Update on Upcoming Move to Curacao

At the end of November, we traveled to Curacao to learn about our new home. It was quite an experience!  The culture of Curacao is very different than anything we have known in Latin America. With so many languages (four main ones) and many ethnic groups (some say there are more than 50 ethnic groups), it was quite a change from Central America. Thankfully, we love learning new cultures, so we are looking forward to the general cultural mix.

Since we are used to the Costa Rican mountains, the climate is far warmer than we are used to. The temps are in the mid 80s all day long, feeling more like the 90s most of the time. Although it feels less warm in the night, the temps do not fall much lower than 79 degrees.  Our pace of life is going to have to slow.  We must both be sweet (or maybe sweaty?) since the mosquitos tried to eat us alive.  We learned quickly to use repellent at all times. 

Our three main goals on this first trip were to get to know the Petrus family, learn about and begin the immigration/residency process, and find a new home.  Well, two out of three is not too bad!

The Petrus family gave us a very warm and kind welcome.  We enjoyed every minute we got to spend with them, and especially with the small cell group that meets in their home.

We are collecting the paperwork necessary for the residency process.  Here is good news – once we complete the residency process in Curacao it is permanent – forever – no yearly or bi-yearly applying.  YES!  We hope to begin the official process in January, and it could take as short a time as two weeks or as long as four months. 

Well, the third goal of finding a home did not happen. We looked at many houses, but in the five days we had to look, we just did not feel comfortable in making a decision. We still are unsure of what we need for ministry, what part of the city to be located, etc.  We are praying that God will show us exactly where to be in January/February so a permanent residence can be found.

Our small apartment in Curacao - for six weeks.

So, we have rented a small 2-bedroom apartment for six weeks so we have a place to land on January 20, 2018.  The hope is that in the month of February we can find a home and complete the residency process.  Then we will return to Costa Rica to end our residency and to pack and move our household goods. It is going to be a wild ride!

For now, we are sorting, giving away, selling a few items and preparing for the move. We have spent the majority of this last week in immigration and judicial offices trying to get the correct paperwork from Costa Rica, and finally we have it all in hand.  God helped us to get it done in record time! 

We are looking forward to tomorrow when Joshua, Lilly and Kayley visit us from the USA.  Josh and Lilly will be with us for one week, and Kayley will stay until classes start at MVNU in January.  We will enjoy a couple of days at the beach and a couple more here in the city.  We are thankful for this opportunity to spend time with our kids.  It will likely be our last family vacation in Costa Rica, so we are going to enjoy every moment.

Thanks for your continued prayers as we make the transition to the Caribbean.  We are a jumble of emotions these days as we say goodbye to so many dear friends. The good thing is that those kind of friends stay in your life, so we know we will keep in touch. 

Many blessings from the Webb family during the Advent season.