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Olsens  Jim Olsen  | El Refugio Director  | jim@haciendaelrefugio.org | Suzy Olsen | Guest Services Director & Short-Term Teams | suzy@haciendaelrefugio.org | Kaia, Espen, Eloise, Ava, Iris, & Ezra Olsen |  www.olsensinecuador.com

Jim and Suzy Olsen arrived in Ecuador in 2012. They have six children and live on the El Refugio property. Their first daughter, Kaia, was born on February 3rd, 2012; their son Espen was born on April 30th, 2014; Eloise (Ella) was born on November 30th, 2016; Ava was born on January 20th, 2018; Iris was born on August 13th, 2020; and, Ezra was born on February 15th ,2022. Jim and Suzy met while pursuing their undergraduate degrees at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. The Olsens lived in Big Sky, MT for two years after getting married in December of 2006, and lived in Ithaca, NY for just over three years prior to their move to Ecuador in 2012. Suzy is from Fargo, ND and Jim calls both NY and MN ‘home.’

Jim stepped in as Interim Director of El Refugio in August of 2016. In June of 2017 he formally started as El Refugio’s Director. Jim is the son of a Pastor and began formally taking part in missions during the summers of 2003 – 2005, participating in a national program called ‘Summer Servant Teams’. In college he served at a Bible Camp in Minnesota (Inspiration Point Bible Camp) and after graduation from college he and Suzy co-managed the outdoor youth adventure program at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, MT. The Olsens lived in Ithaca, NY from 2008 – 2011 where he and Suzy served on the global missions committee and worked together as part-time worship coordinators at Bethel Grove Bible Church. The Olsens have a love for the outdoors and relational ministry and feel very much at home living in Calacalí, Ecuador.

To learn more about the Olsens and their story, visit their website, www.OlsensInEcuador.com.

 
 

Piedad   Doña Piedad Albarracín | Housekeeping & Kitchen Staff

Doña Piedad joined our housekeeping and kitchen staff in the summer of 2013. Her son, Pablo, has been a facilitator with El Refugio for several years, so her joining our staff was a natural extension of an existing relationship and has been a huge blessing. Piedad has a true heart of a servant and is very involved in her local church. She lives in Caspigasí, a small town between Calacalí and San Antonio. After several groups requesting pig dinners over the years, Doña Piedad took it upon herself to volunteer as the staff member to feed and care for a pig we could raise and have on property for such occasions. So, she is our in-house pig farmer as well!

 

bormans   Rick and Sue Borman | North American Representatives | rick@haciendaelrefugio.org

Rick and Sue Borman have served with One Collective since 1998. In 1999, they were part of the founding of a camp ministry in the mountains of Ecuador called “El Refugio” and Rick served as the first Director. They continue to be involved in that ministry to date.

Rick and Sue live in Michigan, are parents to 7 children, and primarily work with US mission teams, recruitment of interns and missionary staff, and fundraising for projects. Rick travels to Ecuador frequently supporting the work of El Refugio and leading short term mission teams.

 

Aurelio   Aurelio Bustamante | Property Staff

Aurelio is Cofán and is from a village called Sinangüé. Being Cofán, naturally Aurelio’s first language is Cofán, not Spanish. Not only does he speak Spanish very well, but he has attended English classes held at El Refugio with the desire to grow in his ability to converse with others in English. Aurelio plays guitar, sings, and has written many of his own songs. In addition to being a great musician (his music is for sale in our store), he is also a pastor. Aurelio has four children, two of whom still live with him here on the El Refugio property.

 

Enrique   Enrique Cajas | Property Staff

Enrique is a member of our property staff and specializes in agriculture. The bulls that many often see plowing the corn fields at El Refugio, or simply wandering the property, belong to Enrique. Enrique is very involved in local, community level government. His warm smile and inviting personality make it easy for our summer team members to connect well with with Enrique, despite the language barrier.

Christensons Nate Christenson |  Creative Team Specialist | nate@haciendaelrefugio.org | Britta Christenson | Gift Shop Manager & Internships | britta@haciendaelrefugio.org

Nate and Britta Christenson arrived in Ecuador in 2021. Britta comes from Minnesota and Nate grew up as a missionary kid in China, with Minnesotan roots. They met and worked together at Inspiration Point Christian Camp and Retreat Center where they developed a passion for camp ministry and working in support roles. Nate works in multimedia, maintaining the website and providing promotional materials for El Refugio’s various programs. Britta works as store manager and helps to maintain the gardens. They both host North American short-term teams as well as intentionally invest in the students that take part in the internship programs.

 

Coryells    Ryan Coryell | Director of Internships | ryan@haciendaelrefguio.org | Erica Coryell | Finances | erica@haciendaelrefugio.com |  Caleb, Evan & Joel

Ryan and Erica Coryell arrived in Ecuador in January of 2011. They are from Greensboro, NC and worked in Refugee Resettlement prior to coming to Ecuador. Erica is in charge of El Refugio’s finances and Ryan provides leadership to our program team, his primary focus being on discipleship and leadership development. Ryan also oversees all of our intern programs throughout the year at El Refugio. Ryan and Erica have served as house parents in our discipleship and community house, and their desire to walk and do life alongside others is evident in the way they live their lives.

 

Harjus Tyler Harju |  Internships Coordinator | tyler@haciendaelrefugio.org | Jordan Harju | Internships Administrator | jordan@haciendaelrefugio.org

Tyler and Jordan arrived in Ecuador in September of 2021. The Harjus met in the summer of 2017, introduced through mutual friends in upstate New York. They spent that summer working at Camp-of-the-Woods, hiking, building fires, and enjoying each others’ company. Jordan accepted a full-time job at Camp that fall, while Tyler was already working year round. In February of 2018 they were dating, February of 2019 were engaged, and 5 months later were married.

Both Tyler and Jordan went through the LIFT (Leaders in Further Training) discipleship program at Camp-of-the-Woods. That time in solidified their faith, brought about incredible relationships and community, and ultimately set them on the path the Lord revealed. As they look back at their time being a part of the LIFT program and on staff, they see how God uniquely prepared them for El Refugio.

At El Refugio the Harjus serve as houseparents, mentors, backpacking guides, mission teams hosts, and help with the on-going logistics and development of our various discipleship and intern programs.

Jacksons Covey Jackson |  Micro Business and Occupational Health & Safety | covey@haciendaelrefugio.org | Courtney Jackson | Short-Term Teams Administrator & Reception | courtney@haciendaelrefugio.org

Covey and Courtney are from Denver, Colorado and joined the Hacienda El Refugio Team in February 2022. They met in high school and got married in July of 2018. Covey is our Micro-Business coordinator and works with resources produced on property to create quality products and opportunities for others to learn business skills. In his free time Covey enjoys gardening and growing microgreens. Courtney is in charge of coordinating our short term teams. She works directly with the leadership of these teams to plan out their time on property. Courtney loves to read and spend intentional time with people. As a couple the Jacksons love to play board games and pickleball.

Jessy   Jessica Jami | Retreats Coordinator | info@haciendaelrefugio.org

As our Retreats Coordinator, Jessica is the staff member who walks through the process of informing, scheduling, and taking care of groups who are interested in doing our programming and all that we offer. She was born in Puyo (the Pastaza province) and graduated from University in 2013 with a degree in tourism.

Jessica began her involvement with El Refugio during her University practicums while also taking part in our ‘Aire Libre’ program as an intern in 2012. That time made a huge impact in her life and influenced her decision making, developing in her the desire to pursue opportunities where she could best be used to serve the Lord.

During her time living in Shell and Puyo she had the opportunity to serve in her local church with young adults and on the leadership team for home groups (Bible study groups), while also being a part of the leadership team of Young Life, Ecuador. In both cases, she focused intentionally on relationally rich friendships and discipleship. She loves working with young adults. Jessica joined the staff of El Refugio in February of 2015.

 
 

Anita   Anita Pallo | Housekeeping & Kitchen Staff

Anita and her family live in the neighborhood beside El Refugio, known as Magdalena. She has been a member of our housekeeping and kitchen staff since 2010. Anita always greets you with a smile and is a deeply valued member of our staff. Family is a deep value of Anita’s, and on the weekends she plays soccer on a local women’s team.

 

Danny   Daniel Peñaloza | Director of Retreats | daniel@haciendaelrefugio.org | Katy Roldan | katy@haciendaelrefugio.org | Finance Assistant | Abigail and Aaron

Danny began his involvement with El Refugio as a facilitator. He became an intern, a part-time staff member, and eventually a full-time team staff member. Danny has served as an interim Program Director and currently provides leadership to our program team in conjunction with Ryan Coryell. Danny loves working with his hands. He has built and designed almost every component of our low and high ropes course elements and is in charge of ropes course maintenance. Danny is also very skilled with woodworking and has built many functional, wood furniture pieces as well as artistic pieces. Danny’s wife, Katy, is also very involved in our ministry. In addition to being a full-time mom and trained facilitator, Katy works part-time in our finance department, overseeing monthly expense reports and helping Erica with group payments and other aspects of our finances. Danny and Katy have become integral to our ministry.

 
 

benji Benjamín Pozo | Retreat Designer | benji@haciendaelrefugio.org

Benjamin has been with Hacienda El Refugio since 2018, when he first became involved as a volunteer counselor for our ‘Adventure Camp’ for youth in the month of August. In that year he trained with us as a facilitator and since then he has supported the ministry in different areas but mainly on the program area.

Benji is currently serving as a retreat designer, is getting involved in backpacking expeditions, and also works alongside short-term teams from the United States in the summertime. Hacienda El Refugio has become a place where he has been able to realize that God can be served in different ways, especially through his creation.

 
 
 

SotoFamily  Holger Soto | Property Manager | holger@haciendaelrefugio.org | Angélica Paladines | Housekeeping & Kitchen Staff

Holger and Angelica live in Calacalí and are parents to Kenner, Bladimir, and Rebekah. Holger was one of El Refugio’s first staff members. Rick Borman hired his father to work at El Refugio in the early days of the ministry and Holger was hired in 2000. Holger is a talented jack-of-all trades and pays incredible attention to detail. Holger has a great sense of humor and is currently leading our property staff team. Angélica is not only an excellent cook, but she has also learned to make some incredible desserts. Angélica provides leadership to the housekeeping and Kitchen staff under Israel’s supervision and continues to grow in her current role. Angélica and Holger live across the street from Anita’s family in Magdelena. Their two families are very close.

 

Watsons   Robbie Watson | robbie@haciendaelrefugio.org | Stephanie Watson | stephanie@haciendaelrefugio.org | Ivy, Iona, and Shepherd

Robbie and Stephanie Watson began serving at El Refugio in September 2020. Married since 2011, they have three children: Ivy, Iona, and Shepherd. They served previously in other One Collective locations, working with refugees and those in poverty in Italy, Rwanda, and Scotland. Robbie holds a Master of Education degree in community development from the University of Glasgow. He oversees partnerships with other ministries and churches in Ecuador, helping local community leaders do what they do better. Robbie leads many classes and ministry outings with the various internship programs at El Refugio, as well as teaching community development with the Living and Learning study abroad program in Quito. Stephanie also helps with the internship programs, mentoring and facilitating classes and discussions, as well as coordinating internal communications within Youth World.

Karen  Karen Elisa Yanchapaxi | karen@haciendaelrefugio.org | Adventure Designer

Karen is a member of our Retreats team. She was born born in Quito, but has indigenous roots from the Province of Cotopaxi. Karen es miembro del equipo de Retiros, nació en Quito y es de raíces indígenas de la provincia de Cotopaxi.

Karen was first exposed to El Refugio in 2015 as a volunteer for our 5k mud race, known as ‘Todo Lodo.’ In 2019 she made the decision to be trained as a facilitator and serve as a volunteer and counselor with Adventure Camp, our traditional youth camp in the month of August. A year later she took part in our ‘Alturas’ 3-month internship which affirmed her commitment to experiential education, community, and service.

Karen’s role is ‘Adventure Designer’ on our retreats team, but additionally she loves to write and is an avid photographer. Karen is grateful to be able to ministry working directly with people and to play a small role in the work that our Creator began in each participant who comes to El Refugio.

 

Jorge   Jorge Yánez | Property Staff

Jorge is from Calacalí and works on our property staff, helping with maintenance and various building projects. Jorge joined the El Refugio team in 2016 as a part-time worker, helping us with the Dining Hall project. After seeing his abilities and humble heart, we hired Jorge full-time. He is a great addition to our property staff.

 

Staff

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