Dear partners in prayer,
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
1) The semester is underway in Belize. We pray that the Holy Spirit would touch the lives of each person.
2) Our travel plans for Tanzania (late April) and Belize (mid-May) are beginning to take shape. We plan to meet with the Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in early March in the U.S.
3) We are beginning to set up our parish visitation schedule for 2013. For people who are involved in our scheduling, please let us know as soon as possible when you would like us to make a presentation about our missionary work at your parish, conference, or gathering.
4) We are settling on a medical insurance program, but the process continues.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students and their families, and that all would be done to the glory of God.
2) For our travel plans for Western Tanganyika and Belize, that they would be guided by the Holy Spirit.
3) For our parish visitation schedule in 2013, that we be in the right place at the right time, and that people may be inspired by what we do.
4) For the plans and decisions in front of us, as we do our part in fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus.
5) For a pleasant resolution to the health insurance search, God's way.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Scripture Prayer
Ephesians 6: 13-18
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with prayer and supplication.
Lord God, we pray for your protection for Father Shaw and Mother Julie and their students in Belize and their future students in Tanganyika and throughout the world. We also pray for steadfastness that they daily take up the whole armor of God: the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness given by the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. And we, their intercessors, pledge to pray at all times in the Spirit with prayer and supplication. Amen.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with prayer and supplication.
Lord God, we pray for your protection for Father Shaw and Mother Julie and their students in Belize and their future students in Tanganyika and throughout the world. We also pray for steadfastness that they daily take up the whole armor of God: the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness given by the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. And we, their intercessors, pledge to pray at all times in the Spirit with prayer and supplication. Amen.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
We have added a couple of people to our prayer mail recipient list this week.
The Commission on Ministry in the Diocese of Belize is pleased with my annual report, and they have asked me to teach a diocesan-wide intensive course in Belize in mid-May, the week before Pentecost.
Semester classes began this week. Our inventory of courses is building, with several more in process of development. The goal is to continue to develop the 24+ courses over the next three years.
It is really awesome having interactive courses with students in Belize. It's not like email; it is more like text message teaching in a group session, and the effect is incredible. It is almost as if we are all "right there" alongside everyone (wherever each person's "there" is), even though the students are in different parts of the country of Belize at the same moment. Someone might be able to describe what this experience like, somewhat adequately, but that does not do the experience sufficient justice. When experienced, the result is a jaw dropping "Oh, wow!" It is a relational culture. These are relational courses.
Prayer requests:
1) For our classes and for the students in the various classes. We pray that the students would participate as led by the Holy Spirit.
2) The search continues for a suitable medical insurance premium. We are tracking down potential leads. I appreciate everyone who has been praying for us about this. We are also praying for others in the same situation.
3) For our travel plans for Western Tanganyika in April and for Belize in May.
4) For the plans and decisions in front of each of our family members.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
We have added a couple of people to our prayer mail recipient list this week.
The Commission on Ministry in the Diocese of Belize is pleased with my annual report, and they have asked me to teach a diocesan-wide intensive course in Belize in mid-May, the week before Pentecost.
Semester classes began this week. Our inventory of courses is building, with several more in process of development. The goal is to continue to develop the 24+ courses over the next three years.
It is really awesome having interactive courses with students in Belize. It's not like email; it is more like text message teaching in a group session, and the effect is incredible. It is almost as if we are all "right there" alongside everyone (wherever each person's "there" is), even though the students are in different parts of the country of Belize at the same moment. Someone might be able to describe what this experience like, somewhat adequately, but that does not do the experience sufficient justice. When experienced, the result is a jaw dropping "Oh, wow!" It is a relational culture. These are relational courses.
Prayer requests:
1) For our classes and for the students in the various classes. We pray that the students would participate as led by the Holy Spirit.
2) The search continues for a suitable medical insurance premium. We are tracking down potential leads. I appreciate everyone who has been praying for us about this. We are also praying for others in the same situation.
3) For our travel plans for Western Tanganyika in April and for Belize in May.
4) For the plans and decisions in front of each of our family members.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Scripture Prayer
Ephesians 3: 14-19
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Father God, according to the riches of your glory, we ask that Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge and all their family and all their students be strengthened with power through your Holy Spirit so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. We thank You that they are rooted and grounded in love. May they have the strength to always comprehend the great dimensions of Christ’s love for them, a love that surpasses all knowledge. May they always be filled with the fullness of You, God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(P.S. Via a typo, at one point the prayer read that Christ may swell in their hearts through faith. We ask for that as well, Lord. May Jesus swell in their hearts and our hearts to complete fullness. Amen.)
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Father God, according to the riches of your glory, we ask that Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge and all their family and all their students be strengthened with power through your Holy Spirit so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. We thank You that they are rooted and grounded in love. May they have the strength to always comprehend the great dimensions of Christ’s love for them, a love that surpasses all knowledge. May they always be filled with the fullness of You, God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(P.S. Via a typo, at one point the prayer read that Christ may swell in their hearts through faith. We ask for that as well, Lord. May Jesus swell in their hearts and our hearts to complete fullness. Amen.)
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Newsletter
Missionary Life 2013.
What is missionary life like?
A lot of people ask us that question for a number of different reasons.
Missionary life is: exotic, dangerous, boring, whimsical, adventurous, joyous, depressing, and more, all in the same day. We meet all kinds of interesting people. We meet all kinds of people in general, some of whom might not appear to be interesting, until you get to know them.
Bishops and commissions on ministry have plans for our students, and one of our jobs is to try to keep the students inspired, to keep them going amidst all of the challenges facing them. Hopefully, it is a team effort. Sometimes, it does not always feel like a team effort because everyone is busy, bishops and commissions on ministry included. But there are those moments, when it does feel like a team effort. Those are moments to be cherished. It depends on the day, and sometimes, on the time of day.
We encourage students like Delvorine, a young lay person who is challenged by the demands: of her job, of taking care of her multigenerational family, of balancing all this with her heavy involvement in her mission church (she is the backbone of the parish), and with the remaining time that she has, of trying to take our courses. Is she successful? It depends. But, at least, she has something. We encourage people like Delvorine to keep pursuing Lay Leader certification, the Diaconate, or whatever the Bishop has in mind. It is all in a day’s work.
The Delvorines of this world are one reason why our online courses exist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Attending regular classroom time in a distant city may not be possible because of the demands on their lives, and travel to class and back is becoming more and more dangerous for them.
Contributions to SAMS for our missionary support goes for both our living and missionary expenses in the US and other countries, just as if we were full-time living in another country and visiting the US.
Ways to support us.
Your prayers and financial support make the online educational ministry happen. Thank you.
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.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of SAMS and Albany.
A major highway in central Belize, Central America.
What is missionary life like?
A lot of people ask us that question for a number of different reasons.
Missionary life is: exotic, dangerous, boring, whimsical, adventurous, joyous, depressing, and more, all in the same day. We meet all kinds of interesting people. We meet all kinds of people in general, some of whom might not appear to be interesting, until you get to know them.
Bishops and commissions on ministry have plans for our students, and one of our jobs is to try to keep the students inspired, to keep them going amidst all of the challenges facing them. Hopefully, it is a team effort. Sometimes, it does not always feel like a team effort because everyone is busy, bishops and commissions on ministry included. But there are those moments, when it does feel like a team effort. Those are moments to be cherished. It depends on the day, and sometimes, on the time of day.
We encourage students like Delvorine, a young lay person who is challenged by the demands: of her job, of taking care of her multigenerational family, of balancing all this with her heavy involvement in her mission church (she is the backbone of the parish), and with the remaining time that she has, of trying to take our courses. Is she successful? It depends. But, at least, she has something. We encourage people like Delvorine to keep pursuing Lay Leader certification, the Diaconate, or whatever the Bishop has in mind. It is all in a day’s work.
The Delvorines of this world are one reason why our online courses exist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Attending regular classroom time in a distant city may not be possible because of the demands on their lives, and travel to class and back is becoming more and more dangerous for them.
Contributions to SAMS for our missionary support goes for both our living and missionary expenses in the US and other countries, just as if we were full-time living in another country and visiting the US.
Ways to support us.
Your prayers and financial support make the online educational ministry happen. Thank you.
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.
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of SAMS and Albany.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
Typical missionary week: Ups and downs. Great highs. Deep lows. Tremendous Insights. Dead ends. Living close with the Holy Spirit. Living life on the edge. Life on a super highway with God. Sometimes the back roads. In other words: fine, overall.
Prayer requests:
1) For Dcn. Roy VanDermark and his family. Faye died over the weekend. He and Faye have been long term friends of ours, and we have appreciated their ministry.
2) Our classes for Belize resume this coming Saturday, so we pray that the students would participate as led by the Holy Spirit. In addition, students could use prayer for their personal circumstances and for their goals.
3) Finding a suitable medical insurance premium. We found out on Thursday that our medical premium would double in 2013 unless we found an alternate plan. So we are tracking down potential leads.
4) For our travel plans for Western Tanganyika in April and for Belize in May which may become more defined over the next week to week and a half.
5) For the plans and decisions in front of each of our family members.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
Typical missionary week: Ups and downs. Great highs. Deep lows. Tremendous Insights. Dead ends. Living close with the Holy Spirit. Living life on the edge. Life on a super highway with God. Sometimes the back roads. In other words: fine, overall.
