Light and Life Update

Hi Friends of Light and Life School,

You are receiving this newsletter as someone who is supporting a Light and Life School student or teacher, have shown interest in this unique Ixil Christian School, or even blessed Light & Life School as a team member serving in Salquil Grande, Guatemala! 

Classes are full and active since the new school year began in January.  From computer classes to sports, the students are busy! In addition to academics, students are encouraged to show respect for their parents and elders. Read below how a recent opportunity to honor mothers for Dia de Madre, brought a large group of mothers together for the first time since the pandemic. The outdoor space used for all gym classes and celebrations was simply decorated and draped with plastic to shield from the sun and rain. A roof over this area would greatly increase the usable space of the school, especially during rainy season! 

In this update we are highlighting one of our 5th graders. Read on to see how your support is helping Sabina Alicia excel in her studies and pursue her dream to study to become a lawyer. Learn more how you can support this amazing ministry!

- Sharon

​Note from the Director Carlos:
 
May is a very special month at Light and Life School.  One of the parts of our curriculum is to teach honor and respect for parents and elders. During May, Dia de Madre, our mother’s day that is celebrated on May 10th in Guatemala, is the perfect opportunity to welcome mothers to Light and Life school to enjoy a special program and celebration just for them.  Our mothers are the pillars in their families and our community. This was the first time to gather such a large group of mothers since the pandemic.  It was a time filled with a motivational talk especially for our mothers and a special meal that they enjoyed together. We were so thankful for this opportunity to celebrate the mothers and show the students the importance of setting aside time to honor mothers.

May is also the time in Guatemala when the rains come. Rainy season lasts approximately from May to the beginning of November.  Although our community is thankful for rains to help crops to flourish, the downpours do make our area for active gym time, assemblies, and celebrations limited to when the weather is dry. Although you can see from the pictures that we do drape plastic over the area to shield from the sun and light rain, a permanent roof cover would be ideal and create much needed usable space throughout the school year. ​

Our classrooms are full and we have a total of 120 students this year, primary through basico (middle school).  We are so thankful for the hard work of our students, the sacrifice of their parents, and the wonderful support of so many sponsors that make an education at Light and Life School possible for these students. We give thanks to God and to you for the opportunity to be Light and Life in the lives of these students and families.  Please read about one of our students, Sabina Alicia, to see what a difference a quality education can make in the life of a young girl in Salquil Grande.

How Your Support Makes a Difference | Sabina Alicia, 5th grade
Sabina Alicia was born in Salquil Grande and is the first daughter of her parents. She loves nature and animals.  One day, her mother bought her a chick and she happily cared for it.  Unfortunately, a cat ate it.  She cried for her chick and her grandmother saw that she was so sad. She knew Alicia had taken good care of the chick so she bought her another chick. Alicia cared so well for this chick that it grew and laid eggs. Now Alicia cares for her hen and four chicks every day.  She hopes that she can sell them to save money to buy a sheep.

​Sabina Alicia is a 5th grader at Light and Life School. Before attending Light and Life School, she attended the public school, but the public school had insufficient teachers and the learning opportunities were limited. Sabina is very happy at Light and Life School and loves to read and help other students read and learn. Her mother is very supportive and comes to school once a week to observe Sabina’s progress.  One project that she was very proud to create was a nature diorama, showing how to care for the environment.  She also loves active sports and is the best scorer on her futbal (soccer) team.

​After school classes, Sabina helps her mother around the house with chores like sweeping, washing dishes and helping prepare meals.  Of course, she also cares for her chickens!
Because she loves to read so much and learn, she hopes one day to study to become a lawyer and notary to help her community.  She knows that to be a lawyer you need a lot of reading to have knowledge of the laws to be able to apply it in each case that she solves.

Light and Life School Prayer Notes

1. Please pray for the safe delivery of the third child to director Carlos and his wife expected mid-June.
2. Pray for the completion for teacher Xhun of his thesis to graduate from Seteca Seminary with a master’s degree in Theology and Music Education.
3. Pray for the completion for Director Carlos of his thesis to graduate from San Carlos University with a law degree. Both these men have worked incredible hours and sacrificed much to complete their coursework. Because of the pandemic and long-distance learning, there have been some complications in expediating the thesis completion. Please pray for good favor for both Xhun and Carlos and that we will be able to celebrate these incredible milestones in their lives soon!
4. Pray for continued strength and wisdom for the teaching staff and a great second half of the school year. The staff will be attending the Run:Hope Conference June 29-July 2nd. Pray for safety as the road from Salquil down the mountain to Nebaj is very rough!

For all the staff at Light and Life and our team at H.O.P.E. Bible Mission, we thank you for your prayers and incredible support for this amazing school shining brightly in the mountain community of Salquil Grande, Quiché.