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PathLight

An Exchange of Hope

A few years ago the PathLight staff were reviewing applications for the high school sponsorship program. One of the applicants, Jeymi, did not fit into the profile you might expect. She was older (19), married, and had a 3-year old son. Jeymi had dropped out of school for a variety of reasons, but now she wanted to go back and hoped we could help.

It was an odd situation. Most of the applicants are 13-14 years old or so. They’ve just completed 8th Grade and are looking to move on to high school. We hope that a sponsorship will keep …

Belize, PathLight, Wine Reviews,

Uncork and Support!

If you know me, then you know something about my appreciation of wine. I love visiting new wineries, meeting the farmers and winemakers, and popping open a cork to discover what has been created. D’Aun and I even moved to a wine region because we enjoy the ambiance so much.

If you know me, then you know something about PathLight International. In 2007 my friends Mark and Adrienne Parcher joined D’Aun and me to help at-risk students get through school. That’s led to a whole host of programs that focus on spiritual, academic and social development of youth.…

Belize, PathLight,

Welcome Andy & Lisa!

One of the great resources that PathLight has is a beautiful conference center set in the Belizean rainforest at Jaguar Creek. Built under the canopy of the jungle, along a gorgeous creek, and just a few miles from the capital of the country, the PathLight conference center is an incredible place.

Today it is where a lot of the PathLight activities are based. The students gather at the beginning of the school year to get supplies. A few times a year the students visit to attend special events, such as when Brenda Salter-McNeil led her Racial Pride workshop. The Teacher …

Book Reviews, PathLight,

How Shopping at Amazon Can Help a PathLight Student

Exciting news: Junkyard Wisdom is now part of the Amazon Associates program! Now you can access Amazon via my blog, do your shopping (like for one of the books I often review), and a percentage of the sale will go toward PathLight International!

People often told me, “I loved your book review so I ordered the book.” Since there seems to be enough momentum to earn a few dollars, and the students in Belize could use the support, it was time to create this new association with Amazon.

Thankfully, PathLight is in a great season. I’ve posted those …

Belize, PathLight,

All Clear in Belize!

I received this update from Mark Parcher, the executive director of PathLight, and wanted to share the good news:

I’m happy to report that all is well for our teacher team in Belize. Adrienne told me this morning that last night at Marti Ross’s house in Belmopan was actually pretty calm. Today they moved back to Jaguar Creek and are excited about visiting the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich this afternoon. The Ministry of Education gave us the green light to resume the Teacher Training Conference on Thursday and Friday.

In his earlier letter, Roy indicated that Tropical Storm Ernesto …

Belize, PathLight,

Hurricane Update

Ernesto has officially been designated a hurricane with winds between 74 and 110 mph. It appears to be heading north of the region where PathLight operates, which is good news for us but of course bad news to our neighbors in northern Belize or southern Mexico. Despite the more northerly direction of Ernesto, Belize remains on a hurricane watch and people are expected to bunker down tonight and tomorrow.

The Teacher Training Conference volunteers have all found shelter in Belmopan, away from the coast and also away from the hazards of the Belizean jungle (falling trees and rising waters are …

Belize, PathLight,

Belize Hurricane

Tropical storm Ernesto is heading toward Belize, and your prayers are needed.

Along with our regular staff based in Belize, Adrienne Parcher (Executive Program Director) is in Belize with 15 volunteer teachers. They are leading the second week of the annual Teacher Training Conference.

Unfortunately, Adrienne Parcher has just received word from the Ministry of Education that all training programs are being cancelled so people can prepare for the storm. There were 74 Belizean teachers attending this week, but unfortunately they will all be dismissed.

The authorities believe Ernesto could easily become a hurricane. I have inserted an image …

Belize, PathLight,

Eagle Empowerment in Belize

My friend Carol Houston is the President of Eagle Empowerment, an organization in South West Los Angeles that works with at-risk youth. Carol is also the pastor of Bethel Unspeakable Joy Church, which is right in the heart of South Central, and she serves with me on the Board of Trustees of Westmont College.

I know a lot of cool people; Carol is one of the coolest. Maybe the coolest.

Eagle Empowerment took a group of students to Belize earlier this summer. Along with their adult leaders, the students from Eagle Empowerment did some great work for …