share issue 1 2013.pdf

SHARE SPRING 2013 02

Pouring out for the poor“Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me

as I have watched the way our world works. There was a small

town with only a few people, and a great king came with his

army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the

town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to

thank him. So even though wisdom is better than strength,

those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they

say will not be appreciated for long.” (Ecclesiastes 9:13-15, NLT)

Thank God for the poor to whom God gives wisdom!

And thank God for those who work with the poor. I have

just seen the (almost) final version of the new CMS video, in

which Bishop Nick and Catherine Drayson feature alongside

CMS work in Tanzania (Neema Crafts), prison ministry in Nepal and community

work in Hull. Those situations could be repeated and echoed in much of the

ministry in South America - in Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile and Brazil.

A lot of our work is bringing the good news to the poor, and then, as a result,

finding that we can learn enormously from the poor. It’s often a hard slog – bad

roads, long, hot bus journeys, insufficient resources, etc. But it is God’s work and

it’s worth doing.

I hope you will get to see the video; we hope to use it widely in churches to

give a six-minute introduction to CMS. I think it will be very effective.

The reading from Ecclesiastes quoted above was my Bible reading this

morning (those of you with a lectionary can work out when I wrote this).

Honestly, Ecclesiastes does not usually inspire me greatly, but this snippet of a

parable caught my attention. It’s true and it’s ancient wisdom: ‘those who are wise

will be despised if they are poor’. Not all poor people are wise, just as not all rich

people are foolish. But God in scripture seems to favour the poor. Ecclesiastes is

nothing if not realistic and we as people in mission need that same realism.

I am so grateful for the privilege of working with those who pour themselves

out for the poor: we learn from you and our lives are enriched by seeing God at

work in your lives. Let’s keep praying and giving!

SHARE is produced by the Church Mission

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Bishop Henry Scriven,

Mission Director for Latin America


Chile con HenryIt seems there was never a dull moment for CMS mission director for Latin America director Henry Scriven as he visited Chile, climbed mountains, witnessed protests and helped stop a suicide.

In December, I was privileged to visit the south of Chile for the first time. I went with

Bishop Abelino and Paty, his wife, and Bishop Tito. Immediately on arrival they had a

situation to deal with regarding the boarders in the William Wilson School in CholChol; the

school principal had said they were going to close the boarding house, which would have

meant that many pupils from the rural areas could not have continued their education. So

they had a protest. The diocese promised continued support for

the boarders and the sit-in was called off.

On the Sunday I attended a united service in Maquehue for

all the churches of the district. About 500 people gathered in

the open air before and after a picnic lunch.

Bishop Abelino gave me a good tour of the area, where

there are a number of small churches for the very scattered

Mapuche people. Over the past few years they have been

training local pastors at the Rural Bible Institute; most of them

are unpaid for their ministry. This year the work has been

strengthened by the return of Bishop Abelino and Paty to Temuco from Santiago as well

as Joel Millanguir who is also returning with his family having been supported by CMS in

his studies at a two year seminary course in Santiago.

CholChol provided me with a kairos (opportune) moment. I was looking round the

town with the pastor and he suggested we go to the bridge – high over the river and

good for photos. As we got there a man was climbing over the railing to jump off into the

river below. He was a little the worse for alcohol, had not eaten for days and had multiple

problems. We managed to stop him, bought him dinner, took him home and ensured that

he would be helped in the future.

I had heard much of the work in Alto BioBio

from mission partner Terry Barratt and Andy

Bowman, CMS trust fundraiser, who taught many

of the Pehuenche people to build solid houses

in the nine years he worked in the diocese. My

visit included a good 70 minute walk up the

mountain to one community; at least I wasn’t

carrying building materials! Pastor Juan Adelmo and his wife (Rucatraro Alto church)

He didn’t jump!


A church that healsDuring their recent furlough to the UK, CMS mission

partners Rev Canon Alf and Hilary Cooper slept in 25

different beds and visited 19 churches in four weeks. During

their whirlwind visit, the Coopers came to CMS’s Oxford

offices where SHARE caught up with them. Hilary and Alf have pioneered many initiatives in

evangelism, discipleship and church planting in the Chilean capital, Santiago. Alf is pastor of La

Trinidad church in Las Condes, and is Protestant chaplain to the President of Chile.

Q: The last time you were in the UK, you were with one of the rescued Chilean miners,

the ”pastor” of the group, Jose Henriquez, for the ‘34th Man’ Tour. What has happened to the

miners since?

A: The miners have been enticed in many ways towards material gain. Jose, who pastored

them in the mine, laments that nobody has really discipled them properly up

in northern Chile [where all the miners, apart from Jose, come from] after the

accident. But whenever I meet the miners, they all still attribute to God their

deliverance and are still grateful to Jose for his spiritual leadership during the

crisis.

Q: What kind of message are you bringing to churches during this visit?

A: I’ll be talking to people about ‘the church that heals’ – which is a church

that’s among people, and out there in everyday life. In Chile, studies show

that public confidence in church is low. However, unlike that figure is the one

related to people who are known Christians who live in poor areas, among

underprivileged people. People will trust those who truly get on with the job.

Churches that heal get out from behind their walls and go out into the

community and openly share the gospel through miracles, through love,

washing feet – in all the ways that Christ would heal today. One of the best

things I do in the presidential palace, where people are very busy, is simply to say ‘can I pray

with you?’ A church that heals is one that is out there praying with people.

Q: How do you think churches in the UK will react to this call?

A: Churches that are genuinely praying and looking for ways to reach Britain with the gospel

will be encouraged to see what’s happening in Chile. I plan to talk about the Day of Evangelicals

in Chile on 31 October, where in the Presidential palace we celebrated with 600 evangelical

leaders getting together from all over the country, with the president himself. There was a

national impact for the gospel on that day.

The Day of Evangelicals has been happening for about 10 years but this year the leaders

were united in a way we have not seen before. There have been divisions but we managed to

get everyone together. The president gave a great talk, quoting Matthew 6 – paving the way for

2013 being the year of unity for evangelicals.

Alf and Hilary Cooper

While Alf and Hilary were in the country, they attracted some media attention, with a local feature in a Bedfordshire newspaper leading to an interview in the national Independent on Sunday. This was followed up by an interview on the BBC World Service Outlook programme, broadcast on 11 February. You can find links to all these on the CMS Facebook page.


New South American leader to speak at Adelante conferenceOur main speaker for our Adelante Latin America conference

at High Leigh (10-12 May) has been recognised as a leader within his

diocese.

The Rev Cristóbal Cerón and his wife Alejandra (pictured above) have had a

significant impact in the diocese since returning from seminary in South Africa.

Cristóbal has started two initiatives and been prominent in another city-wide

outreach involving young people. Misión Operación Urbana (MOU) is a training

and outreach initiative, with a vision to create a community of students able to

teach the Bible and preach the Gospel

in their own contexts. Thousands

of young people have already been

trained in direct street evangelism.

Gimnasio is a pre-seminary train-

ing programme for potential young

leaders. Cristóbal has recently handed

over leadership of Gimnasio to a new

leader as he takes on more respon-

sibilities in the church and diocese

while continuing to help lead MOU.

Cristóbal’s main ministry is a

church plant in the centre of Santiago

called ISA – Iglesia Santiago Apostol

(Church of St James the Apostle). In

spite of some recent changes to the

leadership team the church, located

in the heart of the city near the university, continues

to grow. The congregation meets in a theatre with

a trade union hall next door which they use for

Sunday School.

This young man is used to seeing God at work

and we look forward to learning much from him at

the Adelante Conference at High Leigh. Make your

reservations now!

At its meeting on 26 February the CMS Latin Forum reluctantly decided that it would not be financially wise to invite two speakers from South America. It was decided that only Cristóbal Cerón would go to Adelante conference at High Leigh. The numbers of those signing up to attend is considerably down and the conference could well be the last we can hold unless significant numbers of new people sign up to attend. Please pray for Ronnie Irene and his family as he is disappointed not to be with us at the conference. Please also pray for their health as both Ronnie and their youngest son, Samuel, have recently been suffering from dengue fever which is extremely debilitating.

Cristóbal and Alejandra


An elderly lady living in Mirador on the outskirts of

Asuncion in Paraguay, can now read her Bible again,

thanks to a secondhand pair of spectacles donated to Mission Paraguay.

As Mission Paraguay coordinator, David Orritt says: “One memorable lady

brought her Bible, which she has not been able to read for some time, and said

that it was her constant companion and best friend.

“It was a joy to see her delight when after finding suitable specs she could

read her Bible again.”

That same day some of the women in the Mission Paraguay short-term

mission group were working with a sewing workshop based at the church at

Mirador – helping local people make fabric covers for their Bibles. Once the

elderly lady had found suitable glasses, she went on to make a cover for her Bible

(pictured below).

The distribution of secondhand spectacles donated to Mission Paraguay from

the UK has mushroomed in the last few years. In 2012 more

than 1,000 pairs were distributed to communities in Asunción

and Concepción.

Each member of the team takes as many secondhand

pairs of specs in their luggage as possible and other pairs are

shipped separately.

The glasses are all donated by members of supporting

churches, through collections in schools and in work places

in the UK. David says: “In Paraguay while there are many

opticians in the capital, the areas where we work are where

the poorest people live. Consequently they are unable to

afford to visit an optician.

“Some people, however, only require the frames because

they are able to buy their own lenses. In the Chaco area where

the indigenous Indian people live there are no opticians.” Mission

Paraguay provides funds and teams from the UK and Ireland to

work, in conjunction with the Anglican Church in Paraguay, on a

variety of developmental and social projects in Paraguay.

Mirador lady: with her Bible holder

By CMS director of finance and corporate

services Adrian White

We give thanks to God for all those who

financially supported mission in Latin America in

2012. We are currently preparing the accounts for

audit but the initial figures available as I write are

encouraging in these difficult economic times.

Income for the year for Latin America from

“live giving” (churches/individuals/trusts) was on

budget (£750,000) although it was 9% down

from the prior year. Most of this decrease is a

result of reduced giving from churches as they

come under increased financial pressure and this

reduction is mirrored across CMS.

Donations from individuals were 1% higher

than the previous year and are becoming a

significant income stream, contributing over

£300,000. Latin American ministry also

benefitted from almost £250,000 of legacy

income, wonderfully timely gifts helping us

sustain the work as other income streams are

under pressure. We continued to support 20

mission partner units (each single, couple or

family constitute a unit) in the region plus 20

Latin partners as well as on-going grants to

partner dioceses and this accounts for the vast

majority of expenditure.

Pensions remain a difficult area as it

becomes increasingly

expensive to meet

promises made in the

past, the increased

costs being driven

by low interest rates and

increased life expectancy. Historically,

SAMS pensions were provided through the

Church of England Pensions Board and we

have agreed to pay increased amounts into the

scheme in the coming years to make up the

deficit in the funding. For the last financial year,

this meant that overall there was a deficit in

excess of £100,000 on Latin America funding,

which had to be covered by reserves.

Looking forward, in addition to three mission

partner units in training, we are very encouraged

by the number of enquiries from people wishing

to serve in South America. Already this year we

have four – six individuals or couples attending

selection conferences for a variety of ministries.

All of these will require new funding to enable

them to serve, but we believe that through prayer

this will be possible. Please do consider whether

you or your church would be interested in

supporting these new partners. To get an overall

view of the CMS financial picture, look out for our

annual review, which will be published this spring.


Financial update for Latin America work

Book Review: Guinea Pig for Breakfast by Andrea Gardiner A young British GP, who has been working alongside CMS mission partner Jill Ball in Ecuador for seven years, has published an account of her life as a medical missionary in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas.The book covers the period 2005-2009. Andrea currently works for the charity she set up, Project Ecuador. She lives with her husband Vladimir and their two young daughters in Ecuador. Guinea Pig for Breakfast is published by Grosvenor House Publishing (ISBN 978-1-78148-580-4) and costs £8.99.


From conference room to City of GodBy Henry ScrivenThe ninth of January saw a first for the CMS community. Our Episcopal Visitor, Christopher

Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, ordained mission partner Mark Simpson as a deacon in our

conference room. Mark and his wife Jess are now in Rio de Janeiro serving with the Diocese

of Rio. The Bishop of Rio not only gave permission for Bishop Christopher to ordain Mark

(the technical language is Letters Dimissory), but was also present for the service, presented

Mark with a Portuguese Bible and gave a blessing in

Portuguese. The following Sunday Mark and Jess were

commissioned and sent from their home church, St

Peter’s Battersea, and the Bishop of Southwark was

there to pray for them and send them off. As Bishop

Christopher observed, normally one bishop ordains 20

deacons, but for Mark there were three bishops at his

ordination and two at the commissioning (including

myself at both).

Mark and Jess both spent gap years with SAMS in South America and Jess works with

Happy Child, a charity working with Brazilian street children. Mark went through selection

and training for ordination in the Church of England but, instead of doing a curacy in the

Church of England,

responded to God’s call

to South America and

is starting his ordained

ministry in Rio. He will

be supervised by Canon

Nicholas Wheeler, an Us

(formerly USPG) mission

partner working in the

City of God favela in Rio,

and by the chaplain of

Christ Church, Rio, Rev

Ben Phillips, who was

appointed through Intercontinental Church Society. Later he will be supervised by the Dean

of the Cathedral.

Brazil, and Rio in particular, will be in the world’s spotlight as the World Cup is played

there in 2014 and then the Olympics in 2016. So give thanks to God for calling Mark and

Jess, and pray for their adjustment to Brazil and their future ministry in this key location.

Jess and Mark share their latest news: “Yesterday, 16 February, we ar-rived in Rio to start this next chapter of our lives. The first six months will be a ‘bedding in’ period: Mark will have two weeks’ intensive Portuguese classes and then he will begin work. “His time will be divided between serving in a church on the margins of Rio in the City of God (Mark has been reading the book on which the famous film was based and it will be interesting to see how much has changed over the years) and serving in the English-speaking congregation at Christ Church, in the city’s wealthy south zone. “Jess will jump back into Happy Child work and is likely to be travelling up to Recife, northeast Brazil in early March. “It’s almost hard to believe that we are actually now living in Rio. There will be challenges: Mark picking up the language and ‘commuting’ to the City of God, and our general settling in, sorting out various bits of paperwork. But we are so confident in God’s goodness, after the phenomenal support we have received from so many people.”

Left to right: Henry, Bishop Filadelfo Oiviera, Mark and Bishop Christopher


“Jesus stayed true to his promise”By Linn TedmanIn 1997 I went as a SAMS missionary to teach in St.

Andrew’s School in Asuncion, Paraguay.

The Lord’s presence is tangible in so many areas of the

school, whose aim is to bring each student into a personal

relationship with Jesus so they can become honest, influential

members of society later in life, to make Paraguay a better

place. They are encouraged to take pride in their country and to stand firm in Jesus, against

corruption, which is in every level of society. The students are given many opportunities to help

those less fortunate than themselves.

As school librarian for many years I was privileged to teach and to come alongside pupils,

listening to them, encouraging them and praying with them. Prayer is considered a natural response

in St. Andrew’s and we saw some amazing answers to prayer. The first instance occurred soon after

my arrival when subsidence called for the evacuation of the school. People all over the world prayed

for us. God’s response was to pour in finances and to clear a pathway through bureaucracy. Inside six

months the school was demolished, rebuilt and we were back in and teaching.

The following two years saw terrible drought followed by floods in the Chaco as a result of

El Niño. I remember writing many letters (no Internet then) calling for prayer. The response was

amazing. Finance came to help the indigineous people in our Anglican communities. There was

virtually no help from the government then. Last year when there were floods the government was

ready and aid reached those in need.

