Lorena's End of Year Update

Facilitator Christmas/End of Year Celebration

Do you like turkey? I baked two turkeys to feed two separate dinner parties of 25 and 35 people! And like my family tradition, I also baked lasagna to celebrate Christmas and the end of the year with the facilitators of El Refugio (30 of us in total). All of this happened in one week's time!

So many things have happened this year. It was great to reflect on what and who we are grateful with both the facilitators and the boys of Casa Gabriel. Many were thankful for the opportunity that El Refugio has offered them to grow in their relationships with Jesus, learn about making wise choices, being reliable and responsible (I have been working hard on that one!) and making new friends.

Next year brings some changes. We are in the process of finding two facilitators to replace my position as Leadership Development Coordinator. Ideally, we would like a male and female facilitator. I have been observing two facilitators who we believe would be qualified and have a heart for the mission of El Refugio. We have offered the positions to David Meza and one of the female facilitators. David is excited and encouraged to take on this responsibility. We are praying for a female to assist him in this role. The next eight months will be training and discipleship process.

This means that I will be returning to Michigan in August, Lord willing. My mom had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and I have made the decision to return to help manage her health care. I am looking forward to loving on her and seeing my nephew grow up and reuniting with all of you. It will be hard to say goodbye to my new friends here, but God has given me peace about leaving the ministry in His hands and empowering Ecuadorians to continue developing leaders.

I appreciate your prayers in this process for God to raise up a female facilitator for this position, for the training process, process of saying goodbye and transition.

I'll be sending some information shortly about how you can be involved in this process. Please be praying.

I don't believe I can thank you enough for all your support and prayers. I love you and am grateful for you. May your yearend reflection remind you of all that God has done for you and your New Year celebration be full of new dreams and hope in Him.

Grace, love and blessings!

Lorena

a small vacation blessing

God has blessed me with many blessings. The most recent is that I was able to "purchase" a ticket to go to visit my new baby nephew Antonio with airline miles! I am able to take a short trip/vacation to be able to meet him and spend a little time with my family. I leave Ecuador this Wednesday and return Nov. 13th (two weeks). Please pray for quality time with my family.
I will also be able to attend my grandmother's 90 birthday party (but shhhhh, she doesn't know I am coming). And because I will be in Michigan on Nov. 6th, I will also be able to vote.
Please keep my brother Gianni and his wife Jennifer in your prayers as they learn how to take care of a newborn and all that comes with being new parents (fears, exhaustion, change of lifestyle, communication, etc.).
Thank you all so much for your continued support and encouragement. May God show you how pleased He is with you for being faithful and obedient to Him.
I love you!
Lorena

Lorena's Latest Oct. 19, 2008

Today, Salome took me to her families property in the country, a town called Guayabamba. It was one of the most beautifully cared for places I have seen here in Ecuador. The flowers were blooming everywhere and the trees were full of avacados, mandarines, and lemons. The gardens were so well taken care of and the owner lives in Texas!

Saturday a retreat group cancelled so we took the opportunity to clean the high ropes equipment and teach the process to the facilitators. At lunch time, we ran out of water and had to leave the rest for another occasion. But it was a sunny day and we finished work by doing an inventory of the games storage shed. The six "boys" decided to play ecua-volley where they play volleyball with a soccer ball. The girls (me included) decided we didn't want to be that rough on our wrists or hands!

I am involved in a women's Beth Moore study "Jesus, the One and Only". I am learning more about Jewish customs that teach me about how specific God is and faithful to His people. One interesting question came out of the study, "Do I turn to legalism when I don't hear from God or have a refreshing time with Him? God often uses a famine in our lives to work up an appetite for Him." May this encourage you to be faithful as He is faithful and full of grace as He is full of grace. God is always at work, even when He seems silent. John 5:17

Prayer requests: 1. Committment level of the facilitators, that they stick to what they say they will do and wisdom to know how to teach them responsibility. 2. Year end reports, plans, and inventories are filling up my time. That I would prioritize my time wisely to accomplish all that God wants me to do. 3. For a new roommate that God would provide someone who has a similar set of values and is trustworthy.

