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

Happy Christmas!

Thank you for supporting us through CMS this year - for the emails, letters, cards and gifts, for your financial support, and for your prayers. We thank God for your partnership with us - without it we could not be here!

The Christmas service at our church is on tonight (22nd). Chileans celebrate Christmas with their families on Dec 24th, with a very late dinner and presents at midnight. We are hoping to go to a Christmas Day service at an English-speaking congregation, and we have been invited for lunch with some Chilean friends.

José, Bernardo and Rodolfo, three of our graduating 2nd years

May you be strengthened in faith this Christmas remembering the Son who came that we might become children of God.

CMS Summer School is on soon - don’t miss out! Jan 8-14, 2011.
Find out more at http://www.cms.org.au/nswsummerschool

Give thanks...

• For a good number of new students lined up to begin at CEP next year.

Please pray...For safety over the Christmas period, and as we travel in January.

• For the CEP students as they run and speak at the annual diocesan youth leaders camp (January 3-7).
• For Stephen as he prepares talks for a family camp in Torres del Paine National Park (January 11-15).
• For restful holidays in Punta Arenas (January 16-31).

But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. -- Galatians 4:4-5

December newsletter

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

Rebecca teaching infants Sunday School at our church

Highlights are:

• Colin Marshall in Chile, talking to all the pastors
• CEP: Lots of encouragement, but a setback for future planning

A typical day at the CEP

To give you a feel for his working life at CEP, Stephen kept a log one day:

• 7:20 Leave home
• 8:00 Arrive at CEP
• 8:15-10:30 Teach OT class
• 10:30 Help a visiting lecturer
• 11:00 Class discussion about poor man who came past seeking help
• 11:30 Fight with photocopier (we have no secretary)
• 12:00 Attend to the poor man who returned
• 12:30 Fight with photocopier (did I mention we have no secretary?)
• 12:45 Help Victor Silva, a pastor and CEP graduate, who arrived to arrange buying books
• 1:30 Start to win p’copier battle
• 1:50 Lunch & prayer with students
• 2:50 Photocopier surrenders
• 3:15 Admin (in my role as acting academic dean): phone calls, emails, etc.
• 4:15 Organise reading material for one subject
• 4:45 Begin thinking about the class that I was hoping to start preparing at 11:00
• 7:00 Arrive home

With only two full-time staff this year, there are constant set-backs and frustrations. But the fruit we have seen in the students is well worth it!

Rebecca with some of the wives and women students from CEP

Give Thanks...

• That the CEP board has recently approved the hiring of a secretary, which should ease the faculty’s admin workload
• For an encouraging turn-out at the CEP women’s get-together last Saturday
• For some promising initial conversations about Jesus with neighbours in our new street

Please Pray...

• For CEP students who are sick or recovering from operations (Kike, Marisol, Pancho’s sister)
• For CEP student Rodolfo and his wife Angelica, whose apartment was robbed. His laptop was taken, with his 18 months’ worth of CEP notes