| 27 September 2023
Hi, finally! Yes, September is almost gone, so sorry this is so late! Too much is going on but we are so thankful for God's care for us and the fruit from our and others labors for Him! The Lord is working in hearts. We have had some baptisms here in our central church, some young folks and a mother of one of them. This family is from Cotahuasi. They have had many trials but are overcoming them. Please pray for them: Arody, his mother, Doris, and special girl friend Luz. Arody's Dad, Sotil, was baptized years ago but was not walking with the Lord for a while and now is reconciled with God. Another young guy, son of faithful believers, Benito, also was baptized here not long ago.
Yesterday we had another wedding, two young folks who are dedicated to serving the Lord, join the ranks of several other youth we have helped begin their homes with Christ in first place. We are very thankful that the dear missionaries who are especially burdened for helping marriages will be with us for a marriage conference later this week, Billy and Donna Hires. We are inviting couples from several of our churches in Arequipa, newly weds, longer weds, troubled homes, and just everyone really, for Friday and Saturday evenings.
We have had 5 or 6 weddings so far this year, all dedicated to serving Christ. He is building His church. Our enemy wants to destroy homes and we are thankful for these young folks who truly desire to form godly homes and relationships. Thanks so much for praying with us for this next weekend, the marriage conference and Billy and Donna's speaking to the parents at our school. Please do pray for Billy's health, he also is recovering from surgery, but has the green light to come here and help the Lord's work. Yes, only Christ can save our homes, the modern "psychology" is often humanistic and anti-God, creating more chaos.
Bob's health is still good enough to travel and visit and counsel, but the strong medicine he is on causes some fatigue. Bob and I traveled for 2 weeks to the U.S. for his checkups and treatment. It was a tiring trip both ways. The dr. there wants to see Bob in 3 months and I still have things to get done there so we have to go back in December. I will have to finish my course and finals early at school but we trust with the Lord's help it will happen.
Bob's desire is to remain in Peru and we both are still active in the Lord's work here. So, not thinking of "retirement" yet. After his last trip Bob had to buy 2 new tires for the car, so our vehicle is now "re-tired" but still able to work!
Thanks for praying with us, thanks so much for all your generous sharing in the Lord's work here. I may not be able to write individual thank you notes this month, but we really truly are thankful to you all. Please mostly keep on praying for the Lord's work here.
We are truly thankful for the elders we now have in our central Arequipa church. This morning after much prayer Bob was able to recognize 3 elders in another one of our Arequipa churches. This is a real answer to prayer. We have prayed years and continue to pray for Holy Spirit filled leaders in all of the churches we have worked with in and around Arequipa in south Peru. There still are some churches who lack and need men leaders, elders and deacons. Thanks so much for praying with us for these needs. We pray for you all too.
Our weather here is strong winds, dust storms, drought in the desert and mountains. The dust storms are really nasty. Again, thanks so much. Gratefully, Noel for us. Our support address is:
Christian Missions in Many Lands, Inc.
P.O. Box 13
Spring Lake, NJ, 07762-0013 with a note: for Bob Rich, Peru.
