Dear Reader,

It is a privilege for me to share with you the testimony of one of our children who has been blessed with the programs offered by Los Pinos in Guatemala. Thanks to your help and support we can now witness a rescued life – one that enjoys a better future. And most importantly, we can witness a God-fearing person and a good citizen for our country.  Below is his edited testimony:

My name is Heber López.

My life has been a journey full of challenges, but also of miracles and opportunities. From the moment I was born everything seemed to go against what one would expect for a small child. When I was two years old, life gave me a blow that I could not forget: I was separated from my mother and my brother. The PGN (Attorney General’s Office) came to my home and, for reasons I didn’t understand at the time, took me to a different place. It was at that moment that my destiny changed, although I later understood that everything that happened was part of a larger plan, a plan that, though painful, led me to where I am now.

My brother, with whom I shared many laughs and happy moments, died tragically. That marked me deeply. I couldn’t be close to my mom at those times, and the pain of losing my brother stayed with me for a long time. However, today I know that everything that happened was part of God’s will, even though I didn’t understand the purpose of so much suffering at the time.

Upon arriving at Los Pinos, I was not only separated from my family but started a new life. It was there where, little by little, I understood what perseverance and effort were. It was in that home that I learned many skills that would help me later in life. I learned how to make bread, an art that taught me to be patient and enjoy the small details of life. I also learned how to make cheese, and I became familiar with agriculture and animal husbandry. Over time, I found that these skills were not only useful, but made me feel capable and in control of my own destiny.

In addition, I learned how to drive a car and a motorcycle, skills that would give me the freedom to move and explore. Over time, these skills became a form of escape, a way for me to feel free and able to overcome any obstacle.

Over the years, Los Pinos became more than a refuge, it became my school of life. There I was not only able to study primary school, but I also studied the basic level (nine grade) and then the diversified level (high school). The classrooms were my escape and, at the same time, my challenge. Studying was not easy, but every day I felt that I had one more reason to move forward. 

I also met God. The way in which Los Pinos instilled principles in us was wonderful – that the love for God was from the heart and not out of obligation. Without a doubt, one of the best things that happened to me at Los Pinos was learning to walk with God.

As I progressed in my studies, life took me to Guatemala City, a place that seemed so distant and different from what I had known. The city represented a new opportunity, and a new stage in my life. It was in the city where, unexpectedly, I met my mom again while she was in prison. Of course, I know it was not the best place, but it was where God wanted me to meet my mom to erase the past and start over. Seeing her was a mixture of emotions: joy, sadness, and a feeling of healing old wounds. Over time, we tried to make things better, to rebuild what time had taken from us. It wasn’t easy, but we were willing to try.

Over time, I managed to enroll in university, and today, with a lot of effort, I am in my fourth year of Industrial Engineering. I know that this achievement is not only mine, but also that of all the people who have supported me on this path, especially Los Pinos and my sponsors who never stopped believing in me. Thanks to their support and the love I always received at Los Pinos, I have managed to move forward, step by step, without giving up.

When I arrived in Guatemala City, I also started working in a large and very stable company where I have met very kind-hearted people who have helped me get ahead. I have worked there for two years and have learned many things every day. My job not only has given me a livelihood to pay for my university expenses and all my personal things and pleasures to get out of the routine, it has also given me a new perspective on life. I can see how the opportunities were there; it was just a matter of taking advantage of them. All of that motivated me even more to keep fighting for my future.

Today, I have managed to buy my own motorcycle, which was what I always wanted as a child. It not only serves as a means of transportation but also as a reminder of everything I have overcome. Every time I get on my motorcycle, I feel that I am closer to fulfilling my dreams and moving forward. I want to be able to live independently and leave my place at the Los Pinos City Center for other young people who want to have a push to get ahead and be able to have a good future in this life.

My story is one of resilience and hope. Although life presented me with many obstacles, it also gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, and transform myself. Today I am a witness to what can be achieved when we do not abandon our efforts, when we have faith and seek the light, even in the darkest moments. And although I still have many dreams to achieve, I know that, with the support of the people who love me and those who have guided me, I will keep going until I reach where I always dreamed.

Currently Heber lives in the Hogar Los Pinos Center, a facility located in Guatemala City. We continue to support him with housing and food.  He is a very responsible, reliable, respectful young man. He likes to participate in church activities, and sometimes he is invited from other churches to preach.

Thank you very much for supporting this ministry in favor of those most in need in Guatemala. Many lives have been rescued thanks to your sensitivity and love for your neighbor.  God continue to bless you.  

Anabela de Alejos
Development Department DirectorGuatemala

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