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The Rev. Marvin and Bonnie Bowers
Arequipa, Peru
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Marvin and Bonnie Bowers are SAMS "Bridgers", short term mission interns who are appointed to serve for more than a month and less than a year.
 They completed a SAMS application in 2007 after Marvin had retired as Rector of St Paul's, Healdsburg, California, and Bonnie had retired from teaching fourth grade at Brooks Elementary School in Windsor, California. They attended a SAMS orientation in January, 2008, and accepted the staffs recommendation that they go to Arequipa, Peru. Even though neither of them had heard of Arequipa before their appointment, they both feel that it was inspired--literally inspired by God the Holy Spirit. On their first two month internship from mid-April to mid-June of '08, Marvin taught at Sts Augustine's Seminary, and Bonnie taught after school art classes at the two group foster homes operated by the diocese. Marvin also preached and celebrated the Eucharist on Sundays in various missions in and around Arequipa.
They returned to Arequipa for the month of September. Marvin taught a number of seminary courses, including Historical Books of the Old Testament, and Early Church Fathers. He also preached and celebrated at some recently established missions. Bonnie ministered at two orphanages and at St Luke's School. The Bowers plan to return to Arequipa annually, and have begun to think of it as their second home. Marvin says, "Who would have thought that filling out a SAMS application would have led to such a wonderful experience of friendship, community and service to our Lord and His Church, which we expect to continue for years to come. |
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Marvin spent February, March, and the first part of April of this year (2011) in Arequipa, once again teaching at the seminary, and preaching and celebrating at two missions, San Lucas and Santiago Apostol. These two missions are now served by a recently ordained priest, Padre Juan Marcos Ayala. Padre Juan Marcos graduated from the seminary in April 2010. Bonnie was unable to join Marvin on this mission due to family responsibilities at home.