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Interview with Professor Dorothy Bullon
April 2010
Dorothy Gurney Bullón was born in Huancayo, Perú as a daughter of British missionaries. She has a diploma in Theology from London Bible College/London University in England, a Masters of Science in Religion from the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas in Costa Rica and a Doctorate degree in Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. She has an advanced degree in Anthropology from the Pontifica Catholic University in Lima, Peru and also she is a nurse and has training as a midwife.
In 1970, she worked in Peru in a missionary hospital for 5 years, and soon after she moved to Lima and joined Peru’s InterVarsity, an evangelical student organization. It was during her time with InterVarsity that Dorothy met Fernando Bullon, with whom she later married and soon after they joined the Church of the Nazarene. They have two grown children: Daniel y David.
In 1991, Dorothy and her family moved to Costa Rica to serve as missionaries at the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas. She and her husband Humberto have served as professors since that time and will retire from full time missionary service later this year.
Tell us a little about your childhood.
When I was 8, my parents sent my sister and me from Peru to England to a boarding school. It was a difficult time since we only saw our parents once every 5 years when they would return to England for furlough for one year.
How old were you when you began your ministry work?
I was 26 years old and my first job was in a missionary hospital in Peru.
In which ministry area have you most enjoyed working?
In teaching, I like most the areas of theology, history, philosophy, and world religions.
I have enjoyed nursing very much as well. It is great to be able to help people. Also, I like pioneer missionary work. Currently I am working with an elderly group and this is a new area of ministry for me. It is interesting to watch as the group learns to use Internet.
What has been one of your best ministry experiences?
Participating in the formation of key leaders for the church. For example, I have had the opportunity to teach classes to brilliant students such as Jorge Julca, President of the Seminary in Argentina; Jorge Baños, Vice President of SENDAS; and Freddy Guerrero, President of the Nazarene Seminary in Ecuador.
Whatperson has most inspired you?
Dr. Samuel Escobar, who is a writer originally from Peru. Although Dr. Escobar is a brilliant author and we respect so much his habilities and teachings, for my husband and me, Dr. Escobar is much more than that. He taught my husband in the 2nd grade in Peru, and also he walked me down the aisle the day of my wedding. Dr. Escobar and hiswife are very special friends that have given us lots of help and inspiration through the years.
What has been the best thing about teaching at SENDAS?
Teaching the Masters courses, especially the Bible Courses and History of Missions courses.
What is one of your favorite typical foods?
“Papa a la Huancayo” (Potatoes with lettuce, with a hot sauce, served cold. It is a food from Peru.)
What is a typical food that you do not like?
Fried cheese and mondongo. (Mondongo is beef stomach, a typical food from Peru).
What has been the most difficult experience during your ministry?
The time when I fractured my hip and during the recuperation when the doctors tried to repair the hip, they fractured my entire leg. Itwas a difficult time, but during this time I was reminded of the great love my family and my church have for me and now I appreciate them even more. Also, I learned to have compassion for those who have physical disabilities.
What has been your favorite class to teach?
History of the Church. I have a great passion to know the stories of the past and to understand how they affect us today. I like to make the past come alive for the students.
When you arrived to Costa Rica, how long did you think you would be here?
We didn’t really think about that; we came to serve.
What do you like most about Costa Rica?
The nature, the beaches and forests.
The people, they are so kind.
The weather, it is beautiful.
We at SENDAS thank God for Dorothy’s service as a professor through these years. We are also thankful that after her retirement from full time service, Dorothy will continue teaching classes as an Associate Professor. Thank you, Dorothy, for your dedication to the students of SENDAS.
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