The Lemonade International Blog

Danilo Sponsored By Ohio 8th Grader

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:06:00 +0000

We recently received an online donation of $420 for a full year of Child Sponsorship with the following note in the comments box:

My son Ryan took cash in leiu of presents this year for Christmas, and has saved enough to sponsor a child... yippee!!! He would like to sponsor Danilo @ Limón... is that ok, or do you need to pick the child for him. Just let me know.. and thanks for the work you do.. we love you!! - Julie

We asked Julie if we could share more about Ryan, and this is what she provided to us...

"Ryan is a 14 yr old 8th grader from Kings Mills, OH.

He was part of the Rivers Crossing Community Church group from Ohio that went to Guatemala in July of 2009. He was the youngest student on the trip, but has a heart for the Lord beyond his years. Ryan was touched while on the trip to Lalimonada, and talks about it all of the time. He says that people just don't understand what is going on around the world. He has a strong desire to go back and serve, which we hope to do again soon.

The past couple of Christmas seasons he has opted to forgo presents and has asked for money instead to give to charity. The first year he gave to the needy in our community, this year he took his "presents", added the extra from his bank account and sponsored a child... This make a mother very proud!"

Ryan, thanks so much for your heart for God and for the people of La Limonada! We are grateful that you will be sponsoring Danilo and helping to provide food, education and love for him though what God is providing at Escuelita Limón.

Transforming Power of Grupo de Vida

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany Streng) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:24:00 +0000

The Life Group gatherings, or Grupo de Vida, have been occurring for less than a month now, and yet powerful things are happening in the community as people come together to worship, pray and spend time together. The power of God is being released in a supernatural way that leaves no room for doubt as to the source.

Last week, the group met on the Mandarina side of La Limonada. By the time the Lemonade team reached the school, a crowd had already gathered to be escorted to the house in which Grupo de Vida was meeting. They met in a room that was no larger than 15 by 20, with so many people in attendance that every flat surface of the room was taken by a body. People stood, sat on the dirt floor, or occupied what few chairs were available. As the singing began, more people from outside began to come in to find out what was going on.

“We start worshiping and I was totally carried away. It didn't matter that we were not in a beautiful church with fancy stuff... or that we were not sitting in chairs... or that we were not wearing our nice clothes... we were worshiping God who was right there with us giving us more hope and pouring down His love. It was amazing.” said an attendee of Grupo de Vida. The power of such simplicity and love was felt throughout the room, and undoubtedly, throughout the surrounding barrio.

It’s exciting to see God moving in this community, pushing past the devastation and hardship of everyday life there. La Limonada is transforming under the force of the love. Its unmistakable that the wonder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is sweeping change over the lives there. Its only a matter of time before the effect of that ripples out to the rest of the community and produces such change that it will be unrecognizable from its original state of being.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:23-25

TEN DOLLARS CAN HELP ALLEVIATE POVERTY - "50 States" Update

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:47:00 +0000

One of the three ways you can provide monthly support for the children and families of La Limonada is by simply making a commitment to give TEN DOLLARS a month - through "TEN2END" - our campaign to end poverty, injustice, hunger, hopelessness and despair in the largest urban slum in Central America.

TEN DOLLARS

Many here in the US easily spend $10 a week on fast food or specialty coffee drinks. We spend three times that or more on pizza for our families on a Friday night.

$10 is also equal to what it costs to feed one child at our schools in La Limonada - FOR ONE MONTH

Join TEN2END today... or encourage your friends and family members to join... and help put your state on the map as part of our "50 States in 50 Days" campaign! To sign up for TEN2END now, click on the Donate button below and select "TEN2END" from the fund drop-down menu on our secure online Donation Page.

Group Schedule For 2010

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:38:00 +0000

The group schedule is shaping up for 2010. We are very excited about each of the groups who will be traveling to Guatemala to spend at least a week in La Limonada!

We have already hosted a medical/dental team from Pennsylvania and a dental/construction team from North Carolina so far this year. Our groups range from four to twenty people and are from 8 different states in the US.

Here is what the schedule looks like for the remainder of the year:

March 15-17: Life of Hope - Joplin, MO
March 21-28: Origins Community - Boulder, CO
March 22-25: One Day's Wages - Seattle, WA
March 23-24: Life of Hope - Joplin, MO
March 25-27: Estrategia de Transformación - Guatemala
April 18-24: Life of Hope - Joplin, MO
May 2-8: Lifepointe - Raleigh, NC
June 13-19: Bridgepoint - Houston, TX
June 20-26: The Well - Philadelphia, PA
July 11-17: Trinity Baptist - Mentor, OH
July 14-16: Life Of Hope - Joplin, MO
July 18-24: Lifepointe - Raleigh, NC
July 25-31: Rivers Crossing - Kings Mills, OH
August 1-7: University Baptist - Houston, TX
August 8-14: Rivers Crossing - Kings Mills, OH
October 3-9: Chapel Pointe - Hudsonville, MI

If you are interested in leading a group to serve in La Limonada this year please send an email to bill@lemonadeinternational.org or call 919.848.1553.

Teachers Meeting - Rejuvenation

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:04:00 +0000

Our teachers and staff are the most amazing group of people that I have ever worked with. They pour their lives into the children and community every day, fighting to give them more opportunities and choosing to walk beside them, love them, and encourage them through good and very difficult times.

Once a month we meet together with the staff from both schools. Last month we went bowling. Today we went to a local park to play basketball, and had an absolute blast!

Dealing with the reality of life in La Limonada every day (the poverty, brokenness, and despair), it's wonderful for us to get away for a little bit and enjoy being together, being silly, laughing, playing, etc.

It helps to refuel us, and to bring rejuvenation to some of the weary parts of our hearts.

-Tita Evertsz

Sam's 11th Birthday - Dedicated to Helping The Children of La Limonada

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:08:00 +0000

One of our child sponsors, Nona, from the Cincinnati, OH area, has been to La Limonada two times in the past six months and has passionately shared with her friends about what God is doing in the community and in the lives of the children there.

Nona's experience in La Limonada inspired her friend, Susan, and her family to sponsor a child... and Susan's son, Sam, was inspired to dedicate his birthday to helping the children in La Limonada.

Here's the story of Sam's birthday party from Susan...

"A couple of months before Sam's 11th birthday we were talking about what he might want as a gift and about party ideas. We had thought about sponsoring some type of organization the previous birthday and it just didn't work out. After our friend, Nona, had made her visit the Guatemala we really felt led to sponsor a child. Sam is the only brother to 4 sisters and wanted brother! So, the decision to sponsor then turned into 'what more could we do'. There was our party idea!

We had the party at our church gym and Sam invited all of his friends and classmates. We played dodgeball, basketball, and had all kinds of contests. The kids had an awesome time! We set-up a Lemonade Int'l table at the entrance to the gym. I had included pictures from Nona's trips and made a notebook with information about La Limonada. We had lots of questions and a lot of interest from the parents and kids about La Limonada.

One mom said that when her son received the invitation he was very puzzled by the fact that it said 'no gifts'. She later said 'thanks for showing that everything doesn't always have to be about us'."

With the help of his friends, Sam raised $360 from his birthday party for our work with the children of La Limonada!

Sometime in the spring we'll be sharing a new initiative to empower people all over the country to create networks and "tribes" within their communities to advocate for the children of La Limonada... and Sam's birthday party is a perfect example of just that!

Sam, thank you for following your heart and for dedicating your birthday to the children of La Limonada!

64 Children In La Limonada Need Sponsors - "50 States" Update

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:15:00 +0000

As we reach the 14-day mark in our "50 States In 50 Days" campaign we are focusing on our Child Sponsorship program.

The children of La Limonada live every day under the effects of extreme poverty. Hunger, physical and sexual abuse, drugs, neglect, horrible living conditions, gang activity, violence, and prostitution surround them.

We believe this is an issue of injustice. We believe every child has a right to grow up in an environment where they are loved unconditionally, nurtured, educated, provided with proper nutrition and protected. And this is what every child experiences at our two schools in La Limonada.

Over the past two years, 301 children in the community have been sponsored by individuals and families here in the US. The impact this has had on the children is immeasurable. People here in the Sates have an opportunity to be connected with a child in La Limonada through prayer and through a personal relationship established through correspondence (and in some cases through personal visits).

Right now there are 64 children at the two schools in La Limonada who are not sponsored. One of those children is Jaquelin Polanco.

Jaquelin is 13 years old and she lives with her grandparents, father, aunt, and cousins. She is extremely timid and shy. She is in 3rd grade, and school is hard for her. She is surrounded by extended family, but her dad is addicted to drugs (we always see him on the street walking near one of the schools and he is almost always strung out on drugs). Her mom lives within the community as well but in another barrio.

Kate, one of our team members in Guatemala, said of Jaquelin,

"She is just so sweet and I think she could really use the support, love and prayers that come with being sponsered. I honestly think it could be life changing for her to know that someone picked her and committed to love and pray for her. Her cousin is sponsored, and I think it would make a huge differnece for Jaquelin to be sponsored."

In Matthew 25 Jesus painted a picture of himself being hungry, thirsty, treated as a stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned. He said there would be those who would ask 'when were you all those things and when did we help you?' (paraphrased). He said his reply would be,

'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25:40

To sponsor a child now, go to our website and click on the "Sponsor A Child" icon and follow the instructions provided.

Help spread the word to your friends and family members in your state and other states around the country by forwarding this email along with a personal note, or send them a link to this blog post, update your Facebook status with a link to the Lemonade Website or make a good old fashioned phone call to encourage someone you know to sponsor a child.

Thanks for all you do to make a difference in the lives of the children of La Limonada!

Donnie Long - Living & Working In Guatemala

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:09:00 +0000

Yesterday our friend and team member, Donnie Long, arrived in Guatemala and now begins the process of settling into his new role as Director of The Lemonade House and Group Coordinator. His responsibilities will include leading a house full of interns and being the point person and host for groups traveling to Guatemala to serve in La Limonada.

Donnie had been a friend for several years and has been an instrumental part of helping to establish Lemonade International as an organization. He has spent countless hours volunteering his time over the past two years developing our website and capturing our work on film. He has devoted the past several years of his life to serving internationally - traveling to Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Dominican Republic, Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

He is a life-long learner of other cultures and has worked very closely with Ramon Crespo in several of those countries, the Missions Director at his home church, Lifechurch in Allentown, PA - gaining invaluable international experience.

Donnie absolutely loves children and has a passion to see them freed from injustice. The children in the La Limonada community beam with smiles when they are with him. He has dedicated his life to doing whatever God wants him to do - wherever that may be. He lives very simply and has a humble heart. He adds value to our work through his organizational and business skills. And you can't spend ten minutes with him without laughing!

We are very excited that he will now be giving his full-time to serving the La Limonada community.

More about Donnie...

Interests and Passions: musician - guitar, snowboarding, travel, fighting injustice of any kind

Family: Mom, Dad and brothers Mark and Ryan

International Experience: Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Dominican Republic, Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala. Experience includes everything from helping to lead orphanages to installing water systems, building walls, digging foundations, painting schools, video documentation of trips, co-leading teams with Missions Director

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Minor in Business from Temple University (2004), Concentration Certificate in New Media, Certified for the Living Waters for the World Clean Water System for Field Surveying and Water Testing, Managed band through high school and college

Donnie's role with Lemonade International relies on the financial support of family and friends of his and of our organization. To provide him with regular monthly support - click on the Donate Button below - then select the "Support A Team Member" Fund and "Donnie Long" in the drop-down menus.

Thanks so much for your support of Donnie as he moves forward with this big step in his life to serve in La Limonada!

Sponsor A Teacher - "50 States In 50 Days"

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:14:00 +0000

We are 7 days into our "50 States In 50 Days" Campaign and with 43 days to go it's exciting to see people spread the word about ways their family and friends can support the work in La Limonada. One new child sponsor shared a post titled, "Lemonade? Yes, please!" on her "Handmade Musings" Blog. Thanks so much, Angela!

Here is our "50 States" map as it stands today:

To provide some motivation for states with current partners (in light green), we are only going to change the state color to dark green once there are three new partners for that state! The states in white where we do not currently have partners will change to dark green as soon as we add one new partner in that state. Currently, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas are close to being turned to dark green!

So, continue to help us get the word out to people you know in your home state and those who live in other parts of the country!

This week we are focusing on our "Sponsor A Teacher" program. The teachers and other staff members at the schools in La Limonada currently make approximately $7 a day. The average worker in Guatemala City makes $14 a day. For $50 a month you can help to provide one of the teachers with a fair wage while building a personal relationship in the process.

We'd like you to meet a couple of the staff members at the schools...

Gloria started working for us last summer. She had asked Tita earlier for work, but at the time there were no openings. Soon after her husband and some other gang members robbed delivery truck drivers who were bringing us construction supplies, we had an opening for cleaning. And by the grace that only God can give, it was clear that she was the person for the job. Gloria is an extremely hard worker and always willing to do whatever is asked. She's fun, playful, and loves to joke. She also loves to play sports, especially basketball. She has 3 children, and her husband has been in the drug and alcohol rehab that Shorty leads for almost a month now.

China (pronounced "Chee-nah") just started working for us this year. In the past she had been robbing people on the streets with her sister, but was really convicted in her heart about doing so. She also had been asking Tita for work for some time. After China spent some time praying to God about her situation, she learned that there was a job opening. Soon after she joined the staff as a cleaning person at one of the schools. China is also an amazing worker, and is just as much fun as Gloria. She's been a quick learner, and has become an invaluable part of our staff. She has 3 little children and just recently took in her niece and nephew after their mom left them. So now she's responsible for 5 children.

To sponsor one of these staff members or another one of the incredible teachers and staff members at the schools who give their lives to serve the children and families of La Limonada go to our website and click on the "Sponsor A Teacher" icon (just like the one to the left) for instructions.

Thanks again for helping to spread the word about this movement across the United States!

Vitalino Is Back Home

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Following a surgery that went very well at a private hospital in Guatemala City, our friend Vitalino, is back home!

The surgery involved a prosthetic knee to replace the damage done from the original surgery done at the community hospital. The intense pain he was experiencing has been relieved and he is now taking the correct medication.

When I am with Vitalino and when I see photos of him I can't help but think about how so many of us who know him would want to make sure he was properly cared for just like we would for our own fathers and grandfathers. Many of you have done just that.

Thanks to everyone who gave generously to help make this happen and for those who are still working on raising funds to cover the cost! We are grateful for your compassion and generosity.

Transformation

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Dundon) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:05:00 +0000

Some time ago, “Q” returned from the United States to La Limonada where he grew up and become the head of the gang on the Manderina side. Chaos then began to ensure in La Limonada because of the things he and his gang were doing.

3 years ago, Tita felt led to start going to the Manderina side, specifically to talk with “Q.” She and other members of our team went back repeatedly to talk and share with “Q”, the other gang members, and members of the community. Eventually, “Q” gave permission for Tita to open a second school on the Mandarina side, and he decided to give his life to the Lord. It was the gang members who showed Tita the building that was for sale which has since become Escuelita Mandarina.

“Q” was arrested and has been in prison for at least the last year and a half. His trial is coming up next month. Today he called Tita and said that he’s okay with whatever God wants to do, whether he stays in prison or is set free. He also thanked Tita and the team for all that they are doing for his community. He encouraged us to keep going, to “sigue adelante”.

This story is just incredible to me. It’s incredible how God has used this one man and changed his life. 3 years ago, he was running the gang, causing mayhem, but is now surrendering his life to Lord and thanking us for what we’re doing in the community. Now that’s transformation.

(Originally posted 2/10/10 on Kate's personal blog)

"Communidad de Fe" - Follow The Blog

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:36:00 +0000

As we move forward with our church community "Communidad de Fe" in La Limoanda, we wanted to provide an opportunity for you to follow along.

Dan Hoffman, an intern with Estrategia de Transformación, will be hosting a blog that will be devoted to providing updates on what is happening with the church community. You can follow the blog by clicking on the following link:

Communidad de Fe

Here is an exerpt from Dan's first post.. followed by some photos of the first "Grupo de Vida" from Leah Craver:

On Thursday afternoon we held our very first “Grupo de Vida” (life group). The goal is to begin these gatherings throughout the community in various homes. Right now there are 3 families that have offered their homes. These will be great opportunities for fellowship, worship, testimonies, and sharing from God’s Word. Many people are excited to be apart of this genuine worshiping community that we are working to establish. God is at work in the lives of the people here and it was great to be able to worship Him together with them.

Backpacks & Shoes - "Gifts Of Hope"

leahkcrave@gmail.com (leah k) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:30:00 +0000

After a very busy start to the new school year in La Limonada we have photos of the children receiving their "Back To School Packages" from the Gifts Of Hope provided throughout the Christmas season.

As you can tell from the pictures they are so excited about the gifts... and we wanted to share this slide show with you to let you know how grateful they are for what you have provided for them.

