Yachuyaj Wo Garden Report Aug-Sept 2013
Yachuyaj Wo Garden Report Aug Sept 2013
SNAP
SNAP September 13
- Please pray for SAMS Mission Director Bishop Ken and Chris Bloomfield from Fivemiletown Parish as they share in various ministries and identify and prioritize projects during their trip to Paraguay and Peru. Pray that the time spent with people will be an encouragement to all.
Thursday 5th:Flight to Amsterdam and Lima. Arrive in Lima 18.05 Stay overnight Lima.
Friday 6th:Depart Lima at 8.35 for Asuncion.
Saturday 7th:Meeting with Mags and Gwen, Bishop Peter and Sally Bartlett and others.
Sunday 8th:Sunday morning worship. Bishop Ken to preach. 15.40 Leave on bus for Iguazu to arrive about 21.00hrs. Meet Claire Holmes.
Monday 9th:Day off to see the famous Iguazu Falls. Travel to Concepcion on the overnight bus (9 hours)
Tuesday 10th:Full day in Concepcion for time with Claire, Gillian Neill, and Bishop Andres. In the evening Bishop Ken speaks at church meeting. Travel on overnight bus to Asuncion.
Wednesday 11th:Depart Asuncion at 10.55 for Lima. Arrive Lima at 17.50 Stay for 3 nights.
Thursday 12th:Friday 13th: Programme is being arranged by Paul and Sarah Tester and will include identifying possible projects, meetings with Bishop Bill Godfrey, visit to the Seminary, visiting some churches and meeting with leaders.
Saturday 14th:Depart Lima at 20.15
Sunday 15th:Arrive Dublin.
- Give thanks for the ministry of Cecilia through the Red Box Project. In the midst of a growing ministry pray for Cecy. Pray for Peter Harrison who departs on 9th for the RBP. Peter is participating with SAMS as part of his university degree placement. He will be working in a variety of settings, but specifically pray for him this month as he arrives in Argentina and settles.
- Give thanks for the ministry of Alec Deane and The Garden Project. Within the UK and Ireland the new SAMS resource is beginning to be used in various churches (do you have it?) please pray for a generation to be inspired through the written and visual resources.
- Pray for Claire Holmes in Concepcion as she disciples adults in the church, leads bible studies, visits parishioners and provides pastoral support. Pray for wisdom and stamina for Claire and ask that the Holy Spirit will continue to fill and empower her. Pray also for Gillian who is presently working alongside Claire as a SAMS volunteer. Give thanks for the teams who have visited this summer as part of Mission Paraguay. They were a real boost to Claire and Pastor Andres as they accompanied them on their visits to the surrounding communities.
- Pray for Ana María the Head of FEISA and also the Coordinator of the Academics Department. Ana has been working in FEISA for 13 years teaching several of the Diploma courses, such as Didactics, Educational Theory and Christian Worldview.
- The Rt Revd Abelino Apeleo in Chile asks us to pray for local pastors that God would stir up evangelism, discipleship, stewardship and social outreach programmes. Pray with Abelino for the youth of Chile. On a personal note please pray for Abelino and his wife Paty for the constant challenges they face in ministering to the different churches, each with its own set of issues. Pray too for safety on the journeys they make by car as they have not yet been able to purchase a four wheel drive vehicle for the rural areas.
- Gwen & Mags had a sad start to the month when one of their annexe pupils was killed when she was knocked down crossing a road on the way to a sports competition. She was in 9th grade (15 yrs old) and the top pupil who was working hard to get into a good secondary school. She was the adopted daughter of a single mother. The mother is a Christian and it was very moving to see her so firm in her faith. The girl was also a Christian. Pray for Gwen & Mags who have had some tough moments recently but in among them the Lord has sent encouragements. Give thanks for ex pupils who are strong in their faith and active in their churches. Gwen & Mags note that in many cases some of these people who have been pupils never seemed to listen much or show interest in spiritual things. It’s so good to see how the Lord’s word doesn’t return void.
- Pray for wisdom and direction from God for the SAMS General Council meeting on 26th September.
News & Prayer Update from Gwen & Mags in Paraguay
News & Prayer Update from Gwen & Mags in Paraguay
Dear Friends,
Thank you for all your prayers and support for our work. It’s been another busy month and the temperatures once more dropped and we have just had a week with temperatures barely above freezing! This is “sunny Paraguay”! I am pleased to say that it has once more started to warm up but we are still in jumpers.
We had a sad start to the month when one of our annexe pupils was killed when she was knocked down crossing a road on the way to a sports competition. She was in 9th grade( 15 yrs old) and the top pupil who was working hard to get into a good secondary school. She was the adopted daughter of a single mother. The mother is a Christian and it was very moving to see her so firm in her faith. The girl was also a Christian.
The month has ended the same way as, on Monday, we heard of an ex pupil and her husband who were killed in a car crash. Again they were strong Christians but leave two sons of 20 and 17 years old.
The lower secondary boys seem to have been on a roll recently with bad behavior and we have one boy hanging in by his teeth! I feel sorry for their families and, in this case, the mother, who has made herself ill with worry. She’s an ex pupil. Still, I am thankful that we are able to work together with the parents and quite a few have been called in in this last week. Many cases involve the mis-use of their cell phones and they fail to realize how dangerous this can be. We have called in an ex pupil who is a fiscal to talk to them. He came in today to talk to us first and it was great to see this professional, responsible man, a strong Christian as I remembered him as a naughty 10 year old! He actually said how he had regretted many of the things they had done as kids.
We have had some tough moments recently but in among them the Lord has sent encouragements. We have seen ex pupils who are strong in their faith and active in their church. In many cases some of these people have been pupils we never thought were listening or interested in spiritual things. It’s so good to see how the Lord’s word doesn’t return void.
Celebrations this month included Children’s day when the infants and primary celebrated with a morning of games and fun. The day before that we saw the new president inaugurated . His name is Horacio Cartes and he promised lots of things in his inaugural speech. If he is able to fulfill his promises it will make things so much better for many people and especially the poor. There is optimism for his term of office although he also inherited a teachers’ strike which finally ended yesterday. Many children in state schools haven’t had classes since the beginning of July. Needless to say, we have gone on as usual!
After two postponements, the Primary enjoyed their Interschool sports competition, with eight other schools taking part up at the Sports Ground. It was a cool day but brightened up later and the kids played their socks off. It was all very exciting with the under 8s winning their cup.
Our pupils sit the Cambridge IGCSE and AS level exams and on Friday we had the Certificate ceremony to which came the new British ambassador to give out the certificates. It’s great to know that the embassy has returned after 8 years absence. The ambassador also asked if he could come into school the day before to see what he was coming to and to get to know us. It’s good to see him interested in education and wanting to send students to the UK to study. The embassy has offered Gwen the chance to go to Ecuador at the end of November to a British University exhibition
At the moment we have a new house guest. Deborah goes to the English chapel and works in the American school and recently was knocked off her bike by a car. She had to have a knee operation and has her leg in a splint and so was unable to climb the stairs to her flat! She has come to stay until she is able to return home.
We are both fit and well. Our animals are fine although we had a fright on in the middle of the month when our dog, Munchie, was ill and we thought it was the end. We took her to the vet’s and left her. It was remarkable to see how well she was when we returned two days later.
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
God Bless and love from,
Gwen and Mags
Within or Without
Lots of people in churches use the terms ‘Mission and Ministry’ interchangeably, but the concepts of the two and how we practice them within the church are different.
Mission, is really God’s Mission: The redemption of the world. We were created to be in perfect relationship with him, but we do fall short. The Church is to be God’s partner in that Mission by proclaiming the Kingdom of God in both word and deed. We are to follow Jesus’ example of healing, feeding, teaching and preaching, especially to those who are not already within the church.
Ministry, on the other hand, is the work of the church – the activities that keep us going. Ministries provide a very important function within the church, but more for those who are already there or visiting. These are very necessary for the church to function through worship, administration, programming, maintenance, teaching and more.
The fine line between the two comes into play when we think of the people who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ but do visit or attend church. Some of our church ministries can be instrumental for helping people to become disciples. Ministries of a church are certainly necessary and good, so please keep doing them. Where the distinction is important, however, is when churches believe that their ministries (Bible studies, Sunday School, etc) are all that the church needs to be doing.
The difference between mission and ministry reflects an internally focused church and an externally focused church. Where does your church focus your time and efforts? For the people who are already there, or on the people who still need to find their place there? If it’s only on the people who are already there, your church is missing out on a huge part of what discipleship means. When we become disciples, our calling does not end there. Part of being a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ is making new disciples. And making new disciples requires going outside the church.
Take a moment to reflect on your own church’s programming. Who are the main beneficiaries? Your own members? Or those who are not yet members or may never be members? There are always more people who need to know the loving grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What are you doing to reach out to them?
Latest News and Prayer Letters
News and prayer letters recently received into the SAMS office:
Beryl in Paraguay
August 2013
Dear Praying Friends, Hebrews 13:8 JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.
Dealing with change is at times none too easy and this month there are going to be many to cope with all needing to be covered with prayer.
- The hand over in Paraguay to the new government will take place on the 15th and Horacio Cartes will be inaugurated as President. Please pray that this new leadership will do justly, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
- For the indian Health Promoters Lidia, Narcisa, Norma, Lalo, Cirilo, Serafin, Daniel and Cristobal that they will receive fair treatment from the new authorities and for ex Health Promoter Arsenio Martinez who is no longer able to do any kind of heavy work or driving due to brain damage after a motor bike accident, also for Liberato Cabanas, still completely blind.
- For the indigenous people in general as they come to terms with 21st Century life, Changed environment, diet and climatic change.
- In the Chaco we have experienced frosts for three days and then a soar in temperature to 35C. Please pray for rain to revive all the frost bitten grass and plants and protection from huge fires now that everywhere is so dry.
- An indian from Napoxen will go to the National Hospital at Itague on 29th August for heart surgery
- For the changes that must be made to my computer so that I can communicate properly again.
- Any changes that need to be made for the future of myself, Ana and Georvy, the dogs, cats, tortoises, deer and donkeys.
- For Dna Betty, Zuni and the Rio Verde church members in general especially for the Sunday School and young people.
- Praise for Agripina Medina’s wonderful recovery and for her ongoing heart treatment also for the Tb patients Antolin, Nimfa, Porfirio and Justino for their good recovery and that they will be faithful in taking their medicines.
All may change but Jesus never. Glory to his name. Love and prayers,
Beryl
FEISA News August 2013
Most recent FEISA Praise & Prayer news and prayer letter received into the SAMS office:
Gwen & Mags Prayer & News Aug 2013
Gwen & Mags Prayer News recently received into the SAMS office:
Dear Friends,
It seems we have swapped climates for now! We are freezing here, with temperatures down to zero this morning, whilst you all seem to be roasting. It’s been cold all week and the Ministry of Education declared an extra weeks holiday last week knowing it was forecast for cold weather now. We debated having classes anyway as we have heating in school but in the end we decided to take the week too….just as well as it seems to have been colder than expected! There was already a lot of flu round school before we finished classes for the holidays.
It was great to get a break a week after all our 50th anniversary celebrations…we were all ready for it! We still had a visitor here for the first week. Pat stayed on to see people here whilst we took advantage of being able to have a few lie ins. We also managed to get quite a lot of things done and it was great that Olga was well again and able to come back and get the house back into shape. The extra week has been an added bonus and meant we were able to do even more. We went into school on Monday to prepare work to send home and then tomorrow, we go in again to get things ready for Monday. Apart from that we have been sewing, knitting , washing and Mags was painting the patio chairs today. We also managed to prepare our church service for August 4th as well as a few assemblies and meditations we have lined up.
As we go back we have our inter school sports competition on August 3rd. This is the one cancelled due to rain in July. We have a number of primary schools taking part in this. On the 30th of July we celebrate Friendship day and then on August 15th we celebrate Children’s day. The primary pupils also have exams in August…life seems one long exam for them as they have them three times a year from 6 year olds upwards!!At the end of August we have our official IGCSE certificate ceremony and we are so pleased to know that the British Embassy is about to return and that the new ambassador will be here then to hand out the certificates. In between these events we hope to get down to some work too!!
As we went down town the other day we noticed people moving up into the centre from the Chacarita area. They were putting up plastic tents on a side street. However, by yesterday they had gone again . The river isn’t flooding as we have a new coast road which stops the river from overflowing into nearby land. We think the flooding was caused by so much heavy rain before the holidays and maybe the new road stopped it all flowing out down to the river. We hope to find out if any of our annexe pupils were affected by this.
Many of you know that we invited Victor Santa Cruz to move from the annexe into the college to help us and be in charge of the official Paraguayan programme. Many wonder what happened to the annexe…well, we appointed one of the teachers there to be head. His name is Catalino and he seems to be settling in well there. Victor still goes at the end of most days and to oversee what is happening and support Catalino. Gwen goes down most weeks and Mags goes when she can get there.
In these holidays we sent in the builders to knock through from the old kitchen into the infant classroom and so make the classroom bigger. By all accounts the teacher is over the moon with her new, larger classroom! The kitchen was then relocated into what had been a school shop but didn’t prove to be very viable. Recently the builders had been in to drain the floor here as it seemed to collect water from the whole block. The school patio floor was also levelled out as a tree had lifted parts of it making it unsafe. Our next big job there for the summer holidays is to totally re-do the toilets there as they are the original ones, 40 yrs old!! Any money we make from our celebrations is going to pay for these. …so far we have raised about a quarter of what’s needed with some help from folks in England…thankyou to those who gave for this!
When a family there seem to be in real need the school sends down their social worker to see what’s needed. Some of the kids live in brick houses but others still live in precarious homes. For those who really haven’t enough we provide a scholarship and often send down food for them too. Otherwise the parents there pay about 4 pounds a month per child. In this way we hope they will value the education their children receive. This is far cheaper than the other “free” schools in the area! The fees go to pay the electricity and water bills, with the main college still paying most of the staff wages.
Many thanks for all your prayers and support. We hope to see a lot of you in January. Please get in touch about visits.
God Bless and love,
From Gwen and Mags xx