Laurie Anderson
Board President
My husband Dan and I both grew up on the mission field. After college we returned and have been serving in Guatemala, Colombia and Spain since 1995. We have two grown children, Sarah and Joshua, and a son-in law, Connor. The Lord put El Refugio on my heart since it was founded but my primary ministry at the time was at Christian Academy of Guatemala. I am thrilled that God has opened the doors and placed me at El Refugio. I have a passion for these dear women that need spiritual and emotional healing. My greatest desire is to help guide and lead them to Jesus.
Amanda Juillard
Board Vice President
My husband, two boys and I moved to Guatemala from Tennessee in 2014. Earlier that year I did a Google search of my 4 favorite things (coffee, jewelry, Guatemala, and women’s ministries), and the top match was El Refugio. Two years later, I was asked to join the board and am now serving as the jewelry coordinator. I have enjoyed creating new designs for the women at the shelter to make and love spending time with them working on the pieces while working on my Spanish. I would love to see the jewelry side of El Refugio expand and help the women who need a new start by providing them with some finances and a new skill.
Jessie Larimer
Board Volunteer Missionary
Jessie Larimer, her husband Eric, and three children have been missionaries in Guatemala since 2005. Jessie has worked with El Refugio since it was founded in 2006. Jessie has a heart for sharing the hope and healing found through Jesus Christ to the women in Guatemala who are crushed and suffering under the weight of abuse.
Marcy Brink
Board Volunteer Missionary
Marcy, her husband Jason, and four kids moved to Guatemala in 2017 after having lived in Peru for two years. Upon arriving in Guatemala, Marcy began working with a ministry in one of the red light districts. However, after one year she began to spend more time at El Refugio. She joined the board in the fall of 2019. She is thrilled to be a part of a wonderful team with a kingdom focus to care for woman and see firsthand the healing power of Jesus Christ.
Rachel Regner
Stateside Board Member
Rachel has been on the board since 2012 and has had various supportive roles at El Refugio over the years, ranging from teaching English to the women and children at the shelter to managing the micro enterprise jewelry business. Rachel has a degree in Psychology and Latin American Studies from the University of Wisconsin and has spent time in several other countries in Latin America for studies and mission trips. Currently, Rachel is living in Milwaukee, WI and working with children and families at a social services agency. God has given her a unique passion for understanding the people and culture of Guatemala and caring for the opressed and mistreated.