These gifts for the children along with scholarships for the high school students and bonuses for the teachers were an incredible outpouring of generosity and love from so many! On behalf of the kids and the teachers... "thank you"!!

"50 States In 50 Days" Begins Today!

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:33:00 +0000

50 states. 50 days. There are 23 states in the US where we do not currently have monthly partners. Help us add those states to the map and broaden our base of support in the 27 states where we currently have partnerships. Our goal is to be "all over the map" by April 7. Can you help?

The 50 States in 50 Days campaign is about just that: spreading the support for La Limonada across the entire country to include all 50 states and broadening our base of support to "educate and empower children in the largest urban slum in Central America".

The map above shows where we currently stand. If you live in one of our current partner states we are asking you to spread the word and to help add supporters in your state AND in states we don't currently cover.

Use whatever means you can to spread the word (email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, phone calls and conversations over coffee) to encourage your family members, friends, neighbors, fellow church members and coworkers to become a Lemonade partner.

If you are not currently a monthly partner please consider providing ongoing support to our work in La Limonada through one of these programs:

TEN2END - $10 a month. Most of us spend at least this much on coffee each week. $10 a month is enough to provide healthy meals at the schools for one child for an entire month! TEN2END is our program to provide resources to help end poverty, injustice, hunger, hopelessness and despair in La Limonada.

Sponsor A Child - For a monthly donation of $35 you can sponsor a child at one of the two schools in La Limonada. These donations provide support to the schools where children are loved unconditionally, fed healthy meals, educated, taught proper hygiene, provided with vitamins and provided with one-on-one professional counseling to help them work through the trauma of abuse, poverty and neglect. You will have the opportunity to build a relationship with a child through your prayers for him or her, correspondence, photos and potential visits.

Sponsor A Teacher - The teachers at the schools in La Limonada currently make approximately $7 a day. The average worker in Guatemala City makes $14 a day. For $50 a month you can help to provide one of the teachers with a fair wage while building a personal relationship in the process.

The best way for us to spread the word and broaden the base of support for the children of La Limonada is through you..

As a committed Lemonade International supporter, we are looking for your help in the 50 States in 50 Days campaign. We wouldn’t have gotten where we are now without you sharing with people you know about the work in La Limonada. We are asking that you to continue to do so. You are among those helping to fight poverty in the ghetto of La Limonada, and part of that fight is to spread the word.

50 states in 50 days. We can’t do it without you.

Help Pay For Vitalino's Surgery

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:14:00 +0000

83-year-old Vitalino and his wife lived in a little house high up on the side of the ravine in La Limonada. Three years ago, they not only lost their house to the rain, but each also fell, leaving them bedridden. Because they have no family, their neighbor, Cindy, took them both in and cared for them. Vitalino's wife passed away last May.

Vitalino has suffered a great deal of pain over these past years. He broke his collarbone and his leg in the fall, the latter of which needed surgery. Screws and nails were put into his knee as part of the operation. When I met Vitalino last spring, his knee was infected and very painful. We had been told that the local public hospitals would not receive him or treat him because he was just too old. A doctor volunteered to come see him, and we were able to start giving him medicine to treat both the pain and the infection.

By the end of August, the screws that had been part of the first operation actually started poking out through his skin. We were able to take Vitalino to the public hospital where they operated on him again, and placed his entire leg in a cast. After the operation, we began to see more life in Vitalino's eyes, and in his smile. Unfortunately, due to poor medical care at the public hospital, they set his leg twisted in the cast.

We celebrated Vitalino's 83rd birthday a few weeks ago with birthday cake - which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Bed sores have begun to set in, although after 3 years in bed, it's a miracle he hasn't suffered from them before. Vitalino was still in pain in his leg, and still had the cast on. Cindy, the woman caring for him, gave birth to her 4th child on the day he was supposed to get the cast off, so that never happened. Unfortunately, she is the only one who can get an appointment for him at the public hospital, but she is still recovering and unable to do so now. When she finally would be able to go, the date for the appointment date was going to be about a month from now. We decided he couldn't wait that long for him to see a doctor.

With the help of a visiting group, Vitalino was carried out of La Limonada and taken in Tita's van to the private hospital (where he would have much better medical care) on Saturday. There we learned that the doctor in the public hospital never took out the screws and nails that were bothering him last summer. They only cut the parts that were sticking out of his knee. We also learned that his leg would never actually heal the way it was set.

