Saturday / Charlotte, Atlanta & Lima

We were able to leave Charlotte this morning after a good breakfast at our favorite restaurant for home cooking, the Tryon House on Old Pineville Road. We were grateful to Randy Ross for all of his help in getting us to the airport.

At the Charlotte airport, we waited in line to check our bags and then another line for the security check. Our flight from Charlotte to Atlanta was delayed one hour until we were able to board our plane. Once in our plane we were treated to another 30 minute wait on the tarmac. When we were allowed to finally take off, the the first leg of our journey to Perú 2010 began.

A note to Kathryn Ross: The mission shirts you dyed were fantastic. I had a few comments while walking around in the Charlotte and Atlanta airports. Not only did some say that they liked the shirt, but they actually inquired about our mission in Perú. Many thanks!

Arrival in Lima was around 12:00AM Charlotte time. We had to wait an eternity in the immigration line and then we were allowed to collect our bags. The total of our bags contained over 250 lbs of luggage and donations! For the first time since traveling to Perú, Connie and I got the "Red Light" exiting the Lima airport. Both of us were detained while our bags were scanned and then hand searched. WOW!

Finally able to walk out and greet our hosts made all of the waiting in lines, the 8 hours on stifling planes, the dragging and sweating with luggage, being searched, being scanned, having to deal with immigration officers, filling out customs forms, and being stuffed into a Mickey Rooney sized airplane seat worth the effort. Ah... life is good!

An 1½ hour ride north to the wonderful Paredes home and then to bed around 2:30AM.

It's wonderful to be back in Perú!

From The Ministry of World Service

Sharon Presbyterian Church is hosting the 2010 conference of the Peru Mission Network, to be held from Thursday, October 7, 2010 to Saturday, October 9, 2010 in the Chapel.

The Peru Mission Network (“PMN”) is a group of PC(USA) churches, presbyteries and individuals dedicated to fostering and promoting mutual ministry in Peru . The network’s mission statement is included below.

Scheduled conference speakers include the Reverend Hunter Farrell, the PC(USA)’s Director of World Mission and the Rev. Doctor Sherron George, the PC(USA)’s Regional Liaison and Theological Education Coordinator for South America . Also scheduled to attend the conference are Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson, the PC(USA) delegations and partnerships coordinators in Peru along with a to-be-invited official of the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru.

Volunteers are needed for airport and local transportation, lodging of conference attendees, meal preparation/serving, set-up, clean-up, etc. If you have an interest in extending a Sharon Church welcome to conference participants by volunteering or would like more information about the conference please contact Connie Dale (704-525-4658 or cjsdale@yahoo.com) or Randy Ross (704-552-5573 or mrandallross@aol.com).

Mutual Mission In Peru

“Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Peru Mission Network (PMN) is a group of Presbyterian (U.S.A.) churches, presbyteries, and individuals that fosters and coordinates mutual ministry in partnership, primarily with the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru (IEPRP), Biblical University of Latin America (UBL), Evangelical Church of Peru (IEP) and Joining Hands Network, and communicates with those involved in other mission efforts in Peru.” reads PMN's mission statement. Members are involved in evangelism (Vacation Bible School and other programs) and are concerned about medical and social justice issues. PMN will meet October 7–9 at Sharon Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Members will hear from a Peru pastor, several Peru mission co-workers, and Sherron George, missiologist and author. For information on the conference, contact Karen Wilson or Maria Arroyo. PMN is one of more than 30 mission networks organized around particular countries, regions and global issues. Get connected with a mission network by first visiting the Mission Networks website, which will start you on your way to being equipped and inspired in partnership with others who share a common international mission focus.

Pat Donofriopdonofrio@nhpresbytery.org

Peru Trip Commissioning

The Peru Mission Trip participants (9 members of Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5 members of Port Orange Presbyterian Church and 2 members of Bryson City Presbyterian Church) were treated to a combined "Skype" commissioning on Sunday, July 18, 2010.

They group will leave Friday, July 30, 2010, for Huanta, Peru, to work with Peruvian Presbyterians to assemble, sand, and paint 150 wooden benches to be used as pews in the churches of four presbyteries neighboring Huanta. Twenty suitcases of children's clothing and shoes, prayer shawls, knitted pew cushions, blankets, knitted infant and adult caps, toys, and craft items will be presented to the Presbytery of Huanta, along with five laptop computers and peripheral equipment to the host denomination, The Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru.

