So much has happened in the mission field this year! Your SAMS Missionaries want to give thanks to the Lord for all that happened in 2017 and share their prayers for the upcoming year with you.

David and Mary Beth Alenskis

2017: We give thanks our churches have been growing (the parish by 15% and the mission by 45%), new families are joining the church, and new discipleship groups are forming, especially for the youths. We are so thankful to the Lord for what he is doing, and we are so thankful to those who are supporting this ministry through prayers and gifts!

2018: We ask for prayers that the Lord would raise up new leaders. We need local lay leaders to take even more responsibility and initiative to sustain the growth that we have been experiencing.

Anne

2017: I’m thankful to witness the Lord raising up people to fill evangelism positions that are needed, especially those with a heart for the French-speaking world where we currently need ministry development.

2018: I’d like prayer for direction and an open heart to the Lord to hear how He wants me to move, particularly for the guidance of my role within the larger picture.

Cathy Donahoe

2017: I’m grateful that this year God has given me 180 physical therapy students in 9 different classes to teach, most of whom are very motivated to learn how to work with people who need rehabilitation. I am also thankful for the supporters that God has raised up to permit reaching out in my community to help some of the poorest folks have more secure housing.

2018: I pray that in 2018 God continues to guide me in improving my teaching abilities and discernment for a construction ministry and that he would send others to help.

Rusty and Tammy Firestone

2017: We are thankful to see La Trinidad transform into a mission-oriented community.  We see the growth of our church plant on the eastern side of the city (Puntiti). The youth group has been revitalized by doing weekend mission projects, and lay leaders are starting new groups and expanding leadership.

2018: Our prayer for our ministry in 2018 is for La Trinidad to become self-sustaining in terms of leadership and finances and be able to support the Puntiti church plant, as well as for an additional core group to take root as a plant. Please pray for the formation of new leaders with servant hearts and missional minds.

Chris Feuillade

2017: I give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to serve him in Chile in 2017, especially with the Yachal children’s center and at the university. This has also been a very difficult year for me and my family in several ways, and I also give thanks to God for the many times he has shown us his faithfulness in looking after us.

2018: I pray for spiritual discernment, and for renewed love for the people of Chile, and renewed joy for my work here during the coming year.

Jessica Hughes

2017: I give thanks for the opportunity to study the Bible with my students. It is an honor to teach them how to interpret the Scriptures, and an immense joy to go through the Scriptures with them, seeking what God is saying to us through it, and how to apply it to our lives.

2018: please pray for my time in God’s word, that I would really hear God rather than just reading for academics.

David Ledwitz

2017: I am thankful for learning the importance of building relationships. Seeing God at work in me whether it is sharing coffee and sweets with someone or simply listening and learning, along with language practice. There is far greater value in the relationship and not the material projects.

2018: Join me in prayer for more meaningful relationships and more supporters for projects.ts and missional minds.

Janine LeGrand

2017: I give thanks for all the wonderful people I get to work with, the Ugandan’s, the Americans and even those from other countries including the UK. These individuals have the heart to share God’s love through their actions and sacrifices.  I am strengthened by the Ugandan clergy I work alongside, the short-term visitors and even those who send an encouraging word.

2018: For this upcoming year, join me in prayer for sustained financial support to keep this ministry possible, for good health, and for expansion of the health ministry.

Jacky Lowe

2017: I give thanks that I have three-quarters of my support for my 3-year mission to Madagascar. Support raising has taught me to be self-sufficient and I have learned perseverance. I must rely on God to do His work. I give thanks to my senders who provide prayer, emotional, and financial support.

2018: Please pray for the completion of my support raising in January, that I get my visa to go to Madagascar, and that I complete the language acquisition course. After all these steps are fone, pray for my travels to Madagascar and my ministry with the women there.

Juan and Maria Marentes

2017: Thank you, faithful supporters for the great blessing that you have been for us. 2017 has been a year of challenges and submission to God’s will, but at the same time, we see His powerful hand in every challenge. We have witnessed baptisms, home bible studies, and the growth of children’s ministry.

2018: Please join us in prayer as outreach to the Hispanic population continues and grows in the Western Anglicans Diocese. Pray for the four different congregations in the San Diego Deanery who will be reaching out to the community there.

Jack and Mary McDonald

2017: We are thankful for the international students at Virgina Tech who we have built relationships with and for Mary’s ministry, Gospel goats, which is reaching out to impoverished families in Uganda.

2018: Please continue to pray for these ministries as well as F.A.R.M. (Farm Animal Refresher for Missions training) and for mobilizing long & short terms missionaries by representing CVM & SAMS.

Todd and Patsy McGregor

2017: We are thankful for the future generations in the Diocese of Toliara who are coming to know Christ because of their parents’ new commitment. Whole villages are making commitments to Christ because one family member believes and tells the others the Good News.

2018: Plese pray for humble and Godly leadership development and integration for new Assistant Bishop  Rev Canon Samitiana and his wife, Holy. Rev Canon Samitiana will be consecrated in February 2018.

Mark and Susan P

2017: We continue to be thankful for the ministry of healing, restoration, and hope that we get to witness as pastoral care providers to other missionaries. We are ever thankful for the ways in which God draws us to Him and continues His redeeming work in our own lives and in our ministry.

2018: We are currently in a two-year program of Spiritual Direction. We would appreciate prayers in 2018 for continued funding for the tuition but more importantly that God would grow us in our ability to listen well and accompany others on their journey with Christ.

Russ and Heidi Smith

2017: We are thankful for being involved in starting up ESI-Equipping Servants International in Chile.

2018: For this upcoming year, please pray that in the middle of all the activities we do that we will be able to share the Gospel with our neighbors.

April Sylvester

2017: This past year we graduated 20 students from our gap year program. I saw them grow from teenagers in high school to young adults ready to take on the world. I am also thankful that I have been able to use my talents, gifts, and passions in this program through mentoring, teaching fitness, and leading art lessons.

2018: I pray God would be preparing the students that will come to us in January for this next gap year course. Also for unity and love within our team to lead the students well.

Johann and Louise Vanderbijl

2017: We give thanks to the many individuals we were able to teach through our discipleship training classes. They will go on to teach others to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

2018: We pray that the Lord will raise up partners who would help us get where we need to be. Pray for reliable vehicle. Pray for scholarships for those who simply cannot pay for the courses as well as personal financial support.

Gregory and Heidi Whitaker

2017: We are thankful for the many lives we have seen transformed by the Gospel coming through the Church.

2018: Please join us in pray for more Khmer leaders to be raised up to lead Cambodian young adults into a deep relationship with the Lord.