Report from Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Hello Family and Friends,

Today is Independence Day in Costa Rica, as well as many other Central American countries, so we are celebrating with a day off.  There is no school today or tomorrow (Friday) here in Costa Rica as families celebrate by attending parades.  There were not as many fireworks last night as we anticipated, but they may appear more this evening. 

Kayley is "celebrating" the holiday by recovering from a dental surgery to remove an extra tooth up high in the palate.  She is doing well and we are so thankful to live in a location with good medical and dental facilities.  Now the orthodontist treatment can continue and Kayley hopes to be braces free in a couple of months.  YEAH!

Kayley has had a new companion these last few days as we adopted a street dog.  This little dog has been around the SENDAS campus for nearly two months and finally the gardener lured her into our back yard.  So I guess she is ours now!  She is a Minature Pinscher (Min Pin).  Her new name is Chispa (kinda like Sparky in English).  She was very hesitant around people at first, but we see now that she has been owned by someone before.  Thankfully she is already house trained, which gives Mom one less thing to worry about.  Kayley has wanted a small dog for a long time, so she is certainly pleased!

Joshua has been playing BB with ICS and the team is having a very good start to the season.  They are 1-1 so far, beating a team that they have lost to for the last few years by about 20 points.  The team even has a bench this year so Joshua can take a break if needed.  We hope to have some photos for you for the next blog.

David has been very busy with trips the last few weeks.  First he went to Panama to visit the West District.  There is a team from the Iowa District coming in February, so it was a good chance to make some preliminary site visits and make plans for this Jesus Film team.  The team will be working outside of David, Panama in an elevated area.  That is good so that the temps will be a bit cooler.  Panama is one HOT place!

Location of the Iowa District team, schedule for Feb 2012.

Then David travelled to Nicaragua for his "farewell" meeting with the leaders there.  It was sad for David to be saying goodbye to all his friends and ministry partners there, but it was good to be able to introduce them all to Giovanni Monterroso, who is the missionary they will be working with in the area of Evangelism.  We know that Giovanni will do a great job there, helping to grow the church in Nicaragua. 

Giovanni presenting to the Nicaraguan leaders.

New Mission near Liberia, Costa Ric

Now David is focusing his efforts in Costa Rica.  There are two districts here and David has been meeting with leaders from both districts to strategize and plan.  The doors are wide open as David now is helping to coordinate ALL ministries in the two districts (Youth, children, sunday school, missions, discipleship, evangelism. compassion, etc...) so there is much to do.

The north district is experiencing great growth and one location is starting the building of a large multipurpose structure.  We are excited to see the work continue in San Pedro de Poas on the property they call the "finca" or the farm.  We know God has great plans for this community through the use of this structure in the days to come. 

Another new mission in the Costa Rica North District

The first stages of construction for the new gym.

The trusses for the new building - they are HUGE!

Joshua sitting outside the new lodge for Work and Witness teams.

CALL (Spanish Language School) is also doing well and Shelley is keeping busy with the current students as well as the future students for 2012.  There is a good sized group coming in January and Shelley is praying for a wonderful experience for all the students.  The Tooleys and the Honeas have been studying this fall with wonderful results.  Click here to learn more about what has been happening with CALL: Article about CALL, August 2011.

The Tooleys in the CALL classroom.

October will be busy as the Districts begin their yearly meetings.  Also, there is a very special event in Guatemala that David will be attending.  It is the first ever Mesoamerica Regional meeting with representation from each of the 30 countries in the new Region.  It will be an exciting time for all.

Thanks so much for your prayers!  Here is a list of a few prayer needs we have in the coming weeks.
1. Safe travel for David as he drives in all parts of Costa Rica.
2. For Joshua, as he takes the ACT in October and prays about choosing a college for next year.
3. For Kayley, for a good 8th grade school year with lots of good friendships to make it more fun.
4. For the CALL ministry as it grows, that God would provide the workers needed for the program, perhaps in the form of full time volunteers to serve.
5.  For a strong vision in each of the Costa Rica districts with a focus on developing leaders and pastors.

Thanks again for your prayers for the work in Costa Rica.  May God bless you!

La Familia Webb