Meet the Founders
Lloyd and Melanie Monroe left their home in Waukeenah, Florida, in 2005 to launch Porch de Salomon’s work in Guatemala. After living and serving full-time in Guatemala from 2005 to 2022, they transitioned from daily leadership.
They are, respectively, sixth and seventh-generation Jefferson County, Florida, natives. Lloyd grew up on a working farm in Waukeenah. He is a double alumnus of Florida State University. Following law school, he clerked for a federal judge and returned to Tallahassee in 1984 to begin 21 years of civil trial practice with two private, AV-rated law firms.
Melanie worked as an official court reporter in Calhoun, Washington, Holmes and Escambia County before becoming a full-time homemaker. She and Lloyd were married in 1982 and have three children: Hannah, Daniel, and Asa. They never realized how wonderful grandchildren would be; they have four. The Monroes now reside in Tallahassee.
A Word from Lloyd
“The LORD said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go… I will bless you… and you will be a blessing to others.’” Genesis 12:1–2
On August 18, 2005, Melanie and I boarded a jet with son Daniel, son Asa, eight suitcases, a guitar, mandolin, and banjo, and moved to Panajachel, Guatemala. Our intrepid daughter Hannah stayed behind, readying to begin college.
Early the next morning, I ran down Calle Santander all the way to the shore of Lake Atitlán. My lakeside conversation with God was something like this: “Well, God, we did it. It’s unsettling and somewhat scary. We left our country home, our kin, our law firm, and much of life as we know it. We’ve put a lot of stock in Genesis 12’s promise. I sure hope you were behind it, and that it’s not some midlife crisis or flight of fancy. Please keep us safe, provide for us, and bless the work of Porch de Salomon. How embarrassing it would be if it flops. Time will tell. Help us, Jesus. Amen.”
While there have been trials and tribulations, we are thankful that our family and Porch were blessed, and that the problems were not too daunting. We have many stories. Some ended well, and others did not seem to. We trust that God worked through all of them, often in ways we cannot fathom.
What was once more an idea than a reality has blossomed beautifully with adventure, risk, fun, and service. True to the promise of Genesis 12, the ministry has been a blessing to thousands. We are deeply thankful to God for all of this and for what lies ahead. We are also grateful for the many people who have been instruments of blessing with their time, talents, and treasures. Porch de Salomon could not have done, and still does not do, this work without its mission partners and donors.