Moving home

by Ian and Polly Montgomery | Mar 28, 2013 | Peru, SAMS Missionaries

This painting of Jesus the Good Shepherd has been done for us by Ruben Aponte, a Lima artist. The image is a symbol for us of our ministry. It is based on historic images and has Peruvian themes and gold leaf in the Cuzco style.

Our ministry is changing.  Polly and I have taken the decision to move home to Vermont.  We will move back April 21/22.  We intend to continue with SAMS and indeed I shall continue to work closely with Bishop Godfrey, partner congregations and Dioceses as well as helping teams.  SAMS have said that their expressed desire is for us to continue with them, albeit in a different role.  Quite what that might be we are not sure.  I have shared my passion for the pastoral care of missionaries, and clergy.  I envisage pastoral visitation in the field and continuing to raise support to do this.  Our home in Vermont has an extra cottage (sort of rough still) that we might convert for retreats and visitors.  Much of this has to be prayed through and worked on as we seek God’s will for us and how best to use our talents and resources.

The four years here have been very fruitful and the relationships here have been some of our most significant.  It is a privilege to help someone minister to their highest potential and to help clergy and missionaries reach their potential.  For both of us working with Bishop Godfrey, the Cathedral community and the chapels and missions serving the poorest of the poor is a a gift to us.  Bishop Bill and Judith remain some of our best friends.  We will miss the people, bustle and energy of this vital country and people.  However, God seems to have spoken to us decisively and we must follow.  We trust our heavenly Father, and now await the next stages of our life and ministry as it is made clear to us.

You have been a blessing to us and to those whose lives we have touched.  You have helped make possible this ministry  here in Peru. Please continue to partner with us, pray for us and support how God is using us.    If you have suggestions and ideas, if God speaks to you on our behalf, please let us know.    

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:1 and 2 ESV

God is Good and God is powerful – answered prayer

by Ian and Polly Montgomery | Jan 26, 2013 | Peru, SAMS Missionaries

• GREAT NEWS – details yet to be seen – my free translation of this email from Bishop Godfrey – “With my warm greetings to everyone. The good news is that the President (Humala of Peru) has just signed – a few minutes ago – the new regulation on Religious Liberty which replaces the old punitive regulation. Thank God for this good news. …”

  Con mis saludos cálidos para todos, y la buena noticia que el Presidente ya firmó – hace unos minutos – el nuevo Reglamento de Libertad Religiosa que reemplaza el viejo reglamento punitivo. Gloria a Dios por esta buena noticia. Un abrazo para todos ustedes y pido que compartan la noticia con los miembros de nuestras comunidades este fin de semana. Demos gracias a Dios por la victoria. Con mis oraciones. En Cristo, +William

Reglamentos discriminatorios

by Ian and Polly Montgomery | Jan 10, 2013 | Peru, SAMS Missionaries

In July 2011, on his last day in office, President Garcia of Peru signed a regulation (Ley 29635) that defined a “religious entity” as needing 10,000 verifiable adult adherents.  Thus regulating out of legal existence as recognized religious entities most religions and churches other than the Roman Catholics.  This regulation (Ley 29635) comes into effect on January 18, 2013.  It can thus be seen as anti-Semitic, anti Islam, anti Hindu, anti Buddhist and anti most Christian churches in Peru.

The history is as follows;

In December 2010 the Peruvian Government passed the Law of Religious Freedom and Equality.  This law guarantees all religions and churches equality before the law.  What was then required was a regulation, which would define a “religious entity.”  The Ministry of Justice, we are told, had prepared such a regulation that would have continued the recognition accorded to religious groups and churches as we already had in Peru. However, this was not the regulation that was signed. It is suggested that at the last minute some ultra conservative Roman Catholic persons substituted another regulation, which was then signed by the departing president.

The effect of this regulation is that other religions such as Judaism and Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are no longer recognized.  Nor are other churches such as Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian and the scores of independent Evangelical Churches likely to fit the requirement and simply will become civic associations like a football or cricket club.  It also means that they will no longer be able to have foreign missionaries as legal residents.

Interestingly the day January 18, 2013 is the first day of the week of prayer for Christian unity!

The Anglican Church in Peru – with whom I am a missionary – is a special case.  Our existence here in Peru was the result of an intergovernmental treaty in 1846.  we are not sure if that confers upon us any legal status separately from the new regulation.  However we have joined forces with the other religious groups and Churches to seek a new and just regulation.  The current one we regard as unjust and punitive.

It is hoped that President Humala will sign a new regulation that supersedes the one of July 2011, signed by President Garcia and due to take effect January 18, 2013.  Meanwhile we are gathering adult signatures from as many as possible seeking to collect 10,000 plus signatures.  Each signature has to be accompanied by a person’s full name, identity document and fingerprint of the right index finger.  This is a tall order.

We are seeking prayer over this.

1. To see the regulation be replaced by one with the previous rules intact.
2. To gather signatures.
3. In our case as Anglicans to see if the treaty of 1846 still is in force and covers our own Anglican presence.

To God be the Glory.

Ian Montgomery, Lima, Peru