Introducing New Staff at El Refugio

Ryan third from right with team from 2008

Ryan and Erica Coryell 2011

We have two new members to our El Refugio staff.  The Coryell's arrived at that end of January to work with our Programming Director Juan Carlos Cevellos.  Ryan actually came down with a team three years ago to build our swing set that many kids (and adults) have enjoyed since then.  They come from North Carolina and have many gifts to offer to our team.  Erica lived in Mexico for several months and is fluent in Spanish, Ryan is now in intensive Spanish classes to acquire the language as quickly as possible.  They will primarily be working with and mentoring our facilitators.

It is a testimony to God and His work in the lives of His children.  As with us, the Coryells first came down to serve with a team and during that time God got a hold of their hearts.  Three years later, they are now living and working right along side us to further the kingdom of God. 

"Waguar Sholl"

When we first arrived to El Refugio I was having a hard time remembering all the names of the workers.  At the time, we had a team here on property, and one of the women was trying to help me with our head workers name.  His name is Holgar pronounced "olhair", but she told me just to think in my mind "Old Hair".  It took me quite a bit of time to get that out of my brain every time I talked with him.  

This last Christmas we had a similar thing happen in reverse.  We received a letter from the local barrio "Santa Maria Magdalena".  Basically, the letter was inviting us to a celebration and would we donate some fireworks.  The letter was addressed to "Senor Waguar Sholl".  We got quite a laugh at how they had translated Howard's name.  We have known since our arrival here that "Howard" is a hard name for Ecuadorians to pronounce.  The letter was just evidence.  I told him I thought it was quite dignified and he might just want to seriously think about changing it permanently from Howard to Waguar. 

Sincerely, Waguar or Senor Waguar or Abuelo Waguar yes quite fetching I'd say old chap :)  The letter was signed "Cordialmente"  Yes indeed.