Grace and Monica 

Grace is now 15 months old.  Life of Hope Ministries has been involved in her young life even before she was born.  We were privileged to "de-bug" her home and provide a new bed for her before she arrived in February of 2008.  Needless to say many of us have adopted her into our hearts.

Monica works in the schools of La Limonada and has been serving Grace’s family for several years.  When Grace arrived it was clear that her mother would not be able to provide basic nutrition or safe care.  Soon Grace began to spend time living in Monica’s home.  Now she lives there about 90% of the time.  Grace still has some time with her family each week.  Monica is providing all the things that her mom can not and is giving Grace a "life of hope".

Pray that God guides Monica in raising this precious life.  Pray that Grace remains healthy and grows to love God.

Pray for the many other children living in the ghetto that experience abuse and crisis on a weekly basis.

Give praise for Life of Hope’s opportunity to share God’s ministry at the Global Celebration held in Bloomington Minnesota.

Give thanks for the group that will return from Guatemala on June 24th.  They have served the children and families for the last 10 days.

Pray for a young lady named Sally.  She has arrived in Guatemala to serve through the middle of July.  Sally has joined Bryony to be servant interns with our field partners.

A July group will leave on July 5th to give a week of service in Guatemala.  Please pray that all details will come together for this effort.

Join us in our regular prayers for the leaders of the organizations that serve with us:

El Castillo-Marta Gonzales, Director

Plantio de Jehova-Tita Evertsz, Director

Orphanage of Mama Carmen (Carmen is 70 plus years old)

The Rice Family-Chris and Richard Rice

Serving His call,

Rick Grove, Director

Life of Hope is still looking for two people to become friends with Miguel (shown above).   Miguel has already written a letter for anyone who would support him and be an encouragement to him.  (email rgrove@lifeofhope.org for additional information if you would like to help)

Please pray for progress on the construction of the new school in the ghetto of La Limonada.  The raining season is beginning and the roof needs to be completed.

Pray for a young lady named Jessica.  She is 19 and was being raised by her grandmother before the grandmother died.  She only knows stealing and drugs and is at great risk. 

Our partner, Tita Evertsz, was asked by a desperate mother to speak with her 12 year old son.  Manuel is keeping company with the gangs and is close to so much violence.  He is afraid of his mother’s man friend and does not like to be in their home.  Pray that Tita’s counsel will touch his young life.

Chris Rice, our partner serving in the ghetto of Santa Faz, will be separated from her husband Richard for two months as she accompanies their daughter to England.  While in England she will be seeking additional support for their ministry.  Please pray for good health and safe travels during June and July.

A "short term mission" team will be in Guatemala from June 14-24 serving with our field partners.  We ask that you pray for their safety and that God accomplishes His work through them.  The group is from Fairview Christian Church-Carthage, Mo.

Rick Grove, Director

Life of Hope Ministries

Devin Chance and I were in Guatemala from April 21-27.  We were able to meet with our partners and plan for summer groups and future projects.  It was a great week of planning and asking for God’s direction.

The couple above are Maria and Pedro.  They are leading in a church plant in a rural area about 1 1/2 hours from Guatemala City.  They are friends of the ministers in the church/day care that Life of Hope supports in the ghetto of Santa Faz.  In fact, the Santa Faz church has taken the responsibility of helping this new church get established and aid in finding the resources to build a small church to reach out to the community.

Join us in praying a prayer of praise for this effort to touch families and children in this poor area.  Then, pray for provision for Maria and Pedro (and their 5 children) as they serve trusting God for their every provision.

We hope we can help in this new church effort.

Other Requests:

We learn of 8 pending baptisms at the Santa Faz church.  God’s spirit is at work and changing lives there.  Let us be thankful for these fruits of service.

Life of Hope has been given more Bibles.  While Devin and I were in Guatemala we received a shipment of 240 Bibles.  This is our 3rd shipment for distribution.  They are provided free of charge.

