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.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear Prayer friends,
This is this week's public prayer mail.

Current events:

We have finalized what we need to do for our site-visit trip to equatorial East Africa on Monday.

Prayer requests:

a) That Lydia would do well this semester.

b) That everything be done to the glory of God in our visit, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, that lives would be changed by our visit, and that the Church be built up as a result of the decisions to be made.

c) For safe and timely travel, good physical health, spiritual protection, that all logistical matters go well, and that resources be made available as needed.

d) For adequate communication links.

e) For discernment about an appropriate long-term site.

Hopefully, we shall be able to keep in touch during our trip. If not, please keep praying this prayer mail until our return.

Thank you for praying for us. Your prayers make a difference.

God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+

Friday, January 27, 2012

Scripture Prayer

Psalm 67: 1-3

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that you may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

God the Father, please be gracious to Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge as they travel to Uganda and Kenya in order to discern the next step in your mighty plan for them. May your face shine upon them as they prepare to teach others in foreign lands your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples of Africa praise You. O God. Let the peoples throughout the world praise You!

Lord, we pray for every travel mercy for the Mudges. May all the flights be on time and uneventful. May all connections be made. And upon arrival in Africa, may the Mudges be able to communicate with the people there and with their friends and family and prayer partners in the U.S. Keep them healthy and safe Lord. And give them assurance about the site for their next phase of ministry.

We thank You Lord that Lydia seems to be enjoying her second semester at college. We pray that she keeps up with her studies and also makes some new friends for a positive social life. Help her to find a Christian community which will help her to stay connected to You. Help her to grow and be healthy in body, mind and spirit. Amen.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear Prayer friends,

This is this week's public prayer mail. We are almost on the cusp of equatorial East Africa. It is dry season, there.

Current events:

a) Things are coming together really well. For example, our visas have arrived; we just received a nice designated gift that covers the balance of our airfare for the trip, and the Diocese of Albany has graciously provided us with certain gifts for our hosts.

We represent many people: SAMS (our sending agency), the Diocese of Albany (as official missionaries of the Diocese), and you. When we return, in some way we will also be representatives of our brothers and sisters in East Africa to you.

b) Lydia is set in place at college, and likes the semester, so far.

c) Julie just returned from a visit with her parents who are planning to move to Colorado in March.

d) The Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda has just asked us to teach lay readers when we visit Gulu, this trip. We are looking forward to that. Lives are being changed, there. The latest news is that 1,000 people just turned their lives over to Jesus and/or were delivered of demonic influences, this weekend. We have been told that spiritual warfare is big (this was the home base of the LRA, where it got started, until it moved to the Congo a few years ago, just to give you an idea).

e) This week we almost had another site-visit set up in another Kenyan diocese, this time on Lake Victoria, but logistics did not work out in a timely fashion. We wish them well, and ask God to bless them in their endeavors. We still have the one site-visit in Kenya on our agenda.

Prayer requests:

a) That arrangements can be made for someone to pick us up when we return to the Albany airport.

b) That Lydia would do well this semester.

c) That everything be done to the glory of God in our visit, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, that lives would be changed by our visit, and that the Church be built up as a result of the decisions to be made.

d) That we would build bridges with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, representing our prayer partners, family, SAMS, the Diocese of Albany, and other supporters as God would want us to represent them.

e) For safe and timely travel, good physical health, for spiritual protection, for all logistical matters to go well, and resources be made available as needed.

f) For our family in the US. That they be blessed because of our trip.

g) For the continued finalizing of our parish visit list, both now and when we return.

h) For adequate communication links through Skype, email, and Facebook during our site visits.

Thank you for praying for us. Your prayers make a difference.

God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+

Friday, January 20, 2012

Scripture Prayer

Genesis 12: 1-3

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, … and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Lord, speak to Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge as clearly as you spoke to Abram. Show them that land where you would have them minister. Help them to make that land a great land for you. Bless the Mudges mightily, Lord, so that they may be a blessing in that land.

Father God, help Shaw and Julie to organize their trip to Africa. Show them clearly that place in Uganda or Kenya to which you are sending them. Keep them safe from all harm and help them with the little incidentals like visa applications, obtaining local currencies, good communication connections and safe and timely travel. May all that they do, Lord, be done to your glory, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus.

