NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Chyann Mackey (Mount Olive Brethren Church, McGaheysville, VA) and Naomi Strickland (Five Stones Community Church, Ashland, OH) – Pucusana, Peru, are serving as interns in a joint project with the Pucusana Project (Peru), the Brethren Church in Peru, and the Brethren Church (U.S.). The Pucusana Project, one of our significant ministry partners, is working to alleviate poverty in Pucusana, Peru, by providing quality educational opportunities, creating programs to improve social issues and family dynamics, enabling financial stability through business training, and cultivating a thriving Christian community through discipleship, worship, and church planting. In mid-August of 2023, Chyann and Naomi joined Allison and Topher Wallace, Elena Prado Effio, and her son Isaac in the ministry work in Pucusana, Peru. During their time there, they will work in several communities, primarily with children and families, to help develop strong relationships with the organization, acting as the hands and feet of Jesus in practical terms, and helping lay a foundation for an eventual church plant in the area. Throughout their internship, they will not only dive into the culture of the people of Peru and the communities they are in but will develop skills that will carry them forward in life. The development of increased interpersonal skills will be significant, as will some essential business and communication aptitudes. These will help further the mission and vision of the Pucusana Project and the La Pierre Place school and the personal calling of Naomi and Chyann as they navigate the path Jesus continues to set before each of them. This internship is a pilot project expected to help young Brethren men and women as they work through various missionary callings. Some of our desired outcomes include, but are not limited to, an increased understanding of the culture of the people of Peru and Pucusana communities, and a greater sense of calling for ministry. Participants will also develop an understanding of non-profit organizational processes and communication. Finally, we hope each will discover a desire to help identify others who are processing a similar life call and engage those individuals. Ultimately, we recognize that only some participants will receive a prolonged call into an international ministry. However, for those that do, we will help them connect with other Brethren abroad, serving with various groups and organizations to help them determine the next steps along that journey. You can help support this important project here at https://brethrenchurch.kindful.com/ . Be sure to select Pucusana in the drop-down menu. Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners