Bringing the hope of Jesus to Guatemala
Our Mission Statement
Life of Promise Ministries is a 501(c)(3) Christian organization that provides health and humanitarian services to isolated and impoverished villages in Guatemala. We share the gospel of Jesus while facilitating various types of economic, educational, healthcare, and community programs.
Our nonprofit focuses on demonstrating God’s love to all people by identifying and meeting the evolving needs of disadvantaged populations in rural areas.
Life of Promise Ministries is a 501(c)(3) Christian organization that provides health and humanitarian services to isolated and impoverished villages in Guatemala. We share the gospel of Jesus while facilitating various types of economic, educational, healthcare, and community programs.
Our nonprofit focuses on demonstrating God’s love to all people by identifying and meeting the evolving needs of disadvantaged populations in rural areas.
Building Christian learning centers to provide
safety and education for children in our villages
Vision 2024
Guatemala is a country of remarkable and resilient people, yet it faces severe challenges. Over 75 percent of families live in poverty, and the literacy rate is only 49 percent. Childhood malnutrition affects 67 percent of kids under 14. Our mission in Zacapa, a town where families in the surrounding villages struggle with extreme poverty, provides a glimpse into the harsh realities many face. Homes are makeshift shelters or huts — lacking clean water, indoor plumbing, and basic sanitation. Families who work in the city garbage dump and other dangerous jobs earn just $1 to $2 per day.
For 15 years, our family has served as missionaries in Guatemala, building strong bonds and a network of trusted leaders in four departments (similar to U.S. states). This network allows us to expand our ministry and make a larger impact on improving quality of life. However Zacapa, like many areas in Guatemala, is plagued by the influence of criminal cartels. This leaves families vulnerable and drives many into deeper poverty and instability. Hundreds of families have been displaced from their land in the mountains by these criminal gangs. More than 50 percent of children in the village settlement are forced to work instead of attending school.
To address these urgent needs, we have plans to build 3 learning centers for children whose parents cannot afford school. Although public school is “free,” even the required costs of uniforms, books, and supplies make a formal education prohibitive for families in these settlements. The centers will provide Christian education, mentorship, nutritious meals, and a safe environment for children ages 5 through 14. One of our main goals is to combat the urgent problem of child trafficking in the poor villages. Children roaming around daily without adult supervision are the ones that criminal gangs prey on in Guatemala and many other third world countries.
Our center in Cobán is nearing completion, and we plan to build 2 additional centers in Zacapa. We need the support of donors to purchase land, build, and staff these centers with dedicated teachers, cooks, and assistants. They can then be used as models for expansion into other areas of the country where Bible-based education is currently lacking.
Life of Promise Ministries partners with 10 churches across Guatemala, working to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serve, and uplift communities. Our pastors and church leaders are devoted servants, who are making a significant difference in the lives of the poor. We ask for your prayers and support for these wonderful leaders as they continue their vital work.
Your financial support and prayer support are both crucial to our mission. Would you please consider supporting these projects by donating here on our website (click donate button for credit or debit card gift) or by sending a check to Life of Promise Ministries? Your contributions will help us build these essential learning centers and provide hope for the future of Guatemala’s children.
Thank you so much for your prayers, love, and financial support. We pray for blessings and God’s best for you and your family!
Guatemala is a country of remarkable and resilient people, yet it faces severe challenges. Over 75 percent of families live in poverty, and the literacy rate is only 49 percent. Childhood malnutrition affects 67 percent of kids under 14. Our mission in Zacapa, a town where families in the surrounding villages struggle with extreme poverty, provides a glimpse into the harsh realities many face. Homes are makeshift shelters or huts — lacking clean water, indoor plumbing, and basic sanitation. Families who work in the city garbage dump and other dangerous jobs earn just $1 to $2 per day.
For 15 years, our family has served as missionaries in Guatemala, building strong bonds and a network of trusted leaders in four departments (similar to U.S. states). This network allows us to expand our ministry and make a larger impact on improving quality of life. However Zacapa, like many areas in Guatemala, is plagued by the influence of criminal cartels. This leaves families vulnerable and drives many into deeper poverty and instability. Hundreds of families have been displaced from their land in the mountains by these criminal gangs. More than 50 percent of children in the village settlement are forced to work instead of attending school.
To address these urgent needs, we have plans to build 3 learning centers for children whose parents cannot afford school. Although public school is “free,” even the required costs of uniforms, books, and supplies make a formal education prohibitive for families in these settlements. The centers will provide Christian education, mentorship, nutritious meals, and a safe environment for children ages 5 through 14. One of our main goals is to combat the urgent problem of child trafficking in the poor villages. Children roaming around daily without adult supervision are the ones that criminal gangs prey on in Guatemala and many other third world countries.
Our center in Cobán is nearing completion, and we plan to build 2 additional centers in Zacapa. We need the support of donors to purchase land, build, and staff these centers with dedicated teachers, cooks, and assistants. They can then be used as models for expansion into other areas of the country where Bible-based education is currently lacking.
