Moisés Vega — A Life Shaped by God’s Purposes

Moisés Vega was born in Puerto Armuelles, Chiriquí, on June 18, 1950. After graduating from high school, he moved to Panama City to live with his sister Gladys, where he began working as an encyclopedia salesman. In time, doors opened for him to travel to Mexico, where he completed his studies in Industrial Engineering with an emphasis in Mechanics, graduating in 1976.

Moisés later returned to his hometown and began working for Chiriquí Land Company (CLC), producers of Chiquita Banana. Through CLC, he was sent to Denver, Colorado, where he studied English for six months before returning to Panama to continue his work with the company.

In 1979, Moisés met Talsy when she accepted a position with CLC as a Materials and Control Secretary. Three months later, they were married while being transferred to the Tela Railroad Company in Lima, Honduras. In 1981, the Vega family was transferred back to Puerto Armuelles, Panama. Three months later, they decided to leave salaried work and venture out on their own, purchasing a Lazarus truck and a six-wheel truck and moving to the highlands of Chiriquí.

The beginning was promising, but after about a year, the large truck broke down, financial debt mounted, and their marriage began to unravel. What was happening?

The Lord was at work.

In 1983, God opened a door through one of Moisés’ sisters, Rosario, for him to work in Sudan, North Africa, under a bachelor’s engineering contract. A year later, while Talsy remained in Panama, the marriage reached a breaking point, and she considered divorce. God used this crisis to move Moisés to request permission to bring his family to Sudan. Because of his excellent performance, the request was approved.

Talsy traveled to Sudan with Moisés Jr. for five months, not without first recommitting her life to Christ. During that season, God powerfully intervened: Moisés surrendered his life to Christ as Lord and Savior, their marriage was restored, and together they received a call to serve among the people groups of the region—many of whom were fleeing civil war in southern Sudan, including the Dinka, Shilluk, and Nüer peoples.

God provided them with an exceptional translator—fluent in English, Arabic, and multiple dialects—and an evangelist who accompanied them after working hours. Through these relationships, the Vegas connected with pastors from various denominations and began a ministry rooted solely in the Scriptures, following the examples and instructions God gave to His people. They believed—and lived by—the conviction that the Word written more than 2,000 years ago remains fully alive and effective today.

There are countless stories from those years.

In 1991, the Vega family—Moisés, Talsy, and their three sons—received clear direction from the Lord to return to Panama, where they were to “serve His Church and work with His people,” something they had been learning since the day they encountered Christ.

Moisés was a visionary, persuasive for the Kingdom, and unwilling to leave God’s work unfinished. His heart burned for unreached places. He often did not know how the work would be accomplished, but he trusted the Lord completely for direction. A disciple-maker with a servant’s heart, he lived with nothing for himself, belonging wholly to the Lord until he was called home in January 2012.

He left behind a legacy for his family—one marked by determination, zeal for the things of God, a love for wisdom, and a willingness to apply correction when needed. He was a faithful husband, a devoted father, and a priest in his home.

Moisés loved fishing, spending time at the beach, and reading the Word and books. He loved to share. Conversations with him could last for hours. What did he share? Vision, experiences, ideas—he had so much within him. He challenged people to think. Often, his conversations wandered, leaving listeners wondering where he was going, only to realize at the end that they had learned something meaningful. He opened his heart and poured it into others, shaping their thinking and inspiring their faith.

Those who knew him will always remember him. We thank the Lord for allowing us to share life with him—62 years as a man, and 32 years as a husband. We also thank God for blessing us with dear friends, mentors, brothers, and sisters who walked alongside him and alongside us as a family.

God bless you. Thanks for your love, 

The Vega Family
Missionaries to Panama

Written by Talsidia de Vega