Latest news and prayer letters
Some news and prayer letters received into the SAMS office:
Peru
Pat Blanchard leads Jesús el Nazareno church and the Shalom project and mission church for the disabled in Lima. Pray for her in the work of a busy parish, with the challenges of many poor and needy people. As well as Holy Trinity church, Julio & Norma Montoya work in several missions in very poor areas of Lima, “making up for people’s sorrows” by giving pastoral and practical care and ensuring everyone knows the Word of God. Pray for the Lord to sustain them, to care for their own fragile health, and to build his church. Pray for sufficient resources for the loving ministry of Isabel Montoya and husband Anderson Sánchez in this new year at the school and day nursery and in the church. Over 100 children benefit from care, tuition and nutrition. Sarah Tester directs ‘The Ark’ creative play programme in various parishes.
Pray this will continue to enrich children’s lives, that husband Paul’s youth work may also have lasting impact on many, and that the gospel will be proclaimed and received through these ministries. Pray for Alejandro & Doris Mesco in ministry to the villagers of the Colca Canyon. Praise God for San Felipe Mission in Cabanaconde and commit to him the challenge of going into schools and of doing radio work. The Marcés family return to Lima today after UK ministry. Remember Juan Carlos, Penny, Rebeca, Lizi & Jonny as they travel, readjust and pick up ministry again in Villa el Salvador.
Brazil
Pray for Bishop Robinson & Miriam Cavalcanti in oversight of the Diocese of Recife, for the work of the parishes and the contribution of the diocese to the Province of the Southern Cone. Pray at this busy time for Marcus & Tamara Throup in João Pessoa as they await the birth of their first child, Marcus continues his PhD studies and has increased teaching commitments at the seminary.
Ruth & Efraim Vilella moved three months ago to Porto Alegre. Pray for their roles at church and in social projects, and keep in prayer the House of Hope project in Recife, where they served for several years, as it ministers to poor folk in the neighbourhoods. Pastora Dorinha leads the mission church there.
Pray for mature disciples to emerge from the youth ministry in Espirito Santo parish, Recife, of Josias & Danielle de Souza and Daniel. Ask God to bless the family in this and the wider ministry of the church.
Peru
Pray for the Anglican Church in Peru. It is relatively young and small. Despite a 160 year history, it has only been active among nationals in the last 40 years. The biggest activity is in Lima, with a smaller presence in Arequipa, Juliaca and Ica. Many of he churches are among the very poorest in society. Pray for positive cooperation between different denominations on the ground.
Paul and Sarah Tester are currently on UK leave from Lima, where they are leaders in the church’s youth and children’s work. Pray for them for a good time of rest and relaxation as well as connection with link churches and family and friends. Pray for more leaders with a passion for youth and children to be raised up in Peru.
Paraguay
With the beginning of the academic year pray for the Annexe School. Pray for Head Víctor Santa Cruz and his staff, and for the impact of the Christian education they provide to the people of the deprived and often dangerous Chacarita area of Asunción.
Pray for Linn Tedman as she resumes her librarian role at St Andrew’s. Pray also for teacher Babs Owen in her work and witness in school and local churches.
Praise God for all that FEISA, the Early Years Teacher Training College, has achieved. In the new academic year, pray for resources to provide high quality training which will improve the standard of teaching across Paraguay.
News & Prayer
Pray for My Father’s House in Brazil, a safe house for boys at risk in Recife. Andy Roberts, writes; “a few months ago we were told that the Brazilian Federal Government have plans to develop the coast in Olinda. This includes building a road along the sea front with the proposed road passing straight through where My Father’s safe house is. We have just been informed that we now have two months to find and rent/buy a new house for the project. Do pray for us as we try to find a new place for the boys and the project… two months isn’t very long. God has always provided in the past but do pray that he will give us wisdom and guide us to the right property for us.” Please also pray for Ian and Simea Meldrum, who work with Andy and Rose Roberts at Living Waters Church and My Father’s House.
Pray for the country of Chile after the earthquakes (the largest being 8.8 magnitude), aftershocks and tsunamis experienced last month and another earthquake last week during the inauguration of the new president. Please pray for those who have lost loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods, as they try to rebuild their lives, and for the new presidency. Praise God that the Kirks, their family and colleagues were kept safe during this time, and they also ask for prayer for new initiatives at their church such as new discipleship and leadership courses, and prayer groups. Richard and Sue Pamplin also ask for prayer for a new home to rent as their current landlord’s house was affected by the quake and so they will need to move out so that he can move in!
Alison and Chris Hawksbee in Paraguay ask for prayer for more rain in the Chaco areas to fill reservoirs, water cisterns and for the growth and maintenance of subsistence crops. Please also pray for Chris as he liaises with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture about funding and running courses in the Chaco on basic livestock husbandry courses, cheese making, beekeeping and brick making.
Latest news and prayer letters
Some news and prayer letters received into the SAMS office:
BOLIVIA
Pray for Bishop Frank & Shawnee Lyons in pastoral oversight of the diocese and in ministry at La Trinidad church in Cochabamba alongside Pastor Walter Toro. Pray for the leadership of Cristo Salvador church in La Paz, especially Pedro Villarreal and Martín & Carla Flores.