Special Prayer Mail

Dear friends,

Lately we have been asking you all to pray for discernment, yet not with any preconceived agenda in mind. At long last and in the past day or so, it has become really clear to Julie and myself that the way forward that God has in mind is for us to become Associate Missionaries with SAMS. Sometimes the answers are about timing.

What does this transition mean? 

In terms of Belize et al, we are moving in new directions and away from missionary work (official change date is October 1st, and because there is a fair amount to do, please keep your financial support and prayer support coming our way through September). 

In addition, we are planning to continue as canonically resident clergy in the Diocese of Albany, and we plan to continue with our other avenues of ministry which started out simply as ways to supplement our mission work and which have developed a life of their own. 

It means:

1) Prayer support would be appreciated as long as we keep the prayermails going. 

2) The following are anticipated matters related to Belize that may continue after October 1st:

2a) I may need to keep the distance learning Web site open for another year for any residual courses if a student may need to take to finish up, and for anyone else who might be taking courses. One of our supporters pays annually to keep the site open - thank you. In terms of distance learning at this point it is more:

 i) my monitoring the student's progress, 

ii) my issuing certificates of completion for the student's two remaining courses, and 

iii) my issuing a certificate for the student's having completed the overall program.

2b) If the Bishop of Belize needs an officially designated person as Examining Chaplain and/or Director of ATI, I may need to keep my name there as a placeholder, so that there is some continuity, until he finds my replacement. Most of my work might be by email or Skype. He may want to be thinking about replacements in time for Diocesan Synod this year, in October. 

2c) Shut down what I can of my temporary Diocese of Belize Web site as soon as I hear from the Diocesan Secretary that the new permanent site is set up. I have begun transitioning in that direction this past week. The Diocesan Secretary in Belize told me this week that at long last (since 2014) they finally have a way forward for a diocesan Web site.

2d) I might keep a title such as "Director of the ATI Distance Learning Program" until the Web site closes down, so that one of the students has a way forward. 

2e) I may make a trip for the unveiling of the Spanish CPWI Prayer Book if there is one. The Prayer Book is scheduled to be printed in September. 

You have been very faithful supporters, both in prayer and financially. We can't thank you enough. We have enjoyed your company since we began our odessy in 2008, through our adventures together in Peru, East Africa, and what God has had in mind for us in Belize.

4) We (all of us - you included) have made a tremendous difference wherever we have been. I plan to keep the prayermails and monthly newsletter up and going through September.  

5) Each of you has been important to us. In particular, Torre got me started on this prayer mail idea. Jeanne has been faithful in getting the word out. Tom Gizara has been our advocate. Bill Schrull has been our faithful tech support person. And you have been faithful. The cast of helpers has been thousands more. And thousands of people have affected/will be affected by what we have been doing in one way or another, on at least three continents.  

6) We have many friends because of our mission work. You are one of them.

7) I also appreciate all that my family has been through on our behalf through it all, especially Julie and Lydia, as well as the help that we have had from all our family members in their supporting roles.

Next prayermail will be coming out next week. Now, we pray for the transition and what lies ahead.

Best wishes, and may God bless you in your endeavors. 

I continue to pray for you, every day.

In Jesus' Name,

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie, 

In Connecticut

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for 22 August 2016.  The Olympics are drawing to a close. Bolt continues to be a big name in the Caribbean.

This week: 

Rewriting a theology course continues.

I received a report that the Spanish version of the CPWI Prayer Book may be published within the next three weeks!

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind, and however his provision may take place. Clear discernment as to the appropriate path would be appreciated. 

2) My next trip to Belize is scheduled to coincide with the diocesan synod in October. Pray for the tickets and arrangements, as there has been recent dramatics change in airline availability and schedules since our most recent trip at the end of July. I plan to begin working on these arrangement in about a week and a half. The Bishop of Belize returns to Belize about the same time.

3) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

4) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize.  

5) For the clean up in Belize in the wake of Hurricane Earl.

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of our team.

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Back in Connecticut

August Newsletter

Recovering.

As I write this, the country of Belize is recovering from Hurricane Earl. The Church in Belize is not a wealthy diocese, and that is one reason why the Church depends on people like myself to help, people who are funded by SAMS, which in turn is funded by people like yourself. So, when a major storm like Earl comes by and costs about $13000 to make a rectory habitable again, the cost is really high for the congregation and the diocese. For the bigger picture:

Similar to what I have mentioned elsewhere:

The Bishop's residence in Belize, some of the diocesan office complex, and at least two rectories that I know of were hit and suffered damage, all in Belize City near the water. One of the rectories belonged to the leading cleric of the Cathedral. Another of the rectories belonged to the Rector of St. Mary the Virgin. 

In addition to structural damage, there was also the concern about biological matter floating in the water through the streets and into homes, as well as potential for disease to spread. And while the water has subsided, unless the structural damage is repaired, especially the walls surrounding buildings, there is also a concern about potential break-ins and theft. 

I am passing along information that I asked of the diocesan office in Belize for anyone wanting to help, in response to those wishing to do something: 

Dear Fr. Shaw,

Cheques or international postal orders may be made payable to Anglican Diocese of Belize.

And mailed to Cecile Reyes or Bp. Philip Wright

Anglican Diocese of Belize

P.O.Box 535

Belize City

Belize, C. A.

I have information for wire transfers, as needed. Please pray that God would provide those who can help.

Both we and the Church in Belize depend on the generosity of people like you. Our ministry is unique, meeting unique and important needs. For us, it means becoming bi-vocational tentmakers like Paul, and yet the SAMS family is what makes it possible. Giving to us also helps SAMS. Our form of ministry is strategically more to the advantage of spreading the Gospel in a way that would not have been possible in more traditional missionary assignments. We have the flexibility to do what is needed, as needed by Bishop Philip.

Thank you for enabling us to do what Jesus has called us to do by supporting our ministry through SAMS. We and SAMS could not do it without you.

In Jesus,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Mtr. Julie.

SAMS missionaries with the Diocese of Belize.

Support.

Please pray for us. And for our ministry, make checks out to: "SAMS". Put "Shaw and Julie Mudge" in the memo. Thank you.

Mailing address:

SAMS,

P. O. Box 399,

Ambridge, PA 15003-0399. 

Diocesan Office complex, Belize City, C.A.

in the wake of

Hurricane Earl, August 2016. Photo provided by the diocesan office.

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for 16 August 2016.  

Clean up continues in Belize.

This week: 

We are finishing vacation today (Monday, the 15th), During the week, we have kept in touch with Belize. 

The Bishop's residence in Belize, some of the diocesan office complex, and at least two rectories that I know of were hit and suffered damage, all in Belize City near the water. One of the rectories belonged to the Dean of the Cathedral. Another of the rectories belonged to the Rector of St. Mary the Virgin. 

In addition to structural damage, there was also the concern about biological matter floating in the water through the streets and into homes, as well as potential for disease to spread. And while the water has subsided, unless the structural damage is repaired, especially the walls surrounding buildings, there is also a concern about potential theft. 

I am passing along information that I asked of the diocesan office in Belize for anyone wanting to help, in response to those wishing to do something: 

Dear Fr. Shaw,

Cheques or international postal orders may be made payable to Anglican Diocese of Belize.

And mailed to  Cecile Reyes or Bishop Philip Wright

Anglican Diocese of Belize

P.O.Box 535

Belize City

Belize, C. A.

I have information on wire transfers if that would be helpful.  

I am passing along two representative photos that have been sent to me from the diocesan office.

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind. Clear discernment as to the 

appropriate path would be appreciated. 

2) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

3) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize. The tensions seem to have settled into a fact of day to day life.

4) For the clean up in Belize in the wake of Hurricane Earl.

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of our team.

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

In transition from Downeast Maine to Connecticut

Making Disciples Who Make a Difference. 

To support our SAMS mission work, click: HERE.

For our previous "Mudge Making a Difference" newsletters and prayer mails, click: HERE.

  2 Attached Images

Prayer Mail

Dear Friends,

This is our prayer mail for 7 August 2016.  Bom dia! The summer Olympics are underway in Brazil (though it is winter time in Rio....). I visited Rio on a business trip in December 1973, some of it brings back memories.

This week: 

This week we battled a virus. We are not sure what kind of virus, but I was about two days behind Julie at the start and as we approach the end. We are OK, and our strength is just about fully back. Next week we are on vacation with family.

It is also vacation time in Belize, so things are in a lull, there. I have been working on course material, but at a measured pace. A student started another course.

Prayers: 

1) Prayers for guidance on the path ahead, for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind. Clear discernment as to the 

appropriate path would be appreciated. 

There are plans in the works, associated with three different dioceses in different parts of the Anglican Communion at the moment.

2) For the publication of the Spanish Prayer Book.

3) For the easing of tensions between Guatemala and Belize. The tensions seem to have settled into a fact of day to day life.

I pray for you every day.

  

Are we making a difference? Absolutely. You are part of our team.

God bless you,

Fr. Shaw, and on behalf of Rev. Julie.

Back from Belize. 

I am preparing for the next trip.