Peruvian Visitors come to Donaghcloney Parish

 The Feast of the Epiphany (6th January) reminds us of special visitors (Magi) who saw a star in the east and followed it until they found the Christ Child.  On Friday 6th January special visitors arrived in the Parish to spend a week with the Rector.  The Rev. Anderson Sanchez, his wife Isabel, and children Ivana and Jacob came to the east from Lima, Peru, where Anderson is Rector of 3 different congregations and Isabel is Principal of a Santisma Trinidad Primary School and Cristo Redentor Nursery School.  Both Ivana and Jacob are in full time education.  The Rector, Rev Mark Lennox, has known the family since his first visit to Peru in 2015, and his visited and worked with them on 3 subsequent occasions.  Anderson preached at all the services on Sunday 8th January.  He said to the congregation “I believe God has placed a message on my heart for you as a Church, that message is – the best is yet to come”, while quoting from Jeremiah 33:3. 

            During their visit, the Sanchez Family spoke at many of the Parish Groups including the Mothers’ Union, Craft Class, Girl’s Brigade and Boy’s Brigade.  They led the weekly assembly in both Donaghcloney Primary School and Waringstown Primary School, and shared of their ministry at different house gatherings.  On Monday afternoon they had the opportunity to meet with Bishop David in Church House to chat about ministry and to pray together.

            Local elected representatives also had an opportunity to meet our special visitors.  Local MLA Diane Dodds facilitated a tour of Stormont, and on their final morning (Thursday) the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Craigavon and Banbridge, presented them with gifts at a reception in the Palace in Armagh. 

            The family also spoke at other congregations and mission organisations during their time in Northern Ireland, speaking at Fivemiletown Parish, Castledawson Presbyterian Church and at a gathering of OMS (One Mission Society) missionaries.  On Thursday evening Anderson, Isabel, Ivana and Jacob moved on to spend the next 4 days in Strabane Parish, before they begin the long journey home on Monday.

            Speaking about the visit, the Rector, Rev Mark Lennox said, “It has been and immense blessing and privilege to have Anderson and his family stay with me in the Rectory and for us to minister together again. I thank our Lord for this wonderful opportunity, and I am grateful to those whose generosity has made the visit possible.  I sincerely hope that the link I have with Anderson will continue to deepen and that the Parish will be involved in future ministry opportunities in Lima”.