Peru Trip Meeting

Dear Mission Trip Participants:

Please mark your calendars for the late afternoon/early evening of Sunday, June 6, 2010. Let’s plan to get together in the Sharon Church Annex Basement at 4:00 p.m. We will go over the trip schedule and other trip logistics and pack some of the donations we will be taking to Peru.After our meeting and packing donations, let’s have dinner at Genaro’s Peruvian Rotisserie Grill. Genaro’s is located at 10405 Park Road , just past the Kangaroo convenience store heading south on Park Road towards Pineville.

I have received a couple of e-mails from Samuel Montes which I wanted to share with you. Samuel is the past President and the current mission trip liaison for the Presbytery of Huanta.

The leaders of the Presbytery of Huanta have asked that we assemble, sand and paint one hundred fifty (150) benches (to be used as pews) during our week in Huanta. The recipients of these benches will be four (4) presbyteries neighboring the Presbytery of Huanta in the District of Tambo.

I am excited that we will again be able to be with members of the Presbytery of Huanta and students attending the August session of Huanta’s Biblical Institute yet join with the Presbytery of Huanta in their outreach to neighboring presbyteries. There are thirty-one churches and groups with over one thousand members in these four presbyteries.

The detailed 2010 Project Proposal. I thank Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson for their translation of the proposal.
In an e-mail I received last week, Samuel made the following comment:

“It is hard for me to explain what it means for my brothers and sisters in the United States to travel so far to love us and be with us. It is a lesson of what true love is all about.”

I think Samuel’s words speak volumes to what personal relationships and what “just being there” means to our brothers and sisters in Peru.

Project funds were sent to the Presbytery of Huanta on Monday, May 24, 2010. This will enable Samuel to purchase the wood, have it cut and mortised and along with the other materials necessary to assemble, sand and paint the benches, delivered to the Christo Rey Church prior to our arrival in Huanta.

Sarah and I had the opportunity and pleasure to visit and worship with the congregation of Port Orange Presbyterian Church (“POPC”) on Sunday, May 2, 2010. After worship, we met with Sarah Dolatowski, Kaitlin Lyons, Kerry Lyons, Kendall Ward and Theresa Wolf, POPC members who will be participating in the trip to Peru . POPC has committed to expanding its outreach beyond its local community and is sending mission teams to Cuba, Nicaragua and Peru this year. Sarah and I are looking forward to our journey of faith and service with Sarah, Kaitlin, Kerry, Kendall and Theresa in Peru!
Thank you for participating in this year’s trip. If you have questions, concerns or comments, please let me know.

Peace,
Randy

Has Sharon Been Blessed?

Do you think Sharon Presbyterian has been blessed by adult mission trips?
A short list of support from our church members:

• making prayer shawls
• making pew seat cushions
• making infant caps and toboggans
• shopping for deals at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Michael's and yard sales
• buying and donating old suitcases
• donating clothes and shoes
• buying and donating crafts and games
• making and tie dying tee shirts
• donating children's books
• buying and donating candy and treats
• making crosses
• buying and reprogramming used computers
• acquiring Presbyterian literature
• purchasing Spanish Bibles

As you can see, there is more to a mission trip than "just going". The once a year trip has become a year 'round plan. Everyone has been blessed by the sharing of time and talents of the wonderful people that have provided something from the above list.
Check this blog for "Mission Participants Past And Present" to view everyone that has been on any of Sharon's adult mission trips and ask any of them if they were moved, informed, changed or blessed.

Thank you and bless you all!

Help Needed

Participants in the 2010 Mission Trip to Peru are seeking donations of children’s clothing and shoes to present to the leaders of the Presbytery of Huanta. The donations will be distributed to children in the Presbytery.

Sixteen (16) people, nine (9) from Sharon Presbyterian Church, five (5) from Port Orange Presbyterian Church and two (2) from Bryson City Presbyterian Church have committed to participate in this year’s trip.

In 2009, clothing and shoes to fill twenty-four (24) suitcases, each weighing fifty (50) pounds, was donated by members of Sharon Church.

Due to the variations in climate in the Andes Mountains, clothing for all seasons can be used. Shoes are especially needed. Luggage to transport the donations to Peru is also needed. Due to weight restrictions on the Peruvian airline that participants will fly from Lima to Huanta, the donations will be shipped from Lima to Huanta via overnight bus.

A collection bin has been placed in the Narthex closet. Tax receipts for donations are located in an envelope attached to the front of the collection bin. Or if you prefer, a participant on the trip would be happy to schedule a pick up.

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to schedule a pick up of donated items, please contact Randy Ross via telephone at 704-552-5573 or via e-mail at mrandallross@aol.com.

Thank you for your participation in Sharon Church’s outreach to our brothers and sisters in the Presbytery of Huanta, Peru!