Greetings Precious friends of ABBA,

LATEST NEWSFLASH!                                        February 2010

 

Bryan Keller new President of ABBA: Dr. Bryan Keller is now the Board President of ABBA, while Carl Schell is still director of the mission from his new post as PASTOR in Southern Michigan! Since finances have been an issue for many missions these days, including ABBA, after much prayer and searching (over a year) your founder, Carl Schell, was led to take a small city church almost on the border of Indiana. His first Sunday was October 2008. The church is a wonderful group of committed believers that love God and love one another. It is a blessing to finally have a "home" after years of mobile ministry! Your support is really vital, as able, to allow us to continue to help those in need in Peru and Costa Rica and to maintain these web sites and corporation status, Lord willing. You may donate on our home page on line or send to "ABBA" 3332 Juniper Drive, Edgewater, FL 32141.

Peru update: The mission base property is no paid off! Our property near the airport has finally been paid off. It will be managed by Anita Scharff, who has faithfully sacrificed to keep us from losing it and the house we built to repossession! She will use it to host mission teams for us and others. There will still be some continuous maintenance costs--so thank you for giving!

Costa Rica: Our volunteer staff there receive monthly help for Christian educational help for their son Jafeth. This helps the family that will help host our future trips to that country.

December 2009 Costa Rica Trip Report: I finally got back to Costa Rica in December last year. I was able to visit with our "staff in waiting", Olga, Luis, & Jafeth. It was a great pleasure to see them again and to see how well their son, Jafeth, is doing since attending a Christian high school and studying English near their home! They will are waiting for the day that I can lead another Mission trip to help meet needs their, as they host.

Ministry need: During my last stay in Costa Rica for two weeks in 2007, I saw the following ministry opportunities: In the local church of Pastor Marchena (pictured below), I was able to visit the weekly feeding/outreach program that served over 75 people. The church has 3 "starter churches" in needy areas. There is opportunity also for medical/dental teams and charity helps in building and other ways. I was invited to share for part of the Sunday morning service--where the pastor asked me to present my hands, palms outward, to the congregation?? He then preached what was about the best message on "Humility" (in Spanish) that I had ever heard, and referred to me and my "working man's hands"--as an example of a true servant, willing to do any work that God put before him. After opening the altar for prayer, the pastor invited me up to pray personally with him "for a greater humility as he had seen in me".

Carl's Book: I am in the process of writing about my life and adventures in the Amazon in my autobiography. For a sample of the first page of my book click this LINK HERE!

Write Carl at: abbaperu@yahoo.com

COSTA RICA: When I arrived back from living 7 months in Costa Rica in 2006 I went on the road to visit CHURCHES and supporters. Originally I had intended to stay in Costa Rica through May 2007, but seeing the need to renew support contacts, I returned in November 2006. From May-August 2006, I had been working in the deep jungles of Costa Rica, with no electricity or phone access--except for weekly trips two hours by boat to another town! See photos below.

--------------------------------------- Dining Hall, Main House, & Boat with U.S. high school students

I had been volunteering with another Mission in helping to install a diesel boat motor and out drive in a 50 foot long Medical River Boat, that they had built locally. The task ran into obstacles when the parts became unavailable and then unaffordable, but our listing of parts made possible the installation after we left. I also did carpentry, taught, and served in whatever other ways needed. Recently the Lord moved upon me that the goals of ABBA are better served by offering our services to other missions, as needed, instead of pouring all our resources into just one. So we plan to assist Anita Scharff who will run our mission base in Peru and other missions in special needs and projects--as able.

 

Vehicles/R. V.'s/Boats/etc. needed: Please e-mail me or contact Jim Coverdale at 386-428-9854 or Bryan Keller at 386-416-8259--if you have a vehicle to DONATE. We can receive any types of vehicles, boats, equipment, R. V.'s--ANY sellable goods, and properties as a tax-deductible item. If it is anywhere else in U.S. besides Florida or states near Michigan—I can FLY to any location and return from there—PLEASE CALL!

I really need your prayers and support in any way in which God directs you to help. But ONLY if moved to give, please send gifts to "ABBA", 3332 Juniper Drive, Edgewater, Florida 32141.

May God Bless,

Carl Schell

Quick notes from Carl on Costa Rica:

The weather is very moderate all year round in the San Jose valley. No one needs air conditioning or heaters, and, although we get some heavy rains (carry your umbrella always), there is always plenty of sunshine and cool nights for sleeping. This was quite a change from the rain forest of Peru and from the rain forest where I volunteered the last 6 months on the pristine Sarapiqui River (Sara-pee-key) before moving into the capital area.

The bus system is fantastic and cheap for going anywhere—even to the airport or across the country! One big difference between the city and the jungle rainforest where I had been from March--August, is the availability of modern services. Internet stores are available for pennies about every two blocks. Banks, American fast food restaurants, and even stores owned by Walmart are everywhere.

The great class gap is very distinguishable there. There are very wealthy native people (not to mention all the retirees from the U.S., and business people), and there are the very poor, struggling to survive. Then there are the destitute street people—ripe for a feeding & clothing ministry. There are also students from 3 local universities, most receiving a godless education and little signs of any outreach ministry specifically to them. I had seen a dirty man, sitting on the sidewalk on a nearby street cutting his hair off in ratted patches with a razor blade.

ABBA’s Online Missionary Trip Training Course is now FREE! But for a $35 by mail you get an e-mail certificate and an evaluation based on your final exam that can help you prepare yourself for almost any type of missionary trip experience, anywhere in the world! You may want to assess your abilities to serve on teams or just take the course for personal spiritual improvement. The donation "fee" to get a certificate and evaluation of helpful suggestion for self-improvement helps the work of mission. I have poured my many years of experience into a delightful presentation with interesting photos, tips for safety, tips for packing, tips on choosing the right type of trip for you, and a final exam where I will evaluate your answers and make recommendations, before you receive your Certificate of Completion.

CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO ENTER COURSE

COSTA RICA VACATION SERVICES: Another service that I wish to offer to our partners is my availability to guide you or your family in making plans for an enjoyable vacation in this marvelous country, full of so many natural wonders and things to do. There are the beautiful beaches on both coasts, the natural waterfalls, several volcanoes, thermal springs with spas and natural streams for bathing, wildlife galore, banana and pineapple plantation tours, canopy and zip line tours, white water rafting, horse back riding, butterfly-iguana-frog-monkey tours, etc., etc. There is just so much to do and see there! I can arrange contacts for you that will not over charge, as most do for Americans.

Write me TODAY at abbaperu@yahoo.com.

Blessings, and, hope to hear from you soon!

Carl Schell

Beautiful Mountain Ranges encircle the various towns in the San Jose Valley in Costa Rica!

The Poas Volcano and waterfall near San Jose are popular stops.

On the Pacific Coast: Bijagual Waterfalls and Jaco beaches are tourist hot spots.