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".
$400 deposit & $400 final payment options also available at checkout
$400 deposit & $400 final payment options also available at checkout
$400 deposit & $400 final payment options also available at checkout
$400 deposit & $400 final payment options also available at checkout
Due to the fluctuating circumstances related to COVID-19, we will continue to keep an eye on any restrictions which may have an impact on mission trips and keep you updated accordingly.
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Scheduling of mission trips begins six months in advance. Limited spots are available for logistical reasons but also to ensure you receive the best experience possible.
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Have questions? Read the FAQs or get in touch!
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How far in advance should I purchase my mission trip?Your initial deposit of $400 is due six months in advance of your trip, with the remaining balance of $400 due three months prior to your travel.
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What's the cost for a mission trip?Starting in 2023, each six-night mission trip costs $800 per person which includes: 6 nights hotel stay at The Hotel Aurora in Antigua, Guatemala Transportation from the airport to the hotel and back, and to all of our mission teams scheduled activities throughout the week 2 dinners (welcome and farewell) A bilingual assistant that will be with us the whole time to help with translation All breakfasts at the Hotel Aurora each morning * You are responsible to book your own flight to Guatemala City and most will book to fly in the day before to ensure they arrive by the required 12:00PM arrival time into GC on the day of the trip. YOU can have FTLOM’s in-country assistant book a hotel at The Clarion Hotel in GC for you (10 minutes from the airport & includes shuttle), and you will then pay Claudia the morning of the mission trip in the hotel lobby for your $90 room rate (holds up to 4 people.) For all early arrivals, our mission team will all meet in the hotel lobby on the actual mission trip day.
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What would be expected of me during my trip?Each FTLOM team member is required to register for multiple needs that will be listed on the "sign up genius" that the mission team leader will post to the Facebook Page created for each team. The sign ups include things like toys for projects, cost of bunk beds, stoves, water filters, money to cover activities for projects, diapers, wipes, etc… You are required to participate with the FTLOM the whole time and you cannot make your own plans to go anywhere outside of the approved agenda during the 6-day mission trip. Each team member will need to sign a contract and mail it to Valerie Edwards, 3 months prior to travel.
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What should I pack?Review and print "Need to Know Info" for your FTLOM Mission Trip.
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Where do I find the mission trip volunteer contract?It is mandatory for each mission trip participant to sign and return their contract in advance of their trip. The contract is available here: For participants living in the USA (pdf) For participants living in Canada (pdf)
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.
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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.
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As For the Love of Mateo has expanded, we have added other projects throughout Guatemala to benefit children, teens and families in Gautemala.
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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.
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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!!
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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”.
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God Bless,
Anita
STACEY DOHRMAN
Mission Leader
Hello! I am Stacey Dohrman from Crofton, Nebraska.
I have been married for thirty years to my husband Greg with three adult children.
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Since my first mission trip in 2017 with my daughter and mom, I fell in love with Guatemala and the FTLOM outreach projects. Guatemala has brought lifelong friendships, gratitude and a love for service that carries well into other aspects of my life. It’s the thing in my life that I didn’t know I needed until I was there.
At the heart of my passion is education in all of its forms which I believe is a pathway to freedom and choices. Each mission trip which I have been on has been so incredibly unique from the people you meet, the outreach
projects we get to participate with and support, all the way to what you bring home in your heart.
It’s truly an experience that will stick with you and change your life.
Stacey
ANNA SWAIN
Mission Co-Leader with Stacey
Hello! My name is Anna Swain and I live in Omaha, Nebraska.
I am 25 years old and am currently working as a nurse at Nebraska Medical Center’s Medical Intensive Care Unit.
I first heard about FTLOM through my aunt, Stacey Dohrman, who has been to Guatemala numerous times and has such an inspiring passion for helping the people there.
My first trip with FTLOM was in 2019 and I immediately fell in love with this mission and the country. These trips quickly became my favorite week of the year and such a big part of my life. Every trip has provided me with new eye opening, life changing experiences. There is no greater feeling than to be able serve and help others who you know will never be able to repay you.
If you have ever thought about or are wanting to go on a mission trip, I encourage you to look further in FTLOM and their mission - you won’t regret it!
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Anna