The participants from Sharon Presbyterian Church are:

• Phyllis Acton
• Rose Boelke
• Connie Dale
• Van Dale
• Hunter Garbee
• Andrew Kromer
• Drew Kromer
• Randy Ross
• Sarah Ross

The participants from Port Orange Presbyterian Church are:

• Sarah Dolatowski
• Kaitlin Lyons
• Kerry Lyons
• Kendal Ward
• Theresa Wolf

The participants from Bryson City Presbyterian Church are:

• DeAnna Booth
• Laura Booth

Thanks all!

Randy

Peru Cell Phones

In the years passed, the Dales have taken a Mobal World phone on our mission trips. A Mobal cell phone is not at satellite phone, but a phone that is capable of utilizing any cell tower that is available. In essence, if you can get a signal, you can use this phone. internationa cell is differentThey will be taking their phone again this year (for emergencies).
 
With the progression of cell phone use worldwide, you might be able to use your own phone in Peru. Last year, a few of our group that use Verizon, were able to get service in Huanta. I would recommend that you check with your provider about accessibility of international calling.
 
No cell phone service:

• No alarm clock. Many cell phones use the service to maintain the internal clock.
• no calender
• no calls
• no texting

International cell phone service:

• Calls $2.95 per minute
• If texting is available (.25 each)
• Very limited service
• Service is good in Ayacucho and Lima
• Service is limited in and around Huanta.

Counter News

We are tying a new counter and as you can see, we have been honored by visits from people all over the world.

Each time you click the "i" symbol on the counter, it will scroll through;

• Visitors from cities (a country shown while viewing this page means the visitors are accessing the blog using a wireless connection)
• Visitors from countries in the last 24 hours.
• Visitors from cities in the last 24 hours
• Cities of recent visitors (with the time they visited)
• Cities of visitors that are viewing the blog at the moment
• Countries of all of our visitors.

Thanks to all!

Sharon Presbyterian Youth Mission Trip

We celebrate with the youth and adults participating in the youth mission trip to Ontario, Canada. They will participate with group work camps July 9-17 on weeklong home repair projects for elderly, low-income and disabled residents. Please keep these youth and adults in your prayers as they travel, spread God's love and receive blessings from their work.

1. Claudia Ash
2. Josh Auten
3. Tim Brown
4. Blair Burke
5. Ally Butler
6. Casey Butler
7. Randy Butler
8. Elizabeth Chappelear
9. Claire Droppelman
10. Lauren Ellis
11. Josh Greer
12. Mikayla Hailey
13. Hayley Hinson
14. Andrew Hirschy
15. Katie Lee
16. Katherine Lopez
17. Max Mason
18. Hatley McArthur
19. Grant Parker
20. Evan Scott
21. Anna Shealy
22. Brittany Stanford
23. Brooke Stanford
24. Megan Talley

Too Late?!

Today, I though I would order something for our upcoming trip... uh... I soon realized that we are too late to order anything that will be "delivered in 4 to 6 weeks"!

Our wonderful leaders have done the planning, they have purchased the tickets and they have secured our accommodations. Our checked luggage is slowly being filled with everything from prayer shawls, toys, crafts, vitamins, seat cushions, candy, computers, computer monitors, crosses, hats, caps, Traveler Paul(s), gliders, shoes, clothes, and necessary items. Anything that we could personally do without, has provided more room and weight for a gift or a donation.

Time is growing short and the excitement is building with the anticipation of experiencing and sharing the wonders of Jesus Christ in another country and in another culture. We are blessed with the chance to take another step in our spiritual journey.

For the group, click the link 2010 Mission Trip Travel Information for any baggage questions. Check page 2 for weights and sizes. Any questions, please email Randy @ mrandallross@aol.com. Please, take the time now to set the correct time and date on your cameras. START YOUR JOURNALS!

wvd

New Peru Group Members

Each year we all are blessed by the addition of new people (and returning members from other churches) to join our trip to Peru. This year we are excited to be joined by:

Bryson City Presbyterian Church, Bryson City, NC:

• DeAnna Booth (DeAnna joined us on the 2008 trip)
• Laura Booth

Port Orange Presbyterian Church, Port Orange, FL:

• Sarah Dolatowski
• Kaitlin Lyons
• Kerry Lyons
• Kendall Ward
• Theresa Wolf

Below is proof that the members of Port Orange Presbyterian Church in Port Orange, Florida are as excited to go Peru as we are. Please pray for our new guests that they will experience the joy, giving and blessings that all others have received on previous visits to Huanta.

The excerpt below is copied from the newsletter of

Port Orange Presbyterian Church (USA)

4662 S. Clyde Morris Boulevard

Port Orange, Florida 32129

Port Orange Presbyterian Church Mission Team asks God: Where are you calling us in 2010? Our long term goal is to discern just where God might want us to try to initiate a long-term mission partnership with Christians somewhere out there in His world. We want to learn from, with, about and because of each other. We want to challenge each other to grow in our relationships with Jesus Christ. We want to be the best versions of ourselves as disciples of our Lord. We want to BE the church worldwide in a long-term relationship that will undoubtedly change the people we work with and ourselves. So, we are sending out 3 scouting teams from Port Orange Presbyterian Church to learn from other churches who have been in long-term partnership with Christians worldwide. We will team up with First Presbyterian DeLand, FL and their partners at Shalom Presbyterian and La Vida Joven in Esteli, Nicaragua, two distinctly different ministries 3 that they have had 15-year relationships with. We will partner with Sharon Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC and their partners in Huanta and Lima, Peru, ministries that they have had a 5-year partnership with.
Our church will send 13 people on international scouting missions this year. These folks will come home with information that they learn from these sister churches in DeLand, Charlotte, Esteli, Huanta and Lima.

POPCians will come home with what they learn about:

• How the relationships got started
• How the churches have maintained the partnership
• How the relationships have grown and changed over the years
• How the people of their churches have been changed by the partnerships

…and these POPC folks will hopefully come home with some idea of just where and how POPC might initiate a partnership of our own in last half of 2010. This is perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities.

Peru Mission Trip 2010

Dear Mission Trip Participants:

It is hard to believe, but there are now less than five (5) weeks to go before Peru Mission Trip 2010!

I had hoped to get the group together for a conference call to discuss and adopt a team covenant. Given summertime schedules, however, that is looking increasingly doubtful. Let's try to adopt a team covenant by e-mail. Include all participants with the things that you would like to see us accomplish during our trip and how you would like for us to accomplish these things.

I submit the following suggestions:

• That our team travel to Peru with open minds, arms and hearts, always striving to let the grace, love and mercy of God shine through each of us through our words and deeds.
• That we look after and support each other.
• That we listen to and respect each other as we try to discern God's plan for us in Peru.
• That we take time during our trip to build bridges between our diverse cultures.
• That we be especially mindful of the youth participants and ensure that they are respected and heard.

Thanks to those of you that have already returned your trip forms. I will be arranging for trip insurance the week of July 5th, so please get the trip forms back to me by the July 1, 2010 deadline.

We are blessed that we have received many donations of clothing and shoes for the children of the Presbytery of Huanta. If your packing permits you to take additional donations in your checked or carryon bags, please let me know.

Blessings to each of you!

Randy

Click on the picture for a better view. The white lines in the picture are our flight paths from Orlando & Charlotte to Atlanta. From Atlanta to Lima and then on to Ayacucho.

Western North Carolina Mission Trips

As witnessed by our visitor counter, we have been very blessed by the overwhelming support of our missions blog.
We feel that we should share information about our mission trips to the North Carolina mountains too. Every group member has enjoyed the feeling of fellowship and cherished the memories of helping someone in need.

Sharon Presbyterian have joined the Step By Step Ministries in Clyde, NC. Step By Step is a United Methodist Disaster Response program providing home repairs for people that are economically and/or physically disadvantaged with services such as hanging sheetrock, painting, building ramps and patching roofs. .

A link to an album of pictures from previous North Carolina trips has been added below. For any information or questions, contact Phyllis Acton at pacton@sharontowers.org or J.D. Pearce at mailto:jpearce@carolina.rr.com

Peru Trip Meeting

Dear Mission Trip Participants:

Please mark your calendars for the late afternoon/early evening of Sunday, June 6, 2010. Let’s plan to get together in the Sharon Church Annex Basement at 4:00 p.m. We will go over the trip schedule and other trip logistics and pack some of the donations we will be taking to Peru.After our meeting and packing donations, let’s have dinner at Genaro’s Peruvian Rotisserie Grill. Genaro’s is located at 10405 Park Road , just past the Kangaroo convenience store heading south on Park Road towards Pineville.

