Summer Teams

18th June 2008
Argentina, BTN, Go, Mission Paraguay, Paraguay, Red Box, Volunteers

This summer there are six BTN teams going from Northern Ireland to South America. The work will be varied, but wherever they are, the volunteers will have the opportunity to encounter South America within a supportive environment. Participants form part of a team within a local community working alongside local Christians in outreach and development projects.

Soraya“I’ve never been on a mission trip before, so this makes the idea of going to Argentina an exciting prospect but also quite daunting at the same time. I’m looking forward to exploring the Argentinian culture and meeting different Christians over there and seeing how they worship. I hope to gain a great experience from this trip and have a great time while I’m there!”

EmboscadaTwo teams are going to the Red Box project in Salta Argentina where they will be helping Cecilla Valdiviezo with outreach through the soup kitchen and children’s clubs. Another team from Down and Dromore Diocese are linking up with the Diocese of Northern Argentina to refurbish a retreat centre in La Caldera and experience the life of local churches in the foothills of the Andes. A further two teams will be joining David Orritt in Mission Paraguay focusing on practical projects in Asuncion and Concepcion. Finally, the Love for Life team will again go into schools in Paraguay with their multimedia presentation on relationships.

Buena Vista magazine

18th June 2008
Magazine, PRAY

Buena VistaThe new SAMS Ireland magazine, Buena Vista! Has just arrived from the printers. This magazine will initially be published twice a year giving a view of the work in South America, Spain and Portugal from our Irish perspective. This edition highlights the Latin partners who are working here in Northern Ireland.

If you receive the SAMS GB Share magazine then Buena Vista will be included in the next distribution being delivered very soon. Please give us any feedback in the contact page.

Download a PDF version of the magazine.

Update on Mission Paraguay

18th June 2008
Mission Paraguay, Mission Partners, Paraguay, Volunteers

David Orrit, the man behind Mission Paraguay 2008, has sent us an update. He leaves on the 30th June to make preparation for the teams that arrive in July and August.

Chaco childrenDavid writes, “A new venture this year is to provide training workshops in the use of sewing machines, which were sent from the UK a few months ago, to enable mothers to make simple children’s clothes and develop this as a self sustaining cottage industry. ”

“The second August group will be based in Concepción a town of about 40,000 people where motor cycles, horses and carts abound, pigs and other animals wander the earth roads. Unemployment and social problems are high. The work here includes home improvements, extending facilities for the work of the church and a range of child based activities arranged through Claire Holmes who for many years Claire has worked tirelessly amongst the children in Concepción and the surrounding area. ”

You can read his full artlicle here.

SAMS prayer line

17th June 2008
Argentina, Peru, PRAY, Spain, UK-Ireland

The prayer line from SAMS GB has just arrived. SAMS GB is in merger talks with CMS, as SAMS Ireland is autonomous this will not affect us directly, but please pray for our sister organisation.

Pat Blanchard in Lima, Peru, has requested prayer for an important meeting over the next couple of days. The local council are meeting with Pat to discuss the possibility of their donating land to her church of Jesús el Nazareno for their Shalom ministry to disabled people. This is a progressive ministry but does need a ‘good home’, so let’s join with Pat in prayer.

Please remember the Indian peoples of Northern Argentina, as Andrew Leake reports that some members of the provincial government of Salta have just presented a motion that could rescind the recently passed law limiting deforestation in the Chaco.

The Argentine Bible Society, meanwhile, hosts a long-awaited conference from Monday (23rd) on the provision of Scriptures in audio form. This involves the translations into Wichi, Toba, Chorote (Argentina) and Enxet (Paraguay).

Jonathan & Hilary Rowe thank us for prayers for the Gospel Choir evening in the main square of El Escorial in Spain on 7 June. Over 1,500 people attended, including the mayor. Let’s support follow-up work with our prayers. Meantime, Jonathan, Hilary and their children come to the UK on Monday (23rd) for a short period of home ministry, so please uphold them at this time.

