San Lorenzo School
Christian education for indigenous children

This school was founded in 1981 by Chamula Indian Dionisio López with great vision of a better future for his people.  (With 14 children in his own family, Dionisio needed a church school just to educate them!)  MPI stepped in to assist with classroom construction, teacher salaries and establishing school industries.

San Lorenzo school is located at the base of towering mountain peaks, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, caves and waterfalls. 

Situated in a remote area of Chiapas, south Mexico, for many years it could only be reached by hiking 16 miles over 2 mountain ranges and crossing 3 rivers.  Trails used for many centuries were often knee-deep in sticky clay mud.

The Chamula tribe speak Tzotzil dialect, living off the land growing bananas, oranges, beans and corn for tortillas.  Women embroider colorful blouses, with each village having their own distinct design.

Each year more than 100 students in 12 grades feel privileged to get a balanced Christian education.  Teachers and students visit homes and hold evangelistic meetings in nearby villages.  The young people learn practical skills working on campus.  Students from distant villages stay in primitive dorm facilities.

In the year 2000 a bumpy road and electricity finally reached San Lorenzo, making it possible for Mission Trip volunteers to bring medical, dental and construction assistance. 

In March of 2002, six badly-needed classrooms were built. 

As you can see, getting in and out by vehicle was quite a challenge!

Hundreds of bright, energetic San Lorenzo graduates have continued their education elsewhere, and so far at least 80 are serving as teachers, pastors, nurses, accountants and other careers throughout Mexico.

  Many have returned to serve among their own people, teaching new generations to better serve God, their fellow men and their country.

These folks really Dream Big - read the story here!