The doctors determined that Vitalino needs a prostetic to help hold his leg together in order for it to heal properly. The prostetic alone will cost 10,000 Quetzales, and in all the operation and his stay at the hospital will cost about 35,000 Q (or $4,500). We expect Vitalino to be ready to leave the hospital Tuesday, and we will need to pay for the operation at that time, or he will not be released from the hospital. Every extra day that he is in the hospital will increase the amount we need to pay.

-Kate Dundon
Lemonade International Team Member

To help provide the funds necessary for Vitalino's surgery, please click on the Donate button below, choose "General Fund" and include a note in the comments box that reads "Vitalino's surgery".

pure joy

leahkcrave@gmail.com (leah k) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:27:00 +0000

As I'm getting ready for my departure back to the states in 4 days, I have been feverently working on getting all the new students pictures taken and up on the website. I always take a few of each student to make sure I get one that really captures their personality. As I'm going through them this morning, these 2 shots brought a smile to my face, and I thought they'd bring some joy to share them as well.

Feliz dia! :)

-Leah Craver

Introducing... 50 States In 50 Days

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:19:00 +0000

50 states. 50 days.

Lemonade International currently has donors in 23 states who provide ongoing monthly support to our work to "educate and empower children in the largest urban slum in Central America".

Accomplishing that in less than two years is something to celebrate, but for those of you who have personally been a guest in La Limonada, you know that there is so much more that can be done for the children and families in the community.

With the expansion of ministry that includes two schools with more than 350 children, a church community and a carpentry workshop for gang members - the budget has increased significantly and we have set a high goal to help meet and even exceed what is currently needed.

At this time there are 27 states in the US where no one provides monthly support to the work in La Limonada. We want to broaden our base of support, meet the current budget needs... and create a surplus that can be applied to establishing a "Rescue House" that provides a loving home for children in crisis and those who have been orphaned or abandoned.

As a committed Lemonade International supporter, we are looking for your help in the 50 States in 50 Days Campaign. We wouldn’t have gotten where we are now without you sharing with family members, friends, coworkers, and fellow church members about the work in La Limonada. We are asking that you to continue to do so. You are among those helping to fight poverty in the ghetto of La Limonada, and part of that fight is to spread the word.

The 50 States in 50 Days Campaign officially begins on Wednesday, February 15, but we are letting you know now so you can begin to think of ways you can get the word out to as many people as possible and encourage them to be a monthly supporter through one of three programs:

Sponsor A Teacher: $50 a month to help provide one of the teachers with a fair wage
Sponsor A Child: $35 a month provides sponsorship of a child at one of the two schools in La Limonada.
TEN2END: $10 a month to help end poverty, injustice, hunger, hopelessness and despair in La Limonada.

50 states in 50 days. Get ready to start spreading the word. Beginning February 17.

It can't be done without you.

Transition For Our Friend & Team Member

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:43:00 +0000

After serving in La Limonada for the past year, our good friend and co-founder of Lemonade International, Leah Craver, is getting ready to return to the US and reacclimate to life here. Reflecting on her time in La Limonada, Leah said,

"What started as a dream over 5 years ago to live and work in Guatemala alongside Tita in La Limonada, has now come to pass and has been incredible."

As she moves on to a new chapter of her life, she will continue working with us in a key role with our Child Sponsorship program. Her role will include:

continuing to keep all sponsors updated regularly through emails, photos and phone calls
keeping weekly communication with the Guatemalan team to keep sponsors as up to date as possible
continuing to provide photography needs for Lemonade website and sponsor cards
raising awareness for the Child Sponsorship program locally in churches as well as through house parties

As is the case with many non-profit organizations that do not have the means to increase staff, Leah will raise her own support to work for Lemonade International here in the US. So we are asking for you to consider supporting her through prayer and finances - and to help enable her to continue to devote her life to this work.

While Leah will be living as minimally as possible in the states, it will cost a bit more for her to live here than in Guatemala. The monthly support she needed in Guatemala was $1,300 per month, but here in the US it will be $2,000 a month.

Many of you know Leah from here in the US. Some of you know her from time you spent serving with a short-term missions team in La Limonada. However you may have connected with her, I am confident that you are aware of her heart and her passion for the people of La Limonada.

