Samuel Returns Back To Huanta Safely

Dear brothers and sisters, I hope in the Lord, his homecoming has been no major setbacks for my part as I arrived at 8 am, so good by the grace of God.


Greetings from me, Julia, Yesenia and Denil.

Regards

Samuel Montes.

Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Fund for Mission Partners established at Sharon Presbyterian.

The Session recently approved a new Scholarship Fund for Mission Partners. The primary purpose of this new scholarship is to grant annually an undergraduate or graduate scholarship to an international student from an economically-challenged family identified through Sharon Presbyterian Church’s mission connections. 

The first recipient of this new scholarship is Brenda Paredes of Lima, Peru.

Brenda is known to many in our church through her invaluable assistance with our Peru Mission Trips and her two recent internships with our congregation. Brenda has been accepted to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and will begin her studies later this month. Watch for more details in the next church newsletter. 

Gifts to the scholarship fund should be made payable to Sharon Presbyterian Church and clearly earmarked “College Fund.”

Monday

Sorry we have not posted earlier.  Internet problems again here in Huanta. Everyone arrived and we are in fair health.  A few stomach problems are beginning to pop up.  We will post again as soon as possible.  Chao for now.

Perú Blessings

Hope you all have safe travels, a great trip, and come back with lots of new spiritual insights and great stories to share. May God’s blessings be with you all!

Grace & Peace,

Ron E. Nelson
Associate Pastor
Sharon Presbyterian Church
5201 Sharon Road
Charlotte, NC 28210
704.553.0869

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?

Answered Prayers

Good Morning from your sleepy friends in Lima. We said good bye last night to a team of 33. We accompanied them for the last 9 days in Cusco province. Just a quick note to those of you who work with Cristo Rey. The judge decided in favor of Cristo Rey. Celebrations and thanks are due!

Saludos de Sara y Rusty

Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Coordinadores de Alianzas y Delegaciones con las Iglesias Reformadas de Perú
http://www.puentesperuanos.org/
http://perumissionnetwork.blogspot.com/

Western North Carolina Mission

Here’s a wonderful opportunity to do mission work in Western North Carolina.  This year Sharon’s Western North Carolina Adult mission trip will take place from September 15 - 18, 2011.  We are partnering with the Bryson City Presbyterian Church (BCPC) to conduct mission work in the Bryson City, NC area. BCPC has identified a need for assistance in this area due to families in poverty and with poor health.

The group will depart Thursday, September 15, at 1:00 pm and return Sunday, September 18, in the afternoon. BCPC is working with several organizations to identify projects in the area and has already raised funds for materials. 

Anyone can participate, regardless of prior construction experience or skill level. We are planning for a group of 10-12 from SPC. If you are interested in participating please contact Dave Spivey, 704-841-0902, spiveys_@msn.com by August 20.

Where Do The Benches We Assembled From Previous Years Go?

These benches are now in an Andean community, 100 km (62 mi) from Huanta.

The community location is at an altitude of 3800 m (12,450 ft). This church has 104 members. Of course these benches do not meet the full need but they are part of wonderful work that dignifies the conditions of the Andean children of God.

Soon, We Will Be In Huanta!

Good Evening Van,

The President of the Presbytery informs me that the work is going forward.  (I am delighted when they make the effort to do things themselves).  Anyway, I will be with my brothers and sisters from Sharon all week.

God Bless,
Samuel

A Reason To Celebrate

Translation sent from Sara Armstrong.

Pastor Orlando Bellido has been ordained to celebrate the sacraments as official pastor of the Cristo Rey church. The ceremony took place last weekend.

On Wednesday I went, with all the workers of AFADIPH, the institution where I work, to a retreat near the city of Vilcashuaman-Ayacucho and we just got back an hour ago to continue our work.

Once again thanks, greetings to Rusty.

Blessings,
Samuel

Youth Mission Trip

Our youth depart Saturday morning, July 9, for their mission trip in East Bank, West Virginia, where they'll be helping with basic home repairs for those in need. Please pray for their safety as they go beyond our own community to share God's love through Christian service.

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Pastor Santos' Update 11

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We have wonderful news to share today! Santos is released to return home with our mission team flying to Lima this Saturday, July 9. He had his final appointment with the oral surgeon this morning. The doctor said that he normally would not release anyone this early; Santos’ recovery has been outstanding! The doctor removed about 10 large screws from his mouth. At Santos' request, he gave the screws to him to keep as a reminder. This afternoon, he will have an appointment with his dentist for a slight adjustment to his bite.

George Holguin who has hosted Santos for much of his time here, commented that “It has been a long journey for Santos. Through it all, Angie (George’s wife) and I have been humbled by his enormous faith in God, never once showing any frustration or discouragement.”

I know you are rejoicing at this joyful news and will continue to pray for Santos as he returns home and transitions back into life and ministry in Peru!

Praising God with you,

Grace Swartz

Reaching Out In Missions - East Bank, West Virgina

The Senior High youth are looking forward to a great mission trip July 9-16 to East Bank, West Virginia.

On their trip they will experience Christian service on the front lines of the real world, learning valuable skills of home repair – basic carpentry, roof repair, painting, and drywall while helping others. Each day of their mission trip will start and end with devotions, include hard work, and involve nightly programs featuring great music, top-quality videos, games, and worship experiences. During the week they will develop a relationship with someone in need, and in doing so they will begin to see people in need as real people, rather than just “the poor or needy.” They will develop closer relationships with each other and with God. As a result they will come home with a new sense of unity, understanding, and respect for each other.

Please pray for the 21 youth and 5 adult advisors as they go beyond our own community to share God’s love through Christian service.

Reaching Out In Missions - Dominican Republic

Chandler Schramm, son of Janat and Skip Schramm, recently participated in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic through his school.

Chandler & Friends