Greetings from Santiago, Chile, as we gradually transition out of summer in the Southern Hemisphere! We hope this message finds you well. We are eagerly counting down the days until our return to Ireland, which is scheduled for August. As we prepare for this significant transition, we find ourselves with a multitude of tasks and a limited amount of time. However, we take comfort in knowing that the Lord is our helper, and we are steadily progressing. One of our current priorities is finding tenants for my mother-in-law’s house, as well as identifying interested individuals for the items we need to sell or give away in the coming months.

Following two wonderful weeks of summer holidays spent with our Chilean friends and family, we jumped right back into work. My focus has shifted primarily towards discipleship, as my role as youth leader has been successfully taken over by a talented and experienced sister in Christ. There is a palpable sense of excitement and momentum within our congregation now, especially after enduring a challenging year in the aftermath of the pandemic.

We had the privilege of hosting our mutual friend, Rev. Stephen McElhinney, who serves as the Director of SAMS Ireland. During his visit to Chile, I had the opportunity to accompany him as he toured the Anglican churches and church plants in the city of Concepción, located 500km southwest of Santiago. It was truly a privilege to witness the incredible work that the Lord is doing there, alongside such dedicated and enthusiastic brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you once again, and may God’s blessings be upon you all!

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for the following intentions:

The growth of the church here, the emergence of new leaders, and the discovery of innovative opportunities for evangelism.

My upcoming ordination, as I prepare to embark on this new chapter of ministry. Our preparations for our return to Ireland, including the logistics of settling back into Irish society

Wisdom and discernment as we choose a school for our daughter, Emily.

The strengthening of our Christian witness as individuals and as a family within the Irish community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support you have shown us throughout these past years, in all its various forms. The Lord has blessed us abundantly through your partnership, and we pray that He continues to shower His blessings upon each and every one of you.

Greetings in the name of the Lord! over a decade ago, I served as a volunteer with SAMS Ireland in Craigavon. Today, I am honoured to serve as the Pastor of an Anglican church situated in the beautiful port and mining city of Antofagasta, Chile, near the Atacama desert. Alongside my pastoral role, I also hold the esteemed position of being the national coordinator of the Langham Preaching Ministry in Chile, an organisation founded by the renowned Reverend John Stott.

In addition to my current responsibilities, I have been appointed by my diocesan bishop, Rev. Samuel Morrison, to act as a crucial link between our diocese of Valparaiso and SAMS Ireland. Together with SAMS Ireland we are actively seeking service opportunities both in Chile and Ireland. As part of this endeavours, we are encouraging young Chileans to serve in the Church in Ireland through the Fusion Program. Likewise, we are working on compiling a list of service opportunities in Chile for our Irish brothers and sisters, including short and long-term missions, church planting projects, ministerial apprenticeships, continuing education for clergy and laity, and social work initiatives. We warmly invite the churches in Ireland to join us in these endeavours by coming, praying, or offering financial support.

Despite our progress towards self-sustainability, there are still areas where we require assistance to advance and initiate new projects.

In light of these developments, we humbly request your prayers. Please pray that God may open doors in both directions, facilitating meaningful service opportunities. Additionally, we ask for prayers for the commitment of believers in Chile, as we navigate the gradual return to in-person gatherings amid the challenges posed by inflation and the aftermath of the pandemic. Many churches are facing financial struggles related to salaries and contributions for ongoing projects.

Lastly, we seek your prayers for the transitional phase our diocese is undergoing. Starting from August, our diocesan bishop will focus exclusively on bishop’s work, which presents both blessings and challenges. We are grateful for your unwavering support and prayers, and we hold the SAMS Ireland family close to our hearts. It was genuinely a privilege and a blessing to connect with you at FNL last February.

May God bless you abundantly.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Esteban Alvarez