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CASA DE GRACIA

Casa de Gracia

Mentor | Disciple | Equip

A transition home and program for young people in Guatemala aging out of systems of protection (orphanages) at age 18.

We had so much fun filming this latest update IN THE HOUSE! The 2nd Transition Home is currently under construction and we took advantage of the opportunity to record our latest update On Site, on top of the 1st home and inside the 2nd home!
We hope you enjoy not just hearing the updates of where we are in the process and what’s next and How We Got Here!
Plus {Bonus} video footage of the whole Casa de Gracia site and all that’s going on! Enjoy!!

You can find this podcast update on our Spotify ‘Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo’ 🎙️

We had so much fun filming this latest update IN THE HOUSE! The 2nd Transition Home is currently under construction and we took advantage of the opportunity to record our latest update On Site, on top of the 1st home and inside the 2nd home!
We hope you enjoy not just hearing the updates of where we are in the process and what’s next and How We Got Here!
Plus {Bonus} video footage of the whole Casa de Gracia site and all that’s going on! Enjoy!!

You can find this podcast update on our Spotify ‘Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo’ 🎙️

This is Our Mission.
And there is much urgency behind this mission statement. These words don’t show the faces, the hearts and souls of these young people who are aging out at 18 years old into this country and becoming invisible. They are cared for, fed, sheltered and protected in one way or another within their system of protection. Once they step outside, the vulnerability of these young people goes to a whole other level. To a place most of us cannot even imagine.
So this is our mission. And we are working tirelessly to make it happen because these young people are precious in the eyes of their Creator and they deserve this.

Esta es Nuestra Misión.
Y hay mucha urgencia detrás de esta declaración de misión. Estas palabras no muestran los rostros, los corazones y las almas de estos jóvenes que están envejeciendo a los 18 años en este país y se están volviendo invisibles. Son cuidados, alimentados,
cobijados y protegidos de una u otra forma dentro de su sistema de protección. Una vez que salen, la vulnerabilidad de estos jóvenes pasa a otro nivel. A un lugar que la mayoría de nosotros ni siquiera podemos imaginar.
Así que esta es nuestra misión.

This is Our Mission.
And there is much urgency behind this mission statement. These words don’t show the faces, the hearts and souls of these young people who are aging out at 18 years old into this country and becoming invisible. They are cared for, fed, sheltered and protected in one way or another within their system of protection. Once they step outside, the vulnerability of these young people goes to a whole other level. To a place most of us cannot even imagine.
So this is our mission. And we are working tirelessly to make it happen because these young people are precious in the eyes of their Creator and they deserve this.

Esta es Nuestra Misión.
Y hay mucha urgencia detrás de esta declaración de misión. Estas palabras no muestran los rostros, los corazones y las almas de estos jóvenes que están envejeciendo a los 18 años en este país y se están volviendo invisibles. Son cuidados, alimentados,
cobijados y protegidos de una u otra forma dentro de su sistema de protección. Una vez que salen, la vulnerabilidad de estos jóvenes pasa a otro nivel. A un lugar que la mayoría de nosotros ni siquiera podemos imaginar.
Así que esta es nuestra misión.

Podcast recording continues!

This week, our friends Jonnie and Kim of @nicodemus_latam along with Casa de Gracia team member @betsyjbaker address the importance of Mentoring when talking about Breaking generational cycles! There is so much wisdom, knowledge and experience with these three, you don’t want to miss this! Now on Spotify… ¡Go check it out!

Podcast recording continues!

This week, our friends Jonnie and Kim of @nicodemus_latam along with Casa de Gracia team member @betsyjbaker address the importance of Mentoring when talking about Breaking generational cycles! There is so much wisdom, knowledge and experience with these three, you don’t want to miss this! Now on Spotify… ¡Go check it out!

Casa de Gracia Design Meetings Continue!
These kinds of meetings began over 3 years ago and continue to today!
It’s truly incredible to see the thousands of details, the hours upon hours of conversations, thought, and prayer that has gone into all of these plans! Everything from placement of the well to placement of every window. From drainage pipes to dryer vents to healing views and spaces that bring dignity.

_And now we are seeing the fruit of it all as buildings are being constructed and these dreams are becoming reality_!

We praise God for all the hard work of our architects Byron and Julia Chali and our founder, Rich Smith. You all work as into the Lord and we know that this is honors Him!

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Casa de Gracia Design Meetings Continue!
These kinds of meetings began over 3 years ago and continue to today!
It’s truly incredible to see the thousands of details, the hours upon hours of conversations, thought, and prayer that has gone into all of these plans! Everything from placement of the well to placement of every window. From drainage pipes to dryer vents to healing views and spaces that bring dignity.

_And now we are seeing the fruit of it all as buildings are being constructed and these dreams are becoming reality_!

We praise God for all the hard work of our architects Byron and Julia Chali and our founder, Rich Smith. You all work as into the Lord and we know that this is honors Him!

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Listen!
We live in a world that demands to be heard, but rarely do we stop to listen. Listening to those around us.
Listening to the needs of those God puts in front of us.
Even more importantly, listening to God in our times of prayer….then having the courage and faith (in Him) to act on the direction He gives us.

We thank God for the encouragement of those He brings to visit Casa de Gracia. We thank Him for the words of wisdom spoken during these times together.
Thank You, George and team for the encouragement of your visit!

Thank you for taking time to see what God is doing here!

Listen!
We live in a world that demands to be heard, but rarely do we stop to listen. Listening to those around us.
Listening to the needs of those God puts in front of us.
Even more importantly, listening to God in our times of prayer….then having the courage and faith (in Him) to act on the direction He gives us.

We thank God for the encouragement of those He brings to visit Casa de Gracia. We thank Him for the words of wisdom spoken during these times together.
Thank You, George and team for the encouragement of your visit!

Thank you for taking time to see what God is doing here!

Planting beauty and hope.
We are beyond grateful for @athurber1125 and her amazing team from First Baptist Church Pottsville! They came to serve us here at Casa de Gracia by planting beautiful things and providing meals to the workers and our team! This kind of love encourages us in this current stage and will continue to bless the lives who will be live here for years to come! Thank You!

Planting beauty and hope.
We are beyond grateful for @athurber1125 and her amazing team from First Baptist Church Pottsville! They came to serve us here at Casa de Gracia by planting beautiful things and providing meals to the workers and our team! This kind of love encourages us in this current stage and will continue to bless the lives who will be live here for years to come! Thank You!

