Paul Leaves Luke for the work of the ministry

Honduras keeps our emotions exercised. The high points are very high, the lows are low and little time spent in between. Gracefully the highs far outweigh the lows, amen! The church is only 4 weeks old and the attendance keeps growing, now 75! There were 32 adults and 43 children Sunday. Bro Carlos’ wife, Luz asked (amen!) to help teach the children, so… This week Barry Jr and I cut open the container and pulled out a 2nd tent to do our first Sunday school classes. Bro. Paul, a friend from a supporting church in Ky, visited and left behind his son Luke for a few weeks because he is profitable for the work of the ministry here. A strong, well mannered, 6’5”, 17 year old Christian boy that can sing and knows Spanish….(I want to burn his return airline ticket) Barry Jr and Luke set up both church tents on Sunday (Barry Jr is reeeally enjoying having a friend here.) One day in 2 tents and we already need more space…So much to do, so much yet to teach. (Anyone want to help build a church building?) Bro Carlos is teaching a discipleship lesson from the Bible Institute and yet another adult came forward for salvation. Christy brought her new baby to church so this brought about the first baby dedication. Lisa made a certificate with the baby’s footprints, which allowed a second mini sermon on raising children (also much needed here). It was taught as a vow to God from the parents, that they promise to raise the children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD… 5 ladies came forward afterward so now there are 5 more dedications to do next week. What an opportunity and inroad into the families…
This weekend was Alba’s little brother Toño’s 9th birthday. So we brought a piñata and a few toys to his home Sunday afternoon and put smiles on the faces of many…

It is a good thing to be able lay your head on your pillow at night and with honesty and contentment pray. “LORD Jesus, I did all you allowed me to do today, thank you. Please, strengthen me for tomorrow.”..Barry

"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives ... and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." -- Nate Saint, missionary martyr

Joran with a helping hand

For those who have been following this story, Joran now has a prosthetic arm! It is good to see him smile, not a frequent event since loosing his arm back in Sept 2005. He was flying his kite on a breezy day and lost it in a tree. As any young teen boy would do, he climbed up to retrieve his home made masterpiece, only to fall into the high voltage power lines. The doctors in Choluteca stabilized him but he had to be sent 3 hours to the capitol. They saved his life but could not save his arm. Joran is a cousin to the translator we had working for us at that time. The Children's Lighthouse put out a plea for prayer and God laid on the hearts of His ministering saints not only to pray, but to sacrifice and help. A Prosthetic specialist university in El Salvador offered their help, doctors and nurses in the USA offered their help, a wonderful church sacrificed in giving and the Children's Lighthouse got them all on the same page so to speak. During one of the several trips to El Salvador both Joran Jr. and Sr. asked Christ Jesus to save them. AMEN! None of this would have been possible without God's Ministering Saints' prayers, encouragement and support. In a third world country this prosthetic is not just an aid, it will allow him a productive life and keep him from just begging in the streets, like we see so often here. We and Joran and his family thank you. To God be all Glory
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie
Honduras Missions-Children's Lighthouse

Matthew 25:37-40

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Please read and pray for Cinthia and Angel

Click on picture profiles to enlarge and read.

At the Cross at the Cross where I first saw the Light

Another amazing time here in Honduras. Much to share. Carlos (our translator) has begun the Timotheos Bible Institute in earnest. He figures he can finish 2 years in one. He had his first opportunity to preach Sunday and one elderly lady, Ursinda Izaguirre, came forward for salvation. He was excited as were angels in heaven! I can think of no better thing than to see a man who has been rejected by all his whole life because of polio, told he was worthless by even his own family; now being used of God to bring the lost to the Fount of Living Waters. God is so Good. More than 50 people showed up again for services, and we have yet to start real systematic visitation program. The people voted on a name, the church is now Iglesia Bautista La Cruz--- The Cross Baptist Church… at the cross at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away… it was there by faith I received my sight……It is the only church in barrio La Cruz (the Cross neighborhood) The church verse is

1 Cor 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

We made an A-frame sign from steel and Lisa and Sasha did a really good job painting it.

Pastor Santos was finally able to make a trip down the mountain to visit so we could take pictures of Angel 4 and Cinthia 8. They are the orphans he took in, after both parents died of cancer not long ago. He lives in a small adobe house now with 9 people and is truly living by faith. We told him previously we would help however the LORD opens the door. And took photos to list them for sponsorship (anyone praying?), gave them some clothing, shoes, hygiene items, toys and some rice and beans. Cinthia’s eyes lit up. They are wonderful, timid children who have already lived a rough life. No one even knows their birthdays. Yet they are known to Christ and his eye is on them.
Barry Jr has been looking for an opportunity to ride the dirt bike (that we cant license yet) so we loaded it into the old Isuzu and went as far as we could up the mountain. Actually about an hour out, we got the truck hi-centered on rocks. So then the chiness motorcycle was unloaded on the very rocky, steep mountain side, everything loaded up and attempted to drive the children on up….we only made it a little ways before it too, just didn’t have enough power. Cinthia finally had enough bouncing, trying to hold on and asked if she could just walk…please? Barry Jr. took Pastor Santos up to where the children where waiting and dropped the supplies. When Jr. returned, then began the job to free the very stuck truck. Jacks, boards and rocks with a lot of muscle and likely someone praying for us, finally freed it without anyone getting hurt. Amen! Of course Barry Jr suggested it would be better to load the motorcycle at the bottom and he would happily ride it down. How thoughtful….

Joran will finally get his arm… tomorrow. We had to sent them on a bus again, but this time, gave him a disposable camera to take pictures, hopefully. The gate is up on the Whensawe property. The next item is electric. One of the men who had helped us build was Rosali. He is in his 40s walks with a bad limp, is nearly blind and skinny as can be, but prides himself in the fact he works hard. He has 11 children he cares for, on only about $100 per month. One of God’s ministering saints mailed a box of supplies that was perfect for Rosali’s family, lots of shoes, hygiene stuff, ect. The children were all shoeless and either naked or nearly so up to 12years old. Lisa had also brought some extra clothing, so she and Sasha began sizing them up and clothing them. Whensawe thee Lord naked and clothed thee…..The LORD is so Good. What we need is more help of all kinds. The prayer we need most is “LORD what wilt thou have me to do.” AMEN! The LORD is so Good. Tell it where ever you go.

Enmencio's Prayer Request

Hola Praying friends. Enmencio Estrada is the Pastor we are working with to establish a church in Los Terreros. (More info in the blog about the land purchased back in the Feburary blog posts). I edited and reposted his picture so you would know who to pray for. He has been working hard in the village and is currently working with 5 people in bible studies. It has been difficult because of circumstances there. Hard to get to the village, often walking, horseback or 4x4 if we had one. The wickedness that has a grip on the village is strong. Enmencio has a heart for them because is is where he was born, and wants to see them come to the Saviour. He is working and preaching by faith and recieves no pay. It is only out of love for Christ and a love for his people. If the Lord lays something on your heart we will get it directly to him. Below is his letter as it was translated.

Enmencio's Prayer Request:
I am a Pastor. I am starting to preach the Gospel in Los Terreros village of El Corpus, Choluteca Honduras.
In this village along time ago established two churches, Church of God of the Seventh Day and Catholic. There is not anyone who is saved. I will need your pray because in this village is big corruption dreadful, because there are many man with two women and also woman with two men in relationship. Much work to be done. I also want you to pray for Ms Consuelo who is the village witch. She is a friend and could be reached.
Pray to the Lord brothers to used me to give freedom to this people and take them out of the rope of Satan.
Dios Le Bendiga
Enemencio Estrada

What is a Church?

A lot has happened lately, though meetings with lawyers don’t make for good photo opportunities. After borrowing $3000, plus spending all remaining funds from our bus sale, we should no longer have to exit the country just to have passports stamped. It took all we had but had to be done because the new law requires us to travel to Costa Rica to remain legal here. To do so would have cost near $500 per month. With our current finances that extra burden would take us off the mission field immediately. These situations still weigh on us heavily. The lawyer is also setting up the ministry for imports, taxes ect so we will not have the same problems on future duty free container shipments as we did on the first one. Currently 20 tons of food is being prepared stateside for the new feeding center, plus more in the future, the supplies in NH should be ready soon to ship and an offer for a 20 foot container of scriptures (including shipping to port!) to replace those damaged by flooding in NH shipment. With all our LORD has put before us to do; 2 church starts, Children’s Lighthouse, Whensawe Distribution, Bible Institutes, and a feeding kitchen, the ministry definitely needs more support of all kinds; prayer, laborer, financial.

The Whensawe property nearly has a completed security fence, one wall yet to finish. So far we have mixed by hand on the ground, 200 bags of cement and 10 dump trucks of sand and rocks. The next major tasks are: a 20' long gate, electricity, water and a large bodega built (storage building). It is much needed but must be done of the LORD and his ministering saints for we never seem have the strength or resources to continue. All we have is the faith and vision that they won’t perish. I noticed putting this picture together for the blog, the images a friend painted on our deputation display were almost prophetic, the view of the mountains and neighbors is same as the property. We used the original line drawing he gave us on our business cards and may paint it on the wall along with the Romans road, other paintings, and scriptures ect.

Church under the tent Sunday was to teach “What is a church?” It ended up focusing on baptisms. Many have made public professions of faith in the last few weeks so I asked “Who has been scripturally baptized?” Near the same number raised their hands. That required further questions of when, where and how. Catholic as a baby, Mormon were the most used responses. After sharing scriptures on baptism, the questions was asked again “Who has been scripturally baptized?” Only one hand went up… Amen Progress. In the coming weeks looks like we need to have Baptismal services in the Rio Choluteca. You know it will take a while to teach your congregation when you give bibles to the adults and several enthusiastically hold them upside down as passages are read. And the ones that can read need help finding Matthew. But I think the pure in heart are given a mansion in heaven that are closest to the Throne of Grace. Because the Bible says “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” AMEN!

Our AMEN Post!

Our AMEN Post.
Our baby girl has graduated. Sasha, our youngest of four daughters, has finished high school and is now considering colleges.(NOW I am old)amen! She has chosen to wait till spring of next year to go so she can become more fluent in Spanish and help us a bit longer. The most important thing she has learned is to have a servant’s heart and to please the LORD in all things. This we have seen as one of her best attributes, and thank the LORD for her. AMEN!
Friday we were asked to bring a witnessing movie to a village outside of the city, more than 140 showed up. Some watched from the shadows. The Lord gave a simple message and 3 adults surrendered to our Father in Heavens drawing. AMEN!
Sunday was our second Church service in the empty field next to our home. 45 souls came and learned meanings of faith, trust, grace and mercy. AMEN!
I pray the LORD opens the door for ministry here, the need is great. Most have never heard or seen the true power of the Gospel to change lives. 50 chairs were purchased by a friend and former high school bus worker of ours in the USA. AMEN!
He is now grown, married and a bus captain. He convinced his new church to buy our bus and start a new bus ministry. Considering we could not import the bus to Honduras, I can think of no better departure for our old work horse. AMEN!
The fence at the Whensawe Distribution center is looking like something. I got flash burned eyes welding and burned my face so Barry Jr. took over welding of the rebar steel for the fence. He has learned quickly and is really becoming more than just a helper. Many tasks we have begun to rely on him. AMEN!
We also now have Honduras Drivers Licenses….Free! AMEN!
The Picture taking machine was finally fixed after 6 months so we went to the police department to get licenses. One police man recognized us from helping his daughter months ago, several more from when we had the container arrive. They introduced us to the police chief and when it came time to pay they said gratis…free. Wow can’t do that in the USA. AMEN and AMEN!