Meet our Newest Staff
ISAAC & HANNAH DEMASTUS
Role: Cottage Parents
Tampa Home
“Hannah and I have been married for six years and have three children. Before coming to Hope, my wife and I served in a church in Ramsey, IN. We were privileged to lead the youth and music programs. We have always had a desire to serve in full-time ministry, and God had been working on both of our hearts about moving our family to Florida. We took a step of faith and moved our family in June of 2020.
After about four months of living in Florida, we learned about Hope Children’s Home through Hannah’s friend serving at Hope. God began working on our hearts and provided the open door. It has already been a blessing to be a part of this amazing ministry, and we are excited about our role as house parents!”
BAYRON & DIANA GONZALEZ
Role: Cottage Parents
Honduras Home
“About 18 months ago, we found Iglesia Bautista el Faro through a local Christian radio station and were so thankful to find a church where we heard the Word of God. We became members and knew we wanted to serve but didn’t know where the Lord wanted us. We heard that there was a need to volunteer in the children’s home. Diana and her mom began serving every Tuesday night with cooking, homework and whatever else they needed. After about 2 months, COVID hit and we weren’t able to get to the children’s home to help for the next few months.
In September we were approached by the Gardners who said that they had been praying about a Honduran couple to bring on as a second set of houseparents. The Lord had put us on their hearts and the heart of Pastor Matt. We prayed about it and shortly after accepted the opportunity to join the Hope team! I (Bayron) put in my resignation after a 13-year career and a recent promotion because I had peace in my heart to take this step of faith.
We moved into the cottage just before hurricanes Eta and Iota devastated Honduras and are thankful for the Lord’s timing. We are getting familiar with how Hope works, and the kids and staff been very nice and welcoming to us. Please continue to pray for our family during this transition!”
LYDIA DEMASTUS
Role: Receptionist
Tampa Home
“I grew up with 11 siblings in Tioga, Pennsylvania. When I was 14, I accepted the Lord as my Savior. After I graduated high school, I attended college in Lexington, KY.
Due to COVID-19, I decided to leave school and move in with my brother and sister-in-law in Indiana. After a couple of months, my sister-in-law found out about Hope Children’s Home. After hearing about Hope, I began looking into it for myself. When I saw it in person, it really secured in my heart that I wanted to be a part of this great ministry.
God worked all the small details out for me to become a part of Hope, and I am excited to be the new receptionist and get to be a part of these children’s lives!”
JIM & ANNETTE WELLS
Role: Full-time Volunteers
New Mexico Home
“Hello, we are Jim and Annette Wells coming from the Columbus, Ohio area where we were attending North Columbus Baptist Church.
I accepted Christ as my savior at the age of 19, and Annette accepted Christ at the age of 11 as a result of being a “bus kid.” She graduated from Tennessee Temple University in 1985 and has been involved in children’s ministries, ladies ministries, and secretarial work most of her adult life.
Annette and I were both widowed and God brought us together in 2014. We were married in August of 2015. We have 4 grown children between us and 7 grandchildren with a new grandson on the way.
I retired in October of 2019, and we began praying about what God would have for us in this next phase of life. After visiting our daughter (Rebekah and Kyle Fitzwater, who work at Hope in NM) and her family a few times at Hope Children’s Home in New Mexico, God began to burden us about the possibility of helping with their work there.
We are so excited that God has opened the door for us to serve as volunteers here at Hope Children’s Home in New Mexico for the next 2 years.”
VIVIAN MARTINEZ
Role: Cottage Assistant
Honduras Home
“Hey there! My name is Vivian. A few years ago my aunt invited my family to visit her church and that is how we found our church, Iglesia Bautista el Faro. This is the church the children’s home attends.
I was saved after going to the children’s class and understanding my need for salvation and my whole family got baptized shortly after! That was the best decision we ever made and we are thankful to be members of El Faro.
A couple years ago I went to a youth camp and the preaching was about serving the Lord as teens and it touched my heart. It was confirmed in a teen conference that the Lord was calling me to serve Him more, and I talked to my pastor about my desire to serve in the children’s home.
I was given me the opportunity to begin volunteering every week and after a while, Aunt Rachelle approached me about coming on as a year-long intern as soon as I finished school. I pray that after the year I can continue to serve and am so thankful for the opportunity to serve the Lord at Hope Children’s Home here in Honduras!”
OLIVIA DEMASTUS
Role: Kitchen Assistant
Tampa Home
“I grew up in a Christian family, and we were taught from a very young age to keep Christ as our center focus. When I was 5 years old, I trusted Christ as my Savior.
Growing up in my home church, I was involved with the music ministry helped out with the children ministries as well.
It has always been my desire to work with children, and when I found out about Hope Children’s Home, I was eager to jump in and help. Since I have joined, I have felt so much joy in making delicious food for the kids and seeing the smile on their faces. It is such an amazing opportunity to serve God and make a difference in a child’s life!”
If you are interested in joining the Hope Team, see our available positions here.