Maria Elena Valladares came to the United States as a refugee. She came from Cuba with her brother when she was six years old. Maria was raised in Miami, Florida, and came to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida. She received her Bachelor's degree in 1976 and Master's degree in Special Education in 1978. Maria and Rudy married on August 29, 1974, and have seven children. Their age ranges from twenty-seven to thirteen.

Maria and Rudy have raised their children in the fear of the Lord and through God's mercy and grace have witnessed all their children profess their love and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ. "All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed." Isaiah 61:9

Angelina, her eldest, is in her first year of fellowship in Pediatrics Endocrinology at Shands. She has ministered in the Dominican Republic these past two years for two weeks at a time. Rodolfo received his chemical engineering degree from the University of Florida three years ago and in the fall starts his first year of law school. David is in his second year of law school. Both are being trained in the ministry of Christian law at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Gloria is a junior in the College of Education at the University of Florida and is in the Pro-Teach Program where she will earn her master's degree in 2007. She is the Youth Group Leader and the Webmaster at Living Faith Fellowship. Carolina is a senior dual-enrolling at Santa Fe Community College. She plans to major in architecture. Ariel is in 10th grade and Miguel is in the 8th grade. They both are attending Westwood Hills Christian School where Maria is teaching Spanish. This will be Maria's sixth year teaching at Westwood Hills Christian School.

Maria was raised Catholic and attended Las Dominicas Americanas in Cuba. She became born-again on August 5, 1974, baptized in water five days later and baptized in the Holy Spirit that fall under the faithful ministry of Sidney and Ellie Green. Maria was an "at home mom" for approximately fifteen years raising her family and volunteering at Living Faith Fellowship School Ministry where her children attended. She home schooled for a couple of years her last three children and she also participated in a school co-op.

Maria enjoys traveling, reading and scrapbooking. She has been to Europe, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Venezuela, Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina and the Caribbeans. In her travels, Maria has seen the hand of God in all His people and their response to Him. These are exciting times that we live in!