Titus 3: 4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washings of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
We thank You, Jesus, for all of the wonderful Christmas gifts that you have bestowed upon us. We praise and exalt You, on this anniversary of your wondrous birth. What a miracle that God would become man! We marvel at your kindness and love and mercy, Jesus, that you would save each and every one of us: The Mudge family, all the Peruvians to whom they minister, and the rest of us who intercede for them. Thank You for the Holy Spirit in our lives, for birth and renewal and all the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that being your heirs, we have the hope of eternal life.
Lord, thank You for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. Be with them in a very manifest way, on this first Christmas that they are celebrating away from their immediate families. Continue to bless all their endeavors and give them that peace which passeth all understanding as they strive always to do your will. Amen.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Prayer Mail
Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is this week's public prayer mail.
¡Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!
Wow. I started to write this week's prayer mail on Sunday, and the week's events distracted me. That is a signal for more prayer.
Praise reports:
1) We have been invited to two missionary homes over Christmastime, December 24 and December 26. This was a real blessing to us. The one on December 26 is with a family we met in Scotia in April, this year, through homeschooling friends, and is not part of SAMS of the Anglican Church. Her aunt owns Jumpin´ Jacks restaurant.
2) We talked with my mother and brother yesterday over Skype for the first time, a video conference. That was a real blessing on both ends. You can talk about Peru, and read about Peru, but until you see it, it is sometimes hard to appreciate it. They could not believe they were talking to us in Peru for free. (Feel free to do the same.)
3) We will share the Holy Eucharist with two congregations in the next few days: Mission of Ascencion on Christmas Eve in the Surco District, and Mission of Jesus el Salvador in the Villa el Salvador District on Christmas morning.
4) That we are doing what the Lord wants us to do. That sounds rather basic, but for me there is a deep sense of eternal joy and eternal peace connected with that focus, that I do not have if we do other than what Jesus would have us do.
5) We have enjoyed the Christmas fiestas of chocolate, and panetone bread.
Prayer requests:
1) pray for the vision, mission, ministries, priorities, finances, deeds, thoughts, words, and relationships of the Diocese of Peru, the seminary, the SAMS missionaries, including the Mudges.
2) There are a lot of details and coordination matters at the moment relating to the seminary, diocesan ministries, ordination process, and missions with which we are associated, particularly some of these matters which have very little lead-time. These need your prayers. Pray for the teams that work together to the glory of God, amid all the accompanying stressors. Pray for the peace of God to be at work among us all in harmony in accordance with God´s plans for our lives and his mission, and that the Lord would protect all our hearts and minds, and that lives would be transformed by the Holy Spirit through what we do.
3) For the people we minister to, that the Gospel may spread like wild-fire, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God. Pray for the Bishops Suffragan election process, that the Lord´s candidates be selected and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to his glory, for his purposes here, and that it be obvious to all, whom they are, in peace, love, and joy; pray for the people in the selection process that they be guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Holy Spirit would pour out his spiritual gifts on all the people in the Diocese for the mission to which they are called, in humility and love before God, that the Diocese may grow fruitfully for the Kingdom of God, 100 fold.
4) For those who need healing in soul and body and spirit, whom we meet daily. In the United States, we pray especially for Nigel, Hap, John, Ron, and our parents.
5) For Mike and Linda Chapman as they move into our condominium over the course of the next two weeks.
6) For Ruth and Hannah, our daughters, for safe and timely travel over the next two weeks. Pray for Bishop Godfrey and his beloved as they travel and visit in England.
7) Pray for the short-term mission trip that is coming down in July, pray for the preparations and plans, to the glory of God, for transformed lives as a result of the trip.
8) For Julie who is preparing to preach on Christmas morning as she tries to prepare her sermon. I will be celebrating at the same service (10:30 am). Lydia is coming as well. We need prayer for transportation matters back and forth, logistics matters for getting things done, coordination matters to the glory of God, for the spiritual atmosphere at this time of transition for the mission, and anything else that comes to your mind, that the parish may grow and be fruitful to the glory of God.
