March 9th 2009

Getting Started Right!

What a way to start the new year!  On January 4th we had two saved in our services.  In mid January we had our VBS.  It was a great time for the young folks and teachers alike.  On our highest attendance day we had 77 kids.  We had four saved and at least eleven others who raised their hands to make decisions for Christ!  The following Sunday I was privileged to lead seven more to the Lord between the ages of 9-13.  One of these was a young lady whom I had been praying for over a couple of years.  It doesn't get much better than that!

   On a sad note, Carla's mom passed away on Jan. 24th.  I had the solemn privilege of delivering a eulogy and presenting the Gospel to many who may never enter a church building.  After giving a brief invitation one man received Christ as his Savior.  From death comes life!

   On February 12th we poured the first floor roof of our building!  What a blessing it was to see this goal reached.  The day was not without excitement.  After 20 minutes the workers staged a strike and demanded more money.  It is a bad custom they have here.  Once the concrete has started they strike because they know the work has to be completed with the wet cement sitting there.  Praise the Lord their boss worked it out and they got back to work.  God provided a great day.  It did not rain until the work was complete.  Please pray that God will supply the funds to continue the construction from this point.  We would love to be in the first floor of the building by our 4th anniversary in August.

   Exciting news:  Our daughter Christa got engaged on Valentine's Day!  The date is set for November 28 of this year.  Please pray for Christa and Stephen as they plan their new life together.  Stephen will graduate from Trinity Baptist College in May and is seeking a position as a youth minister.  We are proud to know he will be part of our family.

   Another ministry opportunity:  This past month a group based in Alabama purchased a van for our ministry here in Peru.  It will be a mobile ministry unit with the sole purpose of evangelism.  The van is equipped with a 12x12 ft screen on the roof, a sound system for open air evangelism, projector, generator and other items.  This will all be used to show Christian films in the mountain villages to attract crowds and win souls for Christ.  It will be put to good use as we travel in teams to preach, teach, sing, do puppet shows, etc.  What an awesome opportunity to train people in ministry!

   Recently I had to go to Lima and pick up the screen that was shipped from the US.  Just for fun picture this:  An international customs office which makes you (a white man in a brown world) walk down the street in one of the most dangerous areas of Lima to make copies of anything they ask for because they don't have a copy machine for public use.  They even still use dot matrix printers.  If you need to type anything or get a picture of anything from the internet (like the screen, so they would know what it was) you drive a couple of miles to an internet cabin, look it up, print it and bring it back.  You don't carry much cash because you could get robbed.  the only ATM that you can use at the customs offices charges $3 for each withdrawal.  I had to make 7 because it will only give you a little at a time.  I could go on with the story but I think you are probably laughing hard enough already.  I am not complaining.  It is actually quite humorous "when it is all behind you" and you see how God protected you from what could have happened.  It was an interesting three days but it will be worth it all for "just one more soul".

   Carla and I would like to ask special prayer for our dads.  They are both in poor health and in much need of prayer.  Carla has been in the states since the passing of her mother to help her dad take care of things and go to several doctors appointments with him.  We thank you for your continued prayers for our families and for our ministry here in Peru.

   Once again we have placed new photos on our website www.rich2peru.com.  We encourage everyone to take a look and see how God is blessing.  May God bless you all.                                                                                          

Serving Him for You in Peru,

                                  Don & Carla Rich