Lemonade International Blog

Photo of the Week

October 13, 2017

The children are delighted to reply to letters from their sponsors! Where do you keep the notes and pictures your child has drawn for you?

Photo of the Week

October 6, 2017

“Then Jesus took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” Mark 10:16 (Photo by Scott Bennett)

When A River Reaches A Sea – Plans For Brave Tears [Guest Post]

October 3, 2017

Today’s guest post is from Aixa de López, an incredible lover of Jesus and advocate for the people of La Limonada. She serves alongside her husband Pastor Alex Lopez at Fraternidad Cristiana de Guatemala. She blogs regularly (in Spanish) at www.aixadelopez.org, where today’s post was originally published. It is incredible to see local Guatemalans following […]

Let The Little Children Come To Me

October 1, 2017

Guatemala is one of the hardest places in the world to be a child. Nearly 20% of the population is living in extreme poverty, just like in La Limonada. An estimated four in 10 children are experiencing sexual abuse right now. For each case that is reported, it is estimated that seven go unreported. These […]

Photo of the Week

September 29, 2017

Today, on National Coffee Day we celebrate Resurgam Coffee. Resurgam, which means “I will rise again,” was started by our board chair, Chris Marshall as a way to provide a great craft roast while funding hope in La Limonada. The staff in Guatemala love wearing their Resugram t-shirts as a reminder of the love and […]

First Person: Elma Marina

September 26, 2017

We would like to introduce you to one of the incredible Guatemalan team members, Marina. She teaches the 6-7-year-old class in the Lima Academy. We asked Marina a few questions about herself and what motivates her to work in such a challenging environment every day. Where are you from? I am from Santiago Sacatepequez. Describe […]

Photo of the Week

September 22, 2017

Investing in peace in Guatemala means showing children an alternative to picking up a gun and settling for the gang life all around them. It means walking with them through their most vulnerable years to offer a bridge over the darkness beneath them. (Photo by Silent Images)

Get To Know Charles Knox

September 19, 2017

Earlier this month, we shared the exciting news that the Lemonade International Board of Directors has selected a new Executive Director. Charles (“Chal”) Knox comes to us with a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to seeing what God has planned for our ministry with him at the helm. While the announcement included […]

Photo of the Week

September 15, 2017

Happy Independence Day, Guatemala! As we celebrate today, we pray that all would experience spiritual and physical freedom. (Photo by Silent Images)

Photo of the Week

September 8, 2017

“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.” Henri Nouwen (Photo by Scott Bennett)

Announcing Our New Executive Director

September 7, 2017

Thank you for walking with us as our co-founder Bill Cummings made the decision to transition out of his role as executive director into his role as an emeritus board member. After a prayerful and diligent search process, the Lemonade International Board of Directors has selected Charles Knox as our next executive director. Charles comes […]

Photo of the Week

September 1, 2017

Children in the academies are learning to pray for others – from their neighbors in La Limonada to their sponsors to others who are suffering around the world! (Photo by Silent Images)

Developing Emotional Awareness in Children

August 31, 2017

The effects of poverty, ongoing trauma, and violence are the most extreme on children, causing long-term damage to minds, bodies, and hearts. In addition to providing individual therapy for the children in the academies, the psychologists are always working on additional ways to equip the children with what they need to be healthy and whole. […]

Photo of the Week

August 25, 2017

Friendships formed in the academies can be a source of strength, hope, and love. (Photo by Lizza Majus)

Photo of the Week

August 18, 2017

“Thank you that we are in the school of the Gospel.”

How a Cup of Lemonade Can Make a Difference in the World [Guest Post]

August 12, 2017

Today’s guest post is written by Andrea Goslee, Director of River Kids at Rivers Crossing Community Church. We’re grateful for her passion and commitment to children from Ohio to La Limonada! And our special thanks to Ashley Johnson for all of the photos. – When I think of summer and kids, three things come to […]

Photo of the Week

August 11, 2017

Every child in La Limonada is special, with a unique story waiting to unfold. (Photo by ErlebNisse Photography)

Dona Veronica’s Life Lessons

August 10, 2017

It is impossible to be with Doña Veronica without feeling how real and tangible God is. An 80-year-old resident of La Limonada, Veronica has had a long life with both deep suffering and beautiful joy. The many wrinkles on her beautiful face each surely tell a different story. She has 15 children and now has […]

Photo of the Week

August 4, 2017

This week at soccer camp the children received a treat each day. While they all quickly savored their treats, this special kid decided to share his cookie with Lizza with generosity and love.

