Walking With Puriyninchik

Dear brothers / sisters!

Receive our affectionate greeting from Perú, in the love of Christ, for which we are brothers and family in the Lord, our Father. Today I am writing to greet you and through you to your family and all the sisters and brothers of the church.

We are going through a difficult and complicated time with this virus, however, we are happy to announce the Puriynichik website, finally, we successfully completed the construction of this website, where we will share news about the association, our projects, actions and reflections from Ayacucho - Perú.

Who can we thank for this blessing? Only to God, our Father who, in his infinite love, prepared this precise moment for the website to be ready. But we also want to thank you, brother, who always supported us with your offerings, your prayers and your words of love and encouragement. Many thanks!

So brother, we want to invite you to review the link and share it with the church, your friends and family.

The website is: https://puriyninchik.org/ has the option of being read in Spanish and English, just click on the United States flag for the English version, or follow this link: https: // puriyninchik.org/en/home

Please let us know your opinions and comments, we would love to receive your messages by email: puriyninchik@gmail.com

I say goodbye to this Bible verse from Romans 8:28:

"We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good."

This time in captivity helped us to strengthen our faith, to read the Bible, to pray and to work… Now, when we see the web page made, we feel so happy, truly ALL THINGS HELP US WELL.

I say goodbye, also encouraging you to remain in the love of the Lord, because apart from Him we can do nothing ...

In the love of Christ,

Yesenia Montes

Puriyninchik - Perú

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.

Perú In Motion

2017 Minute For Missions: Una Familia {A Family}

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Rebeca Massón

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Khris Wigington

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Chris Buchanan

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Tom Skinner

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Sara Armstrong

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Ashley Aldridge

2017 Perú Minute For Missions Interview With Darby Buchanan

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) Notification

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the damage caused by the flooding and landslides in several regions of Peru.  The State of Emergency issued by the Government of Peru remains in effect.  This Travel Alert expires on May 31, 2017.  The City of Cusco, the archaeological site of Machu Picchu and the tourist areas in the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca have not experienced flooding to date.  The coastal area south of Lima has returned to normal conditions.  Peru's Amazon Basin has received typical levels of rainfall.

A map from the Government of Peru showing the affected districts is available at http://unasolafuerza.pe/.

You are encouraged to carefully review the safety situation of your destination and modes of transportation before travel.  Visit the link above for the latest information.

Heavy rains have resulted in extensive damage to homes, water supply facilities, schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges in several regions.  The Government of Peru continues to repair roads and bridges especially along the Pan American highway and other vital access routes in the northern part of Peru.  The Government of Peru is also working to repair water supply facilities, sanitation systems, schools, and hospitals in the affected areas.  More than 1.1 million Peruvians were affected by the floods with approximately 46,000 still residing in camps and shelters and many more living with friends and family.  In northern coastal Peru, standing water has increased the number of cases of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya despite fumigation efforts.  Additionally, there has been a spike in Leptospirosis and other diarrheal diseases recently in flooded areas.  Local public health authorities warn of more cases of various diarrheal diseases and mosquito-borne viral diseases in the affected areas.  Therefore, ensuring compliance with usual guidance for safe drinking water and mosquito avoidance measures is highly recommended.  The CDC website has specific guidance on these measures.

Travel to impacted areas is likely to be delayed and may be dangerous due to bad road conditions.  If you experience issues while traveling, contact local authorities at (01-574-8000) or   iperu@promperu.gob.pe, which maintains offices in cities around the country and regularly updates information on local developments affecting travelers, including alternative methods of transit.

Listen to travel alerts and safety instructions from local authorities and avoid flooded areas.Establish a plan for maintaining contact with family and friends and keep them informed of your itinerary.

The Peruvian police report traffic on the Carretera Central is now flowing normally, with a few sections experiencing delays as road crews repair damages.  Official U.S. government travel to and along areas of the Carretera Central will only be allowed on a case-by-case basis.  Travelers, including U.S. government employees, are encouraged to confirm with hotel operators located in the coastal Departments of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Tumbes that sanitation systems are operational and clean drinking water is available.  All Peace Corps volunteers who were relocated from affected regions are scheduled to return in May.  Most are expected to be able to return to serve in their sites in Piura, Lambayeque and Trujillo.

For further information:

• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for Peru.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Peru, located in Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida La Encalada, Block Seventeen. You can call the Embassy at 51-1-618-2000 during business hours, 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, or dial the same number to reach a duty officer for after-hours emergencies.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Important Changes Made To U.S. Passport Rules

Resource:  Peru This Week

By Agnes Rivera

Updates to keep travels, far and near, stress-free.

For those who aren't in the know of all the superfluous holidays that keep popping up, September was National Passport Awareness month in the United States. And apparently the U.S. Government figured the best way to end such awareness was by making changes to the little blue books.

On October 1, the U.S. Government began a phasing out process of additional visa pages inside passports. Experienced backpackers and border-hopping businessmen who find pride in their decorated passports are going to have to request a new passport once the pages fill up.

Additionally, it should be kept in mind that visa pages will only be added to passports that had been issued before October 1 of 2014.

There is good news however.

While the standard U.S. passport has been 28-pages for some years, 52-page passport books are available without extra charge.

If carrying a thicker passport with more than twice as many pages as the classic doesn't sound convenient, just stay aware of how many pages are left so a new passport can be acquired in a timely manner. Hoping to make things a little easier for the unobservant, newly issued passports will have numbered pages, just as they had been in the past.

Luckily the modification comes with plenty of time to take prepare, as not until January 1 of 2016 will additional visa pages no longer be available.

As commented by Brenda Sprague, deputy assistant secretary for U.S. passport services, passport issues and concerns “shouldn't be an ordeal” and doesn't have to be as long as everyone is informed and prepares for updates.

Never Completely Home...

Dear 2014 Perú Mission Trip Team:

Last Friday, July 25, 2014, I was on a flight from Minneapolis to Charlotte, my thirteenth (13th) airplane ride since June 29, 2014! During the flight, I had an opportunity to catch up on some of the mail that had found its way to my home during our time together in Perú.

One of the letters I received was from Nancy Dimmock, a Presbyterian Church (USA) mission worker who has recently returned with her family from the mission field after many, many years of dedicated and faithful service on the African continent. The Dimmock family is the most inspiring family I have ever met.

In her letter, Nancy shared her thoughts about the most recent (albeit short) chapter in her life in Zambia and saying “farewell to deep friendships, a continent, a way of life, home.” Nancy also shared the following quote that someone had sent her. The quote is attributed to Miriam Adeney.

“You will never be completely home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”

I couldn't help but think about not being completely home from Perú. We shared some very special moments during our time there: the love, fellowship and food shared in the kitchen and around the table of the Bellido family; the warm and enthusiastic welcome we received from the congregations of the churches we visited; and the food, friendship and music shared in the home of the Montes family.

Ms. Adeney’s quote rings so true for me.

Thank you for your participation in and contributions to the trip and the personal sacrifices that you and your families made to enable you to love and know people in Perú. I hope the trip was both meaningful and inspiring. Please know that each of you is loved by so many of the people we encountered there.

I quote MJ Shetron’s recent and insightful statement, “God was showing off when he created Perú.”

Indeed He was.

Randy

How To Pack Light

Resource:  US News

By Liz Weiss

Packing requires practicality: Not only must you carefully plot what items to bring, but you must also strategically organize them into one compact carry-on. With steep checked-baggage fees increasing already lofty flight costs, experienced globetrotters often suggest stripping down to the absolute essentials in order to hold on to some dough. Add the burden of shouldering a bulky bag along spread out terminal walkways and you can see why savvy travelers are taking advantage of smart, minimalist packing.

While carrying less cargo certainly has its benefits, even the most seasoned travelers agonize over how to limit excess baggage. But never fear: No matter where you're headed, these nine handy techniques will help you pack as efficiently as possible for your next trip.