Blessings and thank you for being a part of the ministry!

Lorena

Pen Pal anyone?

There is an elementary school down the street from El Refugio in a very very small town called Rayocucho (RI - oh - coo cho). My cousin Maria started writing letters to Rosa, one of the young girls there and they have had a great time receiving letters from each other.

Well, the other children would like to get involved, too. Do you know anyone who would like to be a pen pal? Here are the list of children and their ages.

Elizabeth, girl 8 years
Gabriela, girl 7 years
Judith, girl 8 years
Silvia, girl 9 years
Jose, boy 12 years
Jessica, girl 9 years
Luis, boy 12 years

The letters can be written in English and be sent once a month to my address in Ecuador. I will translate them and give the original letter (photos, etc.) and the translated letter to the child in Rayocucho. Then they will write back and I will send the same to you.

Please let me know if you are interested first (post a comment), then mail a hand written letter to:

Youth World International
c/o Lorena Ferrari
Casilla 17-17-691
Quito Ecuador

Blessings!
Lorena

Lorena's Latest Sept. 26, 2008

Hello my loved ones!
It is hard to believe it is almost October, my favorite month in Michigan when all the leaves change colors and the earth smells sweet.
This month at El Refugio, we had a few retreats cancel so I decided to have some fun with the facilitators. We practiced tying knots and setting up for the high rope elements. Then climbed Jacob's ladder and practiced on the new static course. We invited a few extra people to give the facilitators a chance to practice their belaying skills.
This weekend we will do the same with another group of facilitators and invited guests.Recently we have had a few facilitators that have needed to leave the program for responsibilities of high school extra requirements (teaching adults how to read and write, service projects, military duty) and one who is teaching full time and going to seminary. Please pray that God would give me wisdom in choosing leaders who will be committed to our program and growth. We spend many hours investing in their training that we want to make sure that we are being effective in whom we invest.
God used a female facilitator to encourage me this month. Sometimes, I feel alone and have feelings of guilt. Neither is from God. She spoke words of truth and life reminding me that I am not alone, God is always with me! Also that guilt does not come from God. He wants us to be victorious and successful in the work we do for Him. The next day I shared what I was going through with two other facilitators who also encouraged me. They asked me if we could pray together informally with walks around El Refugio asking God to bless the property and the ministry. What a praise and a blessing they are to me. I thank God for them.
Father God, please help me to keep in mind that my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12). My faithful Father, whether I turn to the right or the left, cause my ears to hear a voice behind me saying, "This is the way, walk in it" (Isa. 30:21).
My God is faithful! I am so thankful for Him and for the people He puts in my journey like you. Thank you for being an encouragement to me and a blessing to our ministry. God is working and growing me and our ministry and the devil doesn't like that!
Please pray for wisdom in improving the Facilitator Training program and in knowing the leaders who are truly interested in the helping people have a deeper relationship with Jesus through nature and outdoor adventure.
We have started a new bible study program and meet twice a month with the facilitators (once in a small group and once with all of them). Please pray that God would speak through me or the person giving the devotional or bible study method and for open hearts to fall deeper in love with Him.
May God bless you abundantly and fill you up with His love!
Love, Lorena

Antonio Rocco Ferrari

Antonio Rocco Ferrari

My nephew was born, Antonio Rocco Ferrari, to Gianni and Jennifer Ferrari on September 2, 2008, at 12:37 pm! Welcome Antonio to our family and our hearts. (picture coming soon...)

El Refugios Catapults

During our team retreat Juan Carlos divided us into two groups to create a catapult that would launch a baseball the farthest. Guess who won?

Their Catapult...


Our Catapult...



We had some disagreement on the definition of a catapult, so I looked up the word on dictionary.com:

cat·a·pult
–noun
1. an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc.
2. a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship.
3. British. a slingshot. –verb (used with object)
4. to hurl from a catapult.
5. to thrust or move quickly or suddenly: His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom.
6. British.
a. to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.
b. to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.