We are part of a seminary faculty team that is beginning to serve there (Jesus el Salvador) in a rota, starting Christmas morning, now that the missionary couple there have gone on deputation, for a few months. In a way, on Christmas morning, we are setting the tone for the team, although the official debut of the entire team is on December 27, the same day when the 4 seminarians who will be doing internships there, will start (and please pray for Sunday as well, in which there two services, one at 10:30 am and the other at 6:30 pm, both services to be led by the Rector of the seminary, and we will be attending both services; pray for the Rector of the seminary as he prepares to lead and as he prepares to preach.). Pray for all that, as well.
Your special prayers are appreciated for Jesus el Salvador, for the transition, for the ministry team, for the three of us in particular, and for the people at the mission of Ascencion (who will be missing us as we take our turn on the rota at Jesus el Salvador).
There is a lot that will be new for both the congregation and for the clergy on Christmas morning at Jesus el Salvador, including the Eucharistic liturgy, all in Spanish.
9) Thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day, in Spanish (I am noticing that in Peru, my daily prayers for you seem more grace-filled and more full of God´s peace when I pray for you in Spanish).
As intercessors on our behalf, you make a difference.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Lima, Peru.
Peace be with you.
This is this week's public prayer mail.
¡Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!
Wow. I started to write this week's prayer mail on Sunday, and the week's events distracted me. That is a signal for more prayer.
Praise reports:
1) We have been invited to two missionary homes over Christmastime, December 24 and December 26. This was a real blessing to us. The one on December 26 is with a family we met in Scotia in April, this year, through homeschooling friends, and is not part of SAMS of the Anglican Church. Her aunt owns Jumpin´ Jacks restaurant.
2) We talked with my mother and brother yesterday over Skype for the first time, a video conference. That was a real blessing on both ends. You can talk about Peru, and read about Peru, but until you see it, it is sometimes hard to appreciate it. They could not believe they were talking to us in Peru for free. (Feel free to do the same.)
3) We will share the Holy Eucharist with two congregations in the next few days: Mission of Ascencion on Christmas Eve in the Surco District, and Mission of Jesus el Salvador in the Villa el Salvador District on Christmas morning.
4) That we are doing what the Lord wants us to do. That sounds rather basic, but for me there is a deep sense of eternal joy and eternal peace connected with that focus, that I do not have if we do other than what Jesus would have us do.
5) We have enjoyed the Christmas fiestas of chocolate, and panetone bread.
Prayer requests:
1) pray for the vision, mission, ministries, priorities, finances, deeds, thoughts, words, and relationships of the Diocese of Peru, the seminary, the SAMS missionaries, including the Mudges.
2) There are a lot of details and coordination matters at the moment relating to the seminary, diocesan ministries, ordination process, and missions with which we are associated, particularly some of these matters which have very little lead-time. These need your prayers. Pray for the teams that work together to the glory of God, amid all the accompanying stressors. Pray for the peace of God to be at work among us all in harmony in accordance with God´s plans for our lives and his mission, and that the Lord would protect all our hearts and minds, and that lives would be transformed by the Holy Spirit through what we do.
3) For the people we minister to, that the Gospel may spread like wild-fire, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God. Pray for the Bishops Suffragan election process, that the Lord´s candidates be selected and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to his glory, for his purposes here, and that it be obvious to all, whom they are, in peace, love, and joy; pray for the people in the selection process that they be guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Holy Spirit would pour out his spiritual gifts on all the people in the Diocese for the mission to which they are called, in humility and love before God, that the Diocese may grow fruitfully for the Kingdom of God, 100 fold.
4) For those who need healing in soul and body and spirit, whom we meet daily. In the United States, we pray especially for Nigel, Hap, John, Ron, and our parents.
5) For Mike and Linda Chapman as they move into our condominium over the course of the next two weeks.
6) For Ruth and Hannah, our daughters, for safe and timely travel over the next two weeks. Pray for Bishop Godfrey and his beloved as they travel and visit in England.
7) Pray for the short-term mission trip that is coming down in July, pray for the preparations and plans, to the glory of God, for transformed lives as a result of the trip.
8) For Julie who is preparing to preach on Christmas morning as she tries to prepare her sermon. I will be celebrating at the same service (10:30 am). Lydia is coming as well. We need prayer for transportation matters back and forth, logistics matters for getting things done, coordination matters to the glory of God, for the spiritual atmosphere at this time of transition for the mission, and anything else that comes to your mind, that the parish may grow and be fruitful to the glory of God.
