Prayer Mail

Dear partners in prayer,
This is our weekly public prayer mail.
Happy Easter season from Kasulu, Tanzania!

This week's selective overview:

1) I have had many discussions and presentations about our online program with people at Kasulu Bible College, putting the program into place and introducing it to students. In addition, Bill and Cathy Schrull and I visited churches and an orphanage, on Saturday, driving within eyesight of Burundi.

2) On Saturday, I held an online class for students in Belize on the Old Testament context, which included a cameo appearance with Julie. So, for a brief moment we had three continents participating at the same time, and our Internet speed seems to be the usual speed in all three places. This was a trial run, and it was excellent, thanks to the recent improvements in computer infrastructure work at the Bible college (seminary). Kasulu Bible College probably now has one of the best Internet networks in most of Tanzania because of our online program needs. It seems to be equivalent with Ogdensburg, New York.

3) On Sunday, I preached at a new parish, on the subject of God's peace. The Bishop was scheduled to preach, but he asked me to preach instead. The parish began about 8 months ago, and now has about 400 people, half of which are children.... The Bishop mentioned last night that having a visiting missionary preach to a new and small church such as this one, is encouraging for the parish.... I am part of a ministry of encouragement. Praise God!

4) I am having a good time with the Bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika.

5) We are getting more interest from the occasional person in North America and elsewhere to take our courses, and from my time in Tanzania, I am beginning to see that the links we offer and the materials we offer have three applications: resources for students (lay and ordained) and other people who want to grow in their walk with Jesus, resources for faculty who develop courses, and resources for parish clergy and lay people who need resources (Bible study materials, preaching materials, other adult education and parish life materials).

6) Julie has been doing an excellent job in parish ministry at St. John's, Ogdensburg.

Prayer requests:

1) Pray for the development of our online courses, for God to open the doors we are to go through and our obedience in going through them.

2) For safe and timely travel this week. I travel from Kasulu to Kigoma, and from Kigoma to Dar es Salaam (East Africa). From Dar es Salaam to New York (North America). Then, I visit my mom. From there, I travel from New York to Belize (Central America), all in the same week.

3) For the Holy Spirit's guidance as we embark on the agenda of the Bishop of Belize. We have quite a lot to do for vocation week.

4) For translation work and for further language learning. My Swahili from a few years ago has come in handy.

5) For an increase in enrollment, for financial provision, and for program and course development, in God's way and in God's time.

6) For our missionary table at the annual Convention in the Diocese of Albany in June.

7) For the balance of our time in the North Country.

8) For a resolution to the persistent health insurance issue, God's way.

9) For direction on 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+