| 04 June 2025
Yes, June is busting out all over, and being in a very Roman Catholic neighborhood, the frequent firecrackers are real busters. Anyway, we are here in Arequipa, Perú again, in our apt. above the main church here. Bob has expressed to all who visit us that he is really glad to be here.
He has had 9 sessions of chemotherapy and is due for the 10th one June 17. The dosis and treatment are the same here as in the U.S. and we are thankful to be here. It sure was an eventful trip back.
The flight out of D.C. on May 5th was delayed over 2 hours while we sat on the plane waiting for the go ahead to leave. So we missed both of our connections (most of the other passengers had the same problem). The airline put us up for the night (starting at 2 a.m.) in a real fancy hotel in Panama City. To make a long story (and travel) short we finally arrived here in Arequipa May 6 in the evening and were we ever tired.
But again, so thankful to be here. The believers here are all thanking us for coming back. We do not know for how long we will be here but the Lord has given us several confirmations that we are where we are supposed to be and certainly doing what we are supposed to be doing. May it all be for God's glory.
Our youth are doing well in their outreaches to several outlying neighborhoods to teach mostly children (but a few parents too) about Jesus. The children continue coming, even though in one of the mountain towns (Sibayo) the RC priest has gone to the schools and prohibited the children to come to listen to our youth teach them about the Lord. The priest has threatened to make sure these kids fail in school and their families excommunicated from the RC church.
The youth who are going there say that many of the kids continue to go anyway, but the number has dropped from what it was at first.
In the church here one of our daughter Terri's friends was baptized May 25. She had promised to be baptized when we got back, and she kept her promise. We think she would have been baptized if we did not come back, but it was a special time and many of her family were here. She had a very difficult situation in her life, as her only son was killed in an airplane crash on May 25 several years ago. He was finishing his aviation practices (was not piloting this test) in Argentina. Her husband is Italian and very Roman Catholic, but he did accompany her for the baptism.
Her mother and father have been really faithful in our church here for years. Now her older brother wants to get reconciled to the Lord. We have had other folk come to talk to Bob also wanting to reconcile with Christ. Bob is busy preparing and teaching and hoping to remain well enough to write about his memories, life and ministry. He wants to travel to some of the towns that need encouraging, hoping to go this coming Thursday for a day and night, to Pedregal, about a 2 hour drive. At least one other brother who can drive if necessary will go with Bob.
The brethren here are having an elevator put in our back patio space so that if we oldies come to the point of not being able to do the stairs this would be a lift right up to our 3rd floor apt. It should be installed within 10 -12 days.
A huge blessing for me is to be able to teach the NT to our 30 6th graders in Ebenezer Christian school. These kids are real attentive and the teacher helps to keep order and also lets me sit in his chair whenever I need to. And I need to often.
I had surgery Feb. 28 for my prolapses and will not be completely healed for 6 months. So, I truly am thankful we can do this. It will be a bit harder as I am starting 2 months late, but still should be able to finish their course (I taught the OT to this class last year). We are thankful for the school and that we have the freedom to teach God's Word and His values.
After having said all that, I want to add that it was a real blessing and joy to see 5 of our 6 great grandchildren, even to be there in the U.S. for the birth of 2 great granddaughters. God is blessing our family, of course I miss them, and we thank all of them for doing so much for us there.
We look forward to Heaven, God's Home, and pray all our dear family will be there with us. May the circle be unbroken. Again, we thank the Lord for bringing us here for now. Our times are in His hands. And, thanks to all of you who pray for us and share for the Lord's work here in the south of Perú. Hope all you Dads will have a very happy father's day. You have a great responsibility and blessing in each of your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
As the Lord leads, our support address is:
Christian Missions in Many Lands, Inc. P.O. Box 13 Spring Lake, NJ, 07762-13 with a note: for Bob Rich, Perú
Many blessings, Noél for us
