A new semester.

Blessings friends and supporters of Portantorchas.

On Monday, August 3rd we began a new semester at Portantorchas. As mentioned in a previous message, we have some 32 students from various countries, including two married couples. We are very glad and thankful to our Lord for every individual that He has brought, and we eagerly anticipate what He is going to teach us this year. As I explained to many of them, one of my greatest joys is seeing the friendships and relationships that are formed here, many of which become a lifelong emotional and spiritual support.

This year, we have been blessed with the help of some of our alumni. Eugenia and Fresia continue to support Paola in Spanish classes. Hannah has come from the US to help Tom with the English classes. For the leadership group, due to Freddy's departure (which I ought to write about later, that you may be praying for his next endeavours) I have asked the group of Lideres Creativos to join us and speak on leadership, while I continue to teach the Spiritual Disciplines course.

Please continue to pray for us and for our students. Our greatest prayer request is that the Lord be glorified in this place, in the life of our students and our staff. As Paul says, "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Eph. 4:12-13

We thank you very much for this support, and the financial support of many of you. Particulary, I ask you to pray for the financial support of many of our students. There are some who are trustign that the Lord will provide the needed finances to continue this term with us, and there are some who are trusting that the Lord will provide for their monthly expenses. Also we have some staff whose financial support has diminished and are also trusting that the Lord will supply their needs through other people. If you would like to be part of that support please contact me directly.

Sincerely in Him,

Marco