Hope of Life International

Hope of Life has once again been able to help hundreds of people from the neighboring communities and other places in the region that are in great need with the help of several missionary groups from various churches and organizations from Kentucky, Michigan, Virginia, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico.

For several weeks, the missionary groups, in cooperation with the missionary Carlos Vargas, have been able to build houses for many families, sponsor and build greenhouses that will provide food for the community, and hand out non-perishable food as well as food that was prepared in the infant feeding centers in Teculutan and other villages like Los Limones and Pueblo Modelo.

Likewise they’ve been able to provide various types of community assistance such as medical, dental, and eye clinics; personal hygiene workshops; church maintenance and donation of candy and toys to the children.

As a result of the excessive rain brought on by Tropical Storm Agatha, on the morning of May 30, The Motagua River rose 25 ft. above level destroying everything in its path: bridges, fields, homes and entire villages. Many families have lost all material belongings and some their most precious possessions their loved ones.

Missionary Carlos Vargas, staff and volunteers from Liberty University began assisting families in the affected areas of Zacapa, such as: La Vega, El Coban en Teculutan and Chispan in Estanzuela, offering aid to save the lives of people that were in danger. Observing firsthand the needs that these families had, he immediately began organizing distribution of emergency supplies.

Hope of Life began distribution of food and clean water to the areas that were accessible. This effort was coordinated with the leaders of each community and thus enabled the victims to receive the relief supplies immediately. We were heart fully saddened during the first days of the flooding because the roads into Gualan were closed and we were not able to reach many villages that were in dire need.

However the roads are now opened for travel to these villages. Missionary Carlos was able to see all the major needs of the affected areas in Gualán, and visited shelters by the side of President of the Republic Álvaro Colom. The families of Limones, El Rincon, La Linea and other villages are receiving aid sent from Hope of Life, working jointly with the Mayor of Gualán, Juan Mejía.

We do not know yet how many lives have been lost but just one is too many. The feeling of anguish and pain is blatant in the region our HOPE is in God and all the Samaritans that can contribute their grain of sand to restore the life of all the victims of tropical storm Agatha. 

Yesterday, Brandon Ken Recinos Martinez was admitted into the Nutritional and Rescue Center “Liberty” with severe malnourishment. He is  4 years old and only weighed 6.8kgm, which would be the normal weight of a 5 month old baby.

The missionary Carlos Vargas, with tears in his eyes and holding the child in his arms, spoke of the urgency of the “San Lucas” hospital and the blessing it will be, to be able to save the lives of thousands of boys and girls that are found in the same situation as Brandon Recinos.

Up until today, we have been able to save the lives of hundreds of children thanks to the Nutrition and Rescue Center “Liberty”. But thanks to many people and institutions that have realized the great work that could be done, we know that with the construction of the Hospital “San Lucas” we will be able to reach not only hundreds, but thousands of lives like that of Brandon Recinos.

We give thanks to God and bless all the people that are involved in this noble work. With their love, help and strength they are making a dream become a reality.

Action: Influence or impression; something done or performed

Hope of Life is more than just a name; it is action because we not only see the precarious situation of so many little boys and girls of our country, but also of hundreds of families that can´t meet the basic necessities to live a happy and fulfilled life.

So we invite you to not look away, but instead help and ACT with us

Just like the group of missionaries from TRBC Church who, during their stay at Hope of Life, were able to help with the construction of the pediatric hospital ¨Saint Luke’s¨, as well as visit villages close by where they could assist us with the distribution of supplies, toys and food to hundreds of people in need. They were also able to participate in the dedication of a well that they constructed so that the families of this community could have access to this vital liquid that is so difficult to get in these out casted areas.

Stand Up and Act. It is not enough to just WANT to change this country, you have to ACT to be able to achieve a result and see a change in the life of each one of these lives in such great need.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Mathew 25:40

Yesterday’s dream……… Today’s Goal ……… Tomorrow’s Reality……….

On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, Hope of Life dressed up for a visit from the Guatemalan First Lady, Sandra de Colom. 

Upon visiting each branch of our organization, Mrs. Sandra de Colom could observe the work the Hope of Life has been doing for the past 22 years. 

During the two hour visit, the first lady visited with the children from our Liberty Nutrition Center, Children’s Paradise Orphanage, and Liberty College.  She was also able to visit with some of our elderly residents at the Oasis of Eden elderly home. 

Afterwards, she visited the construction site of the Saint Luke’s Children’s Hospital, which will soon be one of the best regional hospitals in the area.  She observed and was pleased with our recent progress and our motive for building the hospital, which is to help thousands of people annually. 

