It has been a while since I have posted an update and so much has happened in the meantime. I’m currently back in the States, but I wanted to dedicate a few posts to what my team has been up to since my last update. After leaving Dunamis, my team had the opportunity to work with El Refugio, which is a Christian camp at serves to teach people about the Lord through nature and outdoor adventures. While there, we were able to form relationships and work alongside six interns at the camp and with some of the staff. I definitely felt outside of my comfort zone as I was tasked with macheteing trails and transporting materials around on tractors.
On weekdays, my team had the chance to work with the staff on numerous projects around the camp’s property. We helped with building a gazebo, maintenance work around the property, and assisting with building other structures around the property. I learned how to do things I would have never tried at home like using a weed wacker, lawn mower, drill, and saw. Even though no one on my team was particularly skilled with using tools, the El Refugio staff was so patient in teaching us and guiding us along the way. It was so amazing to work alongside them and learn from their expertise. Also, the construction staff we worked with spoke little to no English. Even though language was a barrier, they never lost patience with my team and we always worked together to figure out what the goal of a project might be. Never would I have thought that I would have been in Ecuador figuring out out to measure and cut wood with someone who only spoke Spanish. I was able to see the patience and kindness of the Lord through the staff who never belittled us for not understanding or being skilled in construction.
On the weekends, my team worked alongside the interns at the camp to clear new trails along the mountainside for people to use. We used hoes and machetes to clear away all the greenery and make new paths. During this the Lord taught me a lot about challenge and finding joy in all tasks because it was one of the most difficult tasks I have found myself faced with. Even though it wasn’t the most glamorous job, these trails that we were clearing would be used by attendees of the camp and could help them learn more about the Lord through dwelling in His creation. I had to continue to remind myself of this when I felt like my efforts would be fruitless. Also while working on the trails, my team was able to form close relationships with the interns. During our time working together, we were able to talk and have fun while digging up countless scorpions and tarantulas. These new friendships were such a blessing and made leaving El Refugio truly heartbreaking. Even though goodbyes are always hard, I am so thankful for everything I learned and all the relationships I made at this ministry.
Here are some of my favorite glimpses of our ministry at El Refugio.
Here is how we spent Easter:
We spent the morning having a service on top of a mountain.
And we spent the afternoon doing team time.
I spent some time weed wacking.
Some before and after photos of the trails.
Cleaning roof tile:
