Honduras Missions Archive

Blog Archives

2007-12-26T06:50:00.001-06:00

This Blog link has become our Archives Library for our 2006 through Dec 14, 2007. Feel free to look around and check out some older missionary stories, some will tear at your heart. Some will leave you in awe of God's working. Some are humorous. Please read what you can and keep us in prayer.
Posts that stand out in my mind are the first post Jan of 2006 and Nov of 2006 listed to the right of this Blog in archives.

The NEW 2008 BLOG looks the same but has an easier name to remember. "Childrens Lighthouse"
Just Click on the Link below...

www.childrenslighthouse.blogspot.com

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Life is but a Vapour

2007-12-14T06:51:00.000-06:00

Some urgent Heavy duty prayer requests for our praying friends.

Our container with Christmas Shoeboxes and hardback Bibles is in Tegu customs and they want to move it before friday. They have rejected our attempts to bond it out and wait for paperwork. They say our tax numbers are no good right now. They want to charge the commercial rate of 35% of the declared value of $25,000…Near $9000. No way we can pay that for things to give away for free. Our lawyer is revising the senders paperwork to devalue the contents in hopes to drop the price to $2-3000 Still difficult amount….And it needs to be paid by Friday or $100+ per day storage will be added. So it is in the LORD hands I know. $3000 will build near half a church in Colonia or LaCruz Baptist….We struggle so hard with funds, for ministry, right now we are stretching funds to the limit to start projects in hopes the LORD continues to provide…. So giving money to the government is a hard thing to swallow, simply because a lawyer did not do their job right months ago and assured us up to the moment the container arrived we were all set and would have no problems importing for non profit. Need help, advice and prayers quickly….

Another somewhat urgent request, Bessy and Iris may be coming back. They are the 2 little girls whom their mother tried to sell but was caught by the authorities. What is hard to believe she is not in jail… but now a traffic policeman. The authorities left a message and pleading with us to take them back. Whoever the institution that was suppose to take them backed out...Why I do not know. On the way out of the city their mom saw us and flagged us down. She began weeping uncontrollably and apologized for all the problems she caused last time and plead with us to take them back. Not sure why the change of heart or what is the total story is right now so I need a hedge of protection and an abundance of wisdom. We are scheduling a meeting with the judge with all present, so that everyone is in total understanding.

Another need is Ana Cristina. She and her family visited last night in church. She was the baby who received the heart surgery a year ago that saved her life. She was only days away from a point of no return with just a very short time to live...1-2 weeks according to the doctors. It is now a year later and she is due to be reexamined. She looks very good, beginning to grow and develop more normally, talking now, and the parents take her to phy/therapy weekly.... but the doctors who did the surgery in Guatemala want to run tests to be sure. To make sure no other surgery is needed. They said this a year ago as well. It has the parents worried because they do not have funds to get her there, or for the Guatemala state hospital fees (the doctor is free)...Hence the plea. After much pleading from the parents, I told them I would put out the plea and see what happens. I do not know the exact costs but know they are less than $500 for the exams and transportation. Do not feel obligated..(Unless it is the Holy Spirit) I am not expecting anything from anyone, but needed to fulfill a promise of intercession and let the LORD work.

Still need lots of materials to begin building church buildings both in the city and out. A long list but highlights are: Aprox 8000 blocks, 5000 roof tiles 300 roof panels, 500 bags of cement many truckloads of sand and gravel(all mixed by hand)100’s sticks of rebar. No one item is expensive but when you need 1000 of something not expensive…suddenly its real money. Then there is the backhoe… Plus we plan on starting the Children’s Lighthouse in January. So much to do and so little to do it with….Must be God’s Work …Amen!

Thank you all, your prayers availeth much!
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie
603-397-0606

Send Forth Labourers

2007-12-11T17:35:00.000-06:00

Lord, please send forth Labourers…. with hearts for your work.

Plenty of Irons in the fire. We closed on a property in the city for La Cruz Baptist Church…finally. Amen! It has issues but it now belongs to the church so we can build as funds are available. It needs alot of site work first. But everything we do to it is for the LORD and benefits the church. While I was in the lawyers office Jenny waited outside in the truck. She left me a note on the visor that touched my heart. When I got in she asked how do you spell forever in English?...when I pulled the visor down I saw the note she had written in English and Spanish because she could not spell forever (I love dad forever)….the picture found on the camera as I did this post makes it even more touching….Her in the rear view mirror was an accident I’m sure….precious moments "para siempre".

