And this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as through God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:18-20
Here's a bit about the story of La Limonada...
Following the overthrow of its government in 1954, Guatemala experienced a 36 year-long civil war—the longest in Latin American history. Throughout those years dictators and military leaders committed despicable acts of violence and terror against their people in attempts to suppress the guerilla movement and end the civil war.
These atrocities led to the massacre of over 200,000 people and caused untold thousands to flee rural areas in search of refuge in cities.
In the midst of this unrest, settlers staked claim to land in the ravine that is now known as La Limonada. One of many communities known as an asentamiento (“settlement”) in Guatemala, La Limonada is built on what most would consider uninhabitable land once owned by the government.
Considered a Zona Roja (“Red Zone”), a designation given to Guatemala City’s poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods, the ravine is now home to 60,000 people and is considered the largest urban slum in Central America. It forms a border between Zona 1 and Zona 5 in the heart of Guatemala City.
Over many years, a sub-culture of extreme poverty has taken root in La Limonada, leading to a lack of education and job opportunities and unsustainable living conditions, including a lack of access to running water and electricity in some cases. La Limonada consists of ten barrios (districts or neighborhoods) ruled by rival gangs who have also instilled a deep-seated culture of fear.
Because having a La Limonada address often prevents residents from securing employment elsewhere in the city, many feel forced to lie about their address, while others succumb to illegal activity.
While there is much darkness in La Limonada, there is also much beauty for those who have eyes to see. In the Book of Acts we read that Jesus commissioned his followers to go as his witnesses to “the ends of the earth”—to places like La Limonada where most people refuse to go.
So if you can afford it, please follow the steps through this link to make your donation. No donations are too small. Even if you can only afford $10, please know how much this means to me and to the people of La Limonada. As an added bonus - your contribution is tax deductible.
Thank you for your support!
Here's a bit about the story of La Limonada...
Following the overthrow of its government in 1954, Guatemala experienced a 36 year-long civil war—the longest in Latin American history. Throughout those years dictators and military leaders committed despicable acts of violence and terror against their people in attempts to suppress the guerilla movement and end the civil war.
These atrocities led to the massacre of over 200,000 people and caused untold thousands to flee rural areas in search of refuge in cities.
In the midst of this unrest, settlers staked claim to land in the ravine that is now known as La Limonada. One of many communities known as an asentamiento (“settlement”) in Guatemala, La Limonada is built on what most would consider uninhabitable land once owned by the government.
Considered a Zona Roja (“Red Zone”), a designation given to Guatemala City’s poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods, the ravine is now home to 60,000 people and is considered the largest urban slum in Central America. It forms a border between Zona 1 and Zona 5 in the heart of Guatemala City.
Over many years, a sub-culture of extreme poverty has taken root in La Limonada, leading to a lack of education and job opportunities and unsustainable living conditions, including a lack of access to running water and electricity in some cases. La Limonada consists of ten barrios (districts or neighborhoods) ruled by rival gangs who have also instilled a deep-seated culture of fear.
Because having a La Limonada address often prevents residents from securing employment elsewhere in the city, many feel forced to lie about their address, while others succumb to illegal activity.
While there is much darkness in La Limonada, there is also much beauty for those who have eyes to see. In the Book of Acts we read that Jesus commissioned his followers to go as his witnesses to “the ends of the earth”—to places like La Limonada where most people refuse to go.
So if you can afford it, please follow the steps through this link to make your donation. No donations are too small. Even if you can only afford $10, please know how much this means to me and to the people of La Limonada. As an added bonus - your contribution is tax deductible.
Thank you for your support!