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SHARE DECEMBER 2010 02
“Surely we all must change as we listen to God’s ever-
renewing Spirit across a lifetime, whether personal or
organisational. It will not do to become so encrusted in our past
ways that we fail to be part of Jesus’ work now. Yet for all its
necessity, change almost always feels like loss.”
These words were written in a recent prayer letter by a friend of
mine who has been a mission partner in the Philippines for a long
time and whom I had the privilege of ordaining.
“Change feels like loss”— because often it is. Maybe the secret is to acknowledge
the loss and, preferably together with others in community, seek to discern how
the Holy Spirit is working today and leading us forward.
Please don’t worry. I have no more dramatic changes to report. We are still
coming to terms with the big change set in motion some three years ago. There
continue to be milestones, such as the closing of Allen Gardiner Cottage. For me
the sadness of a final meal with the staff and some volunteers in Tunbridge Wells
was made so much easier by the Christian grace and charity they showed to me
and the fun of Christian fellowship and good food. My thanks to them and to God
for them.
The change for me leaving my two previous jobs was hard. I still find myself
praying for many different pastoral situations in Pittsburgh; my life was so deeply
intertwined with the lives and ministries of others. But today is a new day with
new challenges and connections. What I need all the time is a fresh anointing of
grace and the Holy Spirit. It’s vital, as my friend wrote, that we do not miss our
part in what Jesus is doing now.
And the key to that is discernment. I have recently made a visit to Argentina for
the presentation of the Toba New Testament and to Chile to visit the diocese
for the first time. In October and November I was in Rio, Paraguay and Buenos
Aires (for the Provincial Synod). There is so much to see and learn and it is a
fascinating and exhausting experience. In CMS we are at the same time going
through a strategic planning exercise. We all need discernment to see as God
sees, to find out what Jesus is doing and discover his priorities so that we can join
in. Not easy, but never dull! I so value all your prayers and support. Thank you.
PS. Please take a moment to read Adrian White’s article on page 15, to
understand our financial needs at this time.
SHARE is produced by the Church Mission
Society, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ. Tel:
01865 787 400. Registered Charity Number 1131655.
If you have any questions regarding the
content, please call us or email:
Bishop Henry Scriven, Mission Director for Latin
America
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 03
The Latin America Forum—for you!Does mission in Latin America cause your pulse to race?
Then the CMS Latin America Forum could be for you.
The forum has been set up following the integration of SAMS
with CMS. It will be a place within the CMS community where
anyone with a special interest in Latin America can be enthused,
encouraged and motivated.
Latin America is vibrant and youthful. Our desire is that the forum would combine that
vitality with an equal measure of prayerful energy. Not serving another structure or
organisation, but being part of God’s plans for Latin American people.
So, what will the Latin America Forum do? One of the key tasks has been to arrange a
conference at Swanwick from 25 – 27 March 2011 entitled ¡Adelante! Moving Forward!
Our prayer is that this event will be a catalyst that sets off a chain reaction, getting others
involved and moving forward together. There will still be involvement with traditional
ways of engaging in Latin American mission, such as encouraging local prayer groups,
holding special roadshow events and arranging for guest speakers. At the same time,
we also want to inspire and interact with another generation, which may well involve
organising youth weekends or discovery days and supporting groups who want to go on
an overseas visit. As the forum grows we believe it will gain a momentum of its own and
become a force that God will use in amazing ways.
So, if you have a heart for Latin America, don’t skip a beat – find out now how you
can be part of the new
Latin America Forum by
either booking in to the
conference next March
(see back page of Share)
or contact
Tim Greenhalgh: tel:
01594 542314 email:
¡Adelante! Moving forward Global mission with a Latin heartHayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, DerbyshireKeynote speaker: The Bishop of Chile, Rt Rev Tito Zavala Bible readings: Rev Canon Rogelio Prieto
A weekend packed with speakers and activities – with a truly Latin flavour. Swanwick is a family friendly venue with family bedrooms, on-site facilities including a sports hall and various local attractions. Young children will have their own tea and we will organise a babysitting rota if needed. There will be a crèche and separate youth and children’s programmes.
• Day visitor rates for Saturday 26 March will be available
Costs for weekend, full board: Adults from £145, ages 14–18 from £95 under 14 £50, under 6 free.Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Contact Tim Greenhalgh email: [email protected] Jo Hazelton 01865 787410 email: [email protected]
Regi
ster
ed C
harit
y N
o. 1
1316
55
www.cms-uk.org
Friday 25–Sunday 27 March 2011
YOU’RE INVITED!
Tim Greenhalgh
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 04
The Toba people of the Chaco region of Argentina are
celebrating a huge milestone with the eagerly anticipated launch of a
translation of the New Testament into the Toba language.
After years of painstaking work, the translation was officially launched
at a special service at the end of August in La Rinconada, a Toba village
based in the province of Formosa.
Initial translations of the gospels and Acts were undertaken during
the 1930s but the specific and coordinated translation of the entire
New Testament was down to mission partners Michael and Silvia Browne. They
worked with a team of Toba translators for over a decade, supported by generous
donations from SAMS supporters.
Michael said: “The presentation of the translation was a really joyous day, celebrating
the fact that God’s word can be read, loved and obeyed by the Toba people. This
significant achievement will bring the Toba churches into a new era.”
The formerly warlike Tobas requested a missionary presence in the 1920s after
seeing the effect of the gospel on their Wichi neighbours. Today the congregations
of the Chaco region (in the diocese of Northern Argentina) are composed largely of
Toba, Wichi and Chorote peoples – the indigenous Amerindians of the Chaco.
The peoples have suffered from deforestation of much of the land and there
is great poverty. But the Anglican churches maintain a faithful presence in the
communities and there is still great respect for the missionaries who over the
years sacrificed so much to bring the gospel, literacy and the Bible to the tribes.
The launch of the completed Toba (West) New Testament, held in the covered
part of an unfinished basketball pitch, was attended by many members of the
Toba tribe and neighbouring Wichi people, local mayors, teachers and provincial
government authorities.
General Secretary of the Argentine Bible Society, Ernesto Lersch, presented Archdeacon
Quichi’yas, one of the Toba pastors, with a pulpit-sized version of the translation, which
bore the inscription of ‘Na’ame Dios ‘Laqataqa’ (God’s words) in gold letters.
“The sight of the finished book has brought tears to my eyes, but I have restrained
myself as the English don’t cry,” Michael joked with the audience.
Bishop Henry Scriven, CMS mission director for Latin America, also attended the
launch - along with representatives of the Finnish Bible Society, who helped cover
the cost of publication, and staff from the Argentine Bible Society, who provided
support throughout the project.
Translation Celebration
Mission partner Nick Drayson, suffragan bishop of Northern Argentina, said the
new translation represents a human victory by the translators, typesetters and
publishers and a cultural victory for the Toba people – affirming their language,
culture and identity.
Bishop David Leake, former Anglican bishop of Northern Argentina, also played
an important role in the translation. David is the son of pioneer missionary Alfred
Leake, who went to Argentina in 1926 from East Runton, near Norwich. Alfred
joined the Toba tribe and learnt their language – word by word, by pointing at
objects with a stick and writing each name down. As soon as Alfred could write
the language he began translating the Bible. His childhood sweetheart travelled
out to join him and the couple had a son, David – who was born very near
the village of La Rinconada among Toba Indians in a brushwood hut, and their
language was his first language. Bishop David carried on his father’s translation
work, which has now been completed.
Earlier this year David returned with his wife Rachel to Argentina for three months
to assist in the final checking of the Toba New Testament translation.
At the launch, Bishop David preached a sermon in the Toba language from Revelation
7, which includes the words “After that I looked and there before me was a great
multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.”
Speaking after the event, David said: “This was a wonderful and most significant
day in the life of the Toba Indian church. It finished with an exceptionally strong
tornado type south wind…. Maybe an omen of the Holy Spirit’s presence, to
renew, refresh and replenish the Toba people. May this be so as they now read
God’s liberating gospel in their own language.”
Bishop Henry, who lived in Argentina for 22 months before the Malvinas crisis, said:
“Much of our time there was very hard and we left with many questions and doubts
about the purpose of what we had done and, indeed, about the value of cross
cultural mission. But coming back is part of God’s grace…. It was enlightening to see
the publication of the New Testament
and see the Church of Argentina and
Toba people enter a new era.”
Next steps include preparing materials
to help Toba people as they read the
New Testament. Plans are under way
to create an audio version.
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 05
A victorious moment
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 06
“Not just about the projects”Coordinator David Orritt on Mission Paraguay 2010
Each year Mission Paraguay requires faith. Firstly, that sufficient funds are
available to undertake the programme of work agreed with the Anglican Diocese
in Paraguay and secondly, that people with the right gifts and skills are called to
volunteer to assist with the projects for a three week period during July and August.
Once again, we have been blessed through much answered prayer. But with a
gracious God, why should we be surprised? By early August generous supporters
had donated almost £28,000 to carry out all the planned work and we had an
ideal workforce of eight committed volunteers from churches across England and
Northern Ireland. Many of us had visited Paraguay previously through Mission
Paraguay and it was so encouraging to receive the wonderful welcome with plenty
of South American hugs from those who we had worked and worshipped with in
the past.
The building of relationships which transcend language and cultural differences
is such an important element of a short term mission trip of this nature.
Mission Paraguay is not just about the projects which we fund, it is also about
strengthening our faith through the experience of living, working, worshipping and
praying together on a daily basis.
The drought situation in the Chaco is becoming progressively more serious at
certain times of the year. During August we funded another underground storage
tank for the collection of rainwater during the rainy season. Owing to the presence
of underground salty water, it is generally not possible to provide bore holes for a
fresh water supply; however, in certain areas quantities of wholesome water are
available at an accessible depth for wells. This year we were able to sink two wells,
which will now provide a constant supply of fresh water for families in the area.
Increasingly over recent years the emphasis of our work has moved to
encouraging people to become more self sufficient. The sewing projects which
began three years ago are continuing and this year the volunteers, working with
resident missionaries, provided
specialist instruction in more
complicated sewing techniques
for clothes and in bag making.
Already, some of the women
are finding a market for their
handcrafted shoulder bags.
Mission Paraguay volunteers
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 07
Last year a number of simple homes
made of adobe bricks with sheet metal
roofs and concrete floors were funded
to replace overcrowded homes built of
logs, plastic sheets and other discarded
materials. Following some generous
donations and specific fundraising
by a youth group, we were able to
provide more adobe homes this year.
We anticipate that at least ten homes
will be built using bricks manufactured
in the local communities. Much of
the labour is provided by the families
themselves following initial training by
a local Indian builder with whom we’ve
worked for a number of years.
Following on from our initial work, we
understand that another charitable
organisation based in Paraguay is to
provide funds for similar buildings in
another village. This is a very exciting
development.
You can see a list of projects funded in
the sidebar to the right.
A huge thank you to everyone who has
supported us in so many ways during
2010.
Projects funded by Mission Paraguay during 2010
In Asunción:• construction of an additional floor on the multi purpose building erected in 2006 behind the church at Zeballos Cue • further construction work on the site at San Lorenzo where a children’s club has been operating for over 20 years• refurbishment and redecoration work at the diocesan offices• construction of a ramp and other improvements at the home of a disabled person• supplying a new refrigerator for the church at Remansito where up to 85 children are provided with a wholesome meal each Saturday In Concepción:• providing funds to assist the operation of the Saturday meal for up to 80 children from poor families• completion of the new church at Yvopovo built by Mission Paraguay over the last two years, plus supplying chairs.In the Chaco:• the construction of a 21,000 litre underground storage cistern to collect rainwater during the rainy season for use during drought• sinking two wells to provide families with a constant supply of good water• construction of two adobe brick homes, initial work on ten more • supplying roofing materials to families • building two long drop toilets• the alteration of existing diocesan buildings at Rio Verde to provide separate living accommodation for visiting missionaries• the construction of a room to house patients, particularly those with TB, from Chaco villages who are en route to hospital• two cataract operations for elderly people.
General items:• providing financial support for the sewing workshops which have operated for the last three years in Asunción, Concepción and Rio Verde in the Chaco to encourage self sufficiency• distribution of over 450 pairs of spectacles to communities in Asunción and Concepción and supplying nurse Beryl Baker in the Chaco with a similar number for distribution• supplying clothes, toys and other items for distribution to people in need
“It is well”
Michael Belton, Lima, Peru:I’ve been working in San Mateo primary school for five months now helping to teach English and art classes. The school is in the outskirts of Lima in the most populated district of the city, San Juan de Lurigancho. The school is quite different from any UK school, of course, but I have found that you don’t have to impose your ideas about how you think things ought to be done in order to have a positive effect on the children’s learning. Sometimes just bringing a fresh perspective, including a broader definition of success expressed through bucket loads of encouragement, can be all you need to boost a student’s self
confidence. Everything else, I believe, follows from that.In class we have made some real progress and we have a great time, too. But the most important thing for me has been the friendships I have formed. I have gained so much from this experience. It can be hard to build friendships in a cross cultural situation, with adults at least, but children are much more open and accepting. I’m not looking forward to having to say goodbye. Some of the children don’t even want to let me leave at the end of the day. How do I explain that I might never get the opportunity to go back to Peru? I really hope and pray I do.
ShORT-TERM ShORT STORiES
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 08
A missionary bishop: the way forwardThe Diocese of Peru is celebrating the consecration of its new missionary
bishop, Mike Chapman. The momentous occasion marks the start of Mike and his
wife Linda’s work in Peru as SAMS USA missionaries.
In a stirring address during the consecration on 18 September, Peru’s diocesan
Bishop Bill Godfrey spoke of how apostolic it was to send out a missionary bishop.
This was the way of the apostles and it is the way of the missionary church, he said.
Monseñor Miguel, as he will be known, will serve as suffragan bishop and is sent
with a strong team of priest, deacon and lay ministers to continue to develop and
to open up for Christ the Ayacucho/Ica/Huancavelica area of south central Peru.
Ministry there began in 2007 following the devastating Ica earthquake when
the Anglican Church brought in relief workers, food and God’s love. From this
beginning new congregations have been founded.
Mike spent much of his youth in Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. During
short-term ministry trips to Peru Mike and Linda experienced a call from the Lord
to missionary service. They hope to use their extensive background in intercessory
prayer and evangelism in the Ica-Ayacucho area of Peru. Previously the Chapmans
have worked for several years in an outreach ministry to vulnerable young people
and people struggling with addiction in rural North Carolina.
Phil TadmanIn June, a tribute lunch was held for Phil, at which speeches in honour of Phil and his wife Rosemary were given by Howard Gracey a former Hon Chair and Hon Treasurer of SAMS and by Peter Hyatt, also a former SAMS Hon Treasurer and now a CMS trustee. This is a brief summary of what they jointly said.
Phil qualified as a chartered accountant and gained nearly ten years of valuable professional and commercial experience before joining SAMS in 1985. In doing so, he gave up a potentially
far more lucrative career in the industrial world of finance but Phil never counted the cost of that, but delighted in helping to build the kingdom of heaven in South America and Iberia. Phil was at the heart of SAMS finances and its administration for 25 years. So a whole generation of trustees rested in the assurance that the accounts and records were all in immaculate order and that, due to Phil’s diligence, the society was always fully compliant with any changes in legislation. On more than one occasion outside observers commented on the excellence of SAMS’ records. Overseas partners, too, have written about the reliability of the monthly cheque and the loving care with which it was sent on time. Phil’s wife Rosemary also went well beyond the call of duty, embodying a caring attitude and helping in so many different areas. Truly the society and the church in South America have been blessed by having Phil and Rosemary at the helm for so long. We thank them and
wish them every blessing in the years ahead.
