Latest news and prayer letters
Some news prayer letters recently received into the SAMS office:
ARGENTINA
Uphold in prayer Bishop Greg and Sylvia Venables, for Bishop Greg in his pastoral oversight in the two Argentine dioceses, his leadership in the Southern Cone. Pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, and discernment.
Thank God for the care given to children in the Hogar el Alba orphanage and pray for the staff, for volunteer Zewe Chamunda, visiting doctors and teachers, that all may bring God’s love to needy young people.
Remember the diocesan office staff, Oswaldo Balvín and Cora Wilkie, praying for God’s grace and enabling in their daily work.
Pray for grace and energy for Mario and Paula Ágreda, Manuel and Maite, in Buenos Aires. Mario is assistant pastor at Good Shepherd Church, Villa Devoto, where he oversees home groups and disciples young people, as well as giving support to the parish of Holy Trinity, Lomas who are without a pastor.
Lara Clare Bourdeaux in Asunción – Paraguay
Dear all,
Hello from Paraguay! I would really appreciate it if you could remember me in your prayers during my last month in Paraguay. Below are some of the particular requests that are important to pray for regarding everything that’s going on here in Asuncion, so take your pick! Thank you for your support and love.
Praise points: The united youth service held a few weeks ago in the Cathedral here was a real success and many people came. Thanks for the English services of morning praise in the chapel, and for the group of faithful intercessors who regularly attend and pull together to make a very meaningful service. Positive changes happening within the three St Andrews congregations. For how much I personally am learning from my time here and that I am happy in my new lodgings
Prayer points: For two members of San Andres 7pm who have just officially left the church, that God would guide them in their decision of where to go next. For the three St. Andrews congregations in this time of change, especially for wisdom, vision, and maturity. For new attendees that have been coming, for encouragement. Nicky and Ronnie Irene, Bishop Pete and Sally all helping leaders and potential leaders mature in their faith. For the Maidana family for renewal and health. For Ruth- new volunteer who is on her way (arrives next week). For all the young people who attended the Youth Encounter in the Spirit weekend, EJE, that they would continue to seek God and come to the reunions and know how blessed they are. For Esperanza children’s’ home in this time of financial difficulties. For the English teachers in school and for pupils in the upper school who have exams now. For me that I would be able to make the most out of my last month here, that God would encourage me in times when I’m just looking forward to going home to get everything out of it while I can here, and that he would continue to use me in and outside of the teaching. Especially through the singing lessons that I am giving now to two people outside of school hours.
Latest news and prayer letters
Some news prayer letters recently received into the SAMS office:
Uruguay
For some years Diocesan Bishop Miguel Tamayo has undertaken extra Episcopal duties in his native Cuba which was without a bishop. Praise God that the church in Cuba has reached agreement and now has its own bishop. Pray for Miguel and his wife Martha, the clergy, leaders and congregations in Uruguay, for new energy and vision.
Pray for Gonzalo & Leticia Soria, Abril & Guillermina and the church in Fray Bentos, for growth and encouragement through home groups for prayer and Bible study, and outreach into the community through workshops for help with homework, cooking and crafts.
Paraguay
Pray for Lara Clare Bourdeaux as she spends her last few weeks at St Andrew’s School in Asuncion. Give thanks that she has enjoyed her time there and pray for her as she returns to the UK to finish her studies next month. Please pray for Ed and Marie Brice as they work with local churches. Give praise for the SEAN Matthew course which local pastors have been studying, and for resources now available to the people Ed and Marie work with in their own language of Enxet. Pray for them as they share Jesus with those they minister to.
Chile
Pray for David and Gina Hucker as they settle back into their ministries with their church in Arica after a few months in the UK. Pray for their son Wesley as he starts university.
Pray for Alf Cooper, who was recently made Protestant chaplain to the President of Chile and the opportunities and responsibilities that brings. Pray for him and his wife Hilary as they spend a month in the UK visiting friends and family as well as some of their link churches.
Pray for Abelino & Paty in Chile
Prayer needs:
For our local church. This year we are working at an evangelistic strategy. We normally have about 30 adults, but obviously their giving is insufficient for a pastor’s salary. Our goal as that by 2016, the church should be able to pay a full-time pastor and that by 2020, the church will have grown to 2020 people.
For my personal work. It isn’t easy to have two jobs. I work at our church of San Joaquín and also have to fulfil my role as bishop visiting other churches – normally I am away from our church every other Sunday.
San Joaquín church looks after 15 very needy children from Monday to Friday between 5 and 8 p.m. These children come from broken homes, separated parents, some even with no known parents, The activities include helping them with their studies and also Christian teaching. A team of ladies from our church are in charge and they have also to raise funds to give them some tea at the end of the afternoon.
Pray for the IX Region, as it has remained in rather an unstable condition during these last two years, especially lacking pastors.
Pray for our search for our own house. At the moment we are renting in a block of flats, but we have found a property at a reasonable price. Please pray that everything works out for us to make the purchase.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
With all our love,
Abelino and Paty.
Dean Norman Lockhart : The Passing of a Friend & Brother
It is with deep regret that we in SAMS Ireland learnt of the passing of our dear friend and brother Dean Norman Lockhart on 27th May 2010. A former Chairman and President of SAMS Ireland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Myrtle and the family circle at this time. The funeral will take place on Monday 31st May at 1 pm in Knockbreda Parish Church. The family have kindly asked that donations in lieu of flowers will be for SAMS Ireland.
Latest news and prayer letters
Some news and prayer letters received into the SAMS office: