Written and Compiled by Marlana Smith l Guatemala Communications Director with contributions from Karla Cristales / Guatemala Economic Coordinator and Francisca Velasquez / Guatemala Assistant of Economic Empowerment
The story of Guadalupe from Guatemala highlights a profound journey of transformation through support from Tabernaculo de Reunion church and World Orphans (WO). As a mother of four, Guadalupe faced significant personal and financial struggles, often feeling hopeless, particularly in her marriage and the challenge of providing for her children.
Growing up, Guadalupe experienced trauma from her parents’ troubled marriage, but she hoped to make different decisions in her own life. The pattern continued, however, and she found herself struggling in her marriage after her husband’s infidelity and harmful behavior. Separating from her husband was necessary, but Guadalupe couldn’t provide for her children on her own. She remembers standing in church asking God to provide a job where she could work without being away from her children for extended periods of time. She had worked long, demanding hours in a factory as a teenager, and she feared those sweatshop conditions might be the only option she could find. But then, Carmen from Tabernaculo de Reunion church’s home based care committee visited Guadalupe and brought her more than just a basket of food: she brought her hope and God’s answer to her prayer. Carmen told her about World Orphans Vocational Training Center sewing co-op, where she could improve her skills while still caring for her children. Guadalupe signed up without hesitation.
Through the sewing co-op, Guadalupe was not only able to develop her sewing skills, but also received emotional support from Carmen’s friendship, as well as from Francis, a mentor within the sewing co-op, and WO therapists Karla and Jeni. They recently asked Guadalupe about the support she’s received, to which she replied through tears, “God answered my prayer for a place where I could improve my sewing skills and still care for my kids. The material support is helpful, but the spiritual and emotional support have been the most meaningful. I see God in all of this–how he has changed my life and my home. I haven’t just learned something new, like sewing leather which I also dreamed of doing. I’ve seen God’s hand greatly in my life!”
Guadalupe has grown in confidence, too, learning how to express her opinions and work through conflict in a healthy way. Through laughter, Guadalupe said that her son has noticed that she is more empowered to stand up for herself.
Her children have all been impacted positively by her transformation. Guadalupe dreamed of seeing at least one of her children graduate from high school, a goal that was realized when her son not only graduated, but was accepted into the public university, where only 10% of those who apply are accepted. God even provided for his graduate class ring through her earnings, when she initially didn’t know how they would be able to buy it! Her son in turn used his hard-earned income to buy his mother a washing machine, a testament of his love and appreciation for her deep love and commitment to her family. Many families don’t own a washing machine, so his generosity was truly evident.
As her life transformed, Guadalupe’s dreams expanded. She now aspires to teach others the skills she has learned and eventually start her own sewing business. Her dedication to teaching others is a testament to her growth and strength. She expresses deep gratitude for the support she has received, including the sewing machines by generous donors, and recognizes how it has not only changed her life, but has had a lasting impact on her family and the other women in the co-op. Her appreciation was apparent when she made the difficult decision to stay with the vocational program rather than accept a higher paying job in a factory. She recognized that the stability and emotional well-being the vocational program provided her children were of greater value than money.
One of our World Orphans values is to care for vulnerable families in wholistic ways through the church. By offering economic and emotional support through the Tabernaculo de Reunion church’s home based care committee, therapy, and the vocational training program/sewing co-op, Guadalupe was able to make hard decisions to change the trajectory of her family’s future. Now, she and her husband are back together, finding restoration and healing in Christ for their marriage, and her children have seen firsthand how this support has renewed their family.
Guadalupe’s story is one of healing and transformation. Through the support of the church and World Orphans, la esperanza (hope) has slowly unfolded, Guadalupe’s life has been restored, and her family has been empowered to create a better future.
This article was originally published in the World Orphans Spring Insight Magazine 2025.