Abel
“I have HIV. I came to the foundation thanks to an invitation to participate in the support group meetings that are held here at A.R. every Tuesday afternoon.I work at A.R. two days a week doing some cleaning and anything else they need me for.”
Note: Abel still comes regularily, but does not work at Alto Refugio.
Alana
Alana is quiet but always found with a smile on her face. She comes in with her little 1 ½ year old, Jennifer. At first, Alana was helping in the kitchen but now does a great job as our main cleaner. For her, the greatest help comes through free medications she receives, as well as diapers for daughter. One can tell right away, however, that Alto Refugio means a lot more to her than that. “This place is like a home to me. When I’m here I feel good, I feel calm.”
Note: Alana is no longer working at Alto Refugio.
Amelia
“I am 51 years old and found out about A.R. through a newspaper article that told of a place of refuge that existed for people living with AIDS. About 2 years ago I got my test results that showed I was HIV+, and then I learned that only God could help me. I turned to Him because I was suffering a lot and was in pain and angry. It was then that I turned my life over to Him. What I like best is being a volunteer at A.R. on Mondays (in the kitchen) and Tuesdays (with cleaning). May the Lord prosper you so that you can continue supporting us and the ministry.”
Celia
Celia is the “chief” in the house. She is also in charge of handling any clothes that are donated or sold at clothing sales. “I’ve been here from the beginning, mostly because of my adopted daughter, Angela, who has HIV. I give thanks to God that there are people who send their blessings – because they are blessings, not donations – so that we can have that which is so important: food, medicine, clothes – everything. I want to especially thank those that are helping contribute toward my daughter’s upcoming surgery. Because of the neglect of her biological mother, she did not receive the nutrition that she needed and her legs did not develop correctly. I’m so thankful for the love that Angela gets here, and for the love that all those with HIV receive, because that is what they need more than anything. Everything that we get with the donations is important, not one thing more than another. But, what matters the most is that it is coming with love. We can say “you are my brother, it doesn’t matter that you have HIV.”
“Coco” Pablino
Coco is a gentle, good-natured man who does a wonderful job as Alto Refugio’s chaplain. “Gods word tells us that it is better to give than to receive. Our best example comes from Jesus, who did exactly that. We are giving on behalf of all of you, our donors and we are so grateful for your help. By the amount of people that come in daily, we see how important this ministry is to those who are living with HIV/AIDS. It is important that the Spirit accompanies us as we give the material, whether it be a lot that we are giving or just a little. I can see this in the people – the joy when they receive help, and how it gives them strength. THAT is my biggest satisfaction in working here, and it is why we are here. I pray that God will continue to bless all of you and your work, so that you will be able to keep giving because we see the good that it is doing here.”
Dayse
“I am from Brazil, married to a pastor and together we have come to Paraguay to work as missionaries. I have a daughter, Joana, who is 19 years old. I have been in Paraguay since April, 2000. I was first introduced to A.R. in October, 2005 my work there is to promote activities and events to raise funds as well as to prepare projects that will promote A.R.”
Note: Dayse is working in another ministry in Asuncion in the present.
Gustavo
Gustavo helps in the kitchen 2 days a week with cleaning, washing dishes and more. “I’m 26 years old and infected with HIV. It’s been 8 months since I (Thanks be to God) quit taking drugs”, he says, “For me, the most important thing is the spiritual part we recieve and also that we can share our problems freely with anyone.”
Note: Gustavo has moved to Argentina.
Hannah
(Dave and Judy’s niece that came for the month of June to volunteer)
“I really learned a lot in the short time I was at Alto Refugio. I felt like I was on holy ground when many of them tru! sted me with their stories of traumatic experiences. I have rarely been around people who have suffered as much as some of them have – both physically and emotionally. At the same time, they are able to live with joy and pray with such sincerity. For many of them God is truly their only hope, something that I have so much to learn about. One of the greatest things I learned at Alto Refugio was about Love. When you think about it, what Alto Refugio gives is small – a free meal and some free medication. However, to these people it is huge, because it is given with love. Love is what Alto Refugio is all about, and what makes it so much more than a handout. It is an opportunity to know Jesus and to feel his love through real ways and through real people who love Him. While at Alto Refugio I became passionate about love and about serving people, and I hope that the passion can continue in my life no matter what I am doing.”
Juana
Juana is a very hard worker, and is in charge of cleaning the house as well as helping out in the kitchen. “It is important to me to serve and live for God. He has given me a new life and another chance after being very sick awhile back. Since I don’t have any money to give to God, my greatest desire is to serve Him with my life. The donations we get here are very important, and they especially help us out in the area of medication because medicine is very expensive here. I’m very grateful for all the donors and their good hearts which give and allow Alto Refugio to run. I always ask God to give me strength and patience to keep serving and giving as well.”
