We Are Blessed

Colossians 1:6
“… All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing…”

It has been said before, it needs to be said again, again and again. The rewards of foreign missions are undeniable!  We have been blessed by the spirit of a giving and loving God.  Lifelong relationships have been formed and we have the memories of being immersed in other cultures.

Over the years, we have been blessed by: 

• The joy and excitement of being asked by a friend, relative or church member of "how was the trip?"
• A Peruvian young man quietly and humbly asking to borrow a Spanish Bible for an evening.
• Spanish Bibles given as gifts one year and worn out by use, the following year. 
• A young adult maturing by seeing other parts of the world.  Realizing how hard many have to work for freedom, safety, food, clothing and housing.
• The mental picture of people carrying church benches for 6 hours...  to their home church.
• Prayer Shawl Ministry of Sharon Presbyterian Church - The ladies of this ministry amaze us with their talent, love and giving.
• Witnessing the depth of God's spirit in a small church in Nuevo Ayacucho, Gallito, Maynay, Huanta or Lima greater than any grandiose cathedral.
• Caleb Ministries - 2011 will be our first year to minister and comfort families that have lost an infant in Perú.
• The opportunity and challenge for Brenda Paredes to translate the Caleb Ministries booklet in Spanish...  for the first time!  Because of Brenda's translation and the work of many others, Caleb Ministries can minister to our Peruvian families and to the Latin community here at home.
• The unending giving and collection of donations of clothes, luggage, toys and crafts by members of our church.
• The blessing of having the diversity of mission trip members.  Young and old, worshiping and gaining understanding together.
• In 2010 Sharon Presbyterian women shared study information with the women of Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church.
• Meeting Brenda Paredes.  2011 will be Brenda's third mission trip with us.  At the end of our trip, she will return with us.  Because of her hard work and dedication, she will be attending Winthrop University this fall.
• Meeting Sara Armstrong, Rusty Edmondson, Samuel Montes and Pastor Santos Buendia.  With relationships so strong, we can't imagine our lives without them.
• Sharing foreign mission trips with members of :
• Amen Presbyterian Church {Lima, Perú}
• Avondale Presbyterian Church {Charlotte, North Carolina}
• Bryson City Presbyterian Church {Bryson City, North Carolina}
• Charlotte Christian School {Charlotte, North Carolina}
• First Presbyterian Church {Kissimmee, Florida}
• John Knox Presbyterian Church {Marietta, Georgia}
• Light of Christ United Methodist Church {Charlotte, North Carolina}
• Port Orange Presbyterian Church {Port Orange, Florida}
• Steele Creek Presbyterian Church {Charlotte, North Carolina}
• Stevenson Presbyterian Church {Monroe, North Carolina}
• Westminster Presbyterian Church {Durham, North Carolina}
• Meeting members of the Perú Mission Network with churches over the entire United States.  The opportunity to host the 2010 Perú Mission Network Conference at Sharon Presbyterian Church.  Also, the chance for Samuel Montes to travel to the United States for the first time and join us.
• The creation of relationships with Amen Presbyterian Church, Lima, Perú and Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church, Huanta, Perú.
• Peruvian kids, kids, kids!

Did we have any idea of what this would become when we left for Iquitos in 2002?