Perú Comes To Street View

Resource:  Digital Trends

By Trevor Mogg

Street View cars are continuing to make their way around the world, with Peru the latest country to join the ranks of those visited by the Mountain View company’s camera-laden motors.

In fact, according to a Google+ post announcing the news, the South American nation is the 51st country to join Street View, with its major cities now among more than 3,000 around the world that’ve been given the Street View treatment.

To make the most of your armchair-based Street View trip to Peru, be sure to click on the thumbnail images at the bottom right of your screen to bring up a panel offering more full-size images of a location or famous landmark using public user-contributed photos from Picasa and Panaromio .

Where possible, Google has brought these images together to create a photo tour that show a particular location from multiple angles, with the pictures morphing from one to another. Such tours are currently available for more than 15,000 famous sites around the world.

The Street View team also said it has expanded its coverage of Chile, with a colossal 21,000 miles of the country’s roads now mapped by its vehicles. Among South American nations, Google’s Street View cars have also mapped parts of Brazil.

Google has been rolling out a ton of Street View updates in recent months. Besides adding 360-degree imagery for more unusual locations – the interior of the world’s largest passenger plane, the top of the highest building in the world, and Doctor Who’s TARDIS among them – it also recently launched a new behind-the-scenes site offering users the chance to find out more about how some of the content was gathered.

Webinar Invitation

Grace and peace to you.

Join us for a webinar to learn from and pray with our partners working in Egypt. Hear how our brothers and sisters are being impacted by recent happenings, and learn how God is present in the midst of this situation. We will have the chance to hear from one of our Egyptian global partners, a Presbyterian mission co-worker, and Amgad Beblawi, World Mission's Area Coordinator for the Middle East.

When: Thursday, August 29 at 1:00 PM (EST)

To register for this webinar

We hope you will be able to join us for this important conversation. Please share this event with your congregations and colleagues.

In Christ,

Hunter Farrell

Director, Presbyterian World Mission

Mission Crossroads PC(USA)

Lima's Dreaded Skies

Resource: Yahoo News

For roughly four months a year, the sun abandons Peru's seaside desert capital, suffocating it under a ponderous gray cloudbank and fog that coats the city with nighttime drizzles.

The 19th-century writer and seafarer Herman Melville called Lima "the strangest and saddest city thou can'st see."

Other writers have likened its leaden winter sky to "the belly of a burro."

Barometers often read 100 percent humidity, and rheumatoid and bronchial ailments soar in the city of 9 million.

Limenos don scarfs and jackets and complain of slipping into a gloom of seasonal depression.


Fog Covered Stairs Leading To The Bella Vista del Paraiso Neighborhood

This year, Lima has had a particularly bad bout of winter, its coldest, dampest in 30 years, according to the state meteorological agency, with temperatures dropping to a sodden 12 degrees centigrade (about 54 degrees Fahrenheit).

The cold Humboldt current that runs north from Antarctica along the coast is the culprit, colliding with the warmer tropical atmosphere to create the blinding mists called "garua" in coastal Chile and Peru.

Of course no one suffers Lima's winters like the poor huddled in its hilly, fog-draped peripheries.

In one cardboard-and-wood shack, 41-year-old Digna Salvador tells a visiting journalist that it takes her clothing 12 days to dry on the line. Four of her nine children are sick with bronchitis.

Her 10-month-old, Marcos, coughs incessantly as she holds him in her arms.

Salvador says the highlands province from which she hails, Cajamarca, is much colder in winter.

"But everything is sad here," she says. "In winter, it's as if we're living enclosed in a cloud."

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.

In Perú, Fly The Flag In July, Or Pay Up

Resource:  Times-Standard National & World News

Anyone traveling in Peru in recent weeks could easily have concluded it's among the world's most patriotic nations. Until they find out why the national flag is flapping virtually everywhere: Failing to fly the banner for Independence Day can bring a hefty fine.

Under a 1939 national law, Peruvian homes, businesses and institutions are required to fly the red-and-white standard from July 27 through July 30 to honor Independence Day, which falls on July 28.

But some municipalities require that the flag be flown for the entire month of July, or even longer. Enforcement varies from municipality to municipality.

There is uniformity neither in the specified time period nor in the penalty for non-compliance.

Fines begin at about $20 and can run as high as $380, according to a 2011 study by the Peruvian Institute of Municipal Administration.

So, flags are everywhere.

And more often than not, they are affixed to roofs far from the street—where they can't be easily stolen

Ethernet In Huanta

This past year, mission members were able to connect to the WiFi network from the engineering office next to the La Posada del Marques in Huanta.  Albeit, it was only available in the hotel lobby area.  We have heard that the engineering group might be leaving at the completion of their project in August of 2014, possibly earlier.  So, the free WiFi might not be available when we return in July.

We are not sure if WiFi will ever be available in the hotel rooms.  There are new Ethernet cables in each room of the hotel, so if you decide to bring a laptop in the coming years, you should have no problem connecting.

WiFi connections with smart phones and tablets will be another issue.  I have ordered an adapter/converter that I hope will enable us to plug an Ethernet cable to a tablet.  As the order arrives and we try the converter with different tablets and phones, we will keep you posted of the results.

We can always return to the Internet Cafes too...

We Need You!

If you have ever thought about joining the adult mission trip to Perú, next year will be a wonderful opportunity to use the gifts and talents that God has given you.  The trip is scheduled for July 11-21, 2014.

The 2014 trip is going to be big!  So big in fact, that we have already started the planning!

The tentative work scheduled for us is to assist in completing the new kitchen for the Cristo Rey church in Huanta.  Hopefully the new kitchen (and new Sanctuary) will be completed for the Bible Institute students that will be returning to school later in the month of July.

All participant's talents will be needed!  The kids and members of Cristo Rey and Huanta are anxiously waiting for our return too!

Please search your hearts and prayerfully consider joining us.

More news and information coming soon!

Use Your Gifts Of Service On Western North Carolina Mission Trip

On October 24 - 27, 2013, Sharon Presbyterian Church will participate in the third annual Western North Carolina adult mission trip.

Partnering with Bryson City Presbyterian Church, we will be providing assistance to those residents of Swain County, NC, who have fallen on hard times. These individuals are physically and financially unable to maintain their homes and yards.

During the previous trips, the team has rebuilt disability ramps, installed tile flooring and cabinets, stacked fire wood, cleaned yards, trimmed shrubs, painted homes, replaced windows and siding, and repaired porch floors.

As noted in 1 Peter 4, we are to serve with the gifts we are given by the Lord. We invite you to consider participating in this year’s mission trip. No particular skill or experience level required. This is a great opportunity for you to use your gifts in service to others and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

For additional information contact David Spivey, 704-604-3644, spiveys_@msn.com.

The Week That Changed Me

A story from the Sturgis, SD, mission trip shared anonymously by one of our youth

Last week really changed me and I just want to tell everybody what happened. 

During Thursday’s evening program they gave us all a Band-Aid. The question of the night was ‘Why do you fear when Jesus is with you?’ They asked us to put the Band-Aid on our hand to cover our wound. My wound was the fear of being alone in life.

Even though I was surrounded by lots of people, I never interacted with the group. I hid myself from everybody, even people who did notice me.

To end the program we prayed and then Ashley the Emcee asked us to put our Band-Aids on the cross when we were ready to give up our fear. After she said that, I immediately got up and started to walk down. I placed my Band-Aid on the cross and sat down on the wall. That night I accepted that I didn't have confidence in myself. That night was really moving to me.

The next day I saw Jesus work through me as I went up to people and talked and hung out with them.  It was like my fear was gone, before that night I did't really have faith in Jesus. But the next day, like that, I switched groups and became faithful.  I don't really know what happened to me that made me change so much but today I feel like a new person.  That Work Camp was the best thing that I have ever done in my entire life.