I also appreciated many prayers for my dear friend, Fermina (pictured with Linn). She was a

very poor woman who was in Asunción for cancer treatment. She felt marginalised and lonely. I

befriended her and became her sister in Christ as her family was too poor to be with her. We met in

my house and shared God’s word together. I also visited her in the hospice when she was dying. She

taught me humility and trust and I miss her.

I am left with so many wonderful memories. There were many celebrations, including 40

years of St. Andrew’s College and of its Annexe school for the poor. This year sees the half century

anniversary of the founding of the school. The country celebrated its 200th year of independence

from Spain with a memorable extravaganza.

Even sad times were special. In June last year we lost a talented young student. The sense of us

all being part of God’s family was so strong as students, parents and staff supported each other.

Through all my time in Paraguay Jesus stayed true to his promise given at my commissioning, to

stay with me always. (Matthew 28:18-20). I am happy that he remains with me as I move on into

my retirement years. Linn retired as a CMS mission partner in January 2013

Linn (left) with Fermina

SHORT-TERM SHORT STORIES


Alex Morgan Despite the fact that almost everything in Brazil - be it

animal, bug or plant - will try to kill you at some point, I cannot overstate

how amazing Brazil is.

Whether it is seeing the sunrise over the oceanfront covered in

swaying palm trees or the sunset over our farm, God really did use the

full palette of colours when he was painting Brazil.

Brazil is a country of extremes, whether it’s the heat that will fry an egg on the tarmac to the

torrential rain that washes the ground from beneath your feet.

That’s why I am here: the gap between the rich people of Brazil and the poor grows ever

bigger and it is projects like Casa De Meu Pai (My Father’s House) who are trying to bridge the

gap. Headed by Ian and Siméa Meldrum, Casa De Meu Pai takes in boys who have no family or

would otherwise be lost in the Brazilian welfare scheme.

I am here mainly to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. Based at the

house but doing a lot of work at the farm, I have seen what a difference God’s hand can make

and it is awe-inspiring.

As a man of 19 and with very little experience in anything, I was welcomed with open arms

and put straight to work. Although there have been times where I have been doing nothing, this has

opened my eyes to the concept of being, not just doing. An idea I think maybe we could all use a

little more. Read about my adventures in Brazil www.alexisonamission.

blogspot.com

Sam Lee is also with Ian and Simea Meldrum (Latin partners) in

Olinda, Brazil, working at Living Waters Church.

Here I seem to be looking for God in each new day. I am asking God to

help me see with new eyes. Then there are just those moments. You know

when you have those experiences where it just couldn’t get any better and

you know in that second, that you were born for it. Like when I am with the

girls; when we are walking the forest, falling down hills, jumping in the river,

screaming, crying or laughing out loud.

Then I feel God with me and I hear encouraging words, and in those moments I am moved to

tears. Tears of gratitude and of peace. I feel God’s love and generosity.

Then there is new hope, more reasons to breathe, a bounce in my step, new song in my

spirit, a lightness in my soul and dancing in my heart.

There are also those moments of such clarity. Those moments when God brings something

to mind and I feel sad or angry. In those moments I am able to cry with God. I can give that pain

to him. Then after those tears I feel new, different.

God is changing my heart, inspiring me, walking with me, cheering me on, loving me, holding

me and being a good father. He is also teaching me about being as opposed to doing. My blog

address is: http://recifesam.wordpress.com

Alex: “Brazil is amazing.”

Sam and her new friends

Sharon Wilcox (above), Jill Ball (left)


Preparing for Ecuador By Sharon Wilcox

I am planning to go to Ecuador this year, to

work with CMS mission partner Jill Ball, who set

up a special needs school in 2004. Since then

she has developed workshops for disabled adults

and a safe house for women and children who

have been abused.

I am a nurse and have worked with people

with learning disabilities for 34 years.

Jill and I believe I can use that experience to develop the skills of the children in the school, so

that they become valued at home and in the community.

I have managed residential homes for 20 years, and hope that this will enable me to assist Jill

with project management. If this is successful, it may allow her to ‘retire’. My first three months in

Ecuador will be spent at language school learning Spanish.

I was selected as a CMS mission partner in training a year ago, and have been busy since,

raising funds to support me for three years initially. This has involved speaking at several churches

about my plans, as well as attending CMS core training in July.

I gave up work in June and spent the summer emptying my house and moving out, before

going to All Nations Christian College in September to do their 10-week, residential En Route

course. Through this, I’ve met inspiring people from all over the world.

Since college, I have been grateful to friends who have generously given me places to stay

whilst I wait for funding and prepare to travel.

Part of me finds the whole prospect daunting, but then I remember that it is God calling me – I

have trusted him this far, and can trust him for the future. Another part of me is really excited and

wants to be there already.

My commissioning service is planned for the end of March, so I pray that I will be able to get my

visa, and make travel plans.

Unlocking hearts with the artsAnna Sims is a CMS mission partner in training, preparing to work

in Peru. Anna, an arts educator, is interested in art therapy and will

be using her skills to support local churches’ work with children and

families in deprived communities in Peru. Anna is currently studying at

Redcliffe College in Gloucester on a one-year certificate course.

Q: Can you tell us more about your mission in Peru?

A: Although yet to be finalised, the current plan is that I will go to Peru this summer after I’ve

finished my studies in June. I hope to work with local churches in shanty towns around Lima on

Anna Sims


a variety of art projects. To start with, I am hoping to be involved with The Ark, a

child development and family relations project, with CMS mission partner Sarah

Tester. I’m very excited about going back to Latin America. I’ve previously worked

in Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala on various art projects with marginalised com-

munities.

Q: How did you get into this kind of work?

A: I graduated in 2001 with a degree in illustration and printmaking. I then worked

in various arts, heritage and education settings in Nottingham until 2004, when I

moved to Manchester to pursue a career in gallery education.

I’d always had a fascination with Latin America and had been learning a bit of

Spanish, when I saw an advert for an arts educator at an Ecuadorian

charity, working with street-working children in Guayaquil. In 2008 I

set off for a year. I ran afternoon art clubs in different shanty town ar-

eas. I also visited families. We went to the charity’s sister organisation

in Mexico for three months to design and deliver a pilot art project.

Q: Could you share a bit about your journey to faith?

A: I was brought up in a Christian home but as a teenager I moved

away, thinking church was irrelevant. I didn’t stop believing in God,

but my image and understanding of God was distorted. But looking

back, God was by my side, using my interest in art, which I would

later go on to use to share his love for others.

By the time I graduated, I knew that my life was off-track and when

I went to a friend’s baptism I was certain I couldn’t carry on shutting

God out of my life. I started going to her church and in autumn 2001 I re-commit-

ted my life.

Q: So what ultimately led you to becoming a mission partner?

A: Reflecting on my life’s journey after returning to the UK in 2008, I started try-

ing to discern if God actually wanted me to return to Latin America. After much

praying, in the summer of 2010, I went to Guatemala for five weeks to work with a

small Christian organisation. One of my roles was to lead activities with a women’s

group called Women of Purpose. These women mostly had sole responsibility for

their households. Many of the husbands/fathers were absent due to alcoholism. I

ran silk painting workshops and although tentative at first, the women all got stuck

in. I was moved as these women shared their personal experiences. I saw how

God uses art to unlock and connect to places deep within people. There was a

real sense of the gentle presence of the Holy Spirit. I got back to Manchester and

contacted Church Mission Society.


Spotlight on Bob Lunt Meet Bob Lunt, who has been involved with SAMS, and then CMS for 40 years.

How did you first get involved with SAMS?Conversion and Spanish studies at university led to a concern for mission in South America. Someone

told me about SAMS and a simple initial enquiry to them for prayer points elicited a reply which began, “Dear

Mr Lunt, We are glad you are seriously considering the possibility of full-time service”!

What have been the different jobs you have done for SAMS/CMS over the years?I reorganised the SAMS library in the early 1970s, but then served from 1977-1991 in Northern

Argentina. My main task was coordination of a fresh translation of the New Testament into Wichí

alongside Isidro Vilte. From 1992-2001 I lived nine months of the year in the UK and three in Northern

Argentina working on the Old Testament. The complete Bible was launched in 2002.