We are part of a seminary faculty team that is beginning to serve there (Jesus el Salvador) in a rota, starting Christmas morning, now that the missionary couple there have gone on deputation, for a few months. In a way, on Christmas morning, we are setting the tone for the team, although the official debut of the entire team is on December 27, the same day when the 4 seminarians who will be doing internships there, will start (and please pray for Sunday as well, in which there two services, one at 10:30 am and the other at 6:30 pm, both services to be led by the Rector of the seminary, and we will be attending both services; pray for the Rector of the seminary as he prepares to lead and as he prepares to preach.). Pray for all that, as well.
Your special prayers are appreciated for Jesus el Salvador, for the transition, for the ministry team, for the three of us in particular, and for the people at the mission of Ascencion (who will be missing us as we take our turn on the rota at Jesus el Salvador).
There is a lot that will be new for both the congregation and for the clergy on Christmas morning at Jesus el Salvador, including the Eucharistic liturgy, all in Spanish.
9) Thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day, in Spanish (I am noticing that in Peru, my daily prayers for you seem more grace-filled and more full of God´s peace when I pray for you in Spanish).
As intercessors on our behalf, you make a difference.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Lima, Peru.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Scripture Prayer
Zechariah 4: 6b
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Father God, we thank You for your Holy Spirit and the way that this Spirit has been working in the ministries of Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. It is not their earthly talents but your spiritual gifts that have allowed them to accomplish so much in a very short time in Peru. We ask you to continue to guide them in every step of their journey and by your Holy Spirit may they have many more achievements in the New Year. Amen.
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Father God, we thank You for your Holy Spirit and the way that this Spirit has been working in the ministries of Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. It is not their earthly talents but your spiritual gifts that have allowed them to accomplish so much in a very short time in Peru. We ask you to continue to guide them in every step of their journey and by your Holy Spirit may they have many more achievements in the New Year. Amen.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December Newsletter
Christmas in Lima
Merry Christmas! It is summer in Lima, Peru, and Christmas has a special feel to it, this year for us: 1) Christmastime generally marks the beginning of summer, and 2) we are living in a desert.
Think of celebrating the birth of Jesus at the Grand Canyon in June, and you have a better idea of what we mean. Or try to imagine in department stores, next to Santa Claus in his woolies, that bikinis are on sale.
Christmas carols are an English speaking specialty, even in the churches. At the Anglican Cathedral there are two services of English speaking carols: one for people familiar with melodies from England, and another for people familiar with different melodies for the same carols from the United States.
Most churches, however, continue to sing regular hymns at this time of year because many Christmas carols are too culturally specific (figgy pudding) or have to do with cold weather (the snow lay on the ground), and that just does not translate well to summer in Peru.
Culturally, the big thing to do for Christmas is to stay up until mid-night on Christmas Eve at home, and then celebrate with chocolate and panetone, with family and friends.
And on that note, we pray that you would be blessed in some special way this Christmas.
How are we doing?
Present Ministry: We are very excited about what we have been doing and what is ahead. We are in the midst of preparing for the next semester, getting the ordination process up and going, and we will be helping out with sacramental ministry in the Villa el Salvador district of Lima for a month or two; it is a very poor area of the city, with its special joys and sorrows.
Residency process: Lydia's visa process is complete. Yea!
Prayer Requests:
• For our students in their studies.
• For seminary, mission, and diocesan: ministries, relationships, priorities, and finances.
• That we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all that we do.
God bless you, and thank you for your continuing support! – Shaw, Julie, and Lydia
Merry Christmas! It is summer in Lima, Peru, and Christmas has a special feel to it, this year for us: 1) Christmastime generally marks the beginning of summer, and 2) we are living in a desert.
Think of celebrating the birth of Jesus at the Grand Canyon in June, and you have a better idea of what we mean. Or try to imagine in department stores, next to Santa Claus in his woolies, that bikinis are on sale.
Christmas carols are an English speaking specialty, even in the churches. At the Anglican Cathedral there are two services of English speaking carols: one for people familiar with melodies from England, and another for people familiar with different melodies for the same carols from the United States.
Most churches, however, continue to sing regular hymns at this time of year because many Christmas carols are too culturally specific (figgy pudding) or have to do with cold weather (the snow lay on the ground), and that just does not translate well to summer in Peru.
Culturally, the big thing to do for Christmas is to stay up until mid-night on Christmas Eve at home, and then celebrate with chocolate and panetone, with family and friends.
And on that note, we pray that you would be blessed in some special way this Christmas.
How are we doing?
Present Ministry: We are very excited about what we have been doing and what is ahead. We are in the midst of preparing for the next semester, getting the ordination process up and going, and we will be helping out with sacramental ministry in the Villa el Salvador district of Lima for a month or two; it is a very poor area of the city, with its special joys and sorrows.
Residency process: Lydia's visa process is complete. Yea!
Prayer Requests:
• For our students in their studies.
• For seminary, mission, and diocesan: ministries, relationships, priorities, and finances.
• That we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all that we do.
God bless you, and thank you for your continuing support! – Shaw, Julie, and Lydia
Monday, December 14, 2009
Weekly Prayer Mail
Dear Friends in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail, for December 14.
Thanksgivings:
1) Thanksgiving that our missionary team is coming together.
2) Thanksgiving that we Mudges have gotten through a rather intense two weeks, spiritually stronger.
3) Thanksgiving that our daughter Hannah became a candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Albany.
4) Thanksgiving for our family and friends.
Prayers:
1) The faculty of the seminary are beginning a team sacramental ministry for perhaps two months in the Villa el Salvador district of Lima. Please pray for all of the work at the Mission of Jesus el Salvador, there.
2) For the finances, ministries, priorities, and relationships of the Diocese of Peru, Saints Augustine seminary, and ourselves.
3) For the ordination process meetings and presentations that Julie makes, and for our preparations for classes; classes begin on January 25.
4) For our daughter Hannah as she prepares for canonical exams, and for both Ruth and Hannah as they travel for Christmas.
5) For God´s plans for the Arequipa branch of the seminary, which is under current assessment.
6) For the Bishop Suffragan process in the Diocese of Peru, that the Holy Spirit would guide the process, and that our heavenly Father´s will be done.
7) For Bp. Godfrey in his travels outside of Peru, which begin this week, and for those who are covering for him.
8) That you would have a very Merry Christmas.
The next week or so could be particularly challenging, spiritually, perhaps the next several weeks.
Thank you for praying for us. It makes a difference. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Lima, Peru
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail, for December 14.
Thanksgivings:
1) Thanksgiving that our missionary team is coming together.
2) Thanksgiving that we Mudges have gotten through a rather intense two weeks, spiritually stronger.
3) Thanksgiving that our daughter Hannah became a candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Albany.
4) Thanksgiving for our family and friends.
Prayers:
1) The faculty of the seminary are beginning a team sacramental ministry for perhaps two months in the Villa el Salvador district of Lima. Please pray for all of the work at the Mission of Jesus el Salvador, there.
2) For the finances, ministries, priorities, and relationships of the Diocese of Peru, Saints Augustine seminary, and ourselves.
3) For the ordination process meetings and presentations that Julie makes, and for our preparations for classes; classes begin on January 25.
4) For our daughter Hannah as she prepares for canonical exams, and for both Ruth and Hannah as they travel for Christmas.
5) For God´s plans for the Arequipa branch of the seminary, which is under current assessment.
6) For the Bishop Suffragan process in the Diocese of Peru, that the Holy Spirit would guide the process, and that our heavenly Father´s will be done.
7) For Bp. Godfrey in his travels outside of Peru, which begin this week, and for those who are covering for him.
8) That you would have a very Merry Christmas.
The next week or so could be particularly challenging, spiritually, perhaps the next several weeks.
Thank you for praying for us. It makes a difference. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Lima, Peru
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Weekly Scripture Prayer
Revelation 2: 18-19
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Lord, these words apply so well to Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. You know about their deeds and their love and faith, their service and perseverance, and that they are doing so much for You and Your Kingdom. Continue to guide them every step of the way and give them correct discernment about those tasks that You have set for them to do. Thank You for all the accomplishments of this past year. Bless the Mudges especially during this Advent and Christmas Season, their first out of country. May they be able to feel Your Love and Peace and Joy as they await this seasonal celebration of the birth of Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Lord, these words apply so well to Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. You know about their deeds and their love and faith, their service and perseverance, and that they are doing so much for You and Your Kingdom. Continue to guide them every step of the way and give them correct discernment about those tasks that You have set for them to do. Thank You for all the accomplishments of this past year. Bless the Mudges especially during this Advent and Christmas Season, their first out of country. May they be able to feel Your Love and Peace and Joy as they await this seasonal celebration of the birth of Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Weekly Prayer Mail
Dear Friends in Prayer.