Chris Rice’s hearing is still absent in her left ear.  Please pray that she can handle to many adjustments required because of the loss of hearing.

Remember Marcelina Castor, mother of a family living near and working in the city dump.  She was struck by a car and received a broken arm that required surgery.  Her family attends a church that we assist with Bibles and discipleship materials.

Tita Evertsz had wrist surgery on April 21st.  She will be somewhat disabled as it is her right wrist.  Pray for complete recovery over the next 30 days.

We are searching for donor partners who will help us with educational expenses for a young lady named Mildred and her brother Miquel.  They live in Santa Faz and their father has bone cancer and can not help the family.  We are helping with their educational expenses.

Gangs have been threatening some families in the ghetto of La Limonada where Tita’s schools operate.  Some kids are afraid to come to school and others have to be escorted.  The children want to come to the schools each day.  Ask God to give them protection so they can continue to attend the schools.

**Sorry for the long list.  After our visits we become very aware of the needs with the children and families.  We appreciate you lifting up these needs to our Father**

Rick Grove, Director

I want to ask for both a word of praise and a prayer for the ministry of Life of Hope. 

Above you see Devin Chance who joined our staff on April 1st.  He is a huge answer to prayers over a long period of time.  We did not actually hire Devin but God called him to the ministry.  We just watched God at work.  Please join us as we "thank" God for His faithfulness in providing just what we need at just the right time.

Also, we ask that you pray that Devin will receive the encouragement of the Holy Spirit as he begins his full time service.  And that Devin and Life of Hope continues to follow God leading.

We continue to hear of an increase in street violence in Guatemala.  Our partners have not been harmed but because of the nature of their ministries they are very close to the areas of concern.  Please remember the following activities:  weekly activities of the El Castillo street team, the day to day work in the two schools in the ghetto of La Limonada, care for the small children in the orphanage home of Mama Carmen, and the efforts of the church located in the ghetto of Santa Faz. 

Pray that the work in Guatemala will plant many "spiritual seeds" in the lives of the children and families. 

Pray a prayer of "thanksgiving" as Life of Hope will be receiving 240 more Spanish Bibles for distribution and additional discipleship materials that are used to help share the gospel message.

Finally, take the time this week to consider the ETERNAL impact of Easter (the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord).  I hope it grows your faith and challenges you to share this news with the world.

Holy blessings for the season,

Rick Grove, Director

Above is Sarita and her children Susy and Ismael.  The father has just killed himself.  However, the family says, "it is finally over".  The abuse to them had be happening for years.  Please pray that this family can stay together through the efforts of our partner Tita Evertsz.

Amarilis has 5 children with 4 of them attending the school supported by Life of Hope Ministries.  Amarilis is battling cancer and does not have a good future.  We are helping with treatment expense and our field partner has promised to help with the children if something happens to her.  This would be a big task.  Please join us in prayer that God will do a miracle in her life.

Baby Grace was one year old last week.  We have been involved in the life of her family for some time.  Her mother does not have income and does not know how to care for Grace.  Please pray that Monica, Tita Evertsz ministry assistance, can continue to be an important part of baby Graces’s life.

Please thank God that Verito, one of Tita’s teachers, had successful gall bladder surgery last week.  Life of Hope Ministries was blessed to be able to provide the funds for this procedure.

Tita reports that a young man named Chato was recently shot but is now recovering.  Tita uses these situations to challenge young gang members to consider a different type of life.

From March 1-6 a medical group from Tomoka Christian Church in Ormond Beach, Florida will conduct medical clinics in two ghettos in Guatemala City.  Please pray that many lives will be touched.

Thanks for being our prayer partners,

Rick Grove, Director

Most of the prayer list issues are coming directly from our partners in Guatemala. Thank you for remembering the ones that serve on the field and often go with little encouragement.

El Castillo:

-there continues to be increased violence in the streets. Please for encouragement and safety of the team.

