| 31 December 2025
Where, oh where, has this year gone?
It seems impossible that we are almost 2026. Each moment of each year is an opportunity to share Christ with others. This is why we are here.
The school year is ending as well, the closing ceremony is scheduled for December 22. The finals and class parties will be next week. After 32 years of teaching the Lord's Word and English in Christian schools here in Arequipa it is kind of sad to have it end, but all good things come to an end. Several of my former students have told me they remember me teaching them. We praise the Lord for the freedom to teach God's Word here. Many of our church youth are teaching children and families in low income areas. Some really want to follow the Lord, He is working in hearts.
Sadly, another bus flipped over killing 7 and wounding 38. This accident was in the Espinar area at 2 a.m. Accidents, violence, crime, corruption and lack of respect and order are increasing everywhere. The need for people to know the Lord is increasing as well. This is why we are here.
We had a sad surprise this past week. A dear sister who helped me prepare the Bible course I taught in schools passed away. I had been looking for her for a long time, as she had been moved to a different location for her job and I did not have her phone number. She was also a victim of violence. She was going up the street on her way home from church one evening when from a taxi a man reached out and grabbed her purse, dragging her several meters.
I visited her after that but for family and other reasons she had left off coming to church. She always listened to Bob's messages over the internet. However just last Saturday her sister appeared at our door telling us that she was dying of advanced cancer. Bob and I went to the hospital immediately. She was semi conscious but able to recognize us, and smiled through all the tubes, etc. she had in her.
We visited again 3 days later, sang and read the Word. Her son said she could hear us but could not react. Anyway, she passed peacefully. We had an opportunity to share Christ with the family members at the funeral. I surely hadn't expected to find her this way, but God definitely led us there.
Bob is doing well and continues to teach and help many spiritually. The leader of our newest church is receiving counsel now. He has a sweet spirit and wants to teach these new believers right.
Thanks for praying for us and sharing as God leads you. 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
Have a joyous, blessed Christmas, remembering Christ, God Himself, Who came to save us, What a Savior! Gratefully, (not the first) Noél for us
