| 09 May 2024
Morning does "gild" our skies these days. Lovely pink and orange streaking through the light clouds, morning and evening. We can see most of these sunrises and sunsets from our roof, and yes, "MAY Jesus Christ be praised" - always.
Bob is again in the Colca canyon for the training session the first Saturday of each month. He is feeling better physically, especially when he gets an afternoon rest. We are thankful for all God is doing here in the south of Peru.
A lady who remembers Bob visiting and establishing a church in Chuquibamba when she was a little girl now has a store a couple of blocks from us. We visited her and she was totally ready to give her life to Christ. She was baptized here last week.
She has been reading her Bible and remembers loving to hear Bob teach in her town as a child. Melchor, one of her brothers, was a dear believer. He talked to Margarita about the Lord and she was very receptive. Melchor is with the Lord now.
It is wonderful how the Lord leads and builds His church. A couple of years ago a worker in the club where I go for an early morning swim a couple times a week surprisingly told me she remembered Bob and I going near her family's llama and alpaca ranch in the high altitude.
Her first cousin and family were the first believers there. Olga remembered us up there when she was a child, and now she had an open heart to receive Christ and was baptized here. Also she was able to rejoice and reunite with her cousins in the church here.
We both have had many come up to us and say "I remember you coming with the Word of God" - some telling me they remember my teaching them in grade school. Well, I don't remember all of them, but it is a real blessing when grown children become believers in Christ because of His Word planted in their hearts when young. MAY there be more.
However the enemy always tries to hinder this. One of the mountain churches Bob "planted" is now divided. A very ambitious guy has introduced wrong doctrine and faith - seeking self glory. Please help us pray for the believers in Espinar, there are some sincere ones who really want to do right but this guy is bringing others from different places to lead God's children away from Him.
This is discouraging. Bob says he identifies with the apostle Paul, who was rejected and weighed down with the concern for all the churches. Thanks for praying for wisdom and faithfulness in both blessings and difficulties.
May 1 is "labor day" here and also the day Arequipa honors their big doll "virgin of Chapi". Supposedly this virgin appeared in this area years ago and now is the patron saint, "guardian of Arequipa." There is a huge sanctuary for this doll (idol) a couple hours away from the city and a few sanctuaries for it in different districts of the city itself. Over 200,000 people go in processions to ask this "miraculous" doll for favors, health, prosperity, etc. Idolatry still is strong here.
The Lord is working in our Christian school too. What a blessing I have to teach - this year the O.T. to 29 fifth graders. Precious, open hearted children so far. The govt. makes it tough for private schools but the Lord is helping our director and administrator to do all the required paperwork and modifications to get the licenses we need. These dear ones really need your prayers. Other private schools have had to close but we are still going, praise the Lord.
Healthwise Bob is doing well, seems he is better, at least not worse. So his "answer to cancer" seems to be: "Come no further." As to "my knee and me" it too is not able to see the bone joined together as it should because of the nail sticking in the bone. But the Dr. in the U.S. said to just wait. Thankfully I can walk and do what I have to do. Thanks for praying and sharing for the Lord's work here. 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, Perú
Many blessings and for all you Moms: Happy Mother's Day! Gratefully, Noél for us
