In awe...

I posted this blog recently on my personal blog and Bill asked me to share this experience here as well...

Friday afternoon we went to visit Marcelina and Braulio with 3 group members here from the States. We spent some time helping them with their telephone, but then Tita asked Gerardo, a pastor who works with us regularly, to share something from the Bible with the rest of us. He shared from Psalm 37:4 which says “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I can’t remember exactly what he said, but he was talking about how difficult it can be doing the work of God sometimes and about how easy it is to forgot to delight ourselves in Him in the midst of daily tasks. It was a really encouraging word.

We continued talking for a little bit longer and then one of the 5 Guatemalans among us turned to me and asked me to translate for the Americans…which at first I thought strange because I had been translating all along. This man proceeded share about how it had been difficult for him to work among “gringos” since his brother disappeared several years ago trying to pursue the “American dream.” But then he thanked us and said that he could now see that there are “gringos” doing more for his country than his own people. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

And we were all left speechless…overwhelmed by his honesty and the moment. We spent some more time in prayer, and I felt like this moment was way bigger than the 9 people sitting in this tiny house at the bottom of the ravine. I can’t exactly explain that to you, but it was really powerful. And in that house, we the 4 Americans washed the feet of each of the Guatemalans and asked for forgiveness on behalf of "gringos", not only from the man who had spoken but from each one.

To be honest, trying to put all this into words seems to cheapen the moment. Tears abounded. The presence of God was overwhelming. It was really really incredible and powerful. I’m just in awe….

Confirm Short-Term Group Dates for 2010

We're encouraging all groups who desire to serve in La Limonada in 2010 to confirm dates as soon as possible. The calendar is beginning to fill up for spring and summer of next year, so the sooner your group dates are confirmed the better.

In order to confirm dates, simply fill out the Lemonade International Group Application and submit it along with a $100 deposit.

The following type of groups would be very helpful in partnership with the work Tita and the team in Guatemala are doing in La Limonada: special programs for children, construction, medical, dental, continuing education workshops for teachers, and sports camps. There are also opportunities for other specialized groups depending on the skill-sets in the group.

If you have any questions prior to consideration of having a group serve in La Limonada, check out our Short-Term Teams FAQs. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact bill@lemonadeinternational.org or call 919.848.1553.

We are looking forward to facilitating an incredible opportunity for your group to serve the children and families of La Limonada.

All Funds Received For Completion Of Escuelita Mandarina Renovations!!

Thanks to the generosity of churches, families and individuals, all the funds have been raised for the completion of the renovations of Escuelita Mandarina in La Limonada!

Tita, the team in Guatemala and our team here in the States, along with the children and families in La Limonada, are very grateful for every church, individual and family who has given to make this possible. We are thankful for all the volunteers who provided help with the work on the building and for every small and large donation over the past year.

From the purchase of the building for just $8,500 to every aspect of the major renovations that have taken place on the building - it has been incredible to see how God has provided each step along the way.

The completion of the work will take about two more months, which means that everything should be completed for the beginning of the new school year in January. We are sure there will be additional small projects that will continue into next year, but the major renovation work will be finalized and the building will be ready to receive the children to begin another adventurous school year in La Limonada.

Thank you to all who have invested in the lives of the children of La Limonada by giving to this vital project!

Lifepointe - Raleigh, NC

Last week I had the privilege of leading a team of 11 people from Lifepointe Church here in Raleigh, NC to Guatemala to serve the children and families of La Limonada. It was the culmination of about three months of planning, meetings, getting to know each other and praying together.

The focus of the team's planning was on a program they put together for the children at Escuelita Limón that included a Bible lesson, worship, crafts and games. They also got their whole church community involved by collecting "goody bags" for each of the 350+ children at both schools in La Limonada. The bags included socks, underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, pens, pencils, notepads, stickers, small toys and, of course, a little candy.

The program was a huge encouragement to the children and even the teachers, who got a break from their normal routine of teaching for the week. The kids were grateful for the "goody bags" too! It was such a joy to watch their faces as they walked out of the school building the day they had the own personal gift bag - filled with practical/much needed items and some fun stuff too!

Each team member who sponsors a child also got to meet the child(ren) in person and spend time in their home with the family. Watching them get to meet the child and family was definitely a highlight for me and our team in Guatemala! It is such an emotional experience to watch these meetings happen and the experience serves as a great reminder for us of what this is all about and why we do what we do.

The relationship that each one now shares with their child and his/her family is now even more meaningful than ever. Immediate needs were identified and some were even met before the team left at the end of the week. Their love for the children and their generosity to them and their families is such an encouragement to us.

So many other things took place this past week with this team. They took time to visit the homes of other families, they stopped along the streets with Tita to pray for people, visited the home of "Viejito" and Marcelina and Braulio and experienced God's love in a way they never had before. They gave everything they had each day to serve and, for that, we are so grateful.

A big thanks goes out to Leah for doing what she does so well... leading the team once they hit the ground in Guatemala, coordinating the schedule each day and driving like a Guatemala City pro! She is an incredible part of our team, and we could not do all that we do without her!

This was the third team from Lifepointe we've hosted in the past year and another group is scheduled to be in Guatemala in early February... so stay tuned for more from this incredible church community.

We are more grateful than words could ever express for their partnership and for their love for the people of La Limonada!

You can check out the blog from the Lifepointe Team here: http://guatemalaoctober2009.blogspot.com/

Give $10 Today... and Help Us Win $50,000!

You have the opportunity to help Lemonade International win $50,000 in "America's Giving Challenge". Facebook Causes, the Case Foundation, and PARADE Publications have partnered to organize a 30-day national competition that encourages people to leverage their personal networks and online social media to help win cash awards for non-profit organizations.

Participants in America’s Giving Challenge will compete for daily and overall cash awards based on the number of donations generated for a cause, not dollars raised.

$50,000 will be awarded to the cause with the highest total number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge. $25,000 will be awarded to the cause with the next highest total number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge. $10,000 will be awarded to the next five causes with the highest total number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge.

There will also be two daily awards every day of the Challenge: $1,000 to the cause with the most unique donations that day and $500 to the cause with the second highest number of unique donations that day.

How you can help:

• Go to the Lemonade International Facebook Cause Donation Page and give $10 today.

• Join our Facebook Cause

• Invite your friends to join our Facebook Cause

Your donation of $10 and any prize money won will make a direct impact in the lives of children and families livign in extreme poverty in the largest urban slum community in Central America.

Ray Strecker - Lemonade Int'l Board Member - Guest Blog Post

A couple weeks ago, I led a team visit to Guatemala and La Limonada. As a member of the Lemonade International Board of Directors, Bill asked me to share some of my thoughts afterward.

My wife, Carole and I were some of the first people to visit the building that has become Escuelita Mandarina just after it was purchased last December (2008). The transformation of that building over the last nine months is nothing short of amazing. It really took a visionary like Tita to look at the dark, run down and crumbling home and see what it could become.

I have visited Mandarina several times this year and it just keeps getting better and better. New walls, windows, floors and a new white roof greeted us as we entered. Bright colors adorn most of the walls. New lights and windows make the spaces open and inviting. We could hear the sounds of children in their classrooms-- along with the sounds of the continued renovation work.

I love that we have been able to raise the funds so local workers could be employed for this project. The result is that the work has progressed much faster than if we had to rely solely on mission teams, and local workers receive a much needed wage to provide for their families. These guys are very hard workers who earn every Quetzal they are paid.

We talked with Tita and Juan Carlos-- the general contractor about what still needs to be done to complete the school. One of our biggest needs right now is to raise the rest of the funds we need to keep the men working to get the school completed. At last count we need about $11,000 in additional donations. To contribute toward this important project, go to our secure Online Donation page.

