1SHARE issue 3, summer 2008

The magazine of the South American Mission Society. Issue 4, Autumn 2008

SAMS – SAMS – steps to steps to a global a global future?future?

Registered Offi ce: South American Mission Society, Allen Gardiner Cottage, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3QU. Tel: 01892 538647 Fax: 01892 525797 e: fi nsec@samsgb.org www.samsgb.orgSAMS is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, No. 65048. Registered Charity No. 221328. SHARE is published four times a year. Issue No. 4, 2008 ISSN 1367 6741. Editor: Robert Lunt. Design & Print: CPO

LinLink to a global future

SAMS Chair of Trustees Patrick Coghlan looks at the benefi ts of a link-up between SAMS and the Church Mission Society (CMS)

Over the last 20 years successive generations of SAMS Trustees have asked whether the Society would be more effective as part of a larger agency. I was personally involved in talks fi ve years ago when SAMS explored such a possibility. These led nowhere, so I had low expectations when we fi rst met with CMS in summer 2007.

From the fi rst meetings 4 things excited me:

• Their vision for Global Mission gives real structure to the notion of ‘From Everywhere to Everywhere’. This replaces the past vision of ‘From the West to the Rest’.

• CMS Britain is in the process of dividing itself into 3 regions – Europe, Africa and Asia. SAMS would become the

4th region. Each region has increasing autonomy within a network of shared values. This would enable a focus on South America to be maintained, rather than see SAMS’ identity lost in a larger organisation.

• In recent years CMS has reaffi rmed its evangelical identity, changing the Basis of Faith with which it is associated to that of Global Connections (Evangelical Alliance) and Lausanne. They are members of the Church of England Evangelical Council and wish to be associated with the Jerusalem declaration.

• CMS is transforming its Society’s Members into a Mission Community. Our supporters could become members of that community with an encouragement to grow in their commitment to the mission of the worldwide Church of God.

Many of the Trustees of SAMS have been very cautious about linking up with CMS. But as we have considered the changing situation in the UK and gained a growing understanding of the potential that such a link-up would offer, we have become increasingly convinced that we should recommend such a link ‘in principle’. CMS’ trustees have also agreed on the same basis. We still have work to do before a fi nal decision in November, and it’s possible that we could hit a brick wall that would prevent a link-up happening. Please keep praying for us, and particularly for our new Mission Director, Bishop Henry Scriven. Further thoughts on the issue, questions raised and an introduction to Henry may be found elsewhere in the magazine.

Bible for a changed worldRetired bishop David Leake recently revisited his Toba homeland of Northern Argentina with wife Rachel:

It was a full and profi table time, during which I was able to join the Toba New Testament translation team and work with coordinator Michael Browne (pictured with family) and translators Hilario and José Manuel.

The New Testament has been translated and the text is on CD. Checking continues and I helped complete seven Epistles plus parts of Hebrews and Revelation. Out of the 260 chapters, 151 have been checked and are ready. Besides the written Word, audio-Scriptures are being considered. Keep the team in your prayers!

ChangeThis was the fi rst concept that came to mind as we revisited after 18 years. One aspect was to see how a traditionally ‘hunting and gathering culture’ has taken to computers and mobile phones - all so different from my childhood when men still wore just a loincloth and feathers. It was particularly interesting to show a DVD of photos taken by my missionary father, Alfred Leake, in the 1930s, with this present generation’s ancestors almost naked playing their native game of hockey, wearing ostrich-feather headdresses and anklets; and pictures of fi shermen in the river and families sitting on skins on the dusty ground outside rough brushwood huts.

Paved roads have also made travel easy and more predictable. I never imagined we’d journey from Salta to Juárez (a centre for the Tobas) on a double-decker

air-conditioned coach with far more seat-space than British Airways! However, like all things in developing countries, there are those who wonder if the asphalt will soften under the fi erce summer sun and subside with the weight of lorries now using it as a short cut to Paraguay and Chile.

