OBI GUATEMALA

Julio Cesar De Leon began developing medical and nutrition programs for Operation Blessing Guatemala in 1985. That same year, Operación Bendición was established as a humanitarian organization to implement local projects for Operation Blessing.

As National Director for Guatemala, Julio has since helped launch eight new regional offices across Guatemala. Now, they are able to reach more than 100,000 Latin Americans each year through clothing distributions, agricultural programs, food banks and medical clinics. Other projects at Operación Bendición include outreaches to orphans and at-risk youth, nutrition and education programs, as well as micro-enterprise programs for the underprivileged.

Before his time with Operation Blessing, Julio taught at the Agricultural School of the National Committee of Blind and Deaf-Mute in 1971. He also led agricultural courses at the educational center of development for the community.

In 1973, he began working with the Ministry of Agriculture as the administrator of the experimental center of sheep in Huehuetenango. Julio eventually worked for World Vision International in 1979 and later for FUNDACED in 1983 in Casillas, Santa Rosa.

Julio studied politics and social science at the University de San Carlos de Guatemala. In 2003, he received a master’s degree in theology from the Hosanna University of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Julio was born in San Marcos and was raised by his grandparents in Guatemala City. He and his wife have three adult sons and three young grandsons.