David recently traveled with a special group of people to the Indigenous Area (Gavilan and Cuchey). He always enjoys his travels there and this time a larger group went along to meet the leaders there. Read on to learn more...
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| David crossing the river - it was low so they could cross this section by vehicle. |
In the last few years, the evangelism leaders from the
Central District of Costa Rica have been working in the indigenous areas of
Costa Rica, evangelizing and discipling some of the isolated communities
located south of Limon. Currently, there
is one organized Church of the Nazarene in Cuchey and two church planters who
are working in approximately 15 different preaching points.
On May 6th, a group of 11 leaders traveled from
San Jose to this forgotten area of Costa Rica with a number of different purposes
in mind such as education, compassionate ministries, evangelism, and support of
the Pastor and church planter. It is not
an easy trip to reach the villages in the indigenous area. It involves a 3.5 hour drive toward Limon and
then unless the river is low and can be crossed in a vehicle, one must cross on
foot to reach the interior communities.
Then the team hiked to the nearest villages to meet with the indigenous
leaders there.
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| The roads are less than ideal! |
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| More rivers to cross. |
The group consisted of 11 persons including Franlym Pena
from SENDAS (Seminary), three leaders from EMI (an engineering missionary
organization), the Work and Witness
Coordinator Stephen Sickel, the District Superintendent Mario Vargas, a
representative from the Regional Communications ministry Gabriel Salazar,
Missionary David Webb, Evangelism Coordinator Leyla Ramirez and two
representatives from the Alabama District in the USA.
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| A typical house |
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| Sleeping in the church in hammocks is the norm in Cuchey. |
Recently, Pastor Arselio in Cuchey and his son-in-law, Elber
in Alto Palmera have suffered greatly.
On March 21st, Elber’s wife Thelma (Arselio’s daughter) died
from complications after childbirth. She
was 24 years old. Elber has three
children: Gerzan (7), Kenia (4) and Joseph (2 months) who he is now raising
with the help of his extended family.
This has been a very difficult time for the family and church in Cuchey
and the surrounding areas, but God has been there to console them in their time
of need and grief in the loss of Thelma.
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| Elber receiving the lead rope and halter for his horse. |
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| Pastor Arselio, Fred and Jeff with Arselio's horse. |
One encouragement to these church planters came through the
help of two Work and Witness representatives from Alabama: Fred Faith and Jeff
Hudson. They brought funds to Costa Rica
for the purchase of two horses, one for each church planter. This is a great blessing since the terrain
is difficult and slow on foot, but with a horse much time and energy will be saved
and more people will be reached with the good news of Christ.
The engineers traveled to the area to see about the
possibility of building a foot bridge across the river, but since the river is
so wide, it appears this would be very costly.
For now, the people will have to continue crossing the river on
foot. We are hopeful that one day this
may be possible to help the 600 people who live on the other side of the river.
Another encouragement to the leaders was to meet with
Franlym Pena, the Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs for SENDAS. The leaders in Cuchey and beyond would like
to begin theological courses. They
already have approximately 20 people interested in taking courses from various
denominational backgrounds.
This would be a wonderful resource for the indigenous people
who currently have to travel great distances to receive theological education.
It was a great trip with much accomplished in a short time period. Pray for Arselio, Elber and his family as they continue to pastor and disciple even during very difficult times. They are an inspiration!
Until Next Time,
La Familia Webb
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