Wednesday, January 30
Peru
Our work is to strengthen PC(USA) partnerships with Reformed denominations in Peru. Recently our church signed a formal partnership agreement with a Peruvian denomination that has 2,000 churches. Where does one start to get to know such a large church? In their wisdom, Peruvian leaders said, “Start in the south with these three leaders.”
Sara Armstrong and Pastor Eron Quispe with the new radio equipment. Photo by Rusty Edmondson
We visited their ministries in the mountain provinces of Puno and Cusco. One site is a church in Ayaviri, a small town high in the altiplano of the southern Andes. The women there wear traditional dress, and the Protestant presence is small but strong.
Church members sold caramels to purchase broadcasting equipment, and now the church radio station is broadcasting the good news in the Quechua language. They also host a Bible institute. We were surprised to find that they have a 90-acre experimental farm with a few dairy cattle. They hope to develop it further so it will support the work of the church. They turned a farm building into a preschool nursery. We looked to see where the schoolchildren lived. A mile or two off, tucked into low hills, there were small adobe houses. Little children walk for miles for the opportunity to have preschool education!
This church partner has a substantial ministry sustained by few resources. They look forward to meeting partners willing to take part in their work through praying and by helping to strengthen the radio station, rebuild the church complex, and apply appropriate rural technologies at their farm.
—Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson, PC(USA) mission co-workers, Peru
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru: Rev. Sara Armstrong and Russell Edmondson, delegations and partnership coordinators • Joining Hands Against Poverty: Rev. Jed Koball, companionship facilitator
Partners/Ministries
Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru: Rev. Emanuel Solano, president, Rev. Fernando Sotomayor, secretary • Evangelical Church of Peru: Rev. Ricardo Alcarraz, president, Rev. Enrique Augusto Alva Callup, secretary • Theological Faculty of the Evangelical Education Association: Rev. Efrain Barrera, executive director • Joining Hands Against Poverty (UMCP): Conrado Olivera, executive director
Presbytery Partnerships: Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, with UMCP; Presbytery of San Gabriel, with Synod of Ayacucho
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Del Braaksma, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Dan Braden, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Let us pray
Lord, look with favor on your children in remote parts of Peru. Prosper their plans and provide for their churches. Send partners to serve with them, that they may learn from each other. May we all seek to follow Jesus. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 65; 147:1-11
First Reading Isaiah 49:1-12
Second Reading Galatians 2:11-21
Gospel Reading Mark 6:13-29
Evening Psalms 125; 91
