La Molina Christian Schools

By Lisa Stone

Ana hung up the phone and turned to her husband with a concerned look on her face. "Who was that?" Juan asked.

"Sara's principal," she answered. "She wants to meet with us."

When Ana and Juan walked into the principal's office at the Catholic school their daughter attended, they had no idea what could be wrong. Sara had been in the school since the age of five, and had never had a problem.

Once they were seated, the principal said, "I am appalled. Your daughter's teacher tells me you will not allow her to take first communion classes."

"That's true," Sara's father admitted, "We are not Roman Catholic, so our daughter will not participate in the class."

"Not Catholic!" The principal gasped.

Ana explained. "When Sara first started school we explained that we are Protestant."

The nun shook her head incredulously. "This cannot be. Never before have we had a non-Catholic student in this school. You must remove her. She will cause problems." Ana explained that she and her sisters had attended a Catholic school. But the director would not waver. "You are a sect," she insisted."We can't confuse the other children."

Juan quietly said, "Sara will not stay here any longer."

Sara's story is not unusual. Peruvian Christians desiring a good education for their children find the choices limited. Only families with a high income can afford the "quality" schools. While the Peruvian upper class is willing to pay, the cost is not simply financial. The moral price leaves many parents frustrated.

In 1995, concerned parents approached the pastor of New Life in Christ Baptist Church of La Rinconada in Lima, Peru. Among them was Ana. "We want a school with Christian values," she said. The following year, after much prayer and planning, the Rinconada church voted to start a Christian school. Parents chose an opening date on faith, and began working toward that goal.

ABWE missionary Andy Pace became the school's director. Ander Villegas, the former director of a well-known national school, handled the legal paperwork, and now is the co-director. Only a month before the self-imposed deadline, a suitable building was found. La Molina Christian Schools began its first year with fifteen students, two teachers, and a vision.

Today, La Molina Christian Schools is comprised of 60 students from K3 through fourth grade. Parents and students alike are enthusiastic about the focus on spiritual growth and academic excellence. In addition to regular classes, children begin learning music, art, and computer skills as early as three years old.

English is the school's "calling card." Parents realize that knowledge of English opens up new possibilities for a child's future, broadening the choice of colleges and jobs. The children also study Peruvian history and Spanish. "We feel it is important that Peruvian children retain their own culture while learning English," states Andy Pace.

The outreach to unbelievers is a crucial part of the school's ministry. Students are taught biblical principles and Bible stories, and teachers are always open to the opportunity to lead students to Christ. Since the school began, many children have made professions of faith.

Biblical values as a lifestyle are instilled in each boy and girl. Liliana, a mother of three, enrolled seven-year-old Daniela in LMCS for a week just to "try it out." Her daughter loved school and Liliana was impressed with the emphasis on manners. She noted that when the children's grandfather brought them presents, Daniela was the only one who thanked him.

Parents who enroll their children for the quality of education offered, are at first concerned about the school's "religion." The intermingling of Christian faculty and parents has helped reduce the uneasiness, and nearly every parent has attended at least one service at Rinconada Church. Two parents have been saved.

The "s" on the end of La Molina Christian Schools is no mistake. The school hopes to expand to include a high school and even a university. The name is also plural on faith that in the future there will be several Spanish-speaking Christian schools. One parent declared, "I would like to see a school like this one in every town in Peru."

Lisa is the 17 year-old missionary daughter of David and Evelyn Stone.