a great opportunity to give

The following piece I wrote as a description of what is going on with my school's satellite school that we've started in a poor, crime-ridden, and neglected part of Parral called Almanceña. We're right now in the process of trying to find more people would like to provide scholarships for the students, so I wrote this piece to post on the web for those interested in providing scholarships. The cost to support a child at Instituto Las Américas Almanceña is $800 a school year, or $100 a month from October to May. If you'd be interested in seeing the Kingdom come in the lives of these kids, post a comment or shoot me an email (billy@thenyes.us). Enjoy.

“I thank God for my school, because it’s giving me the opportunity to have a different life.”

“I know that I’ve been born again…”

“I’ve learned to work well…”

“Since I’ve been a student at this school, I haven’t stolen anything or said any bad words.”

“If my child changes, then I know that our lives are going to change as well.”

  These are the words of children and parents whose lives are being changed because the coming Kingdom of God. Instituto Las Américas Almanceña started as a dream in 2003, when a few teachers from a church called Vida Abundante in Parral, Mexico began thinking about how they could bring an excellent education to high-risk kids in a low-income, neglected part of town called Almanceña.

It all started in a converted house. Bedrooms became classrooms, and were promptly filled to the max with tiny donated desks and chairs. Well-trained, loving teachers began to speak life and order to children who were accustomed to hear nothing but death and live in nothing but disorder and abuse. Kids who would have never had a chance to learn English, the key to success in today’s global society, are now learning their abc’s and 123’s in Kindergarten.

After three years, the students were crammed into their rooms like sardines. A functioning school building was needed, so one was built. The church was given some land a few blocks away and constructed a beautiful new school. In the middle of a neglected neighborhood, whose reality is filled with abuse, the cycle of poverty, drug abuse, and violence, ILAA now stands as a monument of righteousness and the lavish love of God.

Children whose futures would otherwise be destined to the mediocre cycle of poverty are now being given the opportunity to see life’s other side: the way God intended it to be. A life of love and selfless giving. A life defined by discipline and excellence. A life that respects and treasures the beauty of God’s image in every human being. In the midst of darkness, the light of Christ is beginning to shine.

           So what does this have to do with you?

 As Cornelius’ care and compassion for the poor rose before God as a pleasing aroma (and thus opened the door for the salvation for his family!), your care and compassion for these kids in Almanceña will catch God’s attention as well. Take the following story as a beautiful example:

Arturo is a kindergartner whose single mother has no money to buy him food for a lunch, so he often comes to school without a lunch. In response to this, his teacher began asking his fellow students to give him a cookie or cracker so that he would have something to eat. One day, one of his classmates asked his mom to make an extra sandwich for Arturo, and gave it to him during the lunch break. Upon seeing this, his teacher told the friend, “Thank you so much! When you give to somebody who doesn’t have what you have, God sees it and is pleased!” After hearing this, two of his other classmates standing nearby immediately offered Arturo a part of their lunch, without being asked.

Giving is joyously attractive. Therefore, we hope that you take advantage of the opportunity you now have to give in order to bring life and hope to the lives of these children, their families, and their community.