4 weeks and counting

We are all starting to feel excited about coming to Sydney. Praise God for providing a family to rent our apartment for the time we are in Australia! We are only waiting for final approval from the church office here. This means we have very little packing to do, and has greatly reduced the burden we feel as we prepare to leave.

The CEP students have just done their mid-year exams, and Stephen now has a big pile of marking.

The challenge of exam marking: Deciphering the handwriting!

The school holidays have begun -- it has been a long semester, 19 weeks without a break. We have been blessed with good health for the most part, and are looking forward to the slower pace of the holidays.

Unfortunately several times sickness has prevented us meeting with our friends to read the Bible. Please pray for everyone to be healthy, and that we will make progress with our reading and discussion of Mark's gospel.

Give thanks...

• For God's provision of a family to stay in our apartment.
• That God has sustained us through the long semester.

Please pray...

• For good health so that we can meet with our friends who are keen to learn more about Jesus, and that they will put their trust in Him.
• For our preparations to travel to Australia, and especially for the children to know God's faithfulness as they cope with the changes ahead.
• For an urban mission across Santiago next week. Stephen is running workshops on discipling for team members.

"The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." -- John 6:6

June newsletter

We have just sent out our June newsletter, which you can download as a PDF here (or as a high-resolution version for printing here).

CEP mission team in Quilpué

Highlights are:

• A report on CEP missions to various parts of the country.
• The chance to share the message of Jesus with friends from school.
• Plans for returning to Australia for 6 months of "home assignment."

Enjoy reading ... oh, and please don't forget to pray!

Technology and Teaching

Technology woes
In the last few months we have had a series of computer problems, and have had to waste a lot of time trying to get them fixed. At the moment we have no working computer in the house - which is why this Sheads in Short comes to you as a "low tech" edition!

Teaching challenges
The latest round of computer problems is badly timed for Stephen, because this week he begins teaching a new course on Deuteronomy at the CEP, on top of his current load. The preparation is still tiring and time-consuming for him in Spanish, but the classes themselves have been very rewarding, and the students are very enthusiastic about the things they are learning.

Pastors and preaching
One of the subjects Stephen is currently teaching is a course on James for Anglican pastors. The idea of the CEP courses for pastors is to help them keep studying and learning, and also to maintain and strengthen the ties between the CEP and the Anglican churches in Santiago. Stephen has been very encouraged by the level of interest and keen participation of the pastors.

As well as his course, Stephen has had opportunities to get to know a number of Anglican pastors and churches in recent weeks, and is receiving many invitations to preach around the place.

Give thanks...

• For the chances we have had to visit churches and build relationships with pastors, and for the invitations Stephen has had to preach.
• For the encouragement and enthusiasm of the pastors who come to Stephen's course on James.

Please pray...

• For a quick resolution to our computer problems.
• For energy and enthusiasm for the whole family: there are no school holidays between March and July, and everyone is feeling quite tired.
• For good health in the cold weather, which has suddenly arrived, and for an improvement in various allergies that we are suffering from.

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. -- Psalm 1:1-2

More new students!

Classes at the CEP have begun in earnest, now with 10 new full-time students and around 12 part-time. The classroom is only just big enough to fit everyone—what a wonderful problem to have! At the moment Stephen is teaching Biblical Theology, and this week he will begin teaching the first of the CEP evening classes.

CEP students and faculty (well, most of them) for 2009 - click for bigger image

Unfortunately, just before classes began, Stephen’s laptop computer stopped working. He is working around it at the moment, but it has made life more complicated.

… and returning students
The boys have settled back in to school very happily. We celebrated 2 birthdays in February—thank you to everyone who sent cards and messages.

We want to thank you for your generous support of us through CMS, despite the financial crisis. We pray that God will provide for all your needs and ours, as you continue to give generously!

Give thanks...

• For the new and returning students at the CEP this year.
• For the boys’ happy start to school, especially Tristan in Kinder.
• For our ongoing partnership with you through CMS.

Please pray...

• For Stephen’s class preparation and continuing work on his thesis for publication, especially without his laptop.
• For the Sunday School at our church (classes began for the year on Mar 15). Pray that the children will grow in their understanding and love of God. Pray that the teachers will be faithful and enthusiastic.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Cor 9:6

February newsletter

We have just sent out our February newsletter, which you can download as a PDF here (or as a high-quality version for printing here).

Youth leaders at the CEP-run diocesan camp

Here are some highlights:

• Holidays in the Atacama Desert
• The Diocesan Youth Leaders' Camp in January
• The year ahead for the CEP and for us as a family

and not least:

• Danilo Hueche's inspiring faith in his ongoing struggle with cancer
  

Oh, and if you want to see photos from our trip to the Atacama, check out our picasa albums (both Trip to Antofagasta and San Pedro de Atacama). Here's a sampler of the amazing scenery at San Pedro:

¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!

We are about to celebrate our 3rd Christmas in Chile! Again we will miss our family and friends in Australia.

What is Christmas like in Chile?

• Tinsel, trees, toys, fairy lights, Santa and nativity scenes
• Candles service at church
• Big family dinner on Dec 24, with presents at midnight
• A quiet day to recover on Dec 25
• Pan de pascua (like fruit cake) and cola de mono (alcoholic drink)
• No church on Dec 24 or 25
• Hot dry weather
• Back to work on Dec 26

Christian and Faby, two of our CEP graduates, who will pastor a small Anglican church near Santiago.

We want to thank you for your support of CMS and of us this year. We pray that you will have a happy Christmas and that you will know the Lord’s blessings in the new year.

Give thanks...

• For the six students who graduated from the CEP last week: Raquel from Paraguay, Julio César from Bolivia, and Gerardo, Christian, Fabiola and Maricel from Chile.

Please pray...

• That Chileans will remember the reason for Christmas festivities, and kneel before the one born to be king.
• For the diocesan youth leaders’ camp run by the CEP students, from 5–9 January.
• For safety as we drive about 3000km for our holiday in January, through the desert in the north to Antofagasta.

He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. -- Isaiah 9:7

Danilo

It is with heavy hearts that we tell you the latest news from Danilo, ex-CEP student. He has been told by the doctors that his cancer is terminal. He has decided not to go ahead with aggressive chemotherapy, so that he will be well enough to continue sharing the news of salvation in Jesus for the time that he has left. He is ready to face God as his judge—are you?

CEP
The CEP students have one more week of classes before end of year exams. Stephen has a growing pile of marking, but only a few more classes to prepare for this year. The staff are working hard to evaluate and refine the course for next year.

Other news
Stephen has had the opportunity to preach at the CEP, our church and at a new church plant which is now led by César Guzmán. He is also preparing his doctoral thesis for publication in 2009, which is proving to be very time-consuming.

Give thanks...

• For all that the CEP students have learned this year.
• For Danilo’s commitment to and love for Jesus.

Please pray...

• For Danilo and his family as they come to terms with the news, and that there may yet be a miraculous healing.
• For the CEP students as they prepare for their exams.
• For the students who are graduating, as decisions are made about ministry placements for 2009.
• For wisdom for Stephen and the other teachers at CEP as they plan the course for next year.

Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. -- 1 Corinthians 15:54

Liliana and Ben both had very happy birthdays in October.