Advent Devotion

Zechariah 4:1-14; Psalm 18:1-20, 62, 126, 147:12-20; Revelation 4:9 – 5:5; Matthew 25:1-13"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1–2“During Advent we anticipate and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In modern-day culture Christmas has become a season of consumption. As Christmas approaches we face many choices regarding shopping, schedules and more. In addition to consumer dilemmas we are faced with spiritual dilemmas. On one hand we want to observe Advent and wait for the Christ child; on the other we want to shop and wrap and bake and run ourselves ragged with all the trimmings.”*

I find myself facing my own spiritual dilemma this year. My thoughts and prayers are 3,400 miles south, focused on my Peruvian brothers and sisters in the Presbytery of Huanta, Peru.

I was blessed to participate in the 2008 and 2009 mission trips to Huanta sponsored by Sharon Church. Huanta is located in the Ayacucho Province of Peru, high in the Andes Mountains. This province was the center of the political violence that struck Peru from 1980 until 2000. By official accounts, over 60,000 Peruvians lost their lives or disappeared at the hands of Shining Path terrorists and the Peruvian military.

Several members of the Presbytery lost loved ones during this conflict. At one church in the Presbytery, six deacons were taken by terrorists from their modest sanctuary during their Sunday morning worship service, marched behind the sanctuary and shot. This year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of their deaths. The simple but poignant tribute to this anniversary, consisting of a banner with their pictures and rocks painted with messages of peace, hope and love, was proudly displayed in the lobby of Radio Amauta this summer. It was a sight I will never forget.

What saw these precious people through these horrible times? What was the source of their inner strength? I posed these very questions to Samuel Montes, President of the Presbytery this past summer. His simple answer, “God saw us through the toughest times in our lives. He is alive and among us. God is our rock and our salvation.”

Our Peruvian brothers and sisters will celebrate the Advent season modestly, but firmly rooted in the infinite joy of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Am I or are they the more blessed?

I wish you a joyous Advent season centered in the peace, hope, love and joy that the birth of our Lord and Savior brings to each of us.Almighty God, the birth of your Son is yet another example that You are indeed our rock, our fortress and our salvation. We celebrate this wondrous event with joy with our brothers and sisters around the world. Grant us peace and comfort in the knowledge that you will always be with us. We offer this simple prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Randy Ross

* From the PC (USA)’s Just Living Series, “Ideas for Reclaiming Advent and Christmas”

Anticipation

I woke up on December 13, 2009, more excited than I’ve ever been in my entire life. Today was the day that Brenda Paredes would come to Charlotte and stay with me for 3 months. She hadn’t even arrived yet, and I already didn’t want her to leave.

The idea of Brenda coming to stay with us started when we were still in Peru. We were talking about her coming to NC just as a wild idea. But as we were talking about all of the things that could take place, we realized these possibilities could become realities. By the end of the trip, we were willing to do whatever we could to make that “wild idea” achievable.

After months of planning and working out arrangements, we were beginning to finalize Brenda’s travel arrangements. But it was so far out, it seemed like eternity would pass before December 13, 2009 arrived. Of course, there was one “little” roadblock.

Brenda had to get a Visa from the Embassy before she could come to the States. Everyone was so nervous, but we prayed and prayed and prayed. Finally, the day came where Brenda would be going to the Embassy.

I was on vacation in Florida while the process of getting a Visa was taking place, and the only time I could talk to Brenda was on Facebook, once a day. Every night, I would sign on to see if Brenda had updated her profile-and it had been days since she had. I was so nervous, by then I thought there was no hope. But something was telling me to pray at that moment-so I complied. Later that night, Brenda messaged me and told me she got her Visa.

Brenda and I were good friends through our mission trip, but over 6 months, Brenda has become more than a best friend to me-she is a sister, or “hermana”.

Sarah Ross

She Has Arrived!

On Sunday, December 20, 2009, we will welcome Brenda Paredes to Sharon Church. Brenda accompanied participants on the 2009 Sharon Church Adult Mission Trip to Huanta, Peru. She worked alongside participants, translating for the group and providing invaluable insights into the culture and customs of the Andean people of Peru. She will spend approximately three months with Sharon Church’s youth as an assistant youth advisor, and is sponsored jointly by the Ministries of World Service, Christian Education, and Church Administration. A native of Peru, Brenda is nineteen years old and is in the third year of a five year program at Cesar Vallejo University in Lima. She is studying to become a translator in Spanish, English and French. She lives in Lima with her parents and a younger brother and sister. She is a member of Amen Presbyterian Church, where she also serves as a teacher and leader for pre-school and elementary school aged children. Please extend a very warm Sharon Church welcome to Brenda. Take time to get to know this incredibly special young lady. Brenda is thrilled for the opportunity to meet and spend time with the rest of her Sharon Church family.

Questions regarding Brenda’s time at Sharon Church can be directed to Randy Ross at 704-552-5573 or mrandallross@aol.com.

Brenda's Picture Album