask permission to take his family to Sudan; because of his good performance, the permit was granted to him.  Talsy travels to Sudan with Moises Jr for five months, not without before committing her life to Christ again.  During their time together, God intervenes so that Moises receives the Lord as his Lord and Savior,  restores their marriage, and calls them to serve among the people groups in the area. These were people running away from the civil war in the country's south (Denka, Chilluk, Nuer). God provided them with an excellent translator (English, Arab, and different dialects) and an evangelist who accompanied them after working hours and helped the Vegas to contact many Pastors of various denominations.  In this way, they started a ministry based solely on the Book (the Bible), following examples and directions given by God to his people, believing that the same Word written more than 2,000 years ago was and still is valid today.  So many stories to tell.

In 1991, the Vega family, composed of Moises, Talsy, and their three boys, received instructions from the Lord to return to Panama for they were to "serve His Church and work with His People," something they learned to do since the day they met the Lord until today.

Moises was a visionary who would not leave things undone, persuasive for the Kingdom. His heart was for the unreached places. How was it going to be done? He had no idea, but he trusted the Lord for guidance. A disciple maker with a servant's heart had nothing for himself, for he belonged to the Lord until he was called home in January 2012.

He left a legacy for his family, an example of determination, zeal for God's things, wisdom-seeking, and applying correction when needed.  He was a trustworthy husband, a wonderful father, and a priest of his household.

He loved fishing, going to the beach, reading the Word, and reading books.  I enjoyed sharing; you would spend hours talking to Moises; what would he share? Vision, experiences, topics, he had so much to share; Moises challenged people to think, that is why it was hard for him to get to the point in a conversation; he would talk about everything, leaving you with the question, But where or what is he trying to say? You would have learned something from him at the end of the conversation, for he would open his heart and pour it into yours, influencing your thinking.

Those who met him will always have something to remember him for. We thank the Lord for allowing us to have him for 62 years as a person and 32 years as a husband. Thank God for blessing us with dear friends, mentors, and brothers or sisters to him and to us as a family.

God bless you.

Thanks for your love, 

The Vega Family
Missionaries to Panama

Written by Talsidia de Vega