March 5, 2007

So Much Work, So Little Time!

Dear Pastors, Praying Friends, and Family,

The past two months have been filled with ministry opportunities.  It started in January when I and another missionary were invited to preach for the anniversary services of a national pastor’s church in the mountain city of Celendin.  Praise the Lord for seven saved and other decisions made to serve Christ!

God continues to bless our church.  Since January 1, we have seen seven more saved as a result of our ministry.  We have baptized five and are planning another baptism soon.   I would like to share the story of one with you.  One young lady in our church had a friend, Ebelio, who asked if he could meet and talk to me about his cousin’s church in the mountains.  He had been helping there by teaching young kids.  When we met about 3 days ago, he told me that they needed help in constructing a building and also in teaching and preaching.  He said his cousin has no formal training and is more of a leader than a pastor.  I asked Ebelio as to when he personally had been saved.  His answer was sort of a surprise.  He said he hadn’t been saved yet and that he wasn’t sure how.  He had been part of this “house church” for about eight years and did not know how to be saved!  He had been teaching the young kids that to be saved they needed to pray that God would help them live a good life.  I presented the clear plan of salvation to him and answered many questions that he had.  He asked if he could pray right then and accept Christ as his Savior.  He came into my office asking for help in constructing a new temple and left as a living temple in Christ.  I plan to visit the church this Thursday and find out if the pastor/leader is saved and see just how we can help this work.   Please pray for this possible ministry opportunity.

We celebrated Valentines Day with a banquet at our church with 64 attending.  Carla and her sister Nina made all the preparations so that no one had to do anything but relax and enjoy.  It was a great time of fellowship thanks to their work.  Good job ladies!

I recently visited the mountain town of Chugur at the request of a pastor in the states who is originally from that remote area.   We are praying as to how God could use us in this small town.   We also visited one of our church families who had moved to the coastal city of Piura and are considering moving back to our area.  We used this trip to pick up paperwork for another couple in our church who were recently saved and want to finally be married after years of living together.  Praise the Lord for how God has worked in their hearts.  Nina & Wayne, Carla’s sister and bro-in-law made this trip with us while they were here visiting.  We enjoyed their visit and their involvement in our ministry during their stay.

I mentioned in our last letter that we have been helping another missionary.  Yesterday, Bro. Shane opened the doors for their first services as a church.  It was a great day with one saved and several visitors.  I had the privilege to teach his first Adult S.S. class. 

Next month, Carla and I will celebrate our 25^th wedding anniversary.  Praise the Lord for His goodness and her patience!

Reminder:  Our first FURLOUGH will begin in August, 2007.  Please contact us if you would like us to visit your church while we are in.  Our GA telephone number that rings here in Peru is 678-921-5116.   Email - donrich@calvaryministries.org

STATESIDE: Our daughter Christa is raising support to go on a short-term mission trip to China this summer.  She has a big heart for missions and evangelism and this would be a great opportunity for her.  If you would like to help, please let us know.  *  My father recently had tests to see if the prostate cancer had spread.  Praise the Lord, the tests showed that it had not!  Thanks for your prayers.  

Take a look!  We have placed more new photo albums on our web site.  May God continue to bless each of you for your faithfulness in prayer and support of our mission here in Los Baños del Inca/Cajamarca, Peru.

Serving Him for You in Peru,

                                  Don & Carla Rich