We are thankful to God for the privilege of having such a prestigious visit and are pleased that our work is now known at the national level as one of the most energetic and constant in the fight against hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

At Hope of Life, we host over 50 missionary groups throughout the year. 

Our ministry can accommodate over 150 people at the same time at our local complex and many more in our jungle camp.  Individual missionaries and missionary groups stay with us while they serve local community needs and bring forth the light of the gospel.  Many of our projects include visiting hospitals, constructing and painting homes for the poor, distributing food and clothes, and ministering to the orphan and elderly. 

Now is the time for your New Year’s resolution.

Take the opportunity to give hope and aid to those in need!

As we reach a new destination or stage in our lives lets make sure that our good intentions become realities. If you were not able to fulfill the plans you had last year why don’t you begin now with renewed strength, new ideas and faith in God for HE will guide you toward success and spiritual fulfillment.

Hope of Life is striving to aid to more needy people everyday in Guatemala.  Our first project began 23 years ago as we embarked on our work to rescue abandoned and abused elderly, children, and families living in extreme poverty.  We are working together with our partners reaching the needs of the poor through  projects and programs such as clean water, housing, medical clinics, food distribution, construction of churches and schools.  We are also working with poor villagers through self-sustainable projects such as organic greenhouses, tilapia ponds, raising small farm animals such as chickens to produce eggs and meat for their families. All of this has been possible because you have been by our side throughout the years.   

In 2009 we broke ground for Saint Luke’s Hospital to serve the medical needs of the poor and we plan to finish the first phase in 2010.  There are many children that we were not able to save in our rescue center because we are not equipped for severe cases but soon we will have the facilities to care for the infirmities of the forgotten society.

We invite you to MAKE THIS YEAR MATTER!  Join us and give the poor of Guatemala “Hope of Life”. Today is the time to step forward and help us make a difference in the lives of thousands of needy people!

What is the meaning of Hope?  It is to believe in that which you cannot see and knowing all is possible. 

When we think about Christmas the first thing that comes to our minds are gifts, family gatherings, and an infinity of memories filled with years of family traditions. We prepare delicious meals with all the trimmings.  Beautiful, Christmas trees with vibrant lights and decorations, a manger representing the birth place of our Lord. All of this we do to celebrate the birth of our Lord but is this really the true meaning of Christmas?

When we are celebrating Christmas festivities and do not think of the needy we are choosing to ignore those forgotten by society; We are forgetting the true meaning of Christmas that Jesus Christ showed us when he was born. That we should be humble, share and love our neighbors. Please remember; He gave us the first gift “His life” to each one and everyone of us.

Hope of Life invites you this Christmas to help the needy. Sharing with them food, clothing, medicine, toys, and the Gospel of our Lord and Savior. During the year we have distributed to thousands of needy people and during the Christmas Holiday our desire is even stronger to aid the poor. Before the year ends we will reach families who have never before celebrated Christmas with a special meal or a gift because of your support. Our partners from Kerns, CIA, SCA food distributors have blessed us with much needed supplies and we thank them for their generosity. Please, help us to continue our vision to take hope to those in despair. There is nothing is impossible to those who, BELIEVE.

This is the true meaning of Christmas; sharing and loving thy neighbor.   Hope of Life gives thanks to you for your support and prayers. We invite you to give generously and challenge you to begin this New Year blessing the poor.   

Have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2010 

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”  1 Corinthians 9:24

Oh what a joy!  We have a green light and God has let us begin construction of Saint Luke’s Pediatric Hospital. 

 We have equipped and prepared ourselves for this race, but God, the trainer, has enabled us (all those at Hope of Life, including its directors, supporters, and workers) to begin.  We have crossed the starting line and are aware that we are in the hardest stage: PRESSING ON WITHOUT GROWING WEARY. 

“It doesn’t matter how difficult the path may be, or the obstacles that may present themselves, or the discouragements that life may bring; we will not grow weary and will bring this project to completion.  If I die, a group of people will come after me and will finish the project” commented missionary Carlos Vargas, founder of Hope of Life.

We close our eyes and see all of the children that need a hospital and those who have died because it has not yet been constructed, but we also can see the friendly hands of all those who have helped us in various ways and those who God will call to be a part of this project.  Upon opening our eyes, we regain strength to move forward. 

The Bible reminds us that it is necessary to help one another because two are better than one.  For this reason, we invite you to be a part of our project. 

Leave behind pride and ambition, and let’s look out for our neighbor.

 Let’s join hands and run together to reach the goal.