A Birthday, A Celebration and A Wedding

Before our summer really gets going I just wanted to share some pictures from events "non work" related during the month of April and May.  While we are so far from home, we feel very blessed to be able to share different occasions with our friends here.  Although holiday's are sometimes the hardest days for us, it helps to have a team who shower us with support and love.

Celebrating Howie's Birthday with our team

All the workers came to celebrate Howie's Birthday, by the end of the day he had three cakes made for him.

Celebrating Easter with some of our favorite people

Sandi, Mary and Courtney at the cake table for the wedding

Celebrating the wedding of  Miguel and Desire

Because I know Bob is interested...

Juan Carlos and Howie on the front face of the wall.

Side of the wall clockwise from the front

Wilmar on the back of the wall, the most difficult one as I understand it.

Introducing Bryce Reimer (guy at the top of the wall) our operations summer intern.  He is from the great state of Kansas and a graduate of John Brown University on his way to Physical Therapy School in the fall.

Saying goodbye to Andres'

     Four years ago, when we arrived at El Refugio, Andres and Marlena had just gotten married.  If memory serves me well, we arrived on February 26th and they had gotten married February 14th.  Andres served as our guard and the family lived in the guard house on property.  Over the 4 years they had two baby girls, Katerine and Jaris.  Marlena is originally from Peru and with their growing family they felt like it was best for them to live closer to her family.  We will miss them very much and pray for God's blessing on their lives.

Marlena y  Andres as newlyweds

Katerine, Andres', Jaris and Marlena

     The whole family went to Peru this last Christmas.  Marlena and the girls stayed and Andres came back to get all the paper work in order.  On his last day in the country we threw him a "Despedida" (farewell party) with a full lunch and time of encouragement and praying for he and his family. 

     As I said in an earlier blog, people come and go through our lives.  This is the first, full time worker to leave and it was hard on everyone on property. For me, saying goodbye has become something that I would prefer to avoid, like the plague.  This is my hope for heaven and what I cling too, "No more good-byes!"

Andres' and family

Enrique, his wife Alicia and Andres'

Lunch of Arroz con Pollo with staff