We envision a Guatemala that thrives when its people develop holistically.

From Carlos & Telma Lopez’s home art school to a 400 student trade school, adult education program, & ministry, Love Guatemala has grown through the years to serve students in a holistic way.

our story

We’re bringing the hope of Jesus through holistic development.

2006

Art School Begins

Carlos & Telma Lopez start an Art School in their home to help those in their community learn a skilled trade and to share the love of Jesus.

2009

Indy Metro Church Partnership

Pastor Aaron Story & Indy Metro Church visit Magdalena and begin a partnership with the Lopez family to support and expand their school.

2010

Cooking School Begins

Our Culinary School starts as a cooking school at the home of one of the Lopez’s neighbors, Antonietta, in 2010–the first expansion!

2012

Kunkel Family Moves to Guatemala

Ben & Jennifer Kunkel from Indy Metro Church move to Magdalena to support the growing school and ministry of Love Guatemala, working with Carlos, Telma, Antoinetta & others.  Ben & Carlos eventually share responsibility for running the school and ministry.

2015

School Building Built, Programs Expand

Through the gift of generous donors, Love Guatemala is able to acquire property and build a school building!  The Guatemalan Ministry of Education also asks LG to begin teaching adult education classes, starting with Primary School. And, the English School begins.

2016

Nutrition Center for Young Children & Property Expansion

Love Guatemala engages with young families in the community by providing nutritious meals for young children twice per week.  Property adjacent to the school is purchased to make room for future growth.

2018

Iglesia Nueva Vida

Ben Kunkel & Carlos Lopez start Iglesia Nueva Vida (New Life Church) at Love Guatemala in partnership with the New Life Network as a means of providing additional spiritual support to the students at the school and to the community of Magdalena.

2020

Multi-purpose Building & Adult Ed Expansion

Multi-purpose building opens, and the school begins offering básicos, the Guatemalan equivalent of middle school, for adult learners.

2021

Award Winning Middle School & Leadership Transition

Básicos program is designated #1 in the region!  Ben Kunkel & Carlos Lopez announce that they will both transition to working for New Life Network as church planters. Katy Lopez is identified as the future Director of Love Guatemala.

2023

Holistic Vision, Kunkels’ Depart, & High School Graduation

Adult ed & vocational programs in cooking, baking, and English are complemented by holistic programming in speech therapy, nutrition, community service, and discipleship. The Kunkel Family returns to the US to pursue ministry with New Life Network. The first class of students graduates from bachillerato, our college prep program!

2025

Expanded Enrollment & Computer School

Love Guatemala sets an enrollment goal of 400-450 students and opens a program for Computer Education in the trade school.  

Bachillerato (High School) Graduation Rate

Love Guatemala's Class of 2024 started the year with 38 students and finished in December with 35 of them completing their diploma program and graduating with their peers.

92%

of Bachillerto students in the Class of 2024

graduated with their peers

Nutrition Program
Children Acheiving Healthy Weight

Through the course of 2024, Love Guatemala's Nutrition Program for Young Children served 37 students ages 2-14 healthy lunches twice per week and provided their families with supplemental groceries.

54%

of children enrolled in our Nutrition Program achieved a healthy weight during their 2024 enrollment.

our mission
Bringing the hope
of Jesus through
holistic development.

Meet Our Team

Love Guatemala's Staff leads the vocational school, adult education program, and holistic program in Guatemala. They focus on the day-to- day operations of the school and ministry and carry out our mission to bring hope the of Jesus through holistic development.

General Director
Katherine Denisse López Hernández
Director of Media & Teams
Pabel Andree López Hernández
Director of Vocational Schools
Mailyn Michel Bautista Valenzuela
Director of Adult Education
Sergio Nicolas Lopez Garcia
Director of Family Health
Yesika Lizania López
Nutrition Program Cook
Olga Marina López
Head of Cleaning
Mayra Teresa Jeronimo Mundo
Security Guard
Otto Hernandez
Security Guard
Luis Enrique Garcia Mixtun
Chaplain
Henry Yosimar Hernández Locon

Meet Our Board

Our Board of Directors supports Love Guatemala through fundraising and advisory functions. The board also volunteers to serve as advocates and administrators for Love Guatemala in the US, allowing the US organization to operate with minimal paid staff support.

President
Amy Goldsmith
Vice President
Ben Kunkel
Treasurer
Jared Huckstep
Board Member
Rich Irish
Board Member
Jake Schlegel
Board Member
Carlos Lopez