In February, SENDAS was blessed to receive a work and witness team from the Fort Myers Church of the Nazarene in Florida.  This team was extra special since the same church worked at SENDAS in 1998 to construct the roads on the lower part of the SENDAS campus.

Two members of the original 1998 team worked with the current group: the team leader, Linda Ketchum and Pierre Hawley.  This trip was really special for Pierre and his wife Kathie who in 1998 sponsored the trip to Costa Rica as a memorial to their son who had recently died (1996) at the age of fourteen.

There were 19 team members who ranged in age from 48 to 82.  They worked a few days at the Tejarcillos Church of the Nazarene, helping to complete the second story that will be used for Sunday school classrooms.

At SENDAS the team spent their time cleaning and painting six rooms of the Guanacaste dorm.  These rooms desperately needed a renovation and the next SENDAS guests will be excited to sleep on new orthopedic mattresses provided by the team.  They also sanded and repainted the doors for the rooms and power washed the outside of the building.

The team leader, Linda Ketchum, shared this about the team’s experience at SENDAS. “It was a wonderful experience for the team to be housed at the beautiful SENDAS campus in San Jose.  We have memorable experiences of good fellowship and sharing with one another during our devotional times in The Hut. The seminary staff was so very kind and helpful to our team members.  The food was delicious and we all loved the variety of fruits we had each day.”

The team purchased a new street sign in honor of Nathan Hawley.  The street sign, as well as the stone monument on campus, are reminders of the Hawley’s son whose memorial helped to pave the roads of SENDAS approximately 15 years ago.

On their final workday, the team was joined by the personnel of SENDAS for a dedication service outside of the building. Dr. Ruben Fernandez thanked the team for their hard work, reminding them that everything done at SENDAS is for the advancement of theological education to prepare pastors and leaders. Together, the group prayed for the team’s return trip to Florida, the institution of SENDAS and the local church in Florida.

Linda Ketchum shares, “Our prayers are with the faculty, staff and all the students involved with SENDAS.”  SENDAS is very thankful for the team from Fort Myers Church of the Nazarene and hope they can return soon to assist in another project.

If you are interested in work and witness opportunities at SENDAS, please visit this website and click on projects:  www.workandwitness.org.  We would be happy to receive your team at SENDAS.

 

IMG_4512    IMG_4516 IMG_4727 IMG_4747