Prayer Mail May 4

by | May 15, 2016 | Belize

Dear Friends,

This is an update/prayer mail combination for 4 May 2016:

1) Update: my 13th Belize trip in about 4 years continues. The trip has been a succession of meetings and consultations, as I continue to serve as a catalyst to make ordinations happen. It’s a long story. It has a lot of pieces to it. Our final meeting is tomorrow morning (Thursday). This has been totally awesome. Only God could have pulled this together. We have a great team here pulling it together between the Commission on Ministry, the Bishop of the Diocese, and myself, as well as others we work with. The people in the process, their contacts, and their families have been great. Wonderful people. 
Ordinations may be scheduled on a Holy Day in July (as of today), although the Bishop has been really focused on Saturday August 6 (Transfiguration – the day before I go on vacation; that could be awkward for our vacation plans – so your prayers would be appreciated about the date and my availability).

2) And in the middle of all that, life happened: people with serious pastoral issues, here, that needed attending to. 

3) And in the geopolitical sense of things: 
tensions between Guatemala and Belize seem to be described as being on a level not seen since 1976. Apparently in that year and perhaps another year before then, when this level of tension last arose, it was toned down only when Guatemala had to attend to an earthquake in its own country in each instance. It raises an interesting question: do people get edgy before an earthquake?
4) For Belizeans, the weather has been hot and humid. Too hot. I held a meeting in the Bishop’s office (he was not there and gave me permission to use his office), and I was not really aware how hot it was because the fan was on. Then, after the meeting, the Bishop came in and said “isn’t it warm in here?” and he turned on the air conditioning. Then, I noticed it. Wow. I am getting used to it. Continued prayer for those of us walking in a perpetual very warm shower of humidity, especially with regards to dehydration. I seem to be managing. Praise God.
OK. so how hot has it been? Today, in the cool of the evening, it was about 90 degrees with about 88% humidity, and according to a weather Web site, the feel of the temperature was about 105 degrees. It was hotter in the West of the country a few days ago. That sustained level can do a job on computers, Internet infrastructure, and on a lot people. Prayers for getting through it all. My bedroom in Belize City this time benefits from the warmth of the afternoon sun if you know what I mean.

5) Prayers: 

a) that this trip continue to be fruitful, and for all the plans we are making for the future in Belize in several areas, and for all the people involved in those plans. 
b) For the future: we are going to keep going ahead with more people in the ordination process and future ordination plans, we may offer more live courses on the ground, the distance learning program continues, as I minister to my brothers and sisters (both ordained and lay), and the Bishop may be asking me to do different things as the Holy Spirit leads. 
c) Meanwhile, prayers for the Spanish Prayerbook as it moves closer to being printed.
d) For safe and timely travel. I depart on Friday.
6) I pray for you every day.
7) If you are going to be at the Diocese of Albany diocesan convention in about a month, look for our booth.
Are we making a difference? Absolutely. We are the Holy Trinity’s people, at the right time, doing the right things, as the right team in Belize. Awesome. 
God bless you,

Fr. Shaw
Belize City, Belize, Central America

Prayer Mail Update

by | Apr 29, 2016 | Belize

Dear Friends,
This is an update/prayer mail combination. 
1) Update: I am in Belize on my 13th trip in about 4 years. The trip this time is focusing on moving people forward in the ordination process, and I seem to be playing a central part in enabling that to happen, as Examining Chaplain and as a team member alongside the Bishop and the Commission on Ministry.
Though we have a full week ahead of us that may reveal important matters: as a result of my visit, I am anticipating ordinations to be scheduled during the summer, and I have been invited down for that event (specific date not established at this writing). 
As an advocate of people in the ordination process, I have also enabled the next phase of the next tier of people for the ordination process to move forward. It is not over til it’s over, so please keep everyone and all the matters at hand in prayer.
These are small daily steps that make a big strategic difference, the compounded impact being in part because of the repeated visits over time. 
2) The seminary library on the ground in Belmopan that has been reorganized by volunteers is poised to make a difference as a resource for at least one of the people in the process. 
3) I have been planning with the Bishop, the next phase of the strategic focus in my ministry here. More to come on this in the fullness of time. 
4) Prayers: 
that this trip continue to be fruitful, and for all the plans we are making and for all the people involved.
For Belizeans, the weather has been hot and humid. Prayer for those of us walking in a perpetual very warm shower of humidity, especially regarding dehydration.
God bless you,
Fr. Shaw
Belize City, Belize, Central America.
Mudge Making a Difference Newsletter December 2015

Mudge Making a Difference Newsletter December 2015

by | Jan 6, 2016 | Belize

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It has been a great year on the mission front. Many people have been keeping up with my travels as I go back and forth to Belize. Thank you for your support. What we have accomplished this year is quite impressive, both from the U.S. and in Belize. Much of it may not be visible, but it is a good foundation for my next trip in 2016. Read more…
All Saints’ parish, Belize City, C.A.
on All Saints’ Day. 3 hour
service with confirmations.
Photo copyright Fr. Shaw Mudge,
2015.