| 13 September 2026
Yes, that horrid date of 9/11, 2001. Today, 25 years later, it still hurts to think of so many lives lost so suddenly.
Are we ready for the Lord to come again? To see HIM and be with HIM forever? Yes, I still miss Bob and our dear son Mark, who gave his life reaching and establishing an indigenous church in the Kuna tribe in Panama. Mark and co workers Rick Tennenoff and Dave Mankins were kidnapped Jan. 31, 1993 by the FARC guerillas and held hostage for more than 3 years, then killed.
But God worked good things from that, their guards became believers because of their testimonies. Their families were very torn, though honestly I think we all became closer to the Lord in prayer and clinging to God through all this.
As then, now God's people who have known suffering for His sake become stronger in their faith. I am truly thankful to hear of our youth and older believers going out to reach children especially in outlying communities and schools around Arequipa, Peru. One of them, Sadith, is a lab technician in Lampa, near high, cold Juliaca. Sadith was 3 when her Dad was on his way to join Bob to visit and encourage believers in that area. Jaime Yauri, never made it to meet Bob. He was brutally robbed and killed on the trail. Bob found out months later as he went to Jaime's house in the ranch town of Piraucho.
Jaime's wife thought that he was with Bob. So Bob got the police on it but they refused to pursue the search, saying it was too late and the animals would have eaten the body. After much searching Bob found Jaime's clothes and body, but it was headless.
The killers wanted to make sure no one would find him. They thought Jaime had money from the sale of a cow, but he did not. He was going to join Bob, but again, never made it. Sadith now gives abundantly for these outreaches.
She has permission to teach God's Word in the rural schools up there, and several of our youth in Arequipa go to help her. Sadith has given for the needs of many, she is tiny in size but huge in heart for spreading the Gospel, teaching the children and others up there. Once she was bit by a pack of 7 dogs and was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. She had to have the series of rabies shots, but some time after, a lady came to tell her that she was responsible for the dogs biting Sadith and wanted to know about the Lord.
Our missionary, Joel Gonzales, now is establishing and strengthening churches the Asheninka tribe in the jungles of Peru with his wife and 4 sons. Joel is from the high mountain ranch of Culypampa, one of the highest in altitude of the places where Bob had established churches. Joel's uncle from the church up there also was brutally martyred by the guerilla group Sendero Luminoso in Peru.
He was gathering the believers together to worship the Lord when the guerillas accused him of having meetings against their regime. They tied him up and threw him into the freezing lake up there. Now Joel and others of the family are serving the Lord. Joel's wife, Esther, also is from one of the churches Bob established in Chuquibamba, somewhat near to Arequipa.
And the stories go on and on. I want to thank you all truly for praying for me and for sharing with the Lord's work. Lord willing, I will be part of the Child Evangelism Ministries (CEM) here in Indiana starting Sept. 28. (Planning meeting Sept. 21) Please keep praying for me to continue to be a part of this generation knowing the Lord from an early age.
I also want to be available for counseling, helping and praying for unwed mothers. Our adopted son Joseph has a special burden to discourage abortions. Joe is thankful for us and the home he has had and desires to help promote adoption as an option. He works with some groups that stand for life. Both of these ministry possibilities, CEM and Voices for Life have said they need Spanish speakers for help in these needy areas. So, here am I, Lord, send me.
Thanks again for praying and sharing for the Lord's work, in Peru the U.S. and worldwide. Many blessings for you dear ones, Gratefully, Noel
