Prayer Mail

Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail for 31 January 2011. It is winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.

Thanksgivings:

1) For the progress we have been making in preparation for: orientation, the start of a new year of classes, and moving towards on-line seminary courses. It all gets underway in about a week. Most of our time has been spent on these matters.

2) For the interesting cultural experiences at the ecumenical service this week at a Roman Catholic Church in Lima on Tuesday, and at the briefing on "what is a healthy person" at the Anglican Cathedral on Thursday.

3) This week, Bp. Godfrey entrusted Julie and I with the task of drawing up the first canonical exams for the Diocese of Peru (we have had several discussions with him, already, on this subject). We submitted our draft for his review and modification.

Prayers:

1) For our visa and residency card situation. We move into the next phase on February 8.
Number of days left on our tourist visas: about 156.

2) For Julie and I as we continue to plan and prepare for seminary orientation and our courses on Biblical Interpretation. The school year begins next week. We have an important final meeting with the Rector of the seminary on Friday, February 4.

3) For our part in leading services at the Mision of La Ascension during the month of February (the Vicar of the mission is moving from one house to another, and is leaving services in the care of 4 of us, during that time period). There have been several discussions already with him, and plans are very well set.

4) For Julie´s CEMO interviews with people in the ordination process over the next month (Commission on Ministry). Also, for Julie and I: we plan to be proctoring canonical exams this coming Saturday.

5) For my niece who is starting a semester of classes in Jordan, as part of her college studies. She has recently arrived there with my brother, and the report back is that things seem to be relatively calm compared to other countries. Still, prayers would be appreciated as you think about it.

6) For Lydia who will be going on two up-coming retreats. One with the school she has been attending, and one is a diocesan retreat. In addition, her school is planning a senior high class trip in May, and your prayers for their choice of destination would be appreciated. They should be finalizing the May trip, sometime soon.

7) For the students whom God wants in our seminary classes. We would like at least 10 students in each seminary class.

8) For our plans to lead services at other missions in the Lima area over the next few months.

9) For the relationships and spiritual protection of missionaries and other diocesan team members in Peru, and our ministries, finances, resources, and priorities.

10) That we would be able to keep on top of all the things that God would like us to do.

Thank you for praying for us. Your praying makes a difference for us, and I pray for you every day.

God bless you, and this week, have blessed a holy day of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, and for fans of Punxsutawney Phil, have a happy Groundhog´s Day.

In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia