February 17, 2017
“I was very impressed by the teachers and the activities [in the academies], and also how much they care and give personal attention to the kids. It was a blessing to spend two days in La Limonada and shoot some photos for Lemonade International.” Scott Bennett first came to La Limonada on the Bloggers Trip. […]
February 10, 2017
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10 (Photo by Silent Images)
February 9, 2017
In 2008, four friends began a partnership with Tita Evertsz and the ministry of Vidas Plenas in the La Limonada community of Guatemala City. For nine years, Bill Cummings has led Lemonade International in the role of Executive Director. In that time, God has grown the work in La Limonada from a handful of children […]
February 6, 2017
We are grateful to partner with the Center for Transforming Mission (known by the initials CMT in Spanish), an organization focused on the social and spiritual renewal of Guatemala. Groups coming on a Service Learning Trip are offered the opportunity to set aside one afternoon of their trip with a staff member from CMT, who […]
February 5, 2017
Today’s guest post is a reflection from a member of the Forest Hill Church Service Learning Trip last October. We’re grateful for group members like Jody Glass-Chapman who are eager to build ongoing relationships with us and the people of La Limonada. Thank you for coming to listen, learn, and love! Have you ever used […]
February 4, 2017
Every year, we invite groups from the US to come to the community of La Limonada to offer activities and lessons for the children, while participating in prayer walks, vision screenings, medical training, painting projects, delousing children, assembling mercy bags, trainings for teachers, home visits, and more. While groups have the opportunity to offer their […]
February 3, 2017
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (Photo by Silent Images)
January 27, 2017
“Art is communication.” ― Madeleine L’Engle Trauma suppresses a child’s words and ability to express their emotions. Art changes that. (Photo by Lizza Majus)
January 20, 2017
Join us in praying this prayer of Mother Teresa for the most vulnerable in La Limonada: “Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and Joy. […]
January 13, 2017
Join the children in beginning this new school year with childlike wonder, anticipation, and joy! (Photo by Silent Images)
January 12, 2017
Another school year officially began today! The children of La Limonada were welcomed back into their bright and cheerfully painted academies for a new school year, which runs from January through October. The teachers each decorated their classrooms in a special way to welcome their students. Instead of jumping directly into normal classes, the students […]
January 10, 2017
We are very excited to announce that two new members have joined the Lemonade International Board of Directors. After visiting La Limonada and engaging deeply in our mission, we are thrilled they have agreed to serve in this capacity. Chris Marshall is the owner of Resurgam Coffee, a direct trade coffee company that ethically sources […]
January 9, 2017
Last summer we invited you to help us launch the fourth academy in the “15 de Agosto” neighborhood in La Limonada. Through the generous response of many, the team in Guatemala was able to begin the steps to secure a building to rent while building relationships with families and community leaders. After many twists and […]
January 6, 2017
We want this little girl to grow up knowing she is a valued child of God. Next week, the doors of the academies will open for another great year of spiritual, emotional, and physical impact! Thank you to all our sponsors and generous supporters who share our desire for each child in La Limonada and […]
December 31, 2016
Thank you for joining us in partnering with local leaders as they facilitate community development programs in solidarity with the people of La Limonada in Guatemala City. Through your partnership and the faithfulness of God this year, we walked alongside 513 students and scholars in addition to offering compassion, presence, community relief, and gang prevention […]
December 30, 2016
Tomorrow we celebrate the birthday of Tita Evertsz. While we honor her – her deep faith and example of following Jesus with wholehearted abandon into the hard places he loves – we also honor her request to make most of the one she is following. One of her strongest desires for the new year is […]
December 28, 2016
We hope you are experiencing refreshment and joy during the remaining days of the year. Overflowing joy that comes from the love that has been lavished on us in the birth of our Savior, the love shared in giving and receiving from loved ones over the Christmas season, and the love you have chosen to […]
December 27, 2016
Has God put La Limonada on your heart? Do the deep needs of the children, youth, and teachers grab hold of your love and compassion? With less than five days remaining to reach our year-end goal, we have met three of our six gift goals for La Limonada. Through your generosity, we have reached the […]
December 24, 2016
I am a survivor of abuse. Because of that, there are certain dates on the calendar that I can no longer enjoy in the same way. Although I have been healed and liberated by Jesus Christ, I still look at some things differently. And as someone who has shared my life with the poor for […]
December 23, 2016
We love to see children walking to school with a big smile on their face. A little generosity translates into so much justice and joy! (Photo by Silent Images)
December 21, 2016
Vero is a teacher in the classroom for three to five year olds at the Lima academy. All who know her have seen what an incredible blessing she is to her students and their families. Her passion, enthusiasm, creativity, and faith have had an incredible impact. And we trust her daily faithfulness and wholehearted service […]
December 20, 2016
It is not right for a child to grow up without a positive role model. Many parents in La Limonada are making the difficult choice to find work in order to feed their children at least one meal today instead of being present to raise their children. While some are spiraling into destructive lifestyles, others […]
December 17, 2016
Posadas or Processions Many aspects of Guatemalan culture and customs are closely tied to the Roman Catholic Church, which has had a presence in the region for centuries. Beginning in the week leading up to Christmas Eve, processions are made on city streets with statues symbolizing the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth all […]
December 15, 2016
Edy grew up in La Limonada surrounded by scarcity and violence. Many of his peers began making life-altering decisions by the age of seven, spiraling into destructive, desperate, and fatalistic lives, without a source of hope that life could be different. They sank into the darkness. Many are active in the gangs, in jail, or […]
December 14, 2016
A generous donor has offered to give $5,000 to fund scholarships for half of our unsponsored scholars for the first quarter of 2017 – but we have to match his gift dollar for dollar. This is an opportunity to do twice the good with one donation! A gift of $50 will be matched to provide […]
December 13, 2016
It is not right for a child’s dream to be crushed before that dream even has a chance to form. It is not right when poverty keeps a child from continuing with school – especially when we believe education is the most powerful way for a child to escape the cycle of poverty. While public […]
December 10, 2016
It is not right for a child to grow up more familiar with the sight of bullet holes and guns than crayons and notebooks. It is not right for a child to have doors to the future constantly slammed shut. Most families in La Limonada cannot afford the school supplies needed to begin the new […]
December 9, 2016
Last January, the children in the academies each received a new pair of shoes because of the generous donations to Give Christmas 2015. These weren’t just any shoes. They were quality, handmade shoes made right there in their community by Otto. Ready for the school year, they experienced the rare joy of a brand new […]
December 8, 2016
You believe an essential part of celebrating this season is to extend hope, justice, love, and JOY to vulnerable children in Guatemala. You believe the children in La Limonada should know their lives matter to you and should experience HOLISTIC restoration, transformation, and hope. You believe giving justice increases ABIDING JOY in La Limonada and […]
December 7, 2016
It is our JOY to highlight a few amazing gift ideas from friends and partners who have taken their skills and passions to create quality products that honor everyone from the maker to the children in La Limonada. They have chosen to donate a portion of their proceeds to our Give Christmas campaign and to […]
December 6, 2016
It is not right for a child to be kept home from school simply because they do not have the school uniform they need. It is not right for a child to climb the narrow paths out of the ravine-turned-slum with improper shoes. It is not right. It is not just. When you give a […]
December 2, 2016
Addressing chronic hunger and immediate health needs are crucial ways of preparing boys and girls to thrive as the future leaders of their community. (Photo by Silent Images)
November 29, 2016
Today is #GivingTuesday, part of a global movement that provides an alternative to simply being swallowed up in our desires for more and more stuff – a very real temptation this time of year. It’s a way of celebrating the great tradition of generosity, while letting your friends and family know how they can also […]
November 23, 2016
Dear Friends, Here in the United States, many of us are preparing to celebrate an annual tradition – a day set aside to remind us of the importance of being thankful. For some, this tradition is filled with a visceral feeling of joy and goodwill as arrangements are made to be present with those closest […]
November 22, 2016
In two days, we in the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving. We will share meals in the company of loved ones as we celebrate God’s lavish generosity to us. And because we have freely received, we are invited to freely give. So when we pause to give thanks for the many ways God has blessed […]
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