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

At a recent all-team meeting, Edwin led us through Psalm 90, a powerful prayer.
It was a good reminder of all we have to be humbly thanking God for…
We thank God for the literally countless hours of planning that @byronochali and his talented wife, Julia have put into every detail that will be Casa de Gracia. And we thank God for each person working hard to make these plans become a reality before our eyes!
We thank God for our team (@betsyjbaker @chicafromguate @ea.fotografo @monicafuentes1 @cherry_smith66 ) working hard every week to write program materials and think and pray through hard topics we will face.
We thank God for every prayer warrior, every generous donor and every encouraging visitor!

We humbly come before God, thanking Him for all that He has done and ask Him to continue establishing the work of our hands!

¡Sean manifiestas tus obras a tus siervos, y tu esplendor a sus descendientes!
Que el favor del Señor nuestro Dios
esté sobre nosotros.
Confirma en nosotros la obra de nuestras manos; sì, confirma la obra de nuestras manos.
Salmo 90: 16-17

Nuestra Oración 🙏🏼

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

At a recent all-team meeting, Edwin led us through Psalm 90, a powerful prayer.
It was a good reminder of all we have to be humbly thanking God for…
We thank God for the literally countless hours of planning that @byronochali and his talented wife, Julia have put into every detail that will be Casa de Gracia. And we thank God for each person working hard to make these plans become a reality before our eyes!
We thank God for our team (@betsyjbaker @chicafromguate @ea.fotografo @monicafuentes1 @cherry_smith66 ) working hard every week to write program materials and think and pray through hard topics we will face.
We thank God for every prayer warrior, every generous donor and every encouraging visitor!

We humbly come before God, thanking Him for all that He has done and ask Him to continue establishing the work of our hands!

¡Sean manifiestas tus obras a tus siervos, y tu esplendor a sus descendientes!
Que el favor del Señor nuestro Dios
esté sobre nosotros.
Confirma en nosotros la obra de nuestras manos; sì, confirma la obra de nuestras manos.
Salmo 90: 16-17

Nuestra Oración 🙏🏼

When you show up for podcast recording day accidentally twinning 🎙️Casa de Gracia team is getting truly synchronized over here 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼

When you show up for podcast recording day accidentally twinning 🎙️Casa de Gracia team is getting truly synchronized over here 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼

Welcome to Casa de Gracia this week!! Check it out—the Casa is actually becoming a reality!

God is truly shining His love and hope over this place! (See the last foto!)

We invite you to enjoy these recent beautiful pics and rejoice with us! God is moving and this dream becomes more real every day 🙌🏼

Welcome to Casa de Gracia this week!! Check it out—the Casa is actually becoming a reality!

God is truly shining His love and hope over this place! (See the last foto!)

We invite you to enjoy these recent beautiful pics and rejoice with us! God is moving and this dream becomes more real every day 🙌🏼

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” It’s one of the most read and repeated verses of the Bible, and although it sounds hopeful, it is sometimes hard to truly believe.

Yet when we have young ladies living at Casa de Gracia, this will be a verse we would like our girls to study so that they can come to understand and believe the fact that God’s thoughts for their lives are good, and their past — no matter how painful it has been — does not define them, but rather the thoughts that God has toward them of peace.

We can only truly understand this peace by being close to God: the perfect God, the loving God, the God who gave his life out of love for his children, a God who redeems our pain and gives it purpose.

At Casa de Gracia, our desire is to see our young ladies physically well, enjoying good health, academically fulfilled, successfully reintegrated into society, and enjoying life to the fullest.

But we’re also aware that merely helping to make that possible is not enough.

Our legacy goes beyond the roof over their heads, the walls that protect them, and the support we offer.

The best thing we can do is to guide them with love and grace to finding their identity in Christ.

May that be our legacy!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” It’s one of the most read and repeated verses of the Bible, and although it sounds hopeful, it is sometimes hard to truly believe.

Yet when we have young ladies living at Casa de Gracia, this will be a verse we would like our girls to study so that they can come to understand and believe the fact that God’s thoughts for their lives are good, and their past — no matter how painful it has been — does not define them, but rather the thoughts that God has toward them of peace.

We can only truly understand this peace by being close to God: the perfect God, the loving God, the God who gave his life out of love for his children, a God who redeems our pain and gives it purpose.

At Casa de Gracia, our desire is to see our young ladies physically well, enjoying good health, academically fulfilled, successfully reintegrated into society, and enjoying life to the fullest.

But we’re also aware that merely helping to make that possible is not enough.

Our legacy goes beyond the roof over their heads, the walls that protect them, and the support we offer.

The best thing we can do is to guide them with love and grace to finding their identity in Christ.

May that be our legacy!

He is risen indeed! Thankful that Jesus not only came to earth to live a sinless life and pay our death penalty, but that he defeated death and rose again so that we might have eternal life with him!!

He is risen indeed! Thankful that Jesus not only came to earth to live a sinless life and pay our death penalty, but that he defeated death and rose again so that we might have eternal life with him!!

Construction Update!
We are loving seeing all this incredible work being done to make the 1st Transition Home as safe and sturdy as possible!
We are committed to every aspect of construction of Casa de Gracia…from strong and lovely homes to strong and well-equipped staff to Gospel centered programs to help each person find their identity as a beautiful creation of God with a unique purpose in this world!

Construction Update!
We are loving seeing all this incredible work being done to make the 1st Transition Home as safe and sturdy as possible!
We are committed to every aspect of construction of Casa de Gracia…from strong and lovely homes to strong and well-equipped staff to Gospel centered programs to help each person find their identity as a beautiful creation of God with a unique purpose in this world!

Latest Drone Footage showing the new ‘post excavation’ look of Casa de Gracia! Enjoy glimpses the beginning stages of Construction work on the 1st Transition Home, the well drilling equipment in place and the new platforms created for all future buildings 🙌🏼

Latest Drone Footage showing the new ‘post excavation’ look of Casa de Gracia! Enjoy glimpses the beginning stages of Construction work on the 1st Transition Home, the well drilling equipment in place and the new platforms created for all future buildings 🙌🏼

Thank You @tysonherald for joining our team and visiting the site together with us!
We were especially blessed by the truth and challenge shared with us from God’s Word. We appreciate your time and encouragement more than we can say!

Thank You @tysonherald for joining our team and visiting the site together with us!
We were especially blessed by the truth and challenge shared with us from God’s Word. We appreciate your time and encouragement more than we can say!

CONSTRUCTION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN 🙌🏼

Now that all the levels and platforms have been created for each building that will be constructed (now and in the future) during the infrastructure phase, the actual construction has begun on the Transition Home! The workers have been digging out the trenches for the footers, putting up the forms, and building all the rebar posts that are needed to keep everything nice and strong with all the earthquakes and tremors we get here in Guatemala. All this is prep work so they can start pouring the concrete foundation soon.

So . . . here we go and stay tuned!!!

CONSTRUCTION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN 🙌🏼

Now that all the levels and platforms have been created for each building that will be constructed (now and in the future) during the infrastructure phase, the actual construction has begun on the Transition Home! The workers have been digging out the trenches for the footers, putting up the forms, and building all the rebar posts that are needed to keep everything nice and strong with all the earthquakes and tremors we get here in Guatemala. All this is prep work so they can start pouring the concrete foundation soon.

So . . . here we go and stay tuned!!!

This Team 👊🏼 We are loving learning, laughing, planning and praying together!
We are growing and going strong!
At our last all-team meeting we were blessed to have the first of several training sessions with @nicodemus_latam! We enjoyed the interactive learning on this hugely important topic of mentoring. Thank you for your time, Friends, we look forward to continuing to learn from your expertise!

This Team 👊🏼 We are loving learning, laughing, planning and praying together!
We are growing and going strong!
At our last all-team meeting we were blessed to have the first of several training sessions with @nicodemus_latam! We enjoyed the interactive learning on this hugely important topic of mentoring. Thank you for your time, Friends, we look forward to continuing to learn from your expertise!

Meet our newest team member, Madelyn!

“I have volunteered with Ministerio Buena Vista providing food and education to underserved children since 2021. I teach the kids Bible lessons, help them complete tasks, and organize recreational activities.

My greatest desire is to help the most vulnerable people.“

Meet our newest team member, Madelyn!

“I have volunteered with Ministerio Buena Vista providing food and education to underserved children since 2021. I teach the kids Bible lessons, help them complete tasks, and organize recreational activities.

My greatest desire is to help the most vulnerable people.“

Want to know the heart, the standard, the driving force behind the hours of thought and effort we put in each week to develop the discipleship and life skills programs for the girls that will be part of Casa de Gracia?

⭐️ That the quality of our work would be as if this were a labor of love for our own sister or our own daughter. ⭐️

THAT is the heart behind all the hours, whether in a coffee shop, around the dining room table, in a group, or plugging away by ourselves.

Want to know the heart, the standard, the driving force behind the hours of thought and effort we put in each week to develop the discipleship and life skills programs for the girls that will be part of Casa de Gracia?

⭐️ That the quality of our work would be as if this were a labor of love for our own sister or our own daughter. ⭐️

THAT is the heart behind all the hours, whether in a coffee shop, around the dining room table, in a group, or plugging away by ourselves.

Did you know we actually have TWO new team members?? Meet Mónica, who is helping develop the program the young ladies will be walking through during their time at Casa de Gracia.

Mónica has mentored teenagers in at-risk areas and young ladies transitioning out of children’s homes since 2018. In 2015, she cofounded Asociación AVIV, which works to share the gospel through after-school programs in at-risk areas.

We are so grateful for the insight and drive that Mónica brings to our team.

Did you know we actually have TWO new team members?? Meet Mónica, who is helping develop the program the young ladies will be walking through during their time at Casa de Gracia.

Mónica has mentored teenagers in at-risk areas and young ladies transitioning out of children’s homes since 2018. In 2015, she cofounded Asociación AVIV, which works to share the gospel through after-school programs in at-risk areas.

We are so grateful for the insight and drive that Mónica brings to our team.

Each day, this dream becomes more and more real.

Each day, this dream becomes more and more real.

Meet our new team member, Betsy Baker!

Betsy has lived in Guatemala serving vulnerable children and youth through work in children’s homes since 2013.

Seeing the deep need these young people have for belonging and future, her heart has been dedicated to mentorship, discipleship, and loving those who need it most. Betsy’s desire is to see young people know and seek the Lord, walk with Him and be obedient to the call that He has put on their lives.

Her heart and expertise make her an invaluable addition to the team as we develop the program the young ladies will work through at Casa de Gracia. Thank you for being part of this, Betsy!

Meet our new team member, Betsy Baker!

Betsy has lived in Guatemala serving vulnerable children and youth through work in children’s homes since 2013.

Seeing the deep need these young people have for belonging and future, her heart has been dedicated to mentorship, discipleship, and loving those who need it most. Betsy’s desire is to see young people know and seek the Lord, walk with Him and be obedient to the call that He has put on their lives.

Her heart and expertise make her an invaluable addition to the team as we develop the program the young ladies will work through at Casa de Gracia. Thank you for being part of this, Betsy!

Proverbs 23:10-11
“Do not move an ancient boundary or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against you.”

The ancient path or boundary …this is now a concept that has come to life for us. Part of what belongs to the Casa de Gracia property includes an ancient path. This is a path used by local families and farmers. This is not usable by any vehicle other than bicycle. We see farmers and families go by every day with horses carrying their harvest of coffee, corn, beans, etc. They need this access to reach town or home.
At Casa de Gracia we always want to honor the community that we are part of AND bless them. So we will never block access to this ancient path but hope to help it be even more easily used by our neighbors. 🐴🌾🚲 👩🏽‍🌾

Proverbs 23:10-11
“Do not move an ancient boundary or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against you.”

The ancient path or boundary …this is now a concept that has come to life for us. Part of what belongs to the Casa de Gracia property includes an ancient path. This is a path used by local families and farmers. This is not usable by any vehicle other than bicycle. We see farmers and families go by every day with horses carrying their harvest of coffee, corn, beans, etc. They need this access to reach town or home.
At Casa de Gracia we always want to honor the community that we are part of AND bless them. So we will never block access to this ancient path but hope to help it be even more easily used by our neighbors. 🐴🌾🚲 👩🏽‍🌾

Casa de Gracia 🚜 Latest drone footage!
It’s actually changing a little more every day now!
All we can say is ~God is so good and His Grace abounds and amazes us!

Gracias @ea.fotografo 🤍

Casa de Gracia 🚜 Latest drone footage!
It’s actually changing a little more every day now!
All we can say is ~God is so good and His Grace abounds and amazes us!

