We have news and prayer requests from the Steering Committee of My Father’s House, in Recife: Your prayers for the following would be greatly appreciated: There has been a meeting of 19 people to discuss and plan a mission school for approximately 50 young people to train them to deal with difficult times, preparation for disasters which might happen, and how to deal with emergencies. The consultant and his wife who works for World Vision who has been twice before makes another visit in May and is hoping to train and encourage the directors of My Father’s House. He hopes to encourage fundraising activities. The two new directors are very keen to move things forward. The school at Living Waters is progressing well for those children able to attend. There are 150 children waiting for the opportunity to attend but lack of funds prevents this. There are a lot of teenagers attending church and it is going well.
Pray for God’s blessing on the life and witness of the church in the Recife Diocese, and for encouragement and guidance for Bishop Robinson and Miriam Cavalcanti and for all clergy and leaders.
Marcus Throup combines teaching in the Anglican College in João Pessoa with studying for a PhD in New Testament studies. He also mentors young ordinands. Pray for God’s grace for him and his wife Tamara and baby daughter as they come to the UK at the end of this month for 5 weeks, visiting supporting churches.
Ask the Lord to use Josías & Danielle de Souza and Daniel in youth leadership and preaching, to encourage faith and commitment to Christ. As he works alongside other churches in Recife, pray for growing trust and unity among Christians.
Uphold Ian & Siméa Meldrum in Olinda in their demanding ministry among the poor in the Living Waters church and Community Centre and ‘My Father’s House’. Pray for the families who they have contact with. Pray also for more helpers and for daily encouragement, joy and discernment.
Pray for the project ‘My Father’s House’ which provides a home environment for boys who have been on the streets. Pray for Andy & Rose Roberts and the staff, for strength, wisdom and vision in working with the boys whose behaviour and responses can be unpredictable.
Pray for Bishop William & Judith Godfrey in pastoral oversight of the diocese, and for three auxiliary missionary bishops, for growth in each of their regions. Remember too the seminary training for ministry and leadership, praying for both students and teachers. Pat Blanchard praises God for the new building they have for the Shalom project. Pray for Pat, for the therapists, and all who help to improve life for the children with special needs and their families. Pray too for volunteer Jessica Helyar helping in Shalom.
Pray for Juan Carlos & Penny Marcés, Rebeca, Lizi and Jonny in their ministry in the church and community of Jesús el Salvador, Lima. Pray for the children who attend the Compassion sponsored student centre ‘The Lord’s Treasures’, that they and their families will benefit from the practical help given, and grow in their knowledge of the Lord. Pray for health and daily strength and encouragement for Julio & Norma Montoya who give pastoral and practical care in Holy Trinity church and in several very poor areas of Lima.
Pray for David Orritt as he organises Mission Paraguay 2010. As you can imagine there are numerous logistical and practical issues to be sorted. Dave as we call him at SAMS Ireland is a valued friend so pray for Gods peace to be upon him in a rich and discerning way.
Caroline Gilmour-White asks prayer in identifying the right translators and transport for the volunteers and for safe travel in all their journeys. Pray too that the decorating of the library and diocesan offices this month will create a smart and welcoming workplace for all users.
Uphold Ed & Marie Brice in their teaching and pastoral ministries in the Chaco. Ed works with indigenous church leaders, and Marie with women and children, including a twice monthly Saturday group in Rio Verde for women.
Chris Hawksbee in the Chaco shares about his agricultural work: We are progressing well with the projects I’m helping with. In March we started with strengthening beekeeping in three communities, and next week we get the cash advance to start the fencing for two cattle projects. Please pray for a possible interview being arranged for next week with the President of Paraguay, where I hope to present projects to use Moringa Olifeira (dried leaf powder) as a supplement in the government’s school children’s nutritional programme and for patients recovering from tuberculosis, and using the fruits form the Chaco forest for income generating activities in Indigenous communities.
Suffragan Bishop, Nick and Catherine Drayson have posted some more photos of their life and surroundings on www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/catleti. Nick is taking a final trip into the forest before they leave for six weeks, for some meetings in Montevideo and Buenos Aires en route to Europe. As always Nick and Catherine appreciate your thoughtful prayers for these local trips. The current one includes travelling with Isidro Vilte to several villages en route to Alto de la Sierra, and attending an important meeting between Indians and white settlers about land distribution. Pray for protection, wisdom, and good use of language opportunities. Please pray too for Catherine in Juarez, with an Alpha leaders’ meeting on Sunday.
Thank you to you all for your prayers – God is certainly answering them!
Jordan and her friend (Zuzi) had been told that it might be next week before they could get out of Madrid – by plane, bus or train!
On Wednesday morning they went back to the bus station and two seats had opened up on a bus to Paris. They were also able to buy two seats on a bus from Paris to London. So they leave today for Paris and then on Sunday for London. Zuzi and her family live in London so Jordan will stay with them on Monday night and then fly home on Tuesday. Her flight arrives in Belfast City airport at 4:55pm on Tuesday 27th April!
The Annaghmore visit to Argentina is a good example of an evolving story. The local parish had been supporting SAMS for generations, but the relationship had become more personal with 2 Argentineans’ being placed in the parish as part of the SAMS FUSION programme. When the local church in Argentina requested help to build a church it was the perfect opportunity for a group of skilled men from Annaghmore to rise to the challenge.
Before the team travelled to South America, I was quietly confident, as I knew the skill base was extremely high. I wasn’t disappointed as the 12 lads as they definitely produced the goods on the building site as their work rate was exceptional. But projects are much more than laying blocks and sometimes teams with a focused task can miss out on the relational side.
Thankfully the Annaghmore team embraced the relational side of the project just as much as they grasped the practical side. It was an encouragement and privilege to share with them as they interacted with the local people with big hearts. They worked in challenging situations, ate their fair share of dry bread, stood under numerous showers that didn’t work, kipped in some suspect beds, and never once did they complain.
The team worked within different building methods, yet even though they had an extensive skill level compared with many of the local church members who worked alongside them from the host country, they never pointed the finger and told local people how to do things. They showed respect to the community and valued everyone who worked alongside them.
I probably don’t need to tell you that the lads didn’t let me down when it came to eating everything that was placed in front of them! I could say so much, but maybe the local pastor summed up the imprint the team made as he shared with me that for generations the story of the Annaghmore team would be passed on as one of the best gifts that God had given them.
This team was worth its weight in gold and every team member was genuine in all they did, and excellent ambassadors for their local parish and community.
The ‘Beyond the Norm’ programme aims to give participants the opportunity to encounter South America within a supportive environment. It creates new experiences, new opportunities and new challenges. It provides the setting in which volunteers experience mission and cultural diversity at first-hand.
