November 4, 2003

Sights and Sounds… or

Things that go bump anytime of day!

Dear Pastors, Praying Friends, and Family,

     As the weather warms up here, this has been a month of venturing out and seeing new areas of Peru.  One day, Bro. Mike, Bro. Todd (visiting pastor from NC), and I went out past the town where our church is located to see what lie on the other side.   Then, Carla and I and a young lady from our church returned about 2 weeks later and traveled even further.  What we found were small communities (pueblos) scattered throughout the rough mountainous dirt roads.  We came across people herding goats and cows down the road to other grazing areas.  We also saw a family butchering a cow and several chickens to get ready to take to market the next day.  We even saw a man in a field keeping watch over several turkeys.  We enjoyed wonderful opportunities to pass out tracts and John/Romans to many who have probably never had the Word of God in their hands.  But as poor as these people are, their hearts are rich with generosity.  We were given tomatoes and apples by some workers with whom we shared the Gospel.  They just wanted to give something in return.  We used the gifts to give to others in need in the area.  Along the way, we came across some Incan ruins, a city formerly inhabited by Incan Indians many years ago.  It still has some bones, skulls, and shards of pottery lying around amidst the rubble of the once busy community.  All of this was within two hours of our home.  You can see some pictures of our trips on our web site (www.rich2peru.com).

     I accompanied two pastor friends, Bro. Todd and Bro. Brian, and Bro. Mike to Huaraz, Peru on a longer trip to survey other possibilities for ministry.  Again, we were able to place the Gospel message in the hands of many who were hearing or reading it for the first time.  The visiting pastors took turns preaching in communities and Catholic schools.  We saw many souls saved through the preaching of the Word.  We were also able to provide Bibles to a national pastor who has started a church in Huaraz but was in great need of the written Word. 

 Sadly, on this trip we saw a little girl, no more than 6 years old, on the street selling candy late one night to whomever would buy it.  We looked around and could see no parents.  This is the way that many abandoned children survive here in Peru.  We tried desperately to get the little girl to smile.  She would not even try.  This is the type of children who live with no future and no hope, except to survive to another day.  These are the children that we hope to help with the Children’s Home that we are helping Bro. Mike to establish.

Just this morning, we woke up to another one of several earth tremors we have felt since arriving in Peru.  You never know when things will begin to shake and rumble.  Thankfully, most are very minor and there has been no damage to property.

We held our first Lord’s Supper at Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva this past Sunday evening.  It was a beautiful service.  The church continues to grow and souls are saved every week.

Grilled Peruvian rabbit (conejo) was the taste test this month.  It was pretty good but a little tough.  Next?

Christa took her ACT test this month.  She will be leaving us next summer for college.  She is doing well here with the language and has made many friends.  We are very proud of her and are enjoying each day we have with her here. 

  I will close this letter with an update on last month’s special prayer request:  My father remains in a rehab facility following his surgery and subsequent complications.  Please continue to keep my family in your prayers.  God is still in control. 

  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Your missionaries to Peru,

                                                                                           Don Rich & family