Casa Bernabé’s Garden & Greenhouse
As we enjoy the summer, we want to share another beautiful part of life here at Casa Bernabé that you help make possible, our garden. Terraced into the side of the mountain, his isn't just any garden–it's a labor of love that helps nourish the children and staff who call Casa Bernabé home.
Each year, once the rainy season ends in October, the soil is prepared for planting. What follows is a growing season that brings forth fresh, healthy food—broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, cilantro, beets, onions, carrots, spinach, zucchini, celery, and more! We also have a greenhouse where we grow thousands of tomatoes every year. These crops are harvested during our peak season from January through May, washed and chopped in our kitchen, and then turned into delicious, nutritious meals for our community.
Even after the meals are finished, the blessings continue—scraps from the kitchen are composted and used to help feed the pigs on campus, completing a cycle of provision and stewardship.
Behind the scenes of this fruitful work are one of our long-term missionaries, Tony Breunig, and one of our older boys, Mauricio, who tend the garden with care and faithfulness. They're assisted by visiting teams who help with watering, weeding, and planting. The garden has become a living testimony to what God can do through steady hands and willing hearts.
During the heavy rains of the Guatemalan wet season, traditional crops take a break, but Tony and Mauricio don’t rest! They plant corn, which becomes the star of our August corn festival. Our entire campus gathers to celebrate with elotes locos– grilled corn with all the toppings: mayo, ketchup, cheese, butter, lime, and salt. It’s a taste of tradition and togetherness that we look forward to each year.
This garden is more than a food source. It's a symbol of hope, growth, and God’s faithful provision through the hands of His people—including you. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support help make this ministry possible.
Thank you for planting seeds of hope with us.
With gratitude,
The FOCE Team