Lessons Learned from the Cevellos'

Total Hacienda El Refugio Staff

Howie, Mary, Courtney and Juan Carlos

Dany, Katy, Courtney and Juan Carlos

Juan Carlos, our Program Director announced at the beginning of the year that God was calling him to another ministry with a position to train leaders all over Latin America.  This is actually a great fit for he and Courtney as their hearts have always been focused on discipleship.  They have been increasingly concerned for the many leaders who they have come into contact with here at El Refugio, and who is following up with them once they leave.  This announcement came while they were in the States on furlough.  So, in February they came to Ecuador so we could celebrate with them and have a despedida, which is a going away party.

For Howie and I, while we send them off with our blessings and prayers, this was a little bittersweet.  Because, although Juan Carlos and Courtney are our kids ages, for whatever reason, we developed a friendship of mutual trust and respect.  Well, actually I have an idea as to why.  For you to understand, let me share a few snapshots of our time together over the last six years, a photo opp, the prayer card and an appropriate response.

As many of you know, each year Howie helps out with the Extreme Response Christmas Parties.  Because he does that, he is given up to seventy food bags to distribute to the poor in our area.  The first year we went to deliver the bags, everything was loaded into the truck.  I told them to wait because I forgot my camera.  Juan Carlos was very clear that no cameras were to be brought.  Why?  The response was, "what are your motives for bringing your camera?"  Motives.  And the next question, "Is this time really about the photo opp, or is it about giving food to these people, while allowing them to retain their dignity?"  From that point on, my perspective has shifted, and many times I choose not to bring my camera.  As a result I am constantly weighing my motives behind the picture I take.

For a long time Juan Carlos and Courtney didn't have a prayer card.  When we pressed them, saying we would like to have their bright and smiley faces on our prayer wall, they were very adamant that they would not have a prayer card.  Why?  "Because prayer cards are really just a way to get people to give you money", was the answer.  Well, on this point, we respectfully disagreed, because we know people who do faithfully pray for us as a result of having our prayer card on their refrigerator.  In time, they did finally have a prayer card made and yes, we do pray for them.

Finally, really the thing that linked our hearts, is Juan Carlos and Courtney's ability to respond to situations in the lives of the people around them with such sensitivity to the Spirit.  This happened the first time when Nicole lost her first baby, a boy.  Juan Carlos couldn't find us fast enough, to pray with us for Nicole and Jay during that time.  Then, about two and half years ago, Howie and I received some particularly hard news, yet didn't share it with anyone.  Howie's response was to become difficult and mine was to just isolate myself.  On a particular day in June, everything came to a head, and you just need to know it wasn't pretty.  Juan Carlos came to us and asked what on earth was going on?  When we told him, he sobbed and then prayed for us.  When Courtney arrived she did the same.  And since then, they both continue to pray.  In that moment, they personified for us the appropriate response of a believer in Jesus Christ.

So, will we miss them?  Yep.  Does it hurt?  Yep.  Do we bless them?  Absolutely!  I mean, let's face it they weren't perfect.  There were literally days, during work that I wanted to kill Juan Carlos.  He is indeed a "button pusher".  But, for me a person who avoids confrontation at all cost, that was good for me.  Will I miss it?  Nope.  OK, maybe a little.