1 Peter 4:12-14 Rejoicing !

It has been a long, hard, hot, emotional week. Everyone worked non-stop all day in the sun digging a fence line, welding and unloading a little more of the container, printing ect.(inside the container is about 150 degrees) We had gotten into to the really heavy stuff and hired a little teenage help. They finally unpacked a good generator, whereas to weld the container shut again. What a pain, the fence really needs to get finished, then build a small home for someone to live there. It is the only way to keep from being robbed. The other container floor is bad and cannot be shipped due to water damage; about 1/2 the contents were saved. This changes the design for a warehouse distribution center. Basically, we now need to build a complete 40x40 concrete building, instead of just enclosing in 2 containers. Barry Jr got out the torches to cut open the container and found the tip was damaged. So we ran around 2 hours looking for a cutting tip... not avail in S. Honduras. Instead a feeble attempt to repair it was made, then off to the property to torch open the door only to find the new tank of Oxygen purchased in the USA is empty, leaked. After more running, it too is only avail in the capitol...which means I need borrow a truck. To get into the container I used a grinder, took a while but worked... The guys working at the property said they were unable to work the previous 2 days(we had not contacted them due to the wonderful birthday present I got for Lisa ops...keep reading) because they needed more material.. ie concrete. So we took what we had and picked up some. I got there and they said no we don’t need concrete we need to dig holes first....why could they not do that yesterday?...Its been one of those days.
While printing Lisa ran out of ink and masters for our risograph (cross between a copier and printing press) today while printing the Bible Institute, 60,000 pages so far. So the morning was spent in 5 minute intervals stopping at the house to track down supplies to get mailed to a pastor who will be coming down in about 2 weeks. Its funny I can buy things in the USA and have them sent to a 3rd party...but I cant get the money for us here...You can’t help but laugh and praise the LORD. Believe it or not it was a very productive week ...And Sasha gave a witness to 6 people while following me around. At least her eyes were 100% on the LORD.....
I took Lisa out to eat for her birthday, to a restaurant we were told was safe, three hours later bad food poisoning...Happy Birthday!

Pastor Santos came down the mountain to talk about the Institute and gave him a coleman lantern, Bibles, Discipleship books, tracts ect. He also told us about 2 children 4 & 8 he took in, because their parents both died and they have no family. We will be profiling them for sponsorship soon (Pray more people take on this idea, only a few folks have ever even looked at the childrens profiles link to the right of the blog) and may take them into the Children’s Lighthouse. We met with Maura, the INFA Supervisor(Child Services Here) this week about some of the children we work with. Maura has scheduled a meeting for us with the President of Honduras’ wife who runs INFA, they really want us to take in more children, this requires alot more funds than what we operate on now. Not sure what to make of this but pray it opens doors.
Friday Night thieves attempted to break into the container AGAIN. They broke our expensive locks again, but the welds held the doors shut. Two attempts in two weeks, but nothing of value taken, hmm. It all belongs to the LORD and he is caring for it. Guytan convinced me to finally hire a security guard because they will keep coming back. But the area is not safe for a man to be alone without protection. We asked Manuel to help. The first blog entry called Pure Church was in his home. So to keep Manuel safe, so he can keep the container safe, we built a guard shack on top of the container. I gave him Lisa’s mace, stun gun and a flashlight, as well as put a bunch of large rocks on top of the container. (All he needs now is a moat, boiling oil and a metal suit. With just a little more rain the moat will be provided…ha,ha.) Some of the money God’s ministering saints wired for us to live on….well, did not get spent the way I though it would. God knows best, we could have done nothing, and been left unprotected, had God not given them the insight to help when they did. Thank you ALL!
There are some various gospel events planned in the not too distant future now that we have some tools. It will be much more pleasant to be on the offence again, rather than the defense as of late.
Unworthy Servants to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour,
The Ritchies
PRAY: souls, vehicle, church plants, property, security, health, wisdom, supply, shipments…

Rescue the Perishing

Missions work is not a vacation. Sometimes it is days of boredom, followed by non stop exhausting work. Sometimes it’s the pleasure of helping another person, then sometimes it is that same person breaking your heart. If you can be lonely, lied to, lied about, stolen from, mistreated, accosted, and still love these same people, …You might just be fit for ministry. This month has been filled with a few ups and downs. But all have praises buried within. We also thank those who, like the house of Stephanas, …. have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints…1 Corinthians 16:15

