Written by Noél Rich | 25 December 2023

Finally! December! Year 2023 is almost gone, but a lot has happened, a lot will happen. Here we are! Bob had profitable and good trips to the mountains, 2 of the once a month leaders training in the Colca canyon. He went to Pinchollo and later to Tuti. We are thankful that God's church is "rolling on" as the song says. The Lord gives strength, way beyond our own.

We are also thankful for our youth. Many of the newlyweds and some who are still single are taking more responsibility, in Sunday School, visiting, doing year end distributions in areas where they teach children.

In one of these, Jeff and Angela have a year end distribution to needy kids and neighbors. They have the children memorize crucial Scripture verses for points. They can purchase goodies and other items with these points. They learn a lot of Scripture. God's word will never return void, we pray these kids, their folks and neighbors will truly come to faith in Christ, and service to Him. Truly a lot of areas and people are being reached for Christ, we are thankful.

Our enemy wants to crush God's work in hearts, but God Himself protects and saves. A young man who works in Lima was baptized here Sunday. He is seeking a good church in Lima. Please help us pray for Alberto, he is sincere and is growing in Christ.

Bob is also still preparing messages, preaching, teaching, counseling, visiting and working for the Lord Who gives us strength.

Ebenezer Christian school had their year end Christmas program ("clausura") last Friday and it was good, honoring Christ. The directors, Lupe and Marino, still have much to do to satisfy the government requirements. Lupe and the teachers have to turn in tons of forms, reports, etc. and Marino has to do some structure changes for the required licenses. We have the approved licenses but every year there are changes required. Please help us pray the school will always be a light for Christ and we are truly thankful for all of you who help especially in fees, scholarships for the needy, yet deserving students.

We had around 250 students this past year 2023 and pray for more as the Lord provides in 2024. We thank God for the freedom to teach His Word in school, we pray this will continue, thanks so much for all who pray for this and share as He leads. 2024 school year starts in March, Lord willing.

Late last month our neighborhood had several electrical power surges. This blew out several appliances all up and down our street. in our apt. the fridge burned out and also our little radio. In the church some of the fluorescent lights and something on the church computer burned out. Praise the Lord these are fixed. The fridge is not fixed. It needs a new motor which is so far not available here. Thanks for praying for this.

We went to the U.S. again for 3 weeks in December. Bob was able to see his brother Paul and his family and other good friends we have not seen in over 20 years. We stayed with Bob's sister Bev, now a widow, but still strong in the Lord. Bob's cancer tests show that his cancer is reducing. It was stage 4 and now it is stage 3A. So it is reversing. Though Bob often is tired, he is able to minister and drive. We both really want to remain here in the Lord's work as long as He leads. We ask your prayers for God's leading, wisdom, and provision in these decisions.

So we trust you have had a very joyful Christmas, and will have a fruitful year 2024. 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 Thanks so much!

Christmas and new year's blessings, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 07 November 2023

Hi again, wow, November already! Guess we have to be ready, for whatever God has in store for us.

Special day Thanksgiving is coming, but every day is thanks giving to the Lord. He is real, and good to us, so this November we remember the many good things He has done,Bob's health is good so far, even though he still has to take strong pills. He had a small problem last month but he is better.

Bob went with a brother from here to the Colca canyon on Friday, to Pinchollo. Leaders and others from the churches in the canyon met together. Bob preached a lot Saturday, and this morning in 2 of the churches up there: Yanqui and Lari. He and Fortunato are coming back now from Chivay, about a 3-4 hour trip. We are thankful that the roads are much better than a few years ago. There are still a lot of dirt roads and bumps etc. The car works well and Bob can still drive with relative comfort. Thanks so much for praying for our health and for wisdom. Our times are in the Lord's hands.

Bob finished the second part of the book he wrote on conflicts in the earthly home of Jesus, and fulfilment of the OT prophesies of our Christ. Some brothers here did a "presentation" of it. We pray that those who read it will be blessed, and stronger in faith in the Lord and in His Word.

Last Monday, October 30th, there was a Thanksgiving ceremony for remembering the Reformation. A Christian congressman organizes this each year and many Christian schools participated, including our Ebenezer Christian school. We are so very thankful for the freedom to teach God's Word in school. Please help us pray this freedom will continue. Marino and Lupe work really hard to meet all the endless govt. requirements. Many of them have no reason but we have to obey. We are thankful for the Christians in leadership who also have the vision to help Christian schools with God's values.

Though our churches in and around Arequipa are growing, there are some conflicts between a couple of brothers, resentment and lack of forgiveness. This concerns Bob and the other elders. Please help us pray for a solution, true humility and forgiveness for God's glory and His peace.

Again, we are thankful for our youth here, active in the Lord's service. They are helping me in the yearly distributions for December/Christmas in the state boy's home and a Christian children's home where we help all we can. Hoepfully all this will be ready for Dec. 2, just a few weeks away.

Well, dear ones, thanks so very much for your prayers and for sharing as the Lord leads. All glory is for HIM. 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

Though the world is in a mess, we can still have a meaningful Thanksgiving this November - and remember all God's goodness.Thanksgiving blessings, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 11 October 2023

Hi again! Well, September's letter was so late and now October's keeps getting put off, but truly these have been and are very busy months.

