January 6, 2009

Come to Peru for Burgers for Less than a Buck!

     McDonalds and Burger King’s dollar menus don’t have anything on us!  In November the ladies of the church cooked up a storm to raise funds to buy gifts for the kids of the church and for the chocolotada.  This is a Peruvian tradition where hot chocolate and a type of fruit cake are served and gifts are given to any child that comes to the services that day.  The ladies first prepared and sold cakes and sweets.  Then they planned a hamburger sale.  In one evening they sold 140 burgers at 60 cents ea. or 90 cents with an egg on it (Peruvian style) and 30 cents for soft drinks.

     On November 10^th we had a Youth Night.  We started off the night by stamping evangelism tracts with our church name and address.  Then we showed the movie “Facing the Giants” translated into Spanish.  The youth loved the movie. There were tears and cheers as they watched.  Carla and I grilled hamburgers for them and then made home-made ice cream.  They devoured it all.  It was a great time of fellowship.

     The Ladies of the church had a wonderful Christmas Party with games, gifts, drama, food and fellowship.  They always have a good time together.

     Recently we had a high attendance on a normal Sunday of 85 even with some of our regulars missing.  Then for Christmas we had 127 attending the morning service and 89 in the evening.  There were people sitting everywhere, extra seats set out and some people standing along the wall.  We are in desperate need of the new building.

     God continues to bless and grow our church.  In 2008 we saw at least thirty-nine souls saved and baptized twelve.  In just the last two months of the year we saw six saved.  In the first Sunday of 2009 we saw two more saved!

Construction update – The building is coming along well with the walls standing, floors poured and the steel for the roof being assembled.  Once it is in place we will be pouring the concrete roof.  It was our personal goal to have this part completed before the rainy season.  We were held up at the beginning but God has been so faithful to give us good weather to continue working.  I told the workers that I was praying for sun during the week and rain on Sundays so the farmers would get the rain they need.  For several weeks in a row God has shown Himself strong and the men are amazed.  This is supposed to be the rainy season but it has yet to arrive in full force.  It is so good to know that our God is real.

Another blessing:  If you will remember back when God gave us this property the city was completing the installation of water and sewage in our area.  They asked us if we wanted to be hooked up before they discontinued the job.  Coincidence?  Well, here is another.  As we began construction on the new building, which is on the other end of our property, the road in front was virtually non-existent and more like a mud hole.  The day we poured the re-bar footings the government started working on the road after years of promises.  They made a firm road that made it easy for the brick, gravel, sand, rebar and other deliveries to be made.  Next will be the installation of much needed street lights.   

Stateside:  Carla’s mom went in for back surgery on Dec. 15.  They perforated her bowel so the surgery was stopped.  She is in rehab at this time.  Praise the Lord there was no infection caused by this accident but she still has a long way to go in recovery.  Carla’s dad has been diagnosed with a heart murmur and some blockage in his carotid artery.  Please keep them and Don’s family in your prayers.

     Once again we have placed several new photo albums on our website, www.rich2peru.com .  We encourage everyone to take a look and see what God is doing.  May God bless each of you in a special way in 2009.

Serving Him for You in Peru,

                                  Don & Carla Rich