Because God is Good

Here are notes from Alba. (If you have never read her Nov 9th post please do) The one to me was delivered after she came up behind my computer chair, almost squeezed the breath out of me with a hug and kissed my cheek. I am laminating it and keeping in my Bible... The second was a note to Lisa, similarly given.
And some still wonder why we do what we do...
Well it’s because God is Good. AMEN!

Rough Translation

Dad, I want to go to school to learn of the marvelous world of God and His Word. And go teach them to my friends and others. Thank you for understanding my destiny.

I love you Dad
from Alba

Rough Translation

Mommy, Thank you for paying attention to me and with God and thank you for being my mama. You are very pretty, filled with mercy to me and my brothers and sisters. Thank you for seeing into my world to be my Mama. I love you

A very unworthy servant
Barry

Cool Water in His Name....

An older teen age girl named Daisy, that I led to Christ months ago, came back to church Wednesday. Sasha and Luz, (Carlos wife), visited and led her mom to the LORD Saturday, and they both came Wednesday. AMEN! Daisy has really been searching for the things of God since. Last night she shared that Jehovah’s witnesses began showing up and teaching them in their home, that’s a new issue for us here. Her mom welcomed them in and allowed lessons. Daisy felt very uncomfortable and knew some of the things she heard were wrong but didn’t know why. Thank you Holy Spirit. She came to church to ask questions. Sasha and I talked with her last night after church for along and fruitful time. She got excited when she heard Sasha has a desire to start teaching a teen girl class on Saturday afternoons. Sasha has a lot of information she wants to share with them and I agreed. She will be a great teacher for this group.

Another lady was dealt with by Carlos. She trusted Christ while the Wallers were here but has yet to come “into” a church service. (Stands out side and listens sometimes) She was suicidal because she found her husband with someone else, and had jumped in front of a bus that missed just prior to talking with Carlos. Carlos diffused the situation for now but…Need prayer. Never a dull moment.

Another huge blessing of the night: First the children began, (of their own accord) to have a mini service about 30 minutes before church at the pulpit. They read passages from the Bible sang and then got in a circle and each prayed. A couple of neighborhood children joined in as well. During regular, church Iris and Sayder asked to sing solos in church. It surprised me because Iris had never been to church prior to coming here, yet has made great strides.

It was for my soul, like a cold drink of water on a hot day. Soothing and refreshing…AMEN!

Jenny's Update & Prayer Requests

Update about Jenny’s court date.
Jenny froze up on the physiologist again, we expected it. Last week he interviewed the mother and now feels they should not meet. He also met her older sister who is also a prostitute. This is the best outcome we could get under the conditions. Jenny is happy and feels a great burden is off...for now. So do the rest of the kids. One concern though is that after the interview with the court psychologist, the mother now knows where she is in school (so much for discretion) and a man Jenny recognized as one of her mom’s “friends” showed up yesterday outside the school gates selling candy at lunch and called to her… For those that don’t know Jenny was abducted last year from a different school in a similar way. I will be going to the school today to take pictures of him and confront him directly.

Other Prayer requests:
*Support. We lost a church supporter yesterday.. We gained one as well but still no net gain.
*La Cruz Baptist Church needs place to meet. Need to buy property, rent or?
*Planning a larger outreach March 10th in Los Terreros for souls and church planting
*Working on paperwork to receive a large medical donation for the city.
*Need a vehicle…
*More souls, safety, health and provision…

Here is a link to Operation Renewed Hope. Dr Waller works with them and they are planning to return in July. Click on it to see them and photos from January or sign up to help!
http://teamorh.com/

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

Venting and Praising

Photos always paint a simpler picture than do the words and story behind them. Today Pastor Santos came down the mountain to see if we could help with school supplies again(new school year now) for Angel and Cinthia the two orphans he has taken in and we have a fondness for. Still not sponsored. The timing is poignant as you will see. At this particular time we have no spare funds, food or even water in the house, but Lisa was compelled to help. She went through the house taking a little from here and there. The school supplies we have for ours can be stretched a little longer or repurchased when needed. She then took the rice and beans we had. (She had to put off grocery shopping to pay the bills due today) Added to this the LORD prompted us to give away Julie’s bicycle as well. It was the first time we ever saw Angel smile without being asked to do so…Sometimes the “needs” are not food and clothing. And our truck is to be done again today having the engine rebuilt for the 2nd time in 2 months…another bill. But to see Pastor Santos, Angel and Cinthia stop almost in tears to give thanks, reassures our hearts this pleases God and we are in His hands.

Now for the back drop to understand our mindset. Think widow woman of Zarephath. In the last few days I received emails from several ministries either considering or have dropped our support. None of their reasons are with us but rooted in problems in their ministries.

Here is an excerpt from an email reply from this morning that was sent out literally as Pastor Santos knocked on our door.


Chose to delete this email as a matter of conscience. If any request I will send this excerpt by email

To our faithful praying friends and supporters. We love and thank Our LORD Jesus Christ for you and for holding the rope as we venture out. We are hanging by this rope and live solely of the gospel by faith.
Now we must prep Jeny for another day in the court system today....talking about things she aught not know about.

Unworthy Servant to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour,
Barry

The Kid's are in School !

The School year in Honduras is Feb through Nov. Here are all the children supported directly through the Children’s Lighthouse. Most would have had little or no chance of an education, but now are going to a Christian School. Our group is large so Lisa and I loaded them in two taxi’s this morning (Still no vehicle that runs) and sat through the orientation with them. First day jitters soon faded away as familiar bible songs were sang in the auditorium. And everyone was show their teachers and classes. It's almost quiet in the house as I write this, first time in months.

After Sunday we asked the church to keep an eye out for a place to meet or property for sale ect. Senora Piola found a nice property that we could purchase right in the midst of the slums we minister to. It’s close and the lowest price we have found to date at $8500, but that is still much more than we can afford in a chunk. Plus it would need a fence right away to keep people and things safe. They already have another interested buyer and are not interested in payments or lower price. Not sure what the LORD has planned but something must happen soon.
Please keep it in prayer, as well as a vehicle and church property/building here in the city and in Los Terorros.
Several possible big projects are on the horizon but nothing confirmed as yet...
Need wisdom, and provision to do the LORD’s Will. Amen.

Iglesia Bautista La Cruz

There was a need to have a time for the church to bond a bit as a family. It helped our family so why not as a church. We took them all to Cedino beach to watch the sunset, fellowship, pray, eat and preach. It was a very good and needful time, that all enjoyed. Neidy and her family had never seen the ocean. This still amazes me that one could live 20 miles from one of the most beautiful sunsets, (it just melts into the pacific between volcanoes of Nicaragua and El Salvador), yet never have seen the ocean, or even know it is salty. With a little prodding, a local fisherman took several folks out on a boatride, adding a special touch. Americans take providential liberty of abundance for granted, many in the world, live day by day their entire lives just to exist. Where as most Americans think nothing at spending $100 visiting or entertaining family or friends with the latest thing or dinner out. While a family like Neidy’s provides all their living on less than that.

As a young man I used to think I was better at this or that therefore I earned this right that privilege. Since coming to Honduras, my view has changed much. I see more clearly in that, it is solely the providence of God. Had I been born into the same conditions as those to whom we minister, I would be in the same state, only pride and arrogance say "I would have done better."

Romans 9:15 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:

As the sun set all I could think was if Christians want to be that “Blessed Servant” found doing God’s will when he returns, much must change and there is little time to change it…

One difficult situation this week. A phone call form the Ihnfa Lawyer Tuesday night saying we had to have Jenny in the court to meet with her mother Thursday at 2:00. I objected till they finally agreed to have the Psychologist interview her first. When I told her, she withdrew into a vegetative state that took near 2 hours to bring her out. At the interview she reacted similarly and the court psychologist agreed she should not see her…for now. After returning home I saw a small window of opportunity to talk to Jenny and she did confirm our suspicions. She too had been sexually abused by 2 teenagers near her mom’s house when she was 8. Not sure of the rest. Whether mom was paid, or what, but she is still terrified of her mother, even more than the boys. I was holding her in my arms like a baby as she told me this and her body was tense. Immediately after her muscles relaxed and she began to weep to the point my shirt was soaked. It was the first time she had ever cried or talked to anyone about this....
It is a good thing she has someone she knows loves her unconditionally and confided in them…

We too have an advocate with the father and a comforter in whom we can share all things.
Amen
Unworthy But Willing
Barry

Intercession

To our praying friends and supporters,

Many ministering saints have helped the LORDs ministry here in Honduras. Once and again unto our necessity; to this we give thanks to our God and our LORD and Saviour Christ Jesus. This post is not to our necessity, but intercessory in nature; to highlight 2 children we are ministering to.

Neidy, (Nay-dee) an 11year old who comes from a single mother, Christian home. (CLICK PROFILE TO ENLARGE OR SAVE)
Neidy’s mom, Suyapa, eeks out an existence washing clothes in the river, for often less than a dollar a day. Suyapa won the Christmas gifts in the bring a friend promotion at church, and has only been saved since September. We have had the privilege of watching her faithfulness grow and thus affect Neidy in some wonderful ways, modesty and temperance are some. Neidy tears at out hearts. What is sad is a potential that could be lost. When your poor and hungry enough, wickedness is never far, whether invited or inflicted. She was one of the first children begging at our gate when we moved in next door; she sometimes mirrors the hard life she has known. Yet has a softness, and yearning for the things of God. If planted and kept in the right influence she could blossom into a beautiful lady to the Glory of Christ. This is why she is on our list for sponsorship. When Saw we the LORD? It would help her to have the right friends and influence, so that sweetness wont be lost, as we have seen so much here. The education would ultimately help her family. You could be the difference on the path she takes. None of us can change the whole world but all of us can affect one.
$50/mo would allow her to go to a Christian school. and get a meal a day. Her family is also a reason we need a church feeding center here.

The other is Lesly 11, also from a disastrous family situation. She trusted Christ and was baptized in this ministry. This is the little girl who was whipped and beat in the street and Sasha chased them home a took away the strap they beat her with. (Dec 11, 2006 blog) Her father has taken her and enrolled her in the school near where he lives. (where Alba use to go, one of the worse here, she will have one of Alba’s old male teachers that I have very uneasy feelings about) Only because he did not want to pay the 20mo child support ordered by the courts for school. Her catholic mother Flore came to us this Sunday pleading for help. Surprisingly, she gave me the privilege of leading her to Christ even after long winded, stern words that would have sent people most off angry and upset. She had humble tears instead. I said we would pray about helping and she must trust the LORD and she agreed. As a sort of first fruit of Holy Spirit wisdom was in place, she said she sorry it took this situation to bring her to talk to me. Then thanked me for telling her about Jesus. Lesly has gone form bad to worse; she is in a much more dangerous situation and will now have no Christian influence.

The amount Lesly needs in not much (Less than $40) and would be a one time gift, not for long term support for public or the Christian school, unless the LORD leads someone this way. It is just to buy the school supplies (Ie shoes, uniform fabric and a few books) that would allow her to stay in the better, safer, public school and continue to attend our church. Honduras

Missions/Children’s Lighthouse operates on limited funds, oft times your response is our leading in these matters. Both children will have blog posts with profile pictures in a few days and be on our profile list. Our school year starts here on the 15th of February. In a world filled with so many bigger things… I thank you all for reading and praying for these issues. His eye is on the sparrow….

Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Barry Ritchie

Crash of Emotion

Crash! Another emotional grenade today. I wish I could have taken an actual picture this morning of the glory I saw when it happened. The LORD is teaching and prepping these children for his service, and I am humbled he is allowing me to be present as the Holy Spirit works.

All the children were in our room playing, rough housing with pillows, really enjoying being children. Until, Iris remembered a fond memory and began to cry uncontrollably. Then Julie began to cry, followed by Alba, who lost total composure. I looked at Jenny and she responded without either of us speaking a word. She instinctively knew what was needed and quietly began ushering the other children out to play elsewhere and kept them occupied. I began talking to Iris as she was first to break down. She leaned over and laid against my shoulder. As I worked with Iris, Alba still weeping profusely and began to hug Julie and comfort her. A moment later, she leaned over to also comfort Iris in a hug, all the while talking to me about her grandmother. Alba, the one most damaged by effects of sin, was the strength for the two younger. It was her soft words that halted all tears. I was given the gift of a glimps of the future I believe. It was at this point Lisa walked in, and knew how to bring it to a close by handing out chocolate bars. Butterfingers to be precise, that a ministering saint sent from the USA…for such a time as this…

From the depths of our spirits we thank you for allowing us to be here and serve Our LORD Christ Jesus. All that happens here is treasure in heaven for each and every one who has prayed and helped.
Ultimately it is More Glory for Him.

Barry Ritchie