Psalm 57: 9-11
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
O Lord, as Father Shaw gives thanks to You among the peoples and sings praises to You among the nations, we are grateful for every blessing that You send to him. Thank You for the travel mercies that got him safely to Kasulu. Thank You for the good relationship that he is developing with Bishop Makaya there. Thank You for the contacts that he is making which will facilitate the internet theology courses that he wants to deliver. Thank You for the translators that helped out with the sermons on Sunday. We ask that You help Father Shaw to find other translators so that he can teach so many more students. Also, Lord, please give him some wisdom about what to do about students who need basic skills and we also ask for an increase in enrollment.
We pray for continued travel mercies from Africa to Belize. Fr. Shaw is indeed trying to show off your glory over all the earth.
Thank You, Lord, for your steadfast love. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be in Tanzania and Belize and over all the earth! Amen.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season from Tanzania!
This week's overview:
1) It is rainy season in Kasulu, Tanzania. Lots of rain Monday morning.
2) Lydia is enjoying choir practice at St. John's in Ogdensburg, and Julie is doing well. Her sermon on Sunday was well received.
3) Things seem to be going well in Kasulu. Bishop Makaya requested that I not return to the US, and he wants me to stay in Kasulu. On the other hand, I have an appointment in Belize coming up, and Bp. Philip wants me in Belize.
4) I preached at two churches Sunday, and God used the time, profitably. It was a team effort; my translators preached my two sermons, well.
5) I now have two coordinators for the online program, on the ground in Kasulu.
6) A rather large spider greets us in the bathroom every day in Kasulu. It is more afraid of us than anything else.
Prayer requests:
1) The following is a rather specific prayer request regarding online matters:
1a) pray for translators: Tanzanian Swahili, Garifuna, Guatemalan Spanish, and Mexican Spanish.
1b) pray about developing English as a second language materials
1c) pray about developing elementary and secondary level academic skills courses
1d) pray about deciding whom to bring along as team and faculty members, and what they should do
2) For sufficient Internet access and speed regarding the online program.
3) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program and course development, in God's way and in God's time.
4) For students and their families.
5) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
6) For the balance of our time in the North Country.
7) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
8) For everything that is before each of our family members.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Belize: "We are building the ship, while sailing it."
Tanzania: "We are building the house, while living in it."
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season from Tanzania!
This week's overview:
1) It is rainy season in Kasulu, Tanzania. Lots of rain Monday morning.
2) Lydia is enjoying choir practice at St. John's in Ogdensburg, and Julie is doing well. Her sermon on Sunday was well received.
3) Things seem to be going well in Kasulu. Bishop Makaya requested that I not return to the US, and he wants me to stay in Kasulu. On the other hand, I have an appointment in Belize coming up, and Bp. Philip wants me in Belize.
4) I preached at two churches Sunday, and God used the time, profitably. It was a team effort; my translators preached my two sermons, well.
5) I now have two coordinators for the online program, on the ground in Kasulu.
6) A rather large spider greets us in the bathroom every day in Kasulu. It is more afraid of us than anything else.
Prayer requests:
1) The following is a rather specific prayer request regarding online matters:
1a) pray for translators: Tanzanian Swahili, Garifuna, Guatemalan Spanish, and Mexican Spanish.
1b) pray about developing English as a second language materials
1c) pray about developing elementary and secondary level academic skills courses
1d) pray about deciding whom to bring along as team and faculty members, and what they should do
2) For sufficient Internet access and speed regarding the online program.
3) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program and course development, in God's way and in God's time.
4) For students and their families.
5) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
6) For the balance of our time in the North Country.
7) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
8) For everything that is before each of our family members.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Belize: "We are building the ship, while sailing it."
Tanzania: "We are building the house, while living in it."
Friday, April 26, 2013
April 26 Update
Dear friends,
I have arrived safely in Kasulu, Tanzania. The plan departed an hour earlier than written on the itinerary. That was exciting. Fortunately, we had arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare.
I arrived yesterday in Kasulu after visiting in Ujiji and Kigoma areas (Mr. Stanely met Dr. Livingstone under a mango tree in Ujiji on the shore of Lake Tanganyika). We (myself and Bill and Cathy Schrull) enjoyed the hospitality of a former bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika, yesterday, in Kigoma. We are enjoying the hospitality of the current Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika while we are here, in Kasulu.
There is a 7 hour time difference between Tanzania and the Diocese of Albany.
Today, it is Union Day, a national holiday. On April 26, 1964, two countries were merged into what is now Tanzania.
The power is out in at least a part of Kasulu, and the theological college is running on a back-up generator.
The local mosque sounds its first call to prayer at 5 am, over a loudspeaker. The local dogs wake before then and have a howling convention.
I am also learning the best way to integrate our program into the life of Kasulu Bible College and into the Diocese of Western Tanganyika. There is great potential here.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide the mission, as well as for safe and timely travel. I have been pleasantly surprised.
Last night, Bishop Makaya asked me to preach at two services at the cathedral on Sunday. Pray that I would preach the right words that are needed.
God bless you,
Shaw+
I have arrived safely in Kasulu, Tanzania. The plan departed an hour earlier than written on the itinerary. That was exciting. Fortunately, we had arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare.
I arrived yesterday in Kasulu after visiting in Ujiji and Kigoma areas (Mr. Stanely met Dr. Livingstone under a mango tree in Ujiji on the shore of Lake Tanganyika). We (myself and Bill and Cathy Schrull) enjoyed the hospitality of a former bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika, yesterday, in Kigoma. We are enjoying the hospitality of the current Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika while we are here, in Kasulu.
There is a 7 hour time difference between Tanzania and the Diocese of Albany.
Today, it is Union Day, a national holiday. On April 26, 1964, two countries were merged into what is now Tanzania.
The power is out in at least a part of Kasulu, and the theological college is running on a back-up generator.
The local mosque sounds its first call to prayer at 5 am, over a loudspeaker. The local dogs wake before then and have a howling convention.
I am also learning the best way to integrate our program into the life of Kasulu Bible College and into the Diocese of Western Tanganyika. There is great potential here.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide the mission, as well as for safe and timely travel. I have been pleasantly surprised.
Last night, Bishop Makaya asked me to preach at two services at the cathedral on Sunday. Pray that I would preach the right words that are needed.
God bless you,
Shaw+
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
About Tanzania
Dear friends,
Some comments on Tanzania for the inquisitive, and in response to questions that people asked me, before I left:
Dar es Salaam is considered the economic and commercial capital of Tanzania; it is also the largest city in the country, with over 2.5 million people. Dodoma is the political capital, something like the difference between the reputations of New York City and Washington, D.C. There are about 46 million people in Tanzania, and in some ways it is a mix of 1st and 3rd world, reminding me of Belize City, Lima, Kampala, Nairobi, and other places we have visited on mission trips.
Dar es Salaam is on the coast, in the South East of the country. Kasulu is in the North West of the Country. The country is 3 times the size of New Mexico. It is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, near the border with Kenya, on the North East side.
Mr. Stanley met Dr. Livingstone, a few hours by car from where I will be staying in Kasulu, nearer the center of the continent, opposite the Congo on Lake Tanganyika, the second largest fresh water lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest.
Tanzania is pronounced: TAN-zah-NEE-ah, not Tan-ZANE-ee-ah. Ask anyone here, and you get a laugh if they think you are serious about calling it anything but TAN-zah-NEE-ah. Been there, done that.
Swahili is the national language. There are perhaps 200 tribal languages, sometimes 5 or 6 tribal languages in a region of the country. Swahili unites the country, linguistically. It even unites families if the husband comes from one tribe, and the wife from another tribe in the same region because the tribes speak different languages, but the people in both tribes learn Swahili.
English has been the dominant language in higher educational circles, but there are aspirations to make Swahili dominant there. The problem with that policy is that English is the dominant commercial and financial language in the world. That dilemma is not likely to be solved to everyone's satisfaction, any time soon. My seminary classes are intended be taught in English.
Tanzania is in East Africa, along with Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Tanzania is just south of the Equator.
Anglican clergy are highly respected. I have found this out, first hand, and many people have said "God bless you" to me when they have found out that I am clergy.
There is a strong Islamic sentiment in the country: over 50% of the population on the mainland being Moslem, and about 99% on the Island of Zanzibar. It does not surprise me, then, that I find Arabic as an alternate language to English from time to time in a few places, instead of English and Swahili.
The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency. The US dollar is a second currency to use. Some prefer to be paid in dollars instead of the shilling.
Malaria is a big health issue. I plan to be sleeping under mosquito nets for protection.
It is rainy season.
Between 1885 and through World War I, what is now Tanzania was part of German East Africa, and then it was administered by the British. It gained independence in 1961. Actually, the process was more complicated than that, but this is a broad stroke introduction.
The novel "The African Queen" was about the widow of an Anglican missionary, and the setting was in the South West of Tanzania when it was part of German East Africa.
God bless you,
Shaw
Some comments on Tanzania for the inquisitive, and in response to questions that people asked me, before I left:
Dar es Salaam is considered the economic and commercial capital of Tanzania; it is also the largest city in the country, with over 2.5 million people. Dodoma is the political capital, something like the difference between the reputations of New York City and Washington, D.C. There are about 46 million people in Tanzania, and in some ways it is a mix of 1st and 3rd world, reminding me of Belize City, Lima, Kampala, Nairobi, and other places we have visited on mission trips.
Dar es Salaam is on the coast, in the South East of the country. Kasulu is in the North West of the Country. The country is 3 times the size of New Mexico. It is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, near the border with Kenya, on the North East side.
Mr. Stanley met Dr. Livingstone, a few hours by car from where I will be staying in Kasulu, nearer the center of the continent, opposite the Congo on Lake Tanganyika, the second largest fresh water lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest.
Tanzania is pronounced: TAN-zah-NEE-ah, not Tan-ZANE-ee-ah. Ask anyone here, and you get a laugh if they think you are serious about calling it anything but TAN-zah-NEE-ah. Been there, done that.
Swahili is the national language. There are perhaps 200 tribal languages, sometimes 5 or 6 tribal languages in a region of the country. Swahili unites the country, linguistically. It even unites families if the husband comes from one tribe, and the wife from another tribe in the same region because the tribes speak different languages, but the people in both tribes learn Swahili.
English has been the dominant language in higher educational circles, but there are aspirations to make Swahili dominant there. The problem with that policy is that English is the dominant commercial and financial language in the world. That dilemma is not likely to be solved to everyone's satisfaction, any time soon. My seminary classes are intended be taught in English.
Tanzania is in East Africa, along with Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. Tanzania is just south of the Equator.
Anglican clergy are highly respected. I have found this out, first hand, and many people have said "God bless you" to me when they have found out that I am clergy.
There is a strong Islamic sentiment in the country: over 50% of the population on the mainland being Moslem, and about 99% on the Island of Zanzibar. It does not surprise me, then, that I find Arabic as an alternate language to English from time to time in a few places, instead of English and Swahili.
The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency. The US dollar is a second currency to use. Some prefer to be paid in dollars instead of the shilling.
Malaria is a big health issue. I plan to be sleeping under mosquito nets for protection.
It is rainy season.
Between 1885 and through World War I, what is now Tanzania was part of German East Africa, and then it was administered by the British. It gained independence in 1961. Actually, the process was more complicated than that, but this is a broad stroke introduction.
The novel "The African Queen" was about the widow of an Anglican missionary, and the setting was in the South West of Tanzania when it was part of German East Africa.
