May 5, 2009

He’s an On-Time God

   Carla and I pray that this letter finds all of you doing well and being blessed by our wonderful Lord.   God continues to bless here in the Andes Mountains of Peru, South America.

   At the end of March, when our building fund was down to zero and we were wondering if we would have to tell the workers that we would call them when we could continue building, God placed on the heart of some faithful friends of our ministry to give $4000.  That translated to around 12,500 Peruvian soles when exchanged.  Then we received two more gifts of $500 each!  On our recent support statement at the end of April we received even more funds to help us continue.  All of this occurred without us telling anyone of the need.  Our God Is REAL! 

   On the Friday night before Easter we had a special service.  We packed (literally) the church with over eighty souls.  We led four souls to the Lord that night from the ages of 16 and up, including a married couple!   The following Sunday one more accepted Christ!  As I write this we have planned a baptism for this coming Sunday, Mother’s Day.

   Carla was able to come home to Peru after being in the states with her Dad for several months.  He was in poor health and Carla stayed with him after the passing of her mother while he went to various doctor visits.  He is doing better although he is still in need of our prayers.  Carla returned just in time for our 27^th wedding anniversary.  While in the states she mailed her carnet (Peruvian residence card) to have it updated and it was lost or stolen in the mail.  I met her in Lima to handle the paperwork for getting a new one so we took advantage of being there and went for walks next to the ocean and to the Lima Zoo.  After a few days we were able to return to Cajamarca.  It is good to have her back home.

   Our future son-in-law, Stephen Sapp, accepted a position as youth minister in an independent Baptist church in Paris, TX.  He recently graduated from Bible College and is scheduled to move to Texas in July.  It will make for a longer drive to visit them when on furlough but then again it is a long ways from Peru to anywhere.  We are very proud of his and our daughter’s commitment to serve God wherever He may lead.

   There are several deaf people in our area and some of our church members expressed a desire to learn sign language.  Our friend and fellow missionary Bro. Shane Rice agreed to teach deaf signs one night per week at our church to give them the basic vocabulary needed to communicate with the deaf.  He and his family worked with the deaf in Lima while assisting another missionary.  We are pleased at the hearts of our members who want to reach the deaf with the Gospel.

Building Program Update:  This week the workers should be completing the stucco of the interior of the first floor.  Next week, Lord willing, we will begin setting brick on the second floor.  Each step is another goal reached in completing the vision God has given us for the property He has provided.  We can’t wait to have the construction completed and begin to use the building for the ministry for which it is intended.  Please pray as to how God would have you help in this vision.  There is still a long way to go.

   Summer is almost here and Carla and I would like to encourage each of you to pray about a missions trip to visit us here in Peru.  We would love to have individuals, families and groups come see first-hand what God is doing through your prayers and support.  Who knows?  God may just call you to be a missionary!  Let us know if we can help you plan a trip.

   There are more new photos on our website  www.rich2peru.com .  We encourage everyone to view them and see how God is blessing.  May God bless each of you.

Serving Him for You in Peru,

                                  Don & Carla Rich