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Good Morning Van,

It is my first day home after four months on the road. As I travelled I tried to present the work of our new office and of the Joining Hands program of the PCUSA. This collection of articles does it so much better and the one written by Jed Koball is extremely articulate and clear. Link

I look forward to Christmas at home with family. I hope you and Connie enjoy yours too.

Saludos y abrazos de Sara Rusty y Gabi

Sara Armstrong
PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker, Perú
http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/the-rev-sara-armstrong-and-russell-edmondson/

Sara Armstrong And Rusty Edmondson Visit Sharon Church

All:

I wanted to let you know that Sara and Rusty will be in Charlotte the weekend of December 1st and 2nd.

They are still working on their travel plans and schedule but I am thinking they will arrive on Friday, November 30th and depart on Monday, December 3rd. I think they are giving a presentation about their work in Peru during the Sunday School hour. I haven't heard if Sara will be preaching that Sunday.

Mark your calendars!

Thanks and blessings to each of you.

Randy

PCUSA World Mission

Rusty Edmondson and Sara Armstrong from Presbyterian Mission Agency on Vimeo.

Pictures & Birthdays

Pictures from our 2018 mission trip to Perú are being posted in the picture album that can be accessed from the Picture Albums link list below.

Also, a lucky few of you will notice on our calendar that you share a birthday with one of our Peruvian hosts.  My apologies with the spelling of some of the names, but the dates are correct.

More mission pictures will be added soon.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu from irenaVision on Vimeo.

Perú

Visual Diary: Peru from Jimmy Raymond on Vimeo.

From Sara Armstrong And Rusty Edmondson

Greetings from Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson in Lima, Perú 2018

…CHANGES IN PERÚ

What a great ride! It has been 10 (!!) years since we were sent to Perú to establish a Short-Term-Mission Program between PC(USA) and Peruvian partners.  We are excited to help start PERUSA;  a new program of the Red Uniendo Manos-Perú (the Joining Hands Network.)  Miriam Laura became the Coordinator of PERUSA in May, 2017 and has guided us through two team seasons.  Miriam can be contacted by email at:  perusa.red@gmail.com.  We are also keen on the 14 new projects, approved by Peruvians and awaiting adoption by US church partners.

In the midst of all this excitement, Rusty retires December 31, 2018 and we will be leaving Perú.  Sara is praying and searching for the next big step in her life.  We are delighted to report that our position is prioritized for the next four years.  We hope you will give (or transfer) your material and spiritual support to the new Mission Co-Worker(s) who will start work in Perú, hopefully by the end of 2018.

…FROM OUR NATIONAL OFFICE

“World Mission will be recruiting a replacement for Sara & Rusty’s position and invites you prayerfully to continue your support of this important ministry.  We ask you to further your partnership with Presbyterian World Mission by making a pledge for the next four years, that is, from 2018 through 2022, in support of our collective ministry in Peru.  Your continued gifts to E200530 (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/E200530/) will help ensure our ability to fill this position.  We cannot do this important ministry without you.”

WE ARE HEADED YOUR WAY!

September - December, 2018 Rusty and Sara will be traveling through the US on Itineration Assignment

Please let us know if you are interested in receiving us and hearing about our changes, the new PERUSA programs, and other news from Perú.  We have US partners in 27 states so this should be a busy four months! Please contact us at dos_zapatos@yahoo.com.  We hope to see you soon!

Sara and Rusty

VRAE II Construction Continues

With the help of both women and men, the construction of the new sanctuary for the VRAE II church in Ayacucho, Perú is truly a community event.

Because Of Brenda

I have seen an angel of the Lord.

I have lifted another to God in prayer.

I have witnessed innocence.

I have experienced joy,

and I have laughed.

I have experienced sorrow,

and I have cried.

I have seen a “child of God” jump for joy,

and I have held her in my arms.

I have been thankful.

I have prayed without ceasing.

I have been blessed.

I believe in miracles...  Because of Brenda.

wvd

Trip Update

Hola All!

My apologies for this belated 2018 Sharon Presbyterian Church Mission Trip to Perú update. The trip is slowly (but definitely!) coming together. Our international and Perú domestic flights are reserved and ticketed and we should have our in-country accommodations in Ayacucho finalized soon.  Accommodations and breakfast at La Posada de Marques in Huanta are confirmed.

Please mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon, June 17, when we will meet from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Room 6 of the Sharon Presbyterian Church gym to pack the donations we will transport to Perú this year. Afterwards, we’ll meet for dinner at Monterrey Mexican Restaurant on Park Road.  Significant others are invited!

This year’s trip participants include:

Sara Armstrong, Connie Dale. Van Dale, Rusty Edmonson, Anne Elam, Miriam Laura, Rebeca Massõn, Brenda Paredes, Kiara Paredes, Lucy Poma, Randy Ross and Tom Skinner.

Of important note, we will be traveling from and returning to the Raleigh/Durham Airport (RDU) this year. The savings in airfare compared to departing from and returning to Charlotte will allow us to once again stay within our $1,500 per person participant cost.

Connie and Van Dale are exploring commuting options from Charlotte to RDU on Thursday, August 9 and from RDU to Charlotte on Sunday, August 19.

Our August 9 flights:

• American Airlines 2397 from RDU to Miami (12:06 pm - 2:15 pm)
• LATAM Airlines 2467 from Miami to Lima (5:20 pm - 10:10 pm)

The connection time in Miami should allow us (and our checked baggage) ample time to travel between Concourses D and J.

We were originally booked on the LC Perú Airlines afternoon flight from Lima to Ayacucho but I learned last week that the afternoon flight will not operate on Friday, August 10.  We are now confirmed on the early morning flight on August 10 and will tough it out in the Lima airport between the evening of our arrival and the morning of our scheduled departure to Ayacucho.  We will travel to Huanta upon our arrival in Ayacucho for a day of rest and visiting with our brothers and sisters there.  We are exploring a potential project in Huanta on Saturday, August 11.

Our Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19 flights will be exclusively on American Airlines.

• American Airlines 918 from Lima to Miami (9:55 pm - 5:00 am)
• American Airlines 2397 from Miami to RDU (8:54 am - 11:00 am)

Each participant’s American Airlines AAdvantage account number has been included in the American reservations.  American and LATAM are both members of the OneWorld Alliance and we should be able to earn miles in the AAdvantage program for the LATAM flight.  We’ll need to confirm and provide our AAdvantage numbers to LATAM upon arrival in Miami.

Our tentative schedule:

• Thursday, August 9:  Travel to Lima
• Friday, August 10:  Travel to Ayacucho and Huanta
• Saturday, August 11:  Explore Huanta
• Sunday, August 12:  Travel to Ayacucho and worship at VRAE 2 Church
• Monday & Tuesday, August 13 and 14:  Project work at VRAE 2 Church
• Wednesday, August 15:  TBD
• Thursday & Friday, August 16 and 17:  Project work at Paz y Esperanza near Ayacucho
• Saturday, August 18:  Travel to Lima, explore Lima and travel home
• Sunday, August 19:  Arrive home

The municipality of Ayacucho has been working on water and drainage projects from the main road to the VRAE 2 neighborhood over the past several months. The projects were scheduled to be completed last month with construction materials then delivered to the site of the new VRAE 2 church building. It’s impossible to predict exactly what construction progress will have been made prior to our arrival and what tasks we will be working on during our visit.

Sara Armstrong and Miriam Laura are coordinating with Paz y Esperanza to finalize the details of our project near Ayacucho.  Current plans are to help single mothers with equipment, supplies and training necessary to raise vegetables for consumption and sale.

The final trip payment is due Sunday, June 17.  I will be sending via email trip medical, waiver and insurance forms in a couple of days.  Please complete and return to me at your earliest convenience.

Again, my apologies for the belated trip update.  Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

I am looking forward to our time of fellowship and service together in Perú!

Randy

Out Of The Shadows

OUT OF THE SHADOWS (Peru) from JOHN McKENZIE MEDIA on Vimeo.

Ayacucho Timelapse

Ayacucho Timelapse (HD and headset on) from Cosmopolight on Vimeo.

Iquitos Joya del Amazonas

Iquitos Joya del Amazonas from Niels Ahmes on Vimeo.

Good Morning Belén

Sonidos del Perú ◊ 1 ◊ GOOD MORNING BELÉN from Vincent Moon / Petites Planètes on Vimeo.

Huanta, The Charming Valley

HUANTA. AYACUCHO.  THE CHARMING VALLEY from Gustavo Ramírez Photography on Vimeo.

Belen Iquitos, Perú

belen Iquitos. Peru from Dani Rodilla - Filmmaker on Vimeo.

Iquitos From Above

Iquitos From Above from Niels Ahmes on Vimeo.

He Is Not Here... For He Is Risen!

Incredible Perú & Chile

Incredible Peru & Chile from Cosmo Calisse on Vimeo.

Follow Your Way - Perú

Follow Your Way - Peru from Iść Swoją Drogą on Vimeo.

The Shining Path And The Ripple Effects Of Violence

What Remains Of The Shining Path?

Ayacucho: Studying Human Rights In The Andes

Ayacucho: Studying Human Rights in the Andes from Kirk Walker on Vimeo.

Ayacucho At The Heart Of Peruvian Culture

AYACUCHO AT THE HEART OF PERUVIAN CULTURE from Gustavo Ramírez Photography on Vimeo.

2018 Mission Trip Announcement

The 2018 Sharon Presbyterian Church Mission Trip to Ayacucho, Perú promises to be one of witness and service to Jesus Christ. Do you feel God’s call to participate in this year’s trip?

Informational meetings will be held in the Parlor of the gym at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 on Sunday, March 11th at 10:30 am and Sunday, March 18th at 10:30 am and 11:45 am.

The trip is scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 9th through Sunday, August 19th.

Trip information and application forms will be distributed at the meeting. Forms are also available in the Perú Mission Trip mailbox (located on the top row of mailboxes in the hallway outside the church office), or by contacting Randy Ross (704-552-5573 or mrandallross@aol.com).

The trip application, first payment and passport copies are due Sunday, March 25th. Please contact Randy if you are unable to attend one of the meetings but are still interested in participating or learning more about the trip.

This Is Ayacucho

This is Ayacucho from Impetus Video on Vimeo.

Mission Preparations

Sharon Presbyterian Church's 2018 Perú Mission Team would be most grateful for any donations of new or gently used children's clothing and old, "never to be used again" large suitcases.

All donations will be sorted and packed into suitcases in mid June in preparation of our 2018 Perú Mission trip in August.

For any information, please contact Randy Ross at mrandallross@gmail.com

Rhythms Of Perú

Road To Machu Picchu

An Update From Samuel Montes

Dear Randy, brother in Christ,

Receive a fraternal greeting from my family and brothers of VRAE II. God bless each one of you, it is our prayer.  I apologize for being so late in replying.  We are well by the grace of God, this year we have a great blessing, there is a lot of rain, the fields are very green and thank God there will be a good harvest.

I have been busy visiting and cheering up the churches and telling them that this year we begin with the construction of our church, it is our priority.  On the other hand, the documents of Puriyninchik are on a good way.  I already have conversations with an organization who attend the disabled people, I hope to have an answer in February and start working with them.

I am grateful for the support with the donations, because everything is a blessing for the families and their children.  When I visit them, I give clothes and shoes and a Bible is given to each new believer.

We can not be happier!  Christmas At VRAE II

Greetings to the Pastor and all the congregation of the Church of Sharon, to your wife, Sarita, to my sister Connie and her husband Van and to my brother Tom and Rosa.

Oh! you asked me if I had rooms in my house, yes! We have two rooms at home.

Thank you my brother, now I understand, the real love is nothing more than the inevitable desire to help others, this is the reason for what we were called. 1 Tesalonicenses 5: 11-13.  1 Juan.3: 1.

I beg for your prayers for my health and our ministry.

Affectionately yours.

Samuel Montes

The Ancient Inca Capital Of Perú

A Perú Full Of Unique Experiences

Lima, Perú {Best FOODIE City In Latin America}