Smith Family
In 2017, Rich and Cherry Smith followed God's calling all the way from a corner office in Indianapolis to Antigua, Guatemala. Their heart's desire is to obey God's command to make disciples and to imitate his example of adoption, caring for the fatherless, and sheltering the vulnerable.
Today, they are bringing to life their son Edwin's vision of a transition home for young women who have aged out of the orphanage or temporary refuge and are pushed out onto the street, at times, with nowhere safe to go and no marketable skills. This program will provide a safe home environment where these young people can be properly equipped for a safe and successful launch into mature adulthood after 2 years of training, healing, and encouragement.
To this end, they have purchased a large property near Antigua, Guatemala and are preparing the land for construction, beginning with the transition home for girls, a multipurpose building for ministry, and a blacksmith and woodworking trade school to be used for training and mentoring young men (living off-site)/and women in the program.
This is a God-sized endeavor, but as believers, one to which we each are called. Please consider how you might play a part in joining the Smiths as they defend the orphans.
The Smith Clan
Left to right: Rich, Edwin, Bradee, Cherry, Bailey, Juniper, and Shane.
Our Team
Meet the growing team here at Casa de Gracia!
Edwin Smith
Cofounder &
Program Director
After 13 years in a Guatemalan orphanage, Edwin left alone at age 18, beginning a transition into adult life he had not been prepared to navigate. His experience inspired him to create the Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo program.
Today, Rich and Cherry Smith are proud to call Edwin their son, and his photography and videography skills and first-hand experience have made him an invaluable part of the Casa de Gracia team.
Rich Smith
Cofounder &
General Administrator
Rich moved to Guatemala with his wife, Cherry in 2017. After 30 years as an executive in finance and operations he became a full time missionary.
He is the Cofounder of Casa de Gracia as well as CFO for Global Action.
His heart is to put his administrative skills to use by advancing the Gospel and God’s kingdom through missions and serving the fatherless and vulnerable around him.
Cherry Smith
Cofounder &
Discipleship Program
Cherry moved to Guatemala as a full time missionary in 2017 after 30 years background as a full-time mom, working in schools and serving in her local church in youth ministries and girls discipleship in the US.
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Her mission work has focused on training national pastors and leaders in Biblical foundations and discipleship for young women. As an adoptive mom, she has a passion to serve the fatherless and vulnerable in Guatemala.
Mónica Fuentes de Pérez
Life Skills Program & Curriculum
Monica has mentored teenagers in at-risk areas and young ladies transitioning out of children's homes since 2018.
In 2015, she cofounded Asociación AVIV, which works to share the gospel through after-school programs in at-risk areas.
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Monica attends Iglesia Reforma in Guatemala City.
Betsy Baker
Life Skills Program & Curriculum
Betsy has lived in Guatemala serving vulnerable children and youth through work in children’s homes since 2013.
Seeing the deep need these young people have for belonging and future, her heart has been dedicated to mentorship, discipleship, and loving those who need it most. Betsy’s desire is to see young people know and seek the Lord, walk with Him and be obedient to the call that He has put on their lives.
Catherine Maxon
Discipleship Program & Curriculum
Catherine was adopted from Guatemala as an infant and has long felt called to serve vulnerable youth. In 2022, she moved back to Guatemala to help design Casa de Gracia’s discipleship program.
Her background includes program management with international nonprofits, as well as many years of serving teen girls through her church’s youth ministry. Catherine is passionate about walking alongside young women as they discover belonging, identity, and purpose in Christ.
Sean Maxon
Technology & Systems
Sean brings a background in engineering, software development, and visual storytelling to help Casa de Gracia build practical tools and processes that strengthen the ministry behind the scenes.
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He supports the team through technology, communications, websites, data systems, and process improvements, helping Casa de Gracia serve young people with greater clarity, consistency, and care. His heart is to use his technical skills in service of the Gospel and vulnerable young people in Guatemala.
Madelyn Olayo Yojcóm
Accountant
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Madelyn has volunteered with Ministerio Buena Vista to provide food and education to underserved children since 2021. Her responsibilities varies from teaching the kids Bible lessons, helping them complete tasks, and organizing recreational activities.
Her greatest desire is to help the most vulnerable people.
Lovie de Aldana
Website & Media
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After visiting Guatemala in 2020, Lovie realized that first, she had so much to learn from Guatemala and its people, and second, she needed to not only pray for laborers for the harvest as Jesus commanded, but be one.
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Little did she know, she'd meet her now-husband on the mission field less than a year later. Now, as a stay-at-home-mom, Lovie is excited to be using her communications degree for the kingdom of God.
Our Board
Edwin Smith
Board President and Cofounder of Casa de Gracia.
Raised for 13 years in an orphanage in Guatemala, Edwin is currently studying to become a social worker. He has also shared his personal experience of life within the protection system as a conference speaker and currently serves as the Board Chairman and Program Director of Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo.
Aixa de López
Board Vice President.
Writer, illustrator, and conference speaker.
Serves on the boards of directors of both ACH (Alianza Cristiana para los Huérfanos de Latinoamérica) and CAFO (Christian Alliance for Orphans).
Byron Chalí
Husband and father.
Architect and Real Estate Appraiser by trade.
Founder of Creative Box in San Marcos and long term mentor of vulnerable youth.
Alejandro Petersen
Full-time missionary serving in his home country of Guatemala.
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Partners with a variety of ministries to provide food, water, homes to the needy as well as medical and dental attention, eye care and surgeries, and prosthetic limbs.
Cherry Smith
Wife, mom, and missionary.
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Cofounder of Casa de Gracia.
Coordinator of Pastor & National Leader Training with Global Action.
Youth leader with an emphasis on discipling girls and young women.
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Sara Mercedes Cordón de Ruano
Family psychologist with a specialization in logotherapy. Sara is passionate and committed to raising the standard of care provided to children and adolescents.
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Sara is also the Program Director of ACH (Christian Alliance for Orphans).
Jimena Argueta
Interior designer by profession.
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Jimena has served as mentor to girls and teens growing up in systems of protection and orphanages since 2018.
Ingrid Keller
Architect by trade.
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Mentor of vulnerable within systems of protection with Iniciativas de Alcance.
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Ingrid currently attends and serves in the Iglesia Reforma in Guatemala City.