Greetings Precious friends of ABBA,

LATEST NEWSFLASH!                                        July 2008

 

Bryan Keller new President of ABBA: Dr. Bryan Keller is now the Board President of ABBA, with Carl Schell is still director of the mission from his new post as PASTOR in upstate New York! 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 country church almost on the border with Canada. His first Sunday was Dec 30th, 2007. 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!

September 2007 Costa Rica Trip Report: I finally got back to Costa Rica the last 2 days of August and the first week in September. I was able to take advantage of unbelievable "Super Savers" airline tickets from Spirit Air, making the trip from former location in Michigan even cheaper than what I paid before going just from Florida! I traveled from Detroit to Ft. Lauderdale, and then to San Jose, Costa Rica in two different packages--using the dates offered by the airline at unbelievably low prices, making my entire cost about $200 for the whole trip!

Olga and Luis (ABBA-Costa Rica directors) met me at the airport, after traveling over the steep mountains--losing their brakes--from Oratina--where they recently returned to live in a home they owned there. They had been in the capital area when I had met them in 2006, and made the practical economic move back to their home area. So about 1 a.m. they arrived in the car of a local couple from the airport area, and we returned to their home to stay overnight, repaired the brakes the next day, and I drove the car over the mountains to their home in Oratina.

Ministry began from the time I got off the plane, sharing with the couple where we stayed the first night, and continued with our directors' daughter and husband--living in a tiny apartment downtown near San Jose. Over the mountain, I continually met their friends, cousins, siblings, and others in opportunities to share and pray. In the local church of Pastor Marchena (pictured below), I was able to visit the weekly feeding/outreach program that served over 75 people. 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".

I got to visit the beautiful Pacific beaches that I have pictured below and even visited some properties "for sale"--dreaming as to whether this might be the time to "return full time" to the mission field there--God providing--or continue to seek a stateside position to build up badly needed personal income/security? It would take another "miracle" to find the donors or investors who would either buy and donate a property, or who would buy a larger investment parcel for ABBA to maintain. (Read more about properties below). There are ample ministry opportunities locally for both continuous mission work and for teams of voluteers on short term missions (local poor "shanty towns" and needy Indian tribes--and only minutes from Puntarenas, Jaco, Cadera, and other cruise ship ports--for "ministry breaks").

One property, about 1 acre in size, was completely developed with a 15 X15 pool, bathhouse, 4 bedrooms, large open area with kitchen-dining area--all modern ceramic tiled floors and terra cotta roof--and beautifully landscaped. The owner wants $250,000, but has offered it to us to use for weekly meetings or teaching English (outreach) classes--without charge! (See Photos one "Special Events" page). Other options would be for an ABBA partner to purchase a larger investment property. ABBA staff could then manage and even supervise development of the properties for the owner, in exchange for either using part of the property--or the investor donating an adequate portion for mission use? Property can be attained for for as low as $12 per square meter--less for larger portions, in some cases--and minutes from the beaches!

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 in my Spring Eagle Tour (see story below). 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. Until 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.

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

I had been volunteering with the Palmas de Mamre 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 formed "ABBA Latin Missions" to better serve others there and in other countries with our contacts for teams and our knowledge/ability for assistance in many areas. 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.

Winter-Spring 2006-07 "EAGLE" TOUR: EAGLE ON TOUR!

The "Eagle Tour" featured the beautiful machete-carved wooden statue (photo above) of the eagle that Pastor Marchena (he is pictured below) generously presented me on our visit to set up next year's mission teams to his church in Oratina, Costa Rica. His wife commented to my companions that this eagle statue was his "prized possession" in his office, and that she said that he had to have been genuinely "moved" by God to have parted with it. I had pledged to carry this token of FAITH and UNITY with our brethren in Costa Rica to show on my visits to your church and group for presentations of ABBA Latin Missions on this tour.

Carl with Pastor Marchena & wife - Pastor Marchena feeds poor - Pastor prays with children

Learn more about the Pastor & sites we will visit in this area on our trips - Click box above.

Self Assessment/Self Improvement Course online: Class member will be challenged to review personal outlooks and attitudes in light of correct Scriptural interpretation--that transcends culture and tradition. Review of personality and character strengths and weaknesses will be made, and recommendations based on results will be offered--if desired.*

Mission Trip Preparation: Class members will be prepared for future participation in mission teams or for individual travel, depending on their own personal self-assessments and abilities. Certificate of Completion available upon completion of a Final Assessment exam.*

Spanish Language for Travel & Ministry: Class member will be taught to speak basic phrases necessary for travel and for basic communication. Basic phrases for ministry counseling may be included. This course may be included with the regular course above, or offered in a special session.

Write me TODAY at abbaperu@yahoo.com since that is the best way to reach me for now. These seminars will help everyone expand their vision and help them break down barriers and concepts which limit their usefulness in service to God--not just for missions, but in their everyday faith and walk with Jesus. Take the course ON-LINE at www.abbaperu.com FREE with registration of your name and e-mail (you will NOT be put on a mailing list). If you want to take the final set of questions and receive a PERSONAL EVALUATION for Christian self-improvement - Send or Donate online $35 - diploma will be sent by e-mail or regular mail - PLUS a diploma/certificate for the course, then make the on-line donation (or mail a check) to "ABBA", 3332 Juniper Drive, Edgewater, FL 32141.

 

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 upstate New York—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 32141or use give by credit card on the "Donate" link on the front page of this web site.

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 is 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).

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 here. 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 just saw 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 donation on a major credit card or PayPal on the internet at www.abbaperu.com 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 here! I can arrange contacts for you that will not over charge, as most do for Americans. I can even arrange to personally guide and translate for you, if desired, when I do not have other commitments.

Write me TODAY at abbaperu@yahoo.com since that is the best way to reach me for now.

Blessings, and, hope to see 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.