Our Vision for Education
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is
like the wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against
that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of
mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house
on the sand. The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a
great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
Latin American Christian Education Services is working in Guatemala to build foundations “on the rock” by
helping people access the Word of God by hearing, reading and studying
the words of God and put them into practice. In Guatemalan society,
many people’s spiritual foundation is dependent on what they hear about God because
they do not read. However, what is often said about God is often not what the Bible says
about God. Therefore, we are dedicated to teaching others to read and to think critically
by improving education so that people will be transformed by the renewing of their
minds and will, therefore, be able to "build their spiritual house on the rock".
This takes on two primary aspects:
- Improvement and provision of educational opportunities for children
-
Improvement and
provision of educational opportunities for pastors and church leaders of all levels,
including women and those who teach children
Focusing on education
and complementing it with additional programs fulfills the following scriptural
principles:
Evangelism through Teaching:
“Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Build a network of schools that include biblical teaching for children.
Grade School Projects like Antigua's Escuela Integrada and Middle School Projects
like Antigua and Chuchuca. Partnerships with existing schools also can build
opportunities for evangelism.
Discipleship through Mentoring:
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40 (NIV)
Strengthening the existing churches and church leadership in the area is also a
passion of LACES. Personal, one on one mentoring of young people in Escuela Integrada
schools provides a daily opportunity for these children to witness Christian living
that is Bible directed. Scholarship programs provide a means for gifted young
people to pursue their education. Those who LACES reach out to with scholarships
would not otherwize have any opportunity to continue their education.
Training and development of leaders in Guatemala.
Service through Humanitarian Aid:
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man
claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother
or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him ,’Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does
nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”
James 2:14-16 (NIV)
Scripture commands us to help the poor. It is the acting
out of our faith and is the visible working of God in our lives.
Service to the poor is a visible testimony to those around us. Escuela Integrada provides a free meal program for each
student. This is important because it insures adequate nutrition for each
student which is a prerequisite to learning. LACES also provides medical diagnosis
and treatment for each student (and often their family members) at no cost to the
student. LACES also provides psycological counciling services to students
who have been traumatized through violence, crime, family unrest, or any number
of other ways these children have suffered.
This service
advances the gospel.
It opens doors.
It changes lives.
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