We talked about the woodworking shop that is planned for part of the space on the lower level. Tita's vision is to have a shop class to teach gang members in the Mandarina barrio woodworking skills that would enable them to earn a better (and much safer) living. Our goal is to have that shop equipped and set up by this coming January (an ambitious goal to be sure!). Members of my team in Cincinnati are spearheading that effort. We are planning to hold a fundraiser in Cincinnati in November. Send me an email if you would like to help - ray@vcnw.org.

A highlight of my visit was getting time with Shorty and Gerardo. These are the two pastors who are spending a couple days each week in La Limonada. I listened to them as they expressed their strong conviction that God is calling them to serve in this community. There is such a need for strong, positive male influence here, especially with the adolescents. Shorty said some of the students are already calling them "papa".

As we walked from Mandarina to Limón, it was great to see how easily these two tough former gang members related to and interacted with the local gangs. These guys are uniquely qualified to impact this community with the love of Christ in an authentic and natural way. During this time we are praying about what the next steps should be to support the potential startup of a "missional worshipping community" in La Limonada.

On Independence Day (September 15), the school was closed but our team was able to spend time with Tita and her household in worship and prayer. The Holy Spirit was present in a powerful way and touched each us of deeply. It was a good reminder to me of how much they need the prayers and support of all of us who are committed to this ministry.

In thinking of our time there, the words to a worship song come to mind-- "God of This City", "Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this City". I came away from La Limonada both hopeful for the future and yet sobered by the magnitude of the challenges that we face there.

I was able to go home to my comfortable and safe life in Cincinnati at the end of our trip. Tita, Monica, Leah, Kate and the rest of the staff face significant challenges every day. Please pray for them often. Ask the Lord what He expects of each of us regarding this community.

Micah 6:8 "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Tita, we'll be back soon.

-Ray Strecker

Ray Strecker is passionate about serving the poor and oppressed in Guatemala. He and his wife, Carole travel to La Limonada in Guatemala City regularly. A former business owner, Ray is currently on staff with Vineyard Church Northwest in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A Friend... Taking Action

My friend, Ruth Alpha, and I worked together for several years at Lifechurch in Allentown, PA, and we share a common passion for the poor and oppressed around the world.

A few months ago, Ruth contacted me to let me know she was interested in approaching the company she works for about doing a fundraiser for Lemonade International. She felt strongly that her coworkers were the kind of people who would jump at the chance to help the children of La Limonada.

And she was right!

On Wednesday, October 14, Worth & Company, Inc will host a bake sale at their headquarters in Pipersville, PA.

Here is an excerpt from the flier they have distributed among their employees...

Bake Sale To Benefit Lemonade International:

Simply bring in your favorite homemade treat, along with a little sign or note card stating what it is.

The treats will be kept in the kitchen along with a donation jar.

During the day, if you would like a treat just pick it out and leave your donation.

Did I mention…

Your homemade treat is your free pass

to wear jeans to work that day.

Thanks so much to Ruth and Worth & Company for your compassion to help the people of La Limonada! We are grateful for people like You!!

Feliz Dia del Niño!

October 1st here in Guatemala, is a BIG deal for kids. It's "Dia del Niño" (or "Kids Day") which is equivalent to Mother's Day or Father's Day. It's a day to celebrate kids.

So we celebrated for sure!!! We took the kids from Limon and Mandarina bowling... and they had such a blast. Most of them have never been bowling before other than with our school so it's SUCH a big treat for them! To watch them laugh, run, play, dance, and just act like kids for a day outside of their normal life circumstances was such a joy to be a part of.

We even got to take some of the construction workers with us (who have been renovating Escuelita Mandarina for the last 8 months). It was their first time bowling as well and it was so much fun for them! You're never too old to have fun like a child. You may even get a glimpse of some of the "adults" acting like kids in the photos as well. :)

A huge THANK YOU to all who made this day possible for these kids. The bowling, the food, the field trip t-shirts, the finances to make it all happen, and all the presents and books donated to the kids for this special day. They felt very special for sure!!!