November 29, 2004

Advent 2005

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4b

Dear Partners in Christ’s service,

As we enter this season of Advent in a world of anguish and fear, our only hope and direction come from the prophet’s vision of what God intends for the world God so loves.

Peru

In August and in October I had the privilege of joining leaders from the PC(USA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru (IEPRP) in visits that enabled us to observe some of Peru’s beautiful diversity—geographic, cultural, and ecclesiastical. We flew out of lush Iquitos on the Amazon River and jungle, crossed the snowy peaks of the Andes, stopped in Lima on the coast, and then flew along the desert and cordillera of the Andes into the heights of Arequipa, where we could see El Misty volcano smoking in the distance.

Partners

The PC(USA) has a very clear and succinct policy statement “Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership.” We begin with the exciting premise that God is at work in Peru through the local initiative of many Peruvians. We go to Peru to participate in that work as guests and outsiders, as partners with God and Peruvians. The moderator of the IEPRP, Rodrigo Maslucán, was our host and guide on both visits. Many congregations of the PC(USA) have engaged in mission projects in Peru without contact with the national church. The Worldwide Ministries Division is in the process of getting to know the IEPRP and facilitating relationships of mutual respect, trust, and ministry.

In Lima I visited our PC(USA) co workers Deborah and Harry Horne and Hunter and Ruth Farrell. Harry teaches at the Latin American Biblical University’s Lima branch, a center of theological excellence. The Farrells work with 15 Peruvian NGOs and Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery in the Joining Hands Against Hunger Network emphasizing advocacy, solidarity, human resources, and political action.

Problems

In Iquitos we saw missions built, maintained, and controlled by Americans and not connected with a national church. Good intentioned Presbyterians have “invested” over one million dollars. The sad results? A huge empty building which Peruvians cannot maintain and a split in the IEPRP. What are some of the missiological mistakes that have created so many problems in Iquitos?

• Money and project centered mission with no ownership by Peruvian structures.
• Missionary and individual centered mission, which bypasses national churches.
• Little respect for the dignity of national churches, participants, and organizations.

Positive fruits

After seeing so many problems in Iquitos, it was a breath of fresh air to go east to the rolling mountains of the northern rain forest to the orchid capital of the world, Moyobamba, and visit the oldest and largest congregation of the IEPRP. Pastor David MacPherson has facilitated PC(USA) involvement in the diverse mission projects of this flourishing congregation, which include:

• a 24 hour radio station and new TV ministry.
• sixteen new church developments (nine among the Aguaruna people and seven among mestizos).
• the Annie Sopper School (K 12).
• the development of a new Alto Mayo University project
• medical teams working with the Luke Society.

Possibilities for partnership begin with prayer

• New church development in Arequipa and other hubs, with the IEPRP’s Mission Commission. In Arequipa, a charming city of Inca and colonial cultures in the South Andes, we visited the new church development led by a young couple, Emilio and Carolina Celiz. In less than one year they moved from Bible studies in their home to worship in a small rented space where believers whom they have personally evangelized meet, including an active youth group (some of whom are fruits of their ministry in a juvenile correction center). Pray for Emilio and Carolina and this new work in Arequipa and for NCDs in the other three hub cities which can become springboards for church growth. The hub cities are: Chiclayo and Trujillo on the northern coast and Huancayo in the Central Andes.
• Continuing education events with the IEPRP’s Christian Education Commission. Providing pastoral care and development of members through encounters for eaders, pastors, youth, and women at all levels is a need repeatedly expressed by the IEPRP. This is presently impossible because of the cost of transportation and logistics. Pray for them and for PC(USA) congregations who might facilitate these encounters and send groups to participate in them.
• Alto Mayo University and Luke Society in Moyobamba. Pray for the Peruvian board that is developing the university project and that those who join this project will move slowly and respectfully at the pace of the Peruvians. Pray for Luke Society’s holistic medical and community development projects as they expand their outreach and that the PC(USA) will learn from them.
• Restoration in Iquitos. Pray that Medical Missions will pull out, free the people to return to their denomination, and turn the properties and infrastructure over to the IEPRP. Pray for the Peruvian church as they deal pastorally with the flock and decide what to do with the buildings.
• My book, Called as Partners in Christ’s Service: The Practice of God’s Mission, is available from Geneva Press in Louisville. Please pray that it will be useful for PC(USA) folks in mission and for the translations into Portuguese and Spanish.
  
  A hope-filled Advent to you,

Sherron George

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 146