The downs—Chay left, the rain has started (will end in Nov.), Our debit cards got lost in mail…ie no access to money for 6 weeks or more; Guytan, the man helping us on the Whensawe Property, was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with diabetes; our container was broken into so I had to just welded it shut until we can afford get a security fence up, a tire went on the borrowed truck... AND to top off everything. The container with most of our Scripture, pastors library, new generator, AV equipment, toys, well drilling rig ect…is several feet under water in New Hampshire, not sure what is lost but to be sure it is 10s of thousands of dollars. The funds for shipping arrived at the shipping agent earlier this week but had not cleared the bank…Timing is everything. Pray for this situation please.
The Ups—An opportunity was given to preach in another ministry and saw 7 adults ask Christ Jesus to save them. The risograph arrived undamaged in the container and was tested by printing 50+copies of a 55 page discipleship course, and they are going fast. A donation of 7 cases of paper to print the Institute curriculum on came in; this print run will require more ink and masters.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO VIEW THE VIDEO
Our money ran out and God’s ministering saints wired some funds for us to live on while our cards are in limbo. The property next to our home came up for rent. This is where we wanted to start a church and feeding center. The owner has agreed to rent it to us for 1 year at $25/mo, and give us the opportunity to purchase it within that time. He wants $10,000, he might take less, cash talks. It is a large corner city lot on a paved road where a church is needed. We will put up a tent to do some events and evangelization, but any permanent improvements would have to come after purchase. Just out of view, on the property picture, are people sleeping at our gate full of sores…what can you do except ...rescue the perishing. C.T.Studd said "Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." I concur.
The children in the area have befriended us since letting them play soccer there. Two-40 foot containers of food, plus 1 container of missions supplies have been promised. These will help greatly in building a new church and starting a feeding center/rescue mission, but only as our LORD opens hearts and doors. The need of property and a building is evident.

Please pray about a return trip to the USA in 2007 to gain support. This is not something I want to do, but with all the work the Lord has laid before us, along with our current situation, it is becoming necessary. Pray the churches we have already visited would support us, and a few new ones would as well. There is much to do. A good vehicle to make the trip is also needed. Airfares have gone up 20-25% meaning it is over $4000 for our family to fly. We can drive there and back for $900 in fuel and prayer. Much to think on, do and pray about…To God be ALL Glory!
Unworthy Servants to a Worthy Saviour
The Ritchies
Check out the updated Biblical Missions Page
www.biblicalmissions.blogspot.com
My quote of the week…
If your aim is to please God and Man, guaranteed you will anger both.

Feliz Cumpleaños (Happy Birthday)

The Children’s Lighthouse held a birthday for Alba and two of her younger siblings; Christian 4, and Karen 5. As we arrived and pulled out the camera, we I found all 8 rechargeable batteries were dead…and the back ups were pilfered for another project. We dropped off the presents as well as Lisa and Sasha, then Jr and I scurried off for more batteries. While gone, Alba decided to put on new or clean clothes for pictures on all her brothers and sisters as well as clean them all up. (so much for catching them by surprise.) Presents were supplied from the container, Sasha made a new dress for Alba, and Lisa made a 2 tier cake with the decorating kit one of God’s saints sent her. The neighborhood gathered round for the blindfolding and hitting of the Winnie the Poo Piñata. Several children took many swings. Until at last, Alba tossed it in and the children jumped on Winnie the Poo like starving piranha. I think you will enjoy the video of that moment. Just click on the small picture to watch it
Please remember to view the page links to the right for; prayer needs, children in need and ways you can help.

ANOTHER PRAISE ! We have rented the field next to our home (where the voodoo circus was) to prayerfully plant another Church and possibly start a feeding center. AMEN ! We can purchase it for $10,000 USD. This would allow for permanent structures. Pray for us Please, we need help and providential supply!

Faith, Friends, Fun and Good Byes

The weeks have flown by it is now getting hot and Chay will be leaving tomorrow. She is not real fond of hard work in 100+ degree heat…but then neither is anyone else. The teens from Baluarte bought and signed a shirt for her.
The container is being emptied, once done it will be rearranged and organized for the next shipment. The very needful security fence around the Whensawe Center is going up but the need for funding hinders any kind of rapid progress.
Lisa and the girls wanted to surprise Vanessa with birthday gifts. She, like Blanca, needs schooling but the family cannot afford it. Pray they would get permanent sponsors.
We find ourselves giving all, and doing without often here, but it is never enough. In the USA one can just look away or change channels. Here they are our friends and neighbors and the need actually tugs on your shirt and looks you in the eye. Bible verses like 1 John 3:16-18 are inescapable when you live in Honduras.
Yet another outreach event went well, this time in San Jose Del Alanda. Over 120 people showed up, many others stood in the road to listen. We had the children line up for a small shot with the candy cannon. Then told them if they got friends we would shoot it again after the sermon, they took off like scared rabbits. We have been giving out the Born of God booklets with very good responses. I have been invited to go into the prison here and see what can be done and distribute literature. It too is very needful, but more added to our plate.
The little truck we borrow needs tires again (cords showing) but will have to wait because our atm cards are expired and we have no access to funds until new ones arrive. When? Pray as we drive the mountain road to the airport. Chay will be… Faith time…no money, no way to get money and toilet paper was the first thing to run out…. Always something in a third world country.

Several prayer requests
Juran’s arm has been delayed
Funds for vehicle
Funds for Whensawe Distribution Center
Children to get sponsors
Prison to open to the Gospel
Church in Los Terreros to grow
Bible Institute
New church start and feeding center in Choluteca.
Souls to Harvest
Safety

Unworthy Servants to a Worthy Saviour
The Ritchies