Unchanging messageHow to make the Gospel relevant in this new age for the new generation? Pressured to fi nd fresh illustrations and relevant language to express the unchanging message, we are yet clearly reminded by the writer of Hebrews that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. Improved medication and access to better health care have meant an increase in the Indian population. Whilst many speak more and better Spanish, their ‘soul language’ remains their mother tongue and the translation of the Word of God remains a priority as the church seeks to proclaim the eternal message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

ConfeConfessions of

Just before completing their fi rst term in Chile, Daniel and Ellelein Kirk took time to refl ect…We’ve been teaching on Philippians to the women’s group in our church and I’ve been impacted again by Paul’s words: “Do nothing out of selfi sh ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves”. In our post-colonial age we know we’re not superior to the people we’re working with, that we’re here at the invitation of the local church… and yet…

Coming here in my mid-30s I assumed that whilst mission work is diffi cult for most, I’d take to it like a duck to water. After all I’m a mish-kid, fairly fl uent in Spanish after six years in Mexico, spent several years working in a Latin America-focused mission agency, am educated to postgraduate level and married to a Latina! Really, I was much closer to Paul’s attitude in his pre-Damascus road experience (Phil. 3:4-5) – lots to offer and to boast about - than the example of Christ (2:5) that the converted Paul urges us to imitate. A retired missionary had told me I wouldn’t achieve anything in my fi rst term. I begged to differ...

The fi rst shock was to realise how different Chilean Spanish was to our Central American version. When I offered to wash the dishes, I was politely told that in Chile everyone washes their own bottoms (trastes = dishes in Mexico, backside in Chile). There were countless other words and phrases typical to Chile that had to be learnt to be able to communicate. After my sixth sermon in a church, I was enthusiastically

congratulated by a young lady: “That was great; that’s the fi rst time I understood all you said”! Humbling…

Then there’s the problem of someone who is task-focused and sees things in black and white arriving in a culture that is people-focused and often sees things in greyish tones. My outrage after a child’s Christian DVD lent to an upstanding church member was pirated, colour cover and all, and given away as a present! Or being frustrated with people who can’t seem to make straightforward personnel decisions because they’re worried about upsetting someone.

4 SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

Confe of a new missionaryOr the youth group, which I managed to halve rather than double. What works in one culture doesn’t necessarily work in another…

Gradually you realise that in many ways the culture in which you’re serving is closer to gospel ideals than the one left behind. I’m challenged by the 70-year-old uneducated lady, theoretically my student, in reality my teacher, as she’s light years closer to God in the humble outliving of her faith. She incarnates Jesus’ attitude, who “humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).

It’s dawned on me that what I’d always said to those who go on short-term mission

projects – “You’ll receive far more than you ever give” - is also true for those who go overseas for longer; indeed in God’s grace it’s true for all who serve him. God works in missionaries’ lives to make us more like his Son, he pairs us with people of differing but complementary gifts, and though we may continue to operate with western preconceptions, he shows how cultural barriers can be crossed in both directions with his global family enriched and his name glorifi ed. Perilous, humbling …. but defi nitely worth it.[An edited version of Daniel’s article appears in ‘Mission with a Latin heart’, a collection of stories from the SAMS world available free from Allen Gardiner Cottage.]

5SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

Echoes of a long ministryTerry & Pancha Barratt made their fi nal return to the UK in July to help care for Terry’s parents, former SAMS missionaries Tony & Peggy, and to continue their international theological teaching-by-extension ministry through SEAN, founded by the family. Terry is its International Director and looks forward to visiting Shanghai with Pancha from October 13-19 for the fi rst SEAN graduation in China, and to a trip to Colombia at the end of November for the 20th anniversary of AFLET Colombia, which uses SEAN courses extensively

“I’ve lived in South America since 1952”, writes Terry, “and served in SAMS since 1970, so it’ll be quite a change! We’re very encouraged by what we leave behind; the indigenous Pehuenche churches, with whom we worked in our closing phase, are fl ourishing under new leadership and the study programme is going well. There’s a team taking this over, led by Felipe Saravia.

”We can’t say what will happen in the future, but obviously our lives will always be linked to South America - and particularly Chile, as half our family are there.”

20-year-old João Campelo exchanged his Brazilian parish for a Sheffi eld one. Bob Lunt called in …

João, which bit of Brazil are you from?The sunny and beautiful city of Recife, on the northeast coast!

Your background?My father had alcohol problems which affected my family so I grew up watching my parents arguing and fi ghting, and when I was eleven they separated. I couldn’t stay with my father, and my mother had to rebuild her life. I was taken to the Emanuel Project, the forerunner of My Father’s (safe) House for street boys, and there in Olinda I was ‘adopted’ by a new family. At twelve I became a Christian and began to grow and get to know God better.

You worship at Living Waters in Olinda, pastored by Siméa and Ian Meldrum.Yes, a lively, growing church based on evangelism and service. It’s amazing to see how God has blessed us over the years; it’s a pleasure to serve with the Meldrums and be part of what God is doing in the community.

Your role there?I do Sunday School, lead worship and help the boys at My Father’s House.

And in England?I came in October 2007 for a year as a SAMS Latin Volunteer based at St Polycarp’s in Sheffi eld. I’ve worked with three groups of children and young people, and taken part in school assemblies.

I know the church has benefi ted! How about you?Defi nitely, it’s been an amazing experience; I’ll never be the same! I’m grateful to God for what he’s taught me. It’s good to hear people say it was God who brought me; I’ve been completely adopted by St Polycarp’s family. Every day I’ve had the opportunity to motivate people by sharing what God’s doing in Brazil and showing his love goes beyond UK borders.

And back in Brazil from 8 October?Yes; and in February I start a university course in Business Studies. I don’t want to ignore what God has taught me but to carry on walking humbly in my ministries. God has better plans than I have and I pray he’ll help me realise them.

So what can we pray for?My future at university: I don’t know what I’ll face there; my family, particularly my father; and the ministries of Living Waters and My Father’s House.

6 SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

Brazilian sunshine for England

a decision in principle to join togetherBill Lattimer, Interim Executive Director of SAMS GB, explains:SAMS and CMS have announced what amounts to an ‘engagement’. Our talks have gone so well that we have decided we would like to join forces, subject to further discussions and negotiations which will take place this autumn.

Regular readers of SHARE will know that we started talking to CMS in summer 2007. Since then we have consulted with our partner dioceses, staff and supporters to see what they thought. We have held negotiations with CMS about what a link-up would involve. And we have spent time in prayer as we have sought to know the Lord’s leading.

This is a big decision for both SAMS and CMS. We’re very grateful that many of our supporters took time and trouble to write to us with their views about the pros and cons of the link-up. Some pointed out that ‘small is beautiful’. Others saw the diffi culty for a small mission agency in relating effectively to so many churches in Britain, as well as trying to enthuse a new generation of supporters. Some felt there were advantages for SAMS in being specialists in Latin mission. Others believed a link-up offered new possibilities for more South American participation in world mission. All the responses were read and considered carefully, and were summarised for our Trustees and General Council when they met in June.

Regional gatherings this autumnWe very much want to continue to communicate with our supporters. We are therefore going to hold some regional gatherings, starting this autumn, where food will be provided and discussion can take place. We currently plan to hold 10 meetings, of which the fi rst 5 will be in September/October this year. These will be:

North London: St Paul’s, Shadwell,27 September, 4:30 - 6:00pm.

Carlisle: St Michael’s, Dalston, 1 October, 7:00pm.

Bath: St Bartholomew, Oldfi eld Park,8 October, 7:00pm.

Sheffi eld: St Lawrence, Tinsley (by M1 Junction 34), 14 October, 7:00pm.

Cheadle: TBA between 20th and 25th October; contact 0114 269 2070

To reserve a place at one of these, contact Jo Hazelton on 0208 787 7083 or persec@samsgb.org.

If these fi rst gatherings are seen as valuable by our supporters we will plan to hold fi ve more early in 2009. Those will probably be held in South London, the Wirral, Ely, Neath and Birmingham.

More information about the link-up with CMS may be found on our website www.samsgb.org. We’ll keep that up to date with further news as it develops. Overleaf we have set out answers to some of the questions that people have been asking us.

7SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

SAMS and CMS:

Your Questions…Why a link-up?The vision is to create a new global agency which enables the South American Anglican church to play a full part in giving and receiving in mission with churches and mission movements from every continent. This includes the possible creation of a new South American mission movement based in and led from South America. If this happens, we plan to transfer many of the decisions that SAMS now makes in Britain to South American people who have a better understanding of local priorities. So what we currently know as SAMS would, in effect, split into two. There would be people in South America who related to churches there, governed by South Americans. And there would be people in Britain, integrated with those of CMS, responsible for relating to churches in Britain. We don’t use the word ‘merger’ to describe this process because we do not intend for SAMS to disappear into CMS; rather, we hope it will be reborn in a new form through the creation of an independent South American mission movement.

