Just like everyone else in this world, I have good days and bad days. There are even times when our bad days can turn into bad weeks, bad chapters, even bad seasons of life. But, in recent years I’ve noticed something on those bad days— especially the ones that start out with the potential of […]
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Staff Profile: Jessica Jami
Jessy Ramos Jami, 28, has been the Retreat Coordinator at El Refugio for nearly 2 years. The first time she came to El Refugio as an intern in 2012, she saw something completely different than she had ever experienced before. “I was used to only learning about God through programs within the church,” Jessy says. […]
Backpacking
Backpacking Written by: Grace Fabry Six interns and two El Refugio Staff members headed out to Yungilla for a two-day backpacking trip. For some of the interns this was their first time hiking with weight and carrying all of their essentials. The idea behind this excursion was for it to be a trip to get accustomed to […]
In my weakness, He is strong
Written by: Briar Hanlon, Current Alturas Intern Though I have only been here at El Refugio for a short time, it has been packed full of amazing experiences and life lessons. This month has tested me the most, but it has been in leaning into the discomfort that I have been able to learn and grow. Throughout the […]
An Alturas Experience
My name is Camila. I’m 23 years old and am from Bogotá, Columbia. Perhaps while reading this you’re asking yourself, “Why is someone like her from a different country going to Ecuador for an adventure like this?” For this reason I’m going to explain a little bit about my past month at El Refugio and […]
First Lutheran in Ecuador – Day 6
Hello from El Refugio! I’m Molly, the Member Relations & Event Manager at First Lutheran. Where to begin…our experience has been so wonderful so far. Today is our Day 6, but let me go back to the beginning to paint a picture of what we have experienced until now. Our first day, we had a […]
Westover Church Visiting El Refugio! -Day #1
Climbing Mountains: ¡Que Chimborazo!
Written by: Michael Basuini Many people describe me as “chill,” “laid-back” or “even quelled,” and I completely agree; those 3 things characterize me very well. I am not easily angered or frustrated, and even when I am super happy and excited, it is not overly obvious. But, I have found that there is one thing […]
Backpacking Expeditions: Daily surprised by the Love of God.
Written by: Maiibe Morales Just four days before the backpacking expedition would be leaving, Esteban surprised me with a phone call, asking, “What’s up, Maiibe? What are you doing next week?” In that moment of my life I had just been finishing up the necessary papers to enter and study in a local university. I […]
Oyacachi: Stuck in the Muck.
As the shouts of joy died down, I will never forget the sound of all of the little voices yelling, ‘Nnnoooooo!!!’ Thirty five of us pulled into Oyacachi on a bus just two days earlier, with about five of us having visited the town previously. The group I was with is from Camp-Of-The-Woods, a camp […]
