PWM
(Partnership in Women's Ministry)
Nov 24, 2009
El Refugio:
I would like to first apologize for last month’s update. For some technical reason, the written material was never posted, though the photos were updated. I am hoping to have last month’s update archived so that you can read it. October was a very emotional month with a story needing to be shared.
1) A new arrival at El Refugio
We would like to begin this update by wishing each of you a very “Merry Christmas”! I am happy to share that this has been a very exciting month in El Refugio. With the help and vision of one of the ladies in the shelter, Rosita, we have begun our first micro-enterprise. Rosita has created some wonderful jewelry made with coffee beans. She has been able to have a table at three different venues and the sales were very encouraging. One of the ladies who had been in the shelter almost one year ago came back to work on making this jewelry with Rosita’s oversight. It gave her the opportunity to make some money as well as learn a trade that she can continue doing out of her home. We have great hopes that the jewelry-making will provide an income opportunity for many of the ladies coming through our doors . We are also hoping to find ways through our website to have this jewelry available for sale in the future.
One of the most encouraging parts of this story is the empowering that has taken place in Rosita’s life. Working the tables at the venues she has attended has helped her in her healing journey. She seems to have much more confidence in herself and in the woman God created her to be. She continues to receive weekly counseling and seems happier each time I see her.
2) A beauty school near the shelter has offered
free haircuts and facials to all the ladies and
children that entered El Refugio this year.
To balance this happy update, I feel the need to share a down side as well. A young pregnant woman entered the shelter with her two- year-old son earlier this week. She had been beaten and threatened by her drug dealer boyfriend. After three days of receiving love and encouragement, she felt the need to steal money from a recent sale Rosita made and flee the shelter in search of a fix. It turns out that her crack addiction had not yet run its course, and she felt compelled to return to her abusive life and get her fix. Unfortunately, she took her son with her and has put her pregnancy at risk. She left a note in her room asking for forgiveness and hopes to return to the shelter someday, though Pamela and Karla don’t believe that will happen.
3) The jewelry table that was set up at the Anacafe Expo.
As the year comes to an end, we would ask that you would prayerfully consider a year-end gift to El Refugio. This has been a very rewarding and at times challenging year for the shelter. We are so thankful for the opportunity to have our doors open for those in need when so many other shelters have closed their doors. Please continue to pray for God’s healing power in the lives of these hurting women.
4) Sales opportunities at a Christmas Bazaar
5) More of the jewelry that was available for sale.
Blessings,
Chris and Mike
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