Hope for Guatemala
Donation protected
Hello friends,
As many know, I first visited Hope of Life in Zacapa, Guatemala almost two years ago in March 2013 on a one week mission trip with World Help. I instantly fell in love with this beautiful country. I went back in August 2013 where God continued to burden my heart for the people of Guatemala. I moved to Guatemala for a six months in January 2014 and I am still here today−over a year later.
Over the last year, God has stretched me, grown me and used me in ways I never imagined. I have experienced many things such as deep heartbreak over the death of a child or the poverty I see daily, but also have experienced overabundant joy as I seen lives changed and people come to know the love of Jesus. I am blessed and humbled that God has allowed me to be a part of this ministry and His work here in Guatemala.
Over the last year I have had many roles at the ministry. However, my main responsibilities are helping with sponsorship and photography, working with teams in villages and on medical clinics, helping care for the children at the hospital, special need’s home, and orphanage, and helping facilitate the feeding ministry at the Dump. A big part of my ministry at Hope of Life is building relationships by being a consistent presence in the lives of the people who live and work here. I get to know the names of the mothers at the hospital, the faces of the children at the Dump, and the stories of the orphans because I see them on a weekly or daily basis.
I want to share a few personal stories about how God is using me here in Guatemala. One day I was working in a village with a team and met a thirteen year old girl. She asked me for shoes and as we continued talking she told me more of her story. Her family hadn’t had food in a while. Sometimes, her grandmother made tortillas and that was all she and her six siblings would eat. As she was relaying her story, two tears rolled down her face. I noticed that she had not asked me for food, but for shoes. My heart broke and I wanted to help her. The next day I was able to go back to her village and bring her family not only food bags but shoes and clothes as well. This was a life-changing moment for me as it helped me realize that sometimes the simple things are the most important things in life.
Another moment I will never forget is when I had a chance to go on a baby rescue a few weeks ago. The little girl we rescued had a severe case of Spina Bifida. It was a miracle she was still alive when we reached her because we could tell instantly her breathing was not normal. Typically a child in her condition would have been operated within days after birth. This little baby was six months old. After a nerve-wracking ride back to HOL, she was transferred to another hospital in the capital. About a month later, as I was in the hospital, I saw a little casket and found out it was her who had passed away. I comforted the mother but could not hold back my own tears. Even though she lived for only a few months, she made an impact on my life and God placed her on this earth for a purpose. This story shows that the work here is not done. There are still many others who need to help and God is using HOL to help the poor and needy.
There are countless other moments and stories I could share with you like when I planned a Christmas party for the children at HOL, how it feels when the babies call “Kristina” and reach out their arms when I walk into the hospital, or the worthwhile struggle it takes to win the trust of an orphan child but there are too many in my heart.
In moments like the ones I shared, I know that God is not done with me yet in Guatemala. I ask that you would consider partnering with me as I continue to serve the beautiful people of Guatemala who are forever in my heart. If you would consider partnering with me financially, you can donate here on the website. If you are unable too, I am always in need of people partnering with me in prayer. I could not be here without the prayers of my faithful friends and family. There are many times when I can feel the prayers of loved ones giving me strength.
Thank-you friends and family for all you do. If it wasn’t for your prayers and financial support, I wouldn’t be able to serve the people of Guatemtala.
God Bless You all!
In Christ,
Kristina
A Little about Hope of Life:
Other things they do include:
Operation Baby Rescue - where they go into the mountains of Guatemala to rescue sick children who are near death and bring them down to the city to treat them and provide a better life.
Outreach to Surrounding Villages -this includes a number of projects reaching 2.5 million people a year with life-essential needs:
-Build wells with clean water
-Distribute food to poverty stricken families
-Build homes for the homeless
-Build churches where local believers can gather
-Serve hot meals at 78 different feeding centers
On the campus at Hope of Life, they have:
-Elders home
-Orphanage
-Hospital
-Baby Rescue Center
Here's a website you can visit for more information: http://hopeoflifeintl.org/
If you are interested to read more about my time in Guatemala and at Hope of Life, check out my blog at: www.heartinguatemala.blogspot.com
As many know, I first visited Hope of Life in Zacapa, Guatemala almost two years ago in March 2013 on a one week mission trip with World Help. I instantly fell in love with this beautiful country. I went back in August 2013 where God continued to burden my heart for the people of Guatemala. I moved to Guatemala for a six months in January 2014 and I am still here today−over a year later.
Over the last year, God has stretched me, grown me and used me in ways I never imagined. I have experienced many things such as deep heartbreak over the death of a child or the poverty I see daily, but also have experienced overabundant joy as I seen lives changed and people come to know the love of Jesus. I am blessed and humbled that God has allowed me to be a part of this ministry and His work here in Guatemala.
Over the last year I have had many roles at the ministry. However, my main responsibilities are helping with sponsorship and photography, working with teams in villages and on medical clinics, helping care for the children at the hospital, special need’s home, and orphanage, and helping facilitate the feeding ministry at the Dump. A big part of my ministry at Hope of Life is building relationships by being a consistent presence in the lives of the people who live and work here. I get to know the names of the mothers at the hospital, the faces of the children at the Dump, and the stories of the orphans because I see them on a weekly or daily basis.
I want to share a few personal stories about how God is using me here in Guatemala. One day I was working in a village with a team and met a thirteen year old girl. She asked me for shoes and as we continued talking she told me more of her story. Her family hadn’t had food in a while. Sometimes, her grandmother made tortillas and that was all she and her six siblings would eat. As she was relaying her story, two tears rolled down her face. I noticed that she had not asked me for food, but for shoes. My heart broke and I wanted to help her. The next day I was able to go back to her village and bring her family not only food bags but shoes and clothes as well. This was a life-changing moment for me as it helped me realize that sometimes the simple things are the most important things in life.
Another moment I will never forget is when I had a chance to go on a baby rescue a few weeks ago. The little girl we rescued had a severe case of Spina Bifida. It was a miracle she was still alive when we reached her because we could tell instantly her breathing was not normal. Typically a child in her condition would have been operated within days after birth. This little baby was six months old. After a nerve-wracking ride back to HOL, she was transferred to another hospital in the capital. About a month later, as I was in the hospital, I saw a little casket and found out it was her who had passed away. I comforted the mother but could not hold back my own tears. Even though she lived for only a few months, she made an impact on my life and God placed her on this earth for a purpose. This story shows that the work here is not done. There are still many others who need to help and God is using HOL to help the poor and needy.
There are countless other moments and stories I could share with you like when I planned a Christmas party for the children at HOL, how it feels when the babies call “Kristina” and reach out their arms when I walk into the hospital, or the worthwhile struggle it takes to win the trust of an orphan child but there are too many in my heart.
In moments like the ones I shared, I know that God is not done with me yet in Guatemala. I ask that you would consider partnering with me as I continue to serve the beautiful people of Guatemala who are forever in my heart. If you would consider partnering with me financially, you can donate here on the website. If you are unable too, I am always in need of people partnering with me in prayer. I could not be here without the prayers of my faithful friends and family. There are many times when I can feel the prayers of loved ones giving me strength.
Thank-you friends and family for all you do. If it wasn’t for your prayers and financial support, I wouldn’t be able to serve the people of Guatemtala.
God Bless You all!
In Christ,
Kristina
A Little about Hope of Life:
Other things they do include:
Operation Baby Rescue - where they go into the mountains of Guatemala to rescue sick children who are near death and bring them down to the city to treat them and provide a better life.
Outreach to Surrounding Villages -this includes a number of projects reaching 2.5 million people a year with life-essential needs:
-Build wells with clean water
-Distribute food to poverty stricken families
-Build homes for the homeless
-Build churches where local believers can gather
-Serve hot meals at 78 different feeding centers
On the campus at Hope of Life, they have:
-Elders home
-Orphanage
-Hospital
-Baby Rescue Center
Here's a website you can visit for more information: http://hopeoflifeintl.org/
If you are interested to read more about my time in Guatemala and at Hope of Life, check out my blog at: www.heartinguatemala.blogspot.com
Organizer
Kristina Katko
Organizer
Holyoke, MA