La Caldera 2010

3rd September 2008
Argentina, La Caldera, Latin Partners

Following the successful mission trip by young people from Down and Dromore Diocese to Northern Argentina SAMS Ireland is launching a new project – La Caldera 2010. The project aims to help the Anglican church in Northern Argentina to develop following several difficult years.

La Caldera retreat centreLa Caldera is a retreat centre 30 minutes from the regional capital Salta. It is a key centre for the ministry of the diocese as it is the focus for outreach and ministry training. The original building is 100 years old and badly in need of repair. In July 2008 the team of young people started to help rebuild the retreat centre. Following this trip Bishop Harold Millar has asked that the young people of Down and Dromore and DDYC will help with an on-going project called la Caldera 2010.

Dani and Flavia LescanoAnother key part of this project will be to sponsor the training of ordinands in the Anglican church in Argentina. Key ministry students will be identified and brought to Ireland to meet interested churches. The students will spend some time getting to know the congregation who will then follow their progress through theological college in South America and pray for them as they begin ordained ministry. The first students to be chosen are Dani and Flavia Lescano, they are just starting their 2nd year in theological training in Buenos Aires.

Naomi Francy updates

2nd September 2008
Argentina, PRAY, Red Box, Volunteers

Naomi FrancyRed Box volunteer Naomi Francy continues to update her blog and recently uploaded some photos. Please have a read for her latest updates. She shares some prayer points:

Some prayer points for Salta :

For all the children in the orphanage, that they learn to treat eachother as they would like to be treated. That their hearts be filled with love for God and they will open their ears to our teachings.

For the happy hours in El Redentor (my church) that the children will be able to put into practice the memory verses they learn each week and for the leadership teams that they can work well together and come up with new interesting ways of teaching Your word.

For the young people at the church, for being so young they have an amazing faith and I pray that they will continue to let their hearts overflow with God´s love.

SAMS Prayer line

19th August 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, PRAY

The latest prayer line from SAMS GB:

Praise God for the appointment of Bishop Henry Scriven as the new Mission Director for South America. Pray for Henry and Catherine as they prepare to rejoin SAMS in January.

This week the second Mission Paraguay team completes its voluntary work there. Let’s give thanks for their three weeks of practical and spiritual service and for the leadership of coordinator David Orritt, who will be returning to the UK on the 26th.

Also coming from South America will be Ed & Marie Brice from Paraguay and Daniel & Ellelein Kirk and their two sons from Chile. Both arrive this weekend and will be here for 4-5 months. Pray for their refreshment, church visits, and for the fruit of their Bible teaching ministries in South America.

While they come, Bishop Greg & Sylvia Venables fly back to Argentina after an extended time in the UK. Give thanks for their visit and pray for their return to a huge and varied workload.

Prayer line

12th August 2008
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, PRAY

The latest prayer line from SAMS GB.

Let’s give thanks for the life and service of former SAMS missionary and home staff member Derek Hawksbee, who died on Sunday. Please remember his family; they hope to hold a short family service before son Chris returns to Paraguay on Thursday (14th), with a memorial service possibly next week.

Derek and his wife Betty also served in Paraguay, and that country reaches a milestone on Friday when ex-Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo takes office as president of the republic. He’s the first president for 61 years who is not of the Colorado party. Pray for him and his new government as they carry the hopes of the nation in their promised fight against corruption, poverty and lack of jobs.

The Anglican mother church of Makxawáya in the Paraguayan Chaco lost half its roof in a storm last week. 30 Indian homes also suffered damage. Please pray for the community as they recover and rebuild.

On Thursday (14th) the three-day Alcançando International Youth Conference begins in Recife, Brazil. SAMS Latin Partner Josias de Souza asks us to pray for this event, with speakers coming from the USA as well as other parts of Brazil. Pray for the groups from Espirito Santo church, where Josias is Youth Minister, as they speak and perform; pray many young people will come and that God’s Spirit will move in their hearts.

Finally, tomorrow a group of ten people from St Michael’s Church, Newton, Chester, fly to Northern Argentina to visit and work with their link mission partners Hugo & Techi Vergara. May God richly bless both visitors and visited, as well as the diocese there through these 2-3 weeks together.

Prayer Line

6th August 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, PRAY

The SAMS GB Prayer line:

SAMS Prayer Line for the week commencing Tuesday 5 August

Pat Blanchard was in the UK last week but on Thursday she returns to Peru after a short time in the UK. Pray for her in travel, readjustment to life and ministry at Jesús el Nazareno in Lima, and for a restoration to full health.

On Thursday and Friday the Hotel Salta in that city in Northern Argentina hosts a conference on the church and the environment. Andrew Leake is the main instigator and asks prayer that through it God will develop in church leaders of the area a genuine and practical concern for the world in which they live, particularly in light of deforestation of the Chaco area to the north. The conference has also caught the attention of politicians, the press and other groups.

Also in Northern Argentina this weekend are (i) a regional conference for Indian pastors held in the town of Sauzalito, led by veteran pastor Ernesto Avendaño, and (ii) a meeting in the Toba community of El Churcal to consider the possibility of producing Scriptures in audio form in the Toba language. Please include these events in your prayers.

Finally, the first indigenous pre-school teacher training sessions in the Paraguayan Chaco, mentioned last week, are held this Friday and Saturday in El Estribo. Pray for Samantha Parsons and the team from FEISA, the Early Years Teacher Training College in Asunción, who will be working with teachers and mothers from the villages of this community.

