See. Feel. Be the Difference Yourself.
FTLOM has several different outreach projects which we support throughout Guatemala. Each mission trip is led by a dedicated mission leader who plans the agenda of projects and activities for each week-long trip while working in tandem with Valerie Edwards and Claudia Flores, the in-country assistant. Our dedicated team of volunteers are the heart who deliver our missions of love to children and families of need.
Are you volunteering in Guatemala for the first time? Are you a returning volunteer? Whether you simply wish to learn some basic Spanish phrases to help connect more with the children, interact with vendors at a market, or ordering at a restaurant; or, simply wish to "brush up" your existing skills, Spanish language lessons, offered by Ashley Counterman, are available in a private or group setting. View the introductory video by Ashley for more information.
Upcoming "Missions of Love".
$475 deposit + $475 final payment options also available at checkout
$475 deposit + $475 final payment options also available at checkout
Frequently Asked Questions.
Let's Make A Change.
Donate Today to Make a Positive Difference in Another Family's Life
"My fiancé and I have been sponsoring children, now a total of three beautiful souls, through For the Love of Mateo for several years. I first had the privilege of traveling to Guatemala to the orphanage FTLOM supports in June of 2014 and that is when my heart was forever changed."
E. Bonkowski & J. Ruby
Meet the Mission Leaders.
Meet The Mission Leaders.
VALERIE EDWARDS
Founder & President
I led my first mission trip to Guatemala in June 2012, applied for non-profit status in October 2012, and received approval in May 2013.
My vision in establishing this charity began after I became the adoptive mother of a beautiful boy named Mateo. My husband and I dedicated over three and a half years as part of the adoption process to bring him home and, throughout that experience, we realized an even bigger need to help the orphanage that took such amazing care of and provided so much love for Mateo - our new son.
As For the Love of Mateo has expanded, we have added other projects throughout Guatemala to benefit children, teens and families in Gautemala.
I invite you to learn more about our outreach projects, our wonderfully dedicated mission leaders, and invite you to experience this life-changing opportunity yourself!
ANITA CAPE
Mission Leader
Hello and welcome! I am Anita Cape and am from Bartonville, Illinois. My husband Chris are blessed with three beautiful children - Nathan, Noah, and Nara.
I learned of For The Love of Mateo through my very good friend, Haylie Johnson. My husband and I adopted our son Noah from Guatemala January 16th, 2004 and he was only 10 1/2 months old when we brought him home! We had always wanted to take Noah back to his native Guatemala to see his country and to help there where we could. We had no idea how meeting Valerie Edwards and getting involved with FTLOM was going to change our lives!!
We went on our first mission trip in June of 2016 and Noah was 12 and Nara was 9. Our oldest son was unable to join us. We all fell in love again with the country and people, and the incredible mission work that FTLOM does. It truly has become a permanent part of our lives! We've been on four more mission trips since then with Valerie. In April 2018, Haylie and I joined together to co-lead our first trip and both of our families joined as well (even my parents).I plan on continuing every April for as long as God provides.
Noah always says, “you can tell people all you want about the mission work, people, and country, but until you experience it, you will never fully understand the emotion”.
God Bless,
Anita
