Furlough in Full Swing
Furlough in Full Swing
May 1, 2026
  After reading our last prayer letter, I know that you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats to hear if the sky continued to fall (just kidding). God is always good, even when life can be a little challenging.
  An update to our visa situation: Although it seems that no one can give the same answer to the question about how long we can be out of Peru for furlough, the lawyer that handles our paperwork said that the “general consensus” is that we “should not” have a problem with staying out for the time we have planned.  He will let us know if he hears of any changes. The confusion comes from having eight presidents in ten years (a few are now in jail). Each time a new one comes in, they change immigration laws. As we’ve said, we now have ‘permanent resident’ status which ‘should’ allow us to come and go as we please, but the ambiguity of the laws makes it difficult to understand. Speaking of presidents, Peru just had the first of two votes for the ‘next’ president. It always takes at least 2 votes because they have so many candidates from many different parties.
  We are enjoying our furlough and have been busy reporting to our supporting churches and some others who have invited us to share our ministry. We’ve already driven through sixteen states, crossed two time zones, and driven over 6300 miles. By the time we complete our furlough, we will probably have driven through at least four more states, one more time zone, and will have traveled several thousand more miles.
  We’ve also enjoyed visiting family and friends. In April, we were blessed to be able to attend the wedding of a dear friend. Micah is the son of a pastor friend of ours who for years served as a missionary in Peru. It was great to see the entire family that we grew so close to during their time on the mission field.
  Missionaries Darren and Rachel Townsend, with their daughter Julianne and new baby James returned to Peru in March and are watching over our ministry while we are on furlough.  One Saturday in April, they took several from our Calvario church and went to help Pastor Juan Carlos evangelize the area at our other church (Ancla) which has been struggling with poor attendance. They had a good turnout and handed out many gospel tracts and invitations to the church. As a result, last Sunday the church had five children as new visitors. Darren has also been shipping out Bibles and other materials to pastors and missionaries who request them for their works. It is good to know that the ministry is in good hands while we are away.
  Pastor Fredy has been doing a good job at our Calvario church. They have had a couple’s dinner and a youth sleep over since we’ve been in the US.  The monthly men’s meetings continue to meet in our home with good attendance. Women’s Bible studies also continue. It is great to hear of the church being active. Three were baptized in March and twenty-two-year-old Patricia Diaz was saved in a Sunday morning service.
  Carla and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary in April. I am so glad that God saw fit to provide me with such a beautiful and talented helpmeet. It is such a blessing to minister and enjoy God’s blessings together. Several of you sent us notes congratulating us and we appreciate your kind words and prayers. We are looking forward to what God has in store for us in the years to come.
May God bless each of you for your heart for missions!
Don & Carla Rich
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