December Happenings

Hello to you all! 
We have had a wonderful month of December, filled with year-end projects and Christmas activities.  Here are a few hightlights...

Franklin (left) and Pastor Rolan (right).

We have enjoyed visiting many of the local churches and this month we visited the Coronado church, not far from where we live.  The Sunday we were there the Pastor used the preaching time to interview one of the Costa Rica Central district church planters named Franklin.  Franklin has been working hard in the area of Sarapiqui where he has started 16 new missions and cell groups.  Travel in that area is difficult and because of the rain, Franklin could not get back home the day he intended to, but finally the rain ended and he was able to take a bus back to his wife and child.  The local church raised a very generous offering for Franklin that will help him to complete the roof on his house.  Awesome!

Pastor Leyla receiving her license degree (a level above bachelor).

SENDAS graduation was held on December 10th with a group of 49 students graduating from around the world (4 continents).  It was a wonderful service, transmitted by Internet so that those who could not attend would be able to view the service.  Our friend, Pastor Johnny Calvo preached an inspiring message about our duty to serve others.  It was a good evening with lots of celebrating.


The kids have had some exciting events this month too.  Joshua's senior class held a "prom" event with a dinner and dance.  Many of the students in his class (all except for 6) are not returning in January since they have completed the requirements for Costa Rican graduation already, and for that reason this event was held now.  Joshua had a good time with his friends, but is really looking forward to graduation in June of 2012.  The good news for Joshua is that his requirements can be completed in only half days for the second semester, giving Joshua some extra time for ministry with his Dad and an opportunity to assist with the junior high basketball team.

Joshua is in the back, second person from the left.

Then the kids enjoyed their youth group Christmas dinner, which was a formal affair with a lasagna dinner.  The kids all looked so great, dressed up and ready for a fun Christmas celebration with their church friends.

Ready for the formal gala.

 

Kayley, who has naturally curly hair, was proud of her straight locks after the local hairdresser cut and did her hair.  Of course, once washed the curls return, which made most everyone very pleased.

Shelley enjoyed the Seminary Christmas party on Dec. 14th, just before the Seminary closed its doors until January.  It's a blessing to work with such a great group of people!

Then, just before Christmas, we hosted a Missionary Christmas Party for "those who remained."  It is always lots of fun to spend time with those who are around the Christmas and their families.   Above you can see Stephen Sickel holding Gordo, Ana and Andrea Salazar and to the right, Esdras Jimenez.  Awesome friends who are always there for us.

We enjoyed our local El Alto church's Christmas Eve service and then Poas Church's Christmas morning service, which was their first service under their new building.  Then we spent a wonderful time with the Tooley family for Christmas dinner (turkey and all the fixings!).  YUM!

Poas Church - the sign reads Merry Christmas, God has helped us to reach this point (that's not literal, but since the literal doesn't make much sense, this will do).

The new building with roof - this is only half of the building!

The Christmas morning view from the new church building.

We had a great time with Grandma Donna who visited us for a few days from her home in Seattle.  We enjoyed La Paz Waterfall gardens, Cafe Britt and a walking tour of downtown.

In downtown San Jose there are 70 of these doves, each one differently designed by a local artist.

Then we took a few days vacation in Panama at Playa Barqueta.  It was a long drive from San Jose (11 hours with the border crossing), but worth it to see our friends the Slingerlands.  Here are a few photos from our time together.

Now we are back to San Jose, getting ready for the New Year.  Not sure how we will celebrate on the 31st, but guaranteed it will have something to do with fireworks at midnight.  There is no use trying to get to bed before 1 am with all the noise throughout the city, but it is lots of fun.

We are looking forward to a busy, busy January with CALL students arriving starting January 5th and classes beginning on January 9th, a visit from David's niece next weekend and a visit from a Point Loma professor in preparation for the planned summer classes in 2012.  David has a trip to Panama scheduled for January 4th and with district assemblies in early February, it will be busy for him as well.  The kids don't return to school until January 17th, so they will be enjoying a few more days of freedom before life gets back to a regular routine. 

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your New Year celebrations will be filled with thoughts of thankfulness for what the Lord has done in 2011 and anticipation of what He will do in 2012.  GOD BLESS YOU!

The Webbs