Portantorchas - Annual Report 2009 

COSTA RICA
Portantorchas (San Jose)
Marco Perez, Director

This year at Portantorchas has been distinguishably blessed. We have had two very full terms with up to 35 students each. We have had a great group of students that seem truly intent on growing in their relationship with the Lord. We have had sufficient donations to our scholarship fund in order to host up to 50% Latin American students. This has all been the Lord's doing, and we are very grateful for His provision and gifts.

Among our students, we are receiving students that have graduated from an orphanage in Honduras and want to continue with their biblical studies. This has proven to be a great blessing. These students are accustomed to sharing a home with over 400 children and because of their age, they usually carry great burdens and responsibilities.

It is a blessing to be able to serve them and give them an opportunity to grow in the depth of their relationship with Christ. So far we have had four students and all four have returned to serve the orphanage for a time while they prepare to go to University in some cases. 

We continue to be challenged with questions of future growth and perhaps multiplication of the ministry. We are filled to our capacity and are even putting some on a waiting list. At the same time there are some present infrastructure needs that we need to pursue and do not really have sufficient finances for them. But as the Lord has provided, so will He continue.

We are also challenged in the integration of the two different groups—Latin American and non-Latin American—the two groups are totally different especially with regard to financial abilities.

Pray that we may continue to have wisdom from the Lord. We are praying that some of our alumni or friends of the ministry will be drawn to support Portantorchas if they aren't already. We want this to be led by the Lord. Pray for wisdom in integrating our different groups. Pray for wisdom in knowing when or whether to expand and grow.