I have received a couple of e-mails from Samuel Montes which I wanted to share with you. Samuel is the past President and the current mission trip liaison for the Presbytery of Huanta.

The leaders of the Presbytery of Huanta have asked that we assemble, sand and paint one hundred fifty (150) benches (to be used as pews) during our week in Huanta. The recipients of these benches will be four (4) presbyteries neighboring the Presbytery of Huanta in the District of Tambo.

I am excited that we will again be able to be with members of the Presbytery of Huanta and students attending the August session of Huanta’s Biblical Institute yet join with the Presbytery of Huanta in their outreach to neighboring presbyteries. There are thirty-one churches and groups with over one thousand members in these four presbyteries.

The detailed 2010 Project Proposal. I thank Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson for their translation of the proposal.
In an e-mail I received last week, Samuel made the following comment:

“It is hard for me to explain what it means for my brothers and sisters in the United States to travel so far to love us and be with us. It is a lesson of what true love is all about.”

I think Samuel’s words speak volumes to what personal relationships and what “just being there” means to our brothers and sisters in Peru.

Project funds were sent to the Presbytery of Huanta on Monday, May 24, 2010. This will enable Samuel to purchase the wood, have it cut and mortised and along with the other materials necessary to assemble, sand and paint the benches, delivered to the Christo Rey Church prior to our arrival in Huanta.

Sarah and I had the opportunity and pleasure to visit and worship with the congregation of Port Orange Presbyterian Church (“POPC”) on Sunday, May 2, 2010. After worship, we met with Sarah Dolatowski, Kaitlin Lyons, Kerry Lyons, Kendall Ward and Theresa Wolf, POPC members who will be participating in the trip to Peru . POPC has committed to expanding its outreach beyond its local community and is sending mission teams to Cuba, Nicaragua and Peru this year. Sarah and I are looking forward to our journey of faith and service with Sarah, Kaitlin, Kerry, Kendall and Theresa in Peru!
Thank you for participating in this year’s trip. If you have questions, concerns or comments, please let me know.

Peace,
Randy

Has Sharon Been Blessed?

Do you think Sharon Presbyterian has been blessed by adult mission trips?
A short list of support from our church members:

• making prayer shawls
• making pew seat cushions
• making infant caps and toboggans
• shopping for deals at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Michael's and yard sales
• buying and donating old suitcases
• donating clothes and shoes
• buying and donating crafts and games
• making and tie dying tee shirts
• donating children's books
• buying and donating candy and treats
• making crosses
• buying and reprogramming used computers
• acquiring Presbyterian literature
• purchasing Spanish Bibles

As you can see, there is more to a mission trip than "just going". The once a year trip has become a year 'round plan. Everyone has been blessed by the sharing of time and talents of the wonderful people that have provided something from the above list.
Check this blog for "Mission Participants Past And Present" to view everyone that has been on any of Sharon's adult mission trips and ask any of them if they were moved, informed, changed or blessed.

Thank you and bless you all!

Help Needed

Participants in the 2010 Mission Trip to Peru are seeking donations of children’s clothing and shoes to present to the leaders of the Presbytery of Huanta. The donations will be distributed to children in the Presbytery.

Sixteen (16) people, nine (9) from Sharon Presbyterian Church, five (5) from Port Orange Presbyterian Church and two (2) from Bryson City Presbyterian Church have committed to participate in this year’s trip.

In 2009, clothing and shoes to fill twenty-four (24) suitcases, each weighing fifty (50) pounds, was donated by members of Sharon Church.

Due to the variations in climate in the Andes Mountains, clothing for all seasons can be used. Shoes are especially needed. Luggage to transport the donations to Peru is also needed. Due to weight restrictions on the Peruvian airline that participants will fly from Lima to Huanta, the donations will be shipped from Lima to Huanta via overnight bus.

A collection bin has been placed in the Narthex closet. Tax receipts for donations are located in an envelope attached to the front of the collection bin. Or if you prefer, a participant on the trip would be happy to schedule a pick up.

If you have any questions, need additional information or would like to schedule a pick up of donated items, please contact Randy Ross via telephone at 704-552-5573 or via e-mail at mrandallross@aol.com.

Thank you for your participation in Sharon Church’s outreach to our brothers and sisters in the Presbytery of Huanta, Peru!