We celebrate our fourth fun and challenging year here and the incredible blessings continue.
In January we traveled to Urcos, in the state of Cuzco, to attend the General Assembly of the Iglesia Evangelica Peruana (IEP). The IEP and the PC(USA) signed a covenant that begins a new ministry partnership focused in the southern synods of La Convencion, Cuzco and Puno. During much of 2012, we worked with the IEP national and local leaders, building bridges between our denominations.
In February we returned to Huaycan with a team from First Presbyterian, NYC. This huge impoverished suburb of Lima was settled by war refugees in the late ‘80’s. We worked through the non-profit AGAPE and a local church, addressing poverty issues that keep women and children of Huaycan in its binding grip.
During March and April we visited partner churches and prepared for the nine mission teams scheduled to work in Peru from May to August. We also took some vacation time to revisit Machu Picchu and to see Lake Titicaca with family. We spent Holy Week with friends in Ayacucho-an incredible celebration!
In May we traveled north to San Martin province with Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Living Waters for the World team (LWW) from Nashville, TN. The group visited with many church partners en route about future locations for installing water purification systems. One of the trip highlights was the opportunity to visit Kuelep, an archeological site that rivals Machu Picchu but is much older and has not been developed. Amazing experience! In May we also traveled twice to Ayacucho, once with a LWW team from San Gabriel Presbytery, CA to install a water filtration system, and again with Port Orange Presbyterian Church, FL as they visited Emanuel, their partner church. It is always good to return to Ayacucho.
In July Sara traveled south to Peru’s second largest city of Arequipa with a group from Laguna Hills Presbyterian Church in CA. They worked with partners there while Rusty prepared for the remaining teams and our upcoming U.S. itineration. A first time team to Cuzco, a youth group from Avondale Presbyterian Church in NC, traveled to Sicuani and restored buildings and infrastructure at Sicuani’s Quechua speaking seminary. Our 3rd team in July was a youth group from San Gabriel Presbytery, CA who worked in two remote pueblos and then enjoyed a Synod wide youth conference in Ayacucho. It was fascinating to watch these two youth cultures work together. Gabriela came with us and was a huge help with translation and integration.
If it is August, then we’re in Huanta with Sharon Presbyterian Church, NC. It has become such a joy to work with Sharon and their partner, the Presbytery of Huanta. And yes, Sharon won soccer’s esteemed Huanta Cup…again.
Aug 17 we left Peru for 10 weeks of itineration in the US. For three months last year, we flew to all of our US engagements. This year, we bought a friend’s car (The Cañonero) and drove; way better idea! Driving 9,000+ miles, through 23 states, visiting partner churches, friends and family (and every National Park Rusty could find time to visit) seems a bit daunting. But actually, driving across most of America was quite renewing for us. We were reminded of how beautiful our home land is, how gracious its people are, and how fortunate and blessed we are.
On Oct 31 we returned to Peru and made the final preparations for the 2012 Peru Mission Network Conference in Lima November 12-15. The conference was well attended with 25 US and Peruvian delegates excellent speakers and challenging topics.
For more on the conference, see our latest news article soon to be posted on our PC(USA) website.
December is summer in Peru, so here Santa Rusty wears shorts, tee’s and flips flops while he and Sara close administrative duties for 2012, visit Peruvian friends, reflect on this past year activities and prepare for 2013. Here in Peru there are Christmas programs and celebrations like those in the US. Carols to sing, readings of scripture, gifts to give, sweets to taste and special drinks to enjoy. Here too, we are reminded how beautiful Peru is, how gracious its people are, how fortunate and blessed we are.
As the Christians of this world prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, may you, your friends and family reflect upon and enjoy His blessings.
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROPERO AÑO NUEVO
From all of our household;
Sara, Rusty, Urpi, Gabriela, Jenni el perro y Cinco el gato
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