Dear friends in Christ,
This is our public prayer mail in different format than usual. I realize it is a busy time, being Holy Week, but if you would take the time to read the whole prayer mail prayerfully, that would be appreciated.
Our path on the Christian walk is not always clear. The same was true with the Apostle Paul and his missionary ventures.
For example, in Acts 15, he has a falling out with Barnabas. It is not clear who was right, but the Bible continues to follow the journeys of Paul. Then, in Acts 16, the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from entering Mysia and Bithynia.
By this time, I wonder if Paul knew what God had in mind or why. And then came the Macedonian Call, and the world was never the same. Saturday morning, we may have just received our Macedonian Call.
We had just had our own Mysia and Bithynia experience, except in our case it was Uganda and Kenya: a family member needs our attention, so we need to operate out of the US for the most part, passing on the current opportunities to teach full time in those countries. The door is open when we would be ready, but pressing matters at home have closed it for the moment.
The good news is that there is a road to recovery for our family member.
The less-than-good news is that this phase will take time.
But, on the heels of this, we may have had our own Macedonian Call (or at least a potential one). As usual, our situation changes daily, and this is our latest update on missionary matters as of 9 am, Saturday morning.
Background: This week, I have been sending out mission ideas to a few friends of mine about online education to Africa from the US, seeing that our circumstances have changed.
Then, Saturday morning, a friend of mine responded that my request was an answer to prayer, and he is interested in pursuing online education with an Anglican Bible College in Tanzania (East Africa), where he has been traveling to set up computer operations over the past few years. Our next step is to meet with my friend, aiming at this point for dinner the week after Easter. That seems to be the open door, and the door opened quickly.
The plan: if this plan works, I could be teaching students in East Africa from our home, online, as a missionary with SAMS. There would be class preparation time needed, as well as teaching time, very much in the same proportion as we have done elsewhere as missionaries.
If successful, this arrangement helps our family situation, as well as keeping missionary activity going, and we would be available to help out in the Diocese of Albany.
We would still look to missionary financial support through SAMS. For example, I anticipate a short term missionary site visit trip to Tanzania, other short-term mission trips as needed, salaries - medical insurance - pension payments, and weekly expenses to carry out the ministry.
The implementation steps might be something like this:
a) Plan out a proposal with our friend.
b) Make a proposal to the bible college (perhaps as part of a site visit).
c) Work on some relatively minor computer upgrades in Tanzania.
d) Get the learning program up and going.
e) Teach (with periodic short-term trips over time)
Courses would be taught in English.
We would probably need to augment this strategy with other employment, as possible. The prayerful general consensus is that it would be best for us to find work somewhere near where we live, so we are considering possibilities with parishes, other ministries, and with secular employment. There do not appear to be full time openings in parishes in the Diocese at the moment, whether long-term or interim. We are open to ideas, offers, thoughts.
Over the last few days, Julie and I had been starting a job search. If we both seek employment, which we plan to do, we will probably need to buy a small second-hand car.
Our decision to be missionaries closer to home was not based on funding or lack of opportunity. We still have three other locations in Africa waiting for us, as we are available, at any time in the future. Until a few days ago, we were planning to depart long-term for East Africa in late June with sufficient funding, to one of those sites. But this new opportunity helps us minister to people in East Africa and minister to our family situation, as well, simultaneously.
Finances sent to SAMS on our behalf would be used for our East Africa mission work, covering our mission expenses, salaries, short-term trips, and the like.
There is always the possibility in the next few years that we find ourselves preparing to serve as full-time missionaries living overseas, again. The current situation may only be a delay.
In the meantime, we would provide a vital ministry to East Africa from the Albany Diocese.
At the moment, we are like Paul on the doorstep of Mysia and Bithynia, having just received our Macedonian call. Prayer for direction and discernment would be appreciated.
We hope that whatever you do, you will keep praying for us. Thank you for praying.
Thanksgiving:
1) For the door that has potentially opened up.
