Chilean reflections from two Young Anglicans Working in Northern Ireland.

1st March 2010
Chile Earthquake Updates, PRAY

Dear SAMS Ireland Family:

For both of us, Cristian (placed in Cookstown) and Steven (placed in Craigavon), the past days have been very tough.  On Saturday 27th February we woke up to the news that our country, Chile, had been struck by a powerful earthquake (the 5th most powerful in the world since 1900). The situation now is tough, specifically in the regions of Bio-Bio and Maule, and the communications with the areas are very difficult, so the people are not only scared as they cope with the after shocks (more than 100 in one day) but they are desperate for food, water, and shelter.   At this time of devastation and desolation, when we see the news and search the internet for information, you see the power of nature and the only comfort that we have remains in the power of praying.

We (Cristian and Steven) are grateful to God that our families are safe but they have told us that it is a desperate situation with widespread damage throughout central and Southern Chile and have stressed the importance of prayer for the people of the affected area.

Chile is a country with a great inner strength and able to recover from all natural disasters that have lived so far. Those of us abroad are united in prayer and we are confident that with time and help we will stand again.

So, please pray for Chile…

Pray for the families of the people who have lost their relatives and have suffered in the earthquake.  So far we know that there are more than 700 people dead, (and the number is expected to rise) over 500,000 houses have been damaged, and at least 2 million people affected by this disaster.

Pray for peace and understanding among the people.

Pray for the correct use of resources to help.

Pray that the authorities will make the right decisions as they seek to bring some sort of normality to those who have suffered.

Pray for the people specifically in Concepcion, Talca, Constitucion, Talcahuano and all the region of Bio-Bio and Maule.

God bless you all.

Cristian Ascui & Steven Alvarez

Brazil

24th February 2010
Brazil, PRAY

Living Waters church in Olinda is a refuge, spiritual home and community centre. Pray God to raise up more leaders and to develop the ministries of care, evangelism and education for many needy people. Uphold Ian & Siméa Meldrum in oversight there, and in refurbishing the farm for future ministry.

Peru

23rd February 2010
Peru, PRAY

Three auxiliary bishops have been authorised to support Bishop Bill Godfrey and to serve as missionary bishops in new and established areas. Pray for this step in the growth of the diocese and for Bill and Judith in pastoral oversight.

ECUADOR

17th February 2010
Ecuador, PRAY

Jill Ball in Santo Domingo asks prayer for the school for disabled children and its teachers in this new academic year, and for the building of a centre for abused women. Pray for the administrators of this centre, and ask God to continue to prosper the work of LIAT, the Life in Abundance (Ecuador) Trust.

Calling all Teachers

10th February 2010
PRAY

St. Andrew’s School Asunción is looking for nursery, primary and secondary teachers. No Spanish is required as language training is provided. Take a moment and watch a brief overview of the school. Can there be a click at this point to connect with the dvd? Click here and read the pdf information brochure on the school.

For more details on teaching opportunities contact Geoff Hamilton at samsirelandhouse@btinternet.com in complete confidence.

Crowds Turned Away at Mission Gathering

8th February 2010
PRAY

The South American Mission Society Ireland (SAMS Ireland) ‘Friday Night Live’ event which took place on  5 February 2010 was so well attended that crowds were turned away. Visitors from as far afield  as Dublin were left outside when the Craigavon Civic Centre reached its maximum 500 seating capacity. The Church of Ireland mission society specialising in the areas of Latin America, Spain and Portugal has seen interest grow in recent years.

The audience included many young people, clergy and lay people, in addition to five serving bishops. Denis Johnston, the SAMS Ireland General Secretary stated, “It’s wonderful to see so many people taking an interest in the work in South America and the impact the vibrant church there is having on the Church in Ireland.  We will have to evaluate the situation for next year.”

Bishop Ken ‘Fanta’ Clarke, who hosted the evening with his usual flair stated, “Every year I wonder how Friday Night Live could get any better, but it does”. He steered the evening through presentations of highlights of mission work from Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile such as mountaineers raising money by climbing the highest peak in South America and interviews with South American volunteers working in Ireland.  The audience were in roars of laughter at twelve young builders from Annaghmore Parish who, along with their Rector the Rev. Dorothy McVeigh and SAMS representative Geoff Hamilton spent part of the summer building churches in Argentina and Bolivia. They made quite an impression with wise cracks, stories and touching testimony. Dorothy, the keynote speaker, encouraged everyone to learn from the Good Samaritan and to ‘Get out there’ and reach out to those in need.

Claire Holmes, a SAMS Ireland mission partner, has just returned after 13 years in Paraguay. She shared emotionally of the children’s and youth work she had built up in the remote town of Concepcion and asked everyone to pray for the team of volunteers she had trained to carry on the work.

Esteban Alvarez from Chile, one of the Fusion volunteers, told everyone about his two years working  in St. Saviour’s Parish in Craigavon.  He shared that his  experience in Northern Ireland has helped him decide to train for the ministry in the Anglican church when he returns to Chile.

Visiting the conference for the first time was Bishop Henry Scriven.  He first served with SAMS GB in South America in the 1970s and now is Mission Director for South America in CMS (formerly SAMS GB).  When asked about the evening he said, “I am incredibly impressed that you can get so many people to support SAMS Ireland.”

Summarising the event,  Bishop of Down and Dromore the Rt Rev Harold Miller said, “My wife and I would not miss Friday Night Live. It’s a significant missionary event. The reason for this is, you always get information on what’s going on, it’s great craic, and there is a sense of the power of God.”

(from left to right) Bishop of Paraguay Peter Bartlet with his wife Sally, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good, Mission Partner Claire Holmes and the team from Eglinton who visited her in 2009.

Stephen Trew

Northern Argentina

5th February 2010
Argentina, PRAY

Please pray for Nick Drayson, the new Bishop in Juarez. He is learning Wichí, the language of the biggest indigenous tribe. Previously he translated the New Testament into Choroti, another indigenous language, similar to Wichí. He understands spoken Wichí but he needs to be able to hold a conversation. Please pray too that the Lord may unite them into a loving and supportive team with Deacon and Latin Partner René Pereira.


Charles and Lynn Barr-Johnston, associate mission partners in Northern Argentina write: “Thank you again very much for praying for us, and for those we minister with. Please pray for God’s continued blessing on the young people who have just been to camps in La Caldera, just outside Salta. Pray that the Word preached may continue to work in their hearts. Roli, the young people’s leader in Juarez, went to the camps with eight young people from Juarez, They were able to attend because Catherine Drayson, the Bishop’s wife, took them in her vehicle. Pray that they will remember the message and share it with their friends, as they go home to Juarez.”

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