Yami’s newfound belief in her identity
July 5, 2022
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
Diego trades a struggling education for faith and confidence
October 27, 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 […]
Giving Tuesday & Give Christmas
November 27, 2019
We know Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. However, Giving Tuesday is only a week away – that means it’s almost time to start playing your favorite CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Reflecting back over the year we have been reminded of the quiet, steadfast and enduring acts of love […]
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 […]
Fuego Volcano Eruption Update
June 4, 2018
With the volcano eruptions yesterday we have received some concerned inquiries about Guatemala, the safety of the staff there, and future trips. First and foremost, everyone on staff is safe. Thankfully, there is no team in Guatemala this week. The “Fuego” volcano that erupted yesterday is about 20 miles from Guatemala City. Sadly at least 25 […]
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 | […]
In La Limonada as it is in Heaven: Thy Kingdom Come
April 18, 2018
We continue our blog series on the Lord’s Prayer called “In Limonada as it is in Heaven,” Read: Introduction | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done On earth, as it is in heaven. This begs the question: […]