Gracias @ea.fotografo 🤍

2025 is off to a Great Start 💥🚜 Lots of movement going on at last! Excavation, surveying and infrastructure work all going on! All the much needed things to get everything ready for construction to begin in February 🙌🏼To every person who visited, prayed, donated and encouraged us to this point…THANK YOU!
Today was a really great day and we thank God for it all ❤️ muchísimas gracias @bonimaru for capturing this day with these beautiful fotos ❤️

2025 is off to a Great Start 💥🚜 Lots of movement going on at last! Excavation, surveying and infrastructure work all going on! All the much needed things to get everything ready for construction to begin in February 🙌🏼To every person who visited, prayed, donated and encouraged us to this point…THANK YOU!
Today was a really great day and we thank God for it all ❤️ muchísimas gracias @bonimaru for capturing this day with these beautiful fotos ❤️

To make Seen the Unseen, to make known the forgotten or invisible around us.

We really like the way our architect and site manager, Byron, talks about what Casa de Gracia means to him and why this mission matters so much. In his words…

“There is a population here in Guatemala that is largely unseen.”
The Forgotten Ones, he calls them. He talks about how here in Guatemala, they are often invisible in this society. They are typically uncared for and therefore very vulnerable.

This is not God’s plan. God has a lot to say about caring for orphans and widows in the community around us. As believers, when we see things around us that we know break the heart of God, they should break ours as well. How can we step into this need?

To design and build a transition home and program for these young people that are forced to leave their system of protection (orphanage or shelter of refuge) when they turn 18, takes a big step of faith! But we must be obedient to step into these things that are breaking the heart of God, that are a contradiction to His ways and His Word.

So first and foremost we want to make Christ known by sharing and spreading His Gospel. Then, our love for Him compels us to love and serve those that are unseen, unloved and forgotten in the community around us.

Who are those in your community that need to be known and shown love? Let’s commit to stepping into these needs together!

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

To make Seen the Unseen, to make known the forgotten or invisible around us.

We really like the way our architect and site manager, Byron, talks about what Casa de Gracia means to him and why this mission matters so much. In his words…

“There is a population here in Guatemala that is largely unseen.”
The Forgotten Ones, he calls them. He talks about how here in Guatemala, they are often invisible in this society. They are typically uncared for and therefore very vulnerable.

This is not God’s plan. God has a lot to say about caring for orphans and widows in the community around us. As believers, when we see things around us that we know break the heart of God, they should break ours as well. How can we step into this need?

To design and build a transition home and program for these young people that are forced to leave their system of protection (orphanage or shelter of refuge) when they turn 18, takes a big step of faith! But we must be obedient to step into these things that are breaking the heart of God, that are a contradiction to His ways and His Word.

So first and foremost we want to make Christ known by sharing and spreading His Gospel. Then, our love for Him compels us to love and serve those that are unseen, unloved and forgotten in the community around us.

Who are those in your community that need to be known and shown love? Let’s commit to stepping into these needs together!

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

THANK YOU to each and every one of you who shared, prayed, donated, and made yourselves part of the Lord’s work here in Guatemala! With these funds, we will be able to complete infrastructure and the first transition home. Lord willing, 2025 will be a year we see HUGE construction progress!

THANK YOU to each and every one of you who shared, prayed, donated, and made yourselves part of the Lord’s work here in Guatemala! With these funds, we will be able to complete infrastructure and the first transition home. Lord willing, 2025 will be a year we see HUGE construction progress!

Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

These photos represent so many prayers, donations, meetings, contributions, miracles, permits, and people. Thank you Jesus, and thank you to EACH and every one of you. We can only imagine what the Lord has in store for 2025!!

Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

These photos represent so many prayers, donations, meetings, contributions, miracles, permits, and people. Thank you Jesus, and thank you to EACH and every one of you. We can only imagine what the Lord has in store for 2025!!

May our hearts rejoice as we celebrate the Light Jesus has brought into our darkness🌟

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness could not overcome it 🌟 John 1:4-5

May our hearts rejoice as we celebrate the Light Jesus has brought into our darkness🌟

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness could not overcome it 🌟 John 1:4-5

Whoever closes his ears to the cries of the poor will himself cry out and not be answered.
—Proverbs 21:13
Pastor David Puerto of @iglesiareforma led us through powerful passages of God’s Word at our 2024 December Board gathering.

He challenged us to always keep our focus on the mission and calling God has given us.
He also challenged us to always remember that as we work hard and make every effort possible in the mission {Col 1:28-29}, it is God alone in His grace {2 Tim 2:1} and His perfect timing that the work will be accomplished and be effective.
May We always walk in the wisdom of this beautiful balance!!

Thank You, David, for your preparation and your heart to come and share with us the message God placed on your heart for us to hear! We pray the Lord will find us faithful!

Whoever closes his ears to the cries of the poor will himself cry out and not be answered.
—Proverbs 21:13
Pastor David Puerto of @iglesiareforma led us through powerful passages of God’s Word at our 2024 December Board gathering.

He challenged us to always keep our focus on the mission and calling God has given us.
He also challenged us to always remember that as we work hard and make every effort possible in the mission {Col 1:28-29}, it is God alone in His grace {2 Tim 2:1} and His perfect timing that the work will be accomplished and be effective.
May We always walk in the wisdom of this beautiful balance!!

Thank You, David, for your preparation and your heart to come and share with us the message God placed on your heart for us to hear! We pray the Lord will find us faithful!

We thank God for this board of directors that are each committed to the Lord, first and foremost, and to His Word.
We thank God for surrounding us with this group Committed to serving the fatherless and the vulnerable all around us!! We thank God for the wisdom, experience, education, talent and involvement each one brings to this table.

Our second annual in-person board meeting was a beautiful time of learning together from God’s Word under the leadership of Pastor David Puerto { @iglesiareforma }, sharing our hearts and encouraging one another.

Then we pile into vehicles and head to the Casa de Gracia site for lunch together, tours & prayer time. It’s become a tradition we truly treasure❤️

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be heard.
— Proverbs 21:13

Thank You SO MUCH to each one of you for your time & talent and most of all, your hearts!

📸 @ea.fotografo 🖤

We thank God for this board of directors that are each committed to the Lord, first and foremost, and to His Word.
We thank God for surrounding us with this group Committed to serving the fatherless and the vulnerable all around us!! We thank God for the wisdom, experience, education, talent and involvement each one brings to this table.

Our second annual in-person board meeting was a beautiful time of learning together from God’s Word under the leadership of Pastor David Puerto { @iglesiareforma }, sharing our hearts and encouraging one another.

