Over the past years, we have often featured the mission work of Life of Promise Ministries in Guatemala. Tom and Arlene Richmond began this work in 2011. I met the Richmond’s about that same time and through the years we have become and remain close friends. I have watched their dedication and commitment to the people of the region in Guatemala where they work. Most of all, I have watched their faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His faithfulness to them in blessing their work. Much has been accomplished and I urge you to read the latest news as Arlene updates us and take advantage of the opportunities for you to serve Christ by blessing Life of Promise Ministries.

Guatemala is a beautiful country with remarkable and resilient people, yet it faces severe challenges in modern times. Over 75 percent of families live in poverty, and the literacy rate is only 49 percent. Childhood malnutrition affects 67 percent of kids under 14, and that figure is much higher for the indigenous Mayan people who live in the mountains.

In the desert region of Zacapa, families in village settlements struggle with this type of extreme poverty, with close to 90 percent of the children suffering from malnutrition.  This is our main area for ministry, and it provides a glimpse into the harsh realities many face on a daily basis.  Homes are makeshift shelters or huts — lacking clean water, indoor plumbing, and basic sanitation. Families who work in the adjacent city garbage dump sorting through trash and recyclables  (among other unsanitary/dangerous jobs) earn the equivalent of just $1 to $2 per day.  Generational poverty, lack of opportunities for education, and the practice of witchcraft are some of the main problems that keep families in oppression.  

For 17 years, our family has served as missionaries in Guatemala, building strong bonds and a network of trusted community leaders in four departments (similar to U.S. states). This network allows us to expand our ministry, spread the gospel, and make a larger impact on improving quality of life for village families. However, Zacapa, like many areas in Guatemala, is plagued by the influence of criminal cartels that take over villages to run their enterprises. This leaves families vulnerable and drives many into deeper poverty and instability. Hundreds of families have been displaced from their land in the mountains by these drugs/weapons/ human trafficking gangs. More than 50 percent of children in the village settlements are forced to work instead of attending school. 

To address these urgent needs, we hope to build two learning centers in addition to the one we completed in Cobán last year.  They will be utilized by children whose parents cannot afford school. Although public school is “free,” there are required costs such as uniforms, books, and supplies, which make a formal education prohibitive for families in these settlements. Some of our villages are growing so rapidly that there’s no room for new children in the schools. But the government has a policy of establishing only one public school in each village, no matter how much the population increases. Tragically, the village settlements are growing because indigenous families are being left homeless by the cartels as explained above.  

Juana and her family lost their land in the mountains to criminal cartels early this year.  She and the children have settled in the village of Mirador in Zacapa.  The Richmonds hope to build this family a home in 2026.

Our prayer for the learning centers is to provide Christian education, mentorship, nutritious meals, and a safe environment for children ages 5 through 16. One of our main goals is to combat the urgent problem of child trafficking in the region. Children roaming around daily without adult supervision are the ones that criminal gangs prey upon in Guatemala and many other third world countries.  We have dozens of first-hand accounts of this abhorrent activity, many including children we know and love.  These kids are so innocent and precious to the Lord, and we must step up to protect them as the Bible teaches us to do.  

With the support of churches and donors, we hope to purchase land and begin building early in 2026. The cost of each center will be approximately $15,000, and additional operating funds will be needed to staff the buildings with teachers, assistants, and cooks. They can then be used as models for expansion into other areas of the country where Bible-based education is severely lacking. 

Strengthening bonds in 2025

We had both challenging and blessed times on the mission field this year.  We are praising the Lord for His great faithfulness to us, and to the people in our Zacapa villages!!  My husband Tom and I, along with our four children, make up Life of Promise Ministries.  Our adult son and daughter work with us when their careers in healthcare and education allow.  Our daughter Gabby (age 17, adopted from Guatemala), and our daughter Mae (age 15, adopted from China) are with us at all times on the mission field.  We are so thankful to the Lord to be able to minister to the families in our villages whom we love so much.  The Lord has blessed the girls with friends, ministry opportunities, and church activities at our main church in the village of Conevisa next to the town garbage dump.  We are so thankful for that, because living in a third-world country with teenagers is not a simple undertaking! 

I’d like to take a moment here to mention some ministry activities.  There are so many opportunities, and we always welcome your feedback and creative input on how we can better serve the people we love.  Praise dancing is a beautiful ministry and part of the culture in Central America.   Gabby and Mae are both members of the group, which worships through dance at many of our church services.  Tom and Gabby are on the praise and worship team (Tom on bass guitar and Gabby singing).  Both girls are very active in the youth group and in teaching children’s Sunday School classes.  Tom continues to mentor the young men, and Arlene helps lead the women’s ministry at Iglesia Shalom.  We also hold clothing and food giveaways, and visit homes in our villages to share the Good News of Jesus and pray for families personally.

