November Update - 2011

Hello Dear Friends and Family,

I apologize for being so long in posting a blog, but it has been a bit busy around here.  It seems like each weekend we are attending another ministry event or visiting a church we’ve not yet been to.  It is our hope to visit each and every Church of the Nazarene in the country of Costa Rica within the year, and we’ve got a good start.  I think we are up to at least 8 of the 35 churches.  Making good progress.

The terrain...look at that mud!

Let’s start with a run-down of David trip to an Indigenous area of Costa Rica.  Since you must cross a river to reach the particular area that the team was headed for, it became impossible to do so with the heavy rains and rising river.  So the team headed another direction to visit a different village where the local Pastor has a new church plant. There they led a training session and visited with the people.  They spent the evening sleeping on the concrete floor, but it was well worth the sacrifice. 

Pastora Leyla leading a training.  She brought along her own little whiteboard...good thinking, Leyla!

My favorite photo. Isn't that little guy the cutest!

A return trip is planned for the near future.  It will be easier to travel there when the rains completely stop in late December and January. 

At the Church in San Pedro de Poas, big things are happening.  This church has worshiped in an outside sanctuary for a long time now after outgrowing their church.  They have had dreams of a multipurpose center (a HUGE one) that could be their church home as well as a training center for the community.   

This month the trusses (serchas) were placed by crane on top of the side walls.  It took two days of the crane lifting, the men welding and others holding the ropes for it to be completed, but finally, that part is done!

No thank you!  That's way to high for me.

The Chicago Central District is partnering with this district (see previous blog about the team in Liberia) and soon they will begin to collaborate with this construction as well.  Maybe the congregation can begin worshiping under the BIG ROOF in late January or February.

We had a nice time as a family at the beach over Thanksgiving.  This has become our tradition.  It is a beautiful time to go since the Thanksgiving holiday is not celebrated here and the beach is nearly empty.  Awesome!!!

Everyone enjoys the water and the surf, but our water time was cut short by David being stung by a Sting Ray. The Costa Rican’s say manta ray, but those don’t have stingers so we’ll stick with sting ray.  It was quite painful and the only relief was found by putting the wound (his foot) in hot, hot water.  After a couple of hours the pain subsided, but the beach just didn’t have the same lure as before for David.  

Shelley has kept busy with her regular work routine as well as helping to teach the ESL class.  She is almost done with her masters in ESL - just one more course in January and February.  YEAH!

Shelley with a few of the ESL students in the night class.

We are enjoying the Christmas decorations in our home, trying to make it as festive as possible.  We bought an advent wreath this year and are enjoying lighting another candle each week, anticipating the arrival of Christmas and the Baby Jesus.  It is amazing to think that God would be willing to leave his throne and his rights as King to be born on earth, but He did just that for us.  Emmanuel – God with us. 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  We will be here for Christmas but may sneak away for a few days to Panama before New Years. 

May God bless you richly during this CHRISTmas season. 

Shelley, David, Joshua and Kayley