Arriving this Friday from Chile is Bishop Tito Zavala. He and Assistant Bishop Abelino Apeleo are attending the SAMS General Council meeting this weekend before proceeding to the GAFCON gathering of bishops in Jerusalem. Pray for them … and pray too for the SAMS General Council who meet over 24 hours in London from Friday (20th) to discuss further whether the Society should merge with CMS or remain independent. Following this, the GB staff take a 24-hour retreat starting on Monday.

June Prayer letters

17th June 2008
Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, PRAY

Some prayer letters recently arrived in the SAMS Ireland office.

  • James Palmer in Chile.
  • Daved Leake in Salta, Argentina updates on the Toba Bible translation.
  • The Metcalfes in Paraguay write about St. Andrew’s School, Esperanza foster home and the English chapel.
  • FEISA teach training college in Asunción write about plans for expansion including more work training teachers in the Chaco, and a permanent play scheme for street children.

Farmers protests in Argentina

16th June 2008
Argentina, PRAY

Farmers protestSome for the SAMS Latin partners have been reporting difficulties with food supplies following protests by farmers in Argentina. The farmers are angry at taxes on commodity exports and have been blockading main roads. Several teams will be travelling to Argentina in the next few weeks and months. Please pray for Argentina at the moment.

You can read more from the BBC article, New strike by Argentine farmers.

SAMS Prayer line

11th June 2008
Argentina, Paraguay, PRAY, Spain

Here is the latest SAMS Prayer line.

Thank you for your prayers for the Women’s Retreat held last month in Zaragoza in the Diocese of Spain. Sue Woodcock described it as one of the best she’d been to. Women came from many churches, including 8 who made the long journey from Seville. Praise God for this and pray his continuing blessing.?

Please pray for Sylvia Venables, wife of Bishop Greg; she is in pain after her replacement hip came out of joint. And remember too the Somervell family as Tony returns to Paraguay on Friday to be reunited with Chris and the children as they prepare for their final return to the UK next month. This is an emotionally difficult time for them after so many years’ service in South America.

Also in Paraguay there’s a need for new teachers at St Andrew’s School: infant (1), primary (1), secondary to teach English with TEFL/languages degree (2), computing to GCSE level (1). Please pray God will supply every need.

Finally, please remember God’s servants overseas in this period when the weaker pound and even weaker dollar are making things more difficult.

Interview with Naomi

10th June 2008
Argentina, PRAY, Red Box, Volunteers

Naomi Francey

Naomi Francey is from St. Paul’s Parish, Gilford. She currently works in Armagh Planetarium, at least until Sunday when she leaves for the Red Box project in Salta Argentina.

Your leaving on Sunday right?
Yes, it’s Father’s Day!! My parents are pretty anxious about me going, but excited as well! My mum wil miss me doing the ironing, and Dad will just miss me!

So how do you feel about it all?
Surprisingly not really worried. I don’t think the reality has set in that I’m going for such a long time. I’m really excited, and will be relieved when I arrive in Salta after catching all my flights.

Do you know what you’re doing yet?
Not really! I’m happy to be put where I’m needed. I’ve done a bit of Spanish and I’m looking forward to improving it and working with the children and local community.

How will you be keeping us up to date?
I have a blog about to go online – it’s at NaomiFrancey.co.uk. I plan to keep it up to date with what’s going on, photos, and prayer points. Look for an update about once a month.

Paraguay selects new Bishop

9th June 2008
Paraguay

The diocese of Paraguay last Saturday voted to select a new Bishop at an extraordinary synod. Once the candidate formally agrees and other Bishops ratify the decision an official announcement will be made. The new Bishop is expected to take up the post in the last quarter of 2008.

The previous Bishop John Ellison and his wife are now retired to England.

Thank you to everyone who had been praying for Paraguay.

Prayer letters

9th June 2008
Argentina, Mission Partners, Paraguay, Peru, PRAY, Spain

Some prayer letters came into the SAMS office over the weekend.

1 … 99 100 101 102 103 … 110