True Grit: Extreme Needs Impact Joe and Julie Wendel

Like many people, Joe and Julie Wendel statistically comprehended the humanitarian needs in other countries. However, the Noblesville, Indiana, couple was busy raising two sons, running a successful business, and enjoying many fulfilling relationships with friends.

They were happy to help support people like Ruth Arteaga, a friend of Julie’s for 25 years, who is on staff with Extreme Response (ER) in Quito, Ecuador. The Wendels also knew Paul and Susan Fernane, who serve in Ecuador through ER.

Then Julie agreed to join a volunteer team headed to Ecuador to help throw Christmas parties in some impoverished areas of Quito.

The stories of Ruth, Paul and Susan became more than just stories. They became personal and very real. They had their concepts of overseas volunteer trips turned upside down. Julie has returned to Ecuador twice more to volunteer.

“Prior to going on my first ER Christmas team trip, I had a lot of preconceived ideas on what it meant to help people, such as digging wells and building buildings,” Julie Wendel said.

“Volunteering through Extreme Response was the perfect first volunteer trip. There is so much interaction with the people you are helping. You see the grit of their lives. The trip makes it more personal and impacts your perspective.

“Christmas at home in Indiana has not been the same,” she added. “Our involvement with Extreme Response gives us a different view of our stuff. We’ve been challenged to live and give sacrificially.

“We have focused our giving on needs-based ministries that focus upon orphans, widows and children who are marginalized in societies throughout the world. ER is a critical and trusted partner in these efforts. We are on a giving journey with real goals that we are challenged and burdened to reach.

“Leader Mundial (ER’s leadership training arm) has been one of the most influential things in our lives. Joe has been impacted deeply by the chance to pour into leaders in other parts of the world. He Skypes regularly with Gabriel Kpodi, who leads a school for refugees in Ivory Coast.

“One of the things we love about Extreme Response is that it is small enough to know everyone and, as a result, there is a naturally higher level of accountability. From a donor perspective, it’s exciting to be part of an organization filled with people we love caring for people we want to help. At the same time we are provided opportunities to get to meet those we want to help and love them with more than just money.”

by Tim Fausch

The Leader Mundial (Global Leader) Summit was held in April of 2009 in Quito, Ecuador.  Leader Mundial is thrilled to partner with Extreme Response to provide leadership training and ongoing development to a number of Extreme Response partners through our leadership summit and through ongoing partnership with these leaders.

This year, 9 of the leaders that attended the Summit are Extreme Response Partners.  The goal is to provide these leaders with training, resources, coaching and a community of leaders to connect with .

This year, Jerry Carnill, President of Extreme Response, was able to challenge the entire community of leaders in their approach to humanitarian work around the world, and as a result, a number of the leaders that aren’t currently involved with Extreme Response are exploring opportunities for deeper partnership and connection.

It’s been excited to see the relationship between Extreme Response and Leader Mundial deepen over the past 3 years.  Our goal together is to help our leaders and partners to become better leaders, impacting their organizations and their countries!

submitted by Russ Cline