We are really thankful for all of our recent newlyweds, and we had the blessing of having specialists Billy and Donna Hires to give us a really great marriage conference here in our main church. Several of the couples attend here and some attend in different churches we work with. Most of these newlyweds are working for the Lord teaching children and youth in outlying areas, and serving the Lord in other ways, helping this generation to believe in Christ and to keep believing - through "thick and thin" as the saying goes.

Another couple now have told us of their engagement, so it looks like we will have a few more weddings in 2024, Lord willing. Also some may be having their first babies next year too. So, God is forming godly Christian homes and families. Thanks for helping us pray for their faithfulness, Spiritual growth, and influence in their local churches.

Though the churches here in Arequipa are doing well, many of the churches away from the city are struggling as they do not have strong leadership. Many of the youth in these areas come to Arequipa city to study or work, which drains the leadership in these outlying areas. Bob helps in preparing local leaders but it is hard for these men to come to the city, so the next monthly leader's preparation is planned for a town in the Colca canyon. This should make it easier for the leaders of the local churches in that canyon to attend and be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord.

Ebenezer Christian school had its 20th anniversary with a ceremony of Thanksgiving. Bob preached on the need to stand firm on the foundation of God's Word in our school. A Christian congressman was present and he gave acknowledgement to the school, diplomas to the director and others in charge of Christian formation. He is presenting a project in congress in favor of Christian schools and eliminating the "gay" teaching in the state school curriculum.

He also has formed an association of Christian schools to have a united voice in eliminating the "anti God" materials in the govt. curriculum. Well, hard to explain, but now more than ever we need prayer for this generation to know God and His Word from an early age. Truly we are thankful for the freedom we do have to teach the Lord's message. Please help us pray for real dedicated Christian teachers, we thank the Lord for the ones we have.

Bob's health is holding up. He is able to teach, preach and counsel many here. Sept. 27 I had one of my famous "accidents". But this time I did not fall. Coming home at 6 a.m. I was attacked by a pack of street dogs, the biggest one came at me and bit into my left leg. I just kept walking across the bridge and prayed. I am having the anti rabies vaccinations as there is no way of controlling the dog and there is rabies in Arequipa. The crazy law prohibits eliminating street dogs, so rabies is a real threat.

Bob has seen at least one with foam in its mouth in a pack of street dogs. Praise the Lord he was driving his car and not out walking like I was Sept. 27. I have had 3 doses and have 2 more to go. The main fang wound is slowly healing, the other 3 have healed, and we thank the Lord for His protection. It is nice to walk here early a.m. but I now pay a bit more and get a taxi back home.

We are concerned about the wars in Israel and the Ukraine. It seems the Lord's return will be soon. "Even so, come Lord Jesus". 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.

Thank you and may God richly bless you, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 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.

Written by Noél Rich | 08 August 2023

Hi again, last month I was late in getting the monthly letter out. So as August is almost here and there is time right now at least I can get it ready.

July was a bit difficult as I had a nasty fall. I still have the wound on my right shin. Dr. says it will still take some weeks to heal. Thanks for praying for quick healing. Bob had a better month healthwise. He still is doing well and tolerating the strong meds he has to take daily for the cancer in his bones. The cancer has reduced a good bit and does not bother him. He is a bit more tired but that is because the meds knock out his hormones.

We plan a trip to the U.S. August 30 for 2 weeks for Bob's checkups in VA. We hope after this to be able to stay here in Perú and do the checkups here. The treatment is the same. God has led us here and Bob still has a ministry here. Thankfully he is still able to travel - even to the cold mountain areas. He had a good trip to Espinar and the Quechua community: Chullupata. The believers there were encouraged by Bob's visit and teaching.

School here is still my main ministry and it really is a blessing to teach God's Word (NT this year to 5th and 6th graders). The govt. makes it difficult for private schools but our directors are doing an amazing job in keeping the school going, and we are really thankful that it is a light for Christ. Many kids and their families are hearing the Lord's message. We are thankful for our dedicated Christian teachers. Thanks so much to you who are helping with fees for some of our needy students.

There still is a lot of economic difficulty for many after the pandemia of Covid 19. The economy really suffered from this and it will take years to recover. The Lord knows our times, this whole world is suffering. And here in Perú as in other places the corruption is really bad. Perú has had 6 presidents in 6 years - most end up impeached and in jail, but the problem continues.

Here in Arequipa we again have had some baptisms of new believers. One of these is from the community of Agua Buena, where Vicente from here has been evangelizing and teaching. This is about an hour outside of Arequipa, but this believer has some health problems and the water out there in his town is just too cold this time of year. We are thankful for the new believers especially from these outreaches.

Also, weddings are still being planned and occurring among our youth - we are truly thankful for these young couples who are serving the Lord together. We pray for Christian homes and this generation to know the Lord and to help others believe in Him as well.

Thanks so very much for standing with us here by praying 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.

Thanks so very much, many blessings for you dear ones, Noél for us