Light in the Darkness. Freedom and Nancy work in several community centers helping disciple children, but each of them has its own feel and character. Today we had the privilege of visiting Luz en Tinieblas, which means Light in the Darkness. This center is run by a couple from the US and opened in this location about 18 months ago. They serve 60 kids right now, and are raising money to hire more teachers so they can welcome some of the 200 children on the waitlist.
This place is so impressive with their well articulated goals for the kids. They offer tutoring and homework help, and let the kids print their homework there as well, which apparently is a big deal for the older kids. They offer daily Bible classes and have the goal that every person who steps onto their property will hear about Jesus. They offer psychological services to the children with a counselor on site who evaluates every child who comes in and offers recurring counseling for those who need it. They have a health focus as well, giving the kids vitamins daily, having the children brush their teeth after meals, and helping them get doctor appointments when needed at a local doctors office. And they feed the kids 2 meals every time they come in. Sometimes these are the only meals the kids get on those days. Luz is well structured and full of love for the kids they serve. And they offer an adult Bible Study on Thursday nights for parents. They have dreams of acquiring more space to offer life skills for the kids, as most of them won’t attend college.
Freedom and Nancy have been serving here for a year, teaching about Jesus through art. Today we were thrilled to get to be a part of their work here. Most of us worked with the kids and a few of us worked with Freedom to paint a mural. In the afternoon Nicole used her chiropractic skills to help the staff.
It will never get old watching Freedom sketch out a mural. He designs ahead of time on his tablet, but then draws it onto the wall with chalk in minutes. The chalk is easily erased as he steps back and evaluates. And then all the team has to do is color by number to make his vision come alive. It seems so simple and yet it’s an incredible amount of skill and talent and planning he puts into it to make it something beautiful. The mural took shape today and should be finished by tomorrow.
We are drawing to the end of our trip and trying to make every moment count. One more child’s name to learn and share a smile or compliment their art. One more chance to pray for someone precious to the Lord.
Thank you for supporting us in prayer as we finish our last day strong!
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
This place is so impressive with their well articulated goals for the kids. They offer tutoring and homework help, and let the kids print their homework there as well, which apparently is a big deal for the older kids. They offer daily Bible classes and have the goal that every person who steps onto their property will hear about Jesus. They offer psychological services to the children with a counselor on site who evaluates every child who comes in and offers recurring counseling for those who need it. They have a health focus as well, giving the kids vitamins daily, having the children brush their teeth after meals, and helping them get doctor appointments when needed at a local doctors office. And they feed the kids 2 meals every time they come in. Sometimes these are the only meals the kids get on those days. Luz is well structured and full of love for the kids they serve. And they offer an adult Bible Study on Thursday nights for parents. They have dreams of acquiring more space to offer life skills for the kids, as most of them won’t attend college.
Freedom and Nancy have been serving here for a year, teaching about Jesus through art. Today we were thrilled to get to be a part of their work here. Most of us worked with the kids and a few of us worked with Freedom to paint a mural. In the afternoon Nicole used her chiropractic skills to help the staff.
It will never get old watching Freedom sketch out a mural. He designs ahead of time on his tablet, but then draws it onto the wall with chalk in minutes. The chalk is easily erased as he steps back and evaluates. And then all the team has to do is color by number to make his vision come alive. It seems so simple and yet it’s an incredible amount of skill and talent and planning he puts into it to make it something beautiful. The mural took shape today and should be finished by tomorrow.
We are drawing to the end of our trip and trying to make every moment count. One more child’s name to learn and share a smile or compliment their art. One more chance to pray for someone precious to the Lord.
Thank you for supporting us in prayer as we finish our last day strong!
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV