Coshocton, OH Work and Witness Team

Hello All,
We have had a great two weeks since we last had time to post a blog. This week we'll talk all about the Work and Witness team from Ohio who came to the Seminary to build a laundry facility for the students, among various other projects.

The 15 member team arrived last Friday and began work right away on Saturday. The laundry facility needed tile, concrete sidewalk, window frames, electric and various other needs to make it ready for student use. The first picture shows the building as they began and you can see all the progress in the next couple photos.





Since the area for the laundry facility was small, the ladies of the team accomplished various other projects including planting trees, installing closets in the student rooms, refinishing desks, chairs and doors and last but not least, painting the outside of three buildings.



The seminary is so thankful for the great work this team accomplished in only one week. Way to Go, Team Coshocton!

Four members of the team spent their time teaching classes. Dale taught a pastoral counseling class and Sharon translated, while Frank and Jeanette taught discipling courses each day. This was a great service to the seminary and to the Costa Rica Central district. In addition, two team members gave "lessons." Shelley received a lesson in Excel to help with her Child Sponsorship reports and Kayley received a sewing lesson from one of the team leaders, Cindy.



Of course, there was time for fun as well. The team enjoyed shopping in Moravia, visiting Cafe Britt and especially enjoyed their travel day which included a visit to the volcano, a jungle boat ride and great views of scenery before eating out that evening. It was a great day for all, including Shelley and Kayley who accompanied the team on this excursion.





It is always hard to say goodbye to teams, but after their week of hard work, they were ready to head to the airport early this morning. We built great new friendships with this wonderful group of people and can't wait to visit their church in Coshocton, Ohio in 2009! That will be a fun reunion.

Today (Saturday), after seeing the team off early, we are very busy RESTING! I think we'll take in a movie this afternoon and just enjoy some time together as a family. We are looking forward to a fun week ahead as we'll have visitors from Guatemala. Early in the week, Rodrigo and Deb Rivera, the Communications Directors will be here doing some filming and then on Friday our friend Sherri will arrive and we hope to spend some time with her on Saturday. After that it is time for another team, this time in Nicaragua.

We hope and pray you are all well. Miss you all,
Shelley, David, Joshua and Kayley

Christmas Vacation

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy New Year! Sorry that we’re a little late in announcing that news, but it has been a whirlwind since returning to Costa Rica. We had a wonderful visit in the USA with family and friends and will share a bit about the fun-filled two weeks in this blog.

Probably the biggest praise is that even through hazardous travel conditions, we never had any serious problems and were able to see everyone we had planned on seeing. It all started in Chicago where David’s brother met us at the airport. The next morning after a quick shopping trip to WalMart, (YEAH!) we got to visit with Amy Wallace and her daughter. Amy has been a special friend since our Tennessee days and we try to get together whenever the Lord allows.

Then it was on to Iowa and Shelley’s family. Yes, there was snow and lots of it. And yes, it was COLD! With wind chills near or below freezing, it was a shock to our systems, but we fully enjoyed it.

The kids outside in blizzard conditions.

After four days with Shelley’s family, it was onto David’s family in South Central Iowa. We stayed at Grandma Webb’s house and enjoyed the extended family (David has 4 siblings who all have kids and many of those have kids).

We also took a quick road trip to West Des Moines to spend a couple of hours with our former Pastor from TN (now in West Virginia), Casey Shorr and his family. It was a treat to see old friends.

After 13 days of festivities, it was time to hit the road once again for Chicago. We enjoyed a last meal of steak and twice-baked potatoes (and the kids went to the movies!) before heading for the airport once again on New Year’s Eve. We were delayed in Chicago and thought sure we would end up sleeping on the airport floor in Miami, but God delayed that plane too, so we had lots of extra time. We finally landed in San Jose just before midnight and enjoyed viewing the fireworks out the airport window at the strike of 12.

It is always tough to say goodbye, but by the end of two weeks, we were already thinking of what needed to be done here in Costa Rica. The kids missed their dog, Tawny, and their own beds. No matter where you call home, it’s always nice to get there.

Thanks to all in our family who took care of us while “home.” We encourage you all to visit us here in San Jose, since we’ll not likely return for a visit to Iowa until summer of 2009.

God bless your 2008!

Shelley, David, Joshua and Kayley

P.S. Joshua would like you to know that at the age of 13, he is now officially taller than his father!