August Mission

Beloved brother in Christ,

Receive my greetings from my wife and children in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  By the grace of the Lord, all the family and brothers here are well.

As you know my work now requires a lot of responsibility and time, but all is well.  I am grateful especially to the church and to Sharon Presbyterian for the unconditional love for myself and family.  Thank God, for all I have received is a gift from him.

I see you brother Randy as my spiritual father.  I was taught to love our neighbor, love the Church of Christ and do things for love, which I can never get away from.

I often think of Charlotte while I am here in Huanta.  Coming to Sharon Church was by the mercy of the Lord.  Now, I hope we will be united again in August.  We will be uniting our love and our forces for our brothers.

I am writing to apologize and promise to correspond more frequently.  As you know, I am very busy visiting neighboring churches of the presbytery to give them support.

The National President of the Presbyterian Church has suffered a traffic accident and is in recovery time.  As Vice President, I assumed this responsibility and I am coordinating the activities of the National Assembly Presbyterian Church.  June 17 and 18, I will have a meeting with the women and their husbands of the Hunata Presbytery.  June 28 and 29, I will have a visit with 3 priests in Huancavelica.

I send greetings and hugs to your wife Sherry, Sarita, Connie and Van.  Also, greetings to all the members of Sharon Church, may God continue to bless you greatly.

Your brother in Christ.
PS. Samuel Montes Sinforoso

Has Your Perú Packing Begun?!

Check the remaining days to the right.  Looks like you have plenty of time...  right?  But, if you deduct for:

• Holidays
• Work
• Weddings
• Sleep
• Movies
• Shopping
• Meals
• Concerts
• Meetings
• Anniversaries
• Birthdays
• Weekends
• Family Reunion
• Vacations
• Doctor Appointments
• Sporting Events
• Graduations
• A Day At The DMV
• Renewing Passport
• Shots & Vaccinations
• Apathy
• Sloth
• Laziness

YOU HAVE 1 WEEK TO GET READY!

Pastor Santos' Update 7

Dear Praying Friends,

Santos is recovering well from surgery and making noticeable improvement each day. Yesterday he had a follow-up with the oral surgeon. He is not quite ready for the bands that they will use to help correct his bite. He will see this doctor again on Friday. Today, he had a good follow-up with the plastic surgeon who did the reconstruction of his eye socket and cheek bone. He will see the plastic surgeon again next week.

Thank you for your continued prayers for a strong recovery!

Grace Swartz

An Invitation For Discussion

Hunter Farrell and Karen Gadson of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be in Charlotte on Thursday, May 26, 2011. They will come to Sharon Presbyterian Church and speak about world mission on Friday, May 27, 2011.

The discussion will include how we are better together.  How Presbyterians can and need to coordinate their work with each other and with the local church's global partners through "communities of mission practice."  The critical issues that have been identified include:

• Addressing the root causes of poverty, especially as it impacts women and children
• Strengthening the capacity of the global church to witness to God's love in Christ
• Working for reconciliation in cultures of violence, including our own

Hunter Farrell is the director of World Mission for the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church. He received his B.A. in political science and Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin and his Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in cross-cultural studies. He earned his doctorate in cultural anthropology studying the impact of Peru’s political violence on the churches in an indigenous community high in the central Andes. For 10 years, Hunter and his wife, Ruth, served as mission co-workers in Peru, working to overcome poverty, in partnership with the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Before Peru, Hunter and Ruth spent five years as mission co-workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he taught Greek, New Testament exegesis and theology, and community development.

Karen Gadson is the east regional development manager for Presbyterian World Mission. She joined the denomination in September 2009, as part of a new initiative to build greater engagement in World Mission. Karen primarily works with individuals who have an affinity for World Mission, helping to build and steward their relationship in support of areas that are important to them. Karen has enjoyed a lengthy career in higher education and healthcare philanthropy, and considers this ministry with the church the perfect intersection of her professional experience and what is personally important to her in her faith and commitment to service. Karen is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, in West Chester PA, where she has served as a deacon; a member of Bridge of Hope, a mentoring program to empower homeless and at-risk single mothers; and will be part of a mission trip in Honduras this summer, with Westminster high school youth and the Presbyterian Church of Honduras.

The session will begin with a presentation at 10:30am followed by discussion and a boxed lunch in the chapel. If you are interested in this very special event, please RSVP by Wednesday, May 25 to Bev Johnson 704-969-4441 to order your lunch.  There will be a charge to cover the cost of your lunch and different menu options are available.

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Pastor Santos' Update 6

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

More good news today! Santos was released from the hospital early this afternoon. He has a good bit of swelling, but that is to be expected. He has follow-up appointments scheduled with both surgeons early next week. I know you will continue to pray that he heals well without complications.

Grace Swartz
Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church

Pastor Santos' Update 5

Dear Friends in Christ,

Good news! Santos came through surgery well at around 6:30 PM and Norma has been able to see him in recovery. Both surgeons felt good about the outcome of the operations. Amazingly, if all goes well in recovery tonight, Santos will be released from the hospital tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for healing and no complications this evening and in the coming days. Norma is holding up well and has been surrounded by loving friends all day.

Praising God with you for these answers to prayer!

Grace Swartz

Pastor Santos' Update 4

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This morning at 11:45 at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Santos Buendia will have the much anticipated surgery to repair his broken jaw, cheek and eye socket. Please pray that God will guide the surgeons’ hands and that surgery will be successful in all aspects. Pray for the Lord’s comfort and peace for Santos, Norma, and Karis during this time. Surgery is expected to last about 5-6 hours.

Grace Swartz
Carriage Lane Presbyterian

Pastor Santos' Update 3

Dear Friends of Santos,

As the time for Santos’ surgery approaches this week, please pray that all details will continue to come together and that there won’t be any last minute glitches. Just today we learned of an important exam that still needs to be done before surgery. It will be taken care of on Wednesday.

The folks at CCCI who are coordinating Santos’ surgeons and hospital arrangements told me that they have never encountered challenges like they’ve faced this time when arranging care for all the children they’ve brought to the US for medical help. They assume it is spiritual warfare—with the evil one trying to interfere with care for one of God’s servants.

Please keep persevering in prayer with Santos for a successful surgery on Thursday.

Praying with you,

Grace Swartz
Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18

Pastor Santos' Update 2

We just talked to our good friends at Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.  Pastor Santos Buendia's surgery is scheduled for May 19 at 11:45am at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.  The reason for the delay was the scheduling of the surgeons and operating room.  Also, it is thought that they are trying to combine multiple surgeries into one.

Pastor Santos (President of the IEPRP) was injured in an automobile accident on March 3. He and his family were brought to the U.S. from Lima with the help of Children's Cross Connection International (CCCI) and Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church, Peachtree City, Georgia.

Please join our mission brothers and sisters by continuing to keep Pastor Santos and his family in your prayers.

Dear Friends,

Today is Santos' 60th birthday! Perhaps you'd like to help shower him with birthday wishes by email. His address is: sabuendia@gmail.com.

Blessings,
Grace Swartz
Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church

Probiotics

Mission Team:

During the past two mission trips to Peru, several participants have taken a regimen of probiotics prior, during and after the trip with much success. I can attest to having no issues during the past two trips.

This isn't medical advice so please do your own research. There are many probiotic products on the market.

I am placing an order on May 25, so if you are interested please let me know on or before May 24.

Thanks,

Randy