Porras Ministry
Serving with CEI (Training Indigenous People)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Acts1:8)
About us
Manuel & Yorleny Porras have two children. Stephanie, 34, lives with her grandmother and works in the capital of Costa Rica. Andy, 21, is taking university courses and lives at home with Manuel and Yorleny.
The Porras’ ministry is dedicated to serving indigenous peoples in Costa Rica. Motivated by the need in the indigenous communities, and with a desire to see growth and development, in 2008 they began coming alongside pastors and leaders of Christian churches within Central America with training. They have created theological courses and courses to teach practical skills like baking, agriculture, and carpentry.
History
In 2007, Manuel and Yorleny responded to God’s call on their lives to serve others by preparing for ministry with the Costa Rican missions agency Fedemec. Fedemec provides training for going to the field.
Four years later, the door was opened to travel to Peru to take the literacy program with the Wycliffe SIL organization, where they obtained tools that have helped them to continue with the development of their work within indigenous communities.
From 2013 to 2020, they served with the ministry CAPI (Learning Center for Indigenous) in Costa Rica. Their work consisted of teaching courses to representatives of nine ethnic groups from Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Instruction included Biblical studies, Christian ethics, and practical skills. They followed up on former students by visiting them in their own communities and while there, conducted workshops. With the support of their local church, Manuel and Yorleny decided withdraw from CAPI and start their own organization, CEI (Capacitando Entre Indigenas—Training Indigenous People) implementing their 13 years of experience. CEI operates under the ministerial guidance of the Iglesia Comunidad Cristiana el Tabernaculo, the church that Manuel and Yorleny attend. God has blessed and many pastors and even non-Christians have devoted themselves to the Lord wholeheartedly.
Vision
The vision of CEI is to prepare future missionaries among the Indigenous people who can bring the gospel to remote places in the mountains of Costa Rica that Manuel and Yorleny cannot reach. They believe God will continue to open doors for the spreading of knowledge of His Word. (Acts1:8)
Join us in prayer:
- that we would be guided by the Lord in all we undertake
- for our spiritual growth.
- for professors to join Manuel in the work of Biblical teaching and practical skills training.
- that God’s Word would leave an impression in the hearts of each person we teach
Join us with your financial partnership:
When you join us with your financial partnership, you are investing in the programs that we teach and thus providing tools for indigenous communities we serve. May the Lord add more people who want to sow a seed into the ministry through support of our family and ministry. Your tax-deductible gift will be used to fund the needs of the Porras ministry. Click the DONATE button below to give online. A check box will appear for your convenience on the donation page should you wish to setup your donation to recur monthly.
OR you can send a check made out to Partners in Joy, Inc. to the address below with a note that it is for the Porras ministry.
Partners In Joy, Inc.
P.O. Box 3761
Pueblo, CO 81005
