Permanent residency!

We are very glad to be able to tell you that God has answered our prayers and we have our visas! Today was a busy day, as we dragged the children across the city to three different government offices, to sign papers, have photos taken and pay money for various official requirements. God willing, we are now allowed to stay in Chile as long as we like!

Tristan, Ben and Lachlan - happy to be staying in Chile

Thank you for playing your part

Thank you so much for your prayers for us, and for your financial support which allows CMS to pay for things like our visas. It is only through your partnership that we can stay in Chile and serve our Lord here, and we thank God for you all.

If you would like to give financially to help CMS keep us here, please go to www.cms.org.au and make a donation today!

Give thanks...

• That the Chilean government has said we can stay!
• That all the necessary paperwork was done without any problems.

Please pray…

• That we will continue to improve our Spanish so we can talk more easily with people about spiritual things.
• That we will make the most of every opportunity to share Christ with people we meet.
• That we will be an encouragement to believers and a good witness to unbelievers.
• That God will use us to bring people in Chile into His kingdom.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 1:3-6

"March-itis", and Bolivians

How's your "March-itis"?

In Santiago, March is the month when everything starts up for the year -- the holiday period is finally over! It's back to the grind of work, school, and bills. March is also the month when everybody has to pay their car registration (it pays to go early!). Banking ads are offering easy credit to help relieve people of "March-itis".

For the Sheads, March brings some new beginnings: Stephen will lead a new Bible study group at church, while Rebecca has started a weekly group in our home for CEP/ministry wives and their preschool children. Neither of these things are typical here, so we are hoping we can help people appreciate their value!

CEP news

Martín and Carla have arrived from Bolivia with their 3 young children. Martín is one of 5 new full-time first year students at the CEP. There are 8 second years and several part-time students.

Stephen teaching at CEP

Give thanks...

• That Stephen's first 2 weeks at CEP went well.
• That the children are happy to be back at school.

Please pray...

• For Stephen's church Bible study group to begin well.
• For Rebecca to be an encouragement to the mums who come to the group.
• For Martín and his family to settle in quickly.
• For Stephen's Old Testament classes at CEP to be stimulating and helpful.
• (again!) that our visas will be granted soon.

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them. -- Matt. 18:20