Wedding Photos

Jul 23, 2009

Lorena's Latest July, 2009

Hi Everyone,
This is my last week and a half in Ecuador! I have been packing, giving, selling, and donating my things getting ready to head home to Michigan. The last few weeks I have also had goodbye visits with people I haven't seen in months or won't be able to see again before I leave.
Refugio update: We have raised approximately $325 monthly which is sufficient to hire one Ecuadorian full time with a little extra to help pay expenses that they may incur in adventure trips or training. The plan is to propose that David Meza be the person El Refugio hires and the Leadership Team of El Refugio will be making that decision within the next month when all members are present in Ecuador. Facilitator training is taking place this month with 8 new trainees!! Thank you to those who have agreed to continue or start supporting monthly and we ask that everyone continue to remember El Refugio in your prayers.
I cannot express enough gratitude for how much this experience has meant to me, being a part of the El Refugio ministry as well as learning and falling in love with the Ecuadorian people and the country that has so much to offer. It is because of your faithfulness and generosity that made this possible. May God bless you abundantly for your faithfulness and fill you to overflowing with His riches as He sees fit to not only meet your needs but exceed your expectations.
Some have asked about my financial support. International Teams policy for full time missionaries returning to the field is to continue with a salary for up to 3 months. I have asked for one month (the end of August) to have enough time to get settled in and find a place to work. If you need to make a decision to choose one to support the El Refugio Leadership Development or me, please choose the Leadership Development. Support can be sent to:
International Teams USA
411 West River Road
Elgin IL 60123
Please specify with a note that you would like to donate the support to “El Refugio Leadership Development” or “Lorena Ferrari”.
Prayer Requests:
• Transition home (Esther and Sarah are coming for my last week!)
• Facilitator training that they would catch the vision and passion for El Refugio
• For the Leadership Team of El Refugio and the process of a new Director
Much love and see you soon!
Lorena
Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Ecclesiastes 2:26a “For God gives to a man that is good in His sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy”
Here are some photos that Kristyn Carter took while here visiting. We also had a great time visiting with the Woodside Youth especially when they came to El Refugio for a day!






















































May 18, 2009

Lorena's Latest Spring, 2009

Enjoy these photos of some of the events that have happened in the past few months...


Youth World Ladies Luncheon hosted by Sandy Miller.





















The restaurant at La Ronda in downtown Quito. (Matt, Agus - my roommate, Megan - 3 month intern, me, David, Paul - 6 month intern, and Israel)









George - the largest sea turtle discovered - statue at the Guayllabamba Zoo











View from the Zoo of the town













Agus, Megan and me









Punta Centinela beach








Ivy, me and Fernando (Ivy is searching for answers, pray for God to show her what she needs)









Desempre team - flew us to the resort to facilitate a corporate team building conference





Casa Gabriel boys celebrated my birthday by decorating and flowers and confetti!!! It was so fun and really sweet.





Prayer Requests:
  • Preparing for transition
  • Raising funds to financially support David and Carolina as Leadership Development Coordinators
  • Juan Carlos returning to Ecuador beginning of June and travel and adjustment for his family
  • God would give our team wisdom and discernment and unity to be able to serve Him in our ministry and our lives

Thank you so much for your faithfulness. May God show you that He loves you and is in control of everything that is happening in our lives.

Feb 8, 2009

Lorena's Latest February 2009

Youth World International recently hosted our annual meetings (now called annual team conference). The first day joined all five ministry areas (El Refugio, Casa Gabriel, Short Term Teams, ISM, and La Red) and children at El Refugio for worship, fellowship, and playing together which included trying out the new high ropes static course. We were priviledged to have Scott Olson, International Teams USA president, provide trust and leadership training. He was an encouragement to me and I appreciated his vision and vulnerability to be real with us. Each ministry area also gave reports on 2008 and future goals.

David and Carolina joined the annual meetings as they are transitioning into the role of Leadership Development Coordinator. Please pray for wisdom and direction in discipling them and teaching them my responsibilities. Pray for David and Carolina to manage their time wisely and use the talents, gifts and skills to glorify God in this process and role. Both are very excited about this opportunity and are a little nervous about the responsibility. Both of them have a strong desire to see God work in their lives and love to help others grow in their relationships with God, too. I am working on a prayer card for them and a letter with an opportunity to support them prayerfully and financially.

Israel is a facilitator who is transitioning into the role of Retreat Coordinator and will be taking over Abby's position when she leaves this spring. Please pray for Abby and Israel to work through this transition and for both making major transitions in their lives. Israel is a loving and talented guy who's heart is for everyone to know Jesus. He is a faithful leader in his church and has been a wonderful asset to our El Refugio team. We are very excited to have him join us!





Viviana (the girl on the right) is the girl I mentioned in the last update who accepted Christ as her Savior at El Refugio. She went back to Columbia to finish her degree in Business Administration. Please pray for her new life in Christ and for God to give her hope, friends to encourage her, and strength to live for Him. Pray that she would believe what the Bible say is true and live it out. She has been struggling with some things in her past and with the belief that God has truly accepted her.


The trust training included conflict resolution. What do you do with conflict? Some run from it, some use it as manipulation, and some embrace it recognizing that conflict helps us grow. Conflict is unavoidable! I have been realizing that conflict exists and it is better to expect it, so that I can deal with it in a Godly way.

In the last few weeks there have been a few young women who have come to me for counseling, comfort, and prayer. I have seen so many women who have been abused as young girls who are suffering the consequences of that hurt. Please pray that God would give me the wisdom to love on them and help them to find healing in the power of forgiveness and confession that only Jesus can give.

Thank you so much for your continued support. I love my work here and I see God working everyday. I am so blessed by your encouragement of our ministry. Know that God is working in and through you. By the grace of God we exist to serve Him.

Serving together with you in love, Lorena

Jan 4, 2009

Celebration!!

Last night I was honored to lead a young woman from Columbia into praying a prayer of salvation! What a blessing to see God working in this woman's life and her brother's, too.

Please pray for Viviana and her brother Philipe. They will be staying in Ecuador for the next six months and live in the same apartment complex as me. I had great conversations with both of them and they are ready for a change in their lives and watching to see what God will do next.

Jan 1, 2009

Lorena's Latest January 1, 2009



Happy New Year!!
Last night I celebrated with a few friends and we went to a popular section of Quito where they have models of a traditional "Viejo" which is the Old Man representing the current year. They attach papers with notes or testaments about the things they want to burn away with the year and start fresh in the New Year. Some men dress up as "Widows" and show off their talents in the streets, stopping cars and asking for money. Some are quite funny!
Good News!!
Carolina Corrales has accepted to work with us in the process of replacing me with two facilitators. That means that she and David Meza will be working together. This was a huge blessing for me and a reminder that God is in control. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Stay tuned for more information about how you can be a part of this process of transition!
Love, Lorena