Tim Greenhalgh By Canon Penny Avann Tim worked for SAMS before transferring to the new CMS. In his 12 years of service, he has brought his own special brand of enthusiasm to each role he has undertaken.His experience in marketing and event organisation, combined with his love of Jesus and his passion for South America, made him a dedicated South West Area Secretary for SAMS. Tim was excited by the possibilities of the merged societies and has brought his vast knowledge to the CMS church relations team. Both his faith and his love of South America were first nurtured at St Peter’s Halliwell, Bolton. In more recent years he spread his fervour to the many churches with whom he has had contact and to his home area of the Forest of Dean. Whether he is leading worship, organising the technicalities around a new database or hosting mission partners, Tim can be trusted to do it well. He has recently helped to facilitate the newly created Latin America Forum and we are grateful for his expertise. Thank you, Tim, for all you have given and for the love and dedication you have shown. We wish him God’s richest blessing as he seeks a new area of service.
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 09
TRibuTeS To
Som
e FAiTHFu
L SeRVANTS
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 10
“We cannot fix their whole life, but we can give them a happy childhood”We caught up with mission partner Jill Ball, no easy feat with a woman
who does so much. Jill has been working in Ecuador since 2002. She started
by helping at an orphanage begun by an English couple and then, in 2004,
she began working with the disabled. Today, she works in Santo Domingo de
los Tsachilas, a three-hour drive from Quito. She runs Life in Abundance Trust
(LIAT) with the help of friends in the UK. In 2006, Jill started a groundbreaking
class for disabled children. What began with two children has expanded to two
classes, two teachers, two teachers’ assistants and 24 children. Alongside this is a
physiotherapy service.
What is the main aim of the school for the disabled?
Our aim is to show the children God’s love. We cannot fix their whole life but we
can give them a happy childhood and we feel that is intrinsically worthwhile.
What prompted you to move from being a special needs teacher in the
UK to help disabled people in Ecuador?
When I was living in Essex I was prayed for and I had a very, very strong
experience of the Holy Spirit where it was very obvious that I was to go to Ecuador
and take God’s love and compassion to that country. It took eight years for the
Lord to get my life organised in such a way to enable me to go.
Can you explain a typical day at your school?
In the morning, we have assembly, hear the national anthem, look at the flag, say
prayers for the coming week and then learn basic core subjects - like language and
maths. For some it means learning words, for others it’s reading.
At 10am the children go out to play. We then do activities like PE, music and
games. The second half of the day is about learning to be with other children in a
group setting. Many of the children will previously have been at home spending
their days alone. We also take them out and about and to events.
We also now have hípico-terapia, horse-riding therapy. Once a week our children
are taken to a therapy centre, where each child has a turn on the horse and a
session with a psychologist. The smiles on the children’s faces tell the tale. We are
able to give this therapy through a donation from a Catholic church in Scotland.
Tell us about one of the children.
My first student was a little boy called Alex. He used to come with his parents to
where I lived and sit on a vegetable van that his parents had as their business.
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 11
He could not walk. I started teaching him on a weekly basis. I took his mother to
get him a complete neurological assessment and then I took them to get some
exercises/therapy. She was shown what to do with his legs every day. We were
so pleased that this little boy who could not walk, ended up being able to walk.
He came to our school for quite a few years. He was just so happy to do all the
activities and join in with the other children. His parents were delighted.
How is disability viewed in Ecuador?
There is still quite a lot of social stigma around disability. A lot of the parents
work and leave their [disabled] child at home with an elderly relative or a maid,
if they can afford it - and the child would simply be at home. It’s not that easy
to get provision for your child. There are places where you can go for speech or
physical therapy, but it’s not the same as education. We like to think we provide a
complete experience. The dream is to one
day see disabled children and able-bodied
children being educated together.
Do you think that attitudes about
disabilities are changing – with
the vice-president of Ecuador,
Lenín Voltaire Moreno Garcés, in a
wheelchair (after being shot during a
1998 robbery attempt)?