Barry, Javier and Omar installed a water pump on the new Children’s Lighthouse property. Put up a outside light and the children picked fruit…Which Lisa fried up part for supper, fried green bananas with coconut and fried rice, grapefruit for tomorrow's breakfast. Amen! Need to build a garage/storage/security house on the property to start working the property.

We have lots of projects ahead of us and no idea how the LORD is going to do it… just it needs to be done. If anyone feels the LORD touching their hearts to help in any way please let me know…any kind of help, prayer, funds, muscle, would ease the burden…Amen.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

A Day of Rest

2007-12-04T08:02:00.000-06:00

A day of rest…When your spirit is at rest all of you gets rested Amen...

Sunday was one of those days you wish you could have everyday. One where from the first moment awake, the LORD showed his presence. Everything just falling into place.

The children awoke with a sweeter than normal spirit and gave double hugs and good mornings, with a desire to help. The weather was near perfect 80, sunny and a slight breeze. We shuttled out food, chairs, pulpit, bounce house and 76 La Cruz Baptist Church people to the new Children’s Lighthouse property for church services and a day of fun, fellowship and relaxation. Lisa prepped 7 gallons of turkey soup on the home made stove and pot, Barry Jr. had installed the tire swing on a tree. Families played, walked, explored the land, picked fruit, relaxed and bonded with no pressures of life for a moment. Bro Sabas preached a stirring message, several volunteered to sing specials. All open air under the big tree in the “Garden of Eden”.

One lady in our congregation is not the best at watching her young children, here it did not matter for there was always someone like Alba ready to sweep them up in her arms and play with them. Families kicking the soccer ball around on the lower field, Families throwing a ball around in the fruit trees, children in the tire swing, boys exploring the “unchartered” woods, children exploring the old stick bridge. Some just taking the time to sit in the grass (a rare thing here) and talk. The sound of laughter and joyous voices filled the air. Ending with a time for the little ones in the bounce house.

Sleep came quick and easy after prayer Sunday night…The question I ask often to those around me…Was Jesus pleased in this? On this day it was a resounding “yes”. Then nothing else matters because our joy is a side effect of his good pleasure…Amen!

Thank you for your prayers.

Many things on the near horizon.

*Container will be here soon.

*Christmas
*Children’s Lighthouse construction planned for January. Many needs in this that we do not know how they will happen just the need is there. Mower, backhoe, blocks, cement, wood, fixtures, laborers, wellpump, electrical, plumbing, ect.

*The monthly expenses just to “dress and keep” the property is about $200

*Need 300 more roof tiles for pastor Santos to finish the SS class roof

*New work in Colonia…long list in previous post.

*Property needed for La Cruz Baptist Church…Really need the LORD to intervene.

Fields of Fire

2007-11-28T10:15:00.000-06:00

This in now our 3rd Thanksgiving in Honduras. The time of year here sugar cane crops are burned in the field prior to harvesting. Dozens of children were killed a few years ago in this process because they were playing in the fields when they were lit. It always makes me wonder who else is perishing in the flames…
We have much to give thanks for. Lisa prepared a meal for us Bro Sabas family, Carlos and Omar’s family. It was a good time of fellowship. Lisa also prepared food to give away in church to needy families (most), and did it by lot numbers in a bowl so everyone got a meal weather it was rice, beans or a basket with fixens and a few toys. The LORD always knows who to give what better than I do.

We also did more outreaches and preaching in Los Tererros and Colonia; Both with good results and many showing up. We returned to Colonia again yesterday to view property they would like to donate to build a church building on. It would also be a very needful location for a children’s feeding center. I have been praying about this village for a year and a half, now to see things moving so quickly is just amazing. God is good. It will not be long before a building is needed. We would like to purchase blocks, cement, wood and roof tiles. If anyone is lead to help in any way to be a blessing to this fledgling work, please let us know. In part or in whole as a church or SS project or someone has something sitting around to sell that could be put to the LORD’s use, or? An entire building like in Los Tererros in the photo is only about $7000; a rough break down is: $2000 for roof, $2000 for blocks, $2000 for Cement, $1000 for steel. Blocks are 60 cents, Roof Tiles are 25 cents. It could easily be used as a feeding center as well. Pray the right folks see this needs. Our little Kia truck many soon be hauling another 50 ton church building up a mountain, block by block of course…Amen!