Won’t this reduce the focus in British churches on South America?No, there should be more mission interchange with South America, not less. We’ve agreed with CMS the way in which

British supporters’ commitments to South America will be protected and developed. There’ll be a formal review process to ensure we’re meeting our objectives. This will include consultations with partner churches overseas. The new joint entity in the UK will have three trustees with a strong interest in South America - initially former SAMS trustees. The experience of the integration of Mid-Africa Ministries (MAM) into CMS is encouraging; as can be seen from the CMS website the supporters of MAM continue to have their own communications and meetings. And CMS’ statement of faith may also be found on their website (search for ‘Ethos Statement’).

What about Spain and Portugal?Our work there will probably be carried out within the Western Europe region of the new joint entity. We expect the proposed South American mission movement to have signifi cant involvement in Spain.

Timetable?In January 2009 we plan to bring the governance of the two organisations closer together. The two Societies will retain their identities but come together into a new joint entity in early 2010.

What will be the impact on SAMS’ supporters?Supporters will receive the same information, emails, prayer letters etc., for at least a year. Once we have a new joint entity, this will

8 SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

distribute materials of particular interest to people who support South America, also maintaining dedicated pages on its website, and there should be events for people interested in South America. Supporters will still be able to direct their giving to South America. The new joint entity should have a membership scheme similar to CMS (see their website). We’d like to encourage supporters to join this scheme as part of their commitment to Latin mission.

And SAMS Home Staff?The new organisation will be based in Oxford, bringing most of our staff on to one site. We want to retain the skills and

knowledge of our staff as much as possible and will work hard to do this.

9SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

GlobecrossersMurray & Penny Metcalfe (pictured) complete their service in Paraguay and settle back in the UK from December. We praise God for their work at St Andrew’s College and Church, together with the creation and development of Esperanza Foster Home. Pray for them and their

adopted Paraguayan children, Alber, Jack and Luli (also

pictured), as they settle into life in

Cheltenham, and remember Teresa Maidana, taking over the running of Esperanza, Juana, the main foster-mother and the team of carers.

Caroline Gilmour-White will be visiting the UK this winter. After 7½ years in FEISA, the Early Years Teacher Training College, she moved in June to work on administration of the Mission Paraguay short term programme. She has also been cataloguing the diocesan library’s archives and piecing together stories of the early missionaries in Paraguay.

Coming from Paraguay for short visits are teachers Gwen Carlisle, Mags Southern and Babs Owen. Ed & Marie Brice, who arrived in August, return there in December.

Daniel & Ellelein Kirk and their sons also arrived in August from Chile for their fi rst UK leave and are here until mid-January.

Ruth Hollingdale Vilella will be here between November and February for church visits, husband Efraim joining her for a break from mid-December to mid-January.

David Clay and James Archer are new SAMS volunteers serving from September, David at Living Waters and My Father’s House in Olinda, Brazil, James at Hogar el Alba children’s home in Buenos Aires.

Maurice and Anna Jones toured parts of South America this year, including a return to the Wichi community they once served as SAMS missionaries in the Argentine Chaco. Maurice tells the story:

“Don Sergio, we need a miracle”, Anna said. Colossal rainfall the night before made me wonder if our travels would lose their gloss if we failed to reach our beloved Algarrobal (Misión Chaqueña) where we lived from 1963-1971.

The miracle happened: the hotel owner found a couple with a 4x4 who took us. Arriving unannounced, we got out and looked at the church, our old house and a somewhat changed scene. Then people came from all directions and we were overwhelmed. Some shared joys and others sorrows; we laughed and cried. Many had to tell us their names as they’d aged so much, and they introduced us to children and grandchildren.

We met Delfo, Marcelino, Arturo, Nélida and Yolanda, who’d served the Lord so well over the last 40 years. We walked to

the cemetery to visit the graves of former missionaries Sally Robbins and Marjorie Flagg; someone prayed thanks to God for their lives.

In church my Wichi language fl owed as I told them how, over nearly 50 years of ministry, my time amongst them was the most precious. I’d come out as a young man to teach and strengthen the faith of young leaders, but since I left news of them had strengthened my faith, as now here among them. At Pastor Rufi no’s call they gathered and together from their hearts prayed aloud for us. It was a very moving moment of the presence of the Spirit of the Lord.

