September 2009 Newsletter -- God is at Work-- Roy Goble

Dear Friend:

The PathLight Sponsorship program began two years ago this month.  It started with students from a rural village who attended a primary school that only recently had electricity installed.  They were students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, many of them ashamed of their heritage, most of them the children and grandchildren of refugees from civil war.  English was usually their second language, yet they were given no special help as they were thrown into a school system that insisted they speak English.  The students came from families that, on average, earned about $2.50 per person per day.  These children’s teachers were often just high school graduates with no training on how to teach.

It’s safe to say the odds were stacked against these kids.

How has it gone?  Well, during that time I have told you about the change and growth in a number of students.  You have read about the self-confidence of Concepciona, who grew from a shy girl to a confident teenager.  Or the academic prowess of Prenda, a bright girl with great ambition.  One letter described how Samuel, who would have ended up working in the fields if not for the sponsorship PathLight provided, has become Class President and considered a leader among his peers.  A letter from Mark described how Denford, Edwin, Franklin and Danald were all deeply touched on a spiritual level through the discipleship programs.  You have heard about the ambitions of Erbin and Mirna to become leaders in their communities. 

The stories say it all. This effort is working.  God is at work here, and the sense of hope and ambition that permeates the hearts and minds of these future leaders is the proof.

To keep this going, to complete the process of transforming these young hearts and minds, we need your help.  Twelve new students have been admitted to the program, and your generosity will enable them to pursue a high school degree.  Here’s how you can help.

For $50 a month, you can help an unsponsored student stay in school.  That’s simple, straightforward, and is probably less than your cable TV bill.  We’ll pool your funds with donations from others to help students succeed. 

For a little bit more, $75 a month, we’ll find a donor to match your gift dollar for dollar.  This will provide a full sponsorship to a specific student and make a lasting impact on his or her life.  You will get a photo of the student and a brief profile.  A few times a year you will be updated about their progress.

For $150 a month, which is the cost of a full sponsorship, a specific student will be assigned to you.  You will get their photo, communicate twice a year with them, and learn about their progress in school.  This full sponsorship pays for the students academic needs such as tuition, uniforms, books, bus fare and a daily lunch.

Another great option is to form with a group to sponsor a student.  Perhaps your bible study group, your neighbors, or a group of friends can join together.  We will help you with that if you are interested, and your group will get a web-based update about your student.

And there is another important way you can help:  tell us who else might be interested in PathLight.  The more people who hear about PathLight, the higher the chance that a student will be transformed.  So let us know if there is somebody we can send a package of information to, or if you would like more information that you can give away.

Please, consider this request carefully.  I have yet to speak with a donor who regretted their decision.  If anything, just the opposite has happened as many donors have asked how they can do more! 

We hope to hear from you soon!

Thank you, and God bless,

 

Roy Goble
Founder & President
rgoble@pathlight.org