Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday December 30.

May you and your family continue to have a blessed Christmas season, and Happy New Year's celebration. We had a great time with family this week.

The online courses continue to meet the needs of people in Belize for ministry training options. Another person is joining. Course development work continues. 

Lydia departs for Honduras on Saturday.

Prayer requests:

 

1) For God's timing of my visit to Belize in February, and the preparations for that trip.

2) For the day to day mission work in the meantime.

3) For the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book.

4) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad,

5) For the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill. The relatively mild weather has enabled a bigger window of opportunity.

6) For Lydia, for her safe and timely travel, and for her time on the ground over the next month or so.  

7) For family members who are making important decisions.  

In Jesus' Name,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

Scripture Prayer

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday December 23.

May you and your family have a blessed and Merry Christmas.

This past week, I have been working on courses, trying to meet my personal goals, and preparing for Christmas. 

As I read our SAMS financial reports, we have been blessed by the generosity of many people over the course of November and December who have been giving to the Ministry in Belize. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to my next trip, in February.

Lydia's final paperwork came through this week in preparation for her ministry work in Honduras.

Prayer requests:

 

1) For God's timing of my visit to Belize in February, and the preparations for that trip. I plan to be making airline ticket reservations in early January.

2) For the day to day mission work.

3) For the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book.

4) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad,

5) For the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill. 

6) For Lydia as she prepares for Honduras. Everything is a go. 

7) For family members who are making important decisions, including my mother. Pray that as my family gathers this week, that the Holy Spirit will guide the conversations and the results.

8) For a fruitful 2015 for each of us.

In Jesus' Name,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

December Newsletter

Merry Christmas.

I wish you a Merry Christmas from all the Mudges and from all my friends and colleagues in Belize and Tanzania.

In Belize, preparing for Christmas began about the time of the annual diocesan Harvest Festival, about the time of Columbus Day Weekend in October.

Meanwhile, in November, the Diocesan Office in Belize moved to a new location, not far for the old one. The mailing address, phone number, and email address remain the same.

This is a time of year for looking back at the past year, and to look ahead to the new year. A metaphor that several people in Belize are using for this balance is: you are driving a car, and while you need the rear view mirror on occasion, your view needs to be primarily looking forward, eyes on the road. 

For the Diocese of Belize, forward is towards 2030. My visits are part of the plan.

Looking back, if you have been following my Web statistics over the past year or so, here are some current Web visit updates:

The Diocese of Belize Web site: accessed by over 1100 computers.

The Church in the Province of the West Indies Daily Office Web site: accessed by over 136 computers (repetitively, I would guess).

78 individual computers accessed the Moodle course Web sites, and over 470 computers accessed the Global OATC public Web site.

What is ahead for 2015? More ordinations. The anticipated completion of the Spanish version of the Caribbean province’s Prayer Book. More ministry opportunities in Belize and from the United States. Leadership development, and many surprises.

We are thankful to God that Bishop Philip of Belize has been on the mend. He is a good friend.

God bless you all and thank you for your help,

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Examining Chaplain, Diocese of Belize

SAMS missionaries.

Support.

Please pray and continue to make checks out to: "SAMS". Put "Shaw and Julie Mudge" in the memo, to support what we are doing. Your continued support makes the work in Belize possible.

Mailing address:

SAMS,

P. O. Box 399,

Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.

Or on-line, at http://goo.gl/nll8ut  

Dr. Shaw and Bp. Philip of Belize in color fitting for the season (even though this was a Pentecost photo). Photo copyright Fr. Shaw Mudge

Scripture Prayer

2Peter 1: 5-8

Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father God, we pray for all these good attributes to increase in Father Shaw Mudge so that he can always be a more effective and fruitful minister to your people.  Holy Spirit, we beseech you, strengthen Father Shaw in his faith, in his virtue, in his knowledge of You, in his self-control, in his steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love.  As Paul says in Galatians, there is no law against such as these.

We pray for Father Shaw’s mission to the people of Belize.  We pray for provision for him and his family.  We especially pray for the sale of the townhouse in Wynantskill.  May your buyer be made known soon. And we lift up Lydia as she prepares for her mission in Honduras.  Bless her mightily, Lord.

And as we await the celebration of the anniversary of Jesus’ birth, we pray for all of our fellow intercessors, praying that their lives may be full of the love, peace and joy of this season.  Amen.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday December 14.

Have a blessed Third Week in Advent.

There has been a lot going on in the course development area this week, and in ministry in general. 

Prayer requests:

 

1) For ordinations in 2015. We wait upon word from the Commission on Ministry in Belize. 

2) For God's timing of my visit to Belize in February. I plan to be making airline ticket reservations in the next few weeks.

3) For my mission work.

4) For the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book.

5) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad, including the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill. 

6) For Lydia as she prepares for Honduras.

7) For family members who are making important decisions.

In Jesus' Name,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

 

Making Disciples Who Make a Difference. 

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday December 9.

Course development and ministry planning for 2015 continue, including our first online course(s) in Spanish. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in a mighty way through the course preparation as well as the courses themselves.

We've heard back from our dwelling broker this week: the price is solidly appropriate for the market, and the dwelling is in excellent shape. We are waiting upon the Lord's buyer.

Prayer requests:

 

1) For ordinations in 2015. We wait upon word from the Commission on Ministry in Belize. 

2) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015. 

3) For my work while in the U.S.

4) For the preparation for upcoming courses and the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book.

5) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad, including the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill. 

6) For Lydia as she prepares for Honduras, in less than a month.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

 

Making Disciples Who Make a Difference. 

Prayer Mail Dec 2

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Wednesday December 2.

I have been planning my Belizean trips for 2015 in conjunction with the schedules of the Diocese of Belize and Bishop Philip. He is recovering nicely from his recent infirmity.

My first visit will probably be at the time of a clergy retreat and in gratitude for my part in the Spanish edition of the Book of Common Prayer for the Province of the West Indies. Fr. John Park has done an excellent translation job. The Bishops of the Province like what he has done so far and look forward to its completion in time for the Provincial gathering in 2015.

At the same time, course preparation and planning continue. There is a lot to do, especially over the next four or five months.

Prayer requests:

 

1) For ordinations in 2015.

2) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015.

3) For my work while in the U.S.

4) For the preparation for upcoming courses and the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book.

5) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad, including the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill. Prospective buyers have been coming by, and we pray for the right person and God’s timing (soon would be a good time).

6) For Lydia as she prepares for Honduras, departing just after the turn of the year.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

Scripture Prayer Nov 29

Philippians 2: 5

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Heavenly Father, this is our constant prayer.  Bless Father Shaw Mudge and continue to send your Holy Spirit so that his mind is in agreement with Jesus' mind.  May it always be the inspiration of Father, Son and Holy Spirit that leads him as he prepares those new courses for the theology students in Belize.

We thank You for every blessing during this Thanksgiving weekend and as we get ready for the new church year to start tomorrow.  We pray for the whole Mudge family.  Bless them, provide for them, prosper them.  We pray for Lydia as she gets ready for her mission in Honduras.  We pray for Mother Julie and her hospital ministry.  And for the student getting ready to be ordained to the diaconate and for those new deacons who will progress to the priesthood next year.

Thank You for the increase in donations and in parish visits.We know that You will provide, Lord.  We pray especially for a timely selling of the Mudge town house in Wynantskill NY.

We all give thanks with grateful hearts, Lord.  Amen.

Newsleter November 2014

Missionary.

As a missionary, I am called to do many unexpected ministries, sometimes at the last minute. Flexibility is a important part of being a missionary.

Here are some of situations I have found myself in, recently, in Belize:

An unplanned hospital visitation opportunity with Bishop Philip, that came up during an unplanned dinner engagement.

An unplanned celebration of the Holy Eucharist in a rural parish. The Celebrant was not feeling well, and during the passing of the peace, he asked me to fill for him for the rest of the service.

An unplanned celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral during a Wednesday morning service for about 400 high school students. I had been invited simply to introduce a new deacon to the students at the beginning of the service. About five minutes before the service began, I found out that I was to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. As I was beginning to process into the service, I found out that I was to preach.

Asked to attend a retreat. As the retreat date loomed closer, I was asked to share in the leading of the retreat. In the final days before the retreat, I found out that I was leading the first half of the retreat, alone.

Putting together a verbal presentation weeks in advance of the presentation deadline. Based on newly updated instructions, changing this to a 15 minute facilitator’s presentation the Monday before the presentation was to be given. Based on further updated instructions on Monday, creating my own 5 to 10 minute video as the initial part of the presentation, in time for an impromptu facilitators meeting on Tuesday. Making additional video modifications on Tuesday, based on updated information at the Tuesday meeting.

And here is the punch line with each of these unexpected ministries. They turned out wonderfully, and I attribute that outcome to several factors, especially your prayers.

God bless you,

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

Support.

Please pray and continue to make checks out to: "SAMS". Put "Shaw and Julie Mudge" in the memo, to support what we are doing. Your continued support makes the work in Belize possible.

Mailing address:

SAMS,

P. O. Box 399,

Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.

Or on-line, at http://goo.gl/nll8ut  

Father Shaw in Belize

The offertory being sung in Garifuna at the Diocese of Belize Synod; photo taken by Fr. Shaw Mudge. (c) 2014.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday November 18.

I have been working on teaching notes for at least two courses in the midst of many other things.

I have been pleased by the renewed and new interest in what is happening in Belize.

Prayer requests:

 

1) Preparation of the next people/person to be ordained Deacon in Belize in early 2015, and for the preparation of those who would be ordained priests in late 2015.

2) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015, for my work in the U.S. for the Diocese of Belize, and for my work while in Belize. That the diocesan office move in Belize City would go smoothly. Please pray for the course work I am preparing. I am working on two at the moment, and have about three in the wings.

3) For contributions and parish visitations. There has been an increase of late. This is very good.

4) For the preparation for upcoming courses and the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book. The Bishops of the Province of the West Indies are meeting this week, I understand, and will be reviewing the materials submitted thus far in preparation for the Provincial Synod next year.

5) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad, including the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill.

6) For Lydia as she prepares for Honduras.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

Scripture Prayer

Psalm 90: 12

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom

1Thessalonians 5:8:

 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Lord, we thank You for all the gifts and talents that you have bestowed upon Father Shaw Mudge as he devotes his life to serving You through his teaching mission in Belize.  Thank You for the wisdom that helps him use each day to the best advantage.  Thank You for his great faith that he shares with his students and all whom he meets.  Thank You for your love which shines through him to all his world.  And thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ which is our Christian hope and the most important message to impart to the world.

We continue to pray for guidance and provision for Father Shaw and his family.  And we especially ask for a quick and profitable sale of the Mudge’s town house in New York.  We thank You, Lord, for every blessing that you impart.  Amen.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Monday November 10.

After the recent momentous events, we are back to incremental progress, preparing for future momentous events. In the meantime, we had some technical difficulties sending out the prayer mail for this past week.

The Diocesan Office in Belize is moving this month, only a short distance from where it has been located.

Much of the Spanish Prayer book translation will be ready for the meeting of the House of Bishops of the Church in the Province of the West Indies which meets, later this month. The balance remains to be done, but this is a very good start for an 800 page book.

My workshop presentation on reentry adjustment was well received. A follow-up article is in the works.

I am beginning to receive parish opportunity requests for 2015.

Prayer requests:

 

1) Preparation of the next people/person to be ordained Deacon in Belize (early 2015).

2) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015, for my work in the U.S. for the Diocese of Belize, and for my work while in Belize. That the diocesan office move in Belize City would go smoothly.  

3) For contributions and parish visitations.

4) For the preparation for upcoming courses and the completion of the Spanish Prayer Book.

5) For Lydia's mission work in Honduras (beginning early January).

6) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad, including the sale of our dwelling in Wynantskill.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

Scripture Prayer

From Philippians 2: 12-16

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

We thank You Lord, that it is You who works in Father Shaw.  You give him the will for his mission work and you enable him to carry it out.  He is your child, blameless and innocent because of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  Let him continue to shine as a light in the world, holding fast to the word of life and proclaiming it to all whom he teaches.

Bless Father Shaw as he prepares for and delivers his talk on mission work at the Diocese of Albany’s Mission Conference this Saturday.  Guide him in all that he does for You in the next week.  Help him as he schedules his next trip to Belize.  Strengthen him as he finishes up the course on Anglicanism and develops other new curriculum.  And we ask for financial provision and for all other needs of the Mudge family and the people they minister to.  All for your glory, Lord.  Amen.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday October 28.

The week has been filled with various stages of the next courses of the online program and preparing for the Diocese of Albany missionary presentation: “Becoming a 3rd culture citizen: reentry adjustment” (long and short term missionary reentry, back into the U.S.). 

Julie had a good birthday.

Prayer requests:

 

1) Preparation of the next people/person to be ordained Deacon (early 2015).

2) For God's timing of my visits to Belize in 2015, for my work in the U.S. for the Diocese of Belize, and for my work while in Belize.  

3) For contributions and parish visitations in  2015.

4) For the Diocese of Albany Mission Workshop that is coming up on Saturday; that I would say what the Holy Spirit would lead me to say.

5) For Lydia's mission work in Honduras (beginning early January).

6) For God's provision for all our needs both here and abroad.

God bless you,

Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+ and Lydia

I pray for you every day.

 

Making Disciples Who Make a Difference.