Lemonade International Blog

Give Gift of Hope

God Has Big Plans For 2024!

December 19, 2023

On a recent, morning flight home from Guatemala I noticed the way bright clouds caught the first rays of sunshine and surrounded dark mountains and valleys still in the shadows. The stark contrast of light and darkness was impressive: the lush vegetation versus barren, black volcanic rock, the way the gentle, fluffy clouds softened the […]

Stepping into New Neighborhoods

December 7, 2022

For more than a year, the Board of Directors of Lemonade International has been in prayerful discernment about the next chapter of our international development work. Acts 1:8 describes the concentric circles of gospel influence, from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Lemonade International feels called to expand our vision to […]

Introducing Jenny Schmitt

November 4, 2022

Meet Jenny Schmitt. We are so glad we did. We are very grateful that after many years supporting and working with Lemonade, Jenny graciously agreed to join the Lemonade International Board as Board Secretary. Who are you? I have worked in Next Gen ministries for three decades and currently serve as the Next Gen Development […]

Diana Overcomes Losing Her Vision

May 18, 2022

  For more than two years, Guatemalan students have bravely battled the challenges of remote learning. But Diana was adapting how she learned even before the pandemic. Diana was born blind in one eye. She didn’t learn the extent of her vision impairment until a decade later, when she came to Vidas Plenas and was […]

Being Present in La Limonada through Sponsorship

April 25, 2022

Guest post written by: Jenn Johnson Amatuzzo As the flight begins its descent into Guatemala City, I feel a wave of peace and a sense of renewed life in a way I haven’t since the last time the familiar trifecta of volcanoes were last in view. Everything about this small country captivates me; from the […]

Leaving the Ninety-Nine

April 14, 2022

  Recently Lizza and Cesar were working in La Limonada to help prepare for the academies to reopen. While Lizza was taking pictures, a young man drove by on his motorcycle and stopped to say hello. She almost didn’t recognize Abdias. The last time she saw him, Lizza was teaching his class at the Limon […]

‘Tis the Season of Hope

November 19, 2021

Gaby rises above her lack of papers to receive an education

July 7, 2021

At the age of seven, Gaby enrolled at an academy despite the obstacles she faced as a young girl. Before entering the program in 2014, Gaby had no way of verifying her age. Her mother’s involvement in selling drugs deterred her from filing a birth certificate with the government. Without a birth certificate, Gaby had […]

What Is Our Hope?

April 1, 2021

The reality for children growing up in the “red zone” of La Limonada—a term given by the Guatemalan government to indicate danger to the rest of the city—is not very hopeful. From their earliest moments of life, most of these children have known hunger and trauma, as well as some form of abuse, neglect, and […]

The Burden of an Empty Room

September 7, 2020

The true peace of Jesus for our communities

April 8, 2020

In John’s gospel, on Easter evening we find the disciples locked away because they were afraid of the religious leaders. Suddenly, Jesus comes to them and speaks: “Peace to you!” The word peace is likely meant to carry the sense of the Hebrew word shalom, which doesn’t simply mean an absence of conflict, but rather, […]

Help Shine the Bright Light of Enduring Justice in La Limonada

December 30, 2019

Have you heard? Did someone tell you already? Imagine the buzz around Bethlehem just a few days after Jesus was born. Especially after a group of humble shepherds came running in from the fields talking about a message they received from an a capella sky-choir of angels, the town surely couldn’t ignore that something amazing […]

Give Shoes this Christmas

December 17, 2019

Would you like to upgrade your phone this Christmas? Would you like a good deal on some other great piece of technology? If so, you’re probably looking in the wrong place!! INTERESTING FACT…one of the greatest technological advancements in the last 5,000 years is SHOES!! You heard it right…the first shoe prototypes were made thousands […]

Imago Dei La Limonada – Meet Rotvin

November 7, 2019

“I always felt that I did not exist to my real mother.” Rotvin’s story is an example of one of the many challenges that extreme poverty inflicts on the people of La Limonada. He comes from a place of abandonment, abuse and anxiety within his home. However, his story is now one of hope, support, […]

5th Academy Update from Chal Knox

September 25, 2019

I recently celebrated my two-year anniversary as the Executive Director of Lemonade International, and these last two years have been a whirlwind to say the least! God has done so much for the La Limonada community. As I look back on all that He has done for all of us, I am reminded of His […]

Gracias, Silvia Lopez!

September 19, 2019

We are so grateful to Silvia Lopez for her commitment and service to Lemonade International, Vidas Plenas, and the people of La Limonada. Not only did Silvia serve behind-the-scenes as our Service Learning Trips and Communications Liaison for over a year, but her shepherding gifts and sweet smile encouraged everyone she came in contact with […]

Announcing the Naranja Academy!

