Hope of Life International

No one triumphs without feeling the passion to create a future and in that passion is where we find our most longed for desires and the strength necessary to get them. A VISION defines and concretes our goals, allowing us to visualize in advance the exact image of our success –Juan Mateo y Jorge Valdano–

This week a group of pastors and leaders from the city of Austin, Texas, visited Hope of Life to be able to see for themselves the great necessities that the poor families of the communities of the “corredor seco”, dry villages, have. Sharing and joining the grand vision that Missionary Carlos Vargas carries, they too want to completely transform these villages, from the basic necessities like food and health, to teaching them to be able to be self sustainable.

The project will consist of: bringing food, medicine and clothes to each little boy or girl, man or woman, that is in need in these communities, better homes by giving furnished houses, build equipped schools, dig water wells, and teach them to generate fountains of income which will help them fend for themselves. These are only some among several other necessities that the group of missionaries could see during their visit to the dump in Teculután and the village “Pueblo Modelo” located in Zacapa. But above all, they will teach that it is the hand of God working in the life of each one of them.

Thanks to this great vision that this group of churches and leaders from Austin, Texas could have, to unite a whole town to help others, we know that we will be able to bring a new light of hope to these families, so that the new generations have a new tomorrow and leave from the state of uncertainty, to be able to now aspire to a better life.

We seek for every life of these people to be transformed,

showing them that a new opportunity exists for each and every one of them.

BECAUSE EVERY LIFE COUNTS!!!

Let’s fight so this light endures forever and this vision will be a success

On our first day in “La Puerta” the pastor shared how 8 out of 75 families attended church.  He was discouraged by the lack of interest in spiritual things.  Each day the home visiting teams reported on people repenting of their sins and receiving the gift of salvation.  John, Jessica, and Letha’s medical team shared healing medicine and prayer while Christina, Mary and their team fed the children the Word.  While we were there 45-60 women attended Bible classes each day and up to 40 men feasted on the Word as you heard from Josh.  

As we ministered in each village we thanked God for the play do, crayons, soccer balls, sharpies, clothes pins, glasses, beef jerky for the soldiers and HOL workers, head lamps, snacks, and sunglasses that were blessings to each person that received the gift in the name of Jesus.  Connie Shubert made beautiful sturdy upholstery bags which made the serious faced women of Nimlasajah smile with delight.  

In 2007, we left the Mayan territory with malnourished, sick 4 month old Santiago and his mom, after crying out to God and hours of prayer. They then spent 4 months at the nutrition center.  Candelaria timidly spoke only Quechi.  We have visited her and her family each year, bringing gifts including Children’s Bibles and biographies in Spanish.  This year we spent 3 nights in their village.  We were astounded to see Candelaria leading the singing in Spanish during Baptism and then leading what looked like the church choir during the evening service.  Her 12 year old daughter, Sonya reads Spanish well and loves to sing at church.  Candelaria translated for us from Spanish to Quechi during the women’s class.  I inquired in amazement how she learned Spanish so fluently.  “At HOL mission.”  God is multiplying the results of the invested prayer and HOL and using this family to transform this village.  (See child with white gauze mittens?  She is the baby with scabies for whom we made mittens!)

Barbara Wine

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……….

Our team worked in a village and did Bible Clubs with the kids. One day before we got started, we took each child’s picture. We told them that we were going to bring them a copy of their picture the next day. When we told them that the children got so excited! They cheered and clapped and were jumping up and down because they were so excited about having a picture of themselves.

 I love to make scrapbooks of pictures of my family and friends. In the US, we take pictures for granted because they are everywhere. We can snap pictures with our phones and send it to our friends in seconds! These kids had never had a picture of themselves. For them to have their picture was a blessing to them. I am so glad that God used something as simple as a photograph to bring his love to the kids in this village.

Megan MIller

I have had some amazing international mission trip experiences to Poland, France, and even Guatemala prior to my first ministry experience with Hope of Life, International and none even come close to partnering with Hope of Life in ministering to the people of Guatemala.  My two mission experiences with them (so far) have been the best mission experiences I have ever had.  I remember from my “Experiencing God” classes when I was a teen, “Look for where God is at work and join Him there.”  Well, God is definitely at work in Guatemala and He is using Hope of Life to accomplish His Kingdom purposes.  It has been so rewarding to work alongside other churches to build and serve in Guatemala.  And it has been such an honor and a privilege to get to know the kids at the orphanage, the elderly in the nursing home, the babies in the nutrition center and all the wonderful staff at EsVida.  I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of what He is doing in Guatemala through Hope of Life. 

I believe we will have a life-long connection!

Nancy Brumfield

From Kentucky

My family and I have been on mission to Hope of Life in Guatemala twice now. The work being done at Hope of Life Mission is most definitely God centered and God driven. Carlos and Cheryl Vargas are amazing, wonderful people that have given their lives to God and the poor people of Guatemala. Our first trip was in 2008 and changed our lives FOREVER. To see the work being done at the mission year after year and see how the children are growing and thriving is a true testament to the work God is doing on this mountain through His people!

God has given our family a heart for missions and we feel incredibly blessed to be a small part of what God is doing in Guatemala through Hope of Life Missions. Our first trip was in 2008, we returned in January 2010, already have a trip planned for August 2010 and another for January 2011. Praise be to God, our lives will never be the same!

Martie Storts and family

Maple Height Baptist Church

Fairborn, Ohio

In collaboration with missionary groups we have been able to reach the poor of our region.

During the month of February we shared the love of God with hundreds of poor children and their families through a variety of activities.  We showed them that God is present at all times and they are not forgotten.  Through numerous distributions we supplied these families with new clothing, toys, food, dedicated homes and clean water projects. 

Our job is to offer aid day after day to those in need spiritually and dire in need of material supplies.  Acting as Christ showed us, helping the hungry and thirsty, the defenseless, the sick, homeless and to everyone that has a need; knowing that serving them we are serving our God.

In this manner we invite you to become part of this grand labor of compassion and love that we have carried throughout the years and like these missionary groups you can also live that Great Experience of serving the neediest of HIS children.

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.