Peace be with you.
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
a) Lydia finally has her visa carnet. The process has ended. She is greatly relieved.
b) Exam week has finished. We are in the midst of grading exams and evaluating projects.
c) I had a great time making a "temperament type" presentation for the Ex-Patriot teenage youth group in our apartment on Saturday, and related it to parish life, marriage, meetings they might hold, etc. It was well received.
d) Fr. Ian Montgomery came by and did an apartment blessing for us, this week.
Prayers:
a) How to make Christmas special in the tropics. "In the Bleak Mid-winter" just is not the same in Lima, at this time of year.
b) For course preparations. Now that our first cycle has ended, we begin planning and preparing for the next one.
c) For Julie´s ordination process presentations this week and next, in Lima. She flies to Arequipa this coming weekend to make a presentation there, as well.
d) For the mission, priorities, resources, relationships, and ministries of the Diocese of Peru, the seminary, and the Mudges.
e) That God would do a mighty work with regards to the Hare-Krishna restaurant, next door. One day this week, we endured six hours of Hare-Krishna music (instead of the traditional two hours). Many times, they begin their day with the their equivalent of sung morning prayer, at 5 am, complete with drums and cymbals.
God bless you all. I pray for you daily. You are very important to us.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie, and Lydia.
Peace be with you.
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
a) Lydia finally has her visa carnet. The process has ended. She is greatly relieved.
b) Exam week has finished. We are in the midst of grading exams and evaluating projects.
c) I had a great time making a "temperament type" presentation for the Ex-Patriot teenage youth group in our apartment on Saturday, and related it to parish life, marriage, meetings they might hold, etc. It was well received.
d) Fr. Ian Montgomery came by and did an apartment blessing for us, this week.
Prayers:
a) How to make Christmas special in the tropics. "In the Bleak Mid-winter" just is not the same in Lima, at this time of year.
b) For course preparations. Now that our first cycle has ended, we begin planning and preparing for the next one.
c) For Julie´s ordination process presentations this week and next, in Lima. She flies to Arequipa this coming weekend to make a presentation there, as well.
d) For the mission, priorities, resources, relationships, and ministries of the Diocese of Peru, the seminary, and the Mudges.
e) That God would do a mighty work with regards to the Hare-Krishna restaurant, next door. One day this week, we endured six hours of Hare-Krishna music (instead of the traditional two hours). Many times, they begin their day with the their equivalent of sung morning prayer, at 5 am, complete with drums and cymbals.
God bless you all. I pray for you daily. You are very important to us.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie, and Lydia.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Psalm 20: 1-5 and 7
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
And accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
And make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
And will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Lord, thank you for answering the prayers of and for the Mudges when they are in distress and when they are at peace. Thank you for sending them guidance when difficult decisions need to be made. Thank you for protecting them during wild taxi drives. Thank you for all the help from clergy friends and from the laity as well. Thank you for the continuing financial support needed for the continuation of their mighty ministry in Peru. Thank you that their plans are your plans and that you send your Holy Spirit to make sure that these plans succeed. We praise you, Lord, for all the progress made in a few short months: vast improvement in Spanish language skills, anointed seminary teaching, anointed healing prayer, and advancing administrative details about the ordination process in Lima. All of this success is to your, glory, Lord. Throughout all, we trust in your name, Lord our God. Amen.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices
And accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart
And make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
And will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Lord, thank you for answering the prayers of and for the Mudges when they are in distress and when they are at peace. Thank you for sending them guidance when difficult decisions need to be made. Thank you for protecting them during wild taxi drives. Thank you for all the help from clergy friends and from the laity as well. Thank you for the continuing financial support needed for the continuation of their mighty ministry in Peru. Thank you that their plans are your plans and that you send your Holy Spirit to make sure that these plans succeed. We praise you, Lord, for all the progress made in a few short months: vast improvement in Spanish language skills, anointed seminary teaching, anointed healing prayer, and advancing administrative details about the ordination process in Lima. All of this success is to your, glory, Lord. Throughout all, we trust in your name, Lord our God. Amen.
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