Countdown To Christmas - Day 29 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Matthew 2:7-12
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Countdown To Christmas - Day 28 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Luke 2:6-7
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Countdown To Christmas - Day 27 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Matthew 2:1-6
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Countdown To Christmas - Day 26 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Luke 2:15-20
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Countdown To Christmas - Day 25 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Hebrews 1:6
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Hebrews 1:14
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Countdown To Christmas - Day 24 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Luke 2:1-5
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Merry Christmas From Perú!

We celebrate our fourth fun and challenging year here and the incredible blessings continue.

In January we traveled to Urcos, in the state of Cuzco, to attend the General Assembly of the Iglesia Evangelica Peruana (IEP). The IEP and the PC(USA) signed a covenant that begins a new ministry partnership focused in the southern synods of La Convencion, Cuzco and Puno. During much of 2012, we worked with the IEP national and local leaders, building bridges between our denominations.

In February we returned to Huaycan with a team from First Presbyterian, NYC. This huge impoverished suburb of Lima was settled by war refugees in the late ‘80’s. We worked through the non-profit AGAPE and a local church, addressing poverty issues that keep women and children of Huaycan in its binding grip.

During March and April we visited partner churches and prepared for the nine mission teams scheduled to work in Peru from May to August. We also took some vacation time to revisit Machu Picchu and to see Lake Titicaca with family. We spent Holy Week with friends in Ayacucho-an incredible celebration!

In May we traveled north to San Martin province with Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Living Waters for the World team (LWW) from Nashville, TN. The group visited with many church partners en route about future locations for installing water purification systems. One of the trip highlights was the opportunity to visit Kuelep, an archeological site that rivals Machu Picchu but is much older and has not been developed. Amazing experience! In May we also traveled twice to Ayacucho, once with a LWW team from San Gabriel Presbytery, CA to install a water filtration system, and again with Port Orange Presbyterian Church, FL as they visited Emanuel, their partner church. It is always good to return to Ayacucho.

In July Sara traveled south to Peru’s second largest city of Arequipa with a group from Laguna Hills Presbyterian Church in CA. They worked with partners there while Rusty prepared for the remaining teams and our upcoming U.S. itineration. A first time team to Cuzco, a youth group from Avondale Presbyterian Church in NC, traveled to Sicuani and restored buildings and infrastructure at Sicuani’s Quechua speaking seminary. Our 3rd team in July was a youth group from San Gabriel Presbytery, CA who worked in two remote pueblos and then enjoyed a Synod wide youth conference in Ayacucho. It was fascinating to watch these two youth cultures work together. Gabriela came with us and was a huge help with translation and integration.

If it is August, then we’re in Huanta with Sharon Presbyterian Church, NC. It has become such a joy to work with Sharon and their partner, the Presbytery of Huanta. And yes, Sharon won soccer’s esteemed Huanta Cup…again.

Aug 17 we left Peru for 10 weeks of itineration in the US. For three months last year, we flew to all of our US engagements. This year, we bought a friend’s car (The Cañonero) and drove; way better idea! Driving 9,000+ miles, through 23 states, visiting partner churches, friends and family (and every National Park Rusty could find time to visit) seems a bit daunting. But actually, driving across most of America was quite renewing for us. We were reminded of how beautiful our home land is, how gracious its people are, and how fortunate and blessed we are.

On Oct 31 we returned to Peru and made the final preparations for the 2012 Peru Mission Network Conference in Lima November 12-15. The conference was well attended with 25 US and Peruvian delegates excellent speakers and challenging topics.

For more on the conference, see our latest news article soon to be posted on our PC(USA) website.

December is summer in Peru, so here Santa Rusty wears shorts, tee’s and flips flops while he and Sara close administrative duties for 2012, visit Peruvian friends, reflect on this past year activities and prepare for 2013.  Here in Peru there are Christmas programs and celebrations like those in the US. Carols to sing, readings of scripture, gifts to give, sweets to taste and special drinks to enjoy. Here too, we are reminded how beautiful Peru is, how gracious its people are, how fortunate and blessed we are.

As the Christians of this world prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, may you, your friends and family reflect upon and enjoy His blessings.

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROPERO AÑO NUEVO

From all of our household;

Sara, Rusty, Urpi, Gabriela, Jenni el perro y Cinco el gato

Countdown To Christmas - Day 23 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Matthew 1:18-24
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Peruvian Village Destroyed By Fire

Resource:  Hispanically Speaking News

A huge fire destroyed some 150 humble dwellings in a poor section of the Peruvian Amazon city of Iquitos, the police said.

Gen. Jose Cespedes, director of the Peruvian National Police’s East Region, said on the local Canal N television channel Thursday that the blaze had been brought under control by volunteer firefighters, who had difficulties in reaching the area on the banks of the Amazon River.

According to media reports, firefighters and local residents had to get water from the nearby river to douse the flames and, at the same time, had to keep a number of criminals from looting their belongings.

“All the fire departments took part as did the National Police with a great many officers. We don’t know the causes, everything is under investigation,” Cespedes said.

The head of the regional National Defense office, Robert Falcon, told the official news agency Andina that the fire devastated one of the poorest districts of the city, where the houses were made of wood.

Falcon declined to give an official report of the damages, though he did say that at least 100 homes were affected in the Iquitos district of Belen.

Countdown To Christmas - Day 22 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Luke 1:26-33
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Countdown To Christmas - Day 21 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Isaiah 40:3-5
3 A voice of one calling:“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Luke 3:15-16
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Countdown To Christmas - Day 20 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Micah 5:4
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Luke 15:4-7
4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Countdown To Christmas - Day 19 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Micah 5:2
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Matthew 2:4-6
4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Countdown To Christmas - Day 18 of 29

Resource:  Bible.com

Isaiah 63:7-9
7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good thing she has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. 8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior. 9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried the mall the days of old.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.