Webb Page Newsletter September 07

The Webb Page

September 2007

The months of July, August and September have been filled many adventures for the Webb family.

Read on to learn more…

Teams and More Teams

We were privileged to work with two different work and witness teams during these three months. The first was a group from Carlsbad, California who worked very hard in children’s ministries and in construction of the new MAC Area Leadership building. They are already planning a youth trip for August of 2008. We can’t wait!

The second was a group from Michigan that worked in the north part of Nicaragua on a new church building in La Carbonera. David enjoyed his time with this team and in addition much headway was made on the new structure.

Children from La Carbonera helping with the construction.

The other team during this period was a Jesus Film team that brought equipment and helped with showings in Panama. David had a great time getting to know those on the team and looks forward to seeing some of them this coming weekend in Portland at the Work and Witness conference.

Time with Family

We did manage to sneak in a few days of rest in the midst of all the activities. In July, David’s mom and sister from Iowa made a visit to Costa Rica. We had a great time exploring La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which we highly recommend to everyone visiting here. And of course we saw the amazing Poas volcano. It is not everyday you can look down into a volcano!

David’s mom, Virginia, then David and his sister Tina.

In August, we took a few days off to spend at the beach. We had promised the kids a beach trip before school started and we nearly ran out of time, but finally we found 3 days in a row to get away. The beach was great and even though we got some sunburns, it was great fun to ride the waves and walk on the beach.

Trouble in Paradise

In September, Hurricane Felix decided to make his name known in Central America. David was visiting the area of Puerto Cabezas to prepare for a Jesus Film team that will visit in February 2008 when Felix decided to make landfall. It was quite an experience for him as he had not been in the center of a hurricane before, but God protected David and the other leaders from harm. The devastation is vast from this storm and people there will be rebuilding for a long time.

A photo of the devastation from the airplane

Back to Class
The kids returned to school after summer break and are now back in the routine of things. Kayley danced in the Costa Rican Independence Day Celebration and Joshua is considering going out for basketball later this fall. They have both enjoyed the school more this semester probably because they are more accustomed to it and know more kids. We’re thankful.

Kayley’s class dressed up for the event. Kayley is on the far left near the back.

Upcoming Events
Well, David is in the states now for Work and Witness conventions in Ohio and Portland as well as a quick trip to Tennessee to preach at our home church. After that trip there are plans to visit different places within Costa Rica to do some Evangelism Training. Then another trip to Southeast Nicaragua to minister there. In November each district will have their conventions. Not sure if we’ll make it to them all, but at least to some of them.

Shelley would like to visit the north part of Nicaragua in early December to visit the two Child Development Centers there, but those plans are still in process.

Deputation Services 2009

Yes, I know 2009 seems a long way off, but already we are booking dates for services in June, July and August of 2009. If you are interested in having the Webb Family visit your church or district, you can contact us directly at swebb@nazmac.org or dwebb@nacmac.org. Dates are filling fast and June is already nearly full, so let us know so we don’t miss your area in 2009.

This has been a good three months of ministry. We especially thank you for your prayers for David while in Puerto Cabezas. We were sure glad to see him arrive home from that trip!

God bless you all,

The Webb Family

Costa Rican Independence Day

Hello All,
This week has been busy making preparations for the teams that will arrive in 2008 as well as getting ready for David's trip to the US (Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa and Oregon). We did mange to find time to visit the American Embassy here in San Jose, not just because we wanted a taste of home, but more because David had run out of pages in his passport. They added them fairly quickly and we only spent a morning there.

Today is Independence Day in Costa Rica. The kids' school held a ceremony including the singing of many Costa Rican hymns and anthems as well as typical dancing. Here is Kayley showing off the outfit we borrowed from a new friend. She looked darling.



Afterwards there was a short parade in the dark with lanterns that the children had made. (Seemed like a fire hazard to me with these little paper boxes holding lit candles while small children swing them around, but that was just my perspective and no one else was bothered by this danger.) There were lots of typical Costa Rican foods, like rice and chicken, beans, tamales, and even hot dogs with cabbage on top (strange!). Here is Kayley standing in front of the food price list with her make up and hair fixed with flowers.



And then the special surprise of fireworks. They were really quite good and we all enjoyed them, especially since there was no rain. It was a beautiful night.

We hope your week has gone well. We ask you to continue praying for those affected by Hurricane Felix. It is easy for us to forget, but the people there are still trying to pick up the pieces. We are excited that a team will be headed to Puerto Cabezas in February to assist in whatever way they can. Personally, we are thankful that the kids have gotten off to a good start to the school year, much better than last semester.

We are already making plans for our deputation services we will be holding during our home assignment in 2009. We will be available from June-August of 2009 but the month of June is already full, so if you are interested in having us speak at your church in 2009, please contact us immediately to make these arrangements. You can email us at swebb@nazmac.org.



God bless you all. Have a great week!

The Webb Family

Safe and Sound

Dear Friends and Family,
We are glad to report that David arrived home safely on Thursday night, a little earlier than expected. His desire for his own bed and shower overrode his tiredness. If you have read the earlier posts you already know that David was in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua when Hurricane Felix hit this town of 60,000 people on the eastern coast of north Nicaragua.



The latest reports say that anywhere between 100 and 200 people died in the area. A Nicaragua newspaper says that the true number will never be known. Almost all homes were at least damaged and many, many destroyed as they do not have the resources to build very strong homes. Here is a view from the air as David left the area.



