An ‘Event’ful Two Months

September 5, 2011

   God has once again blessed us so much and there is much to share from the past two months. 

   In July, I (Don) led two men to the Lord after an evening service.  Saved that night were Ramiro and Lorenzo.   Two other ladies rededicated their lives to Christ and asked to join our church.  It was a night blessed by God’s presence.

   On July 15, Carla and I celebrated eight years of being missionaries in Peru!  The time has passed quickly and we look forward to many more years of serving Him together in this country.  I praise the Lord that He gave me the perfect “help-meet” to carry out the ministry that he has entrusted us with.

   Near the end of July I had the privilege of performing the wedding ceremony of Ceci and Johnny.  I led Ceci to the Lord when beginning our church and she has remained faithful throughout the years.  I led Johnny to the Lord when I was teaching a Bible study for another missionary friend as he was starting his first work.  The two of them are now serving the Lord together as a married couple.  What a blessing it has been to watch God work in their lives!

   During the week of July 25^th our missionary friend Bro. Shane Rice and his family set up an old fashioned tent meeting.  The messages were focused on salvation.  Carla and I personally led three to the Lord that week.  Our new brothers and sisters in Christ are Humberto, William and Janeth.  Several others were also saved during the meetings.  During the day our teens helped this church with their VBS.  We are proud of our great group of youth!  They are always willing to minister where needed.

   On August 3-7 God blessed the Bible Conference that we hosted in our church.   Praise the Lord the first floor of our new building was completed to the point where it was very comfortable for us to have this event there!  We also celebrated the six year anniversary of our church!  We had over 200 in attendance!  We saw six saved during the meetings and several others made important spiritual decisions!  We also baptized two in our new baptistery!   Over 500 Bibles were given away to national pastors, missionaries, leaders and visitors.  No one left without a Bible.  We had around 35 national pastors and leaders who came from several parts of Peru; from the coast to the mountains, from the northernmost border next to Ecuador to below the capital city of Lima.  These pastors were given several Bibles each for their churches.  Bro. Gomez, Bro. Shane Rice and I have been invited to present Bible conferences in other parts of the country.  The pastors were amazed at the information they received and want others to know about it.  I have also been asked for more Bibles when we receive them, Lord willing, later this year.  

   In mid-August I filled the pulpit of a sister church, Iglesia Bautista Ancla, in Cajamarca while their national pastor was on vacation.  Carla and I always enjoy being with their congregation. 

   Carla and I are now in the states for the birth of our first grandchild.  Our daughter Christa had some complications so we came in a little earlier than planned so that we could help out and also make sure we were here for the birth.  She is doing better and is just anxious for the little one to arrive, as are we all.  Please keep them in your prayers.

   Carla and I have had several churches and individuals ask us when we will be coming back for our second furlough.  Our plans are to come back in May of next year (2012).  We are ready to start planning meetings and look forward to giving an update to as many of our supporting churches as possible.  Please let us know if you would like for us to come by.  You can contact us by phone at 678-921-5116 or at our email:  don@rich2peru.com    

Serving Him for You in Peru,

                                  Don & Carla Rich