One of the men I admire is George Muller. I have heard it said by folks he never asked for anything just prayed. I have though about this long and hard. This sounds noble yet lets many off the hook, because it is not true nor is it scriptural. Principle one- Faith cometh by…hearing. Muller traveled more than 17 years in 42 countries letting everyone he could know what the LORD was doing, obeying 1 Chr 16:8, Psalms 26:7…then there were answers to prayer. The Baker that delivered bread did so because he could not sleep for days thinking of what the children needed…How did he know? The check in the mail just in time.. It was the Holy Spirit pressing a mans heart about the things he had seen and heard. I too see these things happen in this way …..it is Bible principles in play; Bearing one another’s burdens, All things in common,

2 Cor 8:11-15 that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. Paul is telling others about needs...

Yes the LORD sends ravens in the wilderness too. But more often He uses his ministering saints and allows them the privilege of storing treasures in heaven for eternity. You see we are all the LORD’s bought with a price, and good communication among us lets the Holy Spirit work freely. Or we can stick our fingers in our ears try to say to the LORD I never heard the need, its someone else’s job, I can’t because, or……but once we know the LORD holds us accountable for what he has given to our care. That is a large reason we are here…The LORD allowed Lisa and I to see glimps, to truly see the need of the perishing….and I could not turn away, and at all cost came to Honduras. Pray the LORD opens your eyes both to the needs here and in your church.

On other news the previous property owner kept all the tools used to maintain the property(no surprise). So we are looking for tools. The most urgent is a mower. If 2 week go by it will be rough, the closest mower is a 2.5 hour drive and cost near $300 for a push model. No Wallmart $99 ones. Plus we need a well pump, hoses, pruning tools ect…and of course a backhoe. Still looking and praying. It will be needed in Jan when we actually begin building the Children’s Lighthouse for abused children… daunting.
We shared with the Church about the blessing of the property, Wednesday and all voiced the desire to have a church service there (and pick fruit). It will be difficult, we may have to rent a bus to take everyone and/or shuttle with the truck but next Sundays services will be at the Children’s Lighthouse property. Amen! Enemesio may also try to bring folks from Los Tererros. Amen!

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour

Barry

A field White Unto Harvest

2007-11-21T09:30:00.000-06:00

Just trying to be busy when the LORD returns…Amen! A lot happened today. The container with Christmas Shoeboxes was loaded by Directline Ministries and shipped…AMEN!

Bro Sabas, Barry Jr, and 4 of our older children went to Lenaca to help build a Sunday School class for the children. Pastor Santos’ church has grown from 6 to over 100 in his small building in 2 years. So we used the leftover columns from the Whensawe fence and helped him build a roof to move the children’s class outside. Steel beams were made in our house and brought up the mountain. Barry Jr welded them in place on the concrete columns. Then Bro Sabas installed the rafters and stringers for the clay tiles. Alba and Jenny kept the several dozen children busy and not underfoot, while the men worked. While everyone was busy Pastor Santos wanted me to meet the 4 children soon to be orphaned. I say soon because the mother is so sick they already have the coffin for her. She is dieing of “cancer” which is an honorable codeword here for Aids, since no one dies of Aids just the “complications”. In Choluteca alone there are 30 children a month orphaned, abandoned or removed from danger by the government. Plus this area has the highest concentration of aids in the Americas. Lack of education, superstitions, machismo, remoteness, drunkenness, and lack of the Holy Spirit leaves the door wide open for sin; But the yearning for God all the more stronger for those that seek him.