Then we pile into vehicles and head to the Casa de Gracia site for lunch together, tours & prayer time. It’s become a tradition we truly treasure❤️

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be heard.
— Proverbs 21:13

Thank You SO MUCH to each one of you for your time & talent and most of all, your hearts!

📸 @ea.fotografo 🖤

We’re so close!!

We’re so close!!

Once a month we meet with our Prayer Group to pray for all things related to Casa de Gracia. It’s a precious time of sharing updates, advice & counsel, being encouraged as we talk about all God is doing and lifting it all up to Him!

Today was our last meeting for 2024 🙏🏼
Our hearts could not be more grateful for each one that has accompanied us in this adventure!

Una vez al mes nos reunimos con nuestro grupo de oración para orar por Casa de Gracia.

Hoy fue nuestro última reunión, nuestros corazones no pueden estar más agradecidos por cada de una las personas que nos han acompañado en esta aventura.

Once a month we meet with our Prayer Group to pray for all things related to Casa de Gracia. It’s a precious time of sharing updates, advice & counsel, being encouraged as we talk about all God is doing and lifting it all up to Him!

Today was our last meeting for 2024 🙏🏼
Our hearts could not be more grateful for each one that has accompanied us in this adventure!

Una vez al mes nos reunimos con nuestro grupo de oración para orar por Casa de Gracia.

Hoy fue nuestro última reunión, nuestros corazones no pueden estar más agradecidos por cada de una las personas que nos han acompañado en esta aventura.

The fruit of righteous living becomes a tree of life; a wise person captures souls. Proverbs 11:30

At Casa de Gracia may we always bear the fruit of wise and righteous lives that will help us capture souls for Jesus! We pray for souls to be set free by the power of the Gospel!

El fruto de una vida recta se convierte en un árbol de vida; Una persona sabia captura almas. Proverbios 11:30

En Casa de Gracia que siempre demos el fruto de vidas sabias y justas que nos ayudarán a capturar almas para Jesús.
¡Oramos para que las almas sean liberadas por el poder del Evangelio!

The fruit of righteous living becomes a tree of life; a wise person captures souls. Proverbs 11:30

At Casa de Gracia may we always bear the fruit of wise and righteous lives that will help us capture souls for Jesus! We pray for souls to be set free by the power of the Gospel!

El fruto de una vida recta se convierte en un árbol de vida; Una persona sabia captura almas. Proverbios 11:30

En Casa de Gracia que siempre demos el fruto de vidas sabias y justas que nos ayudarán a capturar almas para Jesús.
¡Oramos para que las almas sean liberadas por el poder del Evangelio!

In case you’re new to us here at Casa de Gracia…here’s a quick info video about what we are doing and why 🤍Hope you find it helpful!

In case you’re new to us here at Casa de Gracia…here’s a quick info video about what we are doing and why 🤍Hope you find it helpful!

We Harvest what We Plant 🌾
“Share one another's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Pay careful attention to your own work...
We are each responsible for our own conduct.
Don't be misled, you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
So let's not get tired of doing good!
At the right time we will reap the harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:2-10

We Harvest what We Plant 🌾
“Share one another's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Pay careful attention to your own work...
We are each responsible for our own conduct.
Don't be misled, you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
So let's not get tired of doing good!
At the right time we will reap the harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:2-10

As much as we LOVE this footage showing our Casa de Gracia site situated among these beautiful volcanoes…we can’t wait to show you what it’s looking like lately with excavation underway and construction scheduled to begin next month 🙌🏼 🌋🌋🙌🏼 Stay Tuned!!

As much as we LOVE this footage showing our Casa de Gracia site situated among these beautiful volcanoes…we can’t wait to show you what it’s looking like lately with excavation underway and construction scheduled to begin next month 🙌🏼 🌋🌋🙌🏼 Stay Tuned!!

A Place of Power ⚡️
Sometimes we hear God giving us a clear message through the prayers of His people.

We have been humbled in these last months to hear the prayers of those who have come and visited our Casa de Gracia site.
In different months and from different people of different ages, we have heard the same words spoken as they prayed over this entire
time Casa de Gracia project…

“May this place be a Place of Power!“

These are humbling words! And when you hear different people utter the same exact words in the same place, you take note!
So we are taking these words to heart as we pray through their significance.

With our mission and vision in mind,
here’s what we already seek;
—The Power of the Gospel will bring healing and restoration to the lives of the young people living and/or learning at Casa de Gracia
—The Power of the Gospel will bring freedom as strongholds of generational cycles are broken
—The Power of the Gospel will bring hope as the young people find their identity in Christ first and then in the society around them
—The Power of the Gospel will redeem lives that will impact more lives for Jesus for generations to come!

A Place of Power ⚡️
Sometimes we hear God giving us a clear message through the prayers of His people.

We have been humbled in these last months to hear the prayers of those who have come and visited our Casa de Gracia site.
In different months and from different people of different ages, we have heard the same words spoken as they prayed over this entire
time Casa de Gracia project…

“May this place be a Place of Power!“

These are humbling words! And when you hear different people utter the same exact words in the same place, you take note!
So we are taking these words to heart as we pray through their significance.

With our mission and vision in mind,
here’s what we already seek;
—The Power of the Gospel will bring healing and restoration to the lives of the young people living and/or learning at Casa de Gracia
—The Power of the Gospel will bring freedom as strongholds of generational cycles are broken
—The Power of the Gospel will bring hope as the young people find their identity in Christ first and then in the society around them
—The Power of the Gospel will redeem lives that will impact more lives for Jesus for generations to come!

Forged Partnerships 🔨 🔥 A little {intentional } play on words here to talk about our ministry partner @redeemedsteel.

October 2024 has been a really exciting time to be able to have them out at our work site where they will be building a state of the art trade school for welding, knife forging, wood & leather working!
We’ve also been able see more of the forging events that they have been doing all over Guatemala!
We love watching the way they can forge a beautiful knife from a seemingly useless piece of metal. Meanwhile, they share the Gospel throughout the event.
It’s a powerful ministry and we can’t wait to see how God will use this trade school on the Casa de Gracia property to create community and provide mentoring and discipleship as young people are taught truly valuable job skills!!
When God forges partnerships between us, we give Him all the praise and wait expectantly to see all He plans to accomplish in it 🔥🔨

Forged Partnerships 🔨 🔥 A little {intentional } play on words here to talk about our ministry partner @redeemedsteel.