From 2001-09 I worked as SAMS Resources Officer, initially in Birmingham, then in Sheffield.

My daughter Elizabeth, born in Argentina, was my brilliant PA. We were responsible for publications

(including SHARE), the website, Prayer Tape and the library/archive.

What are you doing at present?Finishing a Wichi-Spanish dictionary, soon to go for publication by the Argentine Bible Society,

serving on CMS Yorkshire and Argentine Diocesan Association committees, taking occasional speaking

engagements for CMS, volunteering at CLC Bookshop in Sheffield, writing Bible notes twice-yearly for

Living Light and serving as a reader in the Diocese of Sheffield.

Biggest Christian influence?John Stott’s writings and Michael Cole’s preaching and

godliness. Michael was vicar of my home church in the early

1970s and later Chairman of SAMS.

Best (and worst) memory of being a mission partner in Argentina?

Best were the launches of the Wichí Bible in 2002, especially

the one in a theatre in Buenos Aires with three Wichí translators

present. On a personal note, marrying Dr Margaret Scott under a tree in 1979. Worst was the upheaval

caused by the Falklands/Malvinas War.

Favourite Latin America word or phrase?How wide are the columns? Olhaihowatshanhit’awethä was a Wichí answer to ‘How are you all? ’

It means something like ‘We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves’.

What languages do you speak?Spanish, Wichí, some English, and French rustily.

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve visited in Latin America?The Perito Moreno glacier on the lake called El Lago Argentino in Southern Argentina.

Most meaningful Bible passage?The first nine verses of Joshua.

Bob Lunt: “How are you all?”


David and Shelley Stokes’ (Argentina) latest link letter shows how translation work can sow the seeds for future fruit. ”We visited

Santa Maria recently. A translation into Wichí of a SEAN (Studies by Extension to All Nations) discipleship course, Abundant Life, has just been published. We helped take a first group of students through the opening lessons of the course. Once a number of students have successfully completed the course, the idea is to train some of them up as tutors to lead the course themselves.”Community nurse and CMS mission associate Beryl Baker says, “Saying ‘hello’ is easy but saying ‘goodbye’ can be incredibly hard. Saying ‘Au revoir’ to my brother Ted who died on 7 January is very sad for me and his five children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. However, the assurance that he is with the Lord is the greatest comfort there can be. Other completely unexpected goodbyes have left the communities at El Estribo reeling as two of the young people committed suicide within the space of a month.” Please pray for their families and communities.“At the moment we have eight boys at My Father’s House [home for vulnerable boys],” write Latin partners Ian and Siméa Meldrum. “As the new school year begins in February, we need to find school places for each of them. Danielle, our new part time social worker, has just begun to review individual cases and work out a detailed plan for each one of the boys.”Gonzalo and Leticia Soria and family at La Trinidad church in Fray Bentos, Uruguay recently celebrated ten years of ministry.Mission partners Ed and Marie Brice are in a new posting in Argentina after 35 years in Paraguay. As well as working with Asociana,

the social action arm of the Anglican church, they are involved with The Good Shepherd church in the Villa Guemes district of Tartagal.Give thanks for the progress that ReVive, a new charity that supports vulnerable and ‘at risk’ girls in North East Brazil set up by mission partners Andy and Rose Roberts, is making. “Our Brazilian ‘charity number’ (CNPJ) came through which has enabled us to begin the practical side of ReVive’s work. Elise became ReVive’s first employee and has been a great help in progressing things here. We’ve also started a little prayer/strategy group which meets fortnightly to pray for the girls of the city and to help plan ReVive’s next strategic steps.”For many years SAMS Ireland has been doing an annual event for their supporters and this became Friday Night Live. CMS directors Paul Thaxter and Henry Scriven joined in on 1 February in Craigavon for worship, interviews, testimonies and preaching. This year the new mission director, Bishop Ken Clarke, was the keynote speaker. “His emphasis was on reaching children and young people with the gospel and at the same time concentrating on our friends and neighbours. He challenged us to be missional, relational and intentional,” said Henry. Bishop of Paraguay Peter Bartlett and his wife Sally are CMS mission partners in Asunción. They have sent this prayer request on behalf of the Anglican Church of Paraguay: “Please pray for rain which is desperately needed in the Chaco and for protection as huge fires are swept along by high winds. Already the government are taking in water to

most of the indigenous communities. “

NEWS


Peter and Sally Bartlett return to Paraguay in

March after three months in the UK.