Yes. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if
the vice-president is in a wheelchair. It has
brought the needs of people with disabilities
to the forefront. A law has been enforced which says any company with more
than a certain number of employees, has to employ some disabled staff. This
law tends to favour deaf people as they don’t have any intellectual disability. It
isn’t always quite so good for people with learning disabilities, which are widely
misunderstood, and we really need to do a lot more.
More mission amongst the marginalised: Jill has also worked in a very poor
neighbourhood, Laura Flores, built on a rubbish dump. There she started giving Bible
studies and classes on hygiene and nutrition to women. This work has now expanded
and is run by the local Baptist church, which also manages a pre-school set up last year
by a volunteer from England working with Jill. Please pray for Jill as she is expanding
her work to include helping abused and vulnerable women in Ecuador. The project
involves building a women’s refuge, and working with professionals to bring wholeness
to abused women and their children.
Horse-riding therapy
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 12
Chilean miners declare Jesus ‘the 34th man’ The Chilean miners who were trapped for 69 days nearly half a mile
underground emerged from their ordeal testifying to the presence of Jesus with
them, according to CMS mission partner Rev Alfredo Cooper - who is chaplain to
Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera.
Alf played an integral role during the miners’ ordeal, leading
the country’s prayers for them as their search and rescue was
played out in real time across the world’s media. During the
dramatic rescue operation, Alf was on the scene at Camp Hope
in the Atacama Desert, to support the miners and their families
and deliver a personal invitation to the palace chapel.
In an interview with BBC Radio Five Live, Alf said the miners had
a sense of Jesus being “the 34th man” in the collapsed mine.
“Many of the miners went down as atheists, unbelievers or semi-believers and they
have come up to a man testifying that they were not 33 but that there were 34
down there - that Jesus was there with them and that they had a constant sense of
his presence and guidance,” he told Five Live’s Peter Allen.
Challenged by Allen that if divine intervention had saved the miners, divine
intervention must have put them down there in the first place, Alf said: “Man is
subject to accidents and all sorts of problems thanks often to his wilful negligence
as was the case in this mine.
“There are consequences when you don’t care enough for people. And of course
in those situations people tend to cry out to God... And the interesting thing is God
has answered.”
When the 33 miners first became trapped in early August, Alf convened an
emergency prayer meeting at the presidential palace. And when it was discovered
the miners were still alive he was asked by the president to lead a service of
thanksgiving - along with the president’s Catholic chaplain, Fr Luis Ramirezti.
Alf also paid tribute to the work of all the scientists, engineers, politicians and press,
who had contributed to a meticulously planned rescue operation, adding:
“We would suggest that all this works together for good, that certainly as we prayed
God has guided in remarkable ways – even the scientists. I was with the NASA
people who came the other day. And to my surprise – they all said ‘This is a miracle.
There is no other word for what happened here’.”
Alf with two of the rescued miners
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 13
People in Print People in the CMS community whose books have been recently published:
Former SAMS mission partner and retired bishop Maurice Sinclair has penned Pathways of Wisdom (iVP), which deals with “human philosophies and the purpose of God”.
Alan hargrave, now Canon Missioner of Ely Cathedral and former SAMS mission partner in Northern Argentina and Bolivia has written Living Well (SPCK), which is about “finding a rule of life to revitalise and sustain us”.
CMS small missional communities developer ian Adams has penned Cave Refectory Road: Monastic Rhythms for contemporary living (Canterbury Press Norwich). Ian’s book explores how traditional monastic life is helping to shape a new flowering of Christian community today.
CMS pioneer mission leadership team leader Jonny Baker has authored Curating Worship (SPCK), which looks at how “curating”, usually associated with the art world, is being adopted in worship.
God Doesn’t Do Waste (iVP) by CmS mission partner Dave Bookless chronicles how ‘the Bookless bunch” went green after God challenged them about their attitude to the environment. Dave works at Christian environmental charity A Rocha UK.