Lord, we also ask for blessings upon Lydia. Let her be making a good start during this second half of her freshman year at college. May she always know of your presence with her. Help her to make new friends and to see more of your plan for her.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear Prayer friends,
This is this week's public prayer mail.

Current events:

a) We have a guide assigned to us for the Uganda part of our trip.

b) Lydia is poised to return to college for the Spring semester, and she is finishing up her remaining work from last semester.

c) We continue preparations for the upcoming site visit to Kenya and Uganda, and for parish visits when we return.

Prayer requests:

a) That Lydia would complete her work in a timely manner, and get off to a good start in the Spring semester.

b) That our visa applications would be completed shortly, and all other preliminary matters for our site visit trip, be completed in a timely manner to the glory of God.

c) For the following matters regarding our upcoming trip, in God's way and in his timing, to his glory:

i) that we would have sufficient arrangements for obtaining the necessary local currencies while on our trip

ii) that we would have good and satisfactory communication arrangements: proper cell phone and Internet connections

iii) that there would be minimal complications with electricity

iv) that we would be protected from health hazards, and that any other safety concerns be addressed adequately

v) that there be adequate transportation arrangements, and safe and timely travel

vi) that we learn all necessary local customs in a timely manner, learn good resources for local languages

vii) that our accommodations be satisfactory

viii) that we learn what we need to know: to help discern the local for our long-term mission, and that we learn what we need to know about the community in God's desired location.

ix) that we develop a good rapport with potential team members, and that the right combination of Spirit gifts, ministries, and fruit of the Spirit be manifested by all of us

x) that everything be done to the glory of God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, that lives would be changed by our visit, and that the Church be built up as a result of the decisions to be made

xi) the we would build bridges with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, representing our prayer partners, family, SAMS, the Diocese of Albany, and other supporters as God would want us to represent them

Thank you for praying for us. Your prayers make a difference.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+

January 2012 Newsletter


Moving Forward in Mission.

“Where will the Lord take you, this time?”

As I write this, Julie and I are in the last few weeks of a countdown to our site visit in East Africa, specifically to Uganda and Kenya.

"What is a site-visit?"

A "site-visit" is an exploratory visit. The search for a long-term mission site is like the search process for a new Rector of a parish, in this way. We have already narrowed down our current options to the sites that we will visit. Now, We will visit different sites, as potential long-term mission sites, in response to discussions with the interested parties in Uganda and Kenya.

"How long will you be going on the site-visit?"

We plan to be visiting three sites, for a week each: in Gulu and Mityana (in Uganda), and in Nairobi (in Kenya). Then, we return and make a final decision.

"What do you look for in a site visit?"

We look at the ministry that needs to be done in a particular location. Not all ministry situations are the same. We look at the living conditions, and the neighborhood. We look at the ministry resources. We get an idea of what it is to live day to day in a potential area. We participate a bit in the life of the community and the Church. We try to imagine what it would be like to live there, and how much it would cost.

For instance: I have heard that all the water coming from Ugandan taps is contaminated. Can we live with the adjustments that are needed, to compensate for that?

Another example: Malaria is a problem in Uganda. Can we live with the fact that every night we would need to be sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net?

A third example: How do the team members get along together, and with the local bishop? This question is probably the most challenging issue for all missionaries, in every Episcopal/Anglican missionary society, around the world.

A final example. What is the best way to keep in touch with family and supporters? Is there a good (and hopefully inexpensive) Internet connection? Would we use cell phones and/or an Internet cafe?



As a result of the discussions and visits, the site leadership and ourselves prayerfully discern about our working at a potential site. It is all in Jesus' hands, really. The ultimate question is: what does the Holy Spirit want, for everyone involved? God is allocating His resources and connecting the parts of the body of Christ. Acts 16:6-10, Paul's Macedonian call, seems to be applying.

"What can we do, to help Shaw and Julie?"

We would appreciate your on-going prayers and financial support. Some people help us out with logistical or maintenance matters. We would love to hear from you, just to talk or by letter. Touch base with us on Facebook, via Skype, or by email. You become valuable members of our team when you do these things. Thank you all very much.

Please make checks out to: "SAMS", and put "Mudge" in the memo space. The mailing address is: SAMS,
P. O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.

You may also arrange for automatic deductions from your bank account by calling SAMS at: 724-266-0669.

"Will you be visiting our parish or group?"

We have been lining up visits to parishes and groups for late March, April, and May. We hope to have a booth at Diocesan Convention, unless we need to depart before then. As possible, and with your leadership's approval, we would customize a visit for your circumstances, augmenting Jesus' mission goals for your parish or group. To arrange visits: shepherd110@yahoo.com or
mrsdalian@yahoo.com.

Shaw+ and Julie+

Scripture Prayer

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more.

Lord, we thank You for the path of life that you are making known to Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. Lead them in their preparations for site visits to Uganda and Kenya. May they feel your presence and that fullness of joy. May they find pleasure in serving You according to your will.

We pray also for Lydia as she finishes one more paper. We pray Lord that you smooth out the bumps as she gets acclimated to college once again. May she have smooth sailing during the Spring semester. Thank You Lord.

Amen.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear Prayer friends,
Peace be with you.
This is our public prayer mail for this week.

It is great to be praying with you at the beginning of Epiphany season. I wonder what the Lord will reveal to us all in our prayers.

The Week in Review (please pray as you read this):

1) We attended a memorial service of a friend of Lydia's on Saturday. All of us attended services at Christ Church in Schenectady on Sunday, and Julie and I attended Fr. Stephen's installation at St. John's in Troy on Sunday afternoon. All three services were to the glory of God.

2) Tickets have been purchased for our missionary site-visit trip to Uganda and Kenya in February. Malaria meds have been purchased, and visa applications have been sent in. Itineraries have been set up.

3) Lydia update. She has completed one paper, and is working on the second, as part of closing out her Fall semester. The Spring semester begins in mid-January. She is fine with mom and dad eventually setting up camp in either Uganda or Kenya.

4) We are making headway in planning parish visits from the end of March into June.

Additional prayers:

1) For Discernment. Choosing the right mission site; this is an on-going prayer between now and when we make our decision, after our return from Africa.

2) For finances. Please pray for God's provision.

3) Lydia's final paper.

4) Prayer for our planning, logistics, safe and timely travel, good health during the site visits. We need to firm up our accommodations for the night of January 31st in Nairobi.

5) For the visa process.

6) That we minister effectively, as Jesus would want us to, in the course His plans for us.

God bless you, and I continue to pray for you every day. Your prayers make a difference.

In Christ,
Shaw+ and on behalf of Julie+

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Scripture Prayer

Colossians 1: 9-12

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased praying for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Lord, since they have started their mission work for You, we have not ceased praying for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. Thank You for your faithfulness in sending them blessings in the past, right now, and in the future as well: that they be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. May they continue to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You, and bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in their knowledge of You. May they be strengthened with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. May they always give thanks to You, as they continue to shine your light into all of the world. Amen!

Specifically, Lord, we pray that You guide Father Shaw and Mother Julie as they plan their site visits to Uganda and Kenya. Lead them Lord, into that mission field where You want them to use their God given gifts for the spread of Your Word. Keep them safe, Lord. And we pray for Lydia as well. Help her to finish the work for her first semester and help her to start the second semester with a burst of enthusiasm. Give her your joy and peace and may she never forget about your unconditional love for her. Amen. Amen.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Prayer Mail

Dear Prayer friends,
Peace be with you.
This is our first prayer mail of 2012:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. (I believe it is the 9th day of Christmas season.)

The Week in Review (please pray as you read this):

1) We enjoyed our visits with our relatives in Connecticut. Then, upon arriving back, we were saddened to learn of a tragic death of one of Lydia's friends that occurred shortly before Christmas.

2) Kenyan plans are being included in our site visit. As of today, our upcoming site visit trip to Africa is slated to include two locations in Uganda and one location in Kenya. We are in the process of arranging for our travel tickets.

3) Our financial situation is looking a bit better. Keep on prayin'! Things are looking up.

Additional prayers:

1) For Discernment. Choosing the right mission site. Discernment for what needs to be done over the first half of 2012 while on home assignment, in preparation for our long-term assignment overseas.

2) For finances. Please pray for God's provision.

3) Lydia has some catch-up work to do in January, before next semester. Prayers for timely and good completion of her semester's work.

4) Prayer for our logistics, safe and timely travel, good health during the site visits.

5) For the necessary visas. (Our visa options have multiplied, and this gives us more flexibility.)

6) That we minister effectively, as Jesus would want us to, in the course His plans for us.

God bless you, and I continue to pray for you every day. Your prayers make a difference.

In Christ,
Shaw+ and on behalf of Julie+