Laura
“I am 18 years old and come as a volunteer on Tues., Wed. and Fri. My job is to do the accounting and other work on the computer. I am very pleased to be able to participate in this place. I got to know this ministry through my dad, Blas Arevalos, who lived with AIDS for 8 years. On the morning of the 25th of Feb./05, the Lord took him to be in His glory. My mom and I do not have AIDS, but we were in the daily battle with my dad and that was what brought us closer to God because He is the only one that gives us strength to continue. We thank the Most High that there are people like you who are helping in this work. May God continue to bless you and your family more every day.”
Note: Laura is no longer working with us.
Lorena
Lorena is a young volunteer that helps on Wednesdays and Fridays at the front desk. She has a special gift of making people feel special and loved. “I am so grateful that there are people that donate, because it is very important for us. Each and every different kind of donation – they all have value for us. We see that there are many people that have a lot of needs, and even if we can’t help in terms of medicine, we can at least give some food or other things that are donated to us to give out. I’m very grateful becuase thanks to your donations, this place can function.”
Note: Lorena has married and is no longer working at Alto Refugio.
Maria Luisa
Maria Luisa comes in once a week as our seamstress, as well as having the joy of keeping us all laughing, both which she does well! She is a wonder on the sewing machine and can make something beautiful out of any piece of cloth. “Don’t throw away any of your clothes!” she says with a laugh. When asked what she sees as the most important contribution Alto Refugio provides, she says: “We use the donations for many things – and they are all very important, but I think just to have a place to come and rest and have breakfast or lunch makes the biggest difference. We are anxious for the day that Alto Refugio will be open the entire week instead of just three days, because the presence of Pastor Dave in the hospital helps a great deal. For those admitted in the hospital visits come very far in between. So thats why we’re waiting for it to be open each day of the week. Oh, and any clothes you don’t use we can transform and adapt… that’s why I’m here! So don’t throw anything away!”
Note: Maria Luisa has moved to Argentina.
Melanie
“I am Melanie Dyck and work as a volunteer once a week. It has now been three years that I have been a part of A.R. I came to know A.R. through my studies at Asuncion Bible Institute.Now I am in nurses training, which is one more asset that I intend to use to serve the people living with HIV/Aids and this way serve God.”
Note: Melanie has since finished her studies and is presently working full time at Alto Refugio as the AIDS Education Coordinator
Monica
“My name is Monica and I am 36 years old with 4 children. As a volunteer, I have a very important job – educating the people of Paraguay about AIDS and how to prevent it. I suppose I am one of the most daring of A.R., because up till now I am one of the few people with AIDS who has been willing to show my face to the media. Blas Arevalos did too, but he passed away a year ago. I started sharing publicly 2 months ago. My main goal is that all the people that live with HIV/AIDS can break that mystery that people see in this sickness, that we can slowly destroy the discrimination that we, the infected, suffer. I dream of a world were all of us who have been infected can live free, secure and without discrimination. The only thing I have left to say is to tell you that your future depends on the decisions that you make today.”
Note: Monica is no longer working at Alto Refugio, but there are several others who “show their face” to the public.
Sandra
Sandra is a young single mother who has seen a lot in her short 20 years of life. “I first got to know Alto Refugio when my sister, Lili, was sick in the hospital and my mom needed help. She felt so alone and needed emotional help. Coming to AR helped her spiritualy more than anything else she had tried and gave her strength to continue living. There were times when they helped her with things like food and medications when she was in the hospital. Lili spent her best days here at High Refuge, because she loved Dave and Judy, and she was happy when they were around. She believed and loved God till the end.” Sandra’s sister died at the young age of 16, in 2002, and her mom died a couple years later. “My mom told me that I should continue helping at High Refuge even though she wouldn’t be there for me.”
A Poem written by a teenager who was taking care of his brother who was admitted in the hospital because of HIV/AIDS.
I used to think that when my boat sinks,
it would be the end of the road for me.
The waves of the relentless seas defy my walk of life;
with destructive force and rage it devours humanity.
I used to believe that my boat was battered,
that the ferocious waters swallowed me up
and that the darkness persecuted me.
I thought that it was impossible to go back to the top
when I fell into the abyss.
I have forgotten that God created the mountaintop
not to be climbed upon but for us to stay on;
and that God did not give us the boat to have it shipwrecked
but to help us survive and stay afloat in the deep ocean.
I have understood that God made other boats stronger than mine,
not out of injustice, but because He knew that I would need them someday.
Today He knew that I needed them so he placed them in my way.
Now I feel that my boat floats toward firm land,
pulled by those boats that taught me that sadness does not end a war;
that when it seems as though it is the end of rejoicing,
one can know that the waves cannot sink a boat guided by God.
All that is left for me to do now is give thanks to all the people who showed me how to see that God places His hands of love on his desperate child;
who helped me keep my boat (my faith) afloat.
And to God in His great love,
did not forget me in my suffering.
He made me remember that the sea I was exploring
was not that one He meant for me.
To my almighty God I owe Him my faith and devotion.
To all the members of High Refuge Ministry.
Thank You for giving me faith.