Lorena's Latest August 19, 2008

This was my team's "catapult"
The other teams catapult.August Facilitator Training: New facilitators - Paul, Pablo A., Belen, Germanico, Esteban (Pucho - Danny's brother), Carolina, and Anita (Pablo M's sister). The others are current facilitators that came to help with training.

Learning how to rescue someone from the high ropes course (some get tired and can't finish the course, so we go out to help them back to the platform).

Summer is winding down at El Refugio. We are catching our breaths and preparing for September. The facilitator training went very well. We trained seven new facilitators and all said they were thankful to be there for the week. This group had great opportunities to build friendships and learn to live in community. We ate one meal with our wrists tied together and some of them complained about how they were going to eat (they were hungry!), but by the end they wanted to keep their wrists tied because they were having so much fun together.

The day after training our El Refugio team (including spouses and children) went on a retreat together. Courtney (Juan Carlos' wife) and I organized the retreat. Saturday afternoon Juan Carlos facilitated games and activities that encouraged team building. We split up into two teams and were given the challenge to build a catapult. I am going to try to upload some video and photos so you can see how much fun we had launching the baseball! That evening we camped at El Refugio at the most popular campsite Kadesh. We roasted marshmallows and made smores and had a great time of worship with Paul Recheirt.

Sunday we divided up into three teams and video cameras. Each team had the challenge to video tape at least one team member with a variety of tasks. For example: Group video doing a slow motion sport. The teams had a lot of fun ending at our mystery location San Jorge. http://www.eco-lodgesanjorge.com/ It is a beautiful piece of property with lots of birds, hot tub, sauna, good food, and lots of trails. We enjoyed worship and sessions with each member of the leadership team. Thanks to Geneva Baptist Church, Emmanuel Faith Community Church, Southern Baptist leaders, and others we were able to surprise our team with their favorite snacks both sweet and salty. We had so much that we decided to put it on the table for the weekend and still had lots of left over. Thank you so much for your donations.

We are in the process of training two of our facilitators to be hosts. They are learning how to run a retreat group. Pablo is going to host his church's youth group for the first time this Saturday. Please pray for him. He is currently an intern at El Refugio until the end of August. He has decided to go back to school to improve his effectiveness as a Youth Pastor. He wants to go to seminary, but there are no good programs for Youth ministry, so we are in the process of helping him plan for his education.

Carlos will be co-hosting a retreat in September. He is really excited to grow with us and considering being an intern. Please pray for him and the decisions he needs to make about his future.

Many of our facilitators are from Iglesia Evangelica Biblica del Iñaquito located in Quito. This week they are taking the youth to Los Cerros on the coast. Danny is in charge of the games and outdoor activities. Esteban, Vicky, Jeff, Diego and Andres are also helping with the leadership of their annual camp. Please pray for them this week, that they would be servants and open to opportunities that God has placed in their paths.

I am excited to say that we currently have 24 facilitators in our program!! I have decided to divide them up into three groups. Each group will come to El Refugio for one weekend a month with one (or two weekends) open for them to come again. My goals are to focus on three areas with them: Biblical study, Service, and Technical skills. Next month I hope to take them rock climbing at a local rock wall, read and discuss the bible (beginning with the book of John), and help serve by working on the completion of the tree house.

Quick updates: Vanessa got a job! I met with her about two weeks ago for an hour and she seems very content yet full in her studies and her new job.

Doris has been busy with seminary classes, the job as administrator for children and singles at her church, and family crisis. Her mom did have surgery and has significantly improved her eye. Thank you for your prayers!

Continue to pray for the development of the Outdoor Education, specifically the Birds class. I am in the process of developing a research plan with a budget and could use prayer! Not my strength, but God willing it will work out. :)

God reminds me every day it is by His grace and strength that I am here. My prayer today is: Mighty God, help me to understand that I've been called by You to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

May God abundantly bless you, today. Thank you for your support and encouragement! Love, Lorena

PS. See more photos on my blog http:lorenaslatest.blogspot.com

Lorena's Latest July 27, 2008

It feels like summer is finally here! We have dry and dusty days and clear skies so that you can see the mountains (and volcanoes) clearly. Beautiful!

David, Danny, Adriana (Danny's sister) and I went to Guayaquil (Ecuador) to visit friends from the Galilea church that came to El Refugio in February. It was such a nice visit and so much warmer than Quito. We all laughed when they told us they were cold. We were able to visit the Santay Island where the church has a ministry to the 204 people who live there. We were priveledged to be a part of the Awana program that Saturday. The youth pastor Markos and his wife have some vacation time next month and are planning to come to El Refugio for a visit. My friends Alice, Omar and their children Jared and Aizza are coming, too. Adriana and I stayed at their home while visiting Guayaquil.

Roberto (an environmental student from a local university) has come to El Refugio twice for Bird observation. He has located 25 different types of birds, but we have many more! The first observation went well with lots of birds, but difficult to get a close look. The second was dry and not many were out, but we did locate a Merlin Falcon eating its catch. He is coming back out this week for another observation and we'll start at night to find nocturnal birds.

We have a youth group on the property from California, Emmanual Faith Community Church. They are working on a trail project in the cloud forest Maquipocuna which is 20 minutes away from El Refugio. They will be camping Monday to Wednesday. Please pray for safety and great opportunities to deepen their walks with Christ.

This week is finalizing plans for the facilitator retreat August 3 to 8 and the El Refugio (our team) retreat August 9 to 12. Please pray for new facilitators and that God would place it in their hearts to come, serve and draw closer to Him. Pray for the Emmanuel Faith youth group and safety while working as well as a profound impact from God on their lives. Pray for my week of organizing and planning that it would be glorifying and God-directed. Lastly, pray that God would direct and guide me in the research for environmental education, specifically the birds section at this point.

One of my devotionals this week (humility) "The richest testimonies come from people Christ has made whole and who still remember what it was like to be broken." My prayer to God is that He help me to accept His gift of grace and never think it is by my ability to be good or righteous. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" Romans 3:23-24.

God bless you all. Thank you so much for the support you give for me to be able to serve our precious God here in Ecuador. I wouldn't be here without you! Love, Lorena

Lorena's Latest July 6, 2008

Happy Independence Day! The Scholl family invited our team and some guests to celebrate with fireworks and sparklers. It was a good reminder of the freedom we have in the United States and the blessings of being a citizen.

The First Baptist Church of Geneva (youth) left last Tuesday. They were able to help us with many projects like work on the new low ropes course, pour cement for a new maintenance building, dig a trench to help with water run off, 2 day VBS program for local children, and much more! It was a good experience for some of our facilitators to work and play together with them.

The wedding for Zarina and Jose-friends from my local church-was lovely. The senior and youth/singles pastor both officiated the ceremony encouraging the couple that the bible was their manual for a successful marriage. There was also a Mariachi band and lots of blessings stated to them. I hope to have pictures soon.

Praise! A facilitator brought out a fellow college student who is in a similar field of study. He is planning to do part of his internship at El Refugio by observing birds and giving us a report his findings and on the best locations for bird watching! Thank you for praying.

This weekend (July 12) El Refugio is hosting an adventure race where we are in charge of control points. This is a one day race and a great opportunity to invite people to help and learn more about what we do. Please pray for the facilitators and the El Refugio team to have opportunities to share Jesus and do our job well.

The first week of August we will have the next Facilitator training. Please pray for wisdom to improve the program and that God would send the right people to participate. One of the current facilitators (began in March) has been having some struggles at home, college, personal and is asking to break her year agreement with us. Please pray for her (Gabby), her youth pastor, and me for wisdom to know how to help her.

A prayer request on a personal level...humility. Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." My desire is to live out this verse.

I don't believe I can thank you enough for the support you give me and the ministry at El Refugio. Thank you! I would not be here without you. My prayer is that God overfills your cup with joy and that you know how blessed you are.