Life of Promise Ministries partners with 10 churches across Guatemala, working to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serve, and uplift communities. Our pastors and church leaders are devoted servants, who are making a significant difference in the lives of the poor. We ask for your prayers and support for these wonderful leaders as they continue their vital work.
Your financial support and prayer support are both crucial to our mission. Would you please consider supporting these projects by donating here on our website (click donate button for credit or debit card gift) or by sending a check to Life of Promise Ministries? Your contributions will help us build these essential learning centers and provide hope for the future of Guatemala’s children.
Thank you so much for your prayers, love, and financial support. We pray for blessings and God’s best for you and your family!
Building classrooms in Cobán and Zacapa
September, 2023
“But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless.” —Psalm 10:14
We’re currently looking to fund two projects that will involve building classrooms for kids’ and teens’ Bible studies, worship and prayer services, and Sunday School classes. One is in Zacapa, where Pastor Ruben and the church leaders would like to build a prayer/worship/study pavilion, and a room for visiting pastors on the roof of their home next to our church in the village of Conevisa. The rooms will also be used for weeknight services Monday through Friday, and they’ll have good ventilation to hold all types of events when the church is too hot. Zacapa is a desert area, and temperatures are in the 90’s up to about 110 degrees much of the year. Of course, there is no AC.
This rooftop refuge overlooking our village will be such a blessing as a place for people to gather to pray and worship. Many people in Conevisa work in the city garbage dump adjacent to the village in dangerous and unsanitary conditions.
There are about 500 children and teens in our village, and many of them suffer neglect in single-parent households where the parent has to work 2 or 3 jobs for very little pay. Also, so many kids live with disabled grandparents and other extended family, where their growth and development suffer due to poverty.
Having a safe place to pray, worship and learn about God will make a huge difference in their young lives. For so many, it will be a vital opportunity to learn there is hope for their future. This project will cost about $3,800 to complete. Our hearts go out to the families of Conevisa and we love them so much!!
The other project is in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, where Pastor Estuardo (in photo along with one of the village children) and the church leaders would like to build 4 classrooms on the roof of their home next to the church in their village. Teachers and other church members wish to give reading and math lessons to at-risk children in the community. They will also be used for classes during Sunday church services, weeknight services Monday through Friday, and for music lessons.
There are about 150 children in the village of Chisec, and many of them suffer neglect and abuse in circumstances similar to the ones described above. Many parents in all of our villages are uneducated, and their kids have no opportunity to attend school. Having a safe place to learn about God and grow in His love will make a huge difference in their young lives.
For so many, it will be a vital opportunity to learn there is hope. We can even say with confidence that this type of community involvement will help keep kids safe from the dangers of abuse and human trafficking. Criminals and gang members prey on kids who spend a lot of time without adult supervision, and we have known so many children who have been lost at the hands of such evil. Pastor Estuardo and his wife Victoria have a strong desire to keep these children safe and help them experience the love of Christ. This project (including bathrooms) will cost about $3,500 to complete.
I (Arlene) swam a total of 70 miles this summer/early fall to raise awareness of the need, and also to ask for prayer and financial support for this project. If you’d like to help out, please pray that God will make a way for these rooms to be funded. If you’d like to give any amount towards the construction, you can click on the Donate button above. Just write “classroom construction” in the comment section when you give online. If you prefer, checks can be made out to Life of Promise Ministries and sent to our PA address:
Life of Promise Ministries
24 Three Point Garden Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
All gifts are tax-deductible, as our ministry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to all who have already sent a gift in sponsorship for my swimming, and to all who are praying!!
God bless you!
“But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless.” —Psalm 10:14
We’re currently looking to fund two projects that will involve building classrooms for kids’ and teens’ Bible studies, worship and prayer services, and Sunday School classes. One is in Zacapa, where Pastor Ruben and the church leaders would like to build a prayer/worship/study pavilion, and a room for visiting pastors on the roof of their home next to our church in the village of Conevisa. The rooms will also be used for weeknight services Monday through Friday, and they’ll have good ventilation to hold all types of events when the church is too hot. Zacapa is a desert area, and temperatures are in the 90’s up to about 110 degrees much of the year. Of course, there is no AC.
This rooftop refuge overlooking our village will be such a blessing as a place for people to gather to pray and worship. Many people in Conevisa work in the city garbage dump adjacent to the village in dangerous and unsanitary conditions.
There are about 500 children and teens in our village, and many of them suffer neglect in single-parent households where the parent has to work 2 or 3 jobs for very little pay. Also, so many kids live with disabled grandparents and other extended family, where their growth and development suffer due to poverty.
Having a safe place to pray, worship and learn about God will make a huge difference in their young lives. For so many, it will be a vital opportunity to learn there is hope for their future. This project will cost about $3,800 to complete. Our hearts go out to the families of Conevisa and we love them so much!!
The other project is in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, where Pastor Estuardo (in photo along with one of the village children) and the church leaders would like to build 4 classrooms on the roof of their home next to the church in their village. Teachers and other church members wish to give reading and math lessons to at-risk children in the community. They will also be used for classes during Sunday church services, weeknight services Monday through Friday, and for music lessons.
There are about 150 children in the village of Chisec, and many of them suffer neglect and abuse in circumstances similar to the ones described above. Many parents in all of our villages are uneducated, and their kids have no opportunity to attend school. Having a safe place to learn about God and grow in His love will make a huge difference in their young lives.
For so many, it will be a vital opportunity to learn there is hope. We can even say with confidence that this type of community involvement will help keep kids safe from the dangers of abuse and human trafficking. Criminals and gang members prey on kids who spend a lot of time without adult supervision, and we have known so many children who have been lost at the hands of such evil. Pastor Estuardo and his wife Victoria have a strong desire to keep these children safe and help them experience the love of Christ. This project (including bathrooms) will cost about $3,500 to complete.
I (Arlene) swam a total of 70 miles this summer/early fall to raise awareness of the need, and also to ask for prayer and financial support for this project. If you’d like to help out, please pray that God will make a way for these rooms to be funded. If you’d like to give any amount towards the construction, you can click on the Donate button above. Just write “classroom construction” in the comment section when you give online. If you prefer, checks can be made out to Life of Promise Ministries and sent to our PA address:
Life of Promise Ministries
24 Three Point Garden Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
All gifts are tax-deductible, as our ministry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to all who have already sent a gift in sponsorship for my swimming, and to all who are praying!!
God bless you!
Two Category 5 hurricanes bring disaster --
but GOD brings Hope to the hopeless!!
We are currently building homes for hurricane victims at a cost of $1,500 each. They are one-room houses measuring 24 feet by 12 feet. Each one is made of metal framing, two rows of concrete block foundation, cement flooring, wooden walls, and metal lamina roofing. (see photo slide show above) These homes are a vast improvement over their previous huts, which the poor typically construct out of plastic sheeting and metal lamina attached to tree limbs. They have also lived with dirt floors in these huts which is very unhealthy, especially for the children.
You can read the full story below --
November 2021: In the midst of Covid-19 outbreaks and struggles, Guatemala was blasted by two hurricanes that caused major damage and destruction one year ago. Hurricanes Eta and Iota (both category 5) hit Central America just 2 weeks apart - on November 3 and November 17, 2020.
For Guatemala, both storms were as bad as Hurricane Mitch in 1998. They each dumped more than 15 inches of rain on the eastern portion of the country in just 30 hours. In our area of Zacapa, the river’s surging waters reached a level of 22 feet above normal, causing extensive flooding in the valley. The infrastructure has suffered much damage. Many towns and villages are still completely cut off from access.
The Zacapa river swelled to the point where it washed away homes (makeshift dwellings), and wiped out crops. Horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, and other livestock were swept away down the river as well. Six bridges between our town and the port city of Puerto Barrios were totally washed out.
Four bridges actually broke from their foundations and were carried down the river. We’re praying hard for all the departments (states) affected, and for the mountain villages. Entire communities became isolated due to landslides and flooding. About 480 people died in avalanches, and more than 600 are still missing.
The president of Guatemala has declared a State of Emergency in 6 departments (states), including Zacapa where we live and have our mission. We have identified 120 families in crisis situations who have suffered complete loss or severe damage of their homes and crops. These are in 3 of our villages, where families live in extreme poverty.
These families had already been hit so hard by Covid-19 restrictions, lockdowns, and unemployment. Many were barely surviving, and now their lives are in greater danger than ever before. The rates of suicide, death from diseases, and childhood malnutrition all quadrupled in 2020.
We’re so sad once again for the people we love so dearly. We are focusing our efforts on disaster relief right now, and we’re accepting donations towards this need. There is very little assistance being given to the most impoverished areas by the struggling government at this time. We are making this appeal and coordinating emergency aid on the ground with our trusted pastors and friends whom we’ve worked with personally in the trenches for 11 years. Once again, funds are going directly to those in urgent need -- the most vulnerable such as widows, single mothers, the elderly, and kids.
The homes are being constructed for families who lived in the villages of Puente Blanco, La Linea, and El Palmer right along the Zacapa river. The mayor of Zacapa is a personal friend of ours, and he is currently working to make land available for these families further from the river to prevent tragic loss from flooding in the future.
The land they previously settled on was undesirable, because of its proximity to the river and the dangers of flooding. So the government allowed homeless families to put up huts there without personal ownership or legal land deeds for decades. Any portion of the funding you may be able to give towards a home would be greatly appreciated.
***The most important aspect about all of our outreaches, projects, and emergency aid efforts, is the ability to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who so desperately need His love and salvation. The pandemic and the hurricanes have given our pastors a special opportunity to share God's love in the midst of great hardship. Several hundred people in our villages have responded to the Lord's call, and have given their lives to Christ. Praise God!! Our prayer warriors are continually asking the Lord to multiply our efforts and bring many into His Kingdom -- moms, dads, grandparents, children, and all the precious people whom the Lord created and holds close to His heart.
You can read the full story below --
November 2021: In the midst of Covid-19 outbreaks and struggles, Guatemala was blasted by two hurricanes that caused major damage and destruction one year ago. Hurricanes Eta and Iota (both category 5) hit Central America just 2 weeks apart - on November 3 and November 17, 2020.
For Guatemala, both storms were as bad as Hurricane Mitch in 1998. They each dumped more than 15 inches of rain on the eastern portion of the country in just 30 hours. In our area of Zacapa, the river’s surging waters reached a level of 22 feet above normal, causing extensive flooding in the valley. The infrastructure has suffered much damage. Many towns and villages are still completely cut off from access.
The Zacapa river swelled to the point where it washed away homes (makeshift dwellings), and wiped out crops. Horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, and other livestock were swept away down the river as well. Six bridges between our town and the port city of Puerto Barrios were totally washed out.
Four bridges actually broke from their foundations and were carried down the river. We’re praying hard for all the departments (states) affected, and for the mountain villages. Entire communities became isolated due to landslides and flooding. About 480 people died in avalanches, and more than 600 are still missing.
The president of Guatemala has declared a State of Emergency in 6 departments (states), including Zacapa where we live and have our mission. We have identified 120 families in crisis situations who have suffered complete loss or severe damage of their homes and crops. These are in 3 of our villages, where families live in extreme poverty.
These families had already been hit so hard by Covid-19 restrictions, lockdowns, and unemployment. Many were barely surviving, and now their lives are in greater danger than ever before. The rates of suicide, death from diseases, and childhood malnutrition all quadrupled in 2020.
We’re so sad once again for the people we love so dearly. We are focusing our efforts on disaster relief right now, and we’re accepting donations towards this need. There is very little assistance being given to the most impoverished areas by the struggling government at this time. We are making this appeal and coordinating emergency aid on the ground with our trusted pastors and friends whom we’ve worked with personally in the trenches for 11 years. Once again, funds are going directly to those in urgent need -- the most vulnerable such as widows, single mothers, the elderly, and kids.
The homes are being constructed for families who lived in the villages of Puente Blanco, La Linea, and El Palmer right along the Zacapa river. The mayor of Zacapa is a personal friend of ours, and he is currently working to make land available for these families further from the river to prevent tragic loss from flooding in the future.
The land they previously settled on was undesirable, because of its proximity to the river and the dangers of flooding. So the government allowed homeless families to put up huts there without personal ownership or legal land deeds for decades. Any portion of the funding you may be able to give towards a home would be greatly appreciated.
***The most important aspect about all of our outreaches, projects, and emergency aid efforts, is the ability to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who so desperately need His love and salvation. The pandemic and the hurricanes have given our pastors a special opportunity to share God's love in the midst of great hardship. Several hundred people in our villages have responded to the Lord's call, and have given their lives to Christ. Praise God!! Our prayer warriors are continually asking the Lord to multiply our efforts and bring many into His Kingdom -- moms, dads, grandparents, children, and all the precious people whom the Lord created and holds close to His heart.
Offering hope in the midst of the pandemic and natural disasters --
Christmas Season 2020
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
~~ Isaiah 9:6
At this time, our hearts are broken for those in our villages who live in extreme poverty. The Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating for Guatemala in many ways, and now our Zacapa families are struggling to recover from Hurricanes Eta and Iota. They hit Central America as Category 5 hurricanes just 2 weeks apart - on November 3 and November 17.
For Guatemala, the storms were as bad as Hurricane Mitch in 1998. They each dumped more than 15 inches of rain on the eastern portion of the country in just 30 hours. In our area of Zacapa, flood waters reached a level of 20 feet in some places. The infrastructure has suffered much damage. Many towns and villages are completely cut off from access.
We’re so sad once again for the people we love so dearly. The Zacapa river swelled to the point where it washed away homes (makeshift dwellings), and wiped out crops. Horses, cattle, pigs, chickens and other livestock were swept away down the river as well. Six bridges between our town and the port city of Puerto Barrios were totally washed out -- 3 of them actually broke from their foundations and were carried down the river. We’re praying hard for all the departments (states) affected, and for the mountain villages. Entire communities are isolated due to landslides and flooding. About 200 people have died in avalanches, and several hundred are still missing.
The president of Guatemala has declared a State of Emergency in 6 departments (states), including Zacapa where we live and have our mission. We serve those in extreme poverty, and we're currently working to help 4 villages where families are in crisis situations. We have identified 160 families who have lost their homes, or have had their homes and crops severely damaged.