Recent monographs from the Crowther Centre for Mission Education at CMS: The Effects of the Soviet Ideology on Mission Co-operation in a Post-Communist Context is an essay by Vija herefoss, who is from Latvia, and currently lives in Oslo where she works as a research fellow at the MF Norwegians School of Theology; Constancy or Fidelity? Contexual Theology and Christian Tradition is by Stephen Bevans. Stephen bevans is the Louis J Luzbetak SVD Professor of Mission and Culture at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA.
If you know of more CMS people published recently, please let us know
Don’t cry for us in ArgentinaTravelling vast distances to remote indian communities
on forest roads, adjusting to extreme heat and cold and trying
to master a new, complex language (Wichi) are just some of
the challenges that Nick and Catherine Drayson have faced
since relocating to Northern Argentina.
The Draysons, who served as mission partners in Argentina
from 1994 to 2000, returned to South America last August, as
Nick had been invited to become suffragan Bishop of Northern
Argentina. He was consecrated in October.
The couple then embarked on work with tribal Indians largely
based in the Chaco forest. The Chaco people are seriously
threatened by deforestation as a result of international greed,
and the government is slow to enact laws to protect them,
according to Nick.
The couple have managed to visit almost all the different
communities for which Nick is responsible – including many rural
congregations, all led by indigenous leaders.
“It has been great to be welcomed by Indian leaders and their flocks
- many of whom have not seen a bishop for years,” said Nick.
Unsurprisingly, there have been problems to resolve. A big
part of Nick’s role is listening carefully to people’s needs. “The
bishop is often the first port of call for help with building repairs,
transport, Sunday school, training courses, tape recorders,
glasses, relationships and so on,” Nick said.
“The same problems seem to crop up,” said Nick. This includes
conflict between the older and younger generations’ styles of
working, relationships with other denominations and invasion
of Indian lands by multinational companies. There is also a
need for appropriate training for present and future leaders.
Nick summed up: “There is still much confusion over the
way pastoral work is done…. There is need for wisdom and
hopefully the opportunity for change as we look back on
almost 100 years of missionary work here, and build on it for
a future in which the Indian church will become in some way
autonomous.”
“Multiplying what we can do” through leadership trainingWe caught up with Reverend Marcus Throup, who has been
working with his Brazilian wife Tamara as mission partners with the
Brazilian Anglican Church since 2000. Tamara, Marcus and their baby
daughter Rebekah live in Joao Pessoa, north east Brazil. Marcus is on the
leadership team at the city’s Pro-Cathedral of the Resurrection where
he enjoys a preaching/ teaching ministry and heads up the Anglican
Diocesan Seminary. His next goal is to set up the Brazilian Centre for
Christian Studies, a theological college providing training for tomorrow’s
pastors and mission workers in north east Brazil.
In the Diocese of Recife, church planting and social outreach go hand in hand.
Can you explain your own practical experience of taking the gospel into the
community?
Some years ago I was involved with the Living Waters Church in Olinda [set up
by CMS link partners Ian and Simea Meldrum], working alongside people living in
desperate poverty, who were scavenging on a rubbish dump for recycled materials
to sell on and at times looking for food waste to take home to eat. The church had
a prophetic role in challenging authorities to do something about this terrible state
of affairs. The pressure the church brought came good and we’ve seen the whole
disorganised mess turn into an organised sanitation plant. Some of the people living
there are now involved in this official recycling site and have a much better way of life.
You are now ordained in the Church of Brazil, working with the diocese in
theological education. What excites you about your work?
It’s the possibility of raising up leaders to take on church and kingdom work in
Brazil and to see people move on in their faith and discipleship. This is something
I feel deeply called to: to help several people move on to leadership roles and
therefore multiplying what we can do.
Tell us about a student who has become a leader?
Gustavo, a lawyer by trade, was a student of mine five or six years ago. I could really
see in him kingdom focus and commitment to scripture and mission. Nurturing
him, we were able to get him successfully through his bachelor’s and ordination
with us and then an opportunity arose for him to study in the US. Gustavo is now
back working alongside me as a theological educator and leader. It’s great to see
someone raised through the ranks – going from a student to a colleague.
SHARE DECEMBER 2010 14
hugo and Techi Vergara have spent five months in the UK over the summer on a well-earned sabbatical and are now back in Northern Argentina.Paul and Sarah Tester have just returned to Lima, Peru after five months in the UK visiting family, friends and link churches.Jill Ball was in the UK from the end of June until mid-October, when she returned to Santo Domingo, Ecuador.René and Marina Pereira visited the UK for three weeks in October from Northern Argentina and visited most of their supporting churches around the country.David and Shelley Stokes started work with some of the Wichí congregations in Northern Argentina in November. Over the summer short termer Lara Clare Bourdeaux returned to the UK from five months at St Andrew’s School, Asunción; Jessie helyar has returned from working with Shalom in Lima, Peru and Zewe Chamunda has come back from Hogar el Alba orphanage in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Short termer
Mike Belton returned from San Mateo School in Lima, Peru at the beginning of November.Due back in the UK over the winter months are Michael and Silvia Browne coming from Northern Argentina; Ruth and Efraim Vilella from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and Caroline Gilmour White, Gwen Carlisle, Tim Curtis, Babs Owen and Mags Southern from Paraguay. (Alf and hilary Cooper are due back in the UK in January 2011).Finally, please pray for mission partner Sue Woodcock in Spain. She underwent some tests at Sabadell hospital after feeling quite unwell for months. These tests have shown that Sue has cancer of the pancreas, which was unexpected and has come as quite a shock. Please pray for Sue as she undergoes treatment.You can find out more about where and when these Globe+crossers might be in your area on the CMS website at www.cms-uk.org Click on the map of Latin America, which will take you to the Latin America pages.
Globe+crossersSHARE DECEMBER 2010 15
Please keep supporting mission Adrian White, Finance Directorit has been a great pleasure this year to have
our horizons expanded through the inclusion of
the SAMS work with CMS. Seeing how God is
working in Latin America through the church,
our mission partners and Latin partners has
been a wonderful testament of God’s mission
throughout the whole world. We are profoundly
grateful to SAMS for joining with us and for the
perspective on mission that this merger between
our two societies has brought about.
As I look at the merger from a financial standpoint,
I am grateful for the very strong supporter base
that has been entrusted to us. The year 2010
has not been an easy one for anyone from a
financial perspective and mission societies are
no exception. Despite that, we have continued
to sustain the work in Latin America, supporting
24 mission partner placements (38 adults), 17
Latin partners placements and at least 15
associate mission partner placements. I hope
you will have enjoyed reading about this in this
issue of Share.
Now for the numbers. At the beginning of this
year, we set a budget for the work in Latin
America, which totalled £1 million. As we
went to print, we had received £450,000.
Please join us in prayer that the balance of the
funds required for this year will come in and
that we can then have confidence in planning
for 2011. We know that many of you normally
give towards the year end and we would ask
you to consider prayerfully your stewardship
and support of Latin American mission as you
consider your giving.
I was challenged recently by a reading about
Jesus from Luke 24 v 19: “He was a prophet,
powerful in word and deed before God and all
the people.” What a great verse to remember as
we seek to follow him, live out our own mission
lives and support his work in Latin America.
Costs for weekend, full board: Adults from £145,ages 14–18 from £95 under 14 £50, under 6 free.Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.Contact Tim Greenhalgh email: [email protected] Jo Hazelton 01865 787410 email: [email protected]
Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, DerbyshireKeynote speaker: The Bishop of Chile, Rt Rev Tito ZavalaBible readings: Rev Canon Rogelio Prieto
A weekend packed with speakers and activities – with a truly Latinflavour. Swanwick is a family friendly venue with family bedrooms,on-site facilities including a sports hall and various local attractions.Young children will have their own tea and we will organise ababysitting rota if needed. There will be a crèche and separate youthand children’s programmes.
• Day visitor rates for Saturday 26 March will be available
Friday 25–Sunday 27 March 2011¡Adelante! Moving forward
Global mission with a Latin heart
www.cms-uk.org
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