Mid-Valley Naz Update July 2022

 

Dear friends,

 

We have now been living in Texas for a little more than one year!  It has gone by quickly, but so much happened in a short time.  We already love this most southern part of Texas (well, maybe not the continual summer heat), and we especially love the people and culture of the area.  Whereas some parts of Texas are Tex-Mex, I would say this area is more Mex-Tex!  The Mexican heritage and Spanish language is daily life. We feel at home.

 

We officially started with the Mid-Valley Church of the Nazarene on June 23, 2021.  If we remember correctly, there were 18 or 20 people in attendance that day.  We began bilingual services on that first Sunday, and we have continued that ever since.  Worship songs are a mixture of the two languages, and the sermon is in Spanish (David) with translation to English (Shelley). We have weekly Discipleship in English (Sunday AM) and in Spanish (Monday PM), as well as a weekly bilingual prayer time (Thursday AM).  The children´s church is growing too with 7-9 kids per week in preschool and elementary groups.

 

The small congregation has grown in this first year. God has brought some folks back to the church who had not yet returned after Covid, as well as new families. In June, we had two Sundays with more than 50 people!  The worship band is made up of youth from 9-19 years of age. They are learning as they go. The church has been faithful to give to missions, and when it is time to greet each other during the service, it takes 5 minutes to get everyone to sit back down again. It´s a good problem to have. Slowly but surely, God is building the family of God of Mid-Valley Naz.

 

The Fun in the Park VBS Outreach activity was a big hit. The congregation served between 20 and 30 kids at each of the four events, with snowcones, games, lessons, crafts, etc.  We are thankful for two Work and Witness teams who came to help with the events and to serve in the Rio Grande Valley.

 

As many of you know, the current church building is in poor condition. Along with the church leaders, we are considering options for new construction in the next year, if God continues to open doors. God has supplied some of the funds needed through the local congregation and from donors from across the USA, including some of you.  Thank you!

 

 

 

As I write this, we are in the process of asking the city to allow us to build a 100-foot building, which is a bit longer than the city codes normally allow based on our lot, but we pray it will be approved.  With a 100 x 34-foot building, we feel we can have a good place for worship services as well as some classroom and meeting space.  The plan is to tear down the existing building and use the space for a parking lot.  We are thankful the land is paid for free and clear!

 

We ask for your prayers as we make plans.  We hope to have a better idea within two months, with best case scenario, beginning to build in late December or early January. And if God´s plans are different than that, we are happy to follow His lead.

 

We invite you to be a part of this mission of God. Your prayers are greatly appreciated and needed.  We already have some individuals and churches that are interested in coming to help with the construction when the time comes through the ministry of Work and Witness. You can find the listing on the work and witness website under this title: Rio Grande Valley Initiative.  Let us know if you are interested in participating.

 

On a personal note, our kids are both doing very well.  Joshua has a new job in Columbus, Ohio.  Kayley is in her clinical fieldwork for her master´s in Occupational Therapy at UTEP in El Paso, Texas.  We are blessed to have such great kids.

 

  

Thanks again and may the Lord bless you richly,

Shelley and David Webb

 

Contact info:

David: davidwebb413@gmail.com

Shelley: sheljwebb@gmail.com

Website: www.midvalleynaz.org.

Email: midvalleynaz@gmail.com

Facebook: Mid-Valley Church of the Nazarene

Some have been asking what´s up with the Webbs?  So, here you go….

  

On May 5-We entered the USA from Mexico at Mission, Texas.

Then waited for our shipment of books and pots/pans.

 

 

Rest of May-visited family in Iowa.  Yah!

 

 

June-returned to South Texas (Weslaco) and received from San Antonio Church donations of furniture and a bed.  Much needed. THANK YOU!

 

June 23-First day of work with the South Texas District, Church of the Nazarene and with the Mid-Valley Church of the Nazarene (midvalleynaz.org)

 

We also enjoyed our time with these three college students this summer.  Felix, Yari and Sarah were a joy to be with and minister alongside.

 

 

July-Hosted an Encuentro Work and Witness team at Mid-Valley Church.  They were such a huge help to us and the Mid-Valley church.  Thank you to the Michigan team!

 

 

August-September.  Enjoyed getting to know the Mid-Valley COTN congregation.  They are a wonderful group of people.  Most speak both English and Spanish, but a few only English, a few others only Spanish.  David preached in Spanish and Shelley translates to English.

We are also speaking at various missions events, generally once per month.  We´ve been in Iowa for a Faith Promise event, Houston for Faith Promise, and Waco Texas Zoo for a missions event.  

 

 

Oh, and a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at our home for our church family.  Great food, fun fellowship.

