Anyone out there?.......

Dear readers,


We would like to know how many people out there are reading our blog. If you are, can you please comment on this post or send us an email? Also let us know whether you would like us to keep it going.

The reason is that our blog is really only a different forum for us to put our prayer updates and newsletters online, for those who don't receive them directly through CMS. However, we would really love you to subscribe with CMS here - it only takes a minute, doesn't commit you to anything else apart from receiving our updates, and will save us having to post in multiple places. (We also upload our updates to our homepage on the CMS website.)

We're happy to keep this going if there are people who really want it, and for some reason don't want to get them through CMS. But if not, we will shut down this operation...

Love,
Stephen and Rebecca.

Separation anxiety and interviews

Liliana, nearly 4, has just started attending a local preschool two mornings a week. Most children here enter preschool full-time at age 2, and all schools begin their educational programme from age 4. That means there are no playgroups, mothers' groups, swimming lessons, music groups etc for young children and their mums. Liliana has spent the whole time with Rebecca at home, so starting preschool has been a little traumatic! Thankfully she is settling in fairly well, and is starting to learn some Spanish.

Liliana at her new preschool

Ordination Commission

As the only CEP faculty member who is ordained, one of Stephen's jobs is to be on the ordination commission, to interview prospective ordination candidates for the diocese. This involves a full day of interviews every couple of months and a lot of paperwork. It is a privilege to be involved and to see the number of godly and capable people the Lord is raising up to serve his church here -- most of them CEP graduates.


Give thanks...

• for the opportunity for Liliana to go to preschool
• for the way God is raising up more pastors for the Anglican Church of Chile, and for CEP's role in the process of training gospel workers

Please pray...

• for wisdom and discernment for the members of the ordination commission as they make decisions which ultimately affect churches and ministry throughout the diocese
• for the ordination candidates, that they will seek to be humble servants of the Lord who will lead their congregations in faithfulness and integrity

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. -- 1 Timothy 4:16

Back to work (well, for some!)

After a two week break in July, we are back into the swing of school and CEP. We didn't go away, but did some fun things for a "holiday at home." Stephen's teaching load this semester is fairly light, so he is working on digitizing a lot of CEP paperwork, which is currently done the old-fashioned way.

Students on strike
We generally feel safe here in Santiago, but every now and then something happens to remind us that this is Latin America, not Australia. Many high school and uni students here have been on strike for the last 3 months, demanding free public education, improved standards and non-profit universities. A good education leaves even middle-class Chliean parents with enormous debts. Students, parents and others have been marching the streets banging saucepans -- a type of protest called a cacerolazo. Tension is growing and the riots are becoming more violent. Add to the mix a growing dissatisfaction with the government in general, and the political situation could become unstable. Thus far, CEP has only been mildly affected by nearby riots and tear gas.

This school has been “seized” by the students—no learning happening here!

Give thanks...

• for a fun and restful holiday
• for the recent chance to have our neighbours in for a meal, and for their questions about why we are here and what we believe (please pray for more chances to share with them)

Please pray...

• for a quick resolution to the political tensions in Chile regarding education reforms
• for safety as Stephen travels to Antofagasta (Aug 26-28) to teach a PTC course

Nations rage, kingdoms topple; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. -- Psalm 46:6-7

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The Shead Read, June edition

We have just put out a newsletter - somewhat longer than normal, partly because we want you to know about CMS's current financial situation. With only a week to go in their annual appeal, they still need to raise $920,000!! This is very serious, so can we please ask you to read our newsletter (or just go here), pray that God would provide the money needed, and consider whether you might be able to help.

You can download or view our newsletter here at our CMS page.

As well as the appeal, we "re-introduce" ourselves for people who have started following our movements more recently, and talk about:

• Andrew Reid teaching Exodus to students and pastors here
• The CEP mission trip to the south
• And a culture spot: What's the difference between the great Aussie barbie and a Chilean "asado"?

Bible study and (belated) mission

This year we are continuing with our Monday night Bible study group. The ten youth group leaders from our church come each week for dinner, Bible study and prayer. Then later in the week they lead the same study in the youth groups. This year they are taking turns in writing the Bible studies, which is helpful for them and also in reducing Stephen's workload! We hope that they are learning what a home group is for -- not just doing Bible studies, but sharing in each other’s lives.

Our Bible study group

From April 30 to May 9 the CEP students and faculty are away for a week of mission. Half are in Antofagasta with Bruce Hallyburton (CMS-VIC) and Stephen has gone with the other half to Temuco, 700km south. There are three churches there, with two pastors who studied at CEP. They will be training people in evangelism and discipleship, working with children in a deaf school, as well as university evangelism, door-knocking and other evangelistic events.

Give Thanks...

• that the boys continue to be (mostly) happy at school
• for a lovely visit from Stephen’s parents last month

Please Pray...

• for the youth group leaders to grow in godliness and in their knowledge of God’s word
• for CEP mission week -- for a fruitful time of learning for the students, for people to respond to the good news of Jesus, and for the churches to be encouraged and equipped
• Please remember Rebecca and the children in your prayers while Stephen is away, along with all the other families of the CEP students and staff

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” -- Isaiah 52:7

The Shead Feed

We forgot to mention earlier that we put together a very short video when the kids started at their new school a couple of months ago. If you want to see it, go to our CMS page and click the link for our videos. (OK, there's only one, but we're hoping there'll be more to come.)

February newsletter

We have just sent out our February newsletter, which you can download as a PDF here.

This month, we thought we would give you a pictorial summary of the last couple of months. Highlights:

• Annual diocesan youth leaders' camp
• CEP graduation
• An eventful holiday in the south of Chile, including speaking at an "Extreme Gospel" camp and some car dramas