August 9 - International Day Of The World's Indigenous Peoples

Resource:  United Nations

"On this International Day, I pledge the full support of the UN system to cooperate with indigenous peoples, including their media, to promote the full implementation of the Declaration."  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

2013 Theme:

"Indigenous peoples building alliances:  Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements"

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People (9 August) was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 – 2004).

In 2004, the Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005 – 2014, with the theme of "A Decade for Action and Dignity." The focus of this year's International Day is "Indigenous peoples building alliances: Honouring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements."

The theme aims to highlight the importance of honouring arrangements between States, their citizens and indigenous peoples that were designed to recognize indigenous peoples' rights to their lands and establish a framework for living in proximity and entering into economic relationships. Agreements also outline a political vision of different sovereign peoples living together on the same land, according to the principles of friendship, cooperation and peace.

A special event at UN Headquarters in New York will be held on Friday, 9 August, starting at 3pm, featuring the UN Secretary-General, the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a delegate of Panama, a representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, and an indigenous representative. The event will be webcast live at webtv.un.org.

Also on 9 August, hundreds of indigenous and non-indigenous rowers are scheduled to arrive at Pier 96 at 57th Street in Manhattan at 10am, after having collectively travelled thousands of miles on rivers and horsebacks to honour the first treaty -– the Two Row Wampum -– concluded between Dutch immigrants and the Haudenosaunee (a confederacy of six nations, with capital in the Onondaga nation, in NY State) 400 years ago, in 1613. They will gather with members of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at 1:30pm.

We Have Returned!

Granadilla Fruit

We're back from our recent trip to Lircay and Huanta, Perú!

I know that it doesn't look like we are doing much here on the blog, but we are working hard to get pictures posted into the photo albums of the 2013 Perú Mission Trip and Logo Sightings.

More to come here very soon.

Liberty Island Reopens - Ellis Island Remains Closed

Debris Left From The Storm Surge On Ellis Island

The article below is posted to honor the hard work of the National Park Service and this year's mission participant Diana Pardue.

Resource:  Yahoo News

By Holly Bailey

For more than 100 years, Ellis Island has been an important symbol of the nation’s immigration system, a place where more than 12 million people passed through between 1892 and 1924 seeking a better life in America. And since 1990, when Ellis Island reopened as a museum, millions more have walked through its doors, seeking to understand its role in creating the nation’s “melting pot” of culture and their own family roots.

But for the past eight months, Ellis Island has been eerily quiet, another victim of the rage of Superstorm Sandy. The Oct. 29 storm flooded the island with what National Park Service officials say was at least an 8-foot wall of water, destroying its electrical system and damaging many of its historic buildings—including the immigration museum.

“We went back through the historical records, and Ellis Island has never seen a storm like this. … We thought the buildings were on high enough ground, but nobody imagined water coming over the walls like it did,” Diana Pardue, head of museum services for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, said. “It was a very damaging storm.”

Neighboring Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, also sustained major damage from Sandy—adding up to a combined $59 million in damage to both islands, according to the NPS. But after months of renovations—including the rebuilding of its electrical system, walkways and boat docks--Liberty Island will reopen Thursday in time for the Independence Day holiday.

Yet Ellis Island will remain dark, closed until at least next year. Park officials, who had put all their focus on getting Liberty Island back open, say they will soon turn their attention to Ellis Island, where they will undertake a massive renovation aimed not only at repairing Sandy damage but protecting the island from future storms.

“The decision was made early on that we didn't just want to put everything back where it was so that if there is another storm like this” the island is better prepared, Pardue said.

While park officials say they are only now beginning to plot the exact details of the rebuilding process at Ellis Island, their early decisions mirror those made by building owners in Lower Manhattan who are being forced to bring their structures, many of which are more than 100 years old, into the modern age.

Read more...

New Assignments For The Dimmocks

The Dimmock Family

This July, our missionaries Frank and Nancy Dimmock will move to Lusaka, Zambia, in Africa. Presbyterian World Missions has called Frank to be one of three “Catalysts” to address three Critical Global Issues:

• Poverty
• Evangelism
• Reconciliation

Frank will work 40% of his time in Louisville at the General Assembly and maintain a station in Zambia. Nancy will be the new Young Adult Volunteer Coordinator for Zambia.

They ask for our prayers as their family moves from Lesotho to their new assignments.

Mission Perú

2013 Perú Mission Team

Sara Armstrong {Lima, Perú}

Rusty Edmondson {Lima, Perú}

Rose Boelke {West Jefferson, North Carolina}

Connie Dale {Charlotte, North Carolina}

Brenda Paredes {Lima, Perú}

Diana Pardue {New York, New York}

Bev Vickrey {Charlotte, North Carolina}

Gary Geisel {Edgewater, Maryland}

Jim Hogan {Baltimore, Maryland}

Randy Ross {Charlotte, North Carolina}

Tom Skinner {Charlotte, North Carolina}

Van Dale {Charlotte, North Carolina}

• Saturday, July 6:
• Connie and Van travel to Lima.  They will visit the Paredes family and explore Lima.
• Friday, July 12:
• The majority of the team (Bev, Diana, Rose, Gary, Jim, Randy, & Tom) arrive in Lima.  Sara, Brenda, Connie, Rusty and Van meet arrivals at the Lima airport.
• Everyone spends the night in Lima.
• Saturday, July 13:
• Everyone departs Lima for Ayacucho in the afternoon.  In Ayacucho, we connect with the mission group from Port Orange Presbyterian Church, Port Orange, Florida.
• Sunday, July 14:
• The Lircay Team (Rusty, Diana, Gary, Jim, & Randy) departs Ayacucho for Lircay. The Huanta Team (Sara, Bev, Brenda, Connie, Rose, Tom & Van) depart Ayacucho for Huanta.
• The Presbytery of Huanta has asked that part of our team travel to the town of Lircay to help assemble benches to be used as pews in the churches of the Synod of Huancavelica. The other part of our team will travel to Huanta to help paint four (4) local churches.
• Gary and Jim have also graciously offered to share their many years of banking experience and are developing a curriculum on church and personal financial management to be presented to church leadership and members in both Lircay and Huanta.
• Wednesday, July 17:
• The Lircay team departs and travels to Huanta.
• Saturday, July 20:
• Everyone departs Hunata.
• Visit the artisan village of Quinua.
• Arrival in Ayacucho.
• Sunday, July 21:
• Everyone departs Ayacucho for an early morning flight to Lima.
• We will travel to Amen Church for morning worship and fellowship. In the afternoon, everyone will visit the Inca Market in Miraflores before having dinner and heading to the airport for our flights home.  
• Gary & Jim will remain in Lima and travel to Cusco after the mission trip to visit the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

This will be Sharon Church’s sixth consecutive trip to Huanta. Each year I travel there becomes more special than the year before, in part, because I am in awe of the blessing of yet another opportunity to worship and work next to my Andean brothers and sisters.

I am looking forward to the time together with each of you and each of them, a time of faith, fellowship and service to Jesus Christ.

I wanted to share a recent note from Samuel Montes, current Secretary (and past President) of the Presbytery:
"I am filled with excitement and encouragement in organizing the work we will do together in Ayacucho, Lircay and Huanta. I treasure many aspects of the partnership that Sharon Church enjoys with the Presbytery. The most endearing aspect is how our partnership has enabled and empowered the Presbytery to reach out and minister to its neighbors. “…the mission is not ours, the real promoter is Jesus and God himself, the One who moves mountains and changes lives… and nothing will stop Him.”

Amen Samuel, Amen

A special thanks to each of you for joining this year’s trip to help bolster, deepen and move this partnership forward.

Grace and peace to each of you.
Randy