Costa Rican Independence Day

Hello All,
This week has been busy making preparations for the teams that will arrive in 2008 as well as getting ready for David's trip to the US (Ohio, Tennessee, Iowa and Oregon). We did mange to find time to visit the American Embassy here in San Jose, not just because we wanted a taste of home, but more because David had run out of pages in his passport. They added them fairly quickly and we only spent a morning there.

Today is Independence Day in Costa Rica. The kids' school held a ceremony including the singing of many Costa Rican hymns and anthems as well as typical dancing. Here is Kayley showing off the outfit we borrowed from a new friend. She looked darling.



Afterwards there was a short parade in the dark with lanterns that the children had made. (Seemed like a fire hazard to me with these little paper boxes holding lit candles while small children swing them around, but that was just my perspective and no one else was bothered by this danger.) There were lots of typical Costa Rican foods, like rice and chicken, beans, tamales, and even hot dogs with cabbage on top (strange!). Here is Kayley standing in front of the food price list with her make up and hair fixed with flowers.



And then the special surprise of fireworks. They were really quite good and we all enjoyed them, especially since there was no rain. It was a beautiful night.

We hope your week has gone well. We ask you to continue praying for those affected by Hurricane Felix. It is easy for us to forget, but the people there are still trying to pick up the pieces. We are excited that a team will be headed to Puerto Cabezas in February to assist in whatever way they can. Personally, we are thankful that the kids have gotten off to a good start to the school year, much better than last semester.

We are already making plans for our deputation services we will be holding during our home assignment in 2009. We will be available from June-August of 2009 but the month of June is already full, so if you are interested in having us speak at your church in 2009, please contact us immediately to make these arrangements. You can email us at swebb@nazmac.org.



God bless you all. Have a great week!

The Webb Family

Safe and Sound

Dear Friends and Family,
We are glad to report that David arrived home safely on Thursday night, a little earlier than expected. His desire for his own bed and shower overrode his tiredness. If you have read the earlier posts you already know that David was in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua when Hurricane Felix hit this town of 60,000 people on the eastern coast of north Nicaragua.



The latest reports say that anywhere between 100 and 200 people died in the area. A Nicaragua newspaper says that the true number will never be known. Almost all homes were at least damaged and many, many destroyed as they do not have the resources to build very strong homes. Here is a view from the air as David left the area.



It was difficult for David and the other leaders to leave the area in such bad condition with people homeless, without food, water or electricity. But there was nothing more they could do to help without resources. They were pleased to see in line at the airport in Managua a electrical crew apparently headed out to restore power to Puerto Cabezas as quickly as possible.



The local Nazarene church was one of many ruined by the rain and wind. You can see a before and after picture here. The pastor and his wife lived in a section of the church, which is now uninhabitable. Please pray for them.



The Nicaraguan churches in Managua are preparing a trip to the area to bring supplies like clothing and food. By land it will take 22 or more hours to drive there since the mountain roads are in bad condition. Pray for this group as they prepare for this ministry trip.

This week we are thankful for a home with a roof that blocks the rain and wind, for food, water, and electricity. Keep praying with us for the people in Puerto Cabezas and other areas affected by Hurricane Felix as the people begin to clean up and start again.

Thanks for your prayers with last week. We appreciate you all,
David, Shelley, Joshua and Kayley

UPDATE on David and FELIX

Final Update: September 5, 2007

Well, the wild adventure has ended as David and his coworkers arrived safely in Managua late this morning. They managed to get on the only plane leaving the area of Puerto Cabezas today. They left a couple hours late since they wanted to be sure everyone that needed to leave was able to board.

David said they heard by radio that 115 people died from the storm in Puerto Cabezas. And David verified that one of the church walls has fallen in and the roof is mostly off. It is unusable for now. The area still has no electricity or water and it may be sometime before the poles and lines are restored.

Thanks for your prayers, but keep praying as this storm continues over Guatemala and then into Mexico. The rain in those areas can be devastating from both the flooding and the mudslides in the mountains.

Shelley

Latest Update, September 4, 2007 10:30am
Although David did not share this information with me, I have learned from our Regional Director, Dr. Saenz, that there is extensive damage in Puerto Cabezas. (I should not have believed David when he acted like all was fine and it wasn't a big deal. Dr. Saenz says his reaction is a sign of a good missionary!)



On the map above, in the location of the red center of the storm is the area of Puerto Cabezas. The local Nazarene church is destroyed as well as the home of the Pastor. Most homes have lost at least their roofs and many destroyed completely. There is no electricity. Please pray for this region as they begin to recover from the devastation. Thankfully David and the other leaders on the ground are safe. They will leave when it is possible, but it may be not possible for a couple of days. Thanks for your prayers.

