The Proverbial “Ox in the Ditch"

Our first container with our equipment has arrived! On the only day I told them not to deliver it on, of course. We had a pastor from the USA flying in on Sat and we would be in Capitol 3 hours away picking him up (and his plane was 3 hours late). For 2 weeks, every day hearing, it will be there tomorrow. Then they called on Saturday saying it had to leave or I would get a fine. So it went and arrived in Choluteca about a hour before dark. We raced back down the mountain to meet it. The attempt was made to begin removing it in the dark, but after a stack of wood gave out and knocked Barry Jr into a barb wire fence, we decided to wait till Sunday morning. Our proverbial “Ox in the Ditch”. We had to pay the driver extra to stay all day on Sunday. Being Sunday, it was difficult, but we found a lumber yard whose owner lived on premises and was willing to cut up some extra lumber and Lisa found 2 more bottle jacks. We went to work inch by inch. Barry Jr and Sr’s hands are blistered from jacking.

The weather was 96-102 degrees with no shade anywhere. Once off the trailer, we left it in the air for several days and lowered it all day Wednesday. But it is here and on the ground, now we get to unload it…
While in the Capitol we picked up a pila for Blanca’s family so they could store water bathe and wash clothes. Chay is leaving in about a week. Much to do with little time and money to get it all done.

3 Hour Tour...

After visiting the Gulf of Fonseca a few weeks back, I thought; this is cheap enough and it would be a nice treat to take the teens we have been working with on a trip. We did not tell them where we were going or what we were doing, just it was free. So now I was now commited. Choluteca is only 30 minutes from the Pacific Ocean, but most of the teens had never seen it. When “free” was understood, the Isuzu was quickly outgrown for a bus because they all wanted to go. Lisa, Sasha and Chay had made a bunch of coulletes to give away and this was a good time to do it. Most of the teen’s families live on less than $100 per month. So off we went, passing 8 police check points in a 30 mile trip. At the port after much bartering/debating ect, we launched 2 small boats for a 30 minute ride to the private island called Exposicion. The whole place to ourselves for the day, actually 3 hours till the boats returned. Set up camp, preached, sang, ate and put out some floaties for the teens to play. This may seem like a simple thing, but to teens who have worked since they were 5 years old to help support their families, it is a big deal. Everyone had a good time to the point most slept all the way home. Click Here pict0121.mov
OR-Click on the picture to link

The container should be here any time…it has cost a small fortune. Every time we turn, someone needs more money for something, but it is needful. Pray for us to get a vehicle this is still one of the highest priority needs.
We are discussing ways to start a church in our barrio. Many needs and prayer on this front as well. It seems there is much to do before our Saviour returns….Unworthy Servants to a Worthy Saviour
The Ritchies

Random Shots

Our vist to the border, Blanca's little sister Vanessa, Barry Studying, another Lazerus at our gate, Helping families get furniture, Teaching about creation and Sasha and Blanca Singing...Random shots some from the new camera learning how to use it. More to follow. Be sure to look at the links on the side-
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Gabriel preached Sunday evening.

A man in the congregation of Baluarte preached Sunday evening, a message that needs to be heard by all. It started out about the disciples who turned back and did not drink from the fount of living waters. Then he switched to those that do drink, how they should offer it to others. In tears he gave one of the most powerful sermons I have heard in a long time. The true illustration was about a visit he made to an elderly couple's home this week. Both eke out an existence and live alone nearly blind. Gabriel knew they were starving slowly. He did the “survey” for soul winning, then went to the church, picked up the rice and beans we had donated and returned. He was not ready for the response. The elderly lady began to cry and got on her knees, hugging his legs and thanking him for the food. What would you think if you were starving, nearly blind, and had someone named Gabriel speaking to you? He then opened the water of life, and they drank unto life eternal. AMEN! He hammered on soulwinning, service, giving, loving, go, see, do. We cannot get more if our hands are fulll of what we should be giving. There were only a few dry eyes. After, during offering, Eduarda, another very poor elderly lady in our congregation always gives 2-5 limpira(10-25 cents)and makes change from the offering plate money. Today was different, I watched as she she put in all her living. Mine was 100x hers, yet now I felt ashamed for giving so little. We have not because we consume it upon our lust…Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
The Altar was full….

This past week was filled running papers to and fro for lawyers. I taught about creation last night and it went very long with lots of questions. The pastor asked me to continue teaching. The Mitsu truck that we had our hopes on fell through. The big boss of the mine visited and it ended up going to one of the mines gold vendors…It was our best hope for a cheap diesel 4x4 crew cab. Not sure what we are going to get now. Need something very reliable, that can carry a lot, carry everyone, not cost a lot to drive, go where we need to go. And that we can afford to purchase. It is a tall order. We have had numerous requests to visit places in the mountains but have not been able to go without a truck that would make it. We have not even visited the new church in Los Terreros since the purchase of the land and hut to meet in. Eneminsio makes visits on horse back.
Monday Night we met for church at Blanca's house, it was a sweet time of song, praise and preaching under the stars with a kerosene lantern. Sasha and Blanca sang a special together. Ronnie sang a special, the song service tonight made a pleasant harmony heard even in heaven. Wish the camera was here. It should arrive soon and have pictures to display. Click on the links on the right and REMEMBER TO PRAY.
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie