What a Day of Rejoicing

Sunday Ramon, Lesby and Ana Cristina were in church to give a testimony. I also allowed Ramon to preach. The Holy Spirit was busy this day and Christ Jesus was glorified and angels rejoiced. Two elderly ladies came forward for salvation. One has said for months she would not attend unless it was catholic. Another church member won a “Names of Christ” framed poster by quoting all the books of the Bible + how Jesus was shown in each of them. Afterwards the church baptized 4 Christians. A mom and daughter, plus Alba and Jeny. Alba and Jeny requested we put the name (Ritchie) on the certificates after their names. That really put a lump in my throat. Tonight, Ramon is having a service at his home for many unsaved family and neighbors to see Ana and has asked me to preach a gospel message. Amen!

A Choluteca Thanksgiving

Though Honduras does not have a thanksgiving day like the USA. With all the events of late, Lisa felt a need to do something. This past week has been full of surprises. The visa lawyer called Monday night and said you all need to be at immigration in the capital at 8 am Tuesday. She had no idea what this entailed for us on short notice. Four am the next morning all 13 of us loaded into a borrowed isuzu p/u and billowed smoke all the way up the mountain. On top the weather was in the low 50s, very windy, and no one was dressed for it; the children had never felt that cold. Once in Tegu we hired a taxi to lead us to immigration. Enroute, one steep hill the isuzu just did not have the power to climb and we blocked traffic.

With horns blaring, all those able had to get out and push it up the street. At immigration things really fell apart. It seems the laws have changed again our papers were not in order and we had to pay a fine of almost $600, (we were not alone). That was all the money we could get out of the bank which left little to do anything else with. We waited all day in the office with nothing to do for the children or eat. Then time to close and they said the Supervisor will not be in today you must come back tomorrow. We chose to find a hotel but none would allow this many children. Finally 2 hours later we found a (kinda icky) place to rent 3 rooms and sleep. Returning to immigration the next day (in the same clothes) to find they also lost all our photographs. Fix that problem pay everything they asked, they approved our visas and corporation papers but it will be 2 months before they make cards again. So we are legal with papers but not a visa card yet. Change the sparkplugs for the 3rd time on this trip, add 3 qts more oil and 3hours down the mountain back home. Just in time for church with people waiting at our gate.
Just Click on Photo to Enlarge

Not sure if we would make it back the Holy Spirit gave insight to call Enimensio to preach for me and begin a lesson on soul winning. He did great and the LORD blessed with one mom named Doris asking Jesus to save her…AAMEN!

Lisa worked several days to find what she needed to make a Thanksgiving dinner for the family. That evening Carlos brought Ana Cristina and family by. She was back and looking great. Lisa invited them in, for a true thanksgiving dinner and prayer time that lasted till 11:30pm. We found many had never had this kind of food. Jeny loves turkey but it does not like her. Apparently she is allergic and her lips swelled up. Never the less it was a wonderful time.

Friday morning we received a hand delivered invitation to a meeting with the head of Ihnfa(Child Services) of Honduras (The Presidents of Honduras’ Wife). We arrived and found we were one of the “Honored” guests, 3 tv stations were there filming. It was basically everyone patting each other on the back for the media session. Everyone giving speaches on what they are doing for children. 30 minutes into the 3 hour “event” and all the children present were bored stiff. Something had to be done. Barry Jr and I went back to the house picked up balloons, helium tank, and the small bounce house. Let just say the city knows about Honduras Missions now. In a private meeting later the head of Ihnfa apologized (they offered us free use of their old facility when they move out) it had taken so long on the building but said something would happen soon. The best part was we saw Bessy and Iris for the first time. We did not mingle with them because the judge is still considering the case…that we were told was closed, so we shall see. All things in God’s timing.
If we have enough water Sunday the plan is to baptize Jeny and Alba, both came to me an asked if they could…Amen! If you have not read the blog in a month or so please do, pray and listen to the Holy Spirit. We have many trials ahead….

All filled with Glory for Christ if bathed in prayer.
Thank You all
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy SaviourBarry Ritchie

Photos of Praise

• Amazing what a little food, time, love and prayer do in the hands of our LORD and Saviour. God still heals the broken hearted. Our devotion last night with the kids was:
• Romans 8:28 All things work together for good...
• and how God can take bad things and use them for good.....

Here is Ana this Wendsday, pink and alert all looks good. She may be home in 2 weeks!

Also our newest family members,

Just so you know how to pray and praise!

If you have not read the last few blog post please by all means.... read, cry, pray and rejoice with us.
Barry

Beautiful Flowers

Here is a flower that is very, very beautiful, in stark contrast to her 12 years thus far.
Our Sunday beautiful flower.
The beauty of a flower is not in the flower itself. It is in the mind, emotion and heart of the one it is for. Some of the most beautiful flowers grow in the most harsh conditions.I have seen Artic wild flowers bloom purple across spring snow after a harsh winter. I have seen desert flowers bloom after years of drought. As it is with all of creation. Many look at beauty as evolving ever better, this is not true rather it is degrading in an ever more sinful world. To see beauty one needs contrast. Therefore the clearest beauty is seen in the harshest of circumstances. In talking with Alba early this morning after prayer, I told her she was a beautiful flower. Then paused and her countenance did not change. I continued with yes you’re a beautiful flower but one that has had no water or light for a long time. Papy’s house is Jesus house, here you will get much spiritual water and light and give a sweet odor to Jesus. This elicited a large smile and a tight hug. Later during setting up for church, Julie went to the field were the boys were setting up church tents and picked flowers and put them in Alba’s hand. Alba brought them to her nose to smell them and drifted off to sleep. The song that was playing was a Ron Hamilton (God makes no mistakes in Spanish) song, but by the time I got the Camera on, it had changed.

Later after church we all went to a city park. Alba asked to buy a bag a water to drink. As she was returning walking down the sidewalk she stopped and opened her bag and watered 2 beautiful tropical flowers, that were strangely orphaned alone in a patch of sand. I could not help welting up in tears.
My LORD has assured my heart he has a purpose for her life and it will bring Him Glory. See if you see the beauty I see....
Click for Video Link

Born to a prostitute mother who maimed her as a baby by burning her in a fire, thinking to make more money begging in the streets. Her skin is massively deformed down her one side to her ankle. It feels and looks like hardened roughcut leather. Her hands are deformed from broken fingers than were never set. Her body is covered in other scars from cuts, burns. The calluses on her hands are those of a heavy truck mechanic; from full time caring for her 6 brothers and sister from the moment she could (5years old). Eating from neighbor’s garbage to survive. The house she lived in was dirtier than a USA dump. Her father used it to burn bones on the floors and sell the ash for money. A Parasite infested belly. A beautiful hearted soul, who has been repeatedly, forcibly raped by the father, 4 older brothers and sold to men for money… yet has no hatred, because she is a true child of God.

I can see no glory for the LORD to also allow her to have aids and hepatitis. And nothing but glory for Christ if she is healed and sings of His Glory. She has promised me a song, to use her wonderful singing voice to sing “God makes no mistakes” and allow me to record it. It will be my treasure and hers, to lay at Christ feet and carried in my heart for all eternity….
Barry
Please Pray as we test her blood again Monday.....

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Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Yesterday(Wendsday) was one of those days you dread. Like having to amputate your own leg to save your life. We were summoned to the criminal court, not even sure of the reason, but found justice is swift in Honduras. Lisa was needed to sit with Alba on the witness stand as she shared her story in full this time. Lisa could hardly stand it. It was brutal, violating her all over again. I had told her she needed to be strong so her little sister Julie would not have to testify. Thus far much of what had been revealed has only been to Lisa or myself and what Julie shared had been left out. When she finished, all were weeping including the Judge, the defense attorney and the 6 shot gun armed police surrounding her father. All I could think about was the Judgment seat of Christ. This case was more than a "He said she said." There is undeniable forensic evidence, doctors testimonies as well as several witnesses. When the DNA result returns they will sentence him to at least 20 years. It is only needed to prove he is the father, for there are no records Alba exists.(God knows her) Because it was a strong case, the Government has chosen to make an example out of him and is putting him on national news and posters as a warning to others. Afterwards, we were instructed to take Alba to a psychologist to make sure she was ok and build a family record to create a birth certificate. He asked Alba whats your moms name? "Lisa Marie Ritchie" He said no I mean your birth mother. She replied again pointing "that's my mommy". Lisa looked at him with bewilderment then handed him our Children's Lighthouse profile history.(Her mother has an arrest warrant out and has maybe fled the country.) He then said this is enough we are finished, let her turn the page and go on. I agree totally.

Walking out I told Alba it is now over. She jumped and hugged me with her feet off the floor and wept till my back began to ache. On the 14th the family grows some more with Besy 5 and Iris 8, two more children with a similar backgrounds. On the way home, I promised Alba after they arrive, we would find a way to take family time and travel Honduras like she wanted, we need to get away for a while, heal and bond the family. Not sure how to travel with a family of 14 or how to feed them, clothe them, educate them...or? There are so many things that have to get done but prayer has worked thus far.

3 hours after the verdict, the third medical lab we contacted called and said they had the results for the aids and hepatitis tests. They apologized for taking so long, it's just that the doctor was very concerned we were testing a child for things sexually transmitted and only wanted to be sure. He paid himself to have his results verified in two other labs in San Pedro Sula. For this we were grateful, between Alba and the other children we have spent a fortune on labwork thus far. One lab was the American Red Cross Lab who did a slow cell count test. Every test came back negative. HIV 1, HIV 2, Hep A, B and C... Amen.

If you would have held this little girl in your arms last week, seen her tongue swollen in thrush (a side affect of aids)seen the original test results and have the doctors who examined her say he thinks she has about 4 years left. Then see her now with no evidences, you might believe as I do. All I can do is praise and worship my LORD, and my Saviour, Christ Jesus.

Exhausted and just before falling asleep one night this week Lisa and I were talking about the events and she commented isn't there a verse that says if you lose something for the gospel sake God restores ten fold. I said yes but with the fog of my mind could not remember it. After laying there a few minutes confused, I finally checked the computer and the verse popped up. As I read it I smirked and uttered "uh Oh" Lisa said "what now?" "Want to hear that verse you were thinking of?" "Yes"

Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

We have 10 more children in our house. So were only 10% of the way there. We drifted off to sleep with a frightened smile. Never the less not my will but thine LORD....

More wonderful news. Jeny asked Jesus to save her Monday evening...with tears of brokeness it was so sweet. Alba came in to encourage her saying she had gotten saved right here last year sitting on the end of the bed. I had showed a strong gospel witness movie for the kids just before our devotion. Jeny has been weighing on the whole situation with Alba as well. After the devotion all had left except Jeny because I was to deal with her on a few issues of rules in the house. Then she look at me and said I hurt here and pointed to her heart. "Why?" "I am not a Christian." She was finally ready with tears rolling down her face her head buried in my shoulder, she asked Jesus to save her. She then smiled and went to tell Sasha "I am a Christian too."After saying our good night hugs, later I asked "hurt here?"Pointing to my heart..."No Mas" came sweet reply and smile. AMEN AMEN AMEN!

On Tuesday night I opened the girls door to say goodnight and saw Jeny and Julie at the end of their bed on their knees praying in a Precious Moments pose for Alba. I silently closed the door went to my room and wept with gratitude to the LORD.

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Now for Ana. She took a turn for the worse Wendsday night and her Oxy count dropped. They did more tests and feel the will need to reopen her today for more surgery. She needs the same ferverant prayer and grace Alba received. I enclosed pictures that were emailed last night.

Ramons Family and I thank each of you for your prayer and support, we are truly living of the Gospel.
Barry

Email from Bro Hinds in Guatemala... Thursday Afternoon....

Dr. Castenada came out to see Ramon after the surgery and he was very upbeat and said everything went very well. It sounds like what they did tuesday actually helped them be able to do something better today. That was good to hear and I'm sure it will help Ramon in being able to leave tomorrow. Of course, little Ana is still in intensive care. Her mom will probably be staying in the waiting area (with other parents with children being operated on) until they move her to a room upstairs.
The Lord used the open door with those in the waiting area to share the gospel. Instead of turning on the tv, they were all reading the tracts and other books we brought. Cathy heard that Ramon was able to lead one young man to the Lord before he died of liver problems.
Amen and Amen
Don Hinds

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The LORD gives grace as it is needed, and has given wisdom beyond my measure through this trial. This past weeks we taught Alba and the rest of the children that if we gently squeeze or tap them 3 times it was a special private family code for I Love You. It works in spanish too because Te Amo is also 3 syllibals. It has come in very handy and used often, like in the court room story above. It silently gives comfort in a crowded room or frightened by strange men with guns asking hard questions. By Thursday afternoon we needed relief from all the strain. So we packed up everyone and went to the beach for some healing time. As I was taking pictures the children rewarded me with a spontanious chant that was music to my ears... Here is the video just click on it.

THE LORD IS GOOD! HE ALONE IS WORTHY!

Sorry for the frequent blogs they will taper back to normal soon….it's just my cup is overflowing.

First NEWS!... Ana Cristina's surgery is scheduled for Monday morning! I talked directly to Dr Castenada and he feels they can bring her blood oxygen levels to 85-90 % up from 52%. He does not see enough benefit from a second surgery in a few years. She should have a chance for a productive life but with a deformed heart will live day by day on prayer. She will need good nutrition care ect. If anyone is moved by the Holy Spirit to sponsor her for support please remember she will need daily prayer more than just a check once a month.

Second NEWS!

John 9:25….one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Amen amen amen The LORD is Good! He alone is worthy!

On Wednesday, outside the hospital with Alba sick and sleeping on my lap, The child service lawyer began to cry as she showed the police and us the positive hiv & hepatitis results. Then we all began to cry. I looked at Carlos and said this does not change anything there is no one else for her, she will live with us. He was stunned. I asked Carlos what he would do? Weeping softly he said "honestly Barry I could not do this". "That's ok Carlos we are not all given the same path or burden to carry. But let me ask it this way. If it was your daughter who was raped and now had this disease and we were the only ones available or willing to care for her what would you want us to do?" He began to weep profusely and said "Love her". "Carlos, I led this young girl to Jesus last year when she was living with us, She is one of God's children….As God's servant what does He want me to do?" "Love her Barry." And this we will do. So thus began earnest prayer preparation and emailing many of God's saints.


One of the LORD's servants sent us the money Thursday to have all the children's blood tested to know what we are dealing with, so we did. To be prudent, we including retesting Alba. I will share it the way I shared it with a friend.

I began the phone call……
Do you believe in prayer?….of course Barry

Do you believe God answers prayer?…yes Barry
Do you believe God still heals?…yes
Is their a cure for Aids? ….no
Is there a cure for Hepatitis?….no
Well, .....(Long pause) Every test came back negative! Negative for hepatitis, negative for Aids/HIV, negative for everything and everyone.
I know the God whom we serve....only because He knows me.

God is not a genie in a bottle to bend to our whims. It is we who are to bend and accept his will and purpose. God said he would honor Faith and Faithfulness, just read of the fiery furnace or Abraham and Isaac..or…The Bible and history are full of God’s glory.

I know there are skeptics out there but as one who is here and seeing the events unfold all I can say is "LORD I Believe" and worship him.

1 John 3:22
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.


I will post the lab results on the blog when I get them all in my possession. (DONE) We will continue to test in the coming days weeks and months up til 3 years worth of negitives. This is wisdom, and will follow the advice of a Dr Waller, a missionary, doctor, friend whom I sought for Godly council during this. When all the news was bad he said. This is a tough situation, As a doctor, friend and pastor I would have to advice you against taking someone with aids into your home…but as a missionary I will let you know, we too took in a entire family affected by aids into our home, and cared for them until I buried the last one. Amen, I think I will keep him on my call list.

An unworthy grateful servant to a Wonderful LORD and Saviour
Barry Ritchie
just PVC pipe

Trust and obey for there is no other way

Brothers and sisters please please keep us in prayer and share with your ministries.

Its 3 am and again I have been awoke by the Holy Spirit, to pray and weep over the battles we now face in Honduras. Ana Cristina has almost enough funds promised to cover the balance for the heart operation. We will be wiring funds and if the foundation approves today, the surgery can go forward. We will know more by noon.
On another battle front Alba. This is the little 12 year old girl we have loved since Hurricane Mitch near 8 years ago. The LORD used her hugs back then to surrender and break our hearts for missions and our family considers her our daughter; I was the one who led her to Christ while she was living in our home last year; this child touches Lisa and myself in the heart deeper and more than any other we have cared for; I would be willing to die to save this child’s life. It was proven yesterday she has been molested, the details are not verified but none of it is good. Yesterday my great fear was she might be pregnant…As I sit here weeping I now wish that was the problem. Many hours spent yesterday to find she has aids and hepatitis and is very sick. In court it was told there was no person or agency willing to care for her or her siblings, then the judge looked at us…As with Jeny...How could we say no? The judge yesterday awarded custody of her and her 6 brothers and sisters to us. Today we will be blood testing the rest. I am filled with doubts, fears, what ifs, and if I’d onlys. To compound the anguish, there are those here who somehow blame us for this happening, but none of them is willing to come forward bring them into their home and care for them. All I am sure of is God is compelling us and our only choice is to obey or disobey…As for me and my house…we will trust and obey for there is no other way…We need others to pray and do the same.

Unworthy servant to a wonderful worthy Saviour,
Barry

1 John 3:18-22
My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth,
and shall assure our hearts before him.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Update Baby Ana... and Alba

It’s almost 4am as I begin to write this… Not good news. Dr Giatan and Dr Castaneda finished their testing and found the Honduras prognosis was wrong. Ana’s main arteries are reversed and part of her heart is not formed correctly. Plus one artery is too small. The only thing that can be done is a temporary grafted bypass to give her head, heart and upper body more oxygen. If she survives, the heart recovers and arteries enlarge, in a few years do another by pass to get more oxygen to the rest of her body. It is a high risk low potential option but all she has. All the doctors I have talked to say they have rarely seen a baby survive this long with this sever of a problem. I believe she is living on prayer. Because of all this, government hospital wants a financial guarantee before they will let the doctors do this surgery. This is a problem on 2 fronts. The fund that is offering to pay 50% needs to confirm by Thursday (a tall order). We also need the money to pay our commitment, currently down to $3000, by Thursday or the operation will be postponed and Ana sent back to Honduras. No one believes she will make it if that happens. We have several doors to open for funds pray they see the need.

More disturbing news. Alba the 12yr old little girl we have helped for nearly 8 years here. She came to our home last week reaching out. Then, we were confused, now we know why. I was told Saturday she and her little sisters might have been molested by the father and grandfather and they had been selling her…I contacted the authorities and they confirmed what I heard and felt she was, but had no proof. I volunteered to pay for a private Honduran doctor if they got the court order to do it, the judge said yes. At 8am this morning, a team of police will pick up the children and the father. The American doctor visiting Mary’s mission yesterday has already confirmed it, and she might be pregnant, but we need the Honduran legal proof. We may end up with 12 children living in our home in the coming weeks.

On a joyous note, our cup of cold spiritual water. Sunday, I was invited to preach near the border of Nicaragua. The preacher there asked Carlos to bring me to preach a strong gospel message. I never pass up that if I can help it. The sermon was one of warning. It was not a large crowd but all conceded they had been warned of the coming wrath with 12 asking for salvation…including the pastor who invited us. That shocked me. When all was done the men insisted we accept the evening offering. That was humbling. People are turning to Christ and that brings out the fight of spiritual wickedness in high places….please keep us continually before the throne of grace.
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie