Peruvians Make The Best Of North America's Snowstorm

Resource:  Peru This Week

Stay At The Table

Staying At The Table from Dennis Smith

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

Microsoft Launches Quechua App For Tablets

Resource:  Peru This Week

By Rachel Chase

Proponents of Quechua hope that using the language in a technological setting will help to preserve the indigenous tongue.

Microsoft is helping to preserve the indigenous language of Quechua through a rather unexpected medium: the app.

According to Andina news agency, Microsoft is launching an application with tablet tools in Quechua for Windows tablet devices. Andina reports that the launch will take place on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Cusco Conventions Center. The launch is part of Quechua Week, an event sponsored by the Ministry of Culture that aims to celebrate and promote the indigenous language.

Cusco writer Luis Nieto Degregori told Andina that by using Quechua in high-tech devices, proponents of its use can make sure it lives on for years to come. “Quechua should be in computers, in cell phones, in tablets— it’s very important; it’s a language of the present and of the future, and this is one of the ways to make sure Quechua doesn’t disappear,” Nieto Degregori, the author of acclaimed 2003 book “Cuzco después del amor” (“Cusco after the love”) said.

Quechua is the most widely-spoken indigenous language in South America. According to 2007 Peruvian census data, there are more than 3 million Quechua speakers in the country. There may be as many as 10 million Quechua speakers worldwide.

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.

Veterans Day Concert

Resource:  Jim Harrill jharrill@martinandharrill.com

The Annual Veterans Day concert for the community at South Mecklenburg High School, Wednesday, November 6 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium.

The public is invited!

Catching Up With The Dimmocks

Resource:  Sharon Presbyterian Church eDesciple

Our PC(USA) missionaries Nancy and Frank Dimmock are living mostly on two different continents
in their new assignments. Frank works at The General Assembly in Louisville, KY, as one of three
new mission catalysts, traveling to many nations to help with poverty and health issues. His vast
experience since 1979 of working with women and children in Africa will aid our larger church’s
understanding of world poverty.

Nancy is in Lusaka, Zambia, as the Young Adult Coordinator (YAV), organizing sites and programs for young adults to participate in a transforming year in mission work. Three of their children live in Zambia with her; four other children and one new grandchild live in southeastern US. Andrew stayed in Lesotho to continue his schooling.

Folk Art From Ayacucho Finds Admirers

Resource:  Peru This Week

By Rachel Chase

Artisans who were forced to leave Ayacucho during years of terrorism have returned and restarted their work.

The Peruvian region of Ayacucho was hit especially hard during the years of terrorism. Many people fled the area, facing hardship and restarting their lives in other parts of the country.

Among those affected were folk artists in Ayacucho. According to El Comercio, violence forced artisans and potential customers alike out of the area. Now, however, some have been able to return to Ayacucho, where their folk artwork has become a local attraction.

Textile artisan Fernando Arango of Qorimaqui (“golden hands” in Quechua) workshop in Huamanga explained his enthusiasm for his work. Speaking to Aaron Ormeño of El Comercio, Arango said “Since I was a kid, I’ve been working, my dad made me work. I’ve been learning and working since I was eight years old. And eventually, I found my vocation, which is my passion, folk art [artesania]. I get to express what I’m feeling, all my emotions […] I express them all in my pieces.”

“The motifs [on the pieces] are always generally very traditional, but also modern, you know? It depends a lot on the customer.” Arango said. Pointing to a traditional floral design incorporating plants native to the Peruvian Andes, he added, “We also try to express our customs, our traditions.”

El Comercio reports that Arango has even found success in the United States, having sold 500 embroidered belts to US buyers in 2012. “We do the embroidery by hand. We work with people who are specialists at this […] People really like the floral details that we incorporate into the designs. We use alpaca, sheep, and cotton fibers to make the woven goods, always with natural dyes. We want to keep growing, so the talent of Ayacucho will become more well-known within Peru and in different parts of the world.”

Read more...

Providing Medical Help In Peru

Resource: The Sylva Herald
By Nick Breedlove

The old adage goes: “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

When Jerry Parker of Cullowhee and Janet James of Sylva traveled to Peru in August as part of a medical assistance team, they did just that.

Parker and James were part of a Mountain Medics International trip that provided dental and medical care to residents of remote villages in the Andes Mountains. MMI’s mission is “improving the health and quality of life of mountain communities that provide a home to some of our world’s poorest and underserved populations.”

James is a nurse practitioner in Dr. Clifford Mault’s office and Parker is a pharmacist in Bryson City.