God bless you,
Shaw
Fr. Shaw has arrived in Africa safely
Dear friends and family,
I have arrived safely and in a timely manner in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, leg 1 of the mission trip. Julie is in upstate, New York, attending to matters, there. I have had the opportunity to speak with her and Lydia via Skype.
As I write this, I am near the waterfront of the Indian Ocean in this capital of Tanzania, just down the street from a Lutheran Church. There is a 7 hour time difference between here and upstate, New York. Shortly, from where I am staying, I should be able to hear the morning choir singing at the church.
In the next day or so, we begin leg 2, travel to Kasulu, Tanzania. In the meantime, we prepare for that leg of the trip, finalizing some local arrangements.
The goal of the mission trip is to find out to what extent our online anglican seminary courses can join together with the offerings at Kasulu Bible College, a regional anglican seminary, for more effective ministry in this part of the country. I am here with Bill and Cathy Schrull; Bill plans to strengthen the existing Internet infrastructure at the bible college to make this happen more effectively.
For security reasons, my posts are a bit vague, but if you need more specifics, please contact Julie.
Prayer requests:
1) continued safe and timely travel
2) that the Holy Spirit would accomplish through us, what he would desire to be the outcome of our trip.
I continue to pray for you all, daily.
God bless you,
Shaw
I have arrived safely and in a timely manner in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, leg 1 of the mission trip. Julie is in upstate, New York, attending to matters, there. I have had the opportunity to speak with her and Lydia via Skype.
As I write this, I am near the waterfront of the Indian Ocean in this capital of Tanzania, just down the street from a Lutheran Church. There is a 7 hour time difference between here and upstate, New York. Shortly, from where I am staying, I should be able to hear the morning choir singing at the church.
In the next day or so, we begin leg 2, travel to Kasulu, Tanzania. In the meantime, we prepare for that leg of the trip, finalizing some local arrangements.
The goal of the mission trip is to find out to what extent our online anglican seminary courses can join together with the offerings at Kasulu Bible College, a regional anglican seminary, for more effective ministry in this part of the country. I am here with Bill and Cathy Schrull; Bill plans to strengthen the existing Internet infrastructure at the bible college to make this happen more effectively.
For security reasons, my posts are a bit vague, but if you need more specifics, please contact Julie.
Prayer requests:
1) continued safe and timely travel
2) that the Holy Spirit would accomplish through us, what he would desire to be the outcome of our trip.
I continue to pray for you all, daily.
God bless you,
Shaw
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear friends in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia!
As I write this, I am about to embark on the next phase of our mission adventure. Photos may appear on my FaceBook Web page from time to time, depending on circumstances.
This week's overview:
1) Julie had a great time at the Diocese of Albany priest's retreat.
2) I have contacted 2 potential colleagues who might help us expand the mission work. One was a missionary in Honduras, and the other is a missionary in India. Both are teachers.
Prayer requests:
1) For the mission trips to Tanzania and Belize.
2) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program development, in God's way and in God's time.
3) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany.
4) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
5) For decisions and opportunities in front of each family member, and that all would be done to the glory of God.
God bless you, and thank you for praying and partnering with us in prayer. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
"No one fails our courses, but some may take longer to complete them than others."
Disciples Making Disciples.
Discípulos Haciendo Discípulos.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia!
As I write this, I am about to embark on the next phase of our mission adventure. Photos may appear on my FaceBook Web page from time to time, depending on circumstances.
This week's overview:
1) Julie had a great time at the Diocese of Albany priest's retreat.
2) I have contacted 2 potential colleagues who might help us expand the mission work. One was a missionary in Honduras, and the other is a missionary in India. Both are teachers.
Prayer requests:
1) For the mission trips to Tanzania and Belize.
2) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program development, in God's way and in God's time.
3) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany.
4) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
5) For decisions and opportunities in front of each family member, and that all would be done to the glory of God.
God bless you, and thank you for praying and partnering with us in prayer. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
"No one fails our courses, but some may take longer to complete them than others."
Disciples Making Disciples.
Discípulos Haciendo Discípulos.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 32: 10b-11
Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Father God, we thank You for lots of good news in Father Shaw’s last prayer mail. We thank You especially that Mother Julie has been accepted into the CPE program in Connecticut. We know that your steadfast love surrounds both Father Shaw and Mother Julie and their family because they trust in You. We praise You Father and shout for joy for all the blessings that You bestow upon your faithful servants who are upright in heart.
We pray for Father Shaw as his time to travel abroad fast approaches. Be with him in all the details, Lord. Keep him safe and send him travel mercies. May his trips to Tanzania and Belize bring positive results in the growth of his on-line theological training mission.
We are glad in the Lord. We rejoice. We shout for joy! Thank You Father for keeping us upright in heart. Amen.
Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Father God, we thank You for lots of good news in Father Shaw’s last prayer mail. We thank You especially that Mother Julie has been accepted into the CPE program in Connecticut. We know that your steadfast love surrounds both Father Shaw and Mother Julie and their family because they trust in You. We praise You Father and shout for joy for all the blessings that You bestow upon your faithful servants who are upright in heart.
We pray for Father Shaw as his time to travel abroad fast approaches. Be with him in all the details, Lord. Keep him safe and send him travel mercies. May his trips to Tanzania and Belize bring positive results in the growth of his on-line theological training mission.
We are glad in the Lord. We rejoice. We shout for joy! Thank You Father for keeping us upright in heart. Amen.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Newsletter April 2013
“Seeking the last, the least, the lost, and the lonely.”
Our goal in missions is to go and do the work God has called us to do, including to the last, the least, the lost, and the lonely. And I plan to do so in Tanzania and Belize.
Jesus says that the last shall be first in the Kingdom of God. Jesus says that just as we will do to one of the least of our brethren, so we do to him. Jesus leaves the 99 sheep behind to seek out the lost. Some of the lonely are very powerful. Some of the lonely are very vulnerable.
Sometimes investing time in the people you least suspect as important, may become a blessing.
And so at the New Wineskins conference in early April, I prayed about whom to sit with, and sometimes I sat with people whom you might not normally look to be powerful, influential, wealthy, or successful, at least by their appearance.
To my continued surprise, the Holy Spirit was guiding me in some very important ways, such as to: bishops, very devout people, future leaders of the Church, and other divine and unexpected encounters that were a real blessing. As a by-product of these encounters, our missionary endeavor has gained new allies and has increased its potential and momentum.
And, as a result of divine encounters, we have received verbal permission to offer the Christian Foundations Program of Trinity School for Ministry to the specific seminaries with whom we are associated. Details to be worked out.
In about 1 week, I plan to be traveling to Tanzania and then to Belize, as a missionary who goes to places that others might not go, for various reasons. But I will not be alone. The Anglican Bishop of Belize has a plan for my life, and so does the Principal of the Bible College in Tanzania where I will be going, and so does God.
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 on behalf of Julie+
The Rev. Dr. Shaw Mudge
The Rev. Julia Mudge
Missionaries of SAMS and Albany.
Prayer Mail from April 9
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Alleluia! Happy Easter season. Alleluia!
This week's overview:
1) I attended the SAMS retreat and the New Wineskins Missionary Conference in North Carolina, along with others from the Diocese of Albany. Very inspirational. The missionary conference offered good strategies that could be adapted for parishes in the U.S. I did a fair amount of networking.
2) Julie was at St. John's in Ogdensburg for the weekend.
3) We have had some potentially exciting developments for our curriculum and for the scope of our on-line program, as a result of people at the Missionary Conference this week.
Prayer requests:
1) Trinity School for Ministry handed a bookmark to me at the missionary conference, with prayer requests that apply to our program. Here are two of the prayers: pray with us for an increase in enrollment and for financial provision.
2) For the students and their families, especially for students beginning the next course in about two weeks, and the ones working on current courses.
3) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
4) For our North Country time, for Julie on the Albany Diocese priests' retreat, for the Western Tanganyika trip in late April to mid-May, Belize in mid-May, and Albany Diocesan Convention in June, and parish visits in the North Country after I return from the mission trips.
5) For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, for safe and timely travel, and that everything be done to the glory of God.
6) For time to focus on Swahili and Latin American Spanish as God needs me to focus on that, beginning this week.
7) For all that we need to do in Ogdensburg.
8) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
9) For Julie, our daughters, and everyone's plans.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Alleluia! Happy Easter season. Alleluia!
This week's overview:
1) I attended the SAMS retreat and the New Wineskins Missionary Conference in North Carolina, along with others from the Diocese of Albany. Very inspirational. The missionary conference offered good strategies that could be adapted for parishes in the U.S. I did a fair amount of networking.
2) Julie was at St. John's in Ogdensburg for the weekend.
3) We have had some potentially exciting developments for our curriculum and for the scope of our on-line program, as a result of people at the Missionary Conference this week.
Prayer requests:
1) Trinity School for Ministry handed a bookmark to me at the missionary conference, with prayer requests that apply to our program. Here are two of the prayers: pray with us for an increase in enrollment and for financial provision.
2) For the students and their families, especially for students beginning the next course in about two weeks, and the ones working on current courses.
3) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
4) For our North Country time, for Julie on the Albany Diocese priests' retreat, for the Western Tanganyika trip in late April to mid-May, Belize in mid-May, and Albany Diocesan Convention in June, and parish visits in the North Country after I return from the mission trips.
5) For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, for safe and timely travel, and that everything be done to the glory of God.
6) For time to focus on Swahili and Latin American Spanish as God needs me to focus on that, beginning this week.
7) For all that we need to do in Ogdensburg.
8) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
9) For Julie, our daughters, and everyone's plans.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia!
This week's overview:
1) Lydia has a new educational direction to explore which could be very good.
2) Ruth is beginning to transition to a new home.
3) Hannah is getting a second-hand car, to replace her current one.
4) Julie has graduated from her current CPE program, did extremely well, and has been accepted into a 1 year Connecticut CPE internship program.
5) Our Online Anglican Theological College (our Internet ministry outlet for Belize and Tanzania) has been given verbal approval to use the Christian Foundations Program courses from Trinity School for Ministry. Next, the written contract phase.
6) The next module of our Belize Internet ministry has gotten underway this past Saturday.
7) I received the itinerary for the Belize mission trip, and it includes preaching, teaching, vocational encouragement talks, and both the Bishop of Belize and myself on Belizean radio and TV. Pray that the Holy Spirit would use our words and deeds to his glory.
8) We continue to be blessed by the time with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the North Country.
Prayer requests:
1) For Julie at the Albany priests retreat that she may be blessed by the Holy Spirit during her time there.
2) For remaining preparations for the mission trip to Tanzania and Belize, which begins in about a week.
3) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program development, in God's way and in God's time.
4) For students and their families.
5) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
6) For the balance of our North Country ministry time, and for setting up parish presentations in the North Country.
7) For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, for safe and timely travel, and that everything be done to the glory of God.
8) For any necessary language learning.
9) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
10) For everything that is before each of our family members.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia!
This week's overview:
1) Lydia has a new educational direction to explore which could be very good.
2) Ruth is beginning to transition to a new home.
3) Hannah is getting a second-hand car, to replace her current one.
4) Julie has graduated from her current CPE program, did extremely well, and has been accepted into a 1 year Connecticut CPE internship program.
5) Our Online Anglican Theological College (our Internet ministry outlet for Belize and Tanzania) has been given verbal approval to use the Christian Foundations Program courses from Trinity School for Ministry. Next, the written contract phase.
6) The next module of our Belize Internet ministry has gotten underway this past Saturday.
7) I received the itinerary for the Belize mission trip, and it includes preaching, teaching, vocational encouragement talks, and both the Bishop of Belize and myself on Belizean radio and TV. Pray that the Holy Spirit would use our words and deeds to his glory.
8) We continue to be blessed by the time with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the North Country.
Prayer requests:
1) For Julie at the Albany priests retreat that she may be blessed by the Holy Spirit during her time there.
2) For remaining preparations for the mission trip to Tanzania and Belize, which begins in about a week.
3) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program development, in God's way and in God's time.
4) For students and their families.
5) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
6) For the balance of our North Country ministry time, and for setting up parish presentations in the North Country.
7) For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, for safe and timely travel, and that everything be done to the glory of God.
8) For any necessary language learning.
9) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
10) For everything that is before each of our family members.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Mudge Scripture Prayer
John 17:20-21 and 26
Jesus, you prayed this beautiful prayer for your disciples and those whom they discipled. Lord, we pray this prayer for Father Shaw and Mother Julie, their students, and those to whom the students will minister in the years to come. May all be ine in You, always remembering your great love and sharing your love and your words with all the world.
We continue to pray for the courses that the Mudges are developing and for all the travel plans: for Mother Julie at the Priests and Deacon Retreat, for Father Shaw during his journeys to Tanganyika and Belize, and for their mission table at the Albany Diocesan Convention.
Thank You, Lord, for every good gift that You send, especially for the gift of salvation. Amen.
Jesus, you prayed this beautiful prayer for your disciples and those whom they discipled. Lord, we pray this prayer for Father Shaw and Mother Julie, their students, and those to whom the students will minister in the years to come. May all be ine in You, always remembering your great love and sharing your love and your words with all the world.
We continue to pray for the courses that the Mudges are developing and for all the travel plans: for Mother Julie at the Priests and Deacon Retreat, for Father Shaw during his journeys to Tanganyika and Belize, and for their mission table at the Albany Diocesan Convention.
Thank You, Lord, for every good gift that You send, especially for the gift of salvation. Amen.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Alleluia! Happy Easter season. Alleluia!
This week's overview:
1) I attended the SAMS retreat and the New Wineskins Missionary Conference in North Carolina, along with others from the Diocese of Albany. Very inspirational. The missionary conference offered good strategies that could be adapted for parishes in the U.S. I did a fair amount of networking.
2) Julie was at St. John's in Ogdensburg for the weekend.
3) We have had some potentially exciting developments for our curriculum and for the scope of our on-line program, as a result of people at the Missionary Conference this week.
Prayer requests:
1) Trinity School for Ministry handed a bookmark to me at the missionary conference, with prayer requests that apply to our program. Here are two of the prayers: pray with us for an increase in enrollment and for financial provision.
2) For the students and their families, especially for students beginning the next course in about two weeks, and the ones working on current courses.
3) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
4) For our North Country time, for Julie on the Albany Diocese priests' retreat, for the Western Tanganyika trip in late April to mid-May, Belize in mid-May, and Albany Diocesan Convention in June, and parish visits in the North Country after I return from the mission trips.
5) For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, for safe and timely travel, and that everything be done to the glory of God.
6) For time to focus on Swahili and Latin American Spanish as God needs me to focus on that, beginning this week.
7) For all that we need to do in Ogdensburg.
8) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
9) For Julie, our daughters, and everyone's plans.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Alleluia! Happy Easter season. Alleluia!
This week's overview:
1) I attended the SAMS retreat and the New Wineskins Missionary Conference in North Carolina, along with others from the Diocese of Albany. Very inspirational. The missionary conference offered good strategies that could be adapted for parishes in the U.S. I did a fair amount of networking.
2) Julie was at St. John's in Ogdensburg for the weekend.
3) We have had some potentially exciting developments for our curriculum and for the scope of our on-line program, as a result of people at the Missionary Conference this week.
Prayer requests:
1) Trinity School for Ministry handed a bookmark to me at the missionary conference, with prayer requests that apply to our program. Here are two of the prayers: pray with us for an increase in enrollment and for financial provision.