August 13, 2019

  With “Hope on the Horizon” in La Limonada the construction for Naranja, the 5th academy, is officially underway! We invite you to participate and celebrate what God is doing through Lemonade International. We will be serving a new community of children and families and we need your help to make that happen! Your generosity […]

Imago Dei La Limonada – Meet Ruth

July 23, 2019

Our precious friend, Ruth, has been part of the academies since she was 2 years old and is now 11 years old. She is the epitome of someone who has experienced the holistic love and spiritual cultivation the academies provide. She is lovingly described by her teachers as quiet and reserved yet strong and out-spoken […]

Announcing La Limonada’s 5th Academy

July 17, 2019

We are excited to announce La Limonada’s 5th academy! We celebrate what God is doing through Vidas Plenas. Serving a whole new community of children and families, construction for the Naranja Academy is underway. More details coming soon! Stay tuned for ways to join us in funding this exciting new location where we can serve […]

Imago Dei, La Limonada – Meet Yami

June 4, 2019

Today…we are thrilled to share Yamilet’s story with you – or as everyone knows her, “Yami.” Yami is the daughter of Rebecca who cooks meals for the children at the Toronja academy. Rebecca is able to provide a stable family life for Yami, her three brothers and sister. She is the leader in her home […]

Imago Dei La Limonada – Meet Nicky

May 14, 2019

“I want to be important, valued, and feel loved…” – Nicky We would like to introduce you to our friend, Nicky. Nicky is a 8-year old boy who attends of the Limon Academy. He is very passionate and detailed when making crafts in the classroom. Some of his favorites toys include Legos and puzzles. Nicky […]

Walking the Streets of La Limonada

March 6, 2019

If you have ever walked the streets of La Limonada, you know firsthand… That love is confirmed in presence. That true joy can be found in difficult places. That peace is needed in the physical and the spiritual. That beauty is often found in the mess of life. That hope can be birthed from hardship […]

We are Thankful for Hope This Christmas Season

December 27, 2018

What is it that has energized you this holiday season? Shopping for presents? Baking cookies? The thought that in just a few days the stresses of “celebrating” will all be over? At Lemonade International we are so grateful that you have taken time out of your schedule this year to support the work going on […]

Speak of Joy – A reflection on Child Sponsorship

December 19, 2018

By Christa Heinzelman “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.” Preverbs 3: 13-14 One person, one response, one moment, one forever memory…ONE is all we need to make a difference. For me, […]

Give Christmas 2018

November 26, 2018

Just over ten years ago God began using Lemonade International and the first “Limon” academy to give hope to a group of families in La Limonada, Guatemala by surrounding them with love, encouragement, and academic support to keep them out of gangs. And what a decade it has been! As we celebrate Christmas during the […]

Introducing New Lemonade International Board Member: Dan Fuhrman

October 15, 2018

We are excited to introduce Dan Fuhrman as the newest member of the Lemonade International Board of Directors. Read a little bit about Dan below. Who are you? My name is Dan Fuhrman, though my family calls me Danny. Very blessed child of God. Loving husband to an amazing woman. A proud father of four […]

A Snapshot of Serving La Limonada for 10 years: Our Story

August 21, 2018

Over 10 years ago Tita Evertsz started serving the community of La Limonada. This community of over 60,000 people developed out of a 36 year-long civil war – the longest in Latin American history. During these years, dictators and military leaders committed despicable acts of violence and terror against their people. These atrocities led to a massacre […]

Save the Date! Join us in Celebrating 10 Years of Serving La Limonada

June 27, 2018

  We are excited to announce that Lemonade International is celebrating 10 years of serving La Limonada! It’s hard to believe that it was just 10 years ago that our founder Bill Cummings and his team were first introduced to Tita, her team and this amazing community. God has done so much over the 10 […]

Welcome Silvia Lopez as our new Service Learning Trips and Communication Liaison

June 8, 2018

For the past few years we have been blessed to have Beth Skinner serve as our Service Learning Trips Coordinator. Beth, and her husband Dave, have been (and will continue to be!) good friends of Lemonade International. They even spent a year living in Guatemala City serving the people of La Limonada. Beth is currently […]

In La Limonada as In Heaven: The Kingdom, the Power & the Glory

May 29, 2018

As we conclude our blog series on the Lord’s Prayer called “In Limonada as it is in Heaven,” we invite you to pray with us recognizing that God is in control and to appeal to him to make his Glory known through the people of La Limonada. Read: Introduction | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part […]

In La Limonada as In Heaven: Deliver us from Evil

May 18, 2018

We continue our blog series on the Lord’s Prayer called “In Limonada as it is in Heaven.” This week we reflect on the line “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” This week we invite you to pray with us that God would not only end violence, but give the […]

Introducing New Lemonade International Board Member: Kristin Lawrence

May 15, 2018

We are excited to introduce Kristin Lawrence as the newest member of the Board of Directors for Lemonade International. She comes to us as someone with a passion for La Limonada who is trained as a conflict coach, mediator and peacemaker trainer.  Read more about Kristin and take a minute to welcome her to the […]

In La Limonada as In Heaven: Forgive our Sins, as we Forgive Those who Sin Against us.

May 10, 2018

We continue our blog series on the Lord’s Prayer called “In Limonada as it is in Heaven.” This week we reflect on the line “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” This week we invite you to pray with us that God would not only end violence, but give the […]

In La Limonada as In Heaven: Give us our Daily Bread

April 26, 2018

We continue our blog series on the Lord’s Prayer called “In Limonada as it is in Heaven.” This week we reflect on the line “Give us this day our daily bread.” We invite you to pray with us this week that God would bring nourishment and sustenance to the community of La Limonada. Read: Introduction | […]

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