-pray that the children who have been contacted on the streets will accept and continue in the “process” of leaving the streets

-a former employee has brought a legal action against El Castillo. It is unfounded but could cause serious financial problems.
This action does detract from the work with the children.

Tita-ghetto of La Limonada:

-pray that God will use us to bring hunger ad thirst for righteousness among the people that we walk with; and bring salvation to those who have not found it.

-pray that we can nurture in each of our children the eagerness of dreaming, succeed and believe in God; and to strive for a better future.

-pray for our monthly budget; for us to be able to fulfill the financial needs of the ministry.

The Rice’s-ghetto of Santa Faz

-Chris’s mother has become quite ill and Chris has had to make an emergency trip to England. Pray that God’s hand will be with Chris and her family.

-pray that the Rice’s daughter, Bryonny, is successful in making her educational plans for next year. She will be returning to England for university.

Mama Carmen:

-please pray that Mama Carmen continues to be free of the complications of her asthma.

-pray for Merley, a baby who is trying to survive from severe children neglect and abuse.

For Life of Hope Ministries:

-join us in asking God to open many more doors so we can share His love and message to the children and families in Guatemala.

Blessings for 2009!

Rick Grove, Director

Special Request!! Chris Rice, our partner in Guatemala, has asked we pray for her Dad. He has been struggling with some health issues but now has contracted a serious infection. She will make an emergency trip home to England to be with her Mom. This leaves her daughter to prepare for a pre-college trip by herself and Chris being gone while some important ministry activities are scheduled. Chris trusts the Lord in everything but things have kind of built up for the moment. PLEASE! join us in lifting our co-worker and sister up.

The “new school” opened this week in the ghetto of La Limonada. Pray that the children respond to teachers and the new environment that will require some focus and discipline.

Pray for the street children that live in “the terminal” area of Guatemala City. The street team of El Castillo are now ministering to this area that is one of the most dangerous in the city.

Pray for a young girl named Merley who lives in the orphanage home of Mama Carmen. Her health condition requires special milk and diet.

Praises!!

Give God the praise for identifing, funding, and organizing the “new school” in La Limonada. Only God could get this done in 60 days!

Be thankful that Rosita, a teenager from the city dump, will be able to receive treatment/or surgery to relieve a condition in her eye. Without the attention she would have lost her vision.

Thank God for the Life of Hope group that served in Guatemala last week. They played an important role in getting the new school building ready and represented Jesus to several groups of street children. (Devin, Rick, Lorin, and Chris-from Fairview Christian Church, Carthage Missouri)

Thanks for being willing to pray and celebrate with us!!

Rick Grove, Director

WOW! It is 2009 already. Life of Hope and our field partners are preparing for another year of service and efforts with children and families in need. Above you see some of the staff of the schools in the ghetto of La Limonada enrolling children. With the second school set to open it will possible that 300 children will be being touched with God’s love and the message of Jesus.

PRAISES!!

One of the kids from last years school quit, ran away from home, and join in with gang activities. He has returned and repented for his bad behavior last year and ask to be reinstated to the school. His name is Herbert and please pray his attitude continues.

Joe Walenciak, our board chairman, was in Guatemala over the holidays. He spent time with Mama Carmen and found that she had some pressing needs. A dangerous and leaking gas stove was replaced. The 20 gal. hot water heater was upgraded to an 85 gal one. (at times there are 80-90 children in Mama Carmen’s home). And, Geraldo was fitted for a wheel chair that will allow him to spend some time sitting upright and may increase some of his range of motion. He is Mama Carmen’s CP child who is bedfast.

Four men from Fairview Christian Church in Carthage are on their way to Guatemala today! They will serve in helping prepare the “new second school building” in La Limonada for classes. They will also encourage families and show God’s love in a practical way. The group will be working at the “new church” building in the ghetto of Santa Faz. This will be an encouragement to the leaders of the church and to the workers in their “day care program”. Thanks be to God for sending these men to be His hands and feet!!