Love, Lorena

Thank you letter (from Desempre)

Dear Bob,
This letter is to express a special thanks to all the team from Hacienda El Refugio who helped us during our event on June 5th and 6th.
Your help was very important for the success of the training. We wish to recognize thank everyone of the Hacienda facilitators and staff for being extremely helpful and collaborative with us. Thank you for being such a good example of Christian brothers. In a special way we want to thank the extra effort and time given by Lorena, Juan Carlos, Abby, Howard and Mathew.
Every one of clients was impressed by the organization of the training, and amazed by the beauty of the place. You really are doing a great job at keeping the place in its best shape.
Additionally, I want to let you know that during those days three people of the Sanduchitos Pura Vida Team received Jesus Christ as Savior, and 112 people were exposed to at least some Christian thoughts.
It was great to see our both teams working together as one team, and we look forward to continue to organize events that would glorify God and enhance our professionalism.
Best regards,
Oscar M. Aguirre
GERENTE INTERNACIONAL
DESEMPRE S.A.

Lorena's Latest June 23, 2008

Men hard at work in my new apartment. The first photo is Danny (front) and David (back) gluing the bathroom accessories to the walls and door.

The second photo is Danny's dad installing the fan/light that goes over the stove.

The apartment didn't come with an oven, but I have to make cookies and banana bread (etc.)! So...I bought one from my friends Jose and Zarina who are getting married on Saturday!

This will be the third wedding I am able to attend here in Ecuador, but the first that both the bride and groom are Ecuadorian. They attend the same church I do (Iglesia Evangelica Biblica de El Inca or Evangelical Bible Church of El Inca).

First Baptist Church of Geneva sent 48 members from the youth group to El Refugio on Thursday last week. I was honored to be able to take 8 of them to one of our partnering churches that sponsors two of our facilitators: Mary and Esteben. The church plans to send at least one more of their youth to our next facilitator training August 3 to 8th, please pray. We split the Geneva youth team to attend 6 of our partnering churches.

Today and tomorrow the youth from Geneva and El Refugio (along with a few facilitators) held a children's outreach program. We are running three stations: Puppets, crafts and games. I believe we had around 100 children come today! I hope to get pictures for next week's update. The children who memorized verses (and are old enough to read) received new testament bibles in Spanish. Please pray for the impact in the local communities for Christ through this outreach.

Thursday and Friday afternoons we will be running a team building program with the Geneva youth and some of the facilitators we have trained. Saturday afternoon we will be running a team building afternoon retreat with people from Extreme Response.

I was able to meet with Doris this morning! She had a great experience in Singapore (Hagaii Institute for leaders). She asked me to pray for her mom who is having surgery on her eye. Her mom went to a Cuban traveling clinic because it was free and the results were that they did not perform the surgery well and she may have lost sight in this eye. The other eye has little visibility. Please pray for Doris' mother's eye surgery on Friday.

This Wednesday and Thursday I have meetings scheduled at two local universities. I am looking for a professional in the environmental department to come to El Refugio and help me learn about the wildlife and systems (for example: natural water system) on the property to better take care of the property as well as have specific and correct information for the Environmental Education classes that I am developing/teaching. Please pray for God to put the right professionals (from the universities) to come and educate me as well as be able to develop a partnership with them.

Last Tuesday I took the morning to go on top of the mountain and pray and ask God for direction. God revealed to me a number of things. One of them was to remain faithful to His word. When God's word is constant in my mind it helps me be able to handle the ups and downs of life with a right perspective.

John 15:7-8 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Have a blessed week!
Lorena Ferrari

Lorena's Latest June 8, 2008

Last week we hosted our largest camp at El Refugio with 8 groups of 14 people plus 2 facilitators in each group. Each group had a full day of team building activities and survival skills training. In the evening they were sent to look for their food by compass and also given the opportunity to have chicken for dinner, but they had to kill it first. Only one group chose to do so at the protest of the women, but everyone had a great time.

Israel (one of our facilitators coming to El Refugio as part of his internship) is aclimating himself to our kitchen and how we run it. He had some good insight and suggestions that he plans to put together in a formal presentation.

