Written by Noél Rich | 15 July 2023

Yes! July is already flying by. Sorry this is so very late. It happened again, and I really fell into it. On America's birthday, July 4, I had another nasty trip and a nastier fall. I did not spend an autumn (fall) on a trip. I was walking home at 6 a.m. from the pool and at the end of the bridge where buses crowd together from 2 directions I tripped on the curb and went down. Praise the Lord, NO bones were broken. But my right leg shin scraped hard over the rocky cement curb and it is a very very nasty wound.

Of course infected in spite of treatment with antibiotics, iodine and sulfa cream. Anyway, finally the best trauma dr. (who operated on my elbow and knee before) came and had to do a major cleanup and then removal of dead tissue, etc. Well, it really burns as my skin is very thin and delicate. It looks absolutely horrible but really he does know how to treat it best. He is putting on a different cream, one that helps regenerate the skin. Guess it will take a while. Anyway, no more swimming for me for at least a month. Thank you for praying for healing without more complications, and of course, patience - God is teaching me this, it is not an easy lesson. But it is not the nicest way to begin my 80th year.

Sorry to bother you with all that, but again, thanks for praying. Bob's health is great, at least he feels fine and can work, preach, teach, counsel and help a lot of people. Yesterday we went to the funeral of a brother who had worked in a mine for a long time. His wife and daughters called and had us go to comfort and share the gospel with them and other family members.

Today we counselled another couple getting ready for marriage in Sept. Every day has been really busy. Tomorrow I can go with Bob to Puno for a wedding there. Dr. says I should not go to the places where it is dirt floors and roads, etc. so Bob will go on to a Quechua community in from Juliaca and one of our deacons has offered to bring me back so Bob will go alone into Occoro for Sunday church, a combined meeting with the Quechua community Patapampa believers. Bob is able to travel to several of the mountain areas, not as far or long as before, but we are thankful he is so well. Thanks for praying.

This past Sunday we had a baptism in our main church here in Arequipa, and we should be having more baptized here Sept. 23. These are from the community "Agua Buena", a district of Polobaya, about an hour's drive from Arequipa. A brother from here has gone there faithfully for over a year and a few have been converted. They do not have warm water (their lake is really cold) and it is winter and higher altitude there.

We thank God for new believers in different areas where there are no strong Christian churches yet, and pray for more new believers. There still are some problems, when the Lord works, His enemy works too. We know the Lord will win in the end but we need to fulfill His command to get the good news everywhere.

The school year is half way through and we still are very thankful for the freedom to teach God's Word and values. Several students and teachers have had the flu and colds, etc. a lot because of the cold winter here. Thanks for praying for the school, students, teachers, parents and tutors. Thanks again so much for praying 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 for you all, enjoy the rest of July, flying by, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 04 June 2023

Hi to you all. Yes, June here is "busting out all over",with firecrackers really loud right out our windows. Some of them are pretty and all, but they make a terrible noise. The parked cars on our street all whistle out their alarms and the poor dogs just cringe. We had the cutest cocker spaniel puppies (mom dog had lots of pups on our roof) but they just tremble and shake when the firecrackers go off.

The statue I mentioned last month, the patron saint of Arequipa, the virgin of Chapi "visited" the main cathedral in the city square May 31 - "she" was brought out in the evening to bless all the people who came to see her "cry" and do miracles. There was a huge crowd. I was coming home with some ladies after the ladies meeting in another part of the city and we had to walk by the plaza - fortunately most of it was over and they took this idol back to Chapi, the place where supposedly the virgin Mary appeared long ago. Anyway, the idolatry here is really pathetic.

Actually I wanted to share first of all our good news: Bob has been in VA again for 10 days and has had several tests and scans at the cancer clinic our daughter Terri got him affiliated with. All the tests came out really good. His cancer has not advanced or spread at all. Bob is also tolerating these very expensive, very strong pills he has to take daily. He's had 2 months already and has started on the third month.

He does not have to go back to the U.S. now till the end of August, and I hope to go with him then, for a couple of weeks. We are deciding to stay here in the ministry God has given us for as long as He gives us the strength to do so. There surely is a lot to do. Bob wanted to go to Espinar for another "convention" there last week but he could not because of being in the U.S. Our coworker Jeffrey, and some other brothers from our churches here went. There are some problems in that area but they did have good meetings and were able to encourage the believers. Hopefully Bob can go up there soon. He has no problem in the altitude, we are thankful his lungs are not invaded by the cancer.

Also, good news from here: Bob was able to recognize two elders for our main assembly here in Arequipa. These are faithful brothers. Thank you for praying for Julian and his dear wife, Paola, and their precious one year old Samuel. Julian is our harpist, really talented and loves to glorify Christ through really good music. Before the pandemia he was playing the harp for breakfasts in one of the tourist hotels here in Arequipa. He really would like to be employed at that again, he was a real witness for the Lord and there were many opportunities there.