Along with nine other team members from across the country, they hiked some 60 miles over the course of 10 days and saw hundreds of villagers in need of medical attention.

Graham Rogers of Colorado, who is married to a Peruvian woman, organized the trip.

The hike in was grueling, the pair said.

People told James the hike would be a lot like Sylva’s Pinnacle Park, which turned out to be an understatement, she said.

“It didn't even compare,” James said laughing, adding “now the Pinnacle seems like a piece of cake.”

James and Parker raised funds and contributed their own money, some $3,300, and donated their time to the cause. Mike Hamrick, a Bryson City dentist, also went on the trip, where he performed countless dental procedures.

The group flew into Lima, Peru, then took an eight-hour bus ride on winding, narrow roads to Huaraz before beginning their foot journey.

Assisted by 26 burros, the group made the trek and adapted to the climate and elevation. Their acclimatization was a 3,500 foot hike up into the mountains.

Read more...

Lima, Peru Named Host Of 2019 Pan American Games

Resource:  thespec

A body of 41 national sports organizations voted on Friday (October 11), with countries that have hosted previous Pan Am Games getting two votes.

The Peruvian capital won with 31 votes, beating out Santiago, Chile, La Punta, Argentina, and Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.

Lima is hosting the Games for the first time. It was beaten out by Toronto for the rights to the 2015 Games.

Peru: Let The Fire Burn Bright

Resource:  The Baptist Standard

By Janet Ruiz

On a recent Sunday after church, the pastor brought out a small grill he bought and wanted to use. He had never grilled in his life, and I had never started a fire in my life. So, this was a new experience for both of us.

We got the coal, wood and cardboard. We tried to start the fire by burning the cardboard and the wood. That material would burn fast, but the coal did not want to light. It was embarrassing how long it took us to get the coal to fire up, but once we got it burning, it continued to burn. It made me think about the church members.

I see members who come to church, sit in a pew and leave after every service, but it is always the same people. I see no growth, no true communion between the members, and no one wanting to step up to serve. It is a bit discouraging, but the thing that sparked a flame of hope in my life was the idea that maybe the members are like the coal.

What if they take a lot more time and energy to light? We must not give up and continue pouring into them, because they might just light up when we least expect it. We have the assurance that once they light up, they will not burn out.

The problem I see is that all the people here in the town think they know about God, but because of the actions of some church members, they decide to stay away from church. They respect the pastor and his family for what they do for the community, but they do not dare step into a church service.

God placed in my heart the desire to prayer-walk the town. Talking to people, I know they want more. We must pray like never before and trust God will open their eyes. It is my desire to see a church that burns bright for God. Only then will the town be willing to hear.

Janet Ruiz, a student at the University of Texas-Pan American, is serving with Go Now Missions in Peru.

Sharon Presbyterian Church, (PCUSA) Charlotte, NC 28210 is honored to host a book signing at Sharon On Wednesday on November 6th for the new book by Ken Garfield, Billy Graham: A Life in Pictures.

Ken, former Religion editor for The Charlotte Observer, will speak to us about the book and share some stories about Rev. Graham beginning at 6:15 p.m. in the Chapel, and he will be available to personally autograph your book following his talk.

Pre-order copies of the book at a reduced price ($11 each)

Toby's Adoption Day!!!

Resource: gringacharapa.blogspot.com
By Pam McAbee McGraw

In our hearts it has been official since Thursday, May 23 when we received a phone call telling us we had matched with a birth mother - we were instantly attached, instantly in love, instantly a family – before he was even born and before we ever laid an eye on our beautiful baby boy. But today, Thursday, October 10 (11 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days since this amazing journey began), it is now legal and we are more in love than ever!!!

In celebration of Toby's life we want to honor the woman whose love and sacrifice made our little family of 3 possible. We hope you will take the time to read my newest blog post entitled "Birth Mother." Please feel free to repost, forward, email, print or otherwise share it. Click this link to get to my blog: www.gringacharapa.blogspot.com or type this address into your web browser.

Pam McAbee McCraw
www.gringacharapa.blogspot.com

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13

Peru Presentation

Resource:  Sharon Presbyterian Church

Participants in the 2013 Mission Trip to Peru will share their personal experiences and photographs during the Sunday School hour on Sunday, October 13, 2013.

The presentation will take place at 9:30 am in The Chapel.

Coffee, juice and a light snack will be served.

Everyone is invited to attend; this is an excellent opportunity to hear about this meaningful extension of mission for Sharon Presbyterian.