Merry Christmas - 2016

As we near Christmas, we have much to be thankful for, including the first Thanksgiving in 11 years celebrated in the USA.  It was wonderful to be with family in November, even if we did not get to see our kids.  Joshua was in Ohio and Kayley in West Virginia, while we spent time in Iowa. There were many highlights, but family and Iowa State University football top the list.

David with his brother Charlie at the ISU football game.

First time at the stadium for 11 years!

Shelley's family

 

 

Shelley's brothers

David's family

While we were away, the CALL students held a huge Thanksgiving party.  Nearly 30 people were there to enjoy a new tradition - turkey and all the fixins.  

We returned to Costa Rica just in time for the Dedication weekend at La Finca.  We enjoyed seeing so many people who have had a great impact on the Poas Church.  

A huge crowd for the Sunday morning service.

The official building dedication.

David with key leaders: Dr. Larry McKain, Jorge Garcia, Allen Wilson and Bruce Wilson.

 

 

Yes, that is a cake in the shape of the building.

 

The Sickel family with Profesora Gaby

On Thanksgiving Day, Costa Rica experienced the effects of a hurricane that seriously damaged the area of Upala.  Some homes had as much as 2 meters (6 feet) of water in their homes.  The local Church of the Nazarene in Upala had 10 inches of mud covering the floor.  People have lost all their possessions.  But the church has sent supplies and workers, including David and AJ.  We are thankful for a church that responds sacrificially and quickly.  The work continues.  It will be a long time before life is back to normal in Upala.

The pickup loaded with supplies for Upala.

CALL continues teaching Spanish and just today we finished the term.  AJ and Chelsea Fry have completed the CALL curriculum and are returning for a short time to the USA to arrange for their visa for the Dominican Republic.  They will serve there for 2.5 years with Genesis Work and Witness.

AJ and Chelsea Fry

The Miners are teaching ESL to missionaries while they study and will return to classes in January.  All their students love them and are learning so much English.

Alan and Glenda Miner

The students with their professors.

Now it is nearly Christmas and we are awaiting Kayley to return to Costa Rica. Unfortunately, she is delayed a few days because of flight cancellations, but she is on her way and we hope to pick her up tonight at the airport.  

She has finished her first semester of college at MVNU and although it was quite a transition for her, she adjusted and ended up with all As and Bs.  That is saying a lot considering her difficult course load.  She loved her Nursing class, and fought through Chemistry. 

Kayley and friends at MVNU.

Joshua will be working through Christmas this year, but we are so proud of his work at Park National Bank.  He had a great 90-day review and is learning lots.  We are also glad to have him nearby his sister in Ohio.  Maybe we will all be together next year?

We are already looking ahead to after Christmas when we will be hosting 3 W&W teams in January.  We are so thankful for our friends and volunteer missionaries, Ted and Lori Bruce, who will be working day to day with the groups here on campus at SENDAS and at the Los Angeles Church.  Great days are ahead!

The Orchid building will be the focus of the first two teams.

For now, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  We have so much to be thankful for including good health, great ministry and wonderful friends and family.  Our cup overflows! Blessings to you all as you celebrate Jesus and his sacrifice to leave heaven and enter the world as a baby. Emmanuel – God with us.

The Webb Family