Savings Not Shame

The story of the savings group Grace Bateman initiated in the Manuel Arévalo community a few years ago was recently highlighted in the latest edition of the Mandate e-Newsletter by the Chalmers Center.

"I walked into the Arévalo Presbyterian Church of Peru this past February to attend a women’s Bible study after being back in the U.S. for a few months. My friend Margarita ran up to greet me and excitedly told me “Grace, we did another savings group on our own, and it worked!” I too was excited to hear that, as the group had expressed considerable doubt the year before about their ability to run a savings group in my absence. Assuring them that they were capable was hardly convincing to them, but equipping them with the tools to execute a group on their own showed them a different, more persuasive reality about their giftedness and ability to use their God-given talents and the resources in their community to positively affect their situations."

Check out the entire article, entitled "Savings Not Shame".

Please keep these dear ladies in Arevalo in your prayers.

The Ueltscheys Are Going To Peru

We are so excited about this great new development: Marcus (an MD) and Whitney (a PT) Ueltschey and their four children, from Tupelo, MS, plan to join Peru Mission in 2010! Read more about it in this entry from their blog today:
"We are officially joining Peru Mission! After much thought and prayer through the past several years, and more so in the last year, our plans are to go to Peru! We are committing to an 18 month period of time, three months of which will be language school. Marcus and I have been to Peru two times with this wonderful mission team, and have prayed for an opportunity to serve for longer than a week. God's timing is perfect timing, and now is the time! It became more clear to us last year that we were being led to go, then we returned to Peru in April and began to take the steps necessary to make plans. We were officially accepted this fall, and hope to move in early summer.

It was really so much fun telling the children, because God had prepared them! When we told them we had some fun news, Ben guessed, "Are we moving?" Then we asked, "Where is somewhere you have been asking us to take you on a trip?" Sarah Caroline guessed, "Are we moving to Peru??" as she was jumping up and down with excitement. Only God could make them so excited about leaving their comfort zone, family, and friends to move to a new country!

We have much to do - sort through "stuff", sell our house, learn Spanish, and raise financial support. All while we continue with the daily routine of raising four children and have work commitments, church activities, Christmas plans, school, piano, Scouts, soccer, etc. Please pray that the details will fall into place and that we will continue to trust the Lord to provide the way.

When we get there, Marcus will be working in an existing medical clinic, as well as continue to build a relationship with the Peru Ministry of Health. I may assist him at times with Physical Therapy needs, although my main goals will be to homeschool. We hope to serve in the orphanage and local church for two reasons - ministry and service, and also for the children (and myself) to practice our Spanish. We also hope to recruit others to come visit!!

Peru Mission is so wonderful - you can read more at www.perumission.org. They do church planting, English as a Second Language, Seminary training, college ministry, economic development, and more. It is wonderful to see what God has done with this wonderful group of people, and we look forward to joining with them!"

Peru Paper E-letter December 09

Left click on image for larger, readable view.

Big Changes for the Bradfords E-letter

We are full of thanksgiving and anticipation as we share a big new development in the lives of the Bradfords. After several months of wrestling and praying, we have joyfully decided to accept a call to serve as Senior Pastor of Lawndale Presbyterian Church in Tupelo, MS. The Lord has made this call quite clear to us, in much the same way he made our call to Peru so clear in 1995. We dearly love our Peruvian brethren, as well as the amazing Peru Mission team, and will miss serving with them. Likewise, we have loved the folks at Lawndale for quite a while, and are thrilled that the Lord is granting us the privilege to serve with these precious brothers and sisters in Christ.

Left click on image for larger, readable view.

The Ellisons in Corinth

We are thrilled to have the Ellisons visiting us in Corinth for a few days! Dale and Susan Ellison and their kids have travelled from Peru to the USA to raise more support and celebrate the holidays. It has been so fun to catch up and make new memories with these dear Peru Mission missionaries!

Sunday Full of Visits

We really had an exceptional Sunday visiting many special people!

We spent the morning with the loving folks at First Presbyterian Church, Clarksdale, MS. Bill preached and gave a Peru Mission report. We enjoyed reminiscing over the many years they have supported us and excitedly sharing with them the progress in Peru. Thank y'all!!!

Then we met Steve and Dianne Hill, Marcus and Whitney Ueltschey, and the Ellison family in Oxford for a unique time of visiting with Peru Mission missionaries in the USA!

We all spent the evening at worshipping Christ Presbyterian Church in Oxford, MS, where Bill preached. We also enjoyed sharing with them about Peru Mission and opportunities that all churches and individuals have to serve on short-term teams in Peru.

Corinth Christmas Parade

William, Hannah and Andrew rode on the First Presbyterian Church Float in the Corinth Christmas Parade. FUN but FREEZING!