Rick and Cheryl’s mission to Honduras and first foray into volunteer work among the poor in another country has come to an end. We enjoyed a fitting conclusion to our journey as we spent time with the global workers of the Latin American/Caribbean region at their retreat in Orlando. We were privileged to be invited to attend the retreat as we were just short-term workers - not full-time global workers who have moved from their homes in Canada and given significant portions of their lives to ministry among the poor and oppressed in countries around the world. We met more than 40 global workers who serve in places like Haiti, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Dominican Republic. We were honoured and humbled to talk with them and learn snippets of their stories.

At Blue River park - a Manatee refuge close to Orlando

We met the Redmans who have been in southern Brazil for the past 11 years. They operate a facility for troubled youth who are sent to them by the courts. The young people live in "families" of 8 youth per house, each with 2 house “moms” who alternate weeks. The centre rescues hundreds of kids and provides a stable environment, love, and mentoring for as long as they are able. The Redmans are the only “foreigners” working in the ministry and they have found favour with the government and local communities. We met the Aragons who facilitate sponsorship for almost 400 elementary school students in Guatemala, paying all education fees through the ChildCarePlus program so they can attend school. They also host many short term teams of Canadians who come to help at a vocational training centre in Guatemala City. We met the Thomases and deWeerds who have started a seminary for national pastors in the Dominican Republic, most of whom have no formal theological education and therefore are not recognized by the government as clergy. The seminary will not only enhance the knowledge, resources, and capacity to teach and minister to their congregations, but also allow these spiritual leaders to eventually be ordained and accredited to perform marriages and funerals. 

Some of the global workers we met have young children, some have teenagers, some are separated from their grown children back in Canada, and some are single women. All of them have a passion for the place to which God has called them. All of them have sacrificed their own comforts and professional opportunities to serve the marginalized. They face daily challenges of overwhelming need, scarce resources, loneliness, and tight finances.  Their willingness to serve was a given, and it was obvious that they receive the strength and support they need in supernatural ways. Also at the retreat were members of the support team from Canada who provide coaching, administration, financial reporting, and leadership to the 50 or so workers in the region.  The Regional Director and his spouse and ministry partner have an incredible team working with them, and it was a time of growth and learning for us as we watched, listened, and experienced the love and support they provide to their regional team members. 

James and Colleen (Regional Directors) took us to a genuine southern BBQ joint.  Two orders of ribs
was more than enough for the four of us.

All of these amazing people can only do this work through the ongoing support of people back home. All global workers have partners who have committed to support them through regular financial donations and encouragement through email, Skype, personal visits, and of course prayer, which is such a vital component of this kind of work. 

Will we become part or full time members of this team? We will wait and listen for God's call. We do not feel called to go back to Honduras for a number of reasons, but in the new year we may visit the churches in Victoria, BC that support Mision Verdad y Vida. It may also be that Rick is needed to do some leadership training in various locations or other needs that fit our skill set may come up. In the meantime, we will process what we have learned over the last few months and endeavour to live missionally in Regina. We plan to get our house ready for sale in the spring, as that is a necessary step in freeing ourselves to be available if we are called upon to return to Latin America. We have enrolled in a Spanish class for the winter so we don't completely lose what we've learned. As our future unfolds in 2016, you'll be the first to know what's next for the Ashtons. We are humbled and grateful that you have journeyed with us thus far.