$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Elias & Flora Hernández have been missionaries since 1984. They began their ministry in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, specifically in the Mixteca region. In June of 1995, their family joined the ministry of Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. In September 2006, they moved to Matamoros, which borders with Brownsville, Texas, to open our second Esperanza Viva Youth Home there. They and their daughter Vania and son Heloel continue to serve there, providing loving guidance for the children. Their son Marcos and his family now serve as missionaries in the mountains where they began their ministry more than 20 years ago. Their daughter Floreli is in charge of the audio-visual department at Esperanza Viva Youth Home and Nations Church in Puebla.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Jenny Azuara, a native of Puebla, was one of the first workers at Esperanza Viva Youth Home, joining us in September of 1996. She is the right-hand assistant to the director, serving as the administrator of all the ministries. Her career training in Computer Information Systems makes her well-qualified for her post, but it is her totally surrendered heart and passion for God that gives her anointing in her work. Jenny has a great sense of humor and a good rapport with everyone. She is an exceptional leader for the young missionary women in the ministry.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Marcos and Mary Hernández, both from Oaxaca, Mexico, were married in 2004, while serving full-time at Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. Marcos served in the home in many different ways throughout the years since the beginning of the ministry. Mary came to the youth home in 2001 and was a dorm supervisor with the children for several years. In June 2005, Marcos and Mary were sent out under the spiritual covering of Living Hope International & Nations Church to serve in the villages in Oaxaca to help in raising up churches and evangelism. Their family grew in 2006 with the birth of a baby girl, Ammi.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Vania Hernandez grew up in the ministry, playing with the children of Esperanza Viva in Puebla, and eventually serving in various ways alongside her parents Elias and Flora.  She now serves as full-time staff at Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Matamoros.  She puts her administrative skills to good use running the office and helping out in any way she can.  Vania wants to eventually be sent out as a missionary to other areas, and she is using this time of service to learn for her future calling.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

David and Sandra Acosta met while serving the Lord as supervisors in different dormitories in Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. They were married in November 2011, and they continue as full-time national missionaries at the youth home. David, originally from the state of Veracruz, graduated from La Viña Practical Ministry Training Center in May 2005. He helps with administrative details for Nations Church services and is also the coordinator for Life to the Nations Publishing Company. David’s future vision is to be a full-time pastor. Sandra graduated from La Viña in 2009. Her self-discipline and determination make her a natural leader and good example for the children. She helps with administrative aspects of the youth home and is responsible for seeking donations within Mexico, including everything from food to construction materials.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Daniel and Araceli De Santiago met while serving at Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla and were married in March 2011. Originally from Queretaro, Dany was a dormitory supervisor for the teenage boys for five years before his marriage. He now serves in the administration of Esperanza Viva Youth Home. He plays various instruments in the worship team at Nations Church, including the saxophone, drums, and bass guitar. Araceli came to Esperanza Viva when she was seven years old, along with four younger brothers and sisters. She grew up in the orphanage, and after graduating from high school and La Viña School of Ministry, Chely entered our one-year internship, serving as a dormitory supervisor for the little boys and teaching in the Integral Education Center. Now that she is married, she continues teaching in the school and helping in the ministry in various ways. Dany and Chely set a good example for the children through their hearts dedicated to serving God.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Susana Rivera joined the ministry staff after graduating from La Viña School of Ministry in 2006 and completing her one-year internship. She is originally from San Luis Potosí, and she brings many talents to the ministry. Susy uses her organizational skills, dedication, and years of experience in the ministry to serve as the administrator for Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla, overseeing all the home´s activities. She is also a dormitory supervisor and is a wonderful example for all of our young people.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Arely Velasco serves as the director of the Integral Education Center K-12 school, which she has led since the 2007-2008 school year. She has a heart to see the children of Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla discover the joy of learning and put it into practice for successful futures. Arely is also a dormitory supervisor. Originally from Toluca, Arely came to La Viña School of Ministry in 2006, and after graduating, she did the one-year internship program and then joined the ministry staff. Her friendly smile is an encouragement to all of the kids and staff.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Arturo Chilado came to Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla at the age of 12, where he received the love and guidance he needed to grow into a responsible young man. In 2005, he was given the chance to work as an assistant to the pressman in the Life to the Nations print shop. Arturo is now the head pressman and a dormitory supervisor. The opportunity provided by Life to the Nations allowed Arturo to discover and develop his talents and put them to work in a way that benefits him and many others. His success is an inspiration for the children now growing up in Esperanza Viva.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Rodrigo Ruiz, originally from a small village in the state of Oaxaca, came to La Viña School of Ministry in 2008 and stayed on to participate in our one-year internship. His skills as a handyman and his heart dedicated to serving God made him a valuable addition to the ministry. Now as a full-time staff member, Rodrigo is the head of the maintenance department for Esperanza Viva Youth Home and Nations Church in Puebla, Mexico. He tirelessly puts in many hours in keeping the installations in good, working order. Rodrigo’s passion for his ministry and his humble, friendly demeanor make him easy to work with.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Enoch Martinez works hard on the construction of the Living Hope Community, putting to use his training as a masonry worker. Originally from Oaxaca, Enoch came to La Viña School of Ministry in 2009 and stayed on to help us with construction in our one-year internship. He is now a full-time staff member and continues to work daily to build the children´s permanent home. Enoch´s vision is to continue building God´s kingdom through his construction skills, believing that God will continue to take him to places where his talents are needed.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Esther Perez pours out God´s love on the children of Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. After graduation from La Viña School of Ministry in 2009, this native of Guerrero took the leap of faith to move to our orphanage at the U.S.-Mexico border to help the children there. Esther faithfully served as a dormitory supervisor and in many other roles in Matamoros, and in July 2011, she moved to the Puebla youth home, where she is a dormitory supervisor for the little girls and a teacher in the Integral Education Center.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Victor Montero came to Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla at age 10. Before that he had never known a real home; having been abandoned by his parents and moved in and out of government orphanages, he ended up on the streets. The loving care he received in our home inspired him to seek and know Jesus Christ for himself. More than 11 years later, Victor has completed his high school education and now serves God with all his heart.

After high school, Victor chose to stay on at the youth homes and work as a dormitory supervisor in our Matamoros youth home. In his two years there, his experience of growing up without his family helped him to lead the young boys to open their hearts to God’s healing.

In 2010, Victor took courses to train as a sound engineer, which he now puts to good use running the sound system at Nations Church and teaching others his skills. He has returned to the Puebla youth home to serve as a full-time staff member. He is a dormitory supervisor for the boys, whom he inspires to overcome their pasts.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Lourdes Lázaro Mendoza, or Lulu as she prefers to be called, came to Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla, along with her four younger siblings, when she was just eight years old. She has grown up in the youth home, and after graduating from high school in 2009, Lulu chose to enter La Viña School of Ministry to deepen her relationship with God and receive training. After her one-year internship, she became a full-time staff member, serving as a dormitory supervisor and teaching elementary school in the Integral Education Center. Lulu enjoys helping with the audio/visual department at Nations Church and would like to continue serving God through the arts.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Alejandra Cruz is a native of Veracruz, Mexico. She first made her mark on our ministry when she was studying at a local college in Puebla and bécame an active member of Nations Church, faithfully serving as an usher. A year after graduating from college, Alejandra entered La Viña School of Ministry, and then completed her one-year internship at Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. Now, as a full-time staff member, she is a dormitory supervisor and is the coordinator for all visitors and short-term mission teams to the youth home.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

David Del Cid works to keep the ministry´s used vehicles in working order. He graduated from La Viña Practical Ministry Training Center in 2008 and returned to his home city of Oaxaca to help in another ministry for a few years before returning to our one-year internship program in 2010. He is now a full-time missionary in Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla, where he helps with construction and maintenance projects around the youth home, as well as driving the bus to take the children to church and on other outings.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Nancy Reyes currently serves as the social worker and high school teacher for Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. Originally from Durango, Nancy graduated from La Viña Practical Ministry Training Center in 2005 and returned home to work and help her family. She returned to participate in our one-year internship program, and upon graduation was accepted to be a part of our full-time staff of national missionaries. Nancy is also a supervisor for the young teenage girls´ dormitory.

$33 Monthly One-Time Gift

Aurora Aguilar, originally from Ciudad Juarez, puts her teaching degree and several years of classroom experience to good use as a teacher for the Integral Education Center at Esperanza Viva Youth Home in Puebla. Her patience, kindness, and sweet smile make the children and staff love her, and her creativity and energy make her an invaluable member of our team of national missionaries. Aurora also serves as a supervisor for the little girls´ dorm, where she encourages the girls to pray and trust Jesus for all their hopes and dreams.