 

What keeps David busy these days?

Preparing sermons, visiting people, planning worship services, working at the food bank, lots of vision prayers, and keeping up with the district responsibilities in the Rio Grande Valley. 

What keeps Shelley busy these days?
Preparing lessons for kids, worship music for Sunday services, food bank ministry, immigration ministry teaching English at an immigration center, and taking a legal course concerning immigration law.  On a personal level, refinishing furniture for our home.

Our new emails:

David: davidwebb413@gmail.com

Shelley: sheljwebb@gmail.com

Mid-Valley COTN website: midvalleynaz.org

If you would like to know more about our ministry here, just let us know.  Although we are no longer serving with Global Mission, we are still ON MISSION!  

 

If you are reading this, then we are thankful for you!  Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

David and Shelley

 

 

New format for Newsletter is Now Available

Hi friends,

If you are on this site looking for the latest info about the Webb family, please go to this website where you can see the latest news!  This is the last posting on this blog, at least for now.  

https://the-webbs-page.epistle.today

Blessing to you all,

Shelley and David Webb

June 2020: Still here in partial lockdown

Coronavirus Update/Actualización

The numbers of Covid/19 cases continues to climb in Mexico. However, the need to jump start the economy is very real too, so with social distancing in place, some parts of Mexico are beginning to reopen.  It is expected that the virus will hit its peak in July.  Churches are not yet meeting together face to face, but the use of Facebook Live has increased dramatically.

Los números de casos de Covid-19 continúa a subir en Mexico.  Pero a la vez, la necesidad para abrir la economía es real también, entonces con la sana distancia, algunas partes de Mexico estancia empezando a abrir. Se supone que llegaremos al pico del virus en julio.  Las iglesias no están reuniendo presenciales, pero muchas están usando Facebook Live.

Here are some stats, if you like that sort of thing.  

Aquí están algunas estadísticas, si les gustan los números.

Chiapas, the state where we live, has had 3468 cases and 234 deaths.  In Berriozabal, the small town we live near, there have been 36 cases documented. 

En Chiapas, el Estado donde vivimos, hemos tenido 3468 casos y 234 muertos. En Berriozabal, la comunidad cerca de nosotros, hay 36 casos documentados.  

Ministry Continues...El Ministerio Continúa...

The churches here continue to serve their local communities through giving food baskets, cleaning supplies, and in general helping their neighbors.  With more than half of the population working “unofficial” types of jobs, such as a taco stand or another business out of their homes, continuing to work is essential for many.  Many have lost their jobs as businesses have closed or cut back on their employee hours.

Las iglesias de México todavía están sirviendo sus comunidades dando comida, suministros, etc. para los vecinos.  Con la mitad de la población trabajando en labor "no oficial" es necesario continuar trabajando.  Muchas han perdido sus trabajos mientras los negocios han cerrado o tuvieron que reducir las horas de sus empleados.  

South Pacific District food package delivery

David has preached by Zoom a few times, once to the pastors in Costa Rica Central district, once for the Oaxaca district and once for the Genesis missionaries.  We are hoping to one day soon begin to travel again, at least to the districts nearest us, but it is unlikely to happen before August. 

David ha predicado por Zoom algunas veces, una vez para los pastores de Costa Rica Central, también para el distrito de Oaxaca, Mexico y para los misioneros de Genesis.  Esperamos a viajar otra vez, a menos que a los distritos más cercanos, pero no es probable hasta agosto.  

Amigos de Costa Rica Central

Partnership Ministry is entering a new phase of learning to connect even when travel is impossible. The Tree City Church in Idaho and the South Pacific district are continuing their relationship, but for now by Zoom. 

El ministerio de Socios ya está empezando una fase nueva, conectando por video mientras no es posible viajar.  La Iglesia de Tree city en Idaho y el distrito Sur Pacifico continúan su partnership por Zoom.

 

Family News...Noticias de la familia

Kayley has begun her master’s program in OT at the University of Texas El Paso, and in the first week of classes, she made the move to the state of Texas. We are thankful for a safe place for her to land, staying on the church property of Nazarene Border Initiative in her own little apartment, next door to our friends, the Tarrants and with the Rodriguez´ family nearby. God is good!  We are thankful for the scholarship that Kayley has received for the summer courses, but still praying about the next academic year, so your prayers are appreciated for that so that in-state residence can be obtained.

Kayley ya ha empezado su carrera en Terapia Ocupacional con la Universidad de Texas, El Paso.  En su primera semana de clases, ella se mudó al estado de Texas.  Estamos agradecidos con Dios por un lugar seguro para ella en un departamento cerca de amigos en la propiedad de la Iniciativa Frontera de la Iglesia del Nazareno.  Los Tarrants (foto abajo) y los Rodriguez son missionaries que viven cerca de ella.  ¡Dios es bueno!  Estamos contentos que Kayley recibió una beca para el verano y estamos orando que la beca continúa para el año escolar.  Apreciamos sus oraciones para eso para que el costo de los cursos sea como residente.

Joshua continues to work in Columbus, and we are thankful he was able to take some days off of work to drive with Kayley to El Paso.  It was a 24 hour drive and they arrived at about 2am on a Friday night. Joshua flew home to Ohio on Sunday and then right back to work from his home office in the basement.

Joshua està trabajando en Columbus, Ohio y estamos muy agradecios que él pudo tomar 2 días de vacación para manejar con Kayley a El Paso.  Fue un viaje de 24 horas y llegaron a las 2am el viernes por la noche.  Joshua voló a Ohio el domingo y regresó a su trabajo de casa el lunes desde su sótano. 

Daily Life...La Vida Diaria

We are thankful to live on a property that allows us to get outside, enjoy the weather when it is not too hot, to exercise, and to care for the property.  Shelley has been doing some painting projects and David has kept the weeds from growing too high. Queta, the property dog, keeps us entertained as well.  

¡Qué bueno es vivir en una propiedad que nos deja salir afuera para disfrutar el clima (cuando no hace tanto calor), hacer ejercicio y cuidar la propiedad.  Shelley hace proyectos de pintura y David trabaja en cortar el césped.  Queta, la perra de la propiedad, nos acompaña también.

The rains have begun...it´s green!  ¡Es verde! Las lluvias ya empezaron.

Queta -guarding the property

We have enjoyed having fresh lemons and soon avocados and bananas on the property. 

Nos gusta tener frutas como limones, y pronto aguacates y bananos en la propiedad.

Occasionally we need to purchase something in Tuxtla, the city of 800,000 nearby.  We found that Dairy Queen has remained open, so we splurged on an ice cream treat.  Yummy!

De vez en cuando, viajamos a Tuztla para mandados, a la ciudad de 800,000.  Encontramos que Dairy Queen está abierta, entonces tuvimos que comer un helado.  ¡Delicioso!

Nuku season has come and gone, thankfully.  Nuku are flying ant-like bugs that come out of the ground after the first big rain of the year and collect under every light they can find.  Chiapanecos (people from Chiapas) absolutely love to eat them.  They fry them up with salt and lemon and there you go, a crunchy treat.  

La temporada de Nuku ya pasó.  Nuku son como hormigas que vuelan que siempre vienen de la tierra después de la primeras lluvias.  Los Chiapanecos les gustan comerlos fritos con sal y limón.  ¡Un snack crujiente!

Friends in Ministry...Amigos en ministerio

Since we cannot travel or spend time with friends these days, we are thankful for Mario and Jessi who live nearby and have become our only social outlet during these months. We spend one day a week together which has added greatly to our sanity.

Pues no hemos viajado para ver amigos en estos días, estamos agradecidos por Mario y Jessi que viven cerca y hemos sido nuestros únicos contactos personales (cara a cara) en estos meses.  Normalmente pasamos un día de la semana juntos que nos ha dado salud emocional durante la cuarentena.

Beautiful photo of Berriozabal.

Thanks, friends, for your prayers. We are praying for you too!Enjoy the little things that give you joy during these trying days.  Like this sunset from our grounds in Berriozabal.  

Gracias, amigos por sus oraciones.  Estamos orando por ustedes también.  Disfruten las cosas pequeñas que da gozo durante estos días difíciles.  Por ejemplo, esta foto del puesto del sol de la propiedad en Berriozábal.  

April and May 2020

Well, here we are in Berrizabal, Mexico, doing about the same thing we were doing one month ago, just like most of you, staying at home, working from home, connecting with people by phone and video, trying to give encouragement and stay encouraged ourselves. We are well, we are healthy, we have all we need, so all is good.

Bueno, aquí estamos en Berriozábal, México, haciendo igual como el mes pesado, como la mayoría de ustedes, quedándose en casa, trabajando de la casa, conectando con la gente por celular y video, tratando a dar animo a otros a nosotros mismos también. Estamos bien de salud, no nos falta nada, todo está bien.

Zoom Meeting with Field Coordinators Mexico

Covid-10 Update: 

The number of cases in Mexico grows each day, and we have yet to reach the peak here in Mexico. People are trying to stay at home, but many depend on their livelihood to eat each day, so that makes it a very difficult decision. We are required to use a mask in most stores and generally only one person per family is allowed inside the store. Some are practicing social distancing, some are not. 

