Happy New Year From Samuel

Dear brothers in Christ.

Please receive my greetings.  I hope with the coming year that we will do well under the grace of our Creator.  I just want to tell you some very important actions that have taken place.

At the end of the year, we had the renewal of the Huanta Presbytery Board.  Thanks be to God that a decision for the new Board for 2012 - 2013 was decided after much discussion from the leaders;

• President - Ps. Orlando Bell
• Vice President - Ps. Huicho Gaspar
• Secretary - Ps. Samuel Montes
• Treasurer - Pb. Bellido Moses (father of Orlando)

After the election, we immediately had a meeting and agreed on the following key things:

1. To strengthen our task of training for church leaders through the Presbyterian Bible College as a strategy to reinforce peace and deal with the uncertainty of our young people today.  (beginning with the preparations for the monthly cycle February).
2. Developing a strategic plan as a priority to guide Presbytery IEPRP institutionally - Huanta.
3. Rekindle a relationship that is intended to increase again the Presbyterian Churches of the Andes in partnership with Radio Amauta, other Presbyteries, Synods and PCUSA friends.  (many people need the Word of God).
4. Reinforce the twinning or union with friends, PCUSA churches, PCA and GZB.  It is our hope to further strengthen the ministry of Christ in the midst of a society that suffers a crisis of values.  Work with the faith in Christ by following his example and by being open and honest.

We have completed a year and started a new one as a family together.  We spent Christmas in the mountains with the parents of my wife.  They are in good health so far.  For the new year, we had planned to visit my father with all of his grandchildren.  He lives 80km from Huanta in the region of Huancavelica.  With all of the grandchildren, it was a very happy time to be with him on Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1, 2012.  We had many activities with the children.  Their grandfather told stories, we sang, we prayed, burnt dolls before the new year and had barbecue for lunch.

With much appreciation.

Ps. Samuel Montes