When you arrive at Fundacion Luz en Tinieblas, The Light in the Darkness Community Center, the first thing that you notice is the view. As you orient yourself with the statue, or idol, of Mary atop the hill El Panecillo you think back to the call from Jesus to be a city on a hill.
When you meet Dan, the director of Luz, and see his drive to prepare it to be that place of refuge, redeeming the hill and purposing the center as “light in the darkness", you realize the culmination of God's purpose, both in calling and equipping.
The center is patient in its approach. Waiting for open doors and ensuring that everything is above reproach. Along the way, the trust of the community has begun to be earned. The opportunity to be something special in an area that is desperate for hope is an exciting prospect, but Dan simply states that they are on God’s timing.
Starting this year, renovations began on a building that hardly resembled anything of value. But like the people that Luz looks to serve, the building has seen a transformation. It is remarkable how much has been done so quickly. Since moving to this location, Dan said that there have been 0 violent crimes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Amen and may God continue to provide that Grace.
Luz is limited to 50 children for now, but hoping to accept 200 more from the waitlist by next year. That type of rapid increase can only happen through prayer and many open doors. Permits, construction, staffing, and finances are some of what is needed to take that next step.
Freedom and Nancy see a unique opportunity to partner with Luz and work together to meet the needs of children in the surrounding community. That community is next door to where Nancy grew up as a child before moving to New York.
Because Luz already has staff on-board that focus on the medical, psychological, academic and spiritual needs of the children, Luz is uniquely positioned to partner with the Rodriguez’s approach to healing and sharing the Gospel through art. Freedom and Nancy have begun carving out a space at Luz for teaching art and working with the kids on how to use art as a means of expression and healing. They currently teach art each Tuesday. Let us continue to pray for healing and restoration to the community as the light of Christ is spread in the darkness.
-Andrew Dunbeck
When you meet Dan, the director of Luz, and see his drive to prepare it to be that place of refuge, redeeming the hill and purposing the center as “light in the darkness", you realize the culmination of God's purpose, both in calling and equipping.
The center is patient in its approach. Waiting for open doors and ensuring that everything is above reproach. Along the way, the trust of the community has begun to be earned. The opportunity to be something special in an area that is desperate for hope is an exciting prospect, but Dan simply states that they are on God’s timing.
Starting this year, renovations began on a building that hardly resembled anything of value. But like the people that Luz looks to serve, the building has seen a transformation. It is remarkable how much has been done so quickly. Since moving to this location, Dan said that there have been 0 violent crimes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Amen and may God continue to provide that Grace.
Luz is limited to 50 children for now, but hoping to accept 200 more from the waitlist by next year. That type of rapid increase can only happen through prayer and many open doors. Permits, construction, staffing, and finances are some of what is needed to take that next step.
Freedom and Nancy see a unique opportunity to partner with Luz and work together to meet the needs of children in the surrounding community. That community is next door to where Nancy grew up as a child before moving to New York.
Because Luz already has staff on-board that focus on the medical, psychological, academic and spiritual needs of the children, Luz is uniquely positioned to partner with the Rodriguez’s approach to healing and sharing the Gospel through art. Freedom and Nancy have begun carving out a space at Luz for teaching art and working with the kids on how to use art as a means of expression and healing. They currently teach art each Tuesday. Let us continue to pray for healing and restoration to the community as the light of Christ is spread in the darkness.
-Andrew Dunbeck