Can we take this opportunity to advise our link churches in England that we are due to arrive at Christmas for a home ministry leave period during January and February.  We hope it might be possible to visit many of you, perhaps even in an informal way if Sundays are not always possible, and therefore you will be soon receiving a letter from SAMS GB to try and set up a viable itinerary.  Our only fixed date at present is in Northern Ireland  - 17th - 21st February.  We will be available for visits as from January 5th, apart from the SAMS Staff Conference - 11-14January.

May God bless you in your ministry for him.
With our love and greetings,
Bishop John and Judie.

1        Pray for much needed rain in the Chaco region & for the health of the indigenous people during these drought conditions.  Give thanks that the National Emergency Committee is beginning to send out drinking water & emergency food supplies.  Most of their crops already planted have dried up,  so pray for wisdom in response to their needs in the months ahead, both nationally & as a church.

2        Canon John Sutton, General Secretary of SAMS is visiting the diocese at present. Pray for the dialogue regarding changing patterns of support for overseas mission & how best to explore & express the growing awareness of our need for interdependence in God’s family, the church.

3        Give thanks for the  “Bible Overview” course led by Cesar Guzman from Chile. Pray that we may grasp the vital importance of how the whole of Scripture points to Christ & live this out in our daily lives. Pray for Cesar & the staff & students of the Anglican Theological College in Santiago.

4        Pray for discernment for Bishop John & leaders from other churches as they present the need for clearer understanding of the importance of family life in Paraguayan society, when many legislators & politicians are strongly influenced by postmodernism.  Give thanks for the recent Congress on family life, which brought together a Rabbi & Christian leaders from different traditions, where they  formed a stronger commitment to work together.

5        Pray for perseverance in the ongoing challenge of establishing the Evangelical University on a firm legal, financial & academic basis. For the meeting tonight & the involvement of Bishop John & Caroline Gilmour White in these discussions.  Pray too that we may be clear in the form leadership should take in FEISA after Eileen Murphy’s retirement at the end of this year.

6        Give thanks for the united CALEB meeting today which brings together leaders throughout the diocese.  Pray for mutual understanding  & how to work effectively together in teams, so that together with the lay leaders training course- Paso a Paso, it may help us to plan more clearly for advance together in 2005.

7        Pray for the Festival of the Family evangelistic programme this weekend in Remansito.  Give thanks for the new buildings there & pray for pastor Cefe, Ana & their teams from the main Roque Alonso church as they build up the ministry amongst families in the community.

8        Give thanks for donations received to help alleviate the different situations of so many people affected by the terrible supermarket fire on August 1^st.  Pray for pastors Alberto, Tony & Agustin, as they minister to very traumatized families. Pray for the group who are awaiting the results of DNA tests in Spain.   42 people have “disappeared” as bodies have not yet been able to receive official confirmation of their identity.  For Rosanna & Gloria & many who are receiving skin grafts & for those who are devastated emotionally & mentally.  For the many orphans & their relatives .

9        Tomorrow the newly completed church building in Yatnata, Chaco will be dedicated & inaugurated. Give thanks for Phil Grainger, the volunteer teams & their churches which made this possible.  Pray for pastor Elvio & the congregation & for Rev Stephen Bowen as he accompanies Bishop John & Judie to the Chaco as part of his sabbatical time in South America.

10   Pray for Tito LaHaye & other Bible Society consultants as they visit the translation team in Rio Verde, Chaco this week.  Give thanks for the faithful leadership given by Tim Curtis & pray for wisdom & perseverance in the translation of the Old Testament into the Enxet language.

11   Pray for the team in Concepcion – for Bishop Andres & Estela, pastor Guillermo & Rossi as they, together with Claire & Alison, build up work in the city centre & extend the ministry to many areas outside Concepcion.  Give thanks for the children who meet weekly in the centre now.

12   As the 17 indigenous groups (of varying size) within Paraguay celebrate their special day today, pray  for the pastors & church leaders as they teach & encourage their congregations.  Also for the health auxiliaries & school teachers, giving thanks for a slightly better involvement by the Ministry of Health & Ministry of Education.  For the good use of primers prepared by Tim Curtis in Enxet.

13   Pray for the staff & pupils at St. Andrew’s School in the last few weeks of solid work before the exams begin.  For good health & God’s  protection & peace. Pray too for staffing needs for next year.

14   Give thanks for the vision statement prepared by indigenous church leaders concerning a possible future ministry for Chris & Alison Hawksbee.  Pray for God’s guidance & for provision of funds needed to enable Chris to work as an agricultural consultant in the Chaco.

