October newsletter

We have just posted our October newsletter, which you can download as a PDF here (or a high-res version for printing here).

To whet your appetite, here are the highlights:

No, really, here they are:

• Another milestone! Two years in Chile
  
• CEP mission in Coquimbo and La Serena, with some "thoughts from the trenches"
• Church and family life (special feature: Rebecca's lesson in how to make empanadas! see yummy photo...)
• Update on Danilo, the CEP student who has been fighting cancer

And as well as all this, of course, you can get our latest thanks and prayer points.

Rev. Pablo Zavala, pastor of the Anglican church in La Serena

Where did that come from??

It is hard to believe we are approaching 2 years here! We are very grateful for how our Spanish has progressed, but sometimes we feel very limited in our ability to express things, especially when we are unhappy about something. This can lead to surprising outbursts, and we wonder where all that frustration came from!

CEP news

Stephen is enjoying teaching OT. But he struggles to keep up with class preparation, and often feels drained. His week seems to fill up with good things that crowd out his preparation time. Last week he began teaching a course for pastors on the Psalms.

Some of the pastors in Stephen's course

The CEP women have a day conference on August 30, with Terry Blowes speaking on Submission in Ephesians.

The annual CEP mission is coming up soon. Please pray for God to be working in the hearts of those who will come, for the students as they prepare and the wives left behind for the week.

Give thanks...

• That Stephen's classes are going well.
• For the great support we receive from CMS (that means you!) and our annual pastoral visit later this month, with Peter and Terry Blowes.

Please pray...

• For us to keep working hard at our Spanish, and for self-control and patience when we find ourselves frustrated.
• For Stephen to manage his time well.
• For the CEP women's conference, and Terry Blowes as she prepares and leads the day.
• For the CEP mission on September 6-14.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check. -- Proverbs 29:11

A bit of a break

After a long first semester, we are now able to enjoy some holidays. Stephen is glad to have finished teaching his first Old Testament course, and to have finished marking their exams. The boys (and Rebecca!) are enjoying not having to get up early in the mornings. We are not going away, but are exploring Santiago with Rebecca's brother and sister-in-law, who have come to visit.

Driver's licences

Last week we were both able to get our driver's licences! Finding a way to do it lawfully was a big headache, and we are very glad that God provided a way - thank you for your prayers.

CEP news

Michael Charles (CMS NSW) has been appointed Acting Principal of CEP for the next 2 years. Please pray for him as he faces many challenges, and for Cesar and Ani as they adjust to changes
and start planning to return to pastoral ministry next year.

Liliana was baptised on the 13th

Give thanks...

• That we have our driver's licences.
• That we were able to have a break from school and CEP, and spend time with family.
  

Please pray...

• For Michael Charles, newly appointed CEP principal.
• That our break will be refreshing, and we will have good health despite the pollution.
• For Stephen's class preparation for next semester.
  
• For follow-up after an urban youth mission in Santiago.
• For Liliana to grow up trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of her sin.
  

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:39

Changes at CEP

After 5 1/2 years of César Guzmán's hard work and unwavering leadership in getting the CEP well and truly up and going, he has felt that it may be time for someone with fresh vision to take the CEP forward to its next stage of development. After much consideration, the Bishop and the Board have decided that César will finish up as principal at the end of this year, gradually handing over responsibility to a new leader, with a view to César taking up a pastoral position in Santiago.


So, please pray:

• for a smooth transition from César to the new appointee (who is yet to be announced).
• for César, his wife Ani and son Sebastián, for whom this will be a significant change.
• for the student body.
• for the Bishop and the Board as they consider César's replacement.
• for good relationships between the churches and CEP, and sustained relationships both with supporters and with neighbouring dioceses who have sent students to the CEP.
• for us and the other missionaries who work in CEP - it will also be a big change for all of us.

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