Photo of the Week

July 28, 2017

“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.” Luke 7:13 NLT (Photo by Silent Images)

Witnessing Miracles Every Day

July 27, 2017

Every single day in La Limonada, we witness miracles. The miracle of 45 team members walking into a “Red Zone” community – known to be a place of violence and fear – with a sense of calling and love for the people. The miracle of walking with people who have no one else. But they […]

Exciting Opportunity To Visit Your Sponsored Child In La Limonada

July 25, 2017

Join our sponsors-only trip and spend three days in La Limonada this October! You will get the chance to meet your sponsored child and their family. See first-hand the impact the academies, teachers, and psychologists are having on your child and their friends. And meet the local leaders who are embodying Christ’s love for your […]

Photo of the Week

July 21, 2017

Constant loss of loved ones. Constant tension. Constant trauma. Children in La Limonada get a break each day when they enter the academies. Kids can be kids here. (Photo by Scott Bennett)

Photo of the Week

July 14, 2017

There is so much joy when a sponsor and a sponsored child meet in person!

Photo of the Week

July 7, 2017

We continue to celebrate the open doors of the new academy, Toronja! Because of your response to the needs in La Limonada, 38 children received a hot meal every day this week, enabling them to concentrate on their teachers’ instruction and focus on learning.

Toronja Has Launched!

July 4, 2017

Happy 4th of July and launch week of the 4th academy in La Limonada! As you celebrate “liberty and justice for all” today, we hope you will also celebrate the justice you’ve helped extend to the children and families in the “15 de Agosto” neighborhood of La Limonada. Yesterday, 38 children were welcomed for the […]

Photo of the Week

June 30, 2017

When you sponsor a child, our very own Lizza Majus delivers the happy news to the children in the academies. When you send a letter, she helps your child read and respond to you. If you choose to go meet your child, she hosts you and introduces you to your sponsored child. Lizza makes special […]

Double Your Gift for Unsponsored Children This Week Only

June 27, 2017

Over the past two weeks, you’ve heard a lot about how child sponsorship is making an eternal difference in the lives of vulnerable children in La Limonada. Now two generous donors have offered to give $20,000 for unsponsored children to receive the life-changing impact of the academies – if we can match their gift dollar […]

Turning Pain Into Resilience and Hope

June 26, 2017

We want the children in La Limonada to reach their potential. We want to see their God-given abilities drawn out and made to flourish. We want to see them living full lives in Jesus. But the reality for children growing up in this “red zone” – a term given by the Guatemalan government to indicate […]

Photo of the Week

June 23, 2017

The academies are more than classrooms. They are a refuge of hope. (Photo by Silent Images)

From Sponsored Child to Teacher

June 22, 2017

Walking into the 4- and 5-year-old classroom in the Limon academy, it is clear these children have a truly special teacher. While new to teaching, Abby was made for the role. Her eyes sparkle and her smile exudes passion and love for the children. It fills up the entire room! As she calls the class […]

5 Reasons to Sponsor a Child With Lemonade International

June 22, 2017

Sponsorship impacts the lives of children, families, and the entire community of La Limonada. Here are 5 ways child sponsorship with Lemonade International is unique: It addresses the unique needs of children in La Limonada in appropriate ways. This is not a program easily plopped down in another context. It is deeply relational and specifically targeted […]

Change a Life This Summer!

June 20, 2017

Hard stories are common in La Limonada – stories of abuse, hunger, violence, trauma, and deep poverty. Children who watch life after life around them spiral into destructive, desperate, and fatalistic futures, without a source of hope that things could be different. Children desperate to have their stories known, heard, and guided towards a better […]

Photo of the Week

June 16, 2017

Child sponsorship impacts whole lives and whole families. Have you seen Dulce’s video? (Photo by Silent Images)

Making a 180-degree-difference in La Limonada!

June 15, 2017

Child sponsorship is making a 180-degree difference in the lives of vulnerable children in La Limonada! How can I make a difference?

Photo of the Week

June 9, 2017

The academies are beacons of hope in La Limonada. It is easy to spot the soon-to-open fourth academy, Toronja, from a distance. This is the view of Toronja from the second academy, Mandarina. (Photo by Lizza Majus)

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