Game Changer - Education!

She had a hard time believing that HER name
was on that little official paper stating that
SHE was going to the University!  

We are so delighted to announce that Lupita has begun her studies at the Universidad Centroamericana "José Simeón Cañas.  Everyone here calls it the UCA…pronounced ‘ooka’.  It is one of the best universities in the country.  We decided to aim high and see what God would do.  Lupita was educated in the public school system out in the country here, which is a very low quality of education.  She graduated high school 15 years ago. So, the possibility that she could pass the entrance exams was not very high.  But, Lupita is a very intelligent, hard-working young woman, and she jumped at the chance to accept the challenge.  We found a wonderful tutor that worked with her a mere two weeks prior to the entrance exam, and, Lupita diligently applied herself to study.  We trusted that if it was God’s will, she would succeed. We had to wait a few weeks to know whether she had passed or not.  Oh, what a glorious day!  She was OVER THE MOON with joy!  She just could not believe that it was happening.  Now,she is nearing the end of her month-long pre-university course, and will start her first

Love these faces!

semester March 9th.  Lupita has chosen to work towards a Business Administration degree.  Please pray for her as she continues down this path to a new future for her and her family.  It has not, and will not, be easy.  She is a single mom, and must continue to be a mommy while she attends school full-time.  For us, that means that we are taking on the financial responsibility or her school costs and caring for her daughter.  We are so proud of Lupita and so full of joy to see our dreams for her starting to materialize.  It has been over seven years in the making, since we met her and began to ask the Lord for a chance to make in a difference in her life and that of her whole family.  This is BIG! Thank you to all our supporters who are making this dream a reality.  Education is such a key to pulling people out of poverty.  It truly can be a game changer!

Lupita in front of the U. (bad lighting, but you get the idea!)

First day of school!  I'm a proud Momma!  (They call me Momma Kathy)

Go forth and conquer. Lupe!!! (She was a little nervous!)

Our little spitfire! Fatima!

Fatima (left) with two fellow students and co-workers at Campus Crusade

It is a NEW YEAR and a start to many new adventures.  Currently, there are four extra girls living in the Porter home. In addition to Lupita, and her three year old daughter, Keiry (Katie), we have Fatima, and Ginny Murphy.  Fatima is working with Campus Crusade on the college campuses here in El Salvador and reaching out to her fellow Salvadorans with the gospel, while she is studying, herself, to achieve her goal of earning a degree in Social Work.  She hopes to use her knowledge to be a part of impacting El Salvador with the power of the gospel.  Fatima is a precious young woman who God put into our lives about 4 months ago.  She was in need of support and encouragement during a difficult time of her life.  God put it on our hearts to invite her to live with us.  She tearfully and gratefully accepted.  She has been such a blessing to the whole house. She is positive, creative, full of joy and energy, and her heart is so soft towards the Lord.  She has been an encouragement to Jonah and Maddie...acting as a big sis to them.  It is her desire to bless and reach out to our kids and she does a great job of it.  This includes teasing, joking, long talks, trips to the beach, and sharing a passion for a weird cartoon that Jonah likes.  This means the world to us as their parents, knowing how much they have struggled with the changes of living in El Salvador.  Please pray for Fatima as she seeks to work out some very complicated issues with her family, and pray for her work at the universities, that many students would hear the gospel and come to know Jesus through her testimony.  And by the way, she has an incredible testimony.  Maybe one day, I"ll have her post it on our blog.  Great idea!  :)

These lovlies chillin' on the back patio (Lupita's working on homework)

Lupita's birthday party January 28th.  (The other white chick is Ginny!)