September Update / Back in the Swing of Things

Hello to Everyone,

Well, life has settled back into a routine of traveling and working, working and traveling.  We have enjoyed being back with the churches here and have visited three since our return.  Our home church, El Alto, where we try to attend at least once per month, has a new pastoral couple, Manuel and Giselle.  They have been friends of ours for quite some time but have moved from associate pastors at the Desamparados Church to being senior pastors at El Alto.  They are doing a great job and it is fun to see the excitement that everyone has for this change.

Have you seen the movie War Room? Another one of the local churches, Los Angeles, has rented out a theater for Monday night’s showing so we are excited to see this movie, even if it is in Spanish.  (We always prefer to see movies in English if they were made in English.  Sometimes the funny lines just don’t come out the same in Spanish).  I am sure it will be fun to fill up the theatre with 275 of our closest friends!

Another recent highlight was the Youth Leader’s Retreat held at Poas where nearly 50 of our leaders attended.  About 30% said they feel a call to serve in ministry, so we are excited to guide these young leaders so they can fulfill whatever God has for them in the future. 

The Central District held a ladies retreat for the first year that I can remember.  It was a well-organized event with an all female band and great speakers.  Shelley’s missionary friend Rhonda was in town, so we got to attend together, which made it extra special.

Our daily work duties continue with David traveling to visit churches, hold workshops and plan for the future.  Shelley has been preparing end of year reports, translating documents and finishing up the bi-monthly newsletter in both English and Spanish for the Seminary.  (If you are not on the list and want to be, just email Shelley).  David’s travels have taken him to Upala (far north of Costa Rica), Valle de Estrella (far southeast) and even to Panama – all within the last two weeks. These photos are from the trip this week to Valle de Estrella.

 We are glad to have Kay Lynn back with us as a volunteer for three more months. She has become part of our family, so when she visited the USA for three weeks, we missed her being around.  So glad she is back with us for at least a while longer.  Carol also is taking classes, but is nearly finishing up her first three months serving as a missionary.  She is doing well with her Spanish and will surpass both David and Shelley sometime soon.

Kayley recently helped with the celebration of the Day of the Child.  She led student games all afternoon and came home soaked.  But she enjoyed the time with the kids.  She goes back and forth between teaching and nursing.  It will be interesting to see which career wins.

Kayley is in an Economics class and a recent project was to start a new business and share the plan with the class.  This was a formal event presented in front of other classes and with four judges. Kayley’s project was an Italian ice store called Tina’s.  Her Italian ice was a bit hit and she tied with another student for the Best Business Plan Award.  Great job, Kayley!

We are super proud of Joshua who completed a very difficult Master’s course online for his graduation requirements – Corporate Finance.  He finished the course with a grade of a B which is just awesome.  Way to go, Joshua! 

Joshua (right) enjoying a meal at the cafeteria with his friends.

Prayer requests:

1.  Health – we have all struggled with sinus issues, which is not abnormal with the wet climate we have here, but we would like to be done with sinus headaches.  They are not much fun.

2.  We are trying to sell our Toyota 4Runner, but no takers yet.  It is a great vehicle and David will be sad to part with it, but now that we have the truck, we do not need it.  Pray for the perfect buyer to come along.

3.  Kayley and Joshua and both busy with their senior years.  Pray for a strong finish to the semester. 

4. Pray for the plans for a future event to encourage those with calls to ministry.  We are really excited about the impact such an event could have on the future of the church here in Costa Rica.

5. We have an upcoming NMI retreat in Guatemala in October.  We are excited to see many friends and coworkers there.

Thanks for your prayers and love.  We appreciate each one of you.  

The Webb family