It’s a lot easier to call out for help when your in the water drowning with sharks all around, than it is when your in the ballroom of the Titanic and your upset the ship lurched and spilled your drink….
Barry 2007 ...after a short visit to the USA

Once the work was done in Lenaca (Agua Callente), we went down the mountain to Colonia for the first “church” meeting. You can see Colonia from Pastor Santos’ Church but it takes more than an hour to get down there. After the meeting with World Vision, and village elders about donated property, (btw…All is a go for donated property to build a church on…anyone have $7000 laying around to build a church building? They will need one soon.) one family in the meeting lives 2 km outside the colony, but asked us to meet for a service in their home. With no public announcements other than "the preacher is here come over" said to the neighbors, 22 adults showed up. 22 people in the porch of a clabbered shack, only 5 chairs and rocks to sit on, no Bibles other than what we brought and gave out, all with dirt, dust, bugs, spiders, mosquitoes and darkness. What made it beautiful? The LORD was there… Bro Sabas preached a compelling message from the Holy Spirit and 15 trusted the LORD. The only light to preach by was the Holy Spirit and a dewalt flashlight…Amen! Talking with bro Sabas, a lot things look promising and the LORD is at work. He was asked to return in 2 weeks and continue preaching. If he meets in 10 homes with similar results the church would be 100-200 people in a short time and in need of a building. Our only hurdles are time, money and transportation. Sabas needs transportation to visit with and I am already finding it difficult to be everywhere. So much so now have cords showing on the tires of the new truck in just 8 months from trying…

Several folks are looking for a backhoe, pray the LORD provides the one we need and we have the wisdom to see it and resources to get it here. And closing on the property for the Children's Lighthouse today @2:00. Amen and Amen!

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie
Honduras Missions

The Garden of Eden now has thorns...

2007-11-19T07:07:00.000-06:00

There were men here visiting and considering helping get the Children’s Lighthouse off the ground. After seeing the LORD’s work on a whirlwind tour that left all tired and sore they offered to help build the first building to house children on the new property. Now to draw up plans now that we have a budget that is not “0”. Amen!

As for the new property, always a roadblock in Honduras. The Spirit told me to have it surveyed before we purchased…Not done often here. We found he had sold part of it off and it was 1/3 smaller than he claimed. It broke the deal when he would not adjust price ect. So we went looking elsewhere. Looked at several properties in the last week. All much less per acre but all more acres than we can afford. One took the entire afternoon to go see. Up a rough back mountain road for 2 hours then we got near it and the owner said its just another 30 minutes walk and your truck cant make it along the cliff path...uh I dont think we are interested. Being from Alaska I like remote, but carrying in blocks, cement and food on your shoulders for 30 minutes from now till the rapture does not seem like an effective way to build or run an orphanage... Another One was was the most beautiful by far with a view over the Choluteca delta and a view to the ocean 50 mile away. Water year round, 160 acres for $120,000....but that is $40,000 more than we can do. Its not like the USA where you have all the info before you get there, You just know of someone selling and you must go find them to talk and find out what. Another one was huge, as we talked we found it was 518 acres...with cattle but the cheapest per acre by far. What a deal only $190,000...eyowza, but that’s only $367 per acre.
The men visiting committed to helping start the Children's Lighthouse with $25,000 to go toward a building project starting in Jan. We are meeting with the first property owner today, to have another survey done with "his wife's" property added into it. He called 3-5 times on the day we went looking at other property. Not comfortable in dealing with him but it is the property the children like & Lisa likes... And it is the area most in need of a church/ministry/outreach...that trumps all else. The additional property surveyed yesterday is 4.5 hectares more (he was 3.88 short). It is now 31.9 acres. I took the children and played with them for several hours there, that more than anything else made up my mind. To watch them run, play, laugh, gave joy to my heart. It may have changed the owners mind as well. The owner agreed to give it all for no additional moneys and agree to pay all the fees for land paper transfer (About $3000)...That was my dew on the pelt. I had told Carlos before hand that if he just gave it and we had no more expenses, We would buy it. I asked the children, Lisa, Carlos, Luz, Guytan, and a few others and all said we should buy the "Garden of Eden" (I thought jokingly back from Satan but never voiced it out loud)...Soo we should close this week. Some of the fruit trees have been grafted there and produce several kinds of fruit on the same tree...kinda neat. Lemons with grapefruit ect.

Guytan(The arc/builder/Forman) Sat down Saturday and we discussed how to spend the 25,000 that has been promised in a way pleasing to the LORD and most useful for his work. We discussed numerous options, but kept returning to the original plan as most the effective and useful for all the future ministry there. The original structure idea was a large 60'x100' 2 story U shape, with Living on top; ministry, schooling and feeding kitchen below, but was $105,000, way over budget when he crunched the numbers. So we will only build the bottom of the "U" part. After he checks numbers it will be 45-60’ x 24’. He thinks we can build in stages, and finish stage 1 enough to live in with the 25, but needs to draw it all out and verify pricing for the 2nd floor steel/concrete floor(The budget breaker). The Idea is to build it in such a way that it is finished, yet future add ons do not require modifications of the building just expansion. I have worked with him before and he is very accurate on his plans and budget and has it well thought out. Then as we grow each additional stage will be about $10,000 for every 4 additional children completing the legs of the "U" in about 7 stages as needed. It will be difficult, we will have to watch every penny to do it and acquire a little extra help along the way but doable. A backhoe is going to be a real necessity though. Plus we will need support for each child we take in. The idea is it will grow as we grow...Pastor Santos wants to talk to us about 3 more orphaned boys all under 10 in his ministry…the need is there…..

Other news fronts
We have a meeting about the possible donated church property in Colonia on Monday and Bro Sabas is planning the first "church" meeting Tuesday in a home we stopped at Thursday. World Vision helped built the village and still holds the final say on what can be built there so the meeting is with their rep...Even if it is no the family living just outside the area we visited wants us to start it there...So.. a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. If all goes well in 6 months we may need to build another $7000 church building like in Los Tererros...Amen!

Also delivered tiles(Just so happens donated by World Vision) to Los Terreros. Some supplies and food to Lenaca while the men were here. They said in all their travels in Africa, S America we have the prize for the worst road anywhere, They concluded they had finally gone to the uttermost parts of the earth. The little truck beat them to death, it is now overdue for tires
A backhoe is needful on many fronts when the LORD opens that door.

The child service Lawyer Sabastiana has begun coming to our church under the tent. So far to 2 services and asked to be picked up for next week, with the children in her house... All I know is the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Last news
A container of Christmas shoeboxes is shipping tomorrow from Ohio! We should see it before Christmas! Amen! Thank you for those who participated in this. You will see photos posted as they are given out in the LOVE OF CHRIST.

Still desperatly need property for La Cruz Baptist as well....Lots of Irons in the fire, and a real possibility of 5 churches planted and a orphanage built in 3 years... Only God.....

Thank You For your effectual prayers
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

The Children's Lighthouse

2007-11-09T07:12:00.000-06:00

I am back in Honduras! 2 Weeks of exciting news. The return flight was scary. 5 attempts buzzing the runway to land in the fog and high wind, and full power aborts; Landing at 4500’altitude, on a short, barely adequate, inner city runway, surrounded by mountains that you cannot see. The pilot had to fly to another northern city to refuel 2x to do so. Exhausted with some scared, 90% of the passengers got off and chartered a bus for the 5 hour drive after the last refueling. The pilot informed everyone that if he could not land this time he would be returning to the Miami airport. I knew there were 20 arms waiting there to give hugs and showed those around me the pictures and stayed onboard. So did they, thankfully we landed and I got my hugs. Welcome to Honduras where barnstorming in a 757 in not unusual. As we passed through customs those few sitting around me gave a thumbs up saying “good call.”

The missions conference in New England was great. Central Baptist Church is growing well and is now reaching out to Honduras with the Great commission. They are also packing crates to ship to Honduras Amen! Enroute to Central Baptist, I stopped in NY and visited a supporting church. One member had a nice small school bus for sale, diesel with a/c even. After talking to another ministry in New England a few weeks back who wanted to start a bus ministry, the brain was working overtime. Those who know me know this rings in my ears. When talking to the pastor that day he sounded discouraged because they could not afford a bus. Hmm, because ministering saints providing my tickets and fuel I had a little money in my pocket. The plan was to use it to purchase a new projector to use in the mountains. One we would not have to wait till it was totally dark to see. But the Bible still has 1 John 3:17 and it is a verse that is ever present in the Saviour’s servants. I called and said “Brother, are you going to use it for God’s Glory?” “Yes” “Will it help your family and ministry?” “Yes” “Then it is yours. It will be delivered Sunday night.” The LORD replaced the money less than 24 hours later and we got a projector. Amen! Just pvc pipe for the LORD. Why were those questions asked? Because they were the same questions asked of me by a ministering saint on the following blessing….

