The Park Family in Peru

Dear All,

Here are the latest updates.

BISHOPS ELECTION--
The Diocese of Peru held its Diocesan Synod (like Diocesan Convention) on Friday and Saturday. Fr Michael Chapman (SAMS-USA) was elected and will serve as suffragan (assisting) bishop in Peru, pending approval of the Province of the Southern Cone. Neither John Macdonald nor John Park were elected. It was an honor that John was considered for bishop. However, when we came to Lima almost 6 years ago, we were called to minister to the Cathedral and this we shall continue to do.

Dear Ones,
We have so much to be grateful for in the midst of so much chaos in the world around us.

CHILE--
Coming fast on the heels of the earthquake devastation in Haiti was another, even stronger, in Chile. Fr Salvador, who works in southern Peru in Arequipa, was able to get in touch with his wife and daughter who were returning to Santiago for the start of Macarena's school year. Fellow SAMS-USA missionaries Russ and Heidi Smith, their children, and Chris Feuillade are safe. The SAMS-UK missionaries are all safe as well.

Dear Ones,

As I sit here eagerly awaiting the arrival of our younger son James who is coming to spend Christmas with us in Peru, I am confronted by the reality of the world around us. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of 2 work teams-one from the US and one from Europe, Christmas bazaar, British theatre pantomime, Festival of Lessons and Carols, 27 baptisms; we are faced with the reality that in these last few months there has been a lot of sickness and death within our family and church; coming and going, hellos and good-byes.

We just got back from John's check-up and the doctor is very pleased with the outcome of John's cataract surgery. In 3 weeks, he'll have to get the lens replaced in his glasses to reflect his new prescription. Until then, he has to balance wearing and not wearing his glasses, depending on which eye he wants to see out of. Hopefully, we can get the lens taken out of his glasses in the meantime.

NOW, for those of you who have the time, this is what the rest of yesterday looked like!

Dear Friends in the Faith,

Please pray about these recent events in our lives--

JOHN --
goes in for cataract surgery on Thursday morning. He's been having trouble with the vision in the right eye for some time and thought he just needed new glasses. The eye exam confirmed that his cataract had gotten worse and it was time. Please pray for the doctor and for John's speedy recovery as he has many church and diocesan responsibilities.

SUSAN--

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, we spent our first 18 years of missionary life serving in Honduras. We are very concerned about what has been happening in Honduras the last few days and how it is being portrayed in the newspapers and on television to the world. Please read the following for a more accurate depiction of what is happening.

In any case, please pray for a peaceful and just solution to the situation and for wisdom for those in power.

HISTORY OF THE SITUATION

Anderson's ordination

160 YEARS/60 YEARS