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.

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

We're Back

A few of us returned yesterday from our visit to Perú.  We arrived back home with a few lingering stomach issues, but nothing serious.  Thank you to Sara Armstrong, Rebeca Massõn, Lucy Poma and Miriam Laura for joining us again this year!

All 16 of your donation bags with clothes, shoes, reading glasses, toys and crutches made it to Perú!  A special thank you to Crews Walden for providing Spanish Bibles too.

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers Ashley Aldridge, Pat Blumer, Darby Buchanan, Rob Blumer and Chris Buchanan as they are still in Perú.  They extended their trip on to Machu Picchu.  (Apparently their luggage did not make the trip to Cusco...)  All will be returning in the coming few days with more stories to tell.

Our work this year was again though Samuel Montes' NGO of Puriyninchic.  In Ayacucho, we visited the VRAE II church.  At VRAE II we sanded and varnished church benches.  For the children, we sanded and varnished tables and painted chairs. This year's hit was tie dye shirts!

In the church in Maynay, we helped to paint the primer coat on a brand new sanctuary.

We thank Yesenia Montes, Darby Buchanan, Anna Vickrey and Taylor Vickrey for "taking control" of the kids.  Thank you to Randy Ross for providing water balloon games, balloons, crayons, coloring sheets and beaded necklaces.

This year, we were blessed to rekindle old relationships and create new ones in both Ayacucho and Hunata.

More news coming soon...

Request For Help With Transportation Of Donations

On Sunday, June 18, 2017, members and friends of the 2017 Sharon Presbyterian Church Mission Trip to Perú met in Room 6 of the Activities Building to pack suitcases of donations to be taken to Perú by this year’s mission team. Items packed included women’s and children’s clothing and shoes, Bibles and study materials, prayer shawls, crutches, knitted infant caps, reading glasses, toys and crafts. Eighteen suitcases, containing nearly one thousand pounds of donations were packed. The Sharon Church congregation has again provided a blessing to its less fortunate brothers and sisters in Perú.

The mission team is seeking assistance transporting these suitcases to the airport Thursday morning, July 27, 2017. If interested, please contact, Van Dale (704-577-3409 / wvandale@gmail.com) or Randy Ross (704-965-5432 / mrandallross@aol.com).

2017 Sharon Presbyterian Mission To Perú

Hola All!

My apologies for this long overdue Peru Mission Trip update. A larger group, higher international and domestic airfares and our planned travel around the Peru national independence holiday have made for a more challenging trip planning-wise. Rest assured however that the trip IS coming together.

2017 trip participants include:

Ashley Aldridge, Pat Blumer, Rob Blumer, Chris Buchanan, Darby Buchanan, Connie Dale, Randy Ross, Tom Skinner, Anna Vickrey, Beverley Vickrey, Taylor Vickrey, Khris Wigington. Rebeca Massõn, Lucy Poma and Van Dale,  Sara Armstrong will also participate during the first half of our time in Ayacucho.

Our international air travel has been booked. We are scheduled to travel from Charlotte to Miami on Thursday, July 27, 2017. Our flight from Miami to Lima is now scheduled with two exceptions, Taylor Vickrey will depart from Philadelphia and will be meeting the group in Miami and Connie Dale will be traveling to Peru a couple of weeks before the group and will meet us at the Lima airport.

Accommodations in Lima, Ayacucho and Huanta have also been booked and I hope to have travel between Lima and Ayacucho arranged very soon. I'll finalize and distribute the 2017 travel memo shortly thereafter.

Please mark your calendar for Sunday afternoon, June 18th @ 2:00 pm when we will meet at Sharon Church to go over trip logistics and pack the donations.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the trip. Pastor Samuel wrote last week to say that our brothers and sisters are looking forward to our time together with much anticipation.

Thanks.

Randy

Responding To God's Call In Perú

Randy & Gamaliel

Randy Ross’ first World Mission Trip with Sharon was in 2004 to Perú. “What made you go on your first trip?” he was asked. He answered simply, “I felt God’s call.” And Randy has responded to that call every year since, not just as a participant, but since 2007 as trip leader, a task to which he devotes himself joyfully. “It’s a labor of love,” he says.

His preparations are efficient and thorough. “Randy leaves nothing to chance,” said one participant. “He pays attention to every detail and anticipates every possible problem or challenge. Just look at his handouts of eleven single-spaced pages of information. Everything is well-thought out and planned.

”When asked, for example, why this year’s group flew to Lima via Miami, but on the return flew a longer route, from Lima to Miami, and then to Washington D.C. before taking the final leg back to Charlotte, Randy answered simply, “I went online and found that it saved us hundreds of dollars” to do it that way. Randy is ever resourceful. As one of the group members said, Randy’s leadership style “combines a healthy balance of both patience and persistence.“

And his preparations never take a vacation. Throughout the year he collects enough suitcases so that each participant can carry a second one brimming with up to 50 pounds of clothing, eyeglasses, prayer shawls, crafts, and other gifts.

With his passion for serving the children in Perú and his desire to be “a good steward” with the funds available in the Adult Mission Trip budget,”he trolls Walmart, Michael’s, and Walgreens in an ongoing search for off-season markdowns on items such as school supplies, children’s games, and children’s shoes. As for the eyeglasses and cases, he goes online to find discontinued styles for bargain basement prices from an outfit in Miami.

Randy’s commitment to Missions has become a family affair. Parts of the family house are used to store donations for the next mission trip. Also, daughters Kathryn and Sarah have accompanied him on several trips and have been active contributors as T-shirt makers, children’s activity leaders, and relationship builders. In 2014, Sarah asked Randy if she could use her spring break from Chapel Hill to undertake a private trip to revisit some of the friends they had made in Huanta, Perú. The request turned into a group trip, with Randy, Brenda Paredes, and Rose and Adam Boelke accompanying her.

When asked which of his 13 mission trips has been his favorite, he answers that he has great memories of all of them. “I especially enjoy witnessing first-hand the experiences of other trip participants and hearing what the trips mean to them.” Still, he says that the first trip to Huanta in 2008 holds a special place in his heart. Although our Sharon team and our Peruvian partners prayed that a long-term relationship might develop, one of our Peruvian friends, Gamaliel, admitted that he had not had a favorable impression of Americans and could only imagine what the “Gringos” true reasons and motivation had been in traveling to Huanta. “But as the week progressed he was surprised and overjoyed that that not only did we work together, we played, sang, prayed, laughed, cried, and worshipped together. His observations made me realize that the relationships that are created are the most important element of mission trips. The project work and the gifts that are shared are mere catalysts for establishing and fostering these relationships.

Tom Skinner

Rebeca Massõn... Destination United States

It looks like Rebeca Massõn's adventure to the United States will begin as soon as she completes her exams in Lima, Perú TODAY!

Rebeca is traveling to to Charlotte, North Carolina, United States by way of Panama and New York.  She should arrive in Charlotte the evening of December 2, 2016.

After her Charlotte visit, Rebeca will continue her travels to Stowe, Vermont.  While in Vermont, Rebeca will be working at the Golden Eagle Resort from December 15, 2016 - March 10, 2017.

Rebeca plans to return home to Lima, Perú on March 11, 2017 in order to arrive in time to continue her studies on March 13, 2017.

Our prayers will be with her as she travels!

2016 Perú Mission Trip Return

Everyone has now returned back home from another wonderful trip to Ayacucho and Huanta Perú.  Three of our team members {Bev Vickrey, Ellen Minch and Jessica Minch} went on to visit Machu Picchu after the mission trip and arrived back in Charlotte on Wednesday.

All of our 10 pieces of donations luggage arrived in Perú without incident.  All of your gifts of prayer shawls, seat cushions, reading glasses, crutches, shoes, clothing, toys and sports equipment arrived safely and was distributed to the local churches.

A few of our pictures have already been posted and can be seen by clicking the 2016 Perú album link to the right.  Check the picture album often in the next few days as we continue to add new pictures and edit existing ones.  Click the logo icon to the right to see new Logo Sightings too!

A big thank you for all of the well wishes, prayers and support.

Senior High Mission Trip

Resource:  Sharon Presbyterian Church

The Senior High Mission Trip participants leave Sunday July 6, for Cosby, Tennessee, where they will be making home repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners.

