Costa Rica North Update

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Last time, we gave an update on what is happening in the Indigenous area of Costa Rica (in the Central District).  And before moving on to talk about the North District of Costa Rica, we are excited that SENDAS will host a work and witness team from Minnesota next week, working on the water project.  This is not a glamorous job, and we are thankful for this team’s help in putting the new water pipes in the ground to help SENDAS. Here is a photo of the start to the work before the team even arrives.  

But this week, let’s focus on the North District.  This is the area north and west of San Jose.

The San Pedro de Poas Church worshipped under just a roof for many years, with big plans to one day build a multipurpose building on their beautiful property.  This is the largest church in the country (COTN) with 300 in attendance on Sunday mornings.  They are growing a lot these days as more and more people hear about their wonderful ministries of compassion and evangelism in support of the community.  Finally, this structure has become a reality.  It has been a slow process and what you see here is only one half of the building.  Now the floor is slowly being poured as they have the funds to complete it. 

Also, this same church received a donation for a pastoral house.  This house is going up fast and everyone is hoping to complete it this year.  

Another location in the same district is called Tres y Tres.  It is located further north and is a small, rural community.  Another church in Alajuela planted this church after some relatives of the congregation moved there.  Now they are also in the process of building a church building on some prime property of the community.  Work and witness teams have helped them, but the church in Alajuela and the local congregation have put forth lots of funds and effort too.  

Another great advancement is in Muelle, not too far from Tres y Tres.  This is a central location for the entire district and every church can drive to this location in about 2.5 hours.  It is here that the district has plans to purchase land for a District Center for meetings, trainings, camps, etc.  With the help of Alabaster funds, district funds and the partnership with the Chicago District in the USA, it looks like this will actually happen.  What a blessing for the Central District to have this location.  We’ll let you know more as plans move forward. 

In other news, Shelley has been busy with CALL and the students how arrived in May from Point Loma Nazarene University.  The group of nine is on a tour near Arenal Volcano this week, but return on Saturday to prepare for the second half of their Spanish studies.  

Professor Scott Bennett, the Spanish 101 class and Rebecca, the Program Assistant (on the right).

Another milestone has been reached with CALL as the new website is finally live.  Check it out at www.callcostarica.com.

Around here, it seems we train missionaries and then send them out.  Well, it has happened once again as the Kucey family have left for Canada (their home country) with plans to arrive in Haiti in August.  We are excited for all God will do through them in the months and years to come. 

As we said goodbye to the Kuceys, the LeGrands headed to Costa Rica from Chicago.  They started language classes today and will be serving in the Work and Witness ministry as they tackle Spanish this first year.  Patrick and Kim have three great boys who are adjusting to life in Costa Rica without a hitch.  So excited to have them as neighbors, coworkers and friends. (See them all below).

Professor Gaby with Patrick and Kim, Day 1 with CALL.

Professor Zeidy with James, Aidan and Liam.

David is already in the USA speaking in churches to begin our deputation time.  He spent last weekend in Iowa City at the First church speaking to their four congregations (Hispanic, Anglo, African Congo and African American).  They are doing great work there!  Then he visited the Hispanic congregation in Ottumwa, Iowa.  Pastor Shane is doing a great job there and I hope to meet him at the General Assembly in Indianapolis this month.  Now David is off to Jefferson City, MO and then St. Louis where Kayley and I will meet up with him next week. 

The rest of the summer looks packed with travels to Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Iowa and Kansas before heading back to Costa Rica in early August. 

 

We are super proud of Kayley who finished the school year exempting all her final exams except  Math (she had a 90!).  She turned 15 in May and here in Costa Rica (all throughout Latin America really) the 15^th birthday is HUGE.  Kayley enjoyed two parties with friends to celebrate, but she really wanted to have some photos taken, as most of her friends had already done. 

Thankfully, Professor Scott from PLNU is here on campus teaching Spanish.  And we have learned how great photographer he is from viewing his photos on FB.  He agreed to take some shots of Kayley and they turned out beautifully.  We are blessed to have friends like Scott who are willing to help us when they can.  

We will miss this view from SENDAS as we travel the USA.  But we are always amazed by God's creation wherever we go.

Lastly, we are excited to see Joshua in a couple of weeks when he joins us at the General Assembly.  It will be great to be Webbfamily4 once again.  After his time with us, Joshua will return to MVNU where is working in the IT department this summer.  He is excited to serve as an RA in the fall.  He has a great sophomore year ahead of him!

We hope to see you this summer, but if not, we want to thank you for your prayers and support.  You mean the world to us!

Shelley