El número de casos en México crece cada día y todavía no hemos llegado hasta el pico todavía.  Los mexicanos están tratando de quedar en casa, pero muchos necesitan trabajar para comer, y por eso no es fácil. Usamos cubre bocas cuando entremos los mercados y normalmente solamente una persona de la familia pueda entrar a la vez.  Algunas personas quedan la distancia social requerido, pero otros no.

Based on current projections, the peak of Covid-19 cases in Mexico will occur in mid-May or a bit later. But who knows? Unlike the USA, no one here is talking about opening up the economy anytime soon. 

Basado en las proyecciones, el pico de Covid-19 en México pasará en los mediados de mayo o poquito después.  ¿Quién sabe?  Aunque en los Estados están hablando de abrir la economía nuevamente, aquí no hay discusión de esto todavía. 

Ministry Continues/El ministerio continua…

We have loved seeing how the local churches are serving in their communities.  Here are a few photos of ministry happening in the Oaxaca district.

Estamos alegres ver como las iglesias locales están sirviendo en sus comunidades.  Aquí hay algunas fotos del distrito Oaxaca.

And a photo from the Olmeca district as four churches joined forces to serve the most needy in their neighborhoods.

También, aquí hay una foto del distrito Olmeca, donde cuatro iglesias reunieron sus fuerzas para servir lo más necesitados en su área.  

Evangelistic Table Ministry/ Mesa Evangelistica

We are sure others are helping out in their community too, but many are doing so quietly, without fanfare. 

Estamos seguros que hay muchos más ayudando en su comunidad, pero están sirviendo sin avisar el mundo.

A Nazarene couple who live in Tuxtla (the city nearest our home) are using their skills as engineers to make face shields for the health workers attending Covid-19 patients.  Click this link to learn more.. http://www.mesoamericaregion.org/2020/04/nazarenos-elaboran-porta-caretas-de-manera-gratuita/

Una pareja Nazarena de Tuxtla (la ciudad más cerca nuestra casa) están usando sus habilidades como ingenieros para hacer cubre caras de plástico para los médicos que atendieron los pacientes de Covid-19.  Haga clic arriba para ver las noticias.

Jesus y Brenda (3D printer behind)

Family News/Noticias de la familia Webb:  

Kayley graduated from MVNU on May 2^nd and celebrated her 22^nd birthday on May 3^rd.  We celebrated with her the best we could by video and messages, but it was disheartening to not be able to attend a graduation ceremony and see Joshua too in Ohio this weekend.  Maybe sometime in August or later in the fall?

Kayley se graduó de MVNU el 2 de mayo y celebró su cumpleaños #22 el 3 de mayo.  Celebramos con ella lo mejor posible usando Zoom y mensajes, pero fue un poquito triste no asistir su ceremonia de graduación ni ver a Joshua en Ohio, como fue el plan para este fin de semana.  ¿Quizás en el mes de agosto o después?

Kayley will begin classes soon at UTEP (Univ of Texas El Paso) in the master’s program for OT (Occupational Therapy).  At least we hope so, as classes begin on June 8^th.  There are still some details to work out, but we are hopeful that the finances, scholarships and loans will all come through in time for her start online classes.  For now, Kayley is staying in Ohio since we do not know when campus classes will start or when the number of cases of Covid-19 will decrease in El Paso.  So, like most of us these days, there is not much that we know for sure currently.  Time will tell!

Kayley comenzará cursos pronto en UTEP (Universidad de Texas en El Paso) para el programa de maestría para Terapia Ocupacional (OT).  Las clases empiecen el 8 de junio.  Todavía hay detalles para terminar, como finanzas, becas, etc y esperamos que todo vaya bien para empezar cursos online pronto.  Por ahora, Kayley quedará en Ohio pues no sabemos cuando los cursos en El Paso van a empezar ni cuando los números de casos de Covid-19 bajan allí en El Paso.  Como muchos de nosotros en estos días, no hay muchas respuestas para el futuro. 

Kayley (right/derecha) with a few remaining friends on campus.

Joshua is working from home, and seems to enjoy it.  He is staying at home, but with a house full of roommates, he doesn’t get too bored.

Joshua está trabajando de casa y le gusta trabajar así.  Aunque él está en casa, sin salir, pues él tiene otros amigos que viven en la casa, nunca está demasiado aburrido él. 

Zoom with the Webb family/Zoom con la familia de David

Well, that’s it from this part of the world.  Please stay safe and well.

Bueno, son las noticias de nuestra esquina del mundo.  Por favor, quédense sanos y salvos.

Until next time….Hasta pronto…

David and Shelley Webb