IMB REAP TEAM
One of the priviledges of the Peru vision trip was getting to meet the missionaries. When we arrived at the Lima airport we were met by Alan Stone, IMB missionary, who would be working with us the entire week.
Alan, a Birmingham, Alabama native, took his first trip to Peru in 1999. At that time he was working as a facility manager for a secular business. His heart was touched by the needs in Peru and so for four years he continued to go as a volunteer.
IMB Missionary, Alan Stone (l) and FBC Monticello Pastor, Chad Fugitt at the Lima Airport
Then in ’02, the South American Mission (SAM) of the IMB began to develop a program called R.E.A.P which calls upon US churches to adopt areas that IMB missionaries lack adequate resources to reach. Because of his earlier involvement as a volunteer, Alan was asked to serve as a mobilizer for the REAP team, recruiting churches and arranging trips to Peru. He gladly accepted, and worked in that role for the next six years.
Last year, he and his wife, Sandy, were appointed by the IMB in the Masters program, and they have made the transition to the field. They are presently living in Lima, but will soon move to Cusco to be closer to their area of assignment.
Alan (in crimson cap) prays for a Peruvian pastor with team
The Stones’ primary responsibility is planning, facilitating and hosting vision teams coming to south Peru. Working with the REAP team to identify possible strategic towns to target, they make the contact with US teams to plan future trips, make the in-country travel arrangements, secure interpreters, and accompany the team on the vision trip. In addition, they teach ESL, lead Bible studies, and do advocacy work.