Please keep these young people and their leaders in your thoughts and prayers:

• John Shealy
• Nick Stukey
• Buck Stukey
• Alex Mack
• Holden Parker
• Audrey Droppelman
• Grace Droppelman
• Christine Dawson
• Harris Milkey
• Mikayla Hailey
• Elizabeth Chappelear
• Ryan Tutwiler
• Mason Armstrong
• Jacob Price
• Natalie Schramm
• Meredith Lewis
• Denton Clark
• Shelby Rose
• Kurt Edwards
• Aman Hyrams
• Matthew White
• Will Harvey
• Katie Lee
• Megan Talley
• Andrew Foard
• Martin Pruitt
• Bill Mathers

The group will return Sunday, July 16.

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...

I Think I Heard Something

I think I hear a sound...  Is it a groan?  Is it me?  Is it the house?  Is it a dog?  Is it something in pain?  Is it outside...  or is it inside?  I hear a stretching sound.  I hear a tearing sound.  It sounds like a zipper!

It's Time To Get Out The Duct Tape!

I Guess You CAN Stuff Too Much In A Suitcase

2014 Mission Update

Hola Everyone!

With just a little over six (6) weeks until our mission trip, I wanted to provide everyone with an update.

The 2014 team consists of:

• DeAnna Booth {Bryson City Presbyterian Church} Bryson City, NC
• Laura Booth {Bryson City Presbyterian Church} Bryson City, NC
• Connie Dale {Sharon Presbyterian Church} Charlotte, NC
• Brenda Paredes {Amen Presbyterian Church} Carabayllo, Lima, Peru & {Sharon Presbyterian Church} Charlotte, NC
• Randy Ross {Sharon Presbyterian Church} Charlotte, NC
• Annie-Kate Sahlie {Christ the King Presbyterian Church} Wilmington, NC
• Marsha Jean ("MJ") Shetron {Sharon Presbyterian Church} Charlotte, NC
• Tom Skinner {Sharon Presbyterian Church} Charlotte, NC
• Beverley Vickrey {Christ Episcopal Church} Charlotte, NC
• Van Dale {Sharon Presbyterian Church} Charlotte, NC

I look forward to serving with each of you and getting to know you better during our time in Peru!

All international and domestic flight reservations have been made. Brenda Paredes and I are currently working on our ground transportation in Lima, Ayacucho and Huanta. Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson are working on our accommodations in Lima, Ayacucho and Huanta.

We will again ask each participant to take an additional checked suitcase this year which will be packed with children's clothing, shoes, craft items, etc. The donations will most likely remain in Lima as we have been made aware of an area church with impoverished members with tremendous needs for such items.

If you are in Charlotte on Sunday, June 8, 2014 and would like to help sort and pack the donations, we will meet at Sharon Church at 3:00 pm in the basement of the Barbara Ward Building, formerly known as the Annex Building. Let's plan to go to dinner afterwards at Genaro's Peruvian Rotisserie or Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, both located on Park Road near Highway 51.

The 2014 trip promises to again be one of witness and service to an amazing Christ. Thank you for participating in this journey.

Blessings to each of you!

Randy Ross

Travel Information

For those that are planning to join us on the 2014 Peru mission trip, or taking any trip in the near future, Randy Ross has some valuable information to share below.

The following information is from the U.S. State Department:

How long is a passport valid and when should I renew my passport?

"If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met."

I have done a little research and cannot find that Peru requires that a passport for a tourist be valid for six (6) months after entering the country. Rather it would seem to be that the requirement is ninety (90) days, the length of time a tourist can stay in Peru.

I have checked a few airline websites (American, Delta and United) as well. Delta recommends the six (6) months while American and United suggest that you check the individual county's entry requirements.

Thanks.

Randy

Additional passport links:

Estimated Processing Times

Frequently Asked Questions

8 Things You Should Never Carry In Your Wallet

Resource:  Finance Answers
By Kim Carleton

1.  Social Security Card 
Anything that has your Social Security number on it is extremely dangerous to lose. According to identity theft experts, your Social Security card is the absolute worst item to lose. If you happen to be a retiree you should take out your Medicare card as well (your SSN is on this as well). Be sure to check all the items in your wallet and keep your SSN to yourself.

2.  Checks 
Blank checks are a huge risk. Thieves can easily empty your checking account with a single piece of paper. Even if you've already filled out a check you are still at financial risk. Because your check contains routing and account numbers, almost anyone could transfer funds from your account. Only carry paper checks when they are absolutely necessary and leave the rest at home.

3.  Passport 
Your passport literally opens a world of possibilities for a thief. With a government-issued photo ID anyone can travel in your name, open bank accounts, or even get a copy of your social security card. Instead of carrying your passport try to only bring a driver's license or another form of personal ID while in the U.S.

4.  Password Cheat Sheet 
With so many different sites and accounts to access, we understand it can be difficult to keep track of passwords these days. However, carrying a list of them can lead to horrible consequences if misplaced. If you must write down your passwords we suggest you keep the list safe in a locked box at home or consider an encrypted mobile app in order to protect your identity.

5.  Spare Keys
A lost wallet containing a spare key and a home address is basically an invitation for a burglar. Carrying a spare key in your wallet puts not only your assets but also your family at risk. At the very least you'll have to pay for a locksmith to change your locks.

6.  Receipts
Fortunately businesses are no longer allowed to print any information containing your credit or debit card's expiration date or more than the last five digits of your credit card number. However, a clever thief can still use limited info and merchant material to phish for your remaining numbers. Try to shred and clear old receipts from your wallet at least a few times a week and keep your identity safe.

7.  Birth Certificate
Although a birth certificate itself won't get identity thieves very far, "birth certificates could be used in correlation with other types of fraudulent IDs," Junker says. Be especially cautious on occasions when you are carrying all of your important documents at once because someone can come along and steal them all.

8.  Multiple Cards
Carrying a single card is much safer than several. More plastic runs a greater risk and leaves you with more cards to cancel if your wallet is stolen. Carrying a single card is much safer and can be very helpful in the event of an unplanned emergency. It is also a good idea to know your cards' cancellation numbers or have them written down in case you need to cancel your credit cards.

We hope you gained some valuable knowledge from this list. When it comes to your identity and assets there's no such thing as being too cautious. Losing your wallet or purse can be an inconvenience but taking these steps can stop it from being a disaster.

Counting Down

We Can't Wait To Stretch Out On The Plane

Probiotics this morning!

With the temperatures here in Charlotte over 100°...  we are staying inside with the dogs and packing for Perú!

Only 32 days to go!!

2012 Perú Mission Trip News!

With the help of a few dedicated friends, (Natalie Schramm, Janat Schramm, Robin Shealy, Brenda Paredes, Connie Dale and Randy Ross), we were able to complete the packing of the additional donation bags for our upcoming 2012 Perú Mission Trip.

All 12 bags were packed with YOUR donations of shirts, dresses, shoes, sweaters, coats, small toys, balls and candy.  Each bag was weighed and packed to the 50 pound limit!

Each year, we often have to meet for 2 to 3 times for sorting, packing, weighing and packing again.  But this year with the wonderful help, we were able to complete the job in 1 afternoon.  Thank you to all!

What's The Rush?!

148 days to go!?

What's the rush?!

Well, as we've mentioned before...  If you take off time for a whole day waiting at the DMV, anniversaries, personal apathy, birthdays, concerts, genuine daily disinterest, a disregard for coming events, Doctor appointments, rainy day do-nothingness, a feeling of dullness, mowing the yard, family reunions, days of fishing, graduations, halfheartedness in your future, happy hours, (ooops) church, Sunday school, holidays, hours of hunting, idleness, hours of inactivity, lack of interest, a lackadaisicalness, languidness or lassitude from workouts, spring break, laxness of planning, prayer, plain laziness, seasonal lethargy, homework, your inability to recover from listlessness, meals, sickness, naps, meetings, movies, procrastination of mission trip planning, renewing your passport, kid's school, your school, your Dog(s) school, searching for food, shopping, shots & vaccinations, slackness, sleep, slothfulness, slowness, sluggishness, sporting events, supineness, washing the Dog(s), washing the Cat(s), cleaning the house after trying to wash the Cat(s), an uncaring attitude, unconcern about what is coming, vacations, volunteering, walking the Dog(s), walking the Cat(s), looking for escaped pet(s), weddings, weekends, or even work...

You MAY have a week to PACK!!

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?

Perú Mission 2011

Dear Participants:

I am long overdue in sending information about our upcoming trip. To say that it has been somewhat of a challenge putting it together this year within the confines of our budget, is an understatement. But despite a whopping 100% increase in airfares from last year to this year, the trip IS coming together. Well so much for the budget!

