Prayer Mail

Dear partners in prayer,

This is our weekly public prayer mail.

This week's update:

1) Developments continue for connecting with two other theological colleges (seminaries) in the Caribbean: one is in Jamaica and the other is in Barbados. Of the two, Jamaica appears more likely, probably because of their online capabilities.

Further discussions are anticipated when the Provincial Synod (the equivalent of General Convention for the entire Province of the West Indies) meets in Jamaica on November 9 to 17. It is an exciting venture, always keeping one on the edge of one's seat.

2) Lydia came home from college for a few days on break, and has returned. Ah, college life. With its ups and downs.

3) Students are settling into their studies. Some students have interesting cultural approaches to education. Some surprises.

4) We have also been preparing for another experiment this week: holding evening interactive lecture times during the week for students who can not attend the lectures on Saturday mornings.

5) We have been planning for an experiment in bilingual education (which begins this week): to see if it is feasible for Spanish speaking students (from the West of Belize) to join with English speaking students (in other parts of Belize), each speaking their own language, as part of the same interactive lecture, at the same time. I get to teach in this environment and to respond to each group. This experiment has potential cultural significance as well as a being an experiment in linguistic technique.

Prayer requests:

1) For a cessation of violence in the West of Belize. Several young women/girls have been murdered. Unusual for this area.

2) For the Holy Spirit's guidance with the various educational initiatives that I have mentioned, above.

3) For the students.

4) That people's lives would be transformed by what we teach, to the glory of God.

5) For the plans to visit the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania in March, and plans to visit Belize after Easter.

6) For the addition of new students this week, and more in January. As we continue to develop courses in the direction of the "24/7" version, it is becoming increasingly possible for students to start a course at any time.

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+