Betsy, Katy, Diego P., David, Danny and I all went up to the tree house on Saturday to clean and tie knots for a net that will go below the tree house...adding to the multi-use. We all laughed and got frustrated with the rope. At lunch we discussed the option of allowing a guy to become a facilitator if he didn't agree with all aspects of the profile (job description). It was a great discussion that really helped each of us think about how to include and yet keep our standards.

Geneva Baptist Church (Illinois) has sent 4 families to El Refugio for the week. We have scheduled work projects with them and they are taking a trip to Banos to help with an orphanage there.

Next weekend we are hosting a group of about 22 youth from a Baptist church from a lower economic status. Please pray for us to share God's love with them, for them to have open hearts and that God shows us opportunities to glorify Him. Facilitators coming next weekend are: Gerson, Andres, Jeff and Mary.

Praise God for gas connected in my new apartment (I have hot water and can cook!)
Praise God for Danny's family who has welcomed me and helped me with getting settled.

Please pray for contact with Vanesa and Doris. I have not heard from either of them in a couple of weeks, which is unusual. Both are studying and probably in exams or projects. Doris is in seminary.

This month in my church we are discussing Spiritual Warfare. It was a good reminder to be aware of how I am feeling. 1 Peter 5:8 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Remember, God wants us to live in victory. John 8:31b-32" Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"

Until next week! Blessings to all.

Lorena's Latest May 2008

Hi Everyone!

I can hardly believe it is June 1st! We are still having lots of rain here, but today was a beautiful sunny day. So, to catch you all up on what’s been happening…

I was in Michigan late April/ early May to visit with supporters and was able to connect with a few of you I hadn’t seen in a while. Thank you for the encouragement and support you give me. I truly appreciate you. Woodside Bible Church has committed to continue support me in the El Refugio ministry for the next three years.

We have been preparing for a large group of 112 (plus facilitators and Desempre employees) to camp overnight and learn survival techniques this Thursday and Friday. The plan is to break them up into 8 groups of 14 and in the evening they will be given a live chicken with three options: 1) Keep it as a pet, 2) Set it free (we could have a few chickens running around the property after they leave), 3) Kill it and cook it for dinner. Most will probably choose option 3. The owner of the company is a Christian and we are excited about the opportunity to share our ministry and relationship with Christ. We also are preparing for a family team to arrive Friday evening.

Each weekend we have about four facilitators come to El Refugio to work with a retreat group or a project and build relationships. Last week Esteban, Monica (Monipos), Diego C, and Gerson came out and helped dig fire pits for the temporary campsites. We walked up on the property and spent time in prayer near the largest tree we have in the most unique ecosystem for the geographic location. I thought it would be fun to take them to see Indiana Jones 4, so we did that Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday, Vicki, Carlitos and Diego helped me with moving the last truckload. Brock and his children came too. (They are new missionaries with El Refugio.) Carlitos and I had a conversation about his desire to help the youth with sexual temptations. He said that weekend conferences aren’t enough. It needs to be consistent in our lives. I suggested that he start with a small group of guys and meet at least weekly for accountability. He really liked the idea but was concerned about trust and openness. Please pray for him and the guys he hopes to include.

This past week I have been packing and moving into a new apartment with a lot of help Juan Carlos and Matthew (El Refugio team members). The owner of the apartment is Danny’s aunt. They have been waiting for me to move into it, because they know they can trust me. They also gave me a good deal on rent. Please pray that gas will be connected soon so I can take hot showers, cook and do laundry. I pulled out my camping stove to heat up some vegetables.

Please pray for opportunities to connect and build relationships with the two companies Desempre is bringing to El Refugio this week. Also pray for the facilitators who are coming to help Diego P, Betsy, and Katy. Israel has decided that he wants to do his internship with El Refugio, so he is observing how we operate the kitchen and staff and will write up procedures and improvements for us! Hurray!

Remember my friend Vanessa (she likes to be called Vane). She met with a spiritual counselor (David’s mom) a week and a half ago and it really helped her. Please pray she will continue to meet with her and strengthen her faith from the disappointments she has had in ministry.

There is always so much to tell. It has been suggested to try weekly email updates, so pray that I will be disciplined and have time to send out weekly updates. Until next week!

Blessings!
Lorena Ferrari
Leadership Development Coordinator
El Refugio / Youth World / International Teams
www.haciendaelrefugio.org / www.youthworld.org.ec / www.iteams.org

Lorena's Latest Feb. 2008

Youth World Women's Retreat (hike at Papallacta)

Visit with Vanesa

Miguel's Birthday Wet Soccer Game Gang

Carnaval: Carlitos, Diego, Pucho with water balloons for Capture the Flag

El Inca (my local church) David, Jessica and I with the youth group

Iglesia Galilea from Guayaquil

February has been very rainy and everything is so green. At El Refugio we have been getting just bits of sun each day. The beginning of the month was helping Matt Lankorst and Howard Scholl finish up the Professional Training Center. Leader Mundial held a conference in the new building as well as team building activities with our staff with leaders from around the world http://web.mac.com/leadermundial/Leader_Mundial/LM1_Summit_08.html. You can also see some great photos from this site of the conference and activities at El Refugio.


Fat Tuesday is called Carnaval here in Ecuador. I invited the facilitators to my home for pizza and Capture the Flag with water balloons. I made seven layer jello salad for the first time and it was a hit! We also discussed the profile or requirements of a Facilitator and asked them to consider whether God was leading them to be involved in our training program. We have received 3 signed commitments and are expecting to receive more by the first training date March 7th.


Feb. 8th to 10th was the first Youth World Women's Retreat. We drove in cars to Papallacta to fellowship and feed on God's Word in Colossians by Diani Cevallos (Juan Carlos's aunt). It was a great lesson and reminder to focus on how great is our God and how we should live..."And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17


February 11th through 22nd we hosted Iglesia Galilea from Guayaquil. The first week 7 of their youth leaders came to be trained as Facilitators. The second week we hosted our first Ecuadorian youth "camp" with 19 of their youth. One of the youth leaders said to me, "This place is different. Other camps have been fun, but at the end of the week, I am ready to go home. This time, I want to stay." His name is Pablo Castro and he feels God's calling to invest more of his life and time in our training program. Please pray for Pablo's fears to overcome financial difficulties.


While most of the leaders left Friday and returned Monday with the youth, Jessica Morales stayed in my home for the weekend. She and David came with me to give a talk about Missions to my local church's youth group meeting. We went to visit Vanesa at her parents home in Quito in the evening. Please pray for Vanesa as God is allowing her to experience some challenges, that she would make wise choices and seek His will. Sunday we went to church and to Miguel's 22nd birthday party at Casa Gabriel. Miguel's favorite hobby is soccer, so even though is was raining, a group of about 20 of us went to play, me included and got soaking wet! It was worth it.


This next week we are hosting an overnight retreat for Academia Cotopaxi 7th grade. Please pray for a great experience and hearts that are open to hear God's voice.


Facilitator training starts March 7th and will be held each weekend in March. Please pray that God would send those He wants to partcipate and that their schedules would be cleared with the support of their church and pastors.


Also pray for the youth of my local church Iglesia Evangelica Biblica El Inca (we call it El Inca for short). The youth leaders were scheduled to come for a leadership retreat and the youth pastor Felix cancelled. I found out that until a couple of weeks ago all of the pastors in our church have full time jobs as well as their roles as pastors. We now have one full time pastor (new) and four others including the senior pastor who hold other full time jobs.


I encourage you to read Colossians 3. God's has gifted us with His grace although not deserving and we need to show that grace to others. It is not easy, but He gives us the strength and desire to accomplish it.


May God fill you with His grace to overflowing so that it may pour out on everyone you come in contact with this week. I thank Him for each of you.

PS. Good news! I am going to be an aunt! My brother and sister-in-law are pregnant and due in September. Praise God, and please pray that God would take care of this new baby growing!

Love and hugs, Lorena Ferrari
Leadership Development Coordinator
El Refugio / Youth World / International Teams

http://www.lorenaslatest.blogspot.com/