2) For the great time at Trinity, Lansingburgh, on Wednesday.
Please pray for:
1) Our family.
2) Plans and preparations for the next step in our walk with Jesus.
3) Our financial provision.
4) Julie's parents as they move to Colorado this week from Connecticut, with Julie's sister and brother-in-law.
Prayer is important, and I pray for you every day.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Scripture Prayer
2 Corinthians 3:3
And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Lord, we thank You for Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge and the work that they have done for You. They surely are letters of recommendation from You, written on their hearts with the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Thank You for all their accomplishments in Peru and in East Africa. We pray Lord, that You continue to lead them into that next mission that You have planned for them. We thank You that there is light at the end of the tunnel in the family situation that is delaying some of their opportunities. We know that this is all in your hands, Lord. Thank You that You do provide. Amen.
And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Lord, we thank You for Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge and the work that they have done for You. They surely are letters of recommendation from You, written on their hearts with the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Thank You for all their accomplishments in Peru and in East Africa. We pray Lord, that You continue to lead them into that next mission that You have planned for them. We thank You that there is light at the end of the tunnel in the family situation that is delaying some of their opportunities. We know that this is all in your hands, Lord. Thank You that You do provide. Amen.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear praying friends,
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
1) Julie and I enjoyed our time at St. John's, Ogdensburg, on Sunday.
2) Progress continues to be made on updating websites, preparations etc.
3) New presentation materials arrived yesterday.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming mission presentations/updates as of March 27:
March 28: Trinity, Lansingburgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady and Grace Church, Waterford
May 27: Trinity, Watervliet, to be confirmed.
June 3: St. James', Ausable Forks
June 8-10: Diocesan Convention (workshop and booth)
June 17: Trinity, Potsdam
2) We continue to monitor Lydia's situation. It is a major factor in our plans. The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is NOT an on-coming train! Your prayers are appreciated. We have some important meetings this week.
3) For Lydia, as she puts in place her summer plans, implements a new health regimen, works on her current courses, and looks towards her Fall 2012 college schedule.
4) For the current planning and preparation phase of our mission plans.
5) Pray that the Lord would bring alongside us those people who share the vision for the Lord's work as we do.
6) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, wherever we might be.
Your prayers are important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of both SAMS and the Diocese of Albany
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
1) Julie and I enjoyed our time at St. John's, Ogdensburg, on Sunday.
2) Progress continues to be made on updating websites, preparations etc.
3) New presentation materials arrived yesterday.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming mission presentations/updates as of March 27:
March 28: Trinity, Lansingburgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady and Grace Church, Waterford
May 27: Trinity, Watervliet, to be confirmed.
June 3: St. James', Ausable Forks
June 8-10: Diocesan Convention (workshop and booth)
June 17: Trinity, Potsdam
2) We continue to monitor Lydia's situation. It is a major factor in our plans. The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is NOT an on-coming train! Your prayers are appreciated. We have some important meetings this week.
3) For Lydia, as she puts in place her summer plans, implements a new health regimen, works on her current courses, and looks towards her Fall 2012 college schedule.
4) For the current planning and preparation phase of our mission plans.
5) Pray that the Lord would bring alongside us those people who share the vision for the Lord's work as we do.
6) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, wherever we might be.
Your prayers are important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of both SAMS and the Diocese of Albany
Friday, March 23, 2012
Scripture Prayer
1Corinthians 10: 1-4
Our forefathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank form the spiritual rock that accompanied them and that rock was Christ.
Lord, like our forefathers, Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge have been under your cloud listening to hear your voice and your direction for them. They are immersed in You; they eat the same spiritual food and drink from the spiritual rock each time they celebrate the Eucharist. And they are so aware that Jesus is the rock, the living rock that lasts and that saves for all eternity! We thank You Father God that the whole Trinity, Father Son and Holy Spirit, abides in Shaw and Julie.
