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