A Letter From Sara And Rusty

Dear Friends at Sharon Presbyterian Church

We just heard about your February gift of $500 to our ministry here in Peru.  Thank you!

A friend is headed to the U.S. today and so we are jumping on the opportunity to send you mail.  As you know, we work with teams.  This year we will travel with nine of them and assist others such as the team Randy Ross will lead to Huanta in July.  It was really good to see him here on his brief visit in March too!  We are placing volunteers in several new locations this year.  We'll be in the U.S. for five month this fall and winter.  As you can tell, it will be a full year.

We thought life would be slower in the sunny summer months so I signed up for Quechua language classes.  Many of our partner churches have members whose first (and only) language is this ancient Inkan dialect.  It has been really interesting to see how language study has opened the culture to new understandings of these people who have been our partners for 6 years now.

Our dream of a long slow summer (January to March) with beach days never really came to fruition.  We had a lot of visitors, and we finished many chores on the "to do" list.  We also attended the General Assemblies of both of our partners denominations and caught up on all their news.

Now we are readying for eight teams in ten weeks.  Six of them are new to Peru and several of the locations where there will work have never received teams.  Everything is new!  The logistics are a huge exciting challenge.  But this is our work;  to be a bridge between PC(USA) churches and their Peruvian partner churches.  We help both sides to new understandings across the gaps caused by different business, church & work cultures.  Add to that barriers caused by four languages and native cultures and it gives you some idea of why we love the challenges.

We enjoyed our last visit with the church.  We'll be back in the U.S. on interpretation mid August.  We plan to be on the east coast through the end of September.  We'll be visiting Charlotte so let us know if there is a possibility of visiting you.  We are just starting to plan our trip now.

Thank you all again for helping me in this challenging work.  You make it possible for so many Christians to work in new and unexpected ways, establishing the kingdom of God.

Saludos Fraternales de Sara Armstrong y Rusty Edmondson
dos_zapatos@yahoo.com

Iquitos Gets High Speed Internet

Resource:  Peru This Week

By Hannah Vickers

The jungle city has had 11 new antennas installed, giving it an internet connection that’s 10 times faster.

Residents of the jungle city Iquitos now enjoy an internet service that’s 10 times faster, thanks to 11 new antennas in the area, reports El Comercio.

The new service was officially launched today with a ceremony. Regional president of Loreto, Yván Vásquez Valera thinks that the service will make a big difference to the city that’s not accessible by road. “It’s the first time that Iquitos will stop being isolated,” he said at the ceremony.

President Ollanta Humala promises that the new higher velocity internet will bring more investments to the city. The new bandwidth is the result of a S/. 180 million investment from Peruvian telephone company, Telefónica del Perú.

Despite being the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest and fifth largest city in Peru, the location and difficulty of access can make Iquitos somewhat isolated. The rubber boom of the early 20th century caused a huge influx of people to the city, which also brought wealth and social development.

Now, Iquitos is a popular tourist destination and many tourists’ first stop when visiting the Peruvian amazon. Iquitos is only accessible by plane or boat, so visits to the capital of the Loreto region have to be more carefully planned.

Paracas, Perú Tourism

International Hotels Are Investing In New Locations In Paracas

Resource:  Peru This Week

Paracas Natural Reserve is expected to become the second favorite tourist spot after the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru due to its upward trend in visitor arrivals accompanied by the increase of hotel-oriented investments.

“The natural landmark has become a very popular destination for travelers from within Peru and abroad,” Paracas National Reserve’s head Steve Marthans said.

The country’s top natural reserve, located in the southern Ica region, attracted a record high of 200,572 tourists in 2013, up 12 percent from the visitors mark recorded a year earlier.

“The reported rise in overseas tourist arrivals is resulting in the growing interest of large-scale international hotel companies [that are] gaining presence in the area,” Marthans said.

Furthermore, the tourism official stressed that the opening of several new five-star accommodations and resorts in Paracas has been a key factor which has boosted its annual visitor growth.

Lessons From A Peruvian Jungle

Tommy Larner Teaches The Importance Of The Great Commission

Resource:  Baptist Press

By Tommy Larner

Iquitos, Peru (BP) -- In August 2011, I saw the Amazon River for the first time. It was while I was traveling from Lima, Peru, to Iquitos, a city of approximately 700,000 people located in the Amazon Basin of Peru. 

The city is surrounded by rivers and is only accessible by air or boat. Little did I know that during the next two years I would fly into the small Iquitos airport 13 times and with repeated opportunities to look at the world's largest river.

Every two months, my wife and I go to a jungle camp two hours outside of Iquitos to train national believers in cross-cultural missions principles. Beth and I also have been involved in two conferences for pastors and leaders in towns outside of Iquitos. One of these was down-river on the Amazon and allowed us a much deeper understanding of the life of our Peruvian brothers and sisters as they labor to proclaim the Gospel among the people living in villages in the Amazon Basin.

During the two years that we have continually visited the Iquitos area, my life has been deeply touched by the lives of those we go to teach and train. Those with whom we work in this jungle area see me as their teacher. They show me great respect, which in itself is very humbling. But as I listen to them and observe their lives, they teach me some very important lessons about what it means to follow Christ -- and I believe I learn more from them than I could ever teach them.

Several powerful traits in their lives have become obvious to me. Foundational to everything else, many of these servants of the Lord demonstrate a single-minded devotion to Christ. Jesus is at the center of their lives. They are simple and humble people who are motivated by pleasing their Master. It is common to see well-used Bibles, and prayer is an important part of their lives. In times of corporate worship they sing with great enthusiasm and listen attentively as the Word of God is proclaimed.

Read more...

Lunch & Conversation With Frank Dimmock

Frank And Nancy Dimmock

Frank Dimmock is returning to Sharon Church for a lunch and conversation Thursday, March 13, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. in Room 202 of the Barbara Ward Building.

Currently the Global Poverty Alleviation Catalyst for the PCUSA, Frank served as a mission coworker in Africa for 30 years, where his wife, Nancy, is still serving.  Mission Connections

Everyone is invited to visit with Frank and learn about the larger church in mission.  RSVP to the church office if you want to attend, 704-553-0869, ron@sharonpcusa.org.

Sad News...

Good morning:

Many of you know Javier Ruiz, our trusted friend and driver. We write you this morning to sadly inform you that his brother, Carlos Ruiz, passed away Monday, Feb 24. Carlos was swimming at a local beach with his family and hit his head on a submerged rock in the surf. He was taken to the Naval hospital and died after surgery. Sara and I attended the family hosted wake yesterday. Carlos recently retired from a career with the Peruvian Navy and will be buried today in Lima with full military honors.

When Javier needed an extra "taxi helper" he would call on Carlos, nick named "big boy" by Javier. Those "team members" who rode with Carlos commented how he kept them entertained and laughing. Carlos would drive slow, calm and arrived to the destination relaxed... and before those who rode with Javier.

If you would like to send a short note to Javier, send it to my email address at dos_zapatos@yahoo.com. Javier's laptop is with his daughter Lizzy who is in Arequipa visiting her mom's family. I will print and give it to him this weekend.

saludos de rusty y sara

My Daughter's Citzenship And My Mixed Feelings

Resource:  Reflejos

By Marco Ortiz

The bitter cold felt this past January 29 wasn’t an obstacle for the 99 individuals who attended their naturalization ceremony in Chicago.

Among these new citizens was my daughter.

Seeing her standing there, waiting impatiently for her turn to receive her certificate of citizenship, I couldn't help recounting the long road she had to travel to reach that goal.

First, at the age of two and a half, she saw me leave Peru not knowing that, because of the bureaucratic immigration process, she would wait seven years to see me again.

I remember the many times she asked me on the phone with her innocent voice, “Dad, when are you coming back?”

If I traveled back to Peru then, I could have lost several years of preparation working through the system to establish my own legal residence. I had no option but to wait my turn in the long line of people waiting before me.

I tried to explain to her why I came to the U.S. I explained that at that time there was no work in Peru, that the economy was very bad and that the terrorist attacks were a constant threat, so I came to the U.S. to be able to bring the whole family later.

But at the end of my detailed explanations, she would repeat the same question, “Dad, when are you coming back?”

That was a question I couldn’t answer and one that put a lump in my throat. When I finally was able to return to Peru, and went to the U.S. Embassy in Lima to apply for residence for my children, they said I needed to get a DNA test to prove I was their father.

Read more...

The Exotic Disease Detectives

Resource:  BBC News Health

By Anna Lacey

When a patient goes to the doctor, most expect to come out with a diagnosis. But what if your disease is a mystery? Then it's time to call in the exotic disease detectives.

"I travelled to Peru last summer and about a month afterwards noticed what looked like a large boil," says Bob Gilbert, who lives in east London.

"It was continuously scabbing over. I couldn't understand it."

After waiting three weeks for it to clear up, Mr Gilbert finally visited his GP and was given a course of antibiotics.

This was followed by two further GP visits, investigations at four different hospitals and concerns about both tuberculosis and cancer.

It was only after being referred to the Hospital of Tropical Diseases in London that he finally received the correct diagnosis - New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.

"When I saw him, I was able to make the connection based on his travel history," says Diana Lockwood, a consultant at the hospital and a professor of Tropical Diseases.

"We were then able to confirm the diagnosis by performing a test on a sample of the ulcer."

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by bites from infected sand flies. In most cases, it causes open sores on the skin (cutaneous leishmaniasis) but it can also infect and damage the organs (visceral leishmaniasis).

However symptoms can take weeks or months to develop - meaning that many people might not make the link to their foreign travel.

Read more...

Remembering Roberta Tello

Roberta Tello In 2012

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I tell you that Roberta Tello, our dear sister and deacon of the Cristo Rey Church in Huanta, Peru, has lost her twelve year battle with cancer. Roberta is now with her Lord and pain free.

Roberta was a woman of great faith and optimism. She was a frequent and tireless volunteer at her church and for many years helped prepare meals for the students and leaders of the Bible Institute of Huanta and Sharon Church mission teams. Even after losing one leg to cancer two years ago, Roberta continued to work in the kitchen at Cristo Rey, convinced that her call from God was to help feed those called to serve others and take the gospel to the people in the Andes Mountains.

Roberta will be missed by all of those touched by her.

Randy Ross

Probiotics Pre-Trip

Resource:  Washington Post

By Jennifer Huget

You're finally taking that long-dreamed-of trip to Mexico, and one thing's for sure: You don't want a bout of diarrhea to force you off the beach or out of the ruins. So you pack your Pepto-Bismol and your hand sanitizer. Should you also stash a supply of helpful bacteria?  Maybe.

The jury's out as to whether probiotics -- "pro" for good, "biotics" for microscopic living organisms -- can help ward off travelers' diarrhea, or TD, which affects 20 percent or more of travelers to developing countries, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

TD, like many domestic forms of diarrhea, occurs when pathogenic (bad) bacteria, parasites or viruses enter the digestive system. They upset the balance of "flora," or naturally occurring bacteria, in the gut; as the bad bacteria overcome the good guys, you get sick.

TD is characterized by four or more loose or watery bowel movements in a day; it can be accompanied by cramps, nausea, fever and other un-vacation-friendly symptoms. Most cases are caused by eating food or drinking water infected with such pathogens as E. coli. A traveler's risk of getting TD depends largely on his destination. Developed nations = low risk, underdeveloped countries = higher risk. The whole mess usually runs its course in a couple of days. But those days can seem very long indeed, especially when they're cutting into your touring time.

In theory, populating your gut with healthy bacteria or yeasts can help combat those disease-causing organisms. The notion has gained currency in recent decades in the world of alternative medicine and even in mainstream commerce, where products such as Dannon's new Activia yogurt, enhanced with probiotics, are proliferating like happy bacteria. But although science has begun to establish probiotics' utility in treating some maladies, including varieties of diarrhea caused by antibiotic use and those associated with Crohn's disease, nobody has quite demonstrated that popping probiotics while traveling can keep the runs on the run.

Read more...

Peru Mission Informational Meetings

The 2014 Sharon Presbyterian Church Adult Mission Trip to Huanta, Peru promises to again be one of witness and service to Jesus Christ. Do you feel God’s call to participate in the 2014 trip?

Informational meetings will be held at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, Sunday, February 16, 2014, at 5:00 pm and Sunday, February 23, 2014, at 11:45 am in the Heritage Room of the Sanctuary.

The 2014 trip is open to adults and a limited number of youth participants. Youth participants must be at least a rising high school junior this year and accompanied on the trip by a parent or legal guardian.

The trip is scheduled to take place from Friday, July 11 through Monday, July 21, 2014.

Trip information and application forms will be distributed at each meeting. Forms will also be available in the Peru Mission Trip mailbox (located on the top row of mailboxes in the hallway outside the Sharon Church office) beginning Sunday, February 2, 2014, or by contacting Randy Ross at 704-552-5573 or mrandallross@aol.com.

The trip application, passport copies and deposit are due Sunday, March 16, 2014. Please contact Randy if you are unable to attend either meeting but are still interested in participating or learning more about the trip.

2014 Peru Trip Information & Application

Travel Information

For those that are planning to join us on the 2014 Peru mission trip, or taking any trip in the near future, Randy Ross has some valuable information to share below.

The following information is from the U.S. State Department:

How long is a passport valid and when should I renew my passport?

"If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met."

I have done a little research and cannot find that Peru requires that a passport for a tourist be valid for six (6) months after entering the country. Rather it would seem to be that the requirement is ninety (90) days, the length of time a tourist can stay in Peru.

I have checked a few airline websites (American, Delta and United) as well. Delta recommends the six (6) months while American and United suggest that you check the individual county's entry requirements.

Thanks.

Randy

Additional passport links:

Estimated Processing Times

Frequently Asked Questions

Six Things To Do In Ayacucho

Resource:  Peru This Week

By Sophia Guida

Known for its churches, Andean scenery and Semana Santa celebrations, laid-back Ayacucho is the perfect choice for a short getaway from Lima.

Located in the south-central Andes about 500 km from Lima, Ayacucho is just high enough in the mountains to give you incredible scenery, but won’t slay you with soroche, being at 2,700 meters.

Aside from taking your pick of the no less than 33 churches to visit, here are a few other things to see in this beautiful region.

1.  See a physical reminder of brutish colonialism at Vilcashuaman

In the village of Vicashuaman, meaning “sacred falcon” in Quechua, you can see a Catholic church built on top of Inca ruins. The temple, dedicated to the sun, is situated next to a five-tier pyramid, called an usnu, which you can climb up in order to get a nice, bird’s eye view of the town.

2. Visit the National Sanctuary of Titankayuq

The National Sanctuary of Titankayuq is home to the largest number of puya raimondii, a species of shrub that is the world’s tallest flowering plant. Their tall green spikes can hold upwards of 1000 tiny flowers at one time. It is found exclusively in Peru and Bolivia, at elevations above 3000 meters. Called “Seussical” by my traveling companion, these bizarre plants make for an interesting accent to the mountain landscape. It is about an hour’s walk from the village of Vishongo.

3. Explore the Huari / Wari Ruins

Located on the way to the village of Quinua, the Huari Ruins are still under excavation. You can see stunning views of the tangled maze of stone walls with the mountains in the background. There is also a small museum on the grounds.

Read more...

Peruvians Make The Best Of North America's Snowstorm

Resource:  Peru This Week