But sadly the tourism in Arequipa is not restoring as we thought it would be. Hotels are just now reopening slowly. The shaky political system here with the many protest marches, road closing, etc. scares tourists away. So please pray for stability and the restoring of the tourist industry and for the door to open for Julian. He does welding so has been working in that and in whatever is available. He is a very willing worker and a witness wherever God puts him.

Also, the other elder is "our" Pepe, with his dear wife Sara. Pepe is now 36, so he really is older than he looks, and is in leadership with the youth and also with the music (guitar and autoharp). He is always active and very hospitable. Bob also reconfirmed the deacon we've had for some years, Justo Pastor. He and his wife Narcisa are Pepe's adoptive parents. They have other grown and married children walking with the Lord.

And now we have another deacon, Jeronimo. He and his dear wife, Elena, have two grown children. Their daughter Katy is a youth leader and Sunday school teacher. Katy and her fiancé, José Luis are leading one of the outreaches the youth have in different areas teaching children. Pepe and Sara lead another outreach in another area. These are kind of far from Arequipa but the kids and parents are thankful and God's Word is reaching out to them.

Jeffrey and his wife Angela are helping in another of our churches in Arequipa plus also teaching children and having Bible studies with neighbors in Uchumayo, hoping for a church to be raised up there. Angela has land there with aloe vera plants. Hopefully they will get titles and water and eventually go to live there.

Well, sorry that this is so long. Thanks for reading, and thanks for praying. God is building His church. We want to be His servants till He comes. 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 so very much, and God's richest blessings for you all, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 01 May 2023

Yes! May our Lord Jesus Christ be praised. And now that the rains have gone, morning is "gilding" the skies. Sunrises and sunsets are pretty. God is everywhere.

Today, May 1, is Labor Day here, a holiday. It is also the main day for the famous Virgin of Chapi, a very idolatrous festival, especially in the area of Chapi, near Arequipa. This image is the patron saint of Arequipa, and there are sanctuaries for the image in 3 or 4 places in and around the city. People go on foot - some even barefoot, for miles to visit these sanctuaries and ask this virgin for miracles. It is sad that so many are still blinded to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ being the only mediator between us and God and the only way of salvation.

Being Labor Day there are some protest marches, though politically we are in a tense calm, with 4 ex presidents in jail and many authorities processed for corruption. In spite of increased violence, robberies and even murder, we are thankful we still have the freedom to teach and share God's word openly. Many do sincerely desire to know Christ. Our youth and others are seeing results in their outreaches in areas in and around Arequipa, not only in children but also some parents and other adults.

There are results in the youth too, many of the couples I mentioned in earlier letters are now getting married, so we have had and will have a few more weddings in the coming weeks and months. These weddings are glorifying the Lord. We truly thank Him for these young couples desiring to continue serving God. Hopefully they will indeed form godly Christian homes and be examples of Christ's church in the future. The Lord is building His church.

Many of you are praying for Bob's health. God is answering: Bob feels really fine, still strong and working hard. Next weekend he will go with some believers from here for special meetings (they call it a "convention") in the mountain town of Sibayo. This is above the Colca canyon and they invite believers from all of the churches in the canyon. These "conventions" are an encouragement to the believers in the whole area and those from here too. It is only about 4 hours away from Arequipa and the roads are much better than before.

The altitude is about 12000 feet, but Bob takes the altitude really well. Bob continues to teach here in Arequipa, visiting churches besides our main one where we live. Believers are constantly calling and coming for counsel and to buy Bibles and other literature. There are some problems in the new churches in Camaná on the coast so we ask for prayer. Thanks so very much for praying for us, especially that we may continue in the Lord's work here. Our times are in God's hands.

School is also going well, and we are truly thankful we can now have in person school and even some programs with parents present. The Easter program was glorifying to the Lord and a blessing. Now Mother's Day is coming, and we trust the program for the moms will also glorify Christ and be an encouragement to them to teach their children to love God. Satan wants to destroy our homes, and sadly there are many broken homes here. Please help us pray for godly and united homes - this is one of the purposes of our Christian school. So, happy Mother's Day for all of you Moms!

Thanks so much for your prayers and sharing with 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 Perú)

Many blessings, "May Jesus Christ be praised!" Gratefully, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 09 April 2023

Hi again! Hope you are having a blessed Easter!

What joy, Jesus is Alive! We surely are thankful for this truth, He lives and so shall we, forever.

Bob was in the U.S. most of March. It was a tiring trip and he had all the same tests he had had here but our daughter and son in law wanted to register Bob in a very good cancer institute in the NOVA area. Terri certainly did a great job on getting her Dad to all the necessary appointments and treatments needed. And her husband also helped in getting our Medicare and other insurance we had working for us.

The medicines however still are way too expensive and the insurance only covers a part. So they are seeking help in financing through a not profit agency that helps cases like ours. We really do appreciate your prayers in this, we are not real happy about Bob having to go to the U.S. every 6 or 7 weeks for checkups and testing, but we will see how long this will be necessary. We really are thankful for all who have helped us in this, we are just seeking God's will and leading. For sure Bob has a tremendous ministry here, many churches established in many areas in southern Perú and many come to him for counsel with multiple problems. And the teaching of God's Word, Bible studies, the main church, etc.

God has allowed me to keep teaching His Word in our Christian school next door, this year the NT to 5th and 6th grades. What a blessing, and a special blessing when I meet people (adults now) on the street who say: don't you remember me, you taught me the Bible 15 or more years ago. I indeed have taught for 28 years, OT one year, NT the next year to kids from 3rd through 6th grades. Things as they are though, this will be my last year teaching. But I wish to continue to have a ministry in the school, devotionals, supplying materials, maybe even some programs, etc.

Bob is still preaching and teaching and counseling. We both are a bit more tired than we were when we were younger. Bob is 78 and I am 79, and soon will turn 80, Lord willing. We both find ourselves forgetting things -- well there is a lot that goes through our old brains and these things do get mixed up some. We are so very thankful for our youth who continue faithfully in their outreaches, teaching kids and some of their parents in outlying areas. God is blessing and using them. A few of them have gotten married recently and some are planning weddings for the next couple months as well. These are our leaders for the future, please help us pray for them and their marriages.

Our dear colleagues Jeffrey and Angela Anderson are due to arrive here again this week. Angela is getting her U.S. citizenship which makes her able to go and come as needed - to the U.S. So, the work here is God's, not ours. Thanks for praying with us for Him to clearly lead us. Thanks so very much for those who share with God's work here and for the needy kids' school funds. Our school year is from March to December, so we are just starting. 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 thanks, Noél for us

Written by Noél Rich | 06 March 2023

Yes, March is marching along. So much to do, the later days of February were really busy. We went to Camaná again, to help the new believers there and also to wave to the ocean briefly. It waves back. Anyway, we thank the Lord that a brother from near there who was a pastor for some years now is living close and he is helping this little group, they are growing.

We still are praying much for elders to be named in the main church here in Arequipa. Thanks so much for praying with us for that. Our youth are still very active, visiting and helping, taking responsibility in God's work. They are our future leaders. Several of them will be married in the coming months. One couple scheduled for April 1 already. They are a real sweet couple desiring to serve the Lord together in many areas.

Mauricio is the grandson of one of the very first believers in Mollendo, 54 years ago. His fiancé, Rosa, is concerned for her family who are not believers. But Rosa is a real treasure and a very willing helper in many areas. She shares Christ with the children in Sunday school, and in one of the outreaches the youth have Sunday afternoons in a district of Yarabamba, about an hour away. Mauricio preaches well and truly loves the Lord. He wants to see this generation following Chist.

School starts Monday, March 6. Thanks for praying and helping with Ebenezer Christian school, we are still free to teach God's Word. Lord willing I will teach the NT to 5th and 6th graders. They had the OT last year while they were in 4th and 5th. Truly we are very thankful for all who have helped and are helping some of the poorer students whose parents do not have enough to pay fees.

The Covid pandemia and now the political unrest, protests, marches, etc have really hurt Peru's economy. Many of our student's parents just live from hand to mouth, what little work they can find, or sales, which has really gone down.

Our weather goes to extremes. Last month I mentioned the harm done by flash flooding and heavy rains and now this month we are in a drought again. Our water reserves only have a little over half of the necessary for our population.

Bob is in the U.S. with our daughter, Terri, and her husband, Josué, this month for testing and treatment. The last gammagram showed that his prostate cancer had gotten into some of his bones. Bob does not have any pain, and he feels great. We do really want to remain in Perú and in the Lord's work here as long as we can, but we are willing for wherever God leads.

Lord willing I should have some stitches removed (by laser) next Friday, March 10, from the last eye op. I had Feb. 3. Dr. says it is healing well, but the vision in that eye is still not restored as much as it should be and the eye is swollen, does not open all the way. Well, thanks for praying for these health issues, we are very thankful we really do feel well. So many people come to Bob for counseling and help. He is a real good Bible teacher and God's Word is working in many hearts here. Thanks so much for praying for us and sharing as God leads.

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, Noél for us