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.
Jun 24, 2008
Jun 23, 2008
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
Jun 8, 2008
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.
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.
Jun 2, 2008
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
