Dear Mission Friends,
Peace be with you.
Today was the final full day of the mission trip with preparations underway for tomorrow´s return, resting, wrapping up a few remaining administrative items, some shopping for uniquely Peruvian gifts, early packing, and a Holy Eucharist in the evening at which Bp. Bill presided. Fr. Mike Chapman dropped by at dinner time.
The Holy Eucharist marked a farewell to Julie by the group. She and Susan Park head for Arequipa tomorrow for a few days on Commission on Ministry (CEMO) matters, via Peruvian Airlines, on a flight before the mission team departs. Julie plans to return to Lima in time for the seminary classes that she will be teaching in Lima next week, as well as for the beginning of Lydia´s next school class cycle in Peru.
Please pray for safe and timely travel for Julie and Susan as well as for the Mission team. Departure preparations for the mission team get into full swing early, with the bus arriving at the convent 11 am, loading the bus before lunch, and departure from the convent taking place about 1 pm (just after lunch), hopefully getting to the airport about 2 pm or 2:30 pm (depending on traffic).
Lydia and I plan to be their escort in the bus to the airport. After a few airport matters, Lydia and I will return to our section of Lima by taxi, to take care of final matters relating to the mission trip. The mission team´s plane is scheduled to depart in late afternoon. They have a longer layover in Colombia on the way back than they had coming down, so there is a higher probability that they will not run into the same flight problem that they had on the way to Lima.
Please keep ailing members of the mission team in your prayers.
Shortly, today´s photos will be on my Facebook webpage. There are about 125 photos on the webpage:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230929&id=629731941&l=80ece73599
God bless you, and thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+ and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Short Term Mission Report: July 29
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
This was the second-to-last day of the short-term mission trip from Albany to Lima, Peru, this year.
Notable events of the day:
1) This was the last day of traveling with our bus driver (and his family).
The slumber party and Mudges were about half-way to the convent this morning, where the rest of the group was, when our travel bus turned a corner to where we were, on its way to the convent as well. This enabled us to ride the rest of the way. So, this morning, it was a 10 minute walk and then ride, instead of the usual 20 minute brisk pace walk to the convent. Most importantly, it was God's timing.
The spouse of our bus driver brought the group some mazamorra (jelly, fruit, purple pudding-juice made from purple corn.)
2) We visited the Archaeological Museum, one of the top museums in Peru, covering the history of Peru from early man to the recent past. Just about everyone wanted to go through the pre-colombian section, so we spent our time there.
3) Then, we stopped at the Anglican Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for a tour, and to drop off the team's work clothes and tools. The work clothes will be donated to women of the Diocese to help raise funds. The tools are to be used by the Diocese of Peru for future work projects.
4) After lunch, we went to the Inca Market to buy gifts and such.
Please pray for the team members as they begin to transition to the United States, and as they begin to integrate their experiences here with their lives in the US.
For family members and personal friends of the team members: everyone on both continents will have had experiences that the others have not. Perhaps the team's lives will have changed for ever. Maybe their story will inspire other young people too come to Peru. Maybe you will be inspired to come join us in the work, here in Peru, on another short-term mission trip.
Pray that God would guide us all, in the days and months to come. The team still has a day here, but their thoughts are beginning to head home. This has been a very good group, and we appreciate the fact that they have gone out of their way to include us as part of the team.
Team members on the whole have been healthy, but your continued prayers for ailing members, would be appreciated.
God bless you all, and thank you for your prayers. I pray for you every day.
Padre Shaw Mudge, on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Peace be with you.
This was the second-to-last day of the short-term mission trip from Albany to Lima, Peru, this year.
Notable events of the day:
1) This was the last day of traveling with our bus driver (and his family).
The slumber party and Mudges were about half-way to the convent this morning, where the rest of the group was, when our travel bus turned a corner to where we were, on its way to the convent as well. This enabled us to ride the rest of the way. So, this morning, it was a 10 minute walk and then ride, instead of the usual 20 minute brisk pace walk to the convent. Most importantly, it was God's timing.
The spouse of our bus driver brought the group some mazamorra (jelly, fruit, purple pudding-juice made from purple corn.)
2) We visited the Archaeological Museum, one of the top museums in Peru, covering the history of Peru from early man to the recent past. Just about everyone wanted to go through the pre-colombian section, so we spent our time there.
3) Then, we stopped at the Anglican Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for a tour, and to drop off the team's work clothes and tools. The work clothes will be donated to women of the Diocese to help raise funds. The tools are to be used by the Diocese of Peru for future work projects.
4) After lunch, we went to the Inca Market to buy gifts and such.
Please pray for the team members as they begin to transition to the United States, and as they begin to integrate their experiences here with their lives in the US.
For family members and personal friends of the team members: everyone on both continents will have had experiences that the others have not. Perhaps the team's lives will have changed for ever. Maybe their story will inspire other young people too come to Peru. Maybe you will be inspired to come join us in the work, here in Peru, on another short-term mission trip.
Pray that God would guide us all, in the days and months to come. The team still has a day here, but their thoughts are beginning to head home. This has been a very good group, and we appreciate the fact that they have gone out of their way to include us as part of the team.
Team members on the whole have been healthy, but your continued prayers for ailing members, would be appreciated.
God bless you all, and thank you for your prayers. I pray for you every day.
Padre Shaw Mudge, on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Short Term Mission Report: July 28
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
We had a cultural day today, to know more about Peru. We visited Pachacamac in the Province of Lima on the coast, and we learned that the view of the Inca Empire from a Peruvian perspective is that the Incas were a warrior empire. I have heard elsewhere that they forceably relocated whole villages. We learned that, at the temple of the Son at Pachacamac, twice a year they sacrificed a daughter from one of the ruling families, usually about age 30. I am thankful that Jesus is our once-for-all sacrifice.
You may wonder how a trip to Pachacamac ties into mission. Pachacamac helps us understand Peruvian culture, and when we understand Peruvian culture, we understand the people better, to minister better. And as I was talking with Fr. Gus Calvo about the religious customs of the Incas that we heard from our guide, it suddenly occurred to me how the religious practices factored into the life of the Incas, and I was struck by parallels that exist in contemporary Peruvian culture.
Furthermore, Peruvians have asked us Mudges from time to time if we have visited Pachacamac, as an indication of our commitment to the people of Peru. Because Pachacamac is not just about the Incan Empire, it is also about the 3 other empires prior to the Incas, dating back to about 200 AD, at this one location.
I had a wonderful birthday that included a party at our apartment this evening. Among the attending guests were the Albany Mission team, Bp. Godfrey of Peru and Judith his beloved, and Fr. Mike Chapman and Linda, his beloved.
Lydia's slumber party is going well.
Two of our members are feeling slightly under the weather. Please pray for their swift recovery, and we ask for prayers of protection for all the team members' health. Please pray also for the agenda, tomorrow, and that we would do what the Holy Spirit would guide us to do.
There are about 107 photos of our Peruvian trip on my Facebook page, in public format, if you are interested.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230929&id=629731941&l=80ece73599
Some videos from the Albany trip to Peru are about to be placed on my Youtube website. Search "shawmjr" at www.youtube.com if you would like to see them.
Thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Father Shaw
Peace be with you.
We had a cultural day today, to know more about Peru. We visited Pachacamac in the Province of Lima on the coast, and we learned that the view of the Inca Empire from a Peruvian perspective is that the Incas were a warrior empire. I have heard elsewhere that they forceably relocated whole villages. We learned that, at the temple of the Son at Pachacamac, twice a year they sacrificed a daughter from one of the ruling families, usually about age 30. I am thankful that Jesus is our once-for-all sacrifice.
You may wonder how a trip to Pachacamac ties into mission. Pachacamac helps us understand Peruvian culture, and when we understand Peruvian culture, we understand the people better, to minister better. And as I was talking with Fr. Gus Calvo about the religious customs of the Incas that we heard from our guide, it suddenly occurred to me how the religious practices factored into the life of the Incas, and I was struck by parallels that exist in contemporary Peruvian culture.
Furthermore, Peruvians have asked us Mudges from time to time if we have visited Pachacamac, as an indication of our commitment to the people of Peru. Because Pachacamac is not just about the Incan Empire, it is also about the 3 other empires prior to the Incas, dating back to about 200 AD, at this one location.