To support Leah, you can make a secure online donation through the Lemonade International Donation Page - by clicking on the donate button below:

In the "Fund" drop-down menu, choose "Support A Team Member" then click on Leah's name. Recurring monthly donations would be the most helpful at this time.

Leah has been a vital part of our team and was instrumental in the establishment of this organization. However, our connection goes way beyond our work together. She is a dear friend and our friendship is deeply intertwined in our common passion for the marginalized and forgotten people of La Limonada.

We would be grateful if you would help to create a sustainable means for her to continue to serve the people she loves so much from here in the States.

Bill Cummings
Stateside Director

Communidad de Fe - The Church In Action In La Limonada

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Last week a group of us converged upon Guatemala City to follow up on a process that began in August of last year when we set out to explore the possibility of establishing a faith community in La Limonada.

Working together with Joel Van Dyke, Director of EdT in Latin America, who leads a network of ministries focused on the hardest places in Guatemala City, we assembled a group of individuals who have been supporting this exploration process over the past five months.

The group included Tita and our Guatemala Team, Joel, Rick Grove and Devin Chance of Life Of Hope in Joplin, MO, Paul Taylor and Jeff Sharp of Rivers Crossing Community Church in Kings Mills, OH, Jon Allis of Vineyard Church Of Campbell County in Newport, KY, Lemonade Int'l board member, Ray Strecker and his wife Carole from Cincinnati, OH, and Erwin "Shorty" Luna from Guatemala City.

We had several meetings over a few days to hear from Tita and Shorty from the five months of exploration and to collaborate together about this "Worshipping Missional Community". It was a beautiful time of listening, prayer, dialogue and dreaming!

We can summarize our time together by saying that we all realized that "Communidad de Fe" ("Community Of Faith") had already been organically established in La Limonada and that God was looking for us to continue to be involved where He was already working.

"It amazes me to tangibly see how we all need each other. I see different gifts each one is putting on the table to be used to start this Comunidad de Fe and to continue what God has been doing. The greatest of all this is to feel, give, and receive the awesome love God has given us... and to see each one doing his or her part to bring God's Kingdom on earth!" - Tita Evertsz

"It's a privilege and honor to be a part of the work that God is doing in Community de Fe. It's been amazing to see lives being changed and relationships being built through Shorty, Tita and the Guatemala team. God is truly at work here." - Leah Craver

"I sense that the partnership being formed for the 'Community of Faith' in La Limonada will be more than we are currently dreaming. God is already moving and it will be exciting to follow. I was greatly encouraged by the new friendships made last week." - Rick Grove

"Our meeting in La Limonada was such a powerful reminder of the connecting power of the Holy Spirit. I had been praying fervently for God to speak clearly through our brief time with Shorty and Tita and the rest of the team in La Limonada. He did speak and I am excited that Rivers Crossing will continue partnering with the community of faith that is spreading the hope of the gospel in Guatemala City." - Paul Taylor

With "Shorty" continuing to serve as a pastor to the community, "Communidad de Fe" will exist in partnership with the schools in La Limonada and will consist of gatherings in homes throughout La Limonada, Bible study, prayer, discipleship, and will include a special focus placed on the young adults in the neighborhood.

You will be hearing more about Communidad de Fe as an official, ongoing aspect of our work in La Limonada.... and you will be given an opportunity to support this "church on the streets" in the weeks to come!

PURE SUGAR: Telling Stories Of Grace

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:42:00 +0000

The Center For Transforming Mission (CTM) is the parent organization of Estrategia de Transformación (EdT) which is led by Joel Van Dyke who is a partner and close friend of Tita's in Guatemala.

We spent some quality time together in Guatemala last week with an incredible group of servants to pray and dream about the next steps in the planting of a "Worshipping Missional Community" (otherwise known as "church") in La Limonada (more to come about this in the next couple days).

While we were together, we also heard from Joel and Shorty about the untimely, tragic death of their friend and co-laborer, 38 year-old Daniel Antonio Puac Calderón (nicknamed "Azucar" or "Sugar" in English) - who was shot and killed this past Friday night as he was closing up his little cell phone store in Guatemala City.

Please take some time to read Joel's email about Azucar here:

Words From Below: PURE SUGAR: Telling Stories Of Grace

And watch a video tribute of Azucar's life from our friends at Athentikos here:

Azucar: A Tribute Video

I am with Joel in wanting "to scream 'BASTA YA' (Enough is enough!). When will this violence ever stop? Where is justice in the face of such a terrible tragedy?".