Rufi no introduced me to young men and women sharing in ministry and we learned that churches were growing throughout the Chaco. His grandson, a young leader, was studying Rufi no’s Bible Institute notes of forty years ago that I’d written!

Our 4x4 arrived and we looked around with joy and tears as they gathered to say goodbye. I don’t think I’ll see their faces again in this world, but I hope by God’s grace to see these, the fi nest Christians I’ve ever known, in the glory of heaven.

As we drove away I realised what I had already known down the years. I had never left them.

10 SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

‘I had never left them’‘I had never left them’

Folk of Algarrobal with Bishop Greg Venables

Pastor Juan Toribio, member of the Anglican Pastoral Committee of the Indian Church of Northern Argentina and former translator of the Wichi Bible, died in May. Bob Lunt recalls a special friend:“Our Master, no end to his loving and no fi nish to his being kind. When each day is new, he renews his loving and his being kind. Truly faithful is Our Master! There is no way that Our Master is not with us, which is why we trust in Our Master” (Lamentations 3:22-24 Wichi Bible).

Juan Toribio was one of the most intelligent, colourful, gifted and generous people I’ve met; yet he lived with his wife Carmen and most of his ten surviving children in a simple family compound, had no money to spare and never what we would call a proper job. His own little house had three walls and a blanket where the fourth should be.

He had a network of contacts long before networking became fashionable, many in high offi ce. Just before his death, one of them in Buenos Aires, 1000 miles away, sent word to Juan’s local hospital in Juárez obliging staff to visit him to apologise for the unsatisfactory treatment they’d given him.

Juan trained at the Bible Institute in Misión Chaqueña in the 1960s under SAMS missionary Maurice Jones (see opposite). Thirty years later he found his niche when he joined the Wichi Old Testament translation project and injected new life through his own work and encouragement of two others to join. He was a natural, immediately grasping the need for accurate translation in terms appropriate to Wichi language and culture.

He brought joy into translating through

his wonderful sense of humour and omnipresent laughter; some sessions were near-riotous. He found conversation easy, Carmen once observing with studied Wichi emphasis, ihumin tä yämlhi – he likes to talk!

He arrived at the Bible launch in 2002 wearing his newly acquired dog-collar – due acknowledgment of his robust faith, close walk with God, and living example to his family and others of the life God requires.

The words above are from his translation – he rendered them effortlessly because he believed and lived them.

Pastor Juan Toribio11SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

Juan Toribio (left)

Marcus Throup refl ects on GAFCON In summer Anglican leaders met in Jerusalem for a crucial conference and pilgrimage. Latin America was well represented by Bishops Venables, Zavala, Lyons, Cavalcanti, Ellison, and some clergy. The fi nal statement confi rms how GAFCON sees itself as a movement within Anglicanism, a growing renewal movement determined to stand fi rm for the gospel in the face of theological liberalism.

Archbishop Peter Akinola spoke of the need to ‘rescue’ and ‘reform’ our church in the light of liberal and revisionist moves in the US, Canada and other provinces. Indeed, some have hailed GAFCON as the most signifi cant church event since the Reformation – a parallel worth exploring.

When Martin Luther affi xed his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg Cathedral he did so in protest against a corrupt institution which had fallen into political and spiritual atrophy. He never intended to break away from Rome; rather, to reform the church from within. GAFCON expressed deep concern regarding the status quo of the Anglican Communion, and in effect produced a vote of no confi dence in its leader for failure to take effective steps to solve the crisis which came to a head in 2003 with the consecration of an openly gay bishop.

Just as Luther asked searching questions of the institution, GAFCON is asking how the Communion can overlook the fact

that faithful, biblical Anglicans are facing bullying and even lawsuits by liberal bishops. An example is the deposition of Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti and 32 clergy in Recife in 2004, some being SAMS mission partners.

GAFCON’s formation of a Primates’ Council points to the failure of the offi cial organs of the Communion to arbitrate effectively in ‘confl ict zones’ and to provide support for those who uphold accepted Anglican teaching.

