Giving the Gospel...

What a night for giving the Gospel. Carlos arranged an outreach near Nicaragua. Until just recently the property and building was vacant and they were even going to offer to sell it to us. It is a hard area for the gospel because of witchcraft there. A church we visited a few months ago had the pastor’s son surrender to start a work there. As we pulled up in Carlo’s taxi, Victor, an elderly man, was carrying in wood to cook with. The owners allowed him to live on and care for the property. He was excited to see an evangelistic outreach and said let me go get some folks and family members. He walked a 100yards down the highway and was hit and killed by a passing police truck. One of the children rushed in to tell us. The first thought was to bring his body to the church. Second was to cancel the meeting. We offered the taxi to carry him in but the police would not release him until their doctor came and pronounced him dead.
As we were driving out to leave, one lady asked us to pray for her sick mother Ambrosia, a very elderly lady. We walked to her house to pray with about 25 people who showed up for preaching. As we were leaving in the taxi again, we were stopped by the pastor and another truckload of people coming to the meeting. They told us the body was going to a family member’s home in the town and the people would rather not cancel preaching so…
Preaching is back on. Roller coaster ride of emotions, difficult time to preach and it was now late and mosquitoes everywhere. To shorten the story, 8 adults prayed and asked Jesus to save them that night and one old Christian went home. AMEN!

Please pray for the Iglesia Bautista La Cruz, the church started near our home. Soon we will not have property to meet on. It was sold to the local bar and they will take possession sometime before March. We need someplace else to meet. A church member researched a nice property 2 blocks away, owned by the bank, on a main road within site of the city landmark catholic church, but the price is 12,000 dollars. Property values here have gone up 200-300% in the last few years here. Add to this we still need to build a building. But for only $20,000, one could buy property and build a church in the city.
The church members we have right now do not have this kind of money. And considering we cannot afford even a vehicle nor can we. A couple of members offered to take out loans, for a 10% down payment to acquire a loan from the bank. Problem? Interest rates here are 3-4 times the USA. I advised against usury, especially at loan shark rates. It’s in God’s hands and His people, so for now we need prayer. This area really needs a gospel preaching church.

Unworthy Servants to a Worthy Saviour
The Ritchies

Christmas in Honduras 2006

What a wonderful, long hard day. The Church was packed, the children's class did a great skit, Lisa and the ladies in the church prepped to feed 160+ people at 6:30 in the morning. The church had 2 winners with 1 runner up in a contest of inviting folks to church. They won huge stockings filled with gifts for the family. A single mom named Suyapa worked really hard because it was the only way she could get any kind of presents for her family. I was delighted she won, I led her to the LORD a short time ago and she is growing so much and beginning to teach her children; work hard and trust in the LORD. That is our reward here. Six people in the service asked Christ to save them after hearing about the dark side of Christmas…The reason Jesus came. It was a tremendous amount of work, tents, preaching, train rides, bounce house, feeding the poor, handing out candy and gifts, but at the end of the day Christ was glorified, and we slept very well…Amen!

Christmas Morning…
Here is a collage of smiles from Christmas morning for you all.
If a picture is worth 1000 words here are 9000. This is the first real Christmas of any kind for the children who now live with us.
I asked Jeny the other day if she had ever celebrated Christmas with her family before and she said no, The others echoed the same thing. Other than seeing something in church, it was usually just another day. In general, Americans really do not understand Christmas around the world. This Christmas has been one of the most rewarding times, give all...you will be amazed at what returns. We read the Bible Christmas story last night and opened the presents this morning...we have been getting, thank you’s, hugs and I love you's all day since.
Thank you all
Keep Praying! We need more support, a vehicle, church property & building, sponsors for school by February, a storage building...the list goes on.

Unworthy grateful servants to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour

The Ritchies
Missionaries in Honduras

Keep Praying!

Please keep us in prayer over these holidays. The children we now care for as well as those we are helping outside of the Children’s Lighthouse. We are preparing food baskets with a few gifts for several of their families as we can. Much work is still needed for Sunday it is a big outreach for preaching and feeding the barrio plus its a day for the kids with the bounce house equipment and a small gift.
Add to that another preaching event for 2 days next week near the border as well. Our schedule is full. I will update the blog with details and pictures Monday or Tuesday. Then, Dr Waller and his family will be visiting Jan 10th to do some doctoring and prep for this summer.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Barry, Lisa, Sasha, Barry Jr, Alba, Jenny, Toño, Sayder, Julie, Karen, Christian, Ericson



Evening Post
We delivered some gifts and food baskets to a few families today. One visit was to Ana Cristana, she is looking very well and is able to cry now which is a miracle in itself. She used to always be too tired to cry… AMEN! Another visit was with Blanca, her sponsor sent a little extra and we took her to get a few clothes. She really needed them. Alba and Jeny helped her pick out modest clothes. Then after returning with the food basket to her house; we found that Christmas Dinner was a pigeon bird they had caught, not big enough for one person let alone 5-6. Lisa turned and saw her little sister Daisy(7) with a huge 3''x3''x3/8 very infected gouge in her leg (green).We took her to a doctor and he said she had already regressed to a cellulitis and septicemia infection that if left untreated could have killed her, Now she has been deliced, dewormed, tetnus shots, loaded with antibiotics and a gallon of peroxide to use, so we now have and extra child with us for the next week or two....

The LORD never had money either and that never stopped him from caring for the lost, sick or hungry…..
And HE is our example.

Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour
Barry

Wednesday Church

It was a good Wednesday service with 63 in attendance, though the men are still light. I have talked with several missionaries and this seems to be a pattern in Honduras (As well as elsewhere) Marcelle came as well as Piola, so that was a great blessing. Lisa and the girls made special tracts with candy canes for our people to hand out and invite folks for the special service and dinner on Dec 24. Lisa is preparing for maybe 100-200 people but that is now much more difficult with the next news…

Monday we had a phone call from the mission who has allowed us to borrow their truck. They need it back full time and it would no longer be available for use. As of now, it requires 4 taxis to travel anywhere as a family. The LORD knows our needs.
To top that news, the owner of the property the church has been renting to meet on, came by to say he sold it. We can still use it till March but have to pay the new owner which happens to be the local bar/liquor store. Not too keen on the idea of giving funds to the ones contributing to many of the problems in the neighborhood (including lack of men in church), nor having a new bar next to our house. I shared the information with the church. Instead of being dismayed they said lets pray, look and ask the LORD to provide the right property and a way to purchase it and thank him for allowing us this property to start in. That was very encouraging to me; to see the folks pull together as a church.

As you see in the photo the carport triples as a church auditorium, parking(when there is a car), and playground. Barry Jr welded a tire swing from old chain, car axle and junk tire. It can be seen in the top right corner of the photo, pulled up for services, like father like son…Amen! (2 people have expelled their lunches on it so it works great) The carport is small for Wednesdays, but it is woefully inadequate for a Sunday morning service. Keep us in prayer. Some have answered prayers like sending 8 pairs of handmade shorts for the boys!…We also need guidance, wisdom, protection and provision. Always remembering God is Good…ALL the time. AMEN!
Unworthy but willing
Barry

Church Discipline 2?

Another Sunday has passed. Preached about the magi and knowing the times and the seasons we’re in. One family(we baptized the sister and niece a short time ago) had asked us to come by on Friday but it was postponed until after church on Sunday. This family asked us to visit with their 16 and 18 year old daughters who do not attend church. An hour after we arrived, Piola the 16 year old accepted Christ in humility, but her older sister has a much harder heart. After much talking I believe she is in a relationship, but the mother was hovering and we could get no clear answers. She accepted our offer of lunch on Monday and is going out with Lisa and me to talk.

Carlos, me and Alex left Piolas home, walked around the block to find a situation on the home front as well. Barry Jr had opened our big gate as a toddled was putting their arm through the bars and almost broke it. Thankfully the toddler only received bruises, but her 11 year old sister Lesley(the only family member to come to church faithfully) who was watching her, started getting beat with a strap on her head, face and back by her angry 25 year old sister who chased them home, yelling all kinds of profanity. Sasha followed them all the way home, right into their house and told the 25 yr old and the mother this was an accident and their kind of discipline was wrong. With Lesly curled up on the dirt floor shaking in fear, Sasha took the strap away from them before another swing was made. (like father, like daughter… amen.) Sasha ran back to Lisa with tears saying something had to be done. Carlos’ wife Luz returned to the house with Sasha attempting to explain discipline better and was talking when we arrived. I did not say all that went though my mind and the Holy Spirit bridled my tongue. What little I said only reinforced what Sasha and Luz had said, but all knew I was not pleased, nor was the LORD. I let them know what we see, in that Lesley is one of the sweetest kids in the neighborhood with a big heart; and this type of abuse will drive her away.
Alba and Jeny watched all this unfold, Alba even followed Sasha to the home, and it hit a chord in them. I received very tight and long hugs, with I love you's before they went to bed...And the girls seem to listen to Sasha a little more. Amen!

As I write this it is just now 9pm Sunday and we got word Mariana passed away. She has come off and on to church since we started as her health would allow. Family says she had a tumor but all indications are that she had aids. The church has helped her with food and medicine as needed, we even sent someone to the Tegucigupla when she was in the hospital to care for her needs. The sad thing is she had no testimony of salvation. The offer was made at every meeting but never taken. Not sure what tomorrow will bring but Carlos is dropping off cakes, coffee and sugar for the funeral/wake, that is traditional here. She will be buried within 24 hours in a box made of paneling. The family will dig the grave in the city cemetery, we offered to pay for the permit for them to do so.

We continually need your prayers
Barry

Church Discipline...speaking truth in love.

Another week has passed, and the trials faced are nothing compared to the Glory for Christ. Wednesday the Lord changed the message from soul winning to child discipline. Actually it was a little of both with Isaiah 53 mixed in.. Discipline was at issue because of a comment made to our children by some in the neighborhood. (In short… Parents who discipline don’t love their children) We had dealt with it in the home, but now needed speak on it in the church. It just so happened the little girl who made that statement came to church.

(And as any of my Jr Church kids of the past know, if you act up in my class, YOU become the object lesson.)

She can be a sweet little girl when she wants something, but a brat when you do not give it to her. She is already dressing and acting in ways to attract boys and she is only 11. She came forward during church when asked to and admitted saying these things. Then she was told in front of everyone, "I needed to tell you the truth about some things because I care and love you and so does Jesus. I explained to her and the congregation how she was on the same road I have seen so many others on, she would likely be with child before age 16 and have a tumultuous, short life and ultimately end up in hell if something did not happen. Even her aunt was nodding in agreement.

The teachers we have in our congregation made a comment that ever since Honduras gave special “rights” to children their classes have become uncontrollable. At the end it was said, if anyone has discipline issues and needs help let Lisa or myself are available to teach you the Biblical way.

One mom rushed out only to return as the last people were leaving with her teenage son Marcelle in tow… “He has no father and I need help with discipline!” We talked for more than an hour with him about various things, he admitted he had the wrong kind of friends, he was a liar, adulterer, and thief and when he died he new his fate.… The fear of the LORD is the beginning; Later, he bowed and asked Christ to save him. Amen!
Friday we have been invited to visit with another family.

Also this week in our home there was a incident with an older child whispering bad words to a younger and having them say them, then the older one lied about it. When confronted she broke out in tears of regret, she knew discipline was coming. After much teaching she realized it was a form of molesting her sister mentally with words, not so different than she had been physically. I asked what would be the appropriate measure for discipline. Now with tears of repentance rolling down her face, she said twice as much because she lied and made it worse. The Holy Spirit prompted this is the appropriate time to now teach mercy, then we prayed….When you correct your heart, I do not have to….Correct, Godly discipline, afterwards yields: hugs, I love you’s, and yes even smiles.

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.


Our little “park” is now functional. Barry Jr and I welded a swing set together with pipe bought locally and added sand to the only area of our house available. For our own sanity we really needed a place to send the children to play. It will also work for Lisa’s SS class as well. The LORD works in wondrous ways. About 2 years ago, while traveling to churches, I was in a Home Depot and they had a few playground items in a clearance box so I bought them not knowing why…I do now. To add to that, Lisa found a couple of real Tonka trucks and sand toys in the open market here, where we live there is no concept of a walmart or toy r us, so something durable like a Tonka is a rarity… Amen

http://video.xanga.com/britcompel/b4649161773/video.html
LINK TO VIDEO OF PLAYGROUND
Unworthy servant to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Ritchie Family 2006

We had a request for a new family photo. As you can see the family has grown much, as well as all expenses. If the Holy Spirit leads and enables you to help in any way please listen.
If it is the LORD's plan, the family will continue to grow, but this will depend on the Holy Spirit matching the many growing needs with the supply.
In times of old, George Muller cared for many, but it was only because God had servants with ears that would hear.
He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches...