The mission of the Latin American Mission Partnership is to further Christian relationships between churches of the Presbyteries of Cayuga-Syracuse and Utica and the churches of the Presbiterio Campechano on the west side of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, in order to learn from each other, grow in our faith together, and assist in mutual projects to strengthen our faith communities.
The partnership began with a visioning group in 2003 and since then has completed nine visits that included various projects in Campeche, Central New York and on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
What can you do? Get Involved with Our Mexican Partners!
Campechano
Pastor in Residence in
Central New York
The Latin
American Mission Partnership (LAMP) has been in partnership with the
Campechano Presbytery in Campeche, Mexico since 2003. Several mission groups have traveled between Campeche and
Central New York.
The Rev.
Francisco Chan Lopez and his family have received their visas and arrived in the United States on August 15 for a stay of one to two years.
The family members are Francisco, his wife, Rafaela,
11-year-old Paco, 9-year-old Samuel, and almost 8-year-old Sara.
Francisco will be available to preach and speak in the churches of
Syracuse and Utica Presbyteries, will reach out to the Hispanic
community in Syracuse and hopes to have some study opportunities.
Rafaela plans to take advanced piano lessons and study choral
conducting and church music. The children will be in school and
making new friends.
We ask for your
prayers for the family as they adjust to a new temporary home, and for the LAMP
leadership as we welcome and work with them. Their being among us will
enrich our churches in Central New York. They will also take back
new skills from their opportunities here to strengthen the work of
the Presbyterian Church in Campeche. If you would like to join us in
this effort, here are some opportunities for engagement:
¿Habla
Español? Fluent translators will be needed, especially in
the early months of their stay. Francisco and Rafaela both speak
some English, but will need translators for speaking in churches and
various other situations. Translators might volunteer for one day a
month, one day a week, or just for certain situations.
Opportunities
for the family to visit in homes and experience life in Central New
York (particularly with children) are welcomed. Let us know if
you’d like to invite them to your home, a ball game, a day at the
lake, or other.
Financial
donations are graciously accepted. Some funds are already in place,
but the cost of supporting the family will be significant.
If you are able
to help with any of these needs, please contact any one of the
following members of the LAMP Steering Committee:
Otto Allman 458-2585; Lawrence Bartel 369-3475; Dave Hoover 345-6934; Joyce
Packard 476-9121; Sam
Pendergrast 336-1380;
Sandi
Yingling 457-2259.
Participate in a Trip!
- We normally plan a trip each year. For now, no new trips are in the works because our energy and funds are being used to host Francisco, Rafaela and family. The next trip could be a couple of years away. Keep in touch for more information.
Make a Donation!
- Church supplies and funds are always in need. Guitars, keyboards and communion ware are regularly welcomed and are sent with groups traveling to Campeche. Have some supplies stored away? Click here for contact information.
Pray for the Partnership!
- Representatives from the Campechano Presbytery meet regularly with the Mexico-PC(USA) mission partnership network. Learn more about the mission networks of our denomination by clicking here.
- Click on the archive links in the side bar to view blogs and pictures from previous trips.
Campechanos and Central New Yorkers work together in a "bobedilla" brigade to put a second floor roof of the presbytery office in Campeche.
Since the beginning of the partnership the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse has provided significant support through its Mission and Ministry funding. In addition, sixteen Presbyterian congregations throughout Central New York have been actively involved in learning about and participating in this partnership. Click here for more information about how you or your congregation can get involved.
Particular churches who have been engaged with LAMP: - Columbian, Lafayette has sent a participant and support - Elmwood, Syracuse has sent support - Fayetteville United has welcomed Campechanos into their homes - First Baldwinsville has hosted speakers and sent participants to Campeche - First Cazenovia has sent participants to Campeche - First Rome has has sent participants to Campeche, hosted a training and a debriefing - First Skaneateles has sent support - First United hosted a Presbytery wide gathering welcoming visitors from Campeche, including the first chili cook-off! - Genoa has hosted speakers and sent support - Niccolls Memorial, Old Forge has sent participants and support, hosted speakers and welcomed Campechanos into their homes - Northminster, North Syracuse has sent participants and support, hosted speakers and welcomed Campechanos into their homes - Onondaga Valley / South, Syracuse provided hospitality for visitors from Campeche - Parish-Hastings has sent support
- Park Central, Syracuse has sent participants and support, hosted speakers and welcomed Campechanos into their homes - Pebble Hill, Dewitt hosted a Presbytery wide gathering welcoming visitors from Campeche - Robinson Memorial, Syracuse provided hospitality for visitors from Campeche - Scipioville sent support raised at the installation of their pastor - First Weedsport has sent support - Westminster Auburn hosted speakers
Campechanos and Central New Yorkers work together in a "bobedilla" brigade to put a second floor roof of the presbytery office in Campeche.