September 1, 2007

After 4 Years, Home is a Relative Word

Dear Pastors, Praying Friends, and Family,

    As I write our first prayer letter stateside and we begin our first furlough, Carla and I look back on a wonderful beginning.  On July 15 of this year we celebrated four years on the field in Peru.  God blessed us on this day to be able to baptize four new Christians.   

   A couple of weeks later, we had our second Vacation Bible School.  Several kids made decisions for Christ. With the teaching that Carla has given them and the experience they had at last year’s VBS, our teachers were able to help another church, Iglesia Bautista Ancla with their first VBS also.  In the past year, we had helped Bro. Shane Rice and his family with this church plant in the neighboring city.  It was great to see the growth of our members and their willingness to help others in teaching God’s Word.   

   In August we celebrated the second anniversary of our first work here in Los Baños del Inca, Cajamarca, Peru.  We celebrated with three special services, two of which had over 100 in attendance.  We baptized three new Christians and saw two more saved!  There were several other decisions made in the lives of those who attended.  We also had two more Christian families want to know more about our church and how to join.  We topped it off with fireworks to mark this milestone in our ministry.  Please pray for our work in Peru as we leave it in the hands of a good national pastor while we are in the states these 10 months.  

   Carla and I can look back over the past four years and see God’s hand at work in our lives and ministry.  He has allowed us, who are in our upper 40’s, to learn a new language.  This is a miracle in itself.  Then He has guided us to an area where He prepared the way for us to start our first works.  He has given us a beautiful piece of property on which to build.  He has provided the funds to construct the first building and to do so in just 7 months.  He has provided in such a way that we are now rent free and debt free.  We have seen many come to know the Lord as Savior and be baptized in obedience to His Word.  We have watched new Christians grow through discipleship to a point where they are now active in the ministries of the church.  We continue to see souls saved and lives changed as we live and work among the people of Peru.  God has truly been busy in our ministry. 

   In the last two months before leaving, we were approached twice by people wanting us to start a church in their city of Bambamarca.  This city is approximately three hours away.  We visited there, passed out John/Romans, and promised to help with a Bible study which a man had started in his home.  Our national pastor will be going once a month to teach doctrine to them for now.  When we return after furlough, Lord willing, we will be starting a new church in this town.  

   Many were concerned about us during the recent earthquake in Peru.  In God's timing, we left to come home on furlough and arrived home on Wed. morning before the earthquake occurred on Wed. evening.  I had originally thought that the area of the airport was not affected but we found out that there was some structural damage.  The area where we work was not affected.  It is about 16 hrs north of the epicenter in Ica, Peru.  We have been in touch with our missionary friends in Peru and found that they are all ok. 

   Our first furlough meeting once we arrived in GA was with our home church.  Praise the Lord for 1 saved!  She was visiting from out west.  God prepared the message, the messenger, and the heart of the hearer.  What a wonderful way to start our first furlough!

   It has been said that “Home is where the heart is”.  We have been back in the states for only two weeks and we are already missing our “home” and church family in Peru.  But, we are so glad to be able to spend time with family and friends and to share with all of our supporters what God has done through their faithful prayers and support.    If we are not scheduled to be in your church as of yet, please contact us in GA at 678-921-5116.   We would love to come by to show our presentation, preach, and/or sing. 

   May God continue to bless each of you.            * Please remember to take a look at the new photo albums on our web site.   

                                                                         Serving Him for You in Peru,

                                                                                           Don Rich & family

Don’t forget to visit our web site:  www.Rich2Peru.com