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.
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!
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.