To receive the Mudges' prayer mails and newsletters, or to contact them by email for any reason, please send a message to Shaw or Julie, which goes directly to them, through the Diocesan clerical directory webpages for priests.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Prayer Mail

Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.

Alleluya! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluya! Happy Easter.

We have had a great week at the Cathedral in Lima. Awesome services, and a great group of people, missionaries and Peruvians, alike. Julie enveloped me with incense at the Easter Vigil as I held the Gospel Book for her. I thought I detected a twinkle in her eye...

Thanksgivings:

1) For all our friends at the Anglican Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

2) For the preparations we have made for the steps ahead.

Prayers:

1) For services this week. I preach and celebrate on Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday; small services but important for those who attend.

2) For the continued preparations for this summer.

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

4) That we would do 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,
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia
Missionaries of the Diocese of Albany, serving in Lima, Peru.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Scripture Prayer

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Father God, we pray today reflecting upon Jesus’ death on the cross. It seemed like such a terrible thing. But it turned into the greatest act ever when Jesus rose from the dead. Our sins have been forgiven and we are promised eternal life with Jesus in heaven. Thank You Jesus for a new and better life! What a gift!

Father, we also pray for Father Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia. Be with them as they continue their ministry in Peru for the next few months. Give them guidance and discernment so that they hear your voice clearly about the direction in which You intend their ministry to go. May they feel your love and your peace as they enjoy the greatest feast of all, Your Resurrection, Easter! Amen.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Newsletter April 20



Palm Sunday procession at the Cathedral in Lima

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago, today, we arrived in Peru. At Diocesan Convention in Albany this year, people will be able to catch a glimpse of it all. You might also be interested in our Vidmail on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7awZPTwaHdo
From the perspective of being on the ground, I would say that we have accomplished quite a bit.

What was our number one goal? The same as the Diocese of Albany: Disciples Making Disciples.

How did we do that? Several ways.

a) Julie helped people through the ordination process here. She took a process in need of organization, and organized it so that the people in the process and the Bishop could go forward in an orderly way. As advisors to the bishop, Julie and I helped design the first diocesan ordination exams.

b) Julie helped organize the seminary administrative process so that students knew how many courses they had left to take, and how many courses they had taken. The seminary had been without such assistance for a while.

c) We both taught courses. We taught a variety of subjects, but with a theme: disciples making disciples. These were practical courses in Spanish for future priests, deacons, and lay leaders, and if any students ever become bishops, for future bishops. Courses for people without libraries, for people without too many resources.

d) We helped lead worship services and made friends, not just in the seminary, but throughout the diocese. As I write this, we are now helping at the Anglican Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Lima.

And Lydia has been part of it all. Soon she will be off to college, and we will be helping her transition. Our mission agency (SAMS) has suggested that it is a good idea as parents to spend a few months in the US for the transition (both before and after she starts college). She starts in August.

To help her transition to college, a while back we signed up for a family program in Colorado that helps missionary families adjust back to the US, as part of the transition for students going to college. College transition is a bit different for Third Culture Kids (a person with one foot in each of two cultures), for like New York State, Lima (Peru) has also become home for Lydia.

And you have been part of all that we do. You have travelled with us: in your visits, with your support (both prayer and financially), through Skype calls and emails. Happy anniversary!

Prayer Request:
• For our relationships, priorities, ministries, and finances.

God bless you, and thank you for your continuing support! I pray for you, every day.

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

Prayer Mail April 19

Dear Partners in Prayer,
Peace be with you.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.

The ministry is going in a different direction, and in light of this, when we are in the US, we will be entering a time of discernment with SAMS about where we go from here. During this time, we plan to be visiting relatives and getting Lydia ready for/settled in college.

Thanksgivings:

1) For our friends who have been in contact with us this week.

2) For the words of wisdom and suggestions that people have shared with us.

3) For what God is doing through all this.

4) For attending a great Palm Sunday Service at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Lima.

5) That we arrived in Peru on the 20th of April, 2009, two years ago.

Prayers:

1) For Lydia´s preparing-for-college.

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

3) That we would do the things that God would like us to do.

4) Wisdom regarding the negotiations with our landlady. We have an important decision point coming up on the 25th.

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

God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw, and on behalf of Julie and Lydia

Mudge Scripture Prayer April 16

Jeremiah 29: 11-14a

“For I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,” says the Lord.

Lord, we pray to you, along with Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge, that they will know your most perfect plan for them, a plan full of hope. We, along with the Mudges, call out to You, and we know that You hear our prayers. We seek You in prayer and worship and we have faith that You are available and ready to answer our prayers for the Mudges. We fervently pray, Lord, that You continue to send holy guidance to the Mudges and may they know your peace that surpasses all understanding as they persevere in their mission to the people of Peru. Amen.