In am happy to report that I am recovering nicely after my heart by-pass surgery in December. I am close to being back to full time work and should be driving again by next week. I appreciate the prayers and acts of concern that came my way.

PRAYERS REQUESTS

Pray for the teachers in the two schools in La Limonada. Pray that classes get organized and they are prepared physically and spiritually for the task ahead of them in 2009.

Pray especially for Lupita and Jimy who are joining the teaching staff in La Limonada. They are not only adjusting to this new work but are also dealing with the death of their father who was shot and died on Christmas eve.

Olga is the director of the “day care program” in the ghetto of Santa Faz. She wants the program to touch the children of this ghetto and is working hard for the Lord. This is still a pretty new effort and she needs God’s guidance.

Pray that the “street children” that El Castillo’s team were working with before Christmas break will still be available and receptive to the call to a better life. Pray that they can reconnect with them.

**PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE LIFE OF HOPE WEBSITE www.lifeofhope.org TO SEE A RECENT ARTICLE AND READ ABOUT THE WORK OF OUR FIELD PARTNERS**

Rick Grove, Director

This issue has to be about praises!!! There is quite a list as God has been answering several in recent weeks.

First, the dream to expand the minsitry in the ghetto of La Limonada has happened. Before a specific building could be located the funds were supplied. Now the building is owned by the ministry and activities are being planned for the new school year.

As the new school year begins the financial needs of our partners is great. We received funds last week that will provide 7 complete scholarships for children in Santa Faz, enrollment fees for 20 kids from La Limonada to attend advanced education, and funds to pay for all of Mama Carmens kids to attend public school.

Tita Evertsz wanted to purchase a new pair of shoes for the children of her schools. Life of Hope was able to provide shoes for about 30 kids from the new school located “in the other side”.

In recent weeks there seems to be more groups and individuals inquiring about how they can help with the various ministries to the street children and ghetto families. This is a great encouragement and creates a wonderful opportunity to expand what God is doing in Guatemala.

God is preparing Life of Hope to take a big step forward in 2009. We expect to expand our staff soon. Funds have been provided through a grant to establish a needed communication network. We will begin new programs and increase our efforts to communicate.

Finally, I want to tell you that I had open heart surgery on Dec 6th. It included 4 by-passes. I am so thankful for the knowledge and technology that exists in the area of health care. I am now home starting to slowing get back in gear. This Christmas will be extra special as I again realize that God “is trustworthy in everything” and because of Jesus Christ we have the blessings of eternal life. I believe this “eternal life” begins when we ask Him into our hearts and for me this earthly spiritual life got a recent re-start.

Rick Grove, Director

I have just returned from visiting our various mission partners in Guatemala. As always I leave a little of my heart there when I leave. But most of all I am humbled by the ministry being preformed for the “glory of the Lord”. Please join us in shouting praises and prayers to our father in heaven!

–please pray for Mama Carmen. When we arrived and asked how we could help she informed us that she needed to pay for two funerals. Praise God! We had the funds to cover this expense for her.

–pray for Keyla.(pronounced Kayla) She just arrived at Mama Carmen’s orphanage and looked very lost and confused. Pray that God’s spirit touches her life and relieves her fears.

–in La Limonada Tita is searching for a building that can house “Escuelita Doz”. A second school in the ghetto. God has provided the funds to make the purchase and we believe He will provide the building. Pray that this happens quickly.

–Life of Hope has started a “sponsorship program” to help some of the children in the ghetto of Santa Faz attend the new day care center. There are 5 children who need this sponsorship now!! Pray these children will receive sponsorships so they can continue to attend.

–reports of increase violence in the streets has been received. Pray that the Street Team of El Castillo receives divine protection as they reach out to the children living on the streets.

–praise God that He has provided funds in 2008 to meet all the commitments of Life of Hope Ministries. (we plan to stretch our faith and increase these in 2009)

Thank you for joining us in praising and praying to our loving Heavenly Father!

Rick Grove, Director