I had a wonderful birthday that included a party at our apartment this evening. Among the attending guests were the Albany Mission team, Bp. Godfrey of Peru and Judith his beloved, and Fr. Mike Chapman and Linda, his beloved.
Lydia's slumber party is going well.
Two of our members are feeling slightly under the weather. Please pray for their swift recovery, and we ask for prayers of protection for all the team members' health. Please pray also for the agenda, tomorrow, and that we would do what the Holy Spirit would guide us to do.
There are about 107 photos of our Peruvian trip on my Facebook page, in public format, if you are interested.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230929&id=629731941&l=80ece73599
Some videos from the Albany trip to Peru are about to be placed on my Youtube website. Search "shawmjr" at www.youtube.com if you would like to see them.
Thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Father Shaw
Mudge Scripture Prayer
Father God, we pray for safe and timely travel for all members of the Albany Diocesan Short Term Mission to Albany. Thank You that You are with them, guiding them and keeping them safe!
Psalm 75:1
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks.
You are present, and your miracles confirm that.
O God, we thank You that you are always present. We thank You that you were with each and every member of the Albany Diocese’s short term mission to Peru. Thank You for all the ministry that was done. Thank You for every blessing that the team members bestowed and for every blessing that You bestowed upon them.
Judges 5: 31b
But may those who love the Lord
Be like the sun when it rises in all its brightness.
Lord, we ask You to continue to shine through the Mudges and through every person that participated in the short term mission.
Acts 2:28
You make the path of life known to me.
In your presence there is complete joy.
Continue to guide Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia in all that they do for You. Be with them always and grant them your complete joy.
Matthew 28: 19-20
So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.
Bless the mission outreach of the Albany Episcopal Diocese. Strengthen every person involved to be more effective as disciples making disciples in all nations, so that many will be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Thank You that You are with us until the end of time.
Amen.
Psalm 75:1
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks.
You are present, and your miracles confirm that.
O God, we thank You that you are always present. We thank You that you were with each and every member of the Albany Diocese’s short term mission to Peru. Thank You for all the ministry that was done. Thank You for every blessing that the team members bestowed and for every blessing that You bestowed upon them.
Judges 5: 31b
But may those who love the Lord
Be like the sun when it rises in all its brightness.
Lord, we ask You to continue to shine through the Mudges and through every person that participated in the short term mission.
Acts 2:28
You make the path of life known to me.
In your presence there is complete joy.
Continue to guide Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia in all that they do for You. Be with them always and grant them your complete joy.
Matthew 28: 19-20
So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.
Bless the mission outreach of the Albany Episcopal Diocese. Strengthen every person involved to be more effective as disciples making disciples in all nations, so that many will be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Thank You that You are with us until the end of time.
Amen.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Short Term Mission Report: July 27
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
We had a great day today, holding a vacation Bible school day in a poor section of Ventanilla, about an hour and a half by bus, north, from the convent where the team is staying in Lima.
I include two pictures from today, below. Shortly, I hope to set up sample fotos from the mission trip in my Facebook account. To see them, go to the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230929&id=629731941&l=80ece73599
We prayed for healing in several peoples´ homes, and had a prayer walk through the community. While we were in the neighborhood, a pregnant lady´s water broke, and so the family and friends wondered if we could drive our bus to the hospital. But our bus driver was away, and in a few minutes, an ambulance arrived and took her to the local hospital.
Amelia Brown has provided us with marbles, colored pencils, and pencil sharpeners for the ministry at this mission. They are just what is needed, among other things. Thank you to the Browns, especially to her parents who also made this possible.
Yesterday morning, Catie Love gave a spectacular presentation during our team devotion time, paralleling our experience with the artist at La Ascension to what God does in our lives. I was truly blessed.
We have had the same bus driver since the day after the team arrived. This morning, one of the bus driver´s sons asked me where there is an Anglican Church in his neighborhood. I put him in touch with one of the leaders of the mission today, who told him of a mission about 3 or 4 blocks from his home in another district of the city. Praise God.
Please pray for today´s mission and its work and growth. Please pray for our team in its final days in the mission, for all the logistics, and activities. Please pray for me tomorrow. I get to celebrate my birthday along with the birthday of the nation of Peru, and the closing hours include a sleep-over of four teenage girls.
Having a birthday on the day of the birth of the country, is really interesting, here. I have this feeling from two conversations today that when some people discover this, it is like I have a special relationship with them, that my birthday is a sign that I am part of the national heritage in a special way. Please pray that it would be a special day for us all, here in Peru, and for you in North America, as well, to the glory of God wherever we are.
Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day. It makes a difference.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia.
Peace be with you.
We had a great day today, holding a vacation Bible school day in a poor section of Ventanilla, about an hour and a half by bus, north, from the convent where the team is staying in Lima.
I include two pictures from today, below. Shortly, I hope to set up sample fotos from the mission trip in my Facebook account. To see them, go to the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230929&id=629731941&l=80ece73599
We prayed for healing in several peoples´ homes, and had a prayer walk through the community. While we were in the neighborhood, a pregnant lady´s water broke, and so the family and friends wondered if we could drive our bus to the hospital. But our bus driver was away, and in a few minutes, an ambulance arrived and took her to the local hospital.
Amelia Brown has provided us with marbles, colored pencils, and pencil sharpeners for the ministry at this mission. They are just what is needed, among other things. Thank you to the Browns, especially to her parents who also made this possible.
Yesterday morning, Catie Love gave a spectacular presentation during our team devotion time, paralleling our experience with the artist at La Ascension to what God does in our lives. I was truly blessed.
We have had the same bus driver since the day after the team arrived. This morning, one of the bus driver´s sons asked me where there is an Anglican Church in his neighborhood. I put him in touch with one of the leaders of the mission today, who told him of a mission about 3 or 4 blocks from his home in another district of the city. Praise God.
Please pray for today´s mission and its work and growth. Please pray for our team in its final days in the mission, for all the logistics, and activities. Please pray for me tomorrow. I get to celebrate my birthday along with the birthday of the nation of Peru, and the closing hours include a sleep-over of four teenage girls.
Having a birthday on the day of the birth of the country, is really interesting, here. I have this feeling from two conversations today that when some people discover this, it is like I have a special relationship with them, that my birthday is a sign that I am part of the national heritage in a special way. Please pray that it would be a special day for us all, here in Peru, and for you in North America, as well, to the glory of God wherever we are.
Thank you for praying. I pray for you every day. It makes a difference.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Short Term Mission: July 26
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
We had a very good day today (Monday).
Most of the day involved visiting a mission in a poorer section of Lima that specializes in ministry to handicapped children.
We were helping the people there put final touches on their new building, in time for their opening ceremony tomorrow.
Debbie Gerlach has recovered. Thank you for praying.
Please keep the team in prayer over the next few days as they finish up their work here.
I include a photograph from the day's efforts.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+ and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Peace be with you.
We had a very good day today (Monday).
Most of the day involved visiting a mission in a poorer section of Lima that specializes in ministry to handicapped children.
We were helping the people there put final touches on their new building, in time for their opening ceremony tomorrow.
Debbie Gerlach has recovered. Thank you for praying.
Please keep the team in prayer over the next few days as they finish up their work here.
I include a photograph from the day's efforts.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+ and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Monday, July 26, 2010
Short Term Mission Report: July 25
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
In place of my usual weekly prayer and praise report, I am passing along a daily mission report. Keep praying for us Mudges, and all that needs to happen over the next few weeks, and please keep praying for the team as they start to move into the second and final week of the trip. I especially ask your prayers for Debbie Gerlach who was a bit under the weather today, and is recovering.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me a messages about the mission reports and the photos, and thank you to Torre Bissell and Jeanne Gizara who have been willing to pass along daily reports. Thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day. It makes a difference.
This is today´s report from the Albany mission trip to Lima, Peru:
Again, there were two parts of the day, today, for the mission team:
1) There was a healing service during the 11 am Holy Eucharist at La Ascension in the Surco District of Lima during the prayers of the people, led by Bishop Bill Love. Four prayer teams from the group were set up in the different corners around the room. One team was joined by Judith Godfrey (beloved spouse of Bp. Bill Godfrey) and by Linda Chapman (beloved spouse of Fr. Mike Chapman).
