Meet The Gappers

Even though they have already been here since the summer, get to know our gappers as they serve our community!

Giovanna Velez Parada

My name is Giovanna Velez Parada. I’m 19 years old and was born in community. My father is Mexican and my mother is from Honduras. Me and my 3 siblings were born in Mexico. I’m the second child. I just graduated from high school and I'm very excited to be here and serve the PoH community.

I went to Camp Hope and served there as one of the 8th grade counselors. I’ve also been helping in KA which is really helpful because I was planning to study psychopedagogy when I go back to Mexico. The teachers had given me the opportunity to give some of the science and spanish classes… I also make copies. I'm helping the Ignite team with the activities and I've also worked as a mother’s helper which is helping me to get to know the families in PoH.

Lately the Lord has been teaching me how to be humble and obey, to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people, to trust him no matter the situation, country, people, or new environments. He has to be the constant in my life. I'm learning to rely on him for EVERYTHING and put aside my preferences. To give up to my human desires and see through his eyes, to appreciate every single conversation I have with this beautiful community because you have not just been fruitful in terms of family sizes but in words and actions. I'm excited to see what the Lord has for me in the next few months because I've only been here for two months! I'm missing like 8! So come Holy Spirit and God bless you all. 

Sofía Fonseca

Hi name is Sofía Fonseca, I’m from the community Árbol de Vida from Costa Rica and I’m doing a GAP here in the community People of Hope. I’m 25 years old, I studied Guidance Counseling in Costa Rica and decided to offer my time before my career to the Lord. I’ve been in the community since I was 4 years old, with my parents and my 3 siblings. My parents introduced me to the faith and thanks to them that is why I am here.

Right now, I’m participating in the activities of the Community People of Hope, like the prayer meetings and small groups. I am also serving in Ignite and SPO in Seton Hall. I’m also a Teacher Aid at Koinonia Academy and a Mom’s Helper for some of the moms in the community.

God has moved a lot of things in my heart since I came here. One thing I’ve been growing deeper in is my Catholic faith, also I’ve been learning more about Catholic family life and motherhood. But I think the biggest thing is to live my everyday life a little more with Jesus at my side, trying to see the things as He sees them and facing the challenges with Him.