2) For the students and their families, especially for students beginning the next course in about two weeks, and the ones working on current courses.
3) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
4) For our North Country time, for Julie on the Albany Diocese priests' retreat, for the Western Tanganyika trip in late April to mid-May, Belize in mid-May, and Albany Diocesan Convention in June, and parish visits in the North Country after I return from the mission trips.
5) For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, for safe and timely travel, and that everything be done to the glory of God.
6) For time to focus on Swahili and Latin American Spanish as God needs me to focus on that, beginning this week.
7) For all that we need to do in Ogdensburg.
8) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
9) For Julie, our daughters, and everyone's plans.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
Monday, April 1, 2013
Prayer Mail
Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Happy Easter season. Alleluia!
¡Aleluya! ¡Feliz Pascua! Heri kwa sikukuu ya Pasaka! Haleluya!
This week's overview:
We are about to do quite a few things, and all would be suitable for prayer.
1) I will be attending the SAMS retreat and the New Wineskins Missionary Conference, starting this week.
2) We continue with the great people at St. John's.
3) Julie has finished her Belize course, and students continue to send in their work. She is also completing her CPE course.
4) I start preparing for my trip to Tanzania and Belize, and another course is now open for students.
5) Our eldest daughter had a great answer to prayer, a prayer request that we have been holding up to the Lord.
Prayer requests:
Both Julie and I are about to enter a most complex time over the next month and a half. I will wake up in one time zone or another, and perhaps at times, with a sense of "it's Saturday, I must be in.... and it's time for my daily malaria pill."
1) For the students and their families, especially for students beginning the next course in about two weeks, and the ones working on current courses.
2) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
3) For our North Country time, for me at the conferences this week, for Julie on the Albany Diocese priests' retreat, for the Western Tanganyika trip in late April to mid-May, Belize in mid-May, and Albany Diocesan Convention in June, and parish visits in the North Country after I return from the mission trips.
For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, and for safe and timely travel.
4) For time to focus on Swahili and Latin American Spanish as God needs me to focus on that, beginning this coming week.
5) For all that we need to do in Ogdensburg.
6) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
7) For Julie, and our daughters, and everyone's plans.
8) That everything be done to the glory of God.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Happy Easter season. Alleluia!
¡Aleluya! ¡Feliz Pascua! Heri kwa sikukuu ya Pasaka! Haleluya!
This week's overview:
We are about to do quite a few things, and all would be suitable for prayer.
1) I will be attending the SAMS retreat and the New Wineskins Missionary Conference, starting this week.
2) We continue with the great people at St. John's.
3) Julie has finished her Belize course, and students continue to send in their work. She is also completing her CPE course.
4) I start preparing for my trip to Tanzania and Belize, and another course is now open for students.
5) Our eldest daughter had a great answer to prayer, a prayer request that we have been holding up to the Lord.
Prayer requests:
Both Julie and I are about to enter a most complex time over the next month and a half. I will wake up in one time zone or another, and perhaps at times, with a sense of "it's Saturday, I must be in.... and it's time for my daily malaria pill."
1) For the students and their families, especially for students beginning the next course in about two weeks, and the ones working on current courses.
2) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.
3) For our North Country time, for me at the conferences this week, for Julie on the Albany Diocese priests' retreat, for the Western Tanganyika trip in late April to mid-May, Belize in mid-May, and Albany Diocesan Convention in June, and parish visits in the North Country after I return from the mission trips.
For the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the people we meet, for the spread of the Gospel, and for safe and timely travel.
4) For time to focus on Swahili and Latin American Spanish as God needs me to focus on that, beginning this coming week.
5) For all that we need to do in Ogdensburg.
6) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.
7) For Julie, and our daughters, and everyone's plans.
8) That everything be done to the glory of God.
God bless you, and thank you for praying. I pray for you every day.
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
"We are building the ship, while sailing it."
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