Shelley


Latest Update: September 4, 2007 7:30 am
This is Tuesday morning and I just received a call from David. He is safe and sound in Puerto Cabezas. They found a strong 2 story hotel and stayed there for the night. They will not be able to leave today as their are no flights with the strong winds, but they will try to fly to Managua tomorrow. He said he can't see too much damage where he is located except for some roof sheets blown off. I could hear the wind in the background as we had a quick visit and he said it is still very strong and his question was, "When is this storm moving past us?" So, we are thankful David and the other leaders are well this morning.

Thanks for your prayers.
Shelley and the kids




September 3, 2007 pm
Hey Everyone,
Well, I just wrote this morning how David and two other leaders (Oseas, the District Superintendent of Nicaragua Central and Eleizel, the Work and Witness director) traveled early this morning to Puerto Cabezas. I have just learned they will not be able now to fly out in time to avoid the hurricane so they are "hunkering down" in a safe place to ride out the storm.
You can see where they are located on this map since Puerto Cabezas is well marked.



We would appreciate your prayers as wait for the storm to pass. Thanks everyone!
We'll post an update when we have more information.

Shelley, Joshua and Kayley

Hurricane Felix and Costa Rican plant life

Good morning,

It is Monday morning (Labor Day in the USA) and the kids are home from school today. Their school follows the American system, so they receive a holiday today. They are enjoying it by arising a bit late and enjoying their breakfast while watching cartoons.

Not much news this week. We've had a normal, regular week with one important meeting and much planning ahead. In fact, that's why David is in Nicaragua now. He left on Saturday afternoon during a rain storm for the border. He checked through customs the next morning (Sunday) and reached Managua safely by yesterday afternoon. This morning he is on his way by plane to Puerto Cabezas which is on the eastern coast. And yes, that is just south of the projected path of Hurricane Felix. The hurricane is expected to hit the north part of the Nicaraguan coast and Honduras Tuesday morning.



It is my understanding David will fly out mid-morning on Tuesday, if that is possible. So you can pray for David as he is traveling this week. He will return on Friday night if all goes well. He is in that area to prepare for a Jesus Film team that will be coming in February to minister there.

Since I don't have much other news, I thought I'd share with you all the beauty we get to enjoy each day. Out our back door we have two of my favorite plants. They are some variety of the Bird of Paradise, but I don't know their official names. I just know they are interesting and beautiful.




We also get to enjoy various bugs, beetles and critters in our backroom and yard. This lizard was a regular in our back room for quite some time but lately apparently has found better housing, probably a place without a dog.



The beetle was in our grass slowing making its way to who knows where. He is about 2.5 inches long, good sized in my opinion.


Well, that's it for this week. Keep David in your prayers as he travels and the kids as they head back to school tomorrow. We are so thankful they have gotten off to a great start this semester.

God bless you all,
The Webb Family

Carlsbad Team Highlights and Birthday Boy

Hello to Everyone!

This week we are thankful for a slow down in our schedule which has allowed for much “catch up” work that needed to be done. We are busy already planning for the 7 teams (those are the ones we know about thus far) that will be working in MAC South next year. These teams will be doing a variety of projects involving everything from construction work to compassionate ministries to evangelism. Looks like an exciting year ahead.

We ran out of time and space last week to tell you more about the great visit we had with the Carlsbad, CA team. They divided their time between children’s VBS programs in the Coronado community and their construction work on the new leadership center here for the area. They came well prepared for their work with the children. They had learned some songs in Spanish along with the actions to make the VBS go off without a hitch. We were able to visit a local government run children’s center (kind of like Head Start in the USA) and share the VBS as well as a dental hygiene clinic. The team also performed their VBS (puppets and all) with a preschool that is run in the local Nazarene Church. They worked hard in all of their projects and we are excited for them to return in 2008 with the youth from the Carlsbad Church.



This team also enjoyed a couple of tour days at the beach. Part of the team went out on a fishing boat and caught a whopper - an 800 pound marlin! I saw it myself on their video and it was huge! In the end, the monster fish cut the 300 pound line with its tail and was free once again. Since he is still out there, we feel sure this team will return! This was the biggest fish ever caught on this particular fishing vessel and yes, it counts as a catch since they had it on the line for so long. Congrats, Carlsbad Team! And thanks for your work here in Costa Rica Central. You are a blessing! Here are two of the smaller fish they caught - I think it is yellow fin tuna.

The team also enjoyed surfing and a zip line ride. Sounds fun!!!

In other news, a milestone was reached in our home this week. Just yesterday (Saturday) we entered the world of Life with a Teenager. Yes, Joshua turned 13. And yes, we had party to celebrate. Joshua and three friends from school spent the night at our home. They ate and ate and ate and did not sleep near enough, but that’s how it’s supposed to be, I suppose. A good time was had by all, but Mom and Dad are glad these parties only happen once a year. WHEW!!!

Joshua's party with his friends Diego, Kevin and Dakota in the background. Ruthie, our missionary friend joined us for the party as well.

The school year has gotten off to a good start for which we are very thankful. The kids had a rough semester last spring, but we’re looking forward to a smoother ride this fall.

Thanks for your continued prayers. We sure do appreciate each one of you. God bless!
Until next week,
The Webb Family