We ask again Lord, that You speak to the Mudges clearly so that they do the work You want them to do in the place to which you want to send them. Bless them mightily, Lord. We know that You will provide. Thank You for all the presentations that are planned in the Albany diocese. May many people be moved to support the Mudges financially and prayerfully.
And we pray for Lydia as she finishes up her first year in college. Help her to sail through the remaining weeks. We also pray for complete healing of the medical issues that have been plaguing Lydia in the last couple of months. You are the healer, Lord. We put Lydia into your hands.
You are the rock, Jesus. Help the Mudges and all of us intercessors to remain steadfast in You. Amen.
Our forefathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank form the spiritual rock that accompanied them and that rock was Christ.
Lord, like our forefathers, Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge have been under your cloud listening to hear your voice and your direction for them. They are immersed in You; they eat the same spiritual food and drink from the spiritual rock each time they celebrate the Eucharist. And they are so aware that Jesus is the rock, the living rock that lasts and that saves for all eternity! We thank You Father God that the whole Trinity, Father Son and Holy Spirit, abides in Shaw and Julie.
We ask again Lord, that You speak to the Mudges clearly so that they do the work You want them to do in the place to which you want to send them. Bless them mightily, Lord. We know that You will provide. Thank You for all the presentations that are planned in the Albany diocese. May many people be moved to support the Mudges financially and prayerfully.
And we pray for Lydia as she finishes up her first year in college. Help her to sail through the remaining weeks. We also pray for complete healing of the medical issues that have been plaguing Lydia in the last couple of months. You are the healer, Lord. We put Lydia into your hands.
You are the rock, Jesus. Help the Mudges and all of us intercessors to remain steadfast in You. Amen.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Prayer Mail March 20
Dear praying friends,
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgiving:
1) Julie and I enjoyed our time at Christ Church, Coxsackie, on Sunday.
2) Great progress being made on updating websites this week. More work to go, this week.
3) This week, we seem to be getting much closer to definitive answers on medical issues with Lydia. Praise God! She is now back at college after this week's break, and is happy to be back.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming mission presentations/updates as of March 19:
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansingburgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady and Grace Church, Waterford
May 27: Trinity, Watervliet, to be confirmed.
June 3: St. James', Ausable Forks
June 8-10: Diocesan Convention (workshop and booth)
June 17: Trinity, Potsdam
2) Over the course of the next three weeks, we will waiting upon a few remaining parts to fall into place (regarding Lydia's health, and then, subsequent conversation(s) with East Africa in light of that), as to which site would be the best mission site for us in Africa; we are within our current time frame for selecting a site.
3) For Lydia, as she puts in place her summer plans, works on her current courses, and looks towards her Fall 2012 college schedule.
4) For the current planning and preparation phase of our mission work.
5) For increases in pledges in support of our mission venture. Pray that the Lord would bring alongside those people who share the vision for the Lord's work in East Africa, through us.
6) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, to spread the Gospel, and to help grow the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever we might be.
7) For timely arrival and preparation of some presentation materials.
Your prayers are important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of both SAMS and the Diocese of Albany
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgiving:
1) Julie and I enjoyed our time at Christ Church, Coxsackie, on Sunday.
2) Great progress being made on updating websites this week. More work to go, this week.
3) This week, we seem to be getting much closer to definitive answers on medical issues with Lydia. Praise God! She is now back at college after this week's break, and is happy to be back.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming mission presentations/updates as of March 19:
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansingburgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady and Grace Church, Waterford
May 27: Trinity, Watervliet, to be confirmed.
June 3: St. James', Ausable Forks
June 8-10: Diocesan Convention (workshop and booth)
June 17: Trinity, Potsdam
2) Over the course of the next three weeks, we will waiting upon a few remaining parts to fall into place (regarding Lydia's health, and then, subsequent conversation(s) with East Africa in light of that), as to which site would be the best mission site for us in Africa; we are within our current time frame for selecting a site.
