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