Size Up Your Carry-On

You'll run the risk of paying a hefty sum if your bag exceeds your carrier's size requirements for carry-on luggage. Before you consider which particular suitcase to take, check your airline's carry-on baggage restrictions to avoid extra fees. Carry-on bag size dimensions vary by airline. Most domestic carriers allow you to bring luggage as large as 45 linear inches (the total length, width and height of a bag) on board; however, some smaller international airlines like Ryanair impose much stricter dimensions. By opting for a suitcase that doesn't exceed 20 inches in length or 20 pounds fully packed, you should have no problem boarding domestic carriers. New, cutting-edge luggage designs are rolled out every year, but you should stick to the style that suits you. A roll-aboard with soft sides that can be easily laid into an overhead bin allows you to breeze through the terminal on wheels, while a lightweight duffel bag allows you to traverse a variety of terrains.

Make a Checklist 

It may seem like a no-brainer, but making a packing list forces you to differentiate between what's necessary and what's not. Write down exactly how many shirts, pants and shoes you will need, taking into account the climate of your destination. Also, don't forget to use logical numbers to determine necessary clothing — for example, the number of shirts you bring probably shouldn't exceed the number of days you'll be away. And while you're at it, pare down your list once more if you'll be able to wash garments on your trip. After you've thoughtfully calculated what to bring, cross off each item as you lay it next to your bag, and ignore the urge to add any extra articles of clothing at the last minute.

Read more...

Paracas, Perú Tourism

International Hotels Are Investing In New Locations In Paracas

Resource:  Peru This Week

Paracas Natural Reserve is expected to become the second favorite tourist spot after the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru due to its upward trend in visitor arrivals accompanied by the increase of hotel-oriented investments.

“The natural landmark has become a very popular destination for travelers from within Peru and abroad,” Paracas National Reserve’s head Steve Marthans said.

The country’s top natural reserve, located in the southern Ica region, attracted a record high of 200,572 tourists in 2013, up 12 percent from the visitors mark recorded a year earlier.

“The reported rise in overseas tourist arrivals is resulting in the growing interest of large-scale international hotel companies [that are] gaining presence in the area,” Marthans said.

Furthermore, the tourism official stressed that the opening of several new five-star accommodations and resorts in Paracas has been a key factor which has boosted its annual visitor growth.

Young Volunteer Program

Resource:  Dennis Smith

Friends:

The Young Adult Volunteer program is one of the best things we do as PCUSA. Please take a look at the attached materials and think if you or someone you know might be able to participate in this great program!

YAV Recruitment Invitation - Fall 2013

YAV Palm Card - 2013

YAV Info Flyer - Fall 2013

Saludos,

Dennis A. Smith

dennis.smith@pcusa.org

Regional Liaison, Brazil and Southern Cone, Presbyterian World Mission

Enlace Regional, Brasil y el Cono Sur, Misión Mundial Presbiteriana

Representante Regional, Brasil e Cone Sul, Missão Mundial Presbiteriana

Sucre 2855, 3o

1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mobile: (+54)11-6621-8944

Residence: (+54)11-4776-0966

www.presbyterianmission.org

How Many Trees In The Amazon?

Resource:  Chicago Tribune

By Steve Johnson

There are almost 400 billion trees in the Amazon River basin, “close to the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy,” says Nigel Pitman, a Field Museum visiting scientist who is second author of a new study that provides the best answer yet to this difficult-to-quantify question.

The study, published today in the journal Science, calculates that there are roughly 16,000 tree species in the vast and varied region, roughly the size of the continental U.S., but that just 227 of those species, including Brazil nut, chocolate, rubber, and acai berry trees, comprise about half of all the trees.

Webinar Invitation

Grace and peace to you.

Join us for a webinar to learn from and pray with our partners working in Egypt. Hear how our brothers and sisters are being impacted by recent happenings, and learn how God is present in the midst of this situation. We will have the chance to hear from one of our Egyptian global partners, a Presbyterian mission co-worker, and Amgad Beblawi, World Mission's Area Coordinator for the Middle East.

When: Thursday, August 29 at 1:00 PM (EST)

To register for this webinar

We hope you will be able to join us for this important conversation. Please share this event with your congregations and colleagues.

In Christ,

Hunter Farrell

Director, Presbyterian World Mission

Mission Crossroads PC(USA)