3) For Lydia, as she puts in place her summer plans, works on her current courses, and looks towards her Fall 2012 college schedule.
4) For the current planning and preparation phase of our mission work.
5) For increases in pledges in support of our mission venture. Pray that the Lord would bring alongside those people who share the vision for the Lord's work in East Africa, through us.
6) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, to spread the Gospel, and to help grow the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever we might be.
7) For timely arrival and preparation of some presentation materials.
Your prayers are important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of both SAMS and the Diocese of Albany
March Newsletter
Areas of Need.
During our site visit to East Africa in February, we encountered many needs. In fact, there are great needs in each of the three sites that we have been considering.
In Gulu, the diocese is recovering from 20 years of war. In the midst of this, diocesan theological educational needs are focused on meeting the needs of congregations who have limited financial resources, by training Lay Readers.
In Mityana, there is a need to train clergy who were hastily ordained by a prior Bishop in face of important congregational considerations. The current Bishop is asking those clergy to undergo more thorough theological training, and he is also expanding the number of Lay Readers and future clergy.
In Nairobi, Church Army is training evangelists and Lay Readers for all of East Africa, including Southern Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya. The big concern for Church leaders in East Africa is that the next generation will be lost, spiritually, if they do not act now.
To this end, and at the request of Anglicans in East Africa, the mission assignment that we are considering in all three locations is: to come alongside and help our brothers and sisters in Christ, as part of the body of Christ, world-wide.
We come alongside in the spirit of Ephesians 4, the whole body of Christ working together. My focus would be on teaching. Julie's focus would be on the pastoral ministries of prayer and healing.
Our upcoming visits.
Our upcoming plans for mission presentations and updates, during March and April,are:
March 17: Metropolitan Deanery Convocation, St. Paul's, Troy
March 18: Christ Church, Coxsackie
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansing burgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
Ways to support us.
"What can we do, to help Shaw and Julie?"
We would appreciate your on-going prayers and financial support.
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.
Thank you. Your prayers and financial support make a tremendous difference for us, as well as a tremendous difference in the lives of the people whom we would serve.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of the Diocese of Albany, serving
with SAMS.
Prayer March 17
From St. Patrick's Breastplate:
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ above me,
Christ below me,
Christ within me,
Christ to win me.
Father God, on this feast day of the first missionary to Ireland, we pray for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge, that they always be surrounded by your presence, before them, behind them, above them, below them and especially within them. We continue to pray that you are guiding them into their next mission field and that you enable them to fulfill their goal: to come alongside and help their brothers and sisters in Christ, as part of the body of Christ, worldwide.
Father we pray for the three sites that they are considering: Gulu, Mityana, and Nairobi and their great spiritual needs. Give Shaw and Julie everything that they need to fulfill your great commission.
We pray special intentions and ask for your protection for Lydia as she goes back to finish her freshman year in college. And for Hannah and the Oaks of Righteousness and for Ruth and her concerns.
Thank You Lord for all the blessings that you bestow upon the Mudges and for the blessings that they are to everyone they meet.
Amen.
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ above me,
Christ below me,
Christ within me,
Christ to win me.
Father God, on this feast day of the first missionary to Ireland, we pray for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge, that they always be surrounded by your presence, before them, behind them, above them, below them and especially within them. We continue to pray that you are guiding them into their next mission field and that you enable them to fulfill their goal: to come alongside and help their brothers and sisters in Christ, as part of the body of Christ, worldwide.
Father we pray for the three sites that they are considering: Gulu, Mityana, and Nairobi and their great spiritual needs. Give Shaw and Julie everything that they need to fulfill your great commission.
We pray special intentions and ask for your protection for Lydia as she goes back to finish her freshman year in college. And for Hannah and the Oaks of Righteousness and for Ruth and her concerns.