2011 trip participants include:

1. John Magee {Avondale Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina}
2. Sarah Kate Magee {Avondale Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina}
3. Rose Boelke
4. Shea Chambers {Avondale Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina}
5. Reverend Brad Clayton {Avondale Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina}
6. Connie Dale
7. Van Dale
8. Kaye DuMond
9. Brenda Fairbrother
10. Randy Ross
11. Sarita Ross
12. Tom Skinner
13. Rob Wolf {Port Orange Presbyterian Church, Port Orange, Florida}

Rusty Edmondson will be leading our trip this year. Sara Armstrong will be in Louisville attending a PC(USA) event and finalizing the details of her and Rusty’s agreement to serve another three (3) years in Peru . Yippy Skippy! Or as Rusty would say, “Cool beans!”

Brenda Paredes has graciously agreed to accompany us again this year. Either she loves us very much or just wants to make sure we don’t totally embarrass ourselves while in her country. Or perhaps both.

I have recently caught wind of a plan to kidnap Brenda, bring her back to the United States and enroll her in the fall 2011 semester at Winthrop University, located in bea-u-ti-ful downtown Rock Hill , South Carolina , USA . Mum’s the word!

Also accompanying us on the trip are Brenda’s father and stepmother, Alfredo Paredes and Miriam Laura. Alfredo will assist with trip logistics and Miriam will assist with translating. Oh, the stories we’ll tell (in our very best Spanglish).

All trip participants, except Kaye DuMond (more about this a little later) and possibly Rob Wolf, will travel to Lima via New York and Atlanta . Can someone explain why it costs $550 less per person to fly to Lima from New York versus Charlotte?  Charlotte appears much closer to Peru than New York on all the maps I have seen. Tickets for our group reservation on Delta Airlines will be issued on Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

All trip participants, except Kaye DuMond (I promise, more about this a little later) and definitely Rob Wolf, will travel to/from Charlotte and New York on US Airways. Tickets have been issued.

Rusty has arranged for all “in-country” transportation, accommodations and entertainment. Geez, I hope Rusty’s Spanish has improved dramatically over the past year and we REALLY have room reservations for fifteen participants, not five. We are going to try new restaurants in Lima , Ayacucho and Huanta and a new hotel in Ayacucho this year. Many are local establishments so we are bound to fit right in (in our very best Spanglish).

We welcome the members of Avondale Presbyterian Church joining us this year. I guess they heard the real reason why the group from Port Orange Presbyterian Church (“POPC”) decided not to partner with us again this year. POPC is beginning the first-ever PC(USA) church relationship with the Presbytery of Ayacucho! Please keep the wonderful POPC folks in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for their trip and during their time in Peru . The POPC trip is scheduled from July 5 - 13, 2011. Also pray that Kerry Lyons will forget to pack his white tennis shorts this year.

Here is a tentative schedule which, as all seasoned travelers to Peru know, is subject to delays, changes and revisions.

Friday, August 5, 2011: We will travel from the United States to Peru . It will be a long day of travel. Kaye DuMond is flying to Peru a few days before the main group to visit a friend in Lima. Kaye (here is the “later” part I promised) will most likely be flying to and from Peru in business class (and not through New York I might add) and will meet us upon our arrival in Lima (if she can muster the courage to do so). We will check into Casa Kolping for two nights. OK, two half nights.

Saturday, August 6, 2011: We will visit Pastor Adrian Fernandez’s church near Lima . Pastor Adrian is a leader in the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru (the “IEPRP”) and an instructor at the Biblical Institute in Huanta, of which he is a founding leader. Members of Pastor Adrian’s church are mostly refugees from Ayacucho, settling near Lima during the time of terror in Peru . Pastor Adrian will be in Huanta during our visit (teaching at the Biblical Institute, no less) but Rusty has other "connections" at this church. We will also make arrangements to ship the donations to Huanta via bus with the assistance of Alfredo, who Van Dale swears knows everyone in Lima.

Sunday, August 7, 2011: Rise and shine at 3:00 am (it will be 4:00 am in the United States ) to catch our 5:30 am (it will be 6:30 am in the United States) flight to Ayacucho. Samuel and Julia Montes will meet us in Ayacucho. After breakfast, we will travel in a spacious and comfortable motor coach to Huanta (past trip participants, shhhhh!). In 2008, the trip from Ayacucho to Huanta took one hour. In 2009, forty-five minutes. In 2010, thirty-five minutes. Perhaps the bus drivers believe the gringos and gringas are gradually getting comfortable traveling in the spacious and comfortable motor coaches from Ayacucho to Huanta. Will it be a fifteen or twenty minute trip this year?

Upon our arrival in Huanta, we will check into the Posada de Marques. Rumor has it that there will be a run on chapla and salt cheese for the six days that follow our arrival.

Monday, August 8 through Friday, August 12, 2011: We will work alongside our hosts to build lecterns and bookcase/storage units for the churches in the Presbytery of Huanta. And more importantly, laugh, pray, sing, play, worship, shed tears and just “be” with each other. Oh, and eat some great Andean food too!

May God be glorified during our time together.

Does anyone believe the Huanta Cup has a snowball’s chance of returning to Charlotte this year?

Saturday, August 13, 2011: Travel to Quinoa (famous for its Andean pottery artisans and easily crashed Quechua wedding receptions) and then on to Ayacucho. We will visit a recently opened museum, highly recommended by Rusty, centered on the time of terror in the region.

Sunday, August 14, 2011: Rise and shine at 4:00 am (it will be 5:00 am in the United States ) to catch our 6:50 am (it will be 7:50 am in the United States) flight to Lima . We will travel to Amen Presbyterian Church for worship and fellowship. Then on to lunch, shopping and dinner before heading to the Lima airport for, well, you know.

Monday, August 15, 2011: Our flight is scheduled to depart Lima bound for Atlanta at 12:40 am. It will be another long day of travel, but definitely well worth it in my humble opinion.

Trip Commissioning is scheduled for Sunday, July 31, 2011 during Worship. Rob Wolf will not be able to participate in person but in his own words “I will definitely be there in spirit though.”

We will get together in mid-July to do our final packing and head over to Genaro’s Peruvian Rotisserie for dinner.

As to the issues facing the Cristo Rey Church in Huanta. I don’t know the history of the Cristo Rey and Genesis churches in Huanta or on what basis the members of the Genesis church claim that the Cristo Rey church property belongs to them. Obviously, there is much at stake. I wouldn’t want to speculate how a ruling against the members of the Cristo Rey church would impact them.

Should we postpone or cancel our trip until the issue is finally resolved? I think not. Legal issues can take many years to be concluded, even in Peru.  And whatever the judge rules, we should be standing alongside our brothers and sisters, whether it is a time of joy or a time of uncertainty or sorrow.

God has blessed me with yet another opportunity to visit and marvel at another facet of His wonderful creation. I look forward to our time together with our brothers and sisters in Peru with more anticipation and excitement than ever before. I am humbled and thankful to be sharing the experience that awaits us with each of you, even if I am not the one who gets to fly business class.

Blessings and thanks to all. Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information regarding our trip.

Forty-five (45) days and counting!

Randy

Congregation Giving

The breadth and depth of our Congregation's involvement in this year's trip is one I have never experienced. Some examples:

• The Prayer Shawl Ministry is knitting (19) prayer shawls for us to take on the trip.
• The Presbyterian Women made a donation towards the trip. They have also ordered and are paying for Bible Studies in Spanish for the women of the Presbytery. Incidentally, we are using the Presbyterian Women's donation and the savings of taking the bus to Huanta versus flying to Ayacucho to donate to the Presbytery so that their women can organize their own Presbyterian Women Groups. Sara Armstrong has agreed to assist them with their efforts. The Presbytery's first ever Presbyterian Women Conference is scheduled for mid-September in Huanta.
• Iris Kimble has knitted approximately 50 caps.
• The Men of the Church donated the proceeds of one of their breakfasts to the trip which was used to purchase office supplies for the Presbytery.
• The Faith Group knitted approximately 50 infant caps.
• Connie Dale has made four stained glass crosses for the Presbytery.
• And then there are the numerous donations of clothing and shoes.

All this, in light of the current economic conditions, is quite overwhelming!

Trip commissioning is scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2009, during Worship.

Thanks all!

Randy