15   Pray for the meetings between bishops John & Andres tomorrow in Concepcion as they pray & plan about the consolidation & expansion of diocesan work.

16   Give thanks that there are now 11 radios in use in the Chaco communities donated through the British Embassy in Asuncion & pray for wise use of them, giving priority to medical matters. The license fees have now doubled – pray that between church & community we may cover the costs.

17   Give thanks for a very positive start to the new Sunday evening service in San Andres in the centre of Asuncion. Pray for strength & discernment for Patrick & Rosie & their team as they respond to the pastoral demands of a new congregation.

18   As today the results of the Eames Commission are due to be released pray that we, as a diocese, may be faithful & obedient to the Word of God.  Pray for wisdom for the Diocesan Executive Committee who meet tomorrow, to consider Diocesan, Provincial & Anglican Communion issues.

19    Give thanks for the encouragement in the weekly EMA follow up meetings, with even greater involvement of couples & pray that many may come to personal commitment to Christ.  Pray for strength & wisdom for the leadership team, especially pastor Tony & Chris as they attend EMA meetings in Santiago, Chile on Saturday 23 October.

20   Pray for Samantha Parsons & the group of students from FEISA as they visit some of the Chaco schools tomorrow, that this may encourage the indigenous teachers & also inform & challenge students to seek God’s will for their future careers. For Eileen Murphy as she approaches retirement.

21   Pray for pastors Cefe & Luis & other leaders from Roque Alonso church as they attend a Discipleship Course organized by the Baptists this weekend.  Pray too for the young people & for the challenge to respond to recent challenges that have arisen through EJE Roque Alonso.  For greater confidence for the leaders & for financial support to enable this ongoing ministry.

22   Give thanks for the faithful ministry of pastor Alberto in Formosa & pray that Paraguayans  & Argentines involved in this ministry may understand each other better & know God’s guidance for the future. For those without work & for young couples under great financial pressure.

23   Give thanks for the ongoing process of restructuring San Andres cathedral building & city centre site & for the willingness of people to work together to achieve this end.  Praise God for finance received to accomplish the first stage & pray for support for the second stage. For pastor Agustín & Teresa & their team & for the outreach in Capiata.

24   Give thanks for growing understanding of God’s purposes for the church (ICP) & pray for the practical application of what is learnt in the local congregations.  For God’s wisdom for each of our clergy & lay leaders,  both in the cities & in the Chaco.

25   Give thanks for careful investigation being done by Murray & Penny Metcalfe & their team concerning an Anglican Home for babies awaiting adoption & for the close liaison with the Paraguayan Adoption Centre in Asuncion. For God’s guidance & discernment for each one.

26   Pray for the staff & students of St. Andrew’s & the Annexe  Schools , especially for the “Away Day” tomorrow for 1^st Form pupils, that there may be a spiritual awakening amongst them. For God’s peace throughout the school as the end of term approaches.  Pray for the daily Bible teaching & school assemblies & for wisdom over plans to extend EJE through St. Andrew’s  School.

27   Pray for God’s protection on the people, buildings & equipment in the Translation Centre in Rio Verde & for Tim Curtis as he prepares for home ministry leave at the end of the year.  For Genaro & Clorinda as they care for the Anglican Centre in Rio Verde.

28   Pray for God’s direction for the mixed congregation ( indigenous & Paraguayan) in Rio Verde & for Ed Brice in his oversight there. For Doña Bety & the lay leaders, supported by pastors Elvio & Teodoro from Sombrero Piri community. Pray for Ed’s health that he may be released from pain in the sciatic nerve & be able to travel freely again in the Chaco.

29   Pray for bishops John & Andres, pastor Cefe & Teodosio Rivas as they represent us at Provincial Synod meetings in Santa Cruz, Bolivia 30^th to Nov. 4^th.  Pray for discernment as the bishops & Synod delegates respond to the Eames Commission report.

30   Give thanks for new members in the Villa Guarani congregation & pray for their integration & discipleship.  Give thanks for the provision of a church office & a volley ball court & pray for the ministry to children & young people.

31   Pray for God’s strength & protection on the staff of the Diocesan office in Asuncion.  For Osvaldo as he assists a considerable number of indigenous patients in hospitals in & around Asuncion.  Give thanks for funds received into the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund which enables us to supply medicines, surgical equipment  & give practical support to accompanying family members.  Pray for wisdom over how to maintain vehicles which are so essential to our complex diocesan ministry.

FEISA – Faculty of Initial Education    *   CALEB – Clergy & lay leaders in service training *                            EMA -  Marriage Encounter  *   EJE – Youth in the Spirit Encounters  *  ICP – Church with a Purpose