Alf and Hilary Cooper returned to Chile at the

beginning of February after two months in the UK.

David and Gina Hucker will be back in the UK

from Chile from March until the beginning of

September with their son Caleb.

Caroline Gilmour White returned to the UK in

December and is now on final home leave after

more than a decade serving in Paraguay with

SAMS and CMS.

Paul and Sarah Tester are in the UK with So-

phia until March for Paul’s studies.

Marcus and Tamara Throup will be back in the

UK with their children Rebekah and Mateus

from April.

Mission partner studies: Sharon Wilcox has

completed the En Route course at All Nations

Christian College and is preparing to go to

Ecuador. Efraim and Ruth Vilella with their

son Max continue their studies at All Na-

tions. Anna Sims also continues her Profession-

als in Mission course at Redcliffe College.

Short-termers: Marten van den Toren has been

working at Hogar el Alba orphanage in Buenos

Aires, Argentina since November and in March

he will move to the second half of his placement

with St Paul’s School and Daniel and Ellelein

Kirk in Viña del Mar, Chile. Sam Lee is due back

in the UK in April from Recife, Brazil, where she

has been working with Ian and Siméa Meldrum

and the Living Waters project. Alex Morgan

is also back in the UK in the Spring from Brazil

where he has been helping at My Father’s House

in Olinda, Brazil.

You can find out more about where and when

these Globe+crossers might be in your area at

www.cms-uk.org

Remembering Lynn Barr Johnston By Henry ScrivenWe were sad to hear of the death of Lynn Barr Johnston on 9 January

2013. In her last years Lynn struggled with failing physical and mental health and

we rejoice that she is now with the Lord she served so faithfully. Charles and

Lynn have been legends in their lifetime within the Diocese of Northern Argen-

tina; many of us will never forget the immense contribution they have made to

the kingdom of God.

Please do continue to pray for mission associate Charles Barr Johnston and

his family as they grieve the loss of his wife. Charles writes, “Vicars Juan and Narciso and other believers

came from Juarez and took part in the lovely funeral service in our home led by Bishop Nick [Drayson].

“During the service many thanked the Lord for Lynn and her sacrificial life dedicated to our Saviour,

to give physical healing through her nursing and to witness to him. Without her I would never have been

able to dedicate so much time to understanding and proclaiming Christ’s gospel.”

A memorial service will be held for Lynn on 4 May at 2.30 pm at St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford. For more

information, email [email protected] or call 01865 787500

Globe+crossers

Lynn 1935 – 2013

Costs for the weekend:• Standard Accommodation £140• En Suite Accommodation £165

Please note:• Standard accommodation is limited. Book early to secure rooms • Children aged 5 and under on 10 May 2013: no charge • Young people age 6 – 13: 50% of the adult rate• Teenagers aged 14 and over: adult rate

Please visit the CMS website: www.cms-uk.org/adelante or call Jo Hazelton on 01865 787418 or write to CMS Adelante Conference 2013, CMS House, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ.

It will be a privilege to have Latin partner Cristóbal Cerón share his experiences with us. We’ll also be joined by several other mission partners and Latin partners. Cristóbal planted St James’ Church in Santiago de Chile and he has a teaching, training and preaching ministry to young people and adults. He is also in charge of Gimnasio, a ministry training programme, equipping young people who want to serve the Lord full time.

When: Friday 10 – Sunday 12 May, 2013

Where: High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

Keynote speaker: Cristóbal Cerón from Chile

You are warmly invited to join us in this second Latin America conference!

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Documents

poor people

cms work

community work

cms mission director

south of chile

nltthank god

rich people

ancient wisdom