The Peru Gazette

Good day everyone,

I wanted to reach out and make sure you know that although there have been limited numbers of news/notes over past few weeks, HOPE is alive, quite busy and constantly discerning how and where and when to share the blessings of HOPE….because of you!

1.  Venezuela Orphanages:  The most recent email received from Sr. Mirian indicates that she/they are near starvation and that she has had to let all staff go because she can no longer pay them or feed them anything.  The situation remains dire but we also want you to know that we’ve begun to get donated funds to them and with a lot of prayer and hope, food and urgent necessities will be addressed soon.

2.  COVID and more in Nicaragua:  We have learned from our administrators in Nica that our barrios are being “slammed” with more major outbreaks with Covid.  So, there is a push under way to make more masks and distribute more homemade sanitizer and soap to those most at risk.  What is most disturbing about this news is that it continues to unfold in a country where the sociopolitical situation is catastrophically difficult.  We will keep you posted with developments and we ask for your prayers.

3.  Food shortages:  In both Venezuela and Nicaragua, as well as in some places in US, access to food is scarce and people are suffering.  In fact, many countries worldwide are confronted with this reality.   Carrie Newcomer has many beautiful songs but one of her most beautiful is “There’s Room at the Table”.  More about this in my reflection below.

4.  Sponsorships:  As is often the case at this time of year, we reach out to you, asking if any of you can help “keep a child in school and preserve their dream” by sponsoring a child.  We’ve lost many sponsors this year, due to deaths, loss of jobs, etc.  If you think you can help by providing $140 for a child who has lost their sponsor, please advise and I will send you the necessary paperwork.  Together, we can preserve the dream!  Just a reminder that in Nicaragua, school begins the first week of February so please respond if you can help.

5.  MOHTown warehouse remains closed due to the large numbers of COVID in our area. Stay tuned for updates and reach out as necessary.

6.  Special thanks: Next week, we will have our first formal Leadership Team  meeting for the new year. We welcome to our Board, newly elected members Jeremy Eppler and John Conti.  We also wish to express our most sincere gratitude to departing members Sue McDonnell, Jacob Schiff, Kyra Guenther, Anthony Garami and Tanner Spear for their years of service.  If you’d like to zoom into our meeting on Wednesday, Jan.20th, at 6 PM, please advise and we will make sure you get the zoom link.

Thought for the week:  Will we make room?

As noted above, Carrie Newcomer has a wonderful song entitled “Room at the table for everyone”.

Growing up, I have fond memories of how my mother always made room at the table for another friend.  The mothers of my friends did the same…there was always room for one more or, several more.

We can also recall images of centuries old events such as the feeding of the five thousand, distribution of food by international nonprofits, and recent accounts on national news, of children raising funds so hungry families can eat.

It’s not about doing something local or regional or international.  It’s about doing both/and….where we can, when we can, because we can!

Let us all “be the beloved community” as Newcomer mentions in her song.

Perhaps this song can be your comfort and inspiration and invitation this week…

Peru, NY 12972
Cell: 518-572-4246-please note change of number as of 9/25/2020
Office: 518-643-5572