These families have already been hit extremely hard by Covid-19 restrictions, lockdowns, and unemployment this year. Many have been barely surviving, and now their lives are in greater danger than ever before. The rates of suicide, death from diseases, and childhood malnutrition have all quadrupled in 2020.
We are making this appeal and coordinating emergency aid on the ground with our trusted pastors and friends whom we’ve worked with personally in the trenches for 10 years. Funds are going directly to those in urgent need -- the most vulnerable such as widows, single mothers, the elderly, and children.
We can rebuild basic dwellings for $250 each. We will also be distributing Blessing Baskets of food throughout the Christmas season for the sixth year in a row. Food prices have risen due to Covid-19, and Hurricanes Eta and Iota which devastated Zacapa last month. Here are the revised prices for food baskets:
$40 for a family of 4
$55 for a family of 6
$70 for a family of 8
This will feed families for 3 to 4 weeks. Families of 8 usually include grandparents and/or children from extended family who are without parents.
The need can’t be emphasized enough, and we consider ourselves advocates for the poor and a voice for the voiceless. It’s an honor to serve and speak for the precious people of Guatemala whom the Lord loves so much.
***The most important thing about all of our outreaches and emergency aid efforts, is the ability to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who so desperately need His love and salvation. Our prayer warriors are asking the Lord to multiply our efforts and bring many into His Kingdom -- moms, dads, grandparents, children, and all the precious people whom the Lord created and holds close to His heart.
Gifts can be made by clicking on the Donate button above. You don't need to have a PayPal account to make a gift by credit or debit card. Checks can be sent to Life of Promise Ministries, 24 Three Point Garden Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
All donations are tax-deductible.
THANK YOU so much for considering a donation, and we hope your holiday season is very blessed.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
~~ Isaiah 9:6
At this time, our hearts are broken for those in our villages who live in extreme poverty. The Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating for Guatemala in many ways, and now our Zacapa families are struggling to recover from Hurricanes Eta and Iota. They hit Central America as Category 5 hurricanes just 2 weeks apart - on November 3 and November 17.
For Guatemala, the storms were as bad as Hurricane Mitch in 1998. They each dumped more than 15 inches of rain on the eastern portion of the country in just 30 hours. In our area of Zacapa, flood waters reached a level of 20 feet in some places. The infrastructure has suffered much damage. Many towns and villages are completely cut off from access.
We’re so sad once again for the people we love so dearly. The Zacapa river swelled to the point where it washed away homes (makeshift dwellings), and wiped out crops. Horses, cattle, pigs, chickens and other livestock were swept away down the river as well. Six bridges between our town and the port city of Puerto Barrios were totally washed out -- 3 of them actually broke from their foundations and were carried down the river. We’re praying hard for all the departments (states) affected, and for the mountain villages. Entire communities are isolated due to landslides and flooding. About 200 people have died in avalanches, and several hundred are still missing.
The president of Guatemala has declared a State of Emergency in 6 departments (states), including Zacapa where we live and have our mission. We serve those in extreme poverty, and we're currently working to help 4 villages where families are in crisis situations. We have identified 160 families who have lost their homes, or have had their homes and crops severely damaged.
These families have already been hit extremely hard by Covid-19 restrictions, lockdowns, and unemployment this year. Many have been barely surviving, and now their lives are in greater danger than ever before. The rates of suicide, death from diseases, and childhood malnutrition have all quadrupled in 2020.
We are making this appeal and coordinating emergency aid on the ground with our trusted pastors and friends whom we’ve worked with personally in the trenches for 10 years. Funds are going directly to those in urgent need -- the most vulnerable such as widows, single mothers, the elderly, and children.
We can rebuild basic dwellings for $250 each. We will also be distributing Blessing Baskets of food throughout the Christmas season for the sixth year in a row. Food prices have risen due to Covid-19, and Hurricanes Eta and Iota which devastated Zacapa last month. Here are the revised prices for food baskets:
$40 for a family of 4
$55 for a family of 6
$70 for a family of 8
This will feed families for 3 to 4 weeks. Families of 8 usually include grandparents and/or children from extended family who are without parents.
The need can’t be emphasized enough, and we consider ourselves advocates for the poor and a voice for the voiceless. It’s an honor to serve and speak for the precious people of Guatemala whom the Lord loves so much.
***The most important thing about all of our outreaches and emergency aid efforts, is the ability to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who so desperately need His love and salvation. Our prayer warriors are asking the Lord to multiply our efforts and bring many into His Kingdom -- moms, dads, grandparents, children, and all the precious people whom the Lord created and holds close to His heart.
Gifts can be made by clicking on the Donate button above. You don't need to have a PayPal account to make a gift by credit or debit card. Checks can be sent to Life of Promise Ministries, 24 Three Point Garden Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
All donations are tax-deductible.
THANK YOU so much for considering a donation, and we hope your holiday season is very blessed.
"God's Heart for Mothers" project:
taking on COVID-19 challenges in 2020
“A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows is God in His holy habitation." --Psalm 68:5
2020 is the 5th year of our “God’s Heart for Mothers” project. COVID-19 complications and restrictions are amplifying the needs of the poorest mothers and children in our Zacapa villages even more than usual (see COVID-19 update below).
For Mother's Day, we normally choose 30 to 40 single moms and widows struggling to raise their children. These are families in the greatest need, so we plan to give Blessing Baskets of food, clean drinking water, and 5-gallon water purifying filters.
This year, we are praying for God to allow us to provide for 109 families headed by single mothers in 5 different Zacapa villages. This number sounds high, but it’s low when you consider that the total number of families in these villages is more than 760!!
We are asking for $35 to feed a family of 4 (mom and up to 3 children), and $50 to feed a family of 6 (mom and up to 5 children). The food should last them 3 to 4 weeks. Five-gallon water filters are needed to help with the water shortage and lack of clean drinking water (cost of filters is $50 each).
Many of our widows, single moms and grandmothers are also caring for nieces, nephews and grandchildren who have been orphaned. They simply cannot provide for these children without our help. Men are absent from the families due to crime, murder, abuse, abandonment, and recruitment by drug gangs and migrant caravans.
We have many truly heartbreaking situations in all of our villages. We have families in desperate need, struggling to survive and deal with life-threatening poverty. Coronavirus restrictions and complications have only made bad circumstances much worse. There are now food shortages at the supermarket and the street markets. Prices have gone way up as a result, and the poor cannot afford to feed their families. Many that we know are living on one corn tortilla or less for the entire day.
Unemployment has risen greatly, especially among the uneducated who provide menial labor. Suicides, abortions and infanticides have risen as a result of so many losing hope. The number of coronavirus cases is steadily rising in Guatemala, and the president has just closed down our department of Zacapa because of a spike in illness. No one can enter or exit the department. Guatemala’s health care system is terribly inferior, and they lack the most basic equipment and medications during “normal” times. So virus test kits are obviously scarce.
Many of our villages have transient populations. We wish to share and show the gospel of Jesus Christ by meeting material needs. This opens the door for trust and discussions about faith in God.
The Lord is our strength, hope and peace in times of trouble!!
We are in the states right now with our adopted daughters, Gabby and Mae. Tom is recuperating from a total hip replacement, and also awaiting a second surgery. We plan to return to Guatemala at the end of June. Thankfully, we have a five-year relationship of trust with our pastor's family. We work side by side with the Cruz family daily, and we know the money we send will be used appropriately for the most urgent needs.
We are very thankful to anyone who would consider helping our neighbors in Zacapa at this time when many Americans are in need ourselves. Here are some photos of the precious mothers, grandmothers and children who will receive your help.
Would you give a gift for Mother's Day in honor of your own Mom, Grandma, Aunt or special woman in your life? You can click on the Donate button to give here on our website. Checks can also be made to Life of Promise Ministries, and sent to:
Life of Promise Ministries
24 Three Point Garden Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Thank you and God bless you for your consideration and your prayers!!
Isaiah 58: 6-9
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."
2020 is the 5th year of our “God’s Heart for Mothers” project. COVID-19 complications and restrictions are amplifying the needs of the poorest mothers and children in our Zacapa villages even more than usual (see COVID-19 update below).
For Mother's Day, we normally choose 30 to 40 single moms and widows struggling to raise their children. These are families in the greatest need, so we plan to give Blessing Baskets of food, clean drinking water, and 5-gallon water purifying filters.
This year, we are praying for God to allow us to provide for 109 families headed by single mothers in 5 different Zacapa villages. This number sounds high, but it’s low when you consider that the total number of families in these villages is more than 760!!
We are asking for $35 to feed a family of 4 (mom and up to 3 children), and $50 to feed a family of 6 (mom and up to 5 children). The food should last them 3 to 4 weeks. Five-gallon water filters are needed to help with the water shortage and lack of clean drinking water (cost of filters is $50 each).
Many of our widows, single moms and grandmothers are also caring for nieces, nephews and grandchildren who have been orphaned. They simply cannot provide for these children without our help. Men are absent from the families due to crime, murder, abuse, abandonment, and recruitment by drug gangs and migrant caravans.
We have many truly heartbreaking situations in all of our villages. We have families in desperate need, struggling to survive and deal with life-threatening poverty. Coronavirus restrictions and complications have only made bad circumstances much worse. There are now food shortages at the supermarket and the street markets. Prices have gone way up as a result, and the poor cannot afford to feed their families. Many that we know are living on one corn tortilla or less for the entire day.
Unemployment has risen greatly, especially among the uneducated who provide menial labor. Suicides, abortions and infanticides have risen as a result of so many losing hope. The number of coronavirus cases is steadily rising in Guatemala, and the president has just closed down our department of Zacapa because of a spike in illness. No one can enter or exit the department. Guatemala’s health care system is terribly inferior, and they lack the most basic equipment and medications during “normal” times. So virus test kits are obviously scarce.
Many of our villages have transient populations. We wish to share and show the gospel of Jesus Christ by meeting material needs. This opens the door for trust and discussions about faith in God.
The Lord is our strength, hope and peace in times of trouble!!
We are in the states right now with our adopted daughters, Gabby and Mae. Tom is recuperating from a total hip replacement, and also awaiting a second surgery. We plan to return to Guatemala at the end of June. Thankfully, we have a five-year relationship of trust with our pastor's family. We work side by side with the Cruz family daily, and we know the money we send will be used appropriately for the most urgent needs.
We are very thankful to anyone who would consider helping our neighbors in Zacapa at this time when many Americans are in need ourselves. Here are some photos of the precious mothers, grandmothers and children who will receive your help.
Would you give a gift for Mother's Day in honor of your own Mom, Grandma, Aunt or special woman in your life? You can click on the Donate button to give here on our website. Checks can also be made to Life of Promise Ministries, and sent to:
Life of Promise Ministries
24 Three Point Garden Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Thank you and God bless you for your consideration and your prayers!!
Isaiah 58: 6-9
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."
COVID-19 update: Guatemala in a state of emergency
March 22, 2020: Circumstances are becoming desperate for families in Guatemala. We're particularly concerned about our families in the poorest villages of Zacapa.
President Alejandro Giammattei has closed the borders (Guatemala borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador). A curfew was announced yesterday (March 21). From 4 pm to 4 am, everyone is ordered to stay in their homes, and this will be enforced by police and military. All public transportation and public gatherings have been halted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Of course the economic impact on families is extreme, as many people live week to week, and most even live day to day. Families in our villages do not stock up on food, as they barely have money to survive due to very low-paying (or complete lack of) jobs.
The remote mountain villages have restricted entry or exit. Medical care is inferior at all times, so it's hard to imagine how people will survive if an outbreak takes place. There are no social services, charities, or safety nets like we have in the states -- only missionaries on the front lines.
We are in the states right now for Tom's hip replacement surgery, and I wrote to our pastor's mother to find out specifics of the needs. Ines is particularly concerned about the senior citizens in our village of Conevisa. In addition, there are many single moms who are struggling greatly to feed their children. Water trucks are not entering the villages to sell drinking water, and there are no wells. More families are having to drink water from the contaminated Zacapa river.
We are hoping to purchase several dozen 5-gallon water filters (at $50 each) to meet the emergency needs. Many families have been moving from mountain villages down to Conevisa (our village next to the city garbage dump) due to family feuds and farmland take-overs by drug gangs. You can see the story below entitled: "Clean Water Zacapa Projects" for more details.
If you're able to give emergency aid, a donation can be made right here on our website by clicking the Donate button. It is administered by PayPal, but you don't need a PayPal account to donate. There is a place to enter a credit or debit card number. Checks can also be made to Life of Promise Ministries, and sent to:
Life of Promise Ministries
24 Three Point Garden Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
We have a five-year relationship of trust with our pastor's family. We work side by side with them daily, and we know the money we send will be used appropriately for the most urgent needs.
We are very thankful to anyone who would consider helping our neighbors in Zacapa at this time when many Americans are in need ourselves. God bless you!!
President Alejandro Giammattei has closed the borders (Guatemala borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador). A curfew was announced yesterday (March 21). From 4 pm to 4 am, everyone is ordered to stay in their homes, and this will be enforced by police and military. All public transportation and public gatherings have been halted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Of course the economic impact on families is extreme, as many people live week to week, and most even live day to day. Families in our villages do not stock up on food, as they barely have money to survive due to very low-paying (or complete lack of) jobs.
The remote mountain villages have restricted entry or exit. Medical care is inferior at all times, so it's hard to imagine how people will survive if an outbreak takes place. There are no social services, charities, or safety nets like we have in the states -- only missionaries on the front lines.
We are in the states right now for Tom's hip replacement surgery, and I wrote to our pastor's mother to find out specifics of the needs. Ines is particularly concerned about the senior citizens in our village of Conevisa. In addition, there are many single moms who are struggling greatly to feed their children. Water trucks are not entering the villages to sell drinking water, and there are no wells. More families are having to drink water from the contaminated Zacapa river.
We are hoping to purchase several dozen 5-gallon water filters (at $50 each) to meet the emergency needs. Many families have been moving from mountain villages down to Conevisa (our village next to the city garbage dump) due to family feuds and farmland take-overs by drug gangs. You can see the story below entitled: "Clean Water Zacapa Projects" for more details.
If you're able to give emergency aid, a donation can be made right here on our website by clicking the Donate button. It is administered by PayPal, but you don't need a PayPal account to donate. There is a place to enter a credit or debit card number. Checks can also be made to Life of Promise Ministries, and sent to:
Life of Promise Ministries
24 Three Point Garden Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
We have a five-year relationship of trust with our pastor's family. We work side by side with them daily, and we know the money we send will be used appropriately for the most urgent needs.
We are very thankful to anyone who would consider helping our neighbors in Zacapa at this time when many Americans are in need ourselves. God bless you!!
Christmas Gifts that Save Lives: 2019 Wish List
November 28, 2019: Here are some ways that anyone can work along with us to provide basic and life-saving needs to families in poverty-stricken villages of Zacapa. These gifts help us share God's love in tangible ways that open the doors to relationships with families. For the holidays, donors can designate their gifts to go to one or more of the following areas:
1. Blessing Baskets of food. We can provide 2 weeks worth of food for only $40 (family of 4 to 6 people). Large families will receive 2 baskets. Guatemalans love to celebrate Christmas, but those in extreme poverty have no way to do that. We give corn, beans, rice, Incaparina (nutritional drink mix), milk, cereal and soup in our Blessing Baskets.
2. Five-gallon “Ecofiltro” water filters manufactured in Guatemala. Clean drinking water is not available in any of the 3 villages where we minister. The water table has dropped due to years of drought, and there are no funds available to drill new wells. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are dying due to illnesses from parasites in the drinking water. A $50 filter can save lives!
3. Wood stoves with chimney pipes for cooking. Cooking fumes from open fires inside homes and huts are a major cause of lung disease for women and children. The mothers bake corn tortillas daily, as an inexpensive and stomach-filling staple of their diets. Open fires indoors, mean that the women and children are inhaling fumes equivalent to smoking as many as 8 packs of cigarettes a day!! They often have babies in a hammock near the fire! Many babies die due to lung ailments. Our Gabby had lung problems when we met her, after living in a mountain hut for her first 6 months near a cooking fire. A $200 stove can literally save lives!
4. Sewing machines. God has really blessed our ladies sewing class and Bible study, held at our church in Conevisa. The women are so overjoyed to be earning money to provide for their children, and we are able to sell their creations in the U.S. We’d like to start a sewing class for beginners in January and so we need additional machines. A gift of $180 can help turn a single mom struggling with poverty into an entrepreneur with her own way to earn an income! It’s a real confidence-builder for ladies, as they grow in faith and skills. These are legacies they can pass down to the next generation.
5. “10 + 10 = 20” Here is an idea for family/group involvement that is really fun. Ask 9 family members or friends to give $10 each. Add your $10, and you have $100. With that donation, we can buy $5 toys for 20 children living in poverty! The math adds up LOL!! Would you consider doing this with your family on Thanksgiving Day? It would bring such joy to kids who don’t receive Christmas gifts.
If you wish to give a gift for one or more of these items on our website, please designate where you would like the money to be used -- Blessing Baskets, water filters, stoves, sewing machines or Christmas toys. You can click on any donate button here on this website, and all gifts are tax-deductible. There's also an address on the "Contact Us" page where checks can be sent.
We really want YOU to decide, because it’s so exciting to see how God speaks to each person and puts it all together to provide a beautiful Christmas season. Thank you for helping us share the Gospel through these gifts, as we are able to give them with an explanation of THE REASON FOR THE SEASON -- Our Savior Jesus Christ!!
Much love to you and yours this Christmas season. <3
Life of Promise Ministries
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Our Mission Statement: Life of Promise Ministries is a Christian organization providing services to women and children from isolated areas of Guatemala who are in crisis situations. Abusive relationships and/or crisis pregnancies are the two main circumstances addressed by our ministry. We share God's love and grace while offering temporary housing, basic material needs, and counseling.
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March, 2019 and October, 2019:
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January 2017: Fighting for survival in 4th year of drought
Zacapa is now in its 4th year of a terrible drought. So many of the people we serve are left without jobs because crops have dried up and failed. The water table has dropped in Zacapa, and many wells have to be moved and/or dug deeper. Our village of Conevisa has been without water since April. Families with young children are going hungry each day because there are no farm jobs, and many are dying from preventible diseases. Please pray for the people of Guatemala. Our hearts are broken for the families that we love so much. Please consider giving to Life of Promise Ministries so we can help single mothers and children with emergency supplies of food and water. You can make a credit or debit card donation right here on our website. Take a look at these beautiful faces! Souls that our Lord created in His sovereignty and His great love. In the top photo, they are waiting for a bowl of cereal outside Iglesia Shalom Jireh, our church in the village of Conevisa. For some of these children, it is the only meal they will receive for the day. In the bottom photo, these single mothers and their children live and work at the Zacapa dump. We are thanking God that He has called Life of Promise to bring these children to our new mission house playground for Bible lessons, reading lessons, lunch and play time. Please see our "Mission House" page for more details. |
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Summer 2015 mobile medical clinics!
2015 in our own backyard: ministering to three needy neighborhoods in Zacapa
2014: Building the mission house and a home in the mountains for a needy family!
March 2013: Saving the lives of mothers and babies in crisis. We are so thankful for God's goodness!!
Beautiful people of the mountain villages