Prayer requests:
1) For Dcn. Roy VanDermark and his family. Faye died over the weekend. He and Faye have been long term friends of ours, and we have appreciated their ministry.
2) Our classes for Belize resume this coming Saturday, so we pray that the students would participate as led by the Holy Spirit. In addition, students could use prayer for their personal circumstances and for their goals.
3) Finding a suitable medical insurance premium. We found out on Thursday that our medical premium would double in 2013 unless we found an alternate plan. So we are tracking down potential leads.
4) For our travel plans for Western Tanganyika in April and for Belize in May which may become more defined over the next week to week and a half.
5) For the plans and decisions in front of each of our family members.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Friday, January 11, 2013
Scripture Prayer
Isaiah 11: 2
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Father God, we ask for an increase in spiritual gifts for Father Shaw and Mother Julie and their students. Grant them Lord: wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Lord, we pray today especially for Mother Julie as she prepares to teach her first course to the students in Belize and as she starts classes in Pastoral Clinical Education in Hartford. Guide and direct her Lord, so that Your will will be done in her life.
We also pray about Father Shaw’s plans to visit Belize and Western Tanganyika in the next few months and we ask that he have sufficient financial support for his endeavors.
Thank You Lord for every good gift that you bestow. Amen.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Father God, we ask for an increase in spiritual gifts for Father Shaw and Mother Julie and their students. Grant them Lord: wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Lord, we pray today especially for Mother Julie as she prepares to teach her first course to the students in Belize and as she starts classes in Pastoral Clinical Education in Hartford. Guide and direct her Lord, so that Your will will be done in her life.
We also pray about Father Shaw’s plans to visit Belize and Western Tanganyika in the next few months and we ask that he have sufficient financial support for his endeavors.
Thank You Lord for every good gift that you bestow. Amen.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
We continue to create and update courses in preparation for a new set of classes that are to be in place 2 weeks (January 19th.). We are making good headway. This is quite an enterprise.
People ask me how often I am in Belize, and I would say every day, for this reason: every keystroke is a bi-continental keystroke because every course is a bi-continental course, showing up on two continents at the same time. Everyone reads the same thing, no matter where their screen is. We get a lot of emails going back and forth on just about a daily basis, as well, for a number of reasons.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students, their courses, and family plans that the Holy Spirit would transform lives and reach more people for the Gospel by what we do.
2) For Julie, for strength and energy, and that everything would go smoothly on the home front. This coming semester she is teaching her first Belize course. She is also taking part in a CPE program in Hartford.
3) For family members in their endeavors. And we have some major birthday celebrations coming up this year (all of whom shall go nameless....): 20, 30, 60, and 85 years.
4) For safe and timely travel. Our plans include: a visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in April, and a visit to Belize in May.
5) For an increase financial support to cover the trips and the expanding educational needs.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Happy Epiphany season!
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
This week's overview:
We continue to create and update courses in preparation for a new set of classes that are to be in place 2 weeks (January 19th.). We are making good headway. This is quite an enterprise.
People ask me how often I am in Belize, and I would say every day, for this reason: every keystroke is a bi-continental keystroke because every course is a bi-continental course, showing up on two continents at the same time. Everyone reads the same thing, no matter where their screen is. We get a lot of emails going back and forth on just about a daily basis, as well, for a number of reasons.
Prayer requests:
1) For the students, their courses, and family plans that the Holy Spirit would transform lives and reach more people for the Gospel by what we do.
2) For Julie, for strength and energy, and that everything would go smoothly on the home front. This coming semester she is teaching her first Belize course. She is also taking part in a CPE program in Hartford.
3) For family members in their endeavors. And we have some major birthday celebrations coming up this year (all of whom shall go nameless....): 20, 30, 60, and 85 years.
4) For safe and timely travel. Our plans include: a visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in April, and a visit to Belize in May.
5) For an increase financial support to cover the trips and the expanding educational needs.
Your prayers are really important for us. I pray for you every day.
God bless you, and thank you for praying.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Scripture Prayer
Numbers 6: 24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
As we start this new year, we pray this prayer of blessing upon Fr. Shaw, his students in Belize, and his upcoming new students from throughout the world. Lord, may You bless them and keep them. May your face shine upon them and may they reflect your glory. Lord, lift up your countenance on them and give them peace. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
As we start this new year, we pray this prayer of blessing upon Fr. Shaw, his students in Belize, and his upcoming new students from throughout the world. Lord, may You bless them and keep them. May your face shine upon them and may they reflect your glory. Lord, lift up your countenance on them and give them peace. Amen.
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