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
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