Celebrations, Trips and Goodbyes

A great group of friends to celebrate Kayley's birthday.

Happy 17^th Birthday to Kayley!  She had a wonderful party with her closest 17 friends.  Roller skating, cake and ice cream were all part of the fun.  Already Kayley is talking about how difficult it will be to leave Costa Rica to go to college in 2016.  Pray for her as she makes future plans.  We will visit four colleges this summer.

Some of her friends at the skating rink.

In April we attended a community service at the Finca (Poas Church of the Nazarene) where more than approximately 1000 people attended. It was the first time in many years that the community of San Pedro de Poas had a combined church service of all the churches in the area.  It was a time of great celebration and we are so pleased that our Nazarene church hosted this huge event.

Shelley is busy preparing for the Point Loma Nazarene University group who arrives on Monday.  But this year it is a bit easier since Kay Lynn is here to help with the planning.  She has been such a blessing to the CALL program.  She is also teaching ESL to some of the staff and missionaries, and everyone is enjoying the class.  Thanks, Kay Lynn!

David spent 5 days in Cuba for Regional Evangelism Meetings this month. This is David’s second trip to Cuba and it is obvious that things are changing there daily. 

The team of Evangelism leaders from Haiti, Panama, Mexico, Guatemala and the USA trained Cuban leaders in evangelism and had their own meetings to update each other on the work in their own countries.  As always, David enjoyed the time with these great leaders, some of whom are working with as many as 50 church planters in their home country.

Amid all the celebration of this month, we said goodbye to the Sickel family who are moving to South Mexico as Work and Witness Coordinators.  We enjoyed five years of ministry with them, and we know they will do a great job in Mexico.  Saying constant goodbyes to good friends is not easy, but we know God’s plan is best.  Hasta luego, amigos.

David, Shelley, Elizabeth, Anne, Micah, Stephen, Levi and Kayley

Shelley held the twins and hung out with Micah as much as her schedule would allow.

We just returned last night from Changuinola, Panama after four days of ministry there.  We are excited that two church planters are now working in the area of Bocas del Toro.  Pray with us for Juan and Lionides who are already working to plant new churches in the area.  There are just six churches in this part of the Panama West district, but with the support of these churches, we are hoping to see new cell groups and mission churches in the near future. 

Superintendent Rev. Espinoza, Church Planter Rev. Juan Flores and David in front of the El Silencio Church.

A good group for the workshop.

David showing how to use the Jesus Film equipment.

David, Rev. Lionides, and Rev. Espinoza.

It is hard to believe it is May already.  Be praying for Joshua as he takes final exams this week, and for Kayley as she prepares for exams in early June.  We are leaving for the USA in June for two months of home assignment.  Maybe we will see you as we visit churches in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida and Illinois.  Kayley and Shelley will attend the NYC youth event in Louisville, which surely will be a highlight of the summer.

Thanks for your prayers and support as we serve in Costa Rica and Panama.

Many blessings,

The Webb Family