The hope is that Anglicanism’s historic legacy may yet be salvaged. For those who heard an inspirational sermon from Rev. Miguel Uchoa from Recife, that hope is a lively one! We gathered at Christianity’s spiritual birthplace, “African lions, Asian tigers, and faithful people from all parts of the globe”, to take a stand for Jesus Christ.

We wait to see how GAFCON develops, yet the fact that someone is doing something, someone is saying ‘enough is enough’, has made 40 million Anglicans smile again.

This personal refl ection of the author, who was present as an observer, does not necessarily refl ect the views of SAMS GB.

To be a pilgrimpilgrim12 SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

Marcus (right)with writer Os Guinness

13SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

News SHARE29 November is the date of the Extraordinary Meeting of the SAMS General Council at which a fi nal decision will be taken on the proposed link-up with CMS. The gathering will be held in Birmingham and all members of Council are urged to attend.

‘Raising a church in Tarija’ is the title of the SAMS Harvest Project, available via Allen Gardiner Cottage. The pack costs £10 and includes a PowerPoint with audio-commentary, booklet and children’s quiz, all focused on the growing church in this Bolivian city and its need for a permanent home.

‘Mission with a Latin heart’ is a glossy new booklet celebrating SAMS, the impact of its mission and Latin partners and the world in which it serves. Free copies are

available from Allen Gardiner Cottage, where you can also pick up the new SAMS Bookmark, which challenges us all to be part of that Latin-hearted mission.

SAMS GB now has a Facebook group. We hope this representation on the social networking website will help keep people in touch with what we’re up to. Plenty have already signed up!

ASOCIANA, the Anglican Church’s social action programme in Northern Argentina, now has a website. Get an insight into its work and context at www.asociana.org.

Northwood Missionary Auctions hold their second auction of the year on Saturday 8 November at ‘Fairfi eld’, Windsor Close, Northwood Hills. Viewing is from 10:00 – 12:15 and bidding commences at 2:15. All proceeds go to Christian organisations as specifi ed by the donor. SAMS has benefi ted greatly from these auctions – please contact Northwood if you’d like to help the Society by selling unwanted items: 01923 836634; enq@nmauctions.org.uk; www.nmauctions.org.uk

Mission-net is a pan-European conference, designed to encourage young people to live mission lifestyles and put mission on their agenda. Held in Germany in April 2009, it’s an opportunity for young people

from Europe to be inspired about God’s work across the continent, fi nd out what he’s doing, and explore where they might

fi t into his bigger plan. More details at www.mission-net.org.

Dictionary of Falklands Biography (including South Georgia): From Discovery to 1981, edited by David Tatham, 2008, ISBN 978-0-9558985-0-1 , is available from the Editor, South Parade, Ledbury, Hereford, HR8 2HA, hardback £35, paperback £20. We hope to include a review in the next issue.

Refl ecting on a good time at Keswick 2008 has reinforced for me the issue of stewardship of all God has entrusted to us. One can spend a lot of time in discussion about mission or mission statements (and issues such as link-ups and mergers!) but our use of resources often refl ects whether discussion produces tangible effects. It can be easier to talk about prayer than engage in spiritual battle, to talk about needs than to help remove them.

Please pray that as a mission agency we may use our resources in the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ by word and action and that this may be refl ected practically as during this quarter we agree the SAMS 2009 budget. We thank God for his wonderful provision – we have been busy processing £765,000 income during the fi rst seven months of 2008, an encouraging amount particularly in the current economic context. Please pray SAMS continues to

receive the income it needs and that its work enables many to hear the life-changing gospel. To meet our budgeted commitments we need a further £582,000 during the last fi ve months of 2008, an average of £3,804 on each of the remaining 153 days of this year - unless the Lord returns before then.

As we were reminded at Keswick by the Bible readings from Colossians, may we use resources entrusted to us to keep Christ at the centre, so others may trust him and know his supremacy and suffi ciency as we rejoice with all believers at our fullness in Christ.

Thank you so much for your prayers and gifts in support of SAMS. Your partnership is greatly appreciated.

Philip TadmanFinancial and Administrative Secretary

Keeping CountThe suffi ciency of Christ

14 SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

Your support is important to SAMS. Here is how you can help:

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Please complete and send this form to: South American Mission Society, Allen Gardiner Cottage, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3QU, England

Thank you for your support!

By prayer – Please send me:❑ SHARE with Prayer Diary❑ A quarterly Prayer Tape or CD

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declaration in favour of SAMS❑ Please send me details of ways of giving to SAMS❑ I am a UK taxpayer. Please treat this gift as a Gift

Aid donation❑ Please tell me more about SAMS

YOU CAN HELP

Peter Bartlett is to be the new Bishop of Paraguay, following ratifi cation by the Southern Cone of the decision taken at the Extraordinary Synod of the Diocese of Paraguay on 31 May. Peter and Sally served in Bolivia with SAMS from 1992-2005.

A former SAMS missionary in Paraguay, Canon Derek Hawksbee, went to glory in August. Derek later worked in SAMS GB training overseas personnel and was then key to the growth of SAMS USA. Please remember his wife Betty and the family. Son Chris and his wife Alison continue Derek’s service in Paraguay. A full appreciation will appear in the January SHARE.

Richard Crofts undertakes his third tour of South America from 2 October to mid-November, visiting Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil.

SAMS has welcomed two new Latin Partner couples, both Chilean:

• Pablo Zavala is brother to Bishop Tito, and

he and Pamela planted the church of El Redentor in the city of La Serena in 2005. They have three dreams: for El Redentor to lead the way in bringing many to Christ; to see more congregations planted in the region; to build a church for El Redentor, so that its ‘desert wanderings’ cease.

• Cristóbal Cerón is a gifted evangelist, married to Alejandra and Associate Pastor at San Lucas in La Florida, Santiago. One of his ministries is Gimnasio, a training programme challenging and helping young people who want to serve the Lord full-time.

If your church would like to link with either of these couples, SAMS’ Latin Partner Programme Coordinator Mary Rollin can help you: latinpps@samsgb.org.

This year SAMS Study Partners Martín & Carla Flores and their children have exchanged one capital city for another. Members of Cristo el Salvador church in La Paz, Bolivia (pastored by Ronny & Nicky Irene and formerly by Paraguay’s bishop-elect), they’re now training at the Anglican Centre for Pastoral Studies (CEP) in Santiago, Chile, where James Palmer lectures. Catch up with their news (in Spanish) and photos on www.martinycarla.blogspot.com.

Felipe Canuto from Living Waters Church in Olinda, Brazil, replaces João Campelo (see page 6) as SAMS Latin Volunteer at St Polycarp’s, Sheffi eld.

People SHARE15SHARE issue 4, autumn 2008

The Bartletts

The Ceróns

The Zavalas

the back page

Henry was born in England in 1951 and educated at Repton School and Sheffi eld University, where he studied Biblical Studies. After a year working in a steel mill supervised by the Sheffi eld Industrial Mission, he undertook theological study at St John’s, Nottingham, and was ordained in 1975.

Four years in London were followed by two in Northern Argentina with SAMS GB. When the Falklands War started the family left for Little Rock, Arkansas, where Henry was Assistant Rector for Education at Christ Church (1982-1983).

Work with SAMS continued in Spain (Salamanca and Madrid) with the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church from 1984-1990, then for fi ve years he was Chaplain of the British Embassy Church in Madrid (Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe - Church of England). In 1995 he was consecrated as Suffragan Bishop in Europe and spent seven years travelling around the 40 countries of that diocese.

Since 2002 Henry has been Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of P i t t sburgh , which is home to the headquarters of SAMS USA and at the centre of the diffi cult realignment of the North American Anglican church. He is married to Catherine, a primary school teacher, and they have two children: Anna (b. 1979) is married to Tom and lives in South Norwood (their daughter Sophie was born in 2007); Joel (b. 1983) is married to Sarah and lives in Oxford where he’s working on his doctorate at the Oxford University Environmental Change Institute.We hope to welcome Henry back into SAMS at the beginning of January.

Siwok …… is the Wichi name for the red-crested woodpecker, native to the northern Argentine Chaco forest. The beautiful wooden crafts produced by local people are popularly known by this name, marketed in many countries and prove attractive gifts for Christmas or any other occasion. Please encourage this industry through purchasing the crafts or by selling them at events and markets.

For more information contact Rosemary Tadman on 01342 322825, or Siwok Crafts on 01280 823955 and www.siwok.org.uk.

The new Mission Directorfor South America(Re)introducing Bishop Henry Scriven