WOW! What a start to a year. Risha and I enjoyed being able to see lots of friends and family in the States as well as being able to give updates to some of our supporters. Then I headed back to Peru to “wrap things up.” It has gone well, though it has been harder than I thought it would be. But at the same time, it has been very rewarding and encouraging. It has even been very confirming for me to continue our ministry with BIMI in the States.
As I mentioned in our December prayer letter, I will be moving from Peru to the World Mission Center of our mission board BIMI. I will take the position of Missionary Services where I will focus on helping other missionaries as they serve. There are many needs at the home office. My first focus will be in the area of insurance. I will serve as a point of contact between our missionaries and our insurance providers. There will be a lot to learn! But I can attest to what a blessing BIMI has been to our family while we lived in Peru and went through different health and medical issues. They worked very hard to get us the help and direction that we needed, and to keep the cost of the insurance down.
I am also excited to be able to be involved with some of the many other opportunities at the home office. For example, there will be some great events such as different conferences, new missionary candidate schools, enrichment week for missionaries on furlough, multiple camps for young people interested in missions.
As I write this, I only have one week left here in Peru. Wow! I fly back to the states Feb 28th. First I’ll head to Pensacola, FL to check in with our home church, Burgess Road Baptist Church. I’ve been scheduling meetings with some of our supporting churches during March for a quick furlough. Then around the first of April I will start working with BIMI (sounds like an April Fool’s joke.) I am hoping to be able to visit all of our supporters during the year to give updates!
Our church here in Peru has been doing well. Here are a couple of pictures from a special breakfast we had for inviting new people to the church. It just happened to fall on my birthday, so I joked that it was my birthday celebration.
• Please continue to pray for Risha and I during this transition. Risha will be moving and living with me for now.
• Pray also for my financial support level, that I can maintain the support I need.
• Please pray that I can find a car right away once in the States, one within my budget and dependable for all the traveling.
I am thankful for all of you and your faithful prayers and support! We are blessed through you!
Rick Anderson
