Greetings, First Presbyterian, Ferguson!

We hope this finds you well and ready to start off the church year and fall season! It can be said that all that we, as a family, and collectively, as a church, have been through during this pandemic has been overwhelming, to say the least. But we are so grateful to know that your pillar of support through prayers and correspondences accompanied us (and continue to accompany us) daily, along each step of our family’s journey.

As we write to you from just a few blocks from the church, we continue to serve virtually with our partners in Peru. In a country that has been hard hit by the pandemic, once holding the world’s highest per capita death toll, as well as facing economic and political crisis, due to complicated and divisive presidential elections, our accompaniment of our partners is where God continues to call us to be and serve.
Thankfully, as COVID case numbers continue to decrease in Peru, our partners of the Evangelical Church of Peru (IEP) have been able to open the doors of their seminaries and Bible institutes to students aspiring to become stronger church leaders and study the Word of God more deeply. Recently, a graduation was held for the first 10 women who completed the women’s ministry course of the Bible Institute of Sajiruyoc, located in the high jungle outside of Cuzco. There are more than 100 more women who are taking this course and continue to study and grow in their faith. The graduation was a time to celebrate this first group, while also encouraging the others on their journey to completing the course.

Recently, our partner, the Peruvian Joining Hands Network (RUMP), of which our PERUSA ministry is a part, changed directors and is working on an evaluation of the program, as well as undergoing many changes to its structure and systems. We have been very focused on these tasks these past months, as we accompany the new director, Milushka, in understanding the program, its mission, and how to keep it relevant and faithful to growing partnerships between our partners in Peru and PC (USA) congregations, like yourselves.

Though we find ourselves in many transitions, we greatly appreciate the consistency of our partnership with you all and your prayers for us, our ministry, and for Peru and our partners there. Thank you for accompanying us throughout these years and the many transitions we have faced and continue to face. Your support gives us strength and encourages us as we continue in our ministry.

Chenoa Stock (she/her/hers/ella)
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Mission Co-Worker – Peru