Summer Teams

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.

Update on Mission Paraguay

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.

June Prayer letters

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.

SAMS Prayer line

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.

Paraguay selects new Bishop

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

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

Commissioning services

Here are the dates for some comissioning services for volunteers and teams going out this summer. Please pray especially for Naomi who is leaving in the next few weeks.

Naomi FranceyNaomi Francey, Red Box volunteer to Argentina – Gilford Sunday 8th June.
Love for Life team to Paraguay – Sunday 8th June in Magheralin.
La Caldrea Team to Argentina – 2nd July in Holywood Parish.
Fivemiletown team to Red Box in Argentina – Sunday 15th June in Fivemiletown.

SAMS Prayer line

Please remember the Irene family in Bolivia. On top of the political and social uncertainties of the country, Ronny has had to go to the city of Santa Cruz where his biological mother is in intensive care, having suffered a perforated intestine. Nicky and the 3 children remain in La Paz.

This Saturday evening (7th) a gospel concert is held in the main square of El Escorial, the town in Spain where Jonathan & Hilary Rowe and family live. The visiting choir consists of 300 young people and is the largest gospel choir in the country. Please pray for God’s hand upon this event, from the weather to the follow-up ministry of the small evangelical church there.

Over this weekend another Youth Encounter event takes place in Asunción, Paraguay. Pray for the coordinating team and for the young people invited, that God will touch the lives of many, leading them into new relationships with him and with their families.

Finally, this Sunday (8th) Bishop Bill Godfrey conducts a joint confirmation service for the churches in Lima, Peru. Pat Blanchard has a number of candidates from her church of Jesús el Nazareno, and asks us to pray for a real blessing and outpouring of the Spirit in their lives and in the lives of all being confirmed.

Paraguay Prayer Calendar June 2008

Here is the latest prayer calendar for Paraguay. Click here to download it in PDF format.

Another major prayer point for tomorrow. on the 31st of May there is an Extra Ordinary Synod meeting in Asuncion to make a decision over the appointment of the next diocesan bishop. Please keep the church in Paraguay in your prayers.

Prayer line

On Saturday an Extraordinary Synod is held in Asunción to discuss a nomination to the post of Bishop of Paraguay. Pray for Assistant Bishop Andrés Rodríguez who chairs the meeting, and ask God to guide in all the deliberations, with the possible approval of, and invitation to, the person in question.

Already underway in Paraguay is the first Bible School of 2008 held in Río Verde in the Chaco. Ed Brice asks us to pray for the delegates from the Chaco churches as they meet with him and others to study issues relating to the health and growth of their congregations.

On Monday (2nd) pastors from Sabadell in northeast Spain meet to plan a united outreach in one year’s time. Pray for Sue Woodcock and the other leaders.

Finally, early next week we welcome Jill Ball, home for leave from Ecuador, and Assistant Bishop Abelino Apeleo from Chile, visiting UK churches before going to the GAFCON gathering of bishops in Jerusalem. Pray for them in travel and adjustment.

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