David Henrie, widely recognized for his role in “Wizards of Waverly Place,” recently took a trip to Guatemala with his wife, Maria. Together, they immersed themselves in a community striving to meet basic human needs.
The couple’s time in Guatemala was about more than checking off a box for charity work. The Henries were able to work alongside the amazing staff of Caritas Santa Rosa de Lima, led by Father Alejandro Garcia, general director, and Estela Cristales Lopez, executive director, and serve those in need in ways that would leave a lasting impact on their lives.
Let’s hear from David in his own words as he reflects on his time in Guatemala. We hope you’re inspired by his and Maria’s experiences and the lessons they learned during their trip.
Our trip to Guatemala was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had. The natural beauty of Guatemala, with its stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, provided the perfect backdrop for our journey. As beautiful as the countryside was, the real beauty of the trip was in the people we met. Despite their hardships, the people of Santa Rosa de Lima showed us such love.
My wife, Maria, and I went there with Cross Catholic Outreach to work alongside Caritas Santa Rosa de Lima. During our time there, we learned about the incredible work they do to help families.
Meeting the people behind this mission made the experience even more amazing. We met with Bishop José Cayetano, Fr. Alejandro Garcia, Fr. Ricardo Cordón, Estela Cristales Lopez and other staff who are working tirelessly — and are all so amazing! We were deeply moved by the stories they shared about the struggles the people face, the extreme poverty they live in, and how Caritas helps them.
It was humbling to see how Caritas Santa Rosa de Lima is not just giving people handouts but “teaching them to fish” and giving hope to those who feel forgotten by the world. The strength of the people we met in these communities is something I will never forget.
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I will also never forget the faith of the people we encountered during our visit. Maria and I had the immense privilege of attending Mass with families at the Cathedral of the Divine Child, San Andres Church and the Church of Our Lady of Candelaria.
The sense of community and respect in the church was awe-inspiring. It was amazing to see how the people of Santa Rosa de Lima, even without much material wealth, find such happiness in their faith. They taught me that true happiness doesn’t come from things or money, but from having a strong faith and trust in God, even during the hardest times.
A significant part of our trip involved partnering with the Caritas staff to distribute food — a lifeline for so many families. But it wasn’t just about providing meals; it was about being present, hearing their stories, and forming human connections. That kind of encounter stays with you, leaving a lasting impact.
One family we met was Silvia Ticun’s. They welcomed us into their home, and we visited with them while they ate a Vitafood meal. It was such a joy to meet Silvia’s children (who are similar in age to our own) and to see them enjoying full bowls of nutritious food. Without these meals, many children would not have enough to eat, but thanks to the generosity of Cross Catholic Outreach donors, children like Silvia’s are able to stay healthy and strong.
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I could go on and on about the families we met and the incredible moments we experienced. In addition to receiving Vitafood meals, many families like Silvia’s had received safe new homes built with funding from Cross Catholic Outreach supporters. Their children had also been blessed with meaningful gifts through the Box of Joy® ministry, and Silvia’s daughter Madelyn showed us the cards and treasured items she had saved from Box of Joy gifts she’d received in the past.
Overall, this trip was a powerful reminder that we live in a world that often focuses too much on individual success and material gain. Our time in Guatemala, especially working alongside Caritas, taught me the importance of looking beyond myself and reaching out to those who need help the most. The joy and love we saw on the faces of the people we met in Santa Rosa de Lima will stay with us forever. It’s my hope that this experience inspires others to find ways to serve those in need, just as we were inspired by the beautiful people of Guatemala.
If you’re interested in getting involved, one great way to help is by donating Vitafood. These meals make a powerful difference for families in need!
Box of Joy is a ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach.
Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2027, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