October 2024 has been a really exciting time to be able to have them out at our work site where they will be building a state of the art trade school for welding, knife forging, wood & leather working!
We’ve also been able see more of the forging events that they have been doing all over Guatemala!
We love watching the way they can forge a beautiful knife from a seemingly useless piece of metal. Meanwhile, they share the Gospel throughout the event.
It’s a powerful ministry and we can’t wait to see how God will use this trade school on the Casa de Gracia property to create community and provide mentoring and discipleship as young people are taught truly valuable job skills!!
When God forges partnerships between us, we give Him all the praise and wait expectantly to see all He plans to accomplish in it 🔥🔨

We are now OVER HALFWAY to our fundraising goal!! Each dollar raised is going to be DOUBLED by some incredible donors, to go directly to constructing the buildings needed to open our doors to the young ladies! THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have contributed, whether that was by praying, sharing, or donating! Please continue to prayerfully support this campaign — it will go a LONG way toward having the necessary funds ready to go to start construction once the infrastructure is all in. (Update coming soon on all that!)

Again, a huge THANK YOU for every prayer sent up, every dollar donated, and every share whether in person or on social media. Knowing that there are young ladies aging out of the systems of protection every day, we have SUCH an urgency on our hearts to prepare this home for them, and you are a key part of that vision.

We are now OVER HALFWAY to our fundraising goal!! Each dollar raised is going to be DOUBLED by some incredible donors, to go directly to constructing the buildings needed to open our doors to the young ladies! THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have contributed, whether that was by praying, sharing, or donating! Please continue to prayerfully support this campaign — it will go a LONG way toward having the necessary funds ready to go to start construction once the infrastructure is all in. (Update coming soon on all that!)

Again, a huge THANK YOU for every prayer sent up, every dollar donated, and every share whether in person or on social media. Knowing that there are young ladies aging out of the systems of protection every day, we have SUCH an urgency on our hearts to prepare this home for them, and you are a key part of that vision.

Surrounded 💫 So encouraged by recent site visits from Bethel Church in Indiana and our @redeemedsteel partners! Thank You so very much for visiting and Cheering us on!!!
Our hearts are full ❤️We are humbled by it all.

Every heart that celebrates with us,
Every voice lifting up powerful prayers,
Every word of encouragement,
Every thoughtful question…they are all humbling beyond words as they remind us of our Good Father who has orchestrated it all!!

Surrounded 💫 So encouraged by recent site visits from Bethel Church in Indiana and our @redeemedsteel partners! Thank You so very much for visiting and Cheering us on!!!
Our hearts are full ❤️We are humbled by it all.

Every heart that celebrates with us,
Every voice lifting up powerful prayers,
Every word of encouragement,
Every thoughtful question…they are all humbling beyond words as they remind us of our Good Father who has orchestrated it all!!

Dreams lent by God always begin with small acts of faith, with small obediences. Borrowed dreams will always come accompanied by fears and uncertainties, and will be like an inconvenience in your heart. Borrowed dreams will make you lose sleep, but they will help you turn to the Lord in Heaven and wait for the one who put that dream in your heart to rescue you. Dreams borrowed from God will always make you surround yourself with a community, which is important to understand how the body of Christ works here on this earth.

Thank you to all the accomplices who are helping make this dream given to us by God become a reality!

Los sueños prestados por Dios siempre empiezan con pequeños actos de fe, con pequeñas obediencias.
Los sueños prestados siempre vendrán acompañados de miedos e incertidumbres, y estarán como una incomodidad en tu corazón.

Los sueños prestados harán que se te quite el sueño, pero te ayudarán a voltear al cielo y esperar a que quien puso ese sueño en tu corazón te rescate. Los sueños prestados por Dios siempre te harán rodearte de una comunidad, lo cual es importante para entender cómo funciona el cuerpo de Cristo en la tierra.

Gracias a todos los cómplices que hacen que este sueño prestado por Dios sea una realidad.

Dreams lent by God always begin with small acts of faith, with small obediences. Borrowed dreams will always come accompanied by fears and uncertainties, and will be like an inconvenience in your heart. Borrowed dreams will make you lose sleep, but they will help you turn to the Lord in Heaven and wait for the one who put that dream in your heart to rescue you. Dreams borrowed from God will always make you surround yourself with a community, which is important to understand how the body of Christ works here on this earth.

Thank you to all the accomplices who are helping make this dream given to us by God become a reality!

Los sueños prestados por Dios siempre empiezan con pequeños actos de fe, con pequeñas obediencias.
Los sueños prestados siempre vendrán acompañados de miedos e incertidumbres, y estarán como una incomodidad en tu corazón.

Los sueños prestados harán que se te quite el sueño, pero te ayudarán a voltear al cielo y esperar a que quien puso ese sueño en tu corazón te rescate. Los sueños prestados por Dios siempre te harán rodearte de una comunidad, lo cual es importante para entender cómo funciona el cuerpo de Cristo en la tierra.

Gracias a todos los cómplices que hacen que este sueño prestado por Dios sea una realidad.

Super excited and Super thankful for every single dollar you have contributed so far toward making this transition home a reality! We are blown away by your generosity and your commitment to stand in the gap and be the family and friends these girls need as they step into adulthood 🤍

Please 1) pray that the Lord will continue provide the funds needed for construction and 2) help us spread the word! 🤩

Super excited and Super thankful for every single dollar you have contributed so far toward making this transition home a reality! We are blown away by your generosity and your commitment to stand in the gap and be the family and friends these girls need as they step into adulthood 🤍

Please 1) pray that the Lord will continue provide the funds needed for construction and 2) help us spread the word! 🤩

It’s Finally Happening!!!
After a long wait for all the permits….¡¡Excavation Has Begun!! We could not be happier to see it!
The first priority in this is preparing the path and the pad for the well-drilling rigs! More info on that endeavor coming soon!
Next the excavation will begin for the septic system to be installed.
After that, the excavation can begin for the 1st Transition Home 🙌🏼 So clearly, this is a really important and exciting next step in our process.

We are celebrating this and wanted to share 🏗️

It’s Finally Happening!!!
After a long wait for all the permits….¡¡Excavation Has Begun!! We could not be happier to see it!
The first priority in this is preparing the path and the pad for the well-drilling rigs! More info on that endeavor coming soon!
Next the excavation will begin for the septic system to be installed.
After that, the excavation can begin for the 1st Transition Home 🙌🏼 So clearly, this is a really important and exciting next step in our process.

