They looked defeated. After trying over ten times, they still could not do it. They were tired. I could see it in their eyes. Why even continue? I was facilitating a group of Ecuadorian Master’s degree candidates from a university in downtown Quito. I had brought them to one of our low ropes elements called […]
force.
I learned an interesting lesson in ‘force’ a week and a half ago. Really, I blame the whole thing on Pinterest. You see, we have a really nice outdoor space at our house here in Calacalí. However, we haven’t given it a ton of attention– though we’d like to! And of course, when you […]
Adventure Camp 2013: Todo Terreno
This past summer provided a great deal of joy and blessings to many. For me personally, it’s important to express the impact of adventure camp, because beyond what the staff had planned God used this time to act in the lives of both campers and their counselors. I clearly remember two nights during the camp, Tuesday and Thursday, […]
Not So Great Expectations
By the end of July I was absolutely spent. After three months of North American work teams and plenty of times lifting sand and rock to make concrete, I had nothing left to give; however, the first week of August, we held an adventure camp for Ecuadorians ages 12 to 17. I told myself I only […]
Shepherd.
For some reason the idea of a shepherd has really been striking me recently. I guess the first reason is related to language. In the english language ‘shepherd’ is a profession of someone who cares for sheep as a living. In the church we often refer to pastors as being shepherds. The interesting thing in […]
Serving In Ecuador.
Since College, I’ve longed to work at a camp. I have desired to give kids from disadvantaged backgrounds opportunities to experience things in life that they would have never been able to otherwise and to change the world one kid at a time. My dream, while still there, took a slight detour. I began a career in […]
Quito Quest Intern Profile: Jacob McCleery
What exactly is a refuge? The dictionary definition is a place of protection from trouble or harm; a place relief and escape. I’m here to tell you that Hacienda El Refugio is just that. Who am I? Let me tell you. My name is Jacob McCleery. I’m 19 years old, and I’m a student at […]
Shoeless | Descalzo
One of the core values of Hacienda El Refugio is “Retreat in Nature.” Beyond being a core value, it is a major life mark that we are hoping to see in the lives of those who come through our gates. Over the course of the next 6 months, we as a ministry are going to […]
Living at / Vivir en / El Refugio
Please note that this entry is both written in spanish and english Danny and I, 24 and 23 years old respectively, both came to know Hacienda El Refugio seven years ago, but Danny began to work here approximately five years ago. Time continued to pass, and by the grace of God Danny and I were […]
Fronteras Intern Profile: Pamela Jaramillo
The ‘camp-life’ is definitely not the most glamorous in the world, but if you need to stop, listen to your heart, and above all listen to the voice of God speaking into your life, it is definitely the most suitable place for this to happen. At the beginning of the Fronteras program, seven months ago, […]
