Prayer Mail

Dear Friends, 

This is our public prayer mail for Tuesday 23 June 2015. Hope you had a good Father's Day, as applies. 

Among the highlights of this past week: 

1) Many many things occurred this past week including 2 Sunday services for graduates from the three elementary schools, held at St. Andrew's in San Ignacio and St. Hilda's in Georgeville (both very well attended - the Sunday service at St. Hilda's was attended by students from both St. Barnabas School and St. Hilda's School) and, then, attended a lunch for the graduates and families of St. Barnabas school; spent some of my lunch times with students from St. Andrew's school this week - several of whom were more than willing to show me their loose teeth, and as Acting Manager of St. Barnabas School in Central Farm: was called to participate at a disciplinary hearing session of a student - but the student did not show up.

2) Had a meeting in San Ignacio on additional editorial changes to the upcoming Spanish speaking edition of the CPWI Book of Common Prayer with area Spanish speaking clergy. The few suggested changes are in the works, with possibly more to come over the next few months.

3) Oiled some locks at the St. Andrew's Rectory; and fended off an aggressive feral cat one morning at a restaurant - it may have been attracted by my bug spray; 

4) Led a Bible study and participated in a choir rehearsal at St. Andrew's. 

5) I have been preparing for school chapel services and Sunday services, for both this week and next, and coordinating with the various school principals those matters relating to the graduation services. (This coming week is a particularly heavy week); in Belize, Anglican schools are public schools and are underfinanced compared to private schools, but this year, St. Andrew's was at the top of its division in the country - academically - for country-wide exams for its upper level students. The Principal is pleased.)

6) Focused on learning more about different cultures and languages in Belize. This includes learning a bit about the history and culture of Belize, including the three kinds of Maya in Belize, about immigration and history of the Garinagu/Black Caribs (and Garifuna - the language of the Garinagu), and more about Belizean Kriol (one of the several varieties of English which is spoken in the Caribbean). Many people associate Creole with Haiti, but Haitian/French Creole is but one of a myriad types of Creole/Kriol spoken in the Caribbean.

7) A visit to Caracol, the largest Mayan site in Belize, about two hours away from San Ignacio, in the southwestern part of Belize, about 3 to 4 miles from the Guatemalan border.

Prayers:

1) For the remaining chapel services for students in the schools on Tuesday and Thursday, a devotion for faculty at St. Barnabas School on Monday, and a devotion for faculty of St. Andrew's school on Tuesday. For graduation services at each of the three schools on Wednesday: St. Andrew's (San Ignacio - 3 services), St. Barnabas (Central Farm - 1 service), and St. Hilda's (Georgeville - 2 services); I have been asked to say a prayer at each; pray that I speak the words that God desires I say. 

2) Pray for safe and timely travel back from the evening service at St. Barnabas in the town of Central Farm, which means driving at night - a challenge with speed bumps on the main highway not always clearly indicated. The last day of the elementary school year is Friday. 

3) Pray for that I would listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit on what to say and do all week.

4) Pray for passage of the Spanish speaking edition of the CPWI Book of Common Prayer at the Provincial Synod, meeting in Guyana, and the next steps to printing. I hope to hear the results, shortly.

5) For the Bible study and choir rehearsal at St. Andrew's on Tuesday evening, and services at St. Andrew's and St. Hilda's on Sunday.

6) For the ongoing projects related to the Anglican Theological Institute in Belize (library plans are proceeding for the organization of the current library), and for the creation of potential books. Pray for the Holy Spirit's wisdom and guidance about expanding to ATI satellite branches. 

7) Continued prayers for driving the truck, as needed, especially for the clutch (that is always one of the things to monitor when driving, as there are numerous speed bumps on the roads, which means lots of shifting). I am also using the bus system. I have a trip by bus to Belmopan for a lunch appointment on Friday. Pray for safe and timely travel and that the conversation would be led by the Holy Spirit.

8) Please keep each of the above items in prayer, both in Belize and in the United States: health issues, our mission work, parish supply work, the various language opportunities, healthy food and exercise, and the weather. Pray for safe and timely travel, for the grant for the publication of the prayer book, and the Holy Spirit's priorities for us.

9) Please keep various family members in prayer about: relationships, events and appointments, decisions to make, educational goals, gainful employment, fruitful ministry, and God's presence while I am away.

Your prayers are very important. I am praying for you every day.

God bless you, 

Shaw, and on behalf of Julie.

San Ignacio, Belize, Central America.