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Going on this trip, I expected to be a blessing to the girls and staff at POP, but they were more of a blessing to me! They gave of themselves selflessly and joyfully. God used them to show His love and care for me many times. He also showed me that it doesn’t require certain credentials to be the hands and feet of Jesus, all He needs is a willing heart!

I was reminded of Psalm 23 after my stay as I reflected, the peace of God was amazing and my cup definitely over flowed! We also felt like it was God’s plan to do an alter call again. I think feeling the peace and presence of God is what impacted me the most.

God reinstalled the purpose of being a servant to me and how Jesus came to serve. He also shifted my heart and broke my heart for what broke his. How we are to give love unconditionally regardless of what we receive just as these girls have done so perfectly. I have a fresh wind of gratitude because we truly are so blessed in America.

God showed me that when loving others can be difficult due to what’s happened in your life, you can find a way to love others anyway. God also showed me how far intentionality can go. One simple act can change the life of a girl.

God taught me how one week can make a huge difference in my life and the lives of the girls. They may not remember my name in 5 years time, but they know the healing, constant, endless, overwhelming love of Jesus and that’s all that matters. No person can save us, only God can, however God can use each and every one of us to reach someone. Never forget the role you could play in someone’s testimony.

POP will forever hold a place in my heart. I didn’t know what to expect there since it was my first time there. It far exceeded my expectations.  The love and care these girls have there has been an inspiration to me. One girl, Jackie, took to me right away. At the first minute of meeting, it was obvious I was her person for the week. She spoke no English and I did not speak her language. I remember telling God, I can’t communicate with her. How is this gonna work. He informed me all He asked of me that week was to love her and love her I did. We did learn to communicate with each other through the translation app on my phone. She told me that I was the second person she saw Jesus in since she had been there. She had been there 11 days. She got baptized while I was there. It was a week precious to my heart. 

It was so easy to see God while at POP. Through each staff member and the eyes of those little girls. Although for me, there was a language barrier, God is universal. Those girls brought me more joy and happiness than I feel I brought them.

At Prince Of Peace, I experience unconditional love and presence.  The moment you arrive at the home, naturally nothing matters but the girls. The whole time leading up to my first trip I thought in my head I would be the one making an impact on these girls with my faith. No. God. God moves and really is a Waymaker and miracle worker. These girls and God made an effortless impact on me that has shaped me. I lost all control of everything. I didn’t just “know” God was in control anymore. I felt him in control. I felt him working, moving, and providing. Prince Of Peace is pure. It reminded me what life is truly about. The laughter, love, prayer, presence, and most importantly connection. The little things that create unlimited happiness. I will never stop coming to Prince Of Peace this home, these girls are a part of me. The endless, effortless love here, the open arms, hugs, smiles, tears. You won’t leave Prince Of Peace without a new perspective and bonus sisters. These girls and directors will forever be my second family.

This place. This home. These girls. Gods place. Gods home. God’s girls. To describe this home in one word it would be “love”. A word that seems so simple and self-explanatory yet it’s so much bigger than that. When you pull into the gates of Prince of Peace, it immediately feels like home. You feel the presence of Jesus more than you ever have before. It feels like God is sitting there with his arms wrapped around you in every moment. You think you’re going to this place to make an impact on these girls, but they already have someone making an impact on them… it’s Jesus.

When they come into the home most of them don’t know who He is, but His love is so strong and so faithful that it isn’t long before they do. Their faith moves mountains. It inspires you to completely give your life to Jesus not just on Sunday but every day. It shows you how much worldly things take your life over back home. My first trip was in 2020 right before COVID and then I finally got to go back in July of 2023.

As a kid, my Dad went every year for about 6 or 7 years of my life. It became something I dreamed of always doing. I dreamed of getting to experience what my Dad had for all those years. In 2020 I came home knowing I was going back to see them again. In July I couldn’t contain my excitement; when we got to the home all I wanted to do was just hug the girls. I had missed them so much. They became my sisters. It was like I had 30 sisters and best friends. Leaving them might have been one of the hardest things I had to do but I know God was holding their hand every day and he was always holding mine.

These girls are full of life. They have been through so much and some are still going through things with unanswered prayers, thoughts, and situations yet they are so reliant on God. They put all their trust in Him and they keep walking the walk with the biggest smile on their face. The giggles, the laughs, the ‘I love you’ whispers, the hugs. It’s everything. POP has become my second home. These girls are family. Their tias, Gaby, Ody, Vilma, Lisette, their teachers are family. I encourage everyone to take that leap of faith. Go on a mission trip. Step out of your boat fully in faith that God is working, and He will provide. – katierea08

I experienced such a rich time with Lord at Prince of Peace. To experience it with my two daughters was a precious gift from God and answered prayer. The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. God’s hand was on us and your staff the entire time. God bless Gaby and Odi for pouring into us every day we were there. I really wanted to connect with each girl and let them know that they were seen by me, but specifically by God. It is not my gifting to remember names, I’m actually horrible at it. The pictures and names of the girls Gaby provided at our orientation was priceless. Each morning and evening I would study the pictures and names and I prayed that God would help me remember, and He miraculously did! By our last day I believe I had every girl and staff name correct. It was nothing short of the hand of God touching my mind. I really wanted God to use me to impact the girls for eternity and my prayer is that he did. I was nervous as I have never worked with an interpreter before, but God extended His grace to me. I loved teaching them the Word of God and hopefully the Bible came alive to them in acting out a few Bible stories. Rosita’s face, playing Moses as he parted the Red Sea, will forever be etched in my mind! God spoke to my heart about your staff and how God truly called each one there to serve and support the girls. It was moving to hear their testimonies of Odelia, Velma, and Raina who lived at the home as young girls. Also of stories from Lisette, Sephora, Hadid and later meeting Desi. The love the Tias have for these girls is inspiring, Tia Bersa and Tia Dina poor out their love to the girls and it is eautiful. I’m sure they have many hard days, but they love unconditionally as Christ loves. God let me truly SEE everyone. Life in Limbo was a Powerful experience. All your stories and testimonies, love and laughter God has burned into my heart and mind for years to come. I pray He allows me to come back soon! I have so much more to share, but I will stop here. All Glory to God for He is Good!!! 

It was a beautiful reminder that despite the difficulties that we go through, I am not alone if I let others come beside me – much like the girls / residents. 

God showed me what giving really was and how to be humble. 

The best part of the visit was the joy, laughter, and spirit of being with the girls.

I look forward to leading another team to Prince of Peace. Each day the staff of POP had an activity planned so that our team could gain a better understanding of these girls’ backgrounds. “Healing one hug at a time” is lived out on a daily basis by both staff and girls alike. These girls were sponges of the love that we tried to pour out, but in the end we were the sponges of their love toward us! The contrasts were striking between the beauty of Guatemala and the harsh circumstances of abandonment, abuse and neglect which are ever present with the girls. While the rooster’s crow may fade into the background, the hugs, the giggles and the love for each girl is ever present for the staff of Prince of Peace.

My wife and I can’t wait to come back and see the girls that we love so much at Prince of Peace.

A wonderful, loving home for girls who need a safe place to heal and grow. The staff treats every child as though they were their own.