Fr. Mike presided at the Holy Eucharist. Bishop Bill preached (and it was translated by a team member into Spanish). The Diocese of Albany team led the congregation in two of the worship songs. I have included two pictures, one of the Albany team during the service (two team members are playing percussion instruments), and another during a photo session after the service.
After the service, the congregation of La Ascension gave us a very nice thank-you lunch at the parish, as an example of the famous Peruvian hospitality that we have been experiencing, and in gratitude for all that had been accomplished at the mission. The parish hopes that this is the beginning of a continuing relationship between the Diocese of Albany and the parish of La Ascension.
At the end of the lunch, Amelia Brown gave an excellent visual presentation in Spanish to everyone, about the Diocese of Albany. About 3:30 pm, the get-together concluded with a spectacular cultural song by the congregation, led by Fr. Alberto Valdivia, the priest in charge of the congregation and an excellent guitarist. Fr. Alberto stands between Bp. Bill and Fr. Mike in one of the photos.
2) In the evening after about a 45 minute drive, we enjoyed a different kind of Holy Eucharist, at the anniversary celebration of the mission of Jesus El Salvador in the District of Villa El Salvador, a mission at which Julie and I had been serving earlier this year. The service lasted from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.
Several of the people at this service were people that the team had been meeting during the week. That reunion was great, especially for the team members who had painted the mural at La Ascension with Marco Gomez, the artist; Marco was a leader at the service at Jesus El Salvador, and he lives at Jesus el Salvador.
And it was very nice service for just about everyone, and there were photos afterwards. Fr. Julio Montoya, the Vicar General of the Diocese, was both the celebrant and the preacher, and he gave an excellent sermon on prayer that was translated by Raul Calvo into English (one of the team members). Our bus driver and his family joined us for the service; he particularly liked the worship band.
Tomorrow is another interesting day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Peace be with you.
In place of my usual weekly prayer and praise report, I am passing along a daily mission report. Keep praying for us Mudges, and all that needs to happen over the next few weeks, and please keep praying for the team as they start to move into the second and final week of the trip. I especially ask your prayers for Debbie Gerlach who was a bit under the weather today, and is recovering.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me a messages about the mission reports and the photos, and thank you to Torre Bissell and Jeanne Gizara who have been willing to pass along daily reports. Thank you for praying for us. I pray for you every day. It makes a difference.
This is today´s report from the Albany mission trip to Lima, Peru:
Again, there were two parts of the day, today, for the mission team:
1) There was a healing service during the 11 am Holy Eucharist at La Ascension in the Surco District of Lima during the prayers of the people, led by Bishop Bill Love. Four prayer teams from the group were set up in the different corners around the room. One team was joined by Judith Godfrey (beloved spouse of Bp. Bill Godfrey) and by Linda Chapman (beloved spouse of Fr. Mike Chapman).
Fr. Mike presided at the Holy Eucharist. Bishop Bill preached (and it was translated by a team member into Spanish). The Diocese of Albany team led the congregation in two of the worship songs. I have included two pictures, one of the Albany team during the service (two team members are playing percussion instruments), and another during a photo session after the service.
After the service, the congregation of La Ascension gave us a very nice thank-you lunch at the parish, as an example of the famous Peruvian hospitality that we have been experiencing, and in gratitude for all that had been accomplished at the mission. The parish hopes that this is the beginning of a continuing relationship between the Diocese of Albany and the parish of La Ascension.
At the end of the lunch, Amelia Brown gave an excellent visual presentation in Spanish to everyone, about the Diocese of Albany. About 3:30 pm, the get-together concluded with a spectacular cultural song by the congregation, led by Fr. Alberto Valdivia, the priest in charge of the congregation and an excellent guitarist. Fr. Alberto stands between Bp. Bill and Fr. Mike in one of the photos.
2) In the evening after about a 45 minute drive, we enjoyed a different kind of Holy Eucharist, at the anniversary celebration of the mission of Jesus El Salvador in the District of Villa El Salvador, a mission at which Julie and I had been serving earlier this year. The service lasted from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.
Several of the people at this service were people that the team had been meeting during the week. That reunion was great, especially for the team members who had painted the mural at La Ascension with Marco Gomez, the artist; Marco was a leader at the service at Jesus El Salvador, and he lives at Jesus el Salvador.
And it was very nice service for just about everyone, and there were photos afterwards. Fr. Julio Montoya, the Vicar General of the Diocese, was both the celebrant and the preacher, and he gave an excellent sermon on prayer that was translated by Raul Calvo into English (one of the team members). Our bus driver and his family joined us for the service; he particularly liked the worship band.
Tomorrow is another interesting day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Short Term Mission Report: July 24
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
This is today´s report from the Albany mission trip to Lima, Peru.
Temperatures are a bit on the chilly side on the coast at night, but not life-threatening as in some parts of the sierras. During the day, it was rather pleasant in Lima, and quite a few people were surfing (in wetsuits).
There were two parts of the day, today, for the mission team:
1) Youth ministry at a mission in the Villa El Salvador section of Lima in the morning. A photo is attached.
2) Catching up on things like laundry, changing money, preparing for tomorrow, and taking a walk through a park in the Miraflores District of Lima with a good view of the ocean.
Tomorrow is a full day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia.
Peace be with you.
This is today´s report from the Albany mission trip to Lima, Peru.
Temperatures are a bit on the chilly side on the coast at night, but not life-threatening as in some parts of the sierras. During the day, it was rather pleasant in Lima, and quite a few people were surfing (in wetsuits).
There were two parts of the day, today, for the mission team:
1) Youth ministry at a mission in the Villa El Salvador section of Lima in the morning. A photo is attached.
2) Catching up on things like laundry, changing money, preparing for tomorrow, and taking a walk through a park in the Miraflores District of Lima with a good view of the ocean.
Tomorrow is a full day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia.
Short Term Mission Report: July 23
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
It was another very good day for the mission team today in Lima, Peru.
But until this morning, we did not realize that last night was a 40 year low temperature for Lima, Peru, at 8 degrees C or about 46 degrees F. The days are considerably warmer.
Again, today, we were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascension is and where the seminary is.
Accomplishments and noted events:
We finished the wall mural for the nursery at the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the finished mural is attached.
The mural represents coastal, sierra, and jungle areas of Peru. From the seminarian graduate, the mission team painters learned quite a lot about painting, and about praying a picture while painting it.
The NGO office room painting project was completed at the Diocesan Center. Bishop Bill and Karen were awesome in this endeavor.
A printed banner for the Mission of the Ascension (a banner which included service times) was hung outside the building for the public to see.
Two interior wall hangings (used in the former building for the Mission of the Ascension) were put up today. One depicted the resurrection of Jesus, and the other depicted the Ascension of Jesus.
Some of the team helped sort clothes to be sold at the upcoming Diocese of Peru youth fundraiser.
A rather aging and somewhat oxidized playground was dismantled and removed from the back area of the Diocesan Center. That may sound easier to do than it was to do. An awesome effort by the team.
Most of the team joined with members of the Mission of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood to invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. Our Peruvian neighborhood hosts really liked our team and would like to do this again if possible. As a matter of fact, they liked our team so much, they would like to do anything with our team.
Yesterday, we were in more of a middle middle class neighborhood near the Mission of Ascension, and this evening we were in a lower middle class neighborhood in the Surco District of Lima. By far, the greater reception to our healing service invitation was in the lower middle class neighborhood in Surco, and our time there was awesome, for everyone.
Meanwhile, 5 members of the team attended a Holy Eucharist in a home connected in the Brena District of Lima (instead of walking through the neighborhood in Surco with the rest of us). This Holy Eucharist, too, was a moving experience, and the team benefitted from Peruvian hospitality which included Peruvian hot chocolate. The Holy Eucharist had 25 people fitting into a very small living room. This mission (associated with the Bible study) is a church plant of the Mission of the Ascension in Surco. A Mission creating another Mission.
Julie mentions that prayer would be appreciated for the people on the trip who are a bit sore from their efforts in the work being done.
On to the next mission, tomorrow.
Thank you for keeping us in prayer. We sense your prayers in all that we are doing.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Peace be with you.
It was another very good day for the mission team today in Lima, Peru.
