Hello Everyone,
Things are a little slow here at the Café today, so I figured it would be a good time to catch you up on life and ministry here in Tamarindo. It’s been several months since I’ve touched base with you all, so I’ll try to be brief with what’s been going on. First… a family update.
Nuestra Familia
Olivia- Just turned 1 year old on June 12th, and we celebrated at home with a couple of her girlfriends over cake and a pool party. Good times. Olivia is now walking, dancing, has about 6 ½ teeth, and can keep herself afloat in the pool with her inflatable water-wings. I’m hoping that we can get her on a surfboard by this time next year….?
Wolfy- is are baby ineutero. 6 weeks away from delivery now- due on Aug 28th! Stacey and I are about 98% sure about what his name will be… Woflgang Thomas Watson. The first and middle names come from both of our fathers. Wolfy is in good health, squirming around a lot, making the surface of mom’s tummy look like a wriggle sack of potatoes. We’re looking forward to his arrival.
Stacey- Is right around completion of the book Captivating with her women’s reading group. She is still participating in the women’s bible study in Avellanas and as for hosting “mommy group”, she has recently put that on the back burner with the pregnancy becoming a bit more taxing. Stacey’s back has been bothering her a bit, so please keep her in your prayers. It is apparently a minor concern medically, yet worth keeping in prayer as it is at times very painful.
Lyle- Is keeping busy with managing and making improvements with the café. At this time, the café is making enough to cover costs… and a little extra, and we are grateful for that. Most importantly, it has proved to be a great venue for building relationships with people in the community. We’ve had a number of locals and tourists find out about church services and bible studies through the Café. 
Just last weekend while officiating a wedding ceremony, I was talking with the wedding coordinator, Donna, about our church. In my conversation with her- almost verbatim- she said “You know….what was smart was opening that Café. People are talking. They say, ‘you know the owners of that new café have a church.’” How awesome is that?!? What an affirmation of what we are trying to do through the café… to be a witness and presence for Christ in our community.
Lastly, I think we ought to mention our ministry to school children in the area. One way that we’ve decided to minister to the poor in our area is by collecting and distributing school supplies to children in our area. We’ve been using the café for collecting school supplies and back packs for local children who’s family’s have a difficulty affording them. We are now in the process of identifying kids in need, and will be distributing materials in the near future.
God’s Provision and a Dude Named Nik
In the last update letter, we had mentioned our need for help with finances. We are thankful to be able to say that God has helped meet our needs in some interesting ways. First, I have been hired on as an Associate Pastor (part-time) at Beach Community Church, the church just north of us! I was brought on staff in May to help with worship music, preaching from time to time, and to help with Small Groups and membership classes. This has been a great partnership and fit for all we are trying to do in the Beach areas, and we are thankful for this open door. Secondly, I have started performing acoustic in a local restaurant, Eat at Joe’s, at a local surf camp called Witches Rock. This has helped meet our financial needs and has also been a great way to befriend people from our community. Lastly, I’ve been performing wedding ceremonies in conjunction with a Destination Wedding coordinator. We are grateful to God for the ways He has provided.
We have been blessed with help at the Café- Nik Safos from Virginia Beach, VA. has been here since May 10th, and will be with us through July 24th. He has been a God-send, helping run the Café… which has allowed me to give time and attention to a number of things I haven’t been able to get to with our home, with the Café, and with church. He has also initiated a bible discussion group for locals and travelers, and helped with stuff at the church. He has been a blessing. Thank you Nick!
Sorry for the lengthy update.... makes me realize I need to write more often. But in sum, we want to communicate that we are so grateful for the way’s God has provided and how he sustains us each day. It is such a journey… life, faith, ministry. We lean on Christ in every way . Please keep our family and ministry in your prayers. May God’s grace and peace be yours in abundance.
w/ love,
Lyle, Stacey, Olivia, Wolfy
HOW TO GET INVOVLED
· School Supplies- Donate supplies or funds for local children. (e-mail us for more info)
· Used Books- Send used books to us via USPS “M” Bags-
Send to: Lyle & Stacey Watson
#13 Monte Perla Condominiums
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
· Finances- Give financially through ACI at www.tamarindochurch.com/contribution.htm
· Prayer- support us in prayer as we reach out to the unchurched in our community.