It was difficult for David and the other leaders to leave the area in such bad condition with people homeless, without food, water or electricity. But there was nothing more they could do to help without resources. They were pleased to see in line at the airport in Managua a electrical crew apparently headed out to restore power to Puerto Cabezas as quickly as possible.



The local Nazarene church was one of many ruined by the rain and wind. You can see a before and after picture here. The pastor and his wife lived in a section of the church, which is now uninhabitable. Please pray for them.



The Nicaraguan churches in Managua are preparing a trip to the area to bring supplies like clothing and food. By land it will take 22 or more hours to drive there since the mountain roads are in bad condition. Pray for this group as they prepare for this ministry trip.

This week we are thankful for a home with a roof that blocks the rain and wind, for food, water, and electricity. Keep praying with us for the people in Puerto Cabezas and other areas affected by Hurricane Felix as the people begin to clean up and start again.

Thanks for your prayers with last week. We appreciate you all,
David, Shelley, Joshua and Kayley

UPDATE on David and FELIX

Final Update: September 5, 2007

Well, the wild adventure has ended as David and his coworkers arrived safely in Managua late this morning. They managed to get on the only plane leaving the area of Puerto Cabezas today. They left a couple hours late since they wanted to be sure everyone that needed to leave was able to board.

David said they heard by radio that 115 people died from the storm in Puerto Cabezas. And David verified that one of the church walls has fallen in and the roof is mostly off. It is unusable for now. The area still has no electricity or water and it may be sometime before the poles and lines are restored.

Thanks for your prayers, but keep praying as this storm continues over Guatemala and then into Mexico. The rain in those areas can be devastating from both the flooding and the mudslides in the mountains.

Shelley

Latest Update, September 4, 2007 10:30am
Although David did not share this information with me, I have learned from our Regional Director, Dr. Saenz, that there is extensive damage in Puerto Cabezas. (I should not have believed David when he acted like all was fine and it wasn't a big deal. Dr. Saenz says his reaction is a sign of a good missionary!)



On the map above, in the location of the red center of the storm is the area of Puerto Cabezas. The local Nazarene church is destroyed as well as the home of the Pastor. Most homes have lost at least their roofs and many destroyed completely. There is no electricity. Please pray for this region as they begin to recover from the devastation. Thankfully David and the other leaders on the ground are safe. They will leave when it is possible, but it may be not possible for a couple of days. Thanks for your prayers.

Shelley


Latest Update: September 4, 2007 7:30 am
This is Tuesday morning and I just received a call from David. He is safe and sound in Puerto Cabezas. They found a strong 2 story hotel and stayed there for the night. They will not be able to leave today as their are no flights with the strong winds, but they will try to fly to Managua tomorrow. He said he can't see too much damage where he is located except for some roof sheets blown off. I could hear the wind in the background as we had a quick visit and he said it is still very strong and his question was, "When is this storm moving past us?" So, we are thankful David and the other leaders are well this morning.

Thanks for your prayers.
Shelley and the kids




September 3, 2007 pm
Hey Everyone,
Well, I just wrote this morning how David and two other leaders (Oseas, the District Superintendent of Nicaragua Central and Eleizel, the Work and Witness director) traveled early this morning to Puerto Cabezas. I have just learned they will not be able now to fly out in time to avoid the hurricane so they are "hunkering down" in a safe place to ride out the storm.
You can see where they are located on this map since Puerto Cabezas is well marked.



We would appreciate your prayers as wait for the storm to pass. Thanks everyone!
We'll post an update when we have more information.

Shelley, Joshua and Kayley

Hurricane Felix and Costa Rican plant life

Good morning,

It is Monday morning (Labor Day in the USA) and the kids are home from school today. Their school follows the American system, so they receive a holiday today. They are enjoying it by arising a bit late and enjoying their breakfast while watching cartoons.

Not much news this week. We've had a normal, regular week with one important meeting and much planning ahead. In fact, that's why David is in Nicaragua now. He left on Saturday afternoon during a rain storm for the border. He checked through customs the next morning (Sunday) and reached Managua safely by yesterday afternoon. This morning he is on his way by plane to Puerto Cabezas which is on the eastern coast. And yes, that is just south of the projected path of Hurricane Felix. The hurricane is expected to hit the north part of the Nicaraguan coast and Honduras Tuesday morning.



It is my understanding David will fly out mid-morning on Tuesday, if that is possible. So you can pray for David as he is traveling this week. He will return on Friday night if all goes well. He is in that area to prepare for a Jesus Film team that will be coming in February to minister there.

Since I don't have much other news, I thought I'd share with you all the beauty we get to enjoy each day. Out our back door we have two of my favorite plants. They are some variety of the Bird of Paradise, but I don't know their official names. I just know they are interesting and beautiful.




We also get to enjoy various bugs, beetles and critters in our backroom and yard. This lizard was a regular in our back room for quite some time but lately apparently has found better housing, probably a place without a dog.



The beetle was in our grass slowing making its way to who knows where. He is about 2.5 inches long, good sized in my opinion.


Well, that's it for this week. Keep David in your prayers as he travels and the kids as they head back to school tomorrow. We are so thankful they have gotten off to a great start this semester.

God bless you all,
The Webb Family