April 29, 2009

Greetings from Peru, in the name of our risen and living Lord!

When we were preparing to come live in Peru about five years ago, the most common question was what I (Debbie) was going to do down here. Harry and I were assigned as a mission couple, but Harry was the one with the “actual” job, teaching Bible at the Lima Recinto of the Latin American Biblical University.  My common answer was that I wasn’t sure, but I knew that God had a plan for me. A sense of call to serve in Peru came along with the sense that God wouldn’t have me pick up and move if there wasn’t a plan for what I would do here. After a few years of being home more than anywhere else, I began to have doubts. Then the position of site coordinator for the Young Adult Volunteer for Peru opened up when the Farrells left to work in the World Mission offices in Louisville.

Young Adult Volunteers serving in Peru in 2009-2010: (left to right) Sean, Michael, Leslie, Alex, Lynn, and Katie.

God did indeed have a plan! After a lot of anticipation, organizing, planning, and some anxiety, last September 2 I was at the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima waiting with a group of Peruvians for my first group of six young adult volunteers—Alex, Katie, Leslie, Lynn, Michael, and Sean. When they finally came out, I ran out to give them all big hugs. Their Peruvian colleagues and host families were a little more reserved, but I knew that they were equally excited and very happy to welcome them into their homes and institutions for this YAV year.

The YAVs in Peru are placed through the Peru Joining Hands Network, Red Uniendo Manos Contra la Pobreza. The 12 institutions that make up the network are united by a common desire to address the root causes of poverty. Each institution does its own work in different communities, but together they do advocacy for environmental justice, economic development, and human rights.

I did a lot to prepare for their arrival. I met with Conrado, the director of Joining Hands Peru to decide on their placements. I visited all of the institutions and families where the YAVs would be living and working. I held a training session with the placement supervisors. I prepared a budget. I learned office procedure, mainly accounting practices, about which I am still learning the finer points. I communicated regularly with the young adults about what they should and should not bring for the year as well as sending them info on their placement and host families. I planned two weeks of orientation in Lima and tentative places and dates for our retreats throughout the year. Harry and I talked about Bible studies and how to fit those into the topic of discernment for our young adult volunteers. I was ready!

However, some things one cannot prepare for, even after 15 years in the mission field. I wasn’t totally prepared for all the blessings God would pour out on me through my connections and relationships with this group of young adults. Nor was I prepared for all the love and pride that would well up in me when sharing about what these six young adults are doing in their communities, churches, and within their Peruvian host families. I was not prepared to witness the growth and transformation of these young adults. On the other hand, I did feel helpless at times—to help them cope with loneliness or struggle with the language or understand the culture. But those are as nothing compared to all the blessings I have received throughout the year.

That’s my story, for now. All of the YAVs have their own story. In fact, they have plenty of stories about their lives and work in Peru and how God is at work here. They have been sharing some of their stories through blogs and newsletters. I know you can’t wait to hear more of their stories upon their return to the United States.

Sharing our stories is one of the most important things we do, which leads me to share this news with you.

Forty mission personnel will be visiting hundreds of congregations across the United States this fall to tell how God is at work around the world. The event is called World Mission Challenge, a reprise of a similar event in 2007. It’ll be held September 25–October 18, 2009. Learn more at the Mission Challenge Web site or call Ellen Dozier at 888-728-7228, x5916.

World Mission Challenge will conclude with World Mission Celebration, a large gathering for Presbyterians who care deeply about mission. The event will be held October 22–24 in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and the adjoining Duke Energy Center. Learn more  at the Mission Celebration Web site or call Lis Valle at 888-728-7228 x5279.

Please join us in celebrating our Young Adult Volunteer program in Peru and around the world as well as all of the ways in which God is at work in His world, by inviting us to share our stories with you. ¡Muchas gracias! Thank you very much.

Grace and Peace,

Debbie and Harry Horne

P.S.  We are pleased and proud to share with you the news of Sarah’s upcoming graduation from the University of Missouri School of Journalism on May 16. We will be there to celebrate her receiving her master’s degree, and with much anticipation we look forward to seeing what the future holds for her. Thanks for your support for Sarah, our family, and our work over the years.

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 293