SAMS Prayer line

15th July 2008
Argentina, Brazil, Peru, PRAY

SAMS Prayer Line for the week commencing Tuesday 15 July

Please continue to remember the Hawksbee family. Derek, former SAMS missionary and GB staff member, has been diagnosed with bone cancer in his spine; as yet a realistic prognosis is not possible. Derek’s wife is Betty and their son Chris has flown in from mission work in Paraguay; please keep them all in prayer.

Tomorrow the Rowe family return to Spain after 3 weeks in the UK. Uphold Jonathan, Hilary, Elizabeth and Benjamin in travel and settling back to life in El Escorial, and continue to bring to God Hilary’s longstanding back problem.

Two important events are coming up in northeast Brazil this weekend. First, a seminar on urban mission is hosted at Living Waters Church in Olinda where Ian & Siméa Meldrum minister. There will be speakers from other churches and groups and it’s a big step forward to get town people to this slum area. And secondly, a children’s camp is held at Mission Esperança in Recife where Ruth & Efraim Hollingdale Vilella serve; it will be attended by 40 youngsters from 6-10 years-old who live in the nearby slum. Please remember these events in prayer.

Next week is the 25th anniversary of the Anglican ministry in the neighbourhood of Villa el Salvador in Lima, Peru. Pray for the witness and impact of the events and for the ongoing ministry of Juan Carlos & Penny Marcés at the church of Jesús el Salvador.

René Pereira in Northern Argentina asks us to pray for a training week starting on Tuesday (22nd) in Misión Chaqueña for leaders of youth groups among the Wichi people. The emphasis is on vision building and holistic mission. Many young Wichi are succumbing to the temptations of substance abuse.

Also next week a 6-day course on HIV/AIDS is held in the Paraguayan Chaco for indigenous health auxiliaries. Pray for this and for Beryl Baker who trains these workers.

Finally, keep in prayer the impact of the SAMS stand at the Lambeth Conference next Monday (21st) and Friday (25th).

SAMS Prayer line

8th July 2008
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, PRAY

Pat Blanchard arrives in the UK tomorrow having just undergone an operation in Lima, Peru. Pray that this month-long private visit she’s making will be beneficial in every way. Pat will be at New Wine in Shepton Mallet later in the month.

This is the season of winter camps in South America. Josias de Souza and the church of Espirito Santo in Recife, Brazil, join with the local Baptist church in two children’s camps from tomorrow until the 19th. And from next Monday (14th) for one week a young people’s camp is held in Juárez in Northern Argentina, drawing people from different parts of the diocese and organised by René Pereira and Pastor Narciso. Pray God’s rich blessing on these important events.

This is a poignant time for the Somervell family as Tony, Chris and their 3 teenage children leave Paraguay on Friday (11th) after many years’ service there. Pray for them as they travel, adjust to the UK and face issues of schooling and future employment. Praise God for his faithfulness, past, present and future.

Arriving in Paraguay on Thursday (10th) is the first group of short term volunteers under the ‘Mission Paraguay’ banner. Pray their 3 weeks alongside the Paraguayan church and people in practical projects and children and young people’s work will be mutually enriching. Uphold too organisers David Orritt, Penny Metcalfe and Caroline Gilmour-White.

Finally, on Saturday afternoon (12th) a prayer ministry and healing retreat is held in Recife, Brazil; 6 ladies from Mission Esperança will receive ministry to help prepare them to minister to others. Ruth & Efraim Hollingdale Vilella ask us to remember this important event in our prayers.

SAMS Prayer line

3rd July 2008
Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, PRAY

The latest SAMS GB prayer line:

Please pray for a special meeting of the church of Gómez Carreño in Chile this Saturday. Pastor Danny Morrison remains on sick leave and Daniel & Ellelein Kirk ask prayer that God will guide this church gathering and lead the congregation forward during this difficult period. Pray too for God’s healing of Danny and remember his wife Ary too.

A number of folk are travelling to the UK this week:

Retired bishop David & Rachel Leake return tomorrow from a three-month visit to Northern Argentina to assist the Toba New Testament translation project.

Sarah Yáñez and sons Samuel and Aaron also arrive tomorrow from Spain for two months, the first with her parents, the second, after husband Felipe’s arrival, visiting link churches.

Also from Spain comes Sue Woodcock on a 3-week visit, arriving Tuesday (8th).
That same day Bishop Tito & Miriam Zavala arrive back here for church visits and the Lambeth Conference.

Please remember these people in your prayers.

Finally, the staff and students of St Andrew’s and the Annexe schools in Asunción, Paraguay, are winding down for the two-week winter holiday starting on Monday (7th). Pray for a time of much-needed refreshment prior to the long term ahead until Christmas, and safety for those travelling.

La Caldera team commissioning

3rd July 2008
Argentina, BTN, La Caldera

SAMS Ireland la Caldera 2008 teamSAMS Ireland La Caldera 2008 teamLast night saw the commissioning for the BTN team from Down and Dromore Diocese. About seventy family and friends gathered in Holywood Parish Halls for a fantastic service to share what the team will be doing, pray for them and for Bishop Harold to commission the them. There was a lovely atmosphere and everyone is looking forward to going out to strengthen links between the Dioceses and serve the church there by improving their retreat centre. They leave for Argentina tomorrow, please keep them in your prayers.

Follow their progress in their blog.


Worship from last night

ps. Updates might slow for a while as the editor of this web-site is on the trip.

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