Thank You Lord for all the blessings that you bestow upon the Mudges and for the blessings that they are to everyone they meet.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear praying friends,
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Over the last few days, Lydia has joined us at home on Spring break. We have been enjoying the warmer weather in Lent. And, a viral video has appeared describing an area of Uganda that we visited last month and in which we have been considered ministering as missionaries.
If you are interested what life in post-LRA northern Uganda is currently like, I refer you to the Diocese of Northern Uganda's blogsite: http://dioceseofnorthernuganda.blogspot.com/. ;
Thanksgiving:
1) Julie and I enjoyed the children's sermon and the adult sermon at Grace Church in Waterford, on Sunday.
2) Lydia went with us to worship at Oaks of Righteousness in Troy on Sunday afternoon, where we were also joined by my nephew from Vermont who has been helping at Oaks of Righteousness this weekend. Great sermon at Oaks of Righteousness. Gripping.
3) SAMS has updated our SAMS website this week, and Jeanne Gizara has updated our blogsite look, this week. Thank you, everyone!
4) I have resumed learning Swahili.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming mission presentations/updates:
March 17: Metropolitan Deanery Convocation, St. Paul's, Troy
March 18: Christ Church, Coxsackie
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansing burgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady and Grace Church, Waterford
May 27: probable location chosen, to be confirmed.
June 3: St. James', Ausable Forks
June 8-10: Diocesan Convention (workshop and booth)
2) We are waiting upon a few remaining parts to fall into place as to which site would be the best mission site for us in Africa; we are within our current time frame for doing this. Keep praying.
3) For Lydia. She is improving. Keep praying.
4) For the current planning and preparation phase of our mission work. We have been blessed by what the Lord is doing here. Keep praying. Among the many things going on, we have some missionary materials in the works for our upcoming presentations, and we would like the materials to arrive in a timely fashion, this week.
5) For increases in pledges in support of our mission venture. We are partially self-funding, and every additional support for what we are doing, helps. Keep praying that the Lord would bring alongside those people who share our vision for the Lord's work in East Africa.
6) We are planning to do a workshop on the Friday of Diocesan Convention in June, on the subject of "Mission Field Dos and Don'ts." This would be basic practical stuff that people might like to know before they head off into the mission field, for either short-term or long-term mission work, anywhere in the world. Pray that the people would attend who the Holy Spirit would want there, for his purposes.
7) We are planning to have a booth at Diocesan Convention, as well. Hope to see you there. Pray that we would present the Lord's work in an inspiring way.
8) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, to spread the Gospel, and to help grow the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever we might be.
9) In addition to updating our webpages on the current SAMS website, SAMS is currently developing an entirely new website. Look for us at the new SAMS website, when it is completed. The new website could be ready as early as this month. We are waiting on one more website to be updated. Please pray that the current SAMS website change and the remaining webpage update would occur in Jesus' timing.
Your prayers are important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of both SAMS and the Diocese of Albany
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Over the last few days, Lydia has joined us at home on Spring break. We have been enjoying the warmer weather in Lent. And, a viral video has appeared describing an area of Uganda that we visited last month and in which we have been considered ministering as missionaries.
If you are interested what life in post-LRA northern Uganda is currently like, I refer you to the Diocese of Northern Uganda's blogsite: http://dioceseofnorthernuganda.blogspot.com/. ;
Thanksgiving:
1) Julie and I enjoyed the children's sermon and the adult sermon at Grace Church in Waterford, on Sunday.
2) Lydia went with us to worship at Oaks of Righteousness in Troy on Sunday afternoon, where we were also joined by my nephew from Vermont who has been helping at Oaks of Righteousness this weekend. Great sermon at Oaks of Righteousness. Gripping.
3) SAMS has updated our SAMS website this week, and Jeanne Gizara has updated our blogsite look, this week. Thank you, everyone!
