If you haven't already heard, I am gearing up for a big trip next week! I have the good fortune of having a close clergy buddy in the Presbytery of Lackawanna, which covers the area of northeastern PA. Back in late fall he asked whether I would be interested in joining with a group of pastors from his presbytery which would be undertaking a fact-finding mission trip to Peru in April after Easter. Bill and I have been to many conferences together around the country and have been travel buddies to the Middle East on two occasions. So when I gave him a resounding 'I'm in!" he said, "I thought you might!" Of course, to confirm I had to check with the 'boss' at home to see if it would be ok for me to be gone for what amounts to 12 days. Joanne doesn't really like it when I go on faraway trips, and my original thought was for her to come along, but in the end April is crunch time in her job. I don't really like being away for extended periods of time either (apart from work I'm a homebody!). But we agreed this was the opportunity of a lifetime, considering the nature of the trip for me as a pastor and the fact that a grant would pay for all or part of our airfare (all of it, it turns out!).

So, I will be away from April 9 - April 20. While I am away local pastors will be on call in case of any pastoral emergency. Clerk of Session Kathy Coogen will have that information if needed. Robin Miller Curras, a pastor friend of mine who is Minister at Large in the Presbytery will fill the pulpit the one Sunday I am gone.

During our trip we will be visiting a number of Presbyterian Church-related mission projects throughout the country, focusing on several of the environmental challenges the country is currently facing. And of course we'll "squeeze" in some sight-seeing time - one doesn't go to Peru and not visit Machu Picchu, which is where we finish up.

It should be an amazing, experience, even if I don't know any Spanish!

I have been blessed to be able to do some amazing overseas travel during my pastoral career, due largely to the generous continuing education allowance I receive as part of my salary package. More than 15 years ago I received a sabbatical grant during which Joanne and I spent five weeks overseas visiting Italy, Greece, including several of the Greek Isles, Egypt, Turkey and Switzerland. I have been to Israel twice and to Jordan once and hope to return to the Holy Land one more time before I retire from active ministry, hopefully with some UPC friends.

And now to Peru! It doesn't get more exotic than that!

You can be sure I will return with many great stories and pictures for a presentation later in the spring or early summer.

There will only be five or six of us on this particular trip. Please pray for us as we visit this country that has such a colorful and eventful history and which continues to draw tourists from around the globe to its astounding natural landscapes.

And pray for my wife Joanne too, while I'm away (our three cats will be fine!).

Paz y gracia,

Rev. Rick