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Belize

Social Enterprise Stories

Even after 33-years at Goble Properties, it is still fun to see others bewildered when I value people over profits, communities over growth, or the environment over margins. Of course I’ve failed many times on all counts. But when I do get it right, it often stands out as counter-cultural in the business world.

Which in turn triggers conversations about why I made a decision, which allows me to share how faith is central to my values.

Last week I wrote about social enterprise being a gateway to spiritual conversations with the wealthy. Within a few hours of posting those …

Belize, PathLight,

Must Read Story of the Year

Below is a letter I call the must read story of the year. The author, Franklin, is a young man in the PathLight Sponsorship+ Program. I’ve had the honor of knowing Franklin for several years now, and his letter is one of the most powerful you will read this year. I’m going to start pointing to this letter when people ask me why I do what I do.
—
My name is Franklin. I was born in July 24th, 1993. A few months after I started life in this world, my biological father walked away on my mother and …

Belize, PathLight,

Rejoice

A recent letter for PathLight actually started as a post for this blog. Then it struck me as a good idea for PathLight’s monthly letters. But it remains a good blog post, and I thought you might enjoy it:

Did you hear about the comprehensive study featured in Christianity Today and the Stanford Social Innovation Review asking whether sponsorship programs actually work? The result was overwhelming – sponsorships are among the most effective tools available for combating poverty.

Do you know what I believe is the main reason why sponsorship works? Hope.

A student with a sponsorship has hope for …

Belize, PathLight,

PathLight Staff Retreat

Last week we had a wonderful PathLight staff retreat at our home. Over half the PathLight staff were able to attend and it was an incredibly productive time. We set out to build the team spiritually, have plenty of fun and fellowship, and leave with tangible skills to help us in our work. All three felt achieved.

I opened the retreat with a new word that I recently learned. Pronoia is “the delusional belief that other people are plotting your well being, or saying nice things about you behind your back.” It brought a few laughs, but it also set …

Belize, PathLight,

Buy a Backpack!

Every year about this time, students and their parents go on “back to school” shopping trips. I remember the days when my two kids would get so excited at the prospect of new clothes, shiny binders, and the latest (and coolest) backpack. The start of school is exciting for students in part because it comes with chance to get “geared up” for another year of learning, experiences, and fun. It is a great way to start a new year of school.

For the PathLight Sponsorship+ students, the start of a new year of school is a different story. Families in …

Apocryphal, Belize, PathLight,

Reflections

The past week has been a thoughtful one for me. If you look at my calendar you’ll wonder how I could ever find the time for reflection! The combination of travel and hosting guests has been hectic. But I spent time with some fascinating people who inspired me, challenged me, and encouraged me.

For instance, I met with a successful businessman in Belize City on Thursday morning. We were talking about ways to create job opportunities for at-risk youth, and in the midst of the conversation he said, “If we are all made in God’s image then we are all …

Belize, PathLight,

Joseline, Quincy, Abel and Ashjonae

One of the best parts about this time of year is the new PathLight students are chosen. These are boys and girls who recently completed what we in the States would call Eighth Grade. Now they are ready to make the big step to High School, and PathLight has admitted them to the program. It’s fun to see the potential in each of these young faces!

This year PathLight offered the Sponsorship+ Program to three schools. Sixty-three students completed an application. After reviewing recommendations from teachers, checking grades, and evaluating test scores, PathLight staff interviewed 26 students and their parents. …

Belize, PathLight,

PathLight Graduation

“Schools are the fabric of our culture,” said my friend Chris as he made announcements in church. Indeed they are, I thought, as memories of the past week went through my mind.

June is graduation season. We often take that for granted in a country where education is commonplace. But graduation for a PathLight student is truly a momentous occasion.

Last week D’Aun and I led a group of about 20 people to Belize and celebrated the accomplishments of some amazing young men and women. These students are the first in their families to complete high school, and by estimate …