May Azucar's life serve as an inspiration to all of us as we pray for and support God's Kingdom and His justice on earth.

Video: MSNBC Report on Lifechurch Orphanage in Haiti

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:00:00 +0000

MSNBC reporter Bill Dedman reports on the journey he had with the Lifechurch Haiti Response Team.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

2009 Contribution Statements Are On The Way

noreply@blogger.com (cherie) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:09:00 +0000

Over the past couple weeks we have been working to organize, print and mail all contribution statements for tax-deductible donations made to Lemonade International in 2009. We wanted to let you know that all statements have been completed and mailed as of today, so you should expect to receive your statement in the mail within the next few days.

We want to thank everyone who donated in 2009. From the smallest amount to the largest contribution, all of you have combined significant efforts to make a huge impact in the lives of the children and families of La Limonada in Guatemala City.

For those who may need some guidance from the IRS on tax-deductible charitable contributions, here is a link to a page on the IRS website that can prove to be helpful:

IRS - Charitable Contributions

Thank you again for your generosity in 2009. We began work on our 2009 Annual Report and will be providing that to you by sometime in March at the latest. We are very excited about what 2010 has in store and will be sharing more of that with you as well.

We are grateful for your partnership as we pursue a calling to be a physical presence of God's love among the people of La Limonada and as we educate and empower children and families in the community!

-Cherie Cummings

PA Medical/Dental Team - A Week in La Limonada

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:31:00 +0000

The medical/dental group, led by our friend Nani, not only brought incredible gifts in what they provided for the children from their medical and dental expertise, but they brought so much love and joy to give away to this community. They treated approximately 80 children and their families each day, and also visited homes throughout the community delivering much needed food.

One of the men they treated on Monday waved them down in the street the next day, simply to relay the sentiments of, "thank you so much! I feel so much better now. God bless you." They joked that they've never had that kind of "follow-up appointment" with a patient before.

Each day, the team’s lunch break was spent with the families in the community, loving on them and praying over them. I've heard a few of the team members mentioning they never imagined that they could receive so much from those who have so little.

Many people come to La Limonada to serve the people of the ghetto with their abilities and talents, but are taken aback by how blessed they are in return. The unselfish servitude of those who willingly come to La Limonada is returned tenfold in gratefulness and love.

The Excitement Of A New School Year

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:51:00 +0000

It's probably a little strange for most of us to be thinking about January being the start of a new school year, but there is a certain excitement and anticipation that comes along with returning from break to another season of learning. It's no different for the children and teachers at the schools in La Limonada.

A few weeks into the new year and school is in full swing at both Escuelita Limon and Escuelita Mandarina... with new teaching materials, art projects, math lessons, sewing classes and so much more! And all of this is made possible by individuals and families here in the States who support our work through child sponsorship, teacher sponsorship and TEN2END.

It's our goal to help you feel as connected as possible to what is going on week to week at the schools and in La Limonada - even though so often it seems like it is a world apart. Because of our closeness to this community it is easy for us to know what an impact you are making. We want to make sure that you can see that as well.

Here are a few photos from Leah Craver documenting the last couple of weeks as the children settle into the new school year and a new season of learning that can help break the cycle of poverty in La Limonada.

We'll be posting photos of the children receiving their shoes, backpacks and school supplies soon!

Update: Haitian Orphans Relocated to New Facility

bill@lemonadeinternational.org (Bill Cummings) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:33:00 +0000

We are grateful for the response we received to our "Haiti Relief Fund" campaign over the past week. We raised a total of $3,405 - all of which is designated to help provide food, water, evacuation and relocation of 11 Orphans under the care of Lifechurch in Allentown, PA. Thank you for your generosity!

A second team arrived in Haiti Monday and helped to provide temporary relocation efforts for the children while long-term solutions and options are considered. For now, the children have been relocated to the Love A Child Orphanage about 40 minutes outside of Port-au-Prince.

Thank you for continuing to pray for these 11 children as well as our friends who are serving in Haiti. We will continue to follow the journey of these children and keep you posted on the progress of the relocation of the orphanage while we maintain our primary focus on the children and families of La Limonada in Guatemala City.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress..." - James 1:27