The LORD has given us 30 acres about 14 kilometers out of town to build the Children’s Lighthouse. A home for abused, abandoned and orphaned children, an answer to prayer, a place for the children to grow in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. This is the property that Lisa and I were shown a year ago. When we first saw it we both thought…it is going to be way too expensive for us to even consider…and it was. At the time it was 2 million lempira.($110,000). We did not have $100 let alone that…So that idea was shelved and we just waited on the LORD. Now because of God and his ministering Saints we will close, on the property next week without a mortgage...own it free and clear. Amen! Yesterday the children went out to play and pray on the property. Just a time to explore walk and see the new promised land filled with all manner of fruit; Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, coffee beans, mangos, corn, and more. It has 2 artesian wells and electric. This opens yet another door of ministry, but we cannot do it alone. It will take much more than we have to build and operate such a place. Never the less I know in whom we believe and He is able to send the ravens. God has more than 7000 sacrificing saints, even in today’s times, who listen to him, and have not bowed and loved this present world. Amen!

God's blessings will not lack God’s supply. If God says jump, I have no problem jumping out of the plane without a parachute and look for a chute on the way down…for if we obey Him and wait on Him, we mount up with wings as eagles…

While in the USA I had an opportunity to see our grand kids for the first time. One was born on the same day I flew to Honduras. A visit with Sasha in college was also squeezed in. I saw her play in the orchestra and took her out to eat and talk.

Please pray there is much to do and many needs ahead of us. Our church in the city still desperately needs a place to meet. We may need to build yet another church in Colonia as well…..

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour

Barry Ritchie

Honduras Missions

Acts 1:8 Uttermost

2007-10-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

Witnessing in the uttermost parts…The last couple of weeks has given an opportunity to present the gospel in several locations. Barry Jr and Carlos will continue with one more while I am away. It is rainy season here and the paths up the mountains are treacherous and rough. The kia has broken shock mounts, maybe a bad c/v joint and a few more dents and flattened tires from this last outing. Not to mention thick mud covering the inside…Muddy wet people getting in after moving rocks, digging, pushing, a truck up a mountain so a few more can hear the Good News. In the pouring rain, 100 people showed up to watch a movie and hear preaching in the rain at Colonia. 10 made professions of faith when Bro Sabas preached, Carlos continued preaching a second message making yet another plea and a 21 year old girl came forward. Afterward 2 village elders approached offering a free piece of land if we would help build a building and plant a church. They called again today to ask when? What a great door opening. Need wisdom, funds, laborers and prayer.

In Los Tererros the road was worse than I had ever seen it, 5 km took 1.5 hours. The truck got stuck in several places getting up and back down. So much so, in one location the axles were on the ground, everyone was exhausted, I looked at my watch, we had worked 51 minutes to remove the truck from a ravine and keep it from tipping over against the rocks. I prayed “LORD Everyone is at their wits end and we are about to quit. If someone is supposed to be saved tonight please get us up to the hard flat point within the hour…9 minutes later we were on hard ground and made it the rest of the way. 5 salvations including the young men who helped build the church building. Amen!

Yesterday was eventful at our church, La Cruz Baptist. Pouring rain, trying to fill a makeshift baptismal that leaked. It came time to baptize and it still was not full so a bucket brigade began filling it with our bottled drinking water. When that ran out, JD got into the underground water storage tank to hand up buckets…end result 15 were baptized. Amen.

Pastor Ramon asked if we would do an outreach in his church. About 30 of our church folks wanted to go as well. So we loaded up the 69 Datsun and the Kia and went. The last 2 blocks are so muddy only the kia could make it and we shuttled folks in. Also snapping a low power line. Omar was able to repair it and put it back up, before services were over. Several more professions made, Amen!

Andy and his son JD have seen our little world, I think the LORD is working in their hearts too. Though I don’t know how much more of a servants heart you can have than to shovel the manure out of the church…no really we have to share our church meeting place with cows….Amen.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

Stephen

2007-10-20T08:52:00.000-05:00

Stephen has left, the young man who came to let the LORD search his heart about ministry. He labored in the sun and rain, was beaten and bruised riding up the mountains, and did not hesitate to help kill rats and clean maggots from food supplies, all without a hint of attitude just a humble desire to please. I went looking through photos to find we did not have a lot of photos of him. We let him use our camera which places him on the wrong side of the lens…oh well. He stayed with 6 of our church families. Some live in adobe with just bare necessities, some more modern homes, each family sharing the love of Christ with their new found son. Tears were shed and many hugs given in the last church service. Not sure what the LORD will do in his life now, only that he will never be the same…
When you met Jesus…your never the same. “LORD When Saw we thee?

Fell among theives

2007-10-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

I have said often, Honduras has allowed me to see and live more of the Bible than I ever did before. What does this sound like to you? A young man 24 wandered into church services Sunday, afterward he humbly only asked for prayer. His name was also Stephen as is our other USA visitor. He is insulin diabetic, had been beaten up and robbed. He had managed to call his family earlier to help but it was Sunday and tomorrow is a national holiday (No banks or western union open). He asked people around the town center (The Catholic Park) where a church was and they told him to find the people under the tent. There is an underling prejudice here that makes no sense. He is dark skinned native Indian and was born in the Mosquito Coast area on the north coast. He has family in Rotan in the north and was just trying to get there. He had come down from a university school in the USA for a friends wedding in Nicaragua. Almost daily we have people beg for things and we help as the spirit leads in wisdom. The LORD giving wisdom to prove them. We have chased all kinds of false stories even going to the hospital looking for a dead baby. This time was different than most, no red flags in my spirit. The Holy Spirit gave me what to do with a peace about it. He was put up in the local hotel we use and I told Abel the innkeeper to take care of him. Monday we went to the Airport so Carlos made sure he got on the express bus to the other side of the country where family is.
After, when all were comfortable, he shared that his father is a seafood exporter and is best friends with the new Honduras President…hhmm.

See any similarities? …. me too.

He called a day later to say he had made it and to say thank you again…Amen. Just a servant praising the LORD.

The river is still high after almost a solid week of rain. One area in which we have preached near Marcovia is flooded. A Message was sent to us, one family we had ministered to lost 3 members when the rescue boat over turned in the river. The father, his 8year old daughter and 11 year old son perished. We sent food to help for a while.

On a high note Carlos preached the message Sunday and 6 adults came forward for salvation and or Baptisms. We will be baptizing 6-9 folks next week Amen. Carlos had a bit of a dry spell in preaching not seeing anyone come to Christ, so he was overjoyed.

Pray for the outreaches this week, We plan to visit a new area. Plus return to Aguas Callente to help with a Sunday school room, install solar to power a near future Bible institute. Last trip up was hard and damaged the front bumper when we slid off a rock in the rain. We still need to purchase batteries, lights, wire ect for the panel and a few more materials for the classroom construction, if anyone is led to help....

Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry

Amazing what a week brings.

2007-10-12T09:09:00.000-05:00

Amazing what a week brings. Stephen, a 23 year old young man is here to allow God to search his heart about full time ministry. The thought; instead of a hotel give him a real Honduras trip, popped into mind. The Holy Spirit prompted the question in church, “Who wants this young man to stay with them for a night?” I was thinking 1 or 2 folks would do it and the rest of the time would be with us or a hotel. No, every night got taken. He is living with our folks from a substance farmer to a dentist. Last night stayed with Bro Sabas, and they are suppose to walk 250 lbs of food up to Maria’s home in the mountain. I told him if he didn’t then the 70 year old Maria would….He chose the honorable answer. We shall see what’s left of him today…

2 Trips were made to Agua Calliente to deliver roof tiles, for a SS class, wood, sand cement, food, medicines and pastors study books to Pastor Santos. Raining continuously, crossing places where water/mud is over the tires. Many tracts handed out. Stephen was amazed to see you could toss tracts out and people would run to pick them up…even in the rain.

Daisy a 14 year old girl saved in our church wanted to ride up with us and help. It actually gave me 4-5 hours to teach and talk with her as both a pastor and a father figure. (her father was killed in a bar fight when she was small). She tickled me when I asked has anyone else every talked to you like this or about these things….only Sasha was her reply. She had come to me after church Wednesday and shared her struggles. It was refreshing to hear a newly save young person explain the trouble she has having a TV in the house and other influences. I told her to bring the tv to our house and go cold turkey for a week. Instead read, study, pray and do things for the LORD. After one week I would let her borrow a small dvd player with a screen that has no ability to play TV and have her and her family watch some of the thing we have; some entertaining, some educational. After 2 weeks I would sit down with the family and talk.

