September at Light and Life
By Annie Blakeslee
September has been a busy month here at Luz y Vida. In Colombia, September is the month of “amor y amistad”- love and friendship, a less romantic, couples’ oriented holiday than the closest American equivalent of Valentine’s day. In the weeks leading up to love and friendship day, we played secret pals and on Friday the 16th, we had a celebration, complete with chocolate cupcakes and a final gift to our secret pal. To help the kids actually live out what it means to be a good friend, and not just give their secret pal a piece of candy every day, in our devotion each morning the theme was how to be a true friend. All of the teachers took turns sharing with the students what the Bible says about friendship and love.
Passing out secret pal gifts/La repartición de los regalos del amigo secreto
Also on love and friendship day, we had a wonderful visit from a string ensemble. They played Spring and Summer from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for us while the children listened, entranced. I’d had my doubts about the children’s reception of classical music; it’s a pretty strong contrast to what they are used to listening to. But their rapt attention showed me the power music has to speak to us, and the joy of experiencing a live concert.
Children listening to the concert/Los niños escuchando el concierto
This week was culture week at Luz y Vida. Throughout the week the students studied the geography, culture, and natural resources of Colombia’s six regions and worked on projects to share at today’s Culture Fair. I was so proud of the work they accomplished this week. Watching their excitement to share what they had learned and their interest in filling in their question sheets as they “traveled” to each region of Colombia was a great way to end a busy week.
The kids looking at a display and answering questions/Los niños mirando la exposición y respondiendo las preguntas
As we move into October, please keep the children and volunteers in your prayers. Last year, in my first October here, I could feel the spiritual heaviness. I was surprised to learn that certain satanist groups fast in the months leading up to Halloween and practice human sacrifice and witchcraft. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Keep that verse in mind, and join with us in prayer against the spiritual forces of evil, and for God’s protection over each one of the children we work with, their families, and our staff and their families.