We are celebrating this and wanted to share 🏗️

If you (like us) thought Sunday’s news was already AMAZING, you’ll be blown away to know that this evening God surprised us with ANOTHER generous donor who has stepped up to DOUBLE the matching grant from $50k to $100k! This means that for every $5 or $50 or $500 you give, they will match you dollar for dollar with their own donation up to $100,000.

Can you take a minute tonight to pray and ask the Lord if he wants you to be part of this?? Whether that be through a financial contribution (links are in our story and our bio!), spreading the news by sharing this post, or by praying for this fundraising effort, for the construction process, and for each young lady who right NOW, is out there, maybe 16 or 17 years old and dreading turning 18 and being completely alone in the world.

With every donation, every prayer, every share, you are standing up and telling these girls, “You are not alone! We want to walk alongside you as Jesus has walked with us.”

THANK YOU. It means the world, and we cannot WAIT to officially open our doors and welcome each precious soul into this safe haven.

If you (like us) thought Sunday’s news was already AMAZING, you’ll be blown away to know that this evening God surprised us with ANOTHER generous donor who has stepped up to DOUBLE the matching grant from $50k to $100k! This means that for every $5 or $50 or $500 you give, they will match you dollar for dollar with their own donation up to $100,000.

Can you take a minute tonight to pray and ask the Lord if he wants you to be part of this?? Whether that be through a financial contribution (links are in our story and our bio!), spreading the news by sharing this post, or by praying for this fundraising effort, for the construction process, and for each young lady who right NOW, is out there, maybe 16 or 17 years old and dreading turning 18 and being completely alone in the world.

With every donation, every prayer, every share, you are standing up and telling these girls, “You are not alone! We want to walk alongside you as Jesus has walked with us.”

THANK YOU. It means the world, and we cannot WAIT to officially open our doors and welcome each precious soul into this safe haven.

We have a TRULY AMAZING fundraising update!! Thanks to a few incredibly generous families, we have recently received over 65% of what we need towards the first transition home!!

Here’s where you can jump in and join this . . . we have also been offered a $50,000 matching grant!! So every dollar you contribute up to $50k will be doubled — and if we successfully match that grant, we will be 100% funded for the construction of the 1st transition home!

We are humbled and grateful beyond words for these incredible donations! God is building this house through the generous hearts of His people 🙌🏼

We stand in awe as we watch Him at work!

We have a TRULY AMAZING fundraising update!! Thanks to a few incredibly generous families, we have recently received over 65% of what we need towards the first transition home!!

Here’s where you can jump in and join this . . . we have also been offered a $50,000 matching grant!! So every dollar you contribute up to $50k will be doubled — and if we successfully match that grant, we will be 100% funded for the construction of the 1st transition home!

We are humbled and grateful beyond words for these incredible donations! God is building this house through the generous hearts of His people 🙌🏼

We stand in awe as we watch Him at work!

Can you spot us in this video and in the photo on the second slide, praying on the site of the first transition home? We go regularly as a family or with visitors and team members to pray over this place and for each girl soon to turn 18, most likely already dreading being out on her own and wondering where she will go. We pray for each girl that God will bring, each staff member that we will need, and every dollar we need to build this house and the rest of the campus! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Can you spot us in this video and in the photo on the second slide, praying on the site of the first transition home? We go regularly as a family or with visitors and team members to pray over this place and for each girl soon to turn 18, most likely already dreading being out on her own and wondering where she will go. We pray for each girl that God will bring, each staff member that we will need, and every dollar we need to build this house and the rest of the campus! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Our desire is for Casa de Gracia to be a place of refuge for orphaned young people who have no other safe places to turn. Throughout history, children without families have been among the most marginalized. Family provides protection from those who would harm and take advantage of us. Family provides a home and a place to belong. Family provides us a name and identity. Those without family are vulnerable to the dangers of the world. They often fall prey to those who would rob them of their possessions or leave them broken in sorrow.

Because of this reality, God admonishes us throughout Scripture to care for the orphan. He sees them with the eyes of a father who has compassion for his children. He warns us in Proverbs not to trample on the rights of the fatherless. He is their Redeemer and someday he will bring justice upon those who seek to hurt the defenseless.

Our prayer is that Casa de Gracia will play an effective role in God’s plan for protecting the orphaned from those who would encroach upon them. We want to be the family that will provide safety. We want to be the family that will give them a home. We want to walk alongside these young people as they find their identity in Christ and become sons and daughters.

Our desire is for Casa de Gracia to be a place of refuge for orphaned young people who have no other safe places to turn. Throughout history, children without families have been among the most marginalized. Family provides protection from those who would harm and take advantage of us. Family provides a home and a place to belong. Family provides us a name and identity. Those without family are vulnerable to the dangers of the world. They often fall prey to those who would rob them of their possessions or leave them broken in sorrow.

Because of this reality, God admonishes us throughout Scripture to care for the orphan. He sees them with the eyes of a father who has compassion for his children. He warns us in Proverbs not to trample on the rights of the fatherless. He is their Redeemer and someday he will bring justice upon those who seek to hurt the defenseless.

Our prayer is that Casa de Gracia will play an effective role in God’s plan for protecting the orphaned from those who would encroach upon them. We want to be the family that will provide safety. We want to be the family that will give them a home. We want to walk alongside these young people as they find their identity in Christ and become sons and daughters.

Dental and medical care in Guatemala can be extremely difficult for many people to have access to. To be honest, this lack of access to dental/medical care is often a full on crisis.

Our on site clinics will be staffed by graduates from the main university in Guatemala City that need a place fulfill requirements to finish their studies. We will partner with the @independentmissionarynetwork Dental Team in the staffing oversight of the dental clinic. We are really excited about this partnership and the opportunity to serve so many through it!

We praise God for these partnerships and the ability to impact lives with loving physical care and life changing hope the Gospel through them!
The on site clinics will serve multiple purposes...
—Recent graduates from medical and dental schools are required to “pay back” the government for their education. This payback period is 8-9 months. During this time, the doctors/dentists must provide free care to students from the local school system. The schools will bring the students to us, and we are allowed to share gospel materials with them as they wait.
This will be a great help to the graduating medical students.
—As part of the doctor/dentist payback service, they must also agree to train one or two individuals in the occupation of dental/medical assisting and/or office administration. Once trained, our program graduates will be equipped for real jobs, that pay as much as one and half times the country’s minimum wage.
This will be a great benefit to the young people in our program.
—We can incentivize the doctor/dentist to provide community care to adults by giving them a share of profits for services rendered in afternoon/weekend hours, while offering services to the community at discounted rates (to help those who are unable to afford typical rates). In doing this, the clinic should prove to pay for itself, while helping the doctor/dentist fufill their requirements as well as serve the community.
This will be a great benefit to the community around us {Ciudad Vieja} as well as an opportunity to share the Gospel!