Our children received gifts from pastor Bennetts children in the USA. We sat them down and called the Pastor as they opened them so they could hear the thank yous. Is was a fun shared experience.

Toño, Sayder and Karen got sick this week and needed 3 injections each…which you do yourself here.

Sasha called from college and shared with a broken voice she had gone to the altar in church and surrendered to full time ministry. She also told me she had the privilege of leading an entire Spanish speaking family to the LORD and they were in church too…3John 1:4 no greater joy.

We have a close friend and his son flying in Monday to allow the LORD to work as well.
A Joyful yet unworthy Servant,
Barry

What Moves You?

2007-10-10T10:06:00.000-05:00

What moves you?

What strikes a melody in your heart and makes your heart rejoice in the LORD?

Watching children play in the rain…then adding dish soap for bubbles to the sidewalk and listen to the giggles.

While on your knees praying alone at 6am, having 2 children in our Children’s Lighthouse quietly come up and hug you and begin praying with you…

Seeing several visitors come to a packed church in a dirty carport…and asking for salvation.
Rushing a young boy for x-rays and stitches who was caught in the cross fire of 2 older boys throwing rocks…then 2 hours later having the mother of the hurt boy give the quiet seat prize in church to the boy who threw the rock…..

Hearing “I love you Papi” 50x a day

Having an elderly church lady meet you in the street and give a hug you so tight around your neck you can’t breath; just so she can say God Bless you.

Giving a 12 year old girl, who had been abused and abandoned, her wish for her birthday. Then also be blessed to play a part in her transformation and watch her blossom into a godly young lady….

Having a wife who worked more laboriously then you all day, roll over and rub your back as you drift off to sleep…..
I have been allowed a small taste of heaven…and want more, for there is no greater joy.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,

Barry

Bible Day - A National Holiday

2007-10-01T07:47:00.000-05:00

Bible Day!

The church decided to celebrate Bible day this year by simply obeying it… “GO”. The Idea was to have invitation an hour before services and walk the neighborhood inviting folks to come. “Compel them to come in” Lisa and the kids made 50 attractive gift baskets for the church to use as invitations. My idea, as a guy, was just functional-- hand out rice and beans fill a need. Lisa took the idea and added a woman’s touch and made very nice gift baskets; Filled with corn, beans, rice, salt, soap, John & Romans, tracts, hot sauce, spices, candy and a personal invitation to church, all in a pretty bowl tied with a bow. It allowed the church folks to participate in the joy of giving, for most it was the first time visiting, and showing the love of Christ to the neighborhood. Results? 50 went out 2 by 2 and more than 100 came in. It was great, many new faces and some we had not seen in some time. Lisa stealthily snapped a photo of Omar witnessing; the children were spontaneously singing hymns in the streets with tambourines and maracas, and the teens handed out over 400 J/Romans. We are now completely out of whole Bibles…I need to get more. The taxi driver (who hit a child last week) and his entire family showed up and helped. He promises to be back. Carlos preached a message that was strong and pointed. Afterwards everyone was hot and in need of water, so little bags of cold water were given out...of course the kids know how to turn them into make shift water shooting toys. What they seem to forget is the adults do to. Whether they drank it or wore it it gave God glory. As a preacher you could not ask for sweeter day with a sweeter spirit… till the trumpet sounds….

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

The Lord Works in.....

2007-09-26T14:31:00.000-05:00

Another day in Honduras. Our landlord is finally fixing the roof. He has given the excuse for 2 years he could not find someone reliable to fix it…so it continued to leak worse and worse. Filling in many places filling a 5 gallon bucket in 20 minutes. The last time he gave that excuse, I said I would find someone if he would pay him. Pastor Enemesio to the rescue. It will be a 3 day job reshuffling the roof tiles and replacing bad wood, bad tiles and cementing areas.
At the end of the day many of the neighborhood children were in the street running around unsupervised. (A daycare type outreach is much needