He will take care of the helpless and poor when they cry to Him; for

they have no one else to defend them. (Psalm 72:12 TLB)

Faculty Lighthouse Sonia Arreaga
Sonia Arreaga was recently selected as a CEAI Houston 2017 Faculty
Lighthouse [Educator] of the Year for her dedicated service to God through her
work in education for over 15 years serving the most challenging, yet rewarding,
student populations in His schools.
Two Scriptures that best illustrate both Sonias life and career are,
From the bottom of my heart praise rises to Him. Where is His equal in all of
heaven and earth? Who else protects the weak and helpless? (Psalm 35:10)
and He will take care of the helpless and poor when they cry to Him; for they
have no one else to defend them. (Psalm 72:12)
At age six, Sonia and her mother were poor and helpless. With Gods
and many other peoples help they escaped the life threatening guerilla warfare
in El Salvador and fled to the United States where they settled in the Houston
area. While helping her mother clean houses at age eight, Sonia met the founder of Arbor School who was distraught that
Sonia was missing her childhood cleaning houses. This woman, Susanne Cuthbertson, took Sonia under her wing,
mentored her, and gave her enriching social and cultural experiences. Mrs. Cuthbertson, a total stranger in a foreign land,
gave her love, hope and helped Sonia not just to survive in the United States, but to thrive.
Sonia recalls that beginning at age four, while living in El Salvador, she knew she was to become a teacher and
would often play school with other children. While in high school she had the opportunity to exercise her gift of teaching
while volunteering at Arbor School where Mrs. Cuthbertson was the Director. Sonia graduated from Houston Baptist
University with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She spent one semester teaching bilingual classes in Katy ISD before
Mrs. Cuthbertson asked Sonia to join her staff at Arbor School which Sonya accepted.
The Arbor School (www.arbor.org), a private non-profit organization founded in 1988, offers quality education to
children with special needs no matter the severity of disability. It serves students between the ages of three months and 12
years of age through early intervention and highly individualized educational programs. Teacher-pupil rations are one to one
or one teacher to two students. Sonia educates three month old to four year old students at Arbor School. Parents, many
feeling helpless and hopeless after birthing severely handicapped children, find hope and practical help, love and guidance
at Arbor School and in Sonias classroom.
Sonias classroom is three rooms in a home, which is the perfect place to raise very young children. The walls are
painted brightly with murals in primary colors. Shelves of developmentally appropriate toys and materials line the walls.
When one walks into her room one feels the love of home. One senses the presence of Jesus.
Sonias faith in God helps her not only to survive, but to thrive in her school. Her understanding that God has a
hope and good plans for ALL children (Proverbs 29:11) encourages her. Prayer with other Christian educators strengthens
her. She sacrifices a higher salary and more benefits by working in a private instead of public school because she believes
God has called her to this school and she trusts in Him and His care for her. As God used others in her life to deliver her
from hopeless and helplessness, He is now using her to do the same. May we all like Sonia, pass His great love on to
others in need, especially the weak, helpless, and poor.
When asked what Jesus would say if He were to address a large group of teachers, Sonia believed He would say,
Dont get so caught up in everything but seek Me first, first beyond everything. Daily communicate with Me in things that
seem very small. Every minute I am with you. I know if you are seeking Me in Spirit and Truth. You cant know your purpose
without seeking Me first and allowing me to be THE real central part of your life.
May we all in education hear and heed this advice. May we all be about His business of helping the helpless.
Prayer: Jesus, help us [in education] love and provide quality services to the spiritually, mentally and physically weak, helpless
and poor parents, students and staff in Your schools.
Reflection: Am I providing quality service to the weak, helpless and poor students, parents and staff in the school environment?
Getting Real: Identify these parents, students, and staff members. Ask Jesus what he wants you to do to help them. Do it.
CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: Love Ladders Love Matters (For info or prayer contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 20