4) I have resumed learning Swahili.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming mission presentations/updates:
March 17: Metropolitan Deanery Convocation, St. Paul's, Troy
March 18: Christ Church, Coxsackie
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansing burgh
April 1 (Palm Sunday), April 8 (Easter Day)
April 15: St. Michael's, Colonie
April 22: Good Shepherd, Canajoharie
April 29: St. Thomas', Tupper Lake
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady and Grace Church, Waterford
May 27: probable location chosen, to be confirmed.
June 3: St. James', Ausable Forks
June 8-10: Diocesan Convention (workshop and booth)
2) We are waiting upon a few remaining parts to fall into place as to which site would be the best mission site for us in Africa; we are within our current time frame for doing this. Keep praying.
3) For Lydia. She is improving. Keep praying.
4) For the current planning and preparation phase of our mission work. We have been blessed by what the Lord is doing here. Keep praying. Among the many things going on, we have some missionary materials in the works for our upcoming presentations, and we would like the materials to arrive in a timely fashion, this week.
5) For increases in pledges in support of our mission venture. We are partially self-funding, and every additional support for what we are doing, helps. Keep praying that the Lord would bring alongside those people who share our vision for the Lord's work in East Africa.
6) We are planning to do a workshop on the Friday of Diocesan Convention in June, on the subject of "Mission Field Dos and Don'ts." This would be basic practical stuff that people might like to know before they head off into the mission field, for either short-term or long-term mission work, anywhere in the world. Pray that the people would attend who the Holy Spirit would want there, for his purposes.
7) We are planning to have a booth at Diocesan Convention, as well. Hope to see you there. Pray that we would present the Lord's work in an inspiring way.
8) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, to spread the Gospel, and to help grow the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever we might be.
9) In addition to updating our webpages on the current SAMS website, SAMS is currently developing an entirely new website. Look for us at the new SAMS website, when it is completed. The new website could be ready as early as this month. We are waiting on one more website to be updated. Please pray that the current SAMS website change and the remaining webpage update would occur in Jesus' timing.
Your prayers are important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of both SAMS and the Diocese of Albany
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 95: 6-8a
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Lord God, Creator of the Universe and Maker of each and every one of us, we worship and bow down. We kneel before You as we raise up our supplications for Father Shaw and Mother Julie. They are your people; they are your sheep. Speak clearly to them Lord about your plans for them in the mission field. Is it Nairobi? Is it Gulu? Is it Mityana? Give them an assurance Lord that they are hearing You clearly. May their hearts be soft and ready to be molded by your hands.
We pray for all of the activities of the Mudge family: for Hannah and the Oaks of Righteousness Ministry; for Lydia and her college work and that she has a restful Spring Break; for Ruth and her life in Chicago. We pray especially for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie during this transition time. Bless them during every presentation. Fill them with your Holy Spirit and let them shine your love! Help them to raise the funds that they need and to connect with potential financial supporters and new people willing to be partners in prayer.
Thank You Lord for all that you are doing in the lives of the Mudges. Amen.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Lord God, Creator of the Universe and Maker of each and every one of us, we worship and bow down. We kneel before You as we raise up our supplications for Father Shaw and Mother Julie. They are your people; they are your sheep. Speak clearly to them Lord about your plans for them in the mission field. Is it Nairobi? Is it Gulu? Is it Mityana? Give them an assurance Lord that they are hearing You clearly. May their hearts be soft and ready to be molded by your hands.
We pray for all of the activities of the Mudge family: for Hannah and the Oaks of Righteousness Ministry; for Lydia and her college work and that she has a restful Spring Break; for Ruth and her life in Chicago. We pray especially for Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie during this transition time. Bless them during every presentation. Fill them with your Holy Spirit and let them shine your love! Help them to raise the funds that they need and to connect with potential financial supporters and new people willing to be partners in prayer.
Thank You Lord for all that you are doing in the lives of the Mudges. Amen.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear praying friends,
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
It is a Mudge Missions Sunday:
1) Julie and I had the first of our (post site-visit) mission presentations today, at St. Timothy's, Westford. It was a great service and presentation. Parish attendance increased by 10% today.