  
Miriam (age 14) with her baby and mother inside their makeshift hut in Mirador.  Arlene and the family frequently visit door to door in the villages to share the gospel and pray for families.

For the second year in a row, churches in the town of Zacapa received shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child.  In March, 8,000 boxes were delivered to our church in Conevisa, along with a curriculum for 12 weeks of classes provided by Samaritan’s Purse. During the first week of April, Pastors from all over Zacapa came to our church to receive boxes for kids in their communities.  Our church kept 150 boxes for the village of Conevisa.  After the gifts were given out, kids were invited to participate in the 12 weeks of classes to learn who Jesus really is.  Our ministry was able to provide lunches for the students after each class, which was a big incentive for hungry kids to come to church.

 
There was a graduation ceremony and celebration in August, along with preaching and an invitation to the kids and their parents to accept Jesus as their Savior.   Out of 99 students who completed the program, 65 gave their lives to Christ!  Hallelujah!  It was amazing to see how God used the shoebox gifts and “La Gran Aventura” curriculum to draw families and church leaders closer to Him.  So many people realized that they are seen and loved deeply by their heavenly Father!  

The Lord also made a way for us to build relationships and discipleship opportunities in two new villages this year (El Mirador and Los Jocotes) for a total of seven communities.  We do this through home visits, outreaches, church events, and food baskets for Christmas and Mother’s Day.   

Christmas Food Basket Outreach

Each holiday season for the past ten years, we’ve been blessed as a mission with the wonderful opportunity to show God’s love as a reflection of the greatest gift ever given — Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.

We are now working on providing Blessing Baskets of food to families in our villages for the 11th year in a row.  This year, the need is especially critical.  It’s hard to imagine that the people can endure even more hardship, but our God is so faithful to provide and the spirit of Guatemalan resiliency truly amazes us after all these years. 

 
The children were so excited to receive shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas child in April!

The mass exodus of people (especially young men) who joined migrant caravans over the past several years has put a huge strain on families.  The number of single mothers raising children in our villages has more than doubled since 2022, and this crisis is only getting more serious.   To make matters worse, food prices have nearly tripled due to economic problems, inflation, crop failures, and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.   Of course, these situations have caused the most hardship for those living in extreme poverty.  

Through Blessing Baskets and the messages we share in our villages, so many families can see that help is indeed coming from God, given by those who love Jesus.  Our goal is to provide food for 200 families in three different areas of the country.  Baskets are $50 each, and will contain enough for ten days worth of meals.  It’s an honor to work alongside our pastors and church leaders to provide basic needs and share the hope we can only truly find in Jesus.  

Life of Promise Ministries partners with seven churches across Guatemala, working to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serve, and uplift communities. Our pastors and church leaders are devoted servants, who are making a significant difference in the lives of the poor.  They serve families in the regions of Zacapa, San Miguel Petapa, Cobán, and Esquintla.  These are the most dedicated and humble servants, and the Lord is using them in mighty ways to continue a great revival that has begun throughout the country.  Praise the Lord for His amazing love and faithfulness to the people of Guatemala!  Please pray for us, as we work along with these leaders to share the Gospel with each family receiving a basket this Christmas season. 


Life of Promise was able to give out Blessing Baskets/Bags of food to 85 moms in our villages for Mother’s day.  They hope to provide food for 200 families this Christmas.

God cares so much for these precious families.  We could never do what we do without people in the U.S. who answer His call to let them know how valuable their lives are to Him.  Would you consider joining our efforts by donating towards the Blessing Baskets or the construction of our next learning center?  We are also asking that you would join us in prayer for our church leaders, our village families, and for the children – who are the future of Guatemala.

 
The Lord is doing great things in this beautiful Central American country!  Our biggest prayer is that multitudes would come to know Jesus as their Savior in the mission field of Guatemala!  To God be the Glory! 

Tax-deductible donations can be made in the ways below. 
(EIN:  45-2395751)
Website:  www.lifeofpromise.org  (with credit or debit card)
Zelle:  (570) 856-0628
CashApp:  $lifeofpromise77
Venmo:  @LifeofPromiseMinistries
Check made out to Life of Promise Ministries and mailed to:
24 Three Point Garden Road,
East Stroudsburg, PA. 18301

Questions? email us at: [email protected]