First Presbyterian supports mission work in several countries around the world including:

Hungary and Ukraine

We've sustained a 23-year partnership with the Reformed Church of Hungary in support of their preparation of pastors to serve in Hungary, Romania and Ukraine. Our 2010 Mission Team traveled to Hungary and the Ukraine May 25 through June 4.

Peru

Our 2010 Peru Crew traveled to Iquitos and Tamshiyacu, Peru, June 11-19 to build play equipment for the special children of the SCOTA School in Tamshiyacu.

In August 2009, six folks from Missouri Union Presbytery, including Alex Denning and Dave Henry from our congregation, returned from the Peruvian Amazon. Jason and Misty Hilkerbaumer (Bethel-Salem, Morrison), Bob Clardy (Coates Street, Moberly), John Caverly (First, Mexico), and Alex Denning & Dave Henry (First, Jefferson City) arrived in Iquitos, Peru on Saturday, July 25. For a week, along with 7 members of Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church (Quarryville, PA), they worshipped, worked, played and prayed with Christian brothers and sisters in the Amazon region of Peru. Besides, building a safety fence for the SCOTA School (Special Children of the Amazon–for children with physical and mental handicaps), they built relationships in the village of Tamshiyacu, an hour by speedboat down the Amazon River from Iquitos, Peru. FPC Jefferson City and Middle Octorara have established a “sister church” relationship with the Reformed and Presbyterian Church of Peru in Tamshiyacu. Part of that relationship is financial support; and, part is an annual work/mission trip to the Peruvian church/village.

Through the efforts of Medical Missions, Inc. (Columbia, SC), the Amazon Mission Fellowship, and these two congregations, a church, a pastor’s home, and the SCOTA School have been built during the past two years. The project for 2009 was a security fence around the children’s play area since the church and school are very close to the Amazon River. The fence was completed and painted.

The 2009 “Peru Crew” also held a Bible School for village children each day – with Bible stories, crafts, singing, face-painting, games and more. Sixty-two children attended on Monday, and by Thursday, Pastor Henry lost count after 92! The children had a wonderful time – and took their color sheets and crafts home to share Bible stories with their families.

Some of the Peru Crew played soccer with the children and youth, threw Frisbees and footballs and even organized a game of whiffleball! Despite the language barrier continual conversations took place, as we learned about one another, our cultures and our faith. It was an awesome week in the Amazon – filled with many God-experiences and reminders of the beauty of God’s creation, the beauty of God’s people everywhere, and the grace of God which sustains and blesses us all!

Learn more at Amazon Mission Fellowship.

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