But until this morning, we did not realize that last night was a 40 year low temperature for Lima, Peru, at 8 degrees C or about 46 degrees F. The days are considerably warmer.
Again, today, we were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascension is and where the seminary is.
Accomplishments and noted events:
We finished the wall mural for the nursery at the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the finished mural is attached.
The mural represents coastal, sierra, and jungle areas of Peru. From the seminarian graduate, the mission team painters learned quite a lot about painting, and about praying a picture while painting it.
The NGO office room painting project was completed at the Diocesan Center. Bishop Bill and Karen were awesome in this endeavor.
A printed banner for the Mission of the Ascension (a banner which included service times) was hung outside the building for the public to see.
Two interior wall hangings (used in the former building for the Mission of the Ascension) were put up today. One depicted the resurrection of Jesus, and the other depicted the Ascension of Jesus.
Some of the team helped sort clothes to be sold at the upcoming Diocese of Peru youth fundraiser.
A rather aging and somewhat oxidized playground was dismantled and removed from the back area of the Diocesan Center. That may sound easier to do than it was to do. An awesome effort by the team.
Most of the team joined with members of the Mission of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood to invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. Our Peruvian neighborhood hosts really liked our team and would like to do this again if possible. As a matter of fact, they liked our team so much, they would like to do anything with our team.
Yesterday, we were in more of a middle middle class neighborhood near the Mission of Ascension, and this evening we were in a lower middle class neighborhood in the Surco District of Lima. By far, the greater reception to our healing service invitation was in the lower middle class neighborhood in Surco, and our time there was awesome, for everyone.
Meanwhile, 5 members of the team attended a Holy Eucharist in a home connected in the Brena District of Lima (instead of walking through the neighborhood in Surco with the rest of us). This Holy Eucharist, too, was a moving experience, and the team benefitted from Peruvian hospitality which included Peruvian hot chocolate. The Holy Eucharist had 25 people fitting into a very small living room. This mission (associated with the Bible study) is a church plant of the Mission of the Ascension in Surco. A Mission creating another Mission.
Julie mentions that prayer would be appreciated for the people on the trip who are a bit sore from their efforts in the work being done.
On to the next mission, tomorrow.
Thank you for keeping us in prayer. We sense your prayers in all that we are doing.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Albany Short Term Mission July 23
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
It was another very good day for the mission team today in Lima, Peru.
But until this morning, we did not realize that last night was a 40 year low temperature for Lima, Peru, at 8 degrees C or about 46 degrees F. The days are considerably warmer.
Again, today, we were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascension is and where the seminary is.
Accomplishments and noted events:
We finished the wall mural for the nursery at the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the finished mural is attached.
The mural represents coastal, sierra, and jungle areas of Peru. From the seminarian graduate, the mission team painters learned quite a lot about painting, and about praying a picture while painting it.
The NGO office room painting project was completed at the Diocesan Center. Bishop Bill and Karen were awesome in this endeavor.
A printed banner for the Mission of the Ascension (a banner which included service times) was hung outside the building for the public to see.
Two interior wall hangings (used in the former building for the Mission of the Ascension) were put up today. One depicted the resurrection of Jesus, and the other depicted the Ascension of Jesus.
Some of the team helped sort clothes to be sold at the upcoming Diocese of Peru youth fundraiser.
A rather aging and somewhat oxidized playground was dismantled and removed from the back area of the Diocesan Center. That may sound easier to do than it was to do. An awesome effort by the team.
Most of the team joined with members of the Mission of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood to invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. Our Peruvian neighborhood hosts really liked our team and would like to do this again if possible. As a matter of fact, they liked our team so much, they would like to do anything with our team.
Yesterday, we were in more of a middle middle class neighborhood near the Mission of Ascension, and this evening we were in a lower middle class neighborhood in the Surco District of Lima. By far, the greater reception to our healing service invitation was in the lower middle class neighborhood in Surco, and our time there was awesome, for everyone.
Meanwhile, 5 members of the team attended a Holy Eucharist in a home connected in the Brena District of Lima (instead of walking through the neighborhood in Surco with the rest of us). This Holy Eucharist, too, was a moving experience, and the team benefitted from Peruvian hospitality which included Peruvian hot chocolate. The Holy Eucharist had 25 people fitting into a very small living room. This mission (associated with the Bible study) is a church plant of the Mission of the Ascension in Surco. A Mission creating another Mission.
Julie mentions that prayer would be appreciated for the people on the trip who are a bit sore from their efforts in the work being done.
On to the next mission, tomorrow.
Thank you for keeping us in prayer. We sense your prayers in all that we are doing.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Peace be with you.
It was another very good day for the mission team today in Lima, Peru.
But until this morning, we did not realize that last night was a 40 year low temperature for Lima, Peru, at 8 degrees C or about 46 degrees F. The days are considerably warmer.
Again, today, we were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascension is and where the seminary is.
Accomplishments and noted events:
We finished the wall mural for the nursery at the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the finished mural is attached.
The mural represents coastal, sierra, and jungle areas of Peru. From the seminarian graduate, the mission team painters learned quite a lot about painting, and about praying a picture while painting it.
The NGO office room painting project was completed at the Diocesan Center. Bishop Bill and Karen were awesome in this endeavor.
A printed banner for the Mission of the Ascension (a banner which included service times) was hung outside the building for the public to see.
Two interior wall hangings (used in the former building for the Mission of the Ascension) were put up today. One depicted the resurrection of Jesus, and the other depicted the Ascension of Jesus.
Some of the team helped sort clothes to be sold at the upcoming Diocese of Peru youth fundraiser.
A rather aging and somewhat oxidized playground was dismantled and removed from the back area of the Diocesan Center. That may sound easier to do than it was to do. An awesome effort by the team.
Most of the team joined with members of the Mission of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood to invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. Our Peruvian neighborhood hosts really liked our team and would like to do this again if possible. As a matter of fact, they liked our team so much, they would like to do anything with our team.
Yesterday, we were in more of a middle middle class neighborhood near the Mission of Ascension, and this evening we were in a lower middle class neighborhood in the Surco District of Lima. By far, the greater reception to our healing service invitation was in the lower middle class neighborhood in Surco, and our time there was awesome, for everyone.
Meanwhile, 5 members of the team attended a Holy Eucharist in a home connected in the Brena District of Lima (instead of walking through the neighborhood in Surco with the rest of us). This Holy Eucharist, too, was a moving experience, and the team benefitted from Peruvian hospitality which included Peruvian hot chocolate. The Holy Eucharist had 25 people fitting into a very small living room. This mission (associated with the Bible study) is a church plant of the Mission of the Ascension in Surco. A Mission creating another Mission.
Julie mentions that prayer would be appreciated for the people on the trip who are a bit sore from their efforts in the work being done.
On to the next mission, tomorrow.
Thank you for keeping us in prayer. We sense your prayers in all that we are doing.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Albany Short Term Mission: July 22
Dear mission friends,
Peace be with you.
It was a very good day today in Lima, Peru.
We were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascensión is and where the seminary is. We return tomorrow.
Accomplishments and noted events:
Some team members saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, today.
Part one of a wall mural for the nursery in the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the mural from earlier in the day is attached. The team started with a blank wall. One of the recent seminary graduates drew the template, and the team is painting it. The work continues tomorrow.
The NGO office is being painted at the Diocesan Center. NGO stands for "Non-governmental organization," and this NGO is an organization that coordinates a lot of the diocesan social outreach work. The painting continues tomorrow.
Study Bibles and history books were taken to the seminary.
Team members were able to make Internet and or Skype connections with family members and friends.
Fr. Mike Chapman made a brief cameo appearance at one point during the day, en route to a meeting in the same building.
The team joined with members of the Church of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. We went in small groups. One of our bus driver´s sons was part of one of the teams.
Part 2 of the trek through the neighborhood continues tomorrow. Initially, this was a stretching moment for some, but in the end, from the reports, this appeared to be a very positive experience.
The mission team leaders and the diocesan support team both have been fantastic and are coordinating well. The team itself is a great one. Top notch.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Peace be with you.
It was a very good day today in Lima, Peru.
We were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascensión is and where the seminary is. We return tomorrow.
Accomplishments and noted events:
Some team members saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, today.
Part one of a wall mural for the nursery in the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the mural from earlier in the day is attached. The team started with a blank wall. One of the recent seminary graduates drew the template, and the team is painting it. The work continues tomorrow.
The NGO office is being painted at the Diocesan Center. NGO stands for "Non-governmental organization," and this NGO is an organization that coordinates a lot of the diocesan social outreach work. The painting continues tomorrow.
Study Bibles and history books were taken to the seminary.
Team members were able to make Internet and or Skype connections with family members and friends.
Fr. Mike Chapman made a brief cameo appearance at one point during the day, en route to a meeting in the same building.
The team joined with members of the Church of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. We went in small groups. One of our bus driver´s sons was part of one of the teams.
Part 2 of the trek through the neighborhood continues tomorrow. Initially, this was a stretching moment for some, but in the end, from the reports, this appeared to be a very positive experience.
The mission team leaders and the diocesan support team both have been fantastic and are coordinating well. The team itself is a great one. Top notch.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Scripture Prayer
Romans 15:31b-33
Pray that God’s people in Jerusalem will accept the help I bring. Also pray that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and be refreshed when I am with you. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Lord, we pray that God’s people in Peru will accept the help brought to them through the Albany Diocese short term mission trip. We especially pray for the healing service that is planned for this Sunday. Let Your Holy Spirit flow with power and might and let there be many signs and wonders. By the will of God may all the missionaries, short term or long term, be filled with joy. May they bring refreshment and be refreshed as well. Most of all Lord, send your peace. Amen.
Pray that God’s people in Jerusalem will accept the help I bring. Also pray that by the will of God I may come to you with joy and be refreshed when I am with you. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Lord, we pray that God’s people in Peru will accept the help brought to them through the Albany Diocese short term mission trip. We especially pray for the healing service that is planned for this Sunday. Let Your Holy Spirit flow with power and might and let there be many signs and wonders. By the will of God may all the missionaries, short term or long term, be filled with joy. May they bring refreshment and be refreshed as well. Most of all Lord, send your peace. Amen.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Albany Short Term Mission Update July 22
Dear mission friends,
Peace be with you.
It was a very good day today in Lima, Peru.
We were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascensión is and where the seminary is. We return tomorrow.
Accomplishments and noted events:
Some team members saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, today.
Part one of a wall mural for the nursery in the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the mural from earlier in the day is attached. The team started with a blank wall. One of the recent seminary graduates drew the template, and the team is painting it. The work continues tomorrow.
The NGO office is being painted at the Diocesan Center. NGO stands for "Non-governmental organization," and this NGO is an organization that coordinates a lot of the diocesan social outreach work. The painting continues tomorrow.
Study Bibles and history books were taken to the seminary.
Team members were able to make Internet and or Skype connections with family members and friends.
Fr. Mike Chapman made a brief cameo appearance at one point during the day, en route to a meeting in the same building.
The team joined with members of the Church of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood to invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. We went in small groups. One of our bus driver´s sons was part of one of the teams.
Part 2 of the trek through the neighborhood continues tomorrow. Initially, this was a stretching moment for some, but in the end, from the reports, this appeared to be a very positive experience.
The mission team leaders and the diocesan support team both have been fantastic and are coordinating well. The team itself is a great one. Top notch.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Peace be with you.
It was a very good day today in Lima, Peru.
We were at Christ the King Diocesan Center in the District of Surco, the same building where the Mission of the Ascensión is and where the seminary is. We return tomorrow.
Accomplishments and noted events:
Some team members saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, today.
Part one of a wall mural for the nursery in the Mission of the Ascension began. A photo of the mural from earlier in the day is attached. The team started with a blank wall. One of the recent seminary graduates drew the template, and the team is painting it. The work continues tomorrow.
The NGO office is being painted at the Diocesan Center. NGO stands for "Non-governmental organization," and this NGO is an organization that coordinates a lot of the diocesan social outreach work. The painting continues tomorrow.
Study Bibles and history books were taken to the seminary.
Team members were able to make Internet and or Skype connections with family members and friends.
Fr. Mike Chapman made a brief cameo appearance at one point during the day, en route to a meeting in the same building.
The team joined with members of the Church of the Ascension to go out into the neighborhood to invite people in the neighborhood to the Sunday healing service this coming Sunday morning. We went in small groups. One of our bus driver´s sons was part of one of the teams.
Part 2 of the trek through the neighborhood continues tomorrow. Initially, this was a stretching moment for some, but in the end, from the reports, this appeared to be a very positive experience.
The mission team leaders and the diocesan support team both have been fantastic and are coordinating well. The team itself is a great one. Top notch.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Albany Short Term Mission Update July 21
Dear Friends in Christ,
Peace be with you.
This is an update from the Albany mission trip to Lima, Peru.
I do not know if you will be able to see the attached pictures, but I have included two from the mission trip.
One of the key objectives of a good mission trip is to spread the love of Christ. The pictures that I am including, show some of the interaction of the mission group with the people among whom we are working.
If you are able to, pick a person in a photo, and pray a prayer of Christ's love for that person, whether you choose one of the people in the mission group or one of the people from the Lima area.
Yesterday, en route to the destination, we walked past a work crew building a retaining wall. This is a group photo from that encounter (photo dscn2363).
Today, we drove to the Municipal District of Comas in the northern part of Lima and sanded and painted tables and benches for one of the missions (dscn2395).
Before we began work today, one of the recent graduates from the seminary gave a briefing on the recent history of the mission, and it was so powerful a testimony, that it may been one of the reasons that our bus driver and his assistant decided to help us with the sanding and painting.
Back at the convent tonight, one of the people there saw one of the photos that I took and thought that the work of the mission team today was a very good project.
Tomorrow, we go to another project.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw
Peace be with you.
This is an update from the Albany mission trip to Lima, Peru.
I do not know if you will be able to see the attached pictures, but I have included two from the mission trip.
One of the key objectives of a good mission trip is to spread the love of Christ. The pictures that I am including, show some of the interaction of the mission group with the people among whom we are working.
If you are able to, pick a person in a photo, and pray a prayer of Christ's love for that person, whether you choose one of the people in the mission group or one of the people from the Lima area.
Yesterday, en route to the destination, we walked past a work crew building a retaining wall. This is a group photo from that encounter (photo dscn2363).
Today, we drove to the Municipal District of Comas in the northern part of Lima and sanded and painted tables and benches for one of the missions (dscn2395).
Before we began work today, one of the recent graduates from the seminary gave a briefing on the recent history of the mission, and it was so powerful a testimony, that it may been one of the reasons that our bus driver and his assistant decided to help us with the sanding and painting.
Back at the convent tonight, one of the people there saw one of the photos that I took and thought that the work of the mission team today was a very good project.
Tomorrow, we go to another project.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Prayer Mail
Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
If all goes according to plan, the short-term mission trip to Lima will be arriving on Monday (19th of July) and departing on Saturday, July 31.
Thanksgivings:
1) For the amount of work accomplished in the past week, particularly for:
the Commission on Ministry meetings that Julie coordinated,
seminary coursework preparations, and
mission trip preparations (the Albany area trip and the trip from Worcester Diocese in England).
Julie really cranked out a lot of things, and continues to do so, in the midst of our daily living. Phenomenal effort. Proverbs 31 comes to mind.
2) For my family: Julie, Ruth, Hannah, and Lydia. I used the Facebook picture (taken by Jim Beavers of all five of us) as my computer workspace background this week. All of these ladies are an awesome group of God´s servants.
3) For the safe and timely arrival of Bp. Suffragan-elect Mike Chapman and his beloved Linda.
4) For the opportunities before us to transform lives by what we do.
5) For what God is doing through us, here in Peru. It is really amazing at times.
6) For a good start with class registration, so far.
7) For you.
Prayers:
1) For our relationships, ministries, finances, resources, and priorities.
2) For the Albany/Peru short term mission trip, and that everything would go according to God´s plan, including safe and timely travel through Colombia.
There are people from diverse backgrounds on the trip, not just from the Diocese of Albany, and we pray that everyone involved (including those of us on the ground) would take with them from the impact of the trip: seeds of the Kingdom of God for the future.
Please pray for the team participants:
Fr. Gus Calvo (team leader)
Geoff Miller (Assistant)
Bp. Bill Love
Karen Love
Catie Love
Carol Lukas
Meredith Lukas
Michael Greene
Brandon Turner
Amelia Brown
Debbie Gerlach
Barbara Jenke
Raul Calvo
Olivia Calvo
Zach Miller
Nate Miller
Chris Klapper
Joshua Klapper
Ground support in Lima:
Susan Park
Fr. Shaw Mudge
Mtr. Julie Mudge
Lydia Mudge
The Convent of the Sisters of Dorothy in Miraflores (where the team will be staying)
Lima diocesan administration and parishes
The bus and other transportation that we use
For the plans for the visits and work at the following locations this week, including:
a) Epifania,
b) Sagrada Familia,
c) Diocesan Center/Ascención/el seminario de los Santos Agustín (same building)
and plans for next week:
d) Ascención (special healing service),
e) Jesus el Salvador (area youth gathering),
f) Shalom,
g) San Patricio,
h) Pachacamác (cultural background visit),
i) Los Mudges
There are other things that may take place as well, perhaps some meetings with notable personalities in the life of the Church and the Diocese, the national holidays, and resting.
As there is a tendency for plans to change on mission trips, please pray that our Lord´s plans be the ultimate ones that take precedence, and that the Holy Spirit would touch the lives of all of us as well as the people we visit.
As would be desirable in all missionary ventures anywhere in the world, we pray that all missionaries would be noted for: fruitfulness, a continued sense of humor, flexibility, and a sufficient amount of organization in all that transpires.
3) For seminary class registrations.
4) For the Diocese of Worcester short-term-mission-trip visitors from England to the seminary, on August 16 and 19, led by Archdeacon Fred Trethewey.
5) For course preparation work, and the classes and mentor groups which begin the week of August 1.
6) For Julie´s CEMO (ordination process) meetings in Arequipa, planned between the end of the short-term mission trip and the beginning of classes.
7) For Lydia´s college application process.
Thank you for praying for us. Your praying really makes a difference, and I pray for you every day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
If all goes according to plan, the short-term mission trip to Lima will be arriving on Monday (19th of July) and departing on Saturday, July 31.
Thanksgivings:
1) For the amount of work accomplished in the past week, particularly for:
the Commission on Ministry meetings that Julie coordinated,
seminary coursework preparations, and
mission trip preparations (the Albany area trip and the trip from Worcester Diocese in England).
Julie really cranked out a lot of things, and continues to do so, in the midst of our daily living. Phenomenal effort. Proverbs 31 comes to mind.
2) For my family: Julie, Ruth, Hannah, and Lydia. I used the Facebook picture (taken by Jim Beavers of all five of us) as my computer workspace background this week. All of these ladies are an awesome group of God´s servants.
3) For the safe and timely arrival of Bp. Suffragan-elect Mike Chapman and his beloved Linda.
4) For the opportunities before us to transform lives by what we do.
5) For what God is doing through us, here in Peru. It is really amazing at times.
6) For a good start with class registration, so far.
7) For you.
Prayers:
1) For our relationships, ministries, finances, resources, and priorities.
2) For the Albany/Peru short term mission trip, and that everything would go according to God´s plan, including safe and timely travel through Colombia.
There are people from diverse backgrounds on the trip, not just from the Diocese of Albany, and we pray that everyone involved (including those of us on the ground) would take with them from the impact of the trip: seeds of the Kingdom of God for the future.
Please pray for the team participants:
Fr. Gus Calvo (team leader)
Geoff Miller (Assistant)
Bp. Bill Love
Karen Love
Catie Love
Carol Lukas
Meredith Lukas
Michael Greene
Brandon Turner
Amelia Brown
Debbie Gerlach
Barbara Jenke
Raul Calvo
Olivia Calvo
Zach Miller
Nate Miller
Chris Klapper
Joshua Klapper
Ground support in Lima:
Susan Park
Fr. Shaw Mudge
Mtr. Julie Mudge
Lydia Mudge
The Convent of the Sisters of Dorothy in Miraflores (where the team will be staying)
Lima diocesan administration and parishes
The bus and other transportation that we use
For the plans for the visits and work at the following locations this week, including:
a) Epifania,
b) Sagrada Familia,
c) Diocesan Center/Ascención/el seminario de los Santos Agustín (same building)
and plans for next week:
d) Ascención (special healing service),
e) Jesus el Salvador (area youth gathering),
f) Shalom,
g) San Patricio,
h) Pachacamác (cultural background visit),
i) Los Mudges
There are other things that may take place as well, perhaps some meetings with notable personalities in the life of the Church and the Diocese, the national holidays, and resting.
As there is a tendency for plans to change on mission trips, please pray that our Lord´s plans be the ultimate ones that take precedence, and that the Holy Spirit would touch the lives of all of us as well as the people we visit.
As would be desirable in all missionary ventures anywhere in the world, we pray that all missionaries would be noted for: fruitfulness, a continued sense of humor, flexibility, and a sufficient amount of organization in all that transpires.
3) For seminary class registrations.
4) For the Diocese of Worcester short-term-mission-trip visitors from England to the seminary, on August 16 and 19, led by Archdeacon Fred Trethewey.
5) For course preparation work, and the classes and mentor groups which begin the week of August 1.
6) For Julie´s CEMO (ordination process) meetings in Arequipa, planned between the end of the short-term mission trip and the beginning of classes.
7) For Lydia´s college application process.
Thank you for praying for us. Your praying really makes a difference, and I pray for you every day.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 37: 3-7a
Trust the Lord and do good things.
Live in the land and practice being faithful.
Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Entrust your ways to the Lord.
Trust him and he will act on your behalf.
He will make your righteousness like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun.
Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Lord, we thank You for the trust that Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge have for you, their trust and their faithfulness as they live and minister in Lima, Peru. They are happy with You and we are sure that You are happy with them. They desire only to do your will. As they continue to trust in You,, we ask that you act on their behalf. Continue to bless their work, making their righteousness like a light. Continue to guide them as they surrender themselves to You and wait patiently for your orders for them. Amen.
Trust the Lord and do good things.
Live in the land and practice being faithful.
Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Entrust your ways to the Lord.
Trust him and he will act on your behalf.
He will make your righteousness like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun.
Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Lord, we thank You for the trust that Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge have for you, their trust and their faithfulness as they live and minister in Lima, Peru. They are happy with You and we are sure that You are happy with them. They desire only to do your will. As they continue to trust in You,, we ask that you act on their behalf. Continue to bless their work, making their righteousness like a light. Continue to guide them as they surrender themselves to You and wait patiently for your orders for them. Amen.
July Newsletter
Resting in our Lord
It is July.
For most people reading this, the summer has been really hot, on occasion. For us, south of the equator, however, it is winter. We are breaking out sweaters and space heaters because there is no central heating, the walls are not insulated, and the humidity makes the room temperature feel cooler than it is.
But our response to the temperature is also a sign that we have adjusted to the climate. Last year, coming directly from New York State, we would not have noticed the cold, but now that we have lived here a while, we have noticed the cold just like everyone else who lives here.
However, spiritually, the Holy Spirit continues to blaze in our work, regardless of the temperature.
Borrowing an idea from the book Treasure Hunt (suggested to our family by several clergy in the Diocese of Albany when we were at Diocesan Convention), one of the things that we have noticed, is that if we take time out each day (maybe just for up to three minutes a day), and listen to what God would have us do for that day; the practice is like resting in the Holy Trinity.
This practice helps to keep us from being too busy to do anything effectively. This rest helps us to prioritize and to prepare for the day. One such example was this past Saturday, when we visited a mission north of Lima.
On Saturday morning, in my prayer time, I waited and listened for a few minutes for what God might say. In that time, I had the impression that at least one of us was supposed to pray for someone, and I had a visual image of something white and in the shape of a square that the person was holding in her left arm.
At the end of the day, Julie asked a few of us to pray for a woman, who was holding in her left arm, white diapers similar to the shape that I had seen in my quiet time. The lady needed prayer for healing, and we prayed for her. The results continue to be in God´s hands.
Prayer Requests:
• For the Diocese of Albany short-term mission trip in Lima from July 19 to July 31.
• For our relationships, priorities, ministries, and finances.
A great thank you to the Diocese of Albany for its gift from Diocesan Convention.
God bless you, and thank you for your continuing support!
– Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
It is July.
For most people reading this, the summer has been really hot, on occasion. For us, south of the equator, however, it is winter. We are breaking out sweaters and space heaters because there is no central heating, the walls are not insulated, and the humidity makes the room temperature feel cooler than it is.
But our response to the temperature is also a sign that we have adjusted to the climate. Last year, coming directly from New York State, we would not have noticed the cold, but now that we have lived here a while, we have noticed the cold just like everyone else who lives here.
However, spiritually, the Holy Spirit continues to blaze in our work, regardless of the temperature.
Borrowing an idea from the book Treasure Hunt (suggested to our family by several clergy in the Diocese of Albany when we were at Diocesan Convention), one of the things that we have noticed, is that if we take time out each day (maybe just for up to three minutes a day), and listen to what God would have us do for that day; the practice is like resting in the Holy Trinity.
This practice helps to keep us from being too busy to do anything effectively. This rest helps us to prioritize and to prepare for the day. One such example was this past Saturday, when we visited a mission north of Lima.
On Saturday morning, in my prayer time, I waited and listened for a few minutes for what God might say. In that time, I had the impression that at least one of us was supposed to pray for someone, and I had a visual image of something white and in the shape of a square that the person was holding in her left arm.
At the end of the day, Julie asked a few of us to pray for a woman, who was holding in her left arm, white diapers similar to the shape that I had seen in my quiet time. The lady needed prayer for healing, and we prayed for her. The results continue to be in God´s hands.
Prayer Requests:
• For the Diocese of Albany short-term mission trip in Lima from July 19 to July 31.
• For our relationships, priorities, ministries, and finances.
A great thank you to the Diocese of Albany for its gift from Diocesan Convention.
God bless you, and thank you for your continuing support!
– Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Prayer Mail
Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
As I write this, Spain has just won the world cup. We did not have to hear about the Spanish goal on the radio or see it on TV or follow it on the Internet to know the outcome.... we heard people cheering nearby. And subsequently, car horns have been blaring in the streets.
Our final weather projections, for the benefit of short term mission trip arriving on Monday the 19th of July, appear after the prayers:
Thanksgivings:
1) For the amount of work accomplished in the past week: particularly for the Commission on Ministry meetings that Julie coordinated, for the seminar coursework preparations, and for the mission trips preparations in which we are involved (the Albany area trip and the trip from Worcester Diocese in England).
2) For the Sunday service that we led at the Cathedral on Sunday which included a baptism. This was our last week there for the foreseeable future. I am completely humbled by the overwhelming positive response to my time. May God use our time there to his glory.
3) For the steps being taken for the next phases of Lydia´s education. She is in the midst of filling out college applications.
4) For the opportunities before us to transform lives by what we do.
5) For the response so far for the books that we have requested.
6) We finally bought a dining room table with chairs at a very good price, and that enables us to have expanded hospitality opportunities. Praise God for that.
Prayers:
1) For fruitfulness and discernment, for the people, relationships, ministries, finances, resources, and priorities associated with the Diocese of Peru, Saints Augustine seminary, and the Missionaries in Peru (including us).
2) For the Albany/Peru short term mission trip that arrives on Monday, July 19, and that everything would go according to God´s plan. We are in the final week of preparations.
3) For Julie´s Commission on Ministry interview plans over the next few weeks, and for Lydia's college application process.
4) We are making some progress in some repairs needed/work to be done at our apartment in conjunction with our landlord´s agreement, but there is a ways to go, particularly on a kitchen cabinet door that needs to have hinges reset, curtains that need attending to, some lighting fixtures that need an electrician´s attention, and the replacement of our bathtub. We would appreciate your continued prayers for appropriate next steps.
5) For seminary class registration on Monday, July 12, in the evening (this happened last night, but we anticipate additional registrations over the next few weeks, so continued prayers for registration are appreciated); and for the Diocese of Worcester short-term-mission-trip visitors from England to the seminary, on August 16and 19; for course preparation work in advance of the first day of class on August 2.
Thank you for praying for us. Your praying really makes a difference, and I pray for you every day.
Weather: especially as a guide for members of the short-term mission team who may want to know what the weather is projected to be, through July 20:
Each day the highs are expected to be in the low 60s, and the lows in the upper 50s. Dwellings, however, do not have central heating and walls generally are not insulated. There is hardly any precipitation projected during this time. Humidity varies and can make the cold feel colder. At 4:55 pm, today, it was 72%. On some days it can be up to 100%, taking into account desert/sea coast conditions for how this feels.
Official sunrise time (and add about an additional 30 minutes or so to this, for the sun to climb over the foothills of the Andes Mountains) is projected to be 6:28 am for the next week, but sunset varies from 17:57 (5:57 pm) to 17:59 (5:59 pm) out over the Pacific Ocean.
If traveling away from our particular district of the city, you may encounter more sunshine during the day than where we live; we have a unique micro-weather system here. We keep on hand a sunscreen of SPF 45 for use if we are going to be in the direct sunlight for more than say 15 minutes at a time. Hats can be very useful in a variety of weather conditions.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
As I write this, Spain has just won the world cup. We did not have to hear about the Spanish goal on the radio or see it on TV or follow it on the Internet to know the outcome.... we heard people cheering nearby. And subsequently, car horns have been blaring in the streets.
Our final weather projections, for the benefit of short term mission trip arriving on Monday the 19th of July, appear after the prayers:
Thanksgivings:
1) For the amount of work accomplished in the past week: particularly for the Commission on Ministry meetings that Julie coordinated, for the seminar coursework preparations, and for the mission trips preparations in which we are involved (the Albany area trip and the trip from Worcester Diocese in England).
2) For the Sunday service that we led at the Cathedral on Sunday which included a baptism. This was our last week there for the foreseeable future. I am completely humbled by the overwhelming positive response to my time. May God use our time there to his glory.
3) For the steps being taken for the next phases of Lydia´s education. She is in the midst of filling out college applications.
4) For the opportunities before us to transform lives by what we do.
5) For the response so far for the books that we have requested.
6) We finally bought a dining room table with chairs at a very good price, and that enables us to have expanded hospitality opportunities. Praise God for that.
Prayers:
1) For fruitfulness and discernment, for the people, relationships, ministries, finances, resources, and priorities associated with the Diocese of Peru, Saints Augustine seminary, and the Missionaries in Peru (including us).
2) For the Albany/Peru short term mission trip that arrives on Monday, July 19, and that everything would go according to God´s plan. We are in the final week of preparations.
3) For Julie´s Commission on Ministry interview plans over the next few weeks, and for Lydia's college application process.
4) We are making some progress in some repairs needed/work to be done at our apartment in conjunction with our landlord´s agreement, but there is a ways to go, particularly on a kitchen cabinet door that needs to have hinges reset, curtains that need attending to, some lighting fixtures that need an electrician´s attention, and the replacement of our bathtub. We would appreciate your continued prayers for appropriate next steps.
5) For seminary class registration on Monday, July 12, in the evening (this happened last night, but we anticipate additional registrations over the next few weeks, so continued prayers for registration are appreciated); and for the Diocese of Worcester short-term-mission-trip visitors from England to the seminary, on August 16and 19; for course preparation work in advance of the first day of class on August 2.
Thank you for praying for us. Your praying really makes a difference, and I pray for you every day.
Weather: especially as a guide for members of the short-term mission team who may want to know what the weather is projected to be, through July 20:
Each day the highs are expected to be in the low 60s, and the lows in the upper 50s. Dwellings, however, do not have central heating and walls generally are not insulated. There is hardly any precipitation projected during this time. Humidity varies and can make the cold feel colder. At 4:55 pm, today, it was 72%. On some days it can be up to 100%, taking into account desert/sea coast conditions for how this feels.
Official sunrise time (and add about an additional 30 minutes or so to this, for the sun to climb over the foothills of the Andes Mountains) is projected to be 6:28 am for the next week, but sunset varies from 17:57 (5:57 pm) to 17:59 (5:59 pm) out over the Pacific Ocean.
If traveling away from our particular district of the city, you may encounter more sunshine during the day than where we live; we have a unique micro-weather system here. We keep on hand a sunscreen of SPF 45 for use if we are going to be in the direct sunlight for more than say 15 minutes at a time. Hats can be very useful in a variety of weather conditions.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Friday, July 9, 2010
Scripture Prayer
Deuteronomy 32: 1-4a
Listen, heaven, and I will speak.
Earth, hear the words from my mouth.
Let my teachings come down like raindrops.
Let my words drip like dew,
Like gentle rain on grass,
Like showers on green plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Give our God the greatness he deserves!
He is a rock.
What he does is perfect.
All his ways are fair.
Father God, as Moses asked for himself, we ask for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. Let their teachings come down like raindrops. Let their words drip like dew, like gentle rain on grass, like showers on green plants. Bless them in their teachings at the seminary and in their preachings from the pulpit. They will always proclaim your name, Lord, and give to You the greatness that You deserve. Amen.
Listen, heaven, and I will speak.
Earth, hear the words from my mouth.
Let my teachings come down like raindrops.
Let my words drip like dew,
Like gentle rain on grass,
Like showers on green plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Give our God the greatness he deserves!
He is a rock.
What he does is perfect.
All his ways are fair.
Father God, as Moses asked for himself, we ask for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. Let their teachings come down like raindrops. Let their words drip like dew, like gentle rain on grass, like showers on green plants. Bless them in their teachings at the seminary and in their preachings from the pulpit. They will always proclaim your name, Lord, and give to You the greatness that You deserve. Amen.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Prayer Mail
Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly winter public prayer mail.
Weather conditions, for the benefit of short term mission trip arriving on July 16, appear after the prayers:
Thanksgivings:
1) For the amount of work accomplished in the past week, yet again. Seminary classwork development in Lima is coming along on the classes we are planning to teach. Short term mission trip plans have really moved along well. CEMO (ordination process) plans are moving forward.
2) For the Sunday service that we led at the Cathedral on Sunday which included healing prayer. The service and the sermon had an excellent reception. May God use them to his glory.
3) For the steps being taken for the next phases of Lydia´s education. This week, she applied to the nearby Christian school for courses that would meet her needs and schedule.
4) For the opportunities before us to transform lives by what we do.
5) For Lydia´s youth group activities.
Prayers:
1) For fruitfulness and discernment, for the people, relationships, ministries, finances, resources, and priorities associated with the Diocese of Peru, Saints Augustine seminary, and the Missionaries in Peru (including us).
2) For the Albany/Peru short term mission trip that arrives on July 19, including safe and timely travel throughout the trip, and that everything would go according to plan, that is, according to God´s plan.
3) For our remaining ministry work at the Cathedral. Our last week in this cycle is this next Sunday, and it includes a service of baptism.
4) For Julie´s Commission on Ministry interview plans over the next four weeks in Lima (July) and Arequipa (early August), and for Lydia's college application process. There is currently an aggressive schedule in the works in accordance with the plans of Bishop Godfrey.
5) For matters that need repairing at our apartment, and a way forward on getting all that taken care of. We had progress with the water heater this week.
6) For class registration on Monday, July 12, in the evening, and for the Diocese of Worcester short-term mission trip visitors to the seminary, tentatively scheduled for August 16 and 19.
Thank you for praying for us. Your praying really makes a difference, and I pray for you every day.
Weather: especially as a guide for members of the short-term mission team who may want to know what the weather is like at the moment:
Today, at 8 am Lima time (which was 9 am, Albany time), our skies were overcast. The humidity continued to be very high. At 61 degrees F., our area temperature was about 14 degrees cooler than in Albany at the same moment.
It is possible (but not certain) that we might encounter granua or even llovizna at some point during the day (which is a range of moisture when visibility is less than one kilometer: from a very fine mist - granua - to almost droplets - llovizna).
High daily temperatures are projected to be in the upper sixties all week with accompanying overcast skies, perhaps reaching 70 on Saturday. Perhaps the first clear skies will appear this week on Saturday, as well. Lows all week are projected to be in the mid-to upper 50s.
We keep on hand a sunscreen of SPF 45 for use if we are going to be outside for an extended length of time when the sun is shining.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Missionaries of the Diocese of Albany, serving in Lima, Peru
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly winter public prayer mail.
Weather conditions, for the benefit of short term mission trip arriving on July 16, appear after the prayers:
Thanksgivings:
1) For the amount of work accomplished in the past week, yet again. Seminary classwork development in Lima is coming along on the classes we are planning to teach. Short term mission trip plans have really moved along well. CEMO (ordination process) plans are moving forward.
2) For the Sunday service that we led at the Cathedral on Sunday which included healing prayer. The service and the sermon had an excellent reception. May God use them to his glory.
3) For the steps being taken for the next phases of Lydia´s education. This week, she applied to the nearby Christian school for courses that would meet her needs and schedule.
4) For the opportunities before us to transform lives by what we do.
5) For Lydia´s youth group activities.
Prayers:
1) For fruitfulness and discernment, for the people, relationships, ministries, finances, resources, and priorities associated with the Diocese of Peru, Saints Augustine seminary, and the Missionaries in Peru (including us).
2) For the Albany/Peru short term mission trip that arrives on July 19, including safe and timely travel throughout the trip, and that everything would go according to plan, that is, according to God´s plan.
3) For our remaining ministry work at the Cathedral. Our last week in this cycle is this next Sunday, and it includes a service of baptism.
4) For Julie´s Commission on Ministry interview plans over the next four weeks in Lima (July) and Arequipa (early August), and for Lydia's college application process. There is currently an aggressive schedule in the works in accordance with the plans of Bishop Godfrey.
5) For matters that need repairing at our apartment, and a way forward on getting all that taken care of. We had progress with the water heater this week.
6) For class registration on Monday, July 12, in the evening, and for the Diocese of Worcester short-term mission trip visitors to the seminary, tentatively scheduled for August 16 and 19.
Thank you for praying for us. Your praying really makes a difference, and I pray for you every day.
Weather: especially as a guide for members of the short-term mission team who may want to know what the weather is like at the moment:
Today, at 8 am Lima time (which was 9 am, Albany time), our skies were overcast. The humidity continued to be very high. At 61 degrees F., our area temperature was about 14 degrees cooler than in Albany at the same moment.
It is possible (but not certain) that we might encounter granua or even llovizna at some point during the day (which is a range of moisture when visibility is less than one kilometer: from a very fine mist - granua - to almost droplets - llovizna).
High daily temperatures are projected to be in the upper sixties all week with accompanying overcast skies, perhaps reaching 70 on Saturday. Perhaps the first clear skies will appear this week on Saturday, as well. Lows all week are projected to be in the mid-to upper 50s.
We keep on hand a sunscreen of SPF 45 for use if we are going to be outside for an extended length of time when the sun is shining.
God bless you.
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Missionaries of the Diocese of Albany, serving in Lima, Peru
Mudge Scripture Prayer
Proverbs 3: 13-18
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.
The profit gained from wisdom is greater than the profit gained from silver.
Its yield is better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and all your desires cannot equal it.
Long life is in wisdom’s right hand.
In wisdom’s left hand are riches and honor.
Wisdom’s ways are pleasant ways, and all its paths lead to peace.
Wisdom is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it. Those who cling to it
are blessed.
Lord, we ask for your wisdom and your discernment for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. May they always hear your voice and do your will. We ask not for riches, but for provision for their needs. May their work in Peru bring honor to You, Lord. We ask for good health and safety so that the Mudges may have long lives in service to You. May they have days of pleasure and years of peace. Continue to bless them, Lord, in everything that they do. Grant them the wisdom of Solomon. Amen.
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who obtains understanding.
The profit gained from wisdom is greater than the profit gained from silver.
Its yield is better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and all your desires cannot equal it.
Long life is in wisdom’s right hand.
In wisdom’s left hand are riches and honor.
Wisdom’s ways are pleasant ways, and all its paths lead to peace.
Wisdom is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it. Those who cling to it
are blessed.
Lord, we ask for your wisdom and your discernment for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. May they always hear your voice and do your will. We ask not for riches, but for provision for their needs. May their work in Peru bring honor to You, Lord. We ask for good health and safety so that the Mudges may have long lives in service to You. May they have days of pleasure and years of peace. Continue to bless them, Lord, in everything that they do. Grant them the wisdom of Solomon. Amen.
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