La Boda de Dany y Katy ~ Dany and Katy's Wedding

Howie, Mariana, Katy y Dany

First I have to tell you about Dany and our history with him.  When we first came to El Refugio, Dany came about the same time as an Ecuadorian facilitator/intern for one year.  We had absolutely no communication with him for two reasons, our lack of Spanish and the way he spoke Spanish using slang and how fast he spoke.  Over the course of time, we learned Spanish and he learned English.  Howie and Dany developed a close relationship, and we have come to view him as our "Ecuadorian son".  

To give an example, when we were preparing for our furlough Howie decided to make wooden magnets for our supporters.  Eighty of them.  They were little discs and he wood burned the Refugio logo on each one.  Dany found out and each evening he would show up at our doorstep with his wood burner and help Howie out.  They would talk and you could tell by their conversation, they shared many common interests.  

One evening Dany was telling us that he was going to propose to Katy his longtime girlfriend.  So we started brain storming with him about what that would look like, conspiring with Israel (another Ecuadorian friend) and two other missionary friends we put together Dany's proposal day and evening. 

After that we were busy preparing to leave for our furlough, but before we left Dany and Katy asked Howie and I to be their Padrinos at their wedding.  While they were asking us, I was very aware this was a matter of great importance and honor and I think our question was, what does this mean?  Basically, they want us to be their spiritual mentors and encourage them in their relationship with Christ and each other.  Absolutely, that is something we can do, in fact would love to do.  

So on July 7, 2012 Dany and Katy were married here at El Refugio and Howie and I were honored to be their Padrinos, which meant much to my dismay that we were walked in after the parents and we got to sit at the head table.  What a blessing to be a part of their wedding day and to witness them commit their lives to each other and to serving Jesus as their Savior.

Dany y Katy as husband and wife

First dance

Seated at the head table while Israel acts as Master of Ceremony

Los Padrinos!