The roots of Living Water Adopt-A-Child trace back to a tumultuous time in Guatemala’s history, when civil unrest and poverty weighed heavily on families. Yet from that darkness, a flame of compassion was ignited, one that would grow into a global ministry of hope.
A Burden for Guatemala
In 1980, Mack and Peggy McKeown journeyed from Scotland to war-torn Guatemala. There, they witnessed profound need—families deprived, children malnourished, communities caught in conflict. Rather than retreat, they stayed. Their compassion took shape through humble beginnings: opening medical and dental clinics, followed by feeding programs in 1983 that fed physical hunger and imparted spiritual nourishment through the gospel. In time, their outreach evolved into the Adopt-A-Child sponsorship initiative, a bridge of hope across continents.
Expansion and Transition
After Mack’s passing in 1990, Peggy faithfully continued the work of Living Water Adopt-a-Child for two more years. Then, in 1992, Ron and Pat Kelly took the helm, expanding the reach into Albania in 1995. There, amid lingering poverty and resistance in one of Europe’s predominantly Muslim countries, the ministry persevered. With Ron Kelly’s passing in 2015, Pastor Buford Lipscomb briefly served as International Director, ensuring the flame continued to burn.
A New Chapter: Steve & Ana McDaniel
The ministry entered a transformative chapter with Steve and Ana McDaniel. Steve’s journey with Guatemala began unexpectedly in 1980, when his service in the U.S. Marine Corps landed him at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala. There, he met Ana Maria and, through their connection with Liberty Network, became first-time sponsors of a child through LWAAC.
In 2006, while serving with Liberty Church in Havelock, NC, Steve and Ana led a team to build a church in San Miguel, Dueñas. It was there that God’s call became clear: they were meant for full-time ministry in Guatemala. While preaching through an interpreter, Steve felt a divine prompting to one day preach without one.
By 2007, the McDaniel family, including their 12-year-old son, relocated to Guatemala. Steve advanced to Director of Guatemala operations in 2015, while Ana became the first woman to serve as President and Legal Representative of the Guatemalan Board.
In 2018, Steve was appointed International Director and President over global operations, and Ana now serves as an Executive Committee Board Member, traveling extensively from their home in Guatemala to promote the mission and vision of Living Water.
Today: Inspiring Hope Around the World
Under Steve and Ana’s leadership, Living Water Adopt-A-Child is flourishing. In Guatemala, over 8,000 children are nurtured through 10 feeding programs each week, eight churches now proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, alongside three youth centers and three medical-dental clinics. In Albania, more than 1,000 children are fed weekly across eight programs, supported by three churches in that region.
Through the faithful leadership of the McKeowns, Kellys, Lipscombs and McDaniels, the mission to inspire hope by serving as the hands and feet of Jesus has not only continued, it has grown more vital.
Your Part in the Story
From Mack and Peggy’s initial compassion in Guatemala, to Ron and Pat’s expansion into Albania, and now through Steve and Ana’s global stewardship, this is a story of God’s grace carried forward through faithful people.
You, the sponsors, donors, and prayer partners, are chapters in that story too. When you serve, give, or sponsor, you help ensure that thousands of children continue not just receive meals and care, but also encounter the living water found in Jesus Christ.