2) Hannah and Christina launched the Oaks of Righteousness ministry in its new downtown Troy location. Saturday, I had taken some photos of Troy for the use in their ministry. Julie had brought some furniture from her parents for the Oaks of Righteousness ministry to use. It is an awesome ministry.
Thanksgiving:
Thank you to St. Matthew's in Unadilla for inviting us to make our missions presentation, a while ago in January, on the eve of our departure for our short-term mission trip.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming planned mission presentations:
March 17: Metropolitan Deanery Convocation, St. Paul's, Troy
March 18: Christ Church, Coxsackie
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansingburgh
2) We are in negotiations as to which site is the best mission site for us in Africa; we want it to be a good fit. So far, we are East Africa bound, and the specific details should become clearer shortly.
3) For Lydia.
4) For the mission planning and preparation phase that we are entering.
5) For all the people we visited in Uganda and Kenya, and the hopes and needs that they have.
6) For our mission site negotiations.
7) For increases in pledges in support of our mission venture. Particularly pray for those people looking for a mission opportunity like ours to support, that the Lord would connect them with us. Prayers for an increase of regular monthly support would be helpful, also.
8) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, to spread the Gospel, and to help grow the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever we might be.
9) We are thinking about doing a Diocese of Albany convention workshop. Your prayers about that would be appreciated.
Your prayers are particularly important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
It is a Mudge Missions Sunday:
1) Julie and I had the first of our (post site-visit) mission presentations today, at St. Timothy's, Westford. It was a great service and presentation. Parish attendance increased by 10% today.
2) Hannah and Christina launched the Oaks of Righteousness ministry in its new downtown Troy location. Saturday, I had taken some photos of Troy for the use in their ministry. Julie had brought some furniture from her parents for the Oaks of Righteousness ministry to use. It is an awesome ministry.
Thanksgiving:
Thank you to St. Matthew's in Unadilla for inviting us to make our missions presentation, a while ago in January, on the eve of our departure for our short-term mission trip.
Prayers:
1) Upcoming planned mission presentations:
March 17: Metropolitan Deanery Convocation, St. Paul's, Troy
March 18: Christ Church, Coxsackie
March 25: St. John's, Ogdensburg
March 28: Trinity, Lansingburgh
2) We are in negotiations as to which site is the best mission site for us in Africa; we want it to be a good fit. So far, we are East Africa bound, and the specific details should become clearer shortly.
3) For Lydia.
4) For the mission planning and preparation phase that we are entering.
5) For all the people we visited in Uganda and Kenya, and the hopes and needs that they have.
6) For our mission site negotiations.
7) For increases in pledges in support of our mission venture. Particularly pray for those people looking for a mission opportunity like ours to support, that the Lord would connect them with us. Prayers for an increase of regular monthly support would be helpful, also.
8) That we would be the missionaries that God has called us to be, to spread the Gospel, and to help grow the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever we might be.
9) We are thinking about doing a Diocese of Albany convention workshop. Your prayers about that would be appreciated.
Your prayers are particularly important for us, and I pray for you, every day.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Prayer
We follow You in faith, O Son of God, on the traces of truth. Through Your humanity, You have saved all humanity. O Guide of the Universe, lead us to the fullness of all Your gifts, so that we empowered by Your strength and courage, may go confidently on from virtue to virtue, reflecting your compassionate love and presence. (A paraphrase of a prayer of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179))
Lord Our Savior, we follow You as do Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. We pray that you lead the Mudges into the fullness of all your gifts, so that empowered by your Holy Spirit and your strength and courage, they may confidently discern the site of their next mission in East Africa. May they always reflect your compassionate love and presence. Amen.
Lord Our Savior, we follow You as do Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. We pray that you lead the Mudges into the fullness of all your gifts, so that empowered by your Holy Spirit and your strength and courage, they may confidently discern the site of their next mission in East Africa. May they always reflect your compassionate love and presence. Amen.
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