well as being immersed in child sponsorship ministries for Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Although it is never good for a husband to be gone on Mother's Day, David has another shot as it is celebrated in August here in Costa Rica (and December in Panama--man this could get expensive!). Speaking of Panama, the trip was a blessing in many ways. The first two days were spent in evangelism training workshops as David assisted Bernie Slingerland. These workshops help identify p
eople with a passion for planting new cell groups. Each person who feels God's call to start a new cell group in their community receives Bibles and discipleship materials to help with this new work. Materials are available to help these cell groups grow including to the point of forming new churches if this is God's plan.One of the Three Locks of the Panama Canal
The rest of David's time was spent working with a team comprised of Malone College students from Canton, OH, and Panamanians from local Nazarene churches.
The attitude of the team was fantastic as they braved heat and water deficiencies (on the days we lacked water for bathing the team agreed that God somehow took away the ability to smell each other--a true praise!) . The team worked in two different communities. The first community included painting a local basketball/soccer asphalt court, cleaning the park area, Bible schools and showing the Jesus Film.We spent more time in the second area which is named Paso Blanco. Here we helped with the foundation and making the trusses for a building that will serve as a dining room for children and hopefully soon, a new church. The pastor of the mother church, Pastor Eduardo, shared that Paso Blanco is one of the oldest communities around Panama City. This used to be a settlement area for slaves. Unfortunately, although slavery has been abolished, the cycle of poverty and low priority for education has kept these same people in chains for many years.
However God can set the captives free and Pastor Eduardo is rejoicing in what Jesus Christ is already doing in this area. The church started offering meals in the community four years ago and is currently feeding about 150 children each Saturday. The team had over a 100 children for Bible School and saw a great response to the Jesus Film (including our bus driver's helper Rolando--God is good!).
VBS in Paso Blanco
While we rejoiced at being home together from the 15th to the 18th, Shelley left for Panama yesterday with Tami Buell, coordinator for compassionate ministries for the area, to meet a medical team in Panama. While we miss Shelley, I (David) am excited that she will be able to serve in some of the same places and meet some of the same people I was with this month. I also know that our brothers and sisters in Panama will be looking forward to meeting my "media naranja" (that's Spanish for my better half). Panama is known as the Bridge of the World, Heart of the Universe and we are so thankful for the love and friendships we have formed in Panama in a very short time.
This picture is in front of the original dining room in Paso Blanco built 4 years ago with the founders Max and Marlen with Gladys one of the dedicated helpers.
Prayer requests this week:
- Please pray for God's protection and guidance for Shelley and Tami in their travels in Panama
- Please pray for Joshua and Kayley (and David) as we study for the kids final tests this week
- Please pray for Joseph. He is a 14 year old who accepted Christ as Lord and Savior about 2 months ago during a Maxima Mision here in Costa Rica. He has pelvic cancer. I will share more about him soon.
Thanks again for the love and support of so many people...we appreciate your prayers and your encouragement more than we can ever share. May Jesus open all our hearts more everyday to the joy and life that He alone gives!
Que Dios les bendiga, (May God bless you)
David, Shelley, Joshua and Kayley Webb
