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