40 Years of Faithfulness: Raising Up a Generation for Christ  

When we first started our partnership with Light and Life School (Colegio Luz y Vida) in Guatemala, it began with humble beginnings with just one classroom over 40 years ago.  Since then the school has grown into a full kindergarten-junior high school campus serving 130 students. The partnership over the decades has been a profound testament to God’s steadfast love, His provision for the Ixil community, and the extraordinary sacrifice of the educators He has called to serve there.

There is perhaps no better example of this dedication than Xhun. As a founding teacher and key spiritual leader in Salquil Grande, Xhun recently achieved a monumental milestone: graduating with a double master’s degree in Theology and Music (see picture).

This degree was not easily won; it required 12 years of staggering perseverance. For over a decade, Xhun endured a grueling eight-hour bus ride down the mountain to Guatemala City every Friday. He attended classes all day Saturday, only to travel eight hours back on Sunday morning just so he could lead worship at his local church that afternoon.

Today, Xhun is pouring that hard-earned education directly back into his students. He has developed a high-quality music program for the school, complete with a student band, and his creativity shines through in the engaging performances the students regularly present.

Xhun's faithfulness perfectly reflects the heart of all the educators at Light and Life School. These teachers consciously choose to invest in their local community, often turning down opportunities for much higher salaries elsewhere. Because of their sacrifice, the school is reaping an incredible harvest of young people who are learning to study, grow, and serve Christ.

Through our partnership and dedication from those like Xhun, God is transforming the next generation in Guatemala. Light and Life School is not just a building with classrooms; it is a beacon of hope, raising up young leaders to shine Christ's light in their family, community and beyond.