Update on the Indigenous Area of Costa Rica

 Hello Dear Friends and Family,

David recently traveled with a special group of people to the Indigenous Area (Gavilan and Cuchey).  He always enjoys his travels there and this time a larger group went along to meet the leaders there.  Read on to learn more...

David crossing the river - it was low so they could cross this section by vehicle.

In the last few years, the evangelism leaders from the Central District of Costa Rica have been working in the indigenous areas of Costa Rica, evangelizing and discipling some of the isolated communities located south of Limon.  Currently, there is one organized Church of the Nazarene in Cuchey and two church planters who are working in approximately 15 different preaching points.

On May 6^th, a group of 11 leaders traveled from San Jose to this forgotten area of Costa Rica with a number of different purposes in mind such as education, compassionate ministries, evangelism, and support of the Pastor and church planter.  It is not an easy trip to reach the villages in the indigenous area.  It involves a 3.5 hour drive toward Limon and then unless the river is low and can be crossed in a vehicle, one must cross on foot to reach the interior communities.   Then the team hiked to the nearest villages to meet with the indigenous leaders there.

The roads are less than ideal!

More rivers to cross.

The group consisted of 11 persons including Franlym Pena from SENDAS (Seminary), three leaders from EMI (an engineering missionary organization),  the Work and Witness Coordinator Stephen Sickel, the District Superintendent Mario Vargas, a representative from the Regional Communications ministry Gabriel Salazar, Missionary David Webb, Evangelism Coordinator Leyla Ramirez and two representatives from the Alabama District in the USA.  

A typical house

Sleeping in the church in hammocks is the norm in Cuchey.

Recently, Pastor Arselio in Cuchey and his son-in-law, Elber in Alto Palmera have suffered greatly.  On March 21^st, Elber’s wife Thelma (Arselio’s daughter) died from complications after childbirth.  She was 24 years old.  Elber has three children: Gerzan (7), Kenia (4) and Joseph (2 months) who he is now raising with the help of his extended family.  This has been a very difficult time for the family and church in Cuchey and the surrounding areas, but God has been there to console them in their time of need and grief in the loss of Thelma.

Elber receiving the lead rope and halter for his horse.

Pastor Arselio, Fred and Jeff with Arselio's horse.

One encouragement to these church planters came through the help of two Work and Witness representatives from Alabama: Fred Faith and Jeff Hudson.  They brought funds to Costa Rica for the purchase of two horses, one for each church planter.   This is a great blessing since the terrain is difficult and slow on foot, but with a horse much time and energy will be saved and more people will be reached with the good news of Christ. 

The engineers traveled to the area to see about the possibility of building a foot bridge across the river, but since the river is so wide, it appears this would be very costly.  For now, the people will have to continue crossing the river on foot.  We are hopeful that one day this may be possible to help the 600 people who live on the other side of the river.

Another encouragement to the leaders was to meet with Franlym Pena, the Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs for SENDAS.  The leaders in Cuchey and beyond would like to begin theological courses.  They already have approximately 20 people interested in taking courses from various denominational backgrounds.

This would be a wonderful resource for the indigenous people who currently have to travel great distances to receive theological education.

It was a great trip with much accomplished in a short time period.  Pray for Arselio, Elber and his family as they continue to pastor and disciple even during very difficult times.  They are an inspiration!

Until Next Time,

La Familia Webb

Evangelism Meetings in Cuba

Hello Dear Friends and Family, 

We have had an exciting last few weeks.  There is not time or space to tell you all now, but here is a summary of our trip to CUBA!

In April, David and I had the opportunity to travel to Cuba for a 5-day visit to be part of Evangelism Meetings and trainings.  Two times each year, David is part of Regional Evangelism meetings.  The last meetings were in the Dominican Republic.  But this time, Bernie Slingerland, the Regional Coordinator for Evangelism choose Cuba as the meeting / training location.

The Evangelism Coordinators from the Mesoamerica Region

As it has been my dream to visit Cuba for many years, I asked permission to be a part of this event with David.  I was privileged to be able to go and to represent SENDAS (the Seminary here in San Jose, Costa Rica) and two new programs we are promoting at this event.

Immigration and Customs in Cuba were not as difficult as expected, and we made it out of the airport in good time, after a short wait for our visas.  We stayed in a hotel near the Nazarene Cuban Seminary.  It was neat and clean, with air conditioning and hot water (luxuries for Cubans).  We met up immediately with the other Evangelism Coordinators from various countries including Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala and one person from the USA. 

We did not have time for tourism, but did enjoy a roundabout drive from the airport to the hotel.  A few landmarks were pointed out to us as we drove by.  

The flags you see in this photo were placed there in opposition to the USA “mission” (not an embassy, but a representation, I assume) who were running electronic board messages about human rights, etc. on a high building they had for offices.  The Cuban government then constructed this “memorial” to block the view.  Here is a bit more information about that from a news article I read when I got home.

"Cuban national flags wave in front of the U.S. Interest Section in Havana, Cuba, 13 August 2008. In 2006 the US installed the giant electronic banner on the fifth floor of their building in the centre of Havana and start to broadcast political propaganda, news, messages and statements. In return, the Cuban government erected so called "Monte de las Banderas" (Forest of Flags), 138 flagpoles in front of the building to prevent Cubans from seeing the scrolling letters.

Havana says it symbolises the people who have died as the result of violent acts against Cuba since its 1959 revolution - more than 3,400 of them."

This sign says, "In my barrio, we defend socialism."

Propaganda is a part of life in Cuba.  It reminded us some of Nicaragua, where you see many similar types of signs in favor of the government. 

The revolution happened in 1959 and since that time, very few new cars have been imported.  So, most cars are ’57 Chevys or older Soviet models.  The engines and interiors have, of course, been replaced with whatever parts can be found.  Most people walk or take a bus for their local transportation.

Our meetings were held at the Seminary grounds in Havana.  We met in the largest meeting space there, which holds approximately 300 people.  For their yearly meeting for the Church in January, they had more than 500 there, so people just stood outside the windows listening intently, passing their ballets through the windows.  

The Entrance to the Cuban Nazarene Seminary

We enjoyed the people so very much.  They are smart, resourceful, kind, while being opinionated and strong.  Doctors make no more than $40 per month and pastors, perhaps $10 per month.  Everyone receives a small packet of rice, beans and oil each month but it is not near enough for one month (maybe it lasts 10 days at the most).  People work hard to provide for their families.  Many receive funds from family living in the USA or other countries, and without this help, it would be very difficult to survive.  

Some of the administration and office spaces at the Seminary

The training was a great help to the pastors and leaders.  Since their resources are limited (very little access to Internet and the system is so slow that downloading is nearly impossible), the leaders were thrilled to have a training manual for evangelism.  As one pastor put it, “Now I don’t have to make a collage, using various resources from many sources…now it all here together in one manual.”  They were so excited to receive the training materials. 

The Cuban Evangelism Leaders and Pastors

We broke up into small groups for some sessions. This was the most special time for David and me as we really got to know some of the pastors and leaders.  We learned about their ministry context, their history and their current situations.  It was wonderful to hear personally from them about their lives.  They shared their photos (on their cell phones) of their families and their church leaders.  

This particular leader was not in our small group, but we shared some time with her before and after meetings.  She explained a bit about how she organizes her church planting ministry.  First, they pray that God would reveal to them the location.  Then, the evangelism team spends 40 days in prayer for the new place.  Then for the last week before the entrance into the community, someone is always in prayer 24/7 (like a prayer schedule). She said they have great success when entering new areas, and they believe it is because of the force of God’s power already at work before their arrival.  Then they use the Jesus Film and door-to-door evangelism to start a new cell group.  What a great model and example!

We are thankful God gave us the opportunity to visit the church leaders in Cuba and we can’t wait for a return visit.  Be praying for Cuba as they have many obstacles, but their faith is strong and enduring.  One of the most moving moments was during a worship/singing time when we sang the song “Heal my land” which talks about God working in the nation.  We will never hear that song in the same way. The conviction and meaning for the Cubans was far greater and deeper than most of the world can understand.  The song was a cry to God to move in their beloved country to make a way for healing.  Pray with us for this healing in Cuba.

Until next time,

Shelley and David Webb