Furlough Blessings
Furlough Blessings
July 1, 2026
  As our furlough continues, we are staying on the go. God continues to bless as we visit our supporting churches and others that have invited us.  Getting to see old friends and meeting new ones in meetings and conferences is always enjoyable. We also get to enjoy some great experiences…
  In May we were reporting to one of our supporting churches. Before the service I said hello to a young lady who was around six or seven years old. She was one of the kids that comes to church on their bus. She was very inquisitive, asking how many churches I went to per week and other questions. At the end of the service, she asked for a prayer card, then gave me a scribbled drawing on a piece of paper with some sweet words on it. Her “bus captain” came to me afterwards and thanked me for interacting with the little girl. She said that as they took her home, she would not stop talking about our conversation. When the bus captain explained to her that I visited many locations telling them about Jesus, she replied that when she grows up, she wants to do the same. Only God knows if this little soul will be a future missionary. As we visit churches it is a blessing and privilege when the Lord allows us to have an impact on young lives.
  Also in May, Carla was a blessing as she taught at a 2-day women’s meeting in North Carolina. It was a sweet time of fellowship around the Word that the ladies had been looking forward to.Â
  Back in Peru, a Peruvian missionary to the deaf that our Calvario church supports is wanting to start a ministry in our area. We invited him to use our church facility as a meeting place. On May 1st they had their initial meeting. They were able to find several deaf people in our valley and had a good many in the service and fellowship times. Please pray as we consider how to help develop this ministry. Also, both of our Cajamarca churches enjoyed good meetings for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
  A huge blessing of being on furlough is being able to vacation with family. In June, Carla and I were able to take a week-long vacation with my mother, sister, our daughter, son-in-law, and our grandkids. The Lord blessed and we had a wonderful time visiting Niagara Falls. The power and majesty of the water flowing over the falls reminded us of our powerful and majestic God who created such beauty for us to enjoy.Â
  Coming soon! On July 15th, Carla and I will be celebrating our 23rd year on the field in Peru!  We will be in a meeting in NC on that day, doing what God has called us to do, preach the Word and share the burden that He placed on our hearts over twenty-five years ago.Â
  Just how God works: A pastor had asked us to visit his church the next time we were on furlough. The meeting was set and we had a great time with them. Afterwards, we went to get ice cream with the pastor and several from the church. As we left, the pastor we were with introduced me to a pastor friend who was having an after-church snack as well. I greeted him briefly, and he asked for our prayer card as we left the restaurant. He contacted me soon after and scheduled us in his church’s mission conference. After presenting our work and leaving their conference, the pastor contacted me and said that another pastor was visiting while we were there and had asked that I contact him. That is the church we are going to be in on the date of our 23rd anniversary on the field of Peru. God knows who and when to put someone in your path. Coincidence, or God’s omniscience? In the words (paraphrased) of one of my childhood heroes, “I love it when God’s plan comes together”.  Â
  One more blessing to share. On June 22nd, Nora, the lady whose home we started our first church in invited an acquaintance named Miriam Cacho to her home. She shared the Gospel with her and sixty-five-year-old Miram prayed to receive Christ as her Savior! Nora is a true lover of souls and a great blessing to our church.
May God bless each of you!
Don & Carla Rich
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