What do you want to be when you grow up?
It’s a simple question.
It’s a question that I was asked frequently.
It’s a question that allowed me to dream.
Last week, I asked our host here in Nicaragua if there was any motivation for kids to go to school. Her response was “very little”.
But why? Because not many young men and women have opportunities after they finish school. They don’t have financial abilities to go to a college or a university. And so if there are very limited opportunities for them after they finish school, what’s the point of even going?
Many drop out to help support their families. Their parents see them has workers so they may send them out to a field or have them sell things on the streets. Many drop out because they may not have any parental guidance at all. And so they may end up in the streets and get caught up in gangs or drugs.
It saddens me that there is very little or even no motivation for kids to go to school in communities like this. That school isn’t necessarily a priority. That school isn’t as valued as it is in the States.
But it’s ministries like Light and Salt that are slowly breaking those thoughts. It’s these ministries that are breaking this mold and truly making a difference. Providing help and support to families and kids.
From bible classes to english classes and even sports, this ministry is providing before and after school programs for young boys in this community. And the hope is that with these programs, the boys learn the importance of education and the value of it. But more importantly, they learn what it means to live and work as a man of God in their community.
The work that the staff does here at the ministry is remarkable and it’s awesome to see how Light and Salt is empowering and educating young boys. They teach and empower the boys, but also give teachings to the parents as well.
Throughout this month, I’ve had the privilege to teach english class to some of the boys here at the ministry. It truly has been a fun experience helping these boys learn a new language and to see them start to understand basic words, phrases, and greetings.
I believe that this ministry is helping these boys look to the future. They may not know it now, but the education that they are receiving will truly be beneficial for them.
And these boys may not have big dreams, which is perfectly alright. But more importantly, these boys will have Christ in their hearts. And with the knowledge of Christ’s love and strength, they can dream and dream and dream!
