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
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