Dental and medical care in Guatemala can be extremely difficult for many people to have access to. To be honest, this lack of access to dental/medical care is often a full on crisis.

Our on site clinics will be staffed by graduates from the main university in Guatemala City that need a place fulfill requirements to finish their studies. We will partner with the @independentmissionarynetwork Dental Team in the staffing oversight of the dental clinic. We are really excited about this partnership and the opportunity to serve so many through it!

We praise God for these partnerships and the ability to impact lives with loving physical care and life changing hope the Gospel through them!
The on site clinics will serve multiple purposes...
—Recent graduates from medical and dental schools are required to “pay back” the government for their education. This payback period is 8-9 months. During this time, the doctors/dentists must provide free care to students from the local school system. The schools will bring the students to us, and we are allowed to share gospel materials with them as they wait.
This will be a great help to the graduating medical students.
—As part of the doctor/dentist payback service, they must also agree to train one or two individuals in the occupation of dental/medical assisting and/or office administration. Once trained, our program graduates will be equipped for real jobs, that pay as much as one and half times the country’s minimum wage.
This will be a great benefit to the young people in our program.
—We can incentivize the doctor/dentist to provide community care to adults by giving them a share of profits for services rendered in afternoon/weekend hours, while offering services to the community at discounted rates (to help those who are unable to afford typical rates). In doing this, the clinic should prove to pay for itself, while helping the doctor/dentist fufill their requirements as well as serve the community.
This will be a great benefit to the community around us {Ciudad Vieja} as well as an opportunity to share the Gospel!

¡Represent!
Casa de Gracia has been well represented over the last few months!!!
Different members of the team have been asked to
-speak in conferences in person & by Zoom
-be interviewed on national radio stations
-be interviewed on podcasts
-share in churches and small groups
We take every opportunity to share about what God is doing in and through this project to share the Gospel. This is at the heart of all we do!
The houses and buildings won’t last forever
BUT SOULS WILL!!
Therefore we take every opportunity to not only represent Casa de Gracia, but Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation! By His blood shed for our sins we can be adopted into the family of God as beloved sons & daughters.

May we always represent Him and His plan well!

¡Represent!
Casa de Gracia has been well represented over the last few months!!!
Different members of the team have been asked to
-speak in conferences in person & by Zoom
-be interviewed on national radio stations
-be interviewed on podcasts
-share in churches and small groups
We take every opportunity to share about what God is doing in and through this project to share the Gospel. This is at the heart of all we do!
The houses and buildings won’t last forever
BUT SOULS WILL!!
Therefore we take every opportunity to not only represent Casa de Gracia, but Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation! By His blood shed for our sins we can be adopted into the family of God as beloved sons & daughters.

May we always represent Him and His plan well!

The trade school is being funded by our US-based ministry partner, Redeemed Steel. They have already raised the majority of the funds needed to build this trade school! This means that as soon as the infrastructure work is done, this will be one of the first buildings built along with the Transition Home!
Redeemed Steel is a group of expert blacksmiths and tradesmen/women who have a heart for serving the Lord and sharing the knowledge of their skills and their faith. They have volunteered to build the first of multiple planned international trade schools on our property. They will fill the building with high-end equipment, then they will send regular teams of experts to come and train/mentor students (primarily young men). Some of these trainings include a 6 week welding certification program.
You may be wondering; Why is this important?
How does this fit with a transition home for girls?
Here’s the Why...Casa de Gracia transition home will be for girls only. But the program on site will be called Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo (roughly translated ‘those behind me, I bring them with me’).
This will include a Day Program for guys!
These guys aging out of orphanages and homes at 18 are also very vulnerable and at risk. They desperately need strong and healthy community that includes biblical discipleship and mentoring in both life skills and job skills!

Last Fall, many of the Redeemed Steel team came down to Guatemala to offer 3 different forging events. As they forge the useless pieces of metal into beautiful knives , they share the Gospel in powerful ways! Many lives are reached and transformed by the Gospel through their message as they forge!

When they came to the Casa de Gracia site, there were tears of joy and prayers of dedication as we are all anxiously longing for this trade school to open and begin impacting lives!

We are so excited for this opportunity to partner with this high quality, likeminded ministry. Thank You, Billy Salyers and the entire
@redeemedsteel team!!
🔪🔥 Let the adventures begin!!

The trade school is being funded by our US-based ministry partner, Redeemed Steel. They have already raised the majority of the funds needed to build this trade school! This means that as soon as the infrastructure work is done, this will be one of the first buildings built along with the Transition Home!
Redeemed Steel is a group of expert blacksmiths and tradesmen/women who have a heart for serving the Lord and sharing the knowledge of their skills and their faith. They have volunteered to build the first of multiple planned international trade schools on our property. They will fill the building with high-end equipment, then they will send regular teams of experts to come and train/mentor students (primarily young men). Some of these trainings include a 6 week welding certification program.
You may be wondering; Why is this important?
How does this fit with a transition home for girls?
Here’s the Why...Casa de Gracia transition home will be for girls only. But the program on site will be called Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo (roughly translated ‘those behind me, I bring them with me’).
This will include a Day Program for guys!
These guys aging out of orphanages and homes at 18 are also very vulnerable and at risk. They desperately need strong and healthy community that includes biblical discipleship and mentoring in both life skills and job skills!

Last Fall, many of the Redeemed Steel team came down to Guatemala to offer 3 different forging events. As they forge the useless pieces of metal into beautiful knives , they share the Gospel in powerful ways! Many lives are reached and transformed by the Gospel through their message as they forge!

When they came to the Casa de Gracia site, there were tears of joy and prayers of dedication as we are all anxiously longing for this trade school to open and begin impacting lives!

We are so excited for this opportunity to partner with this high quality, likeminded ministry. Thank You, Billy Salyers and the entire
@redeemedsteel team!!
🔪🔥 Let the adventures begin!!

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@houseofgrace.gt

CONTACT US
We'd love to hear from you!

Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala

casadegracia.love.gt@gmail.com

+502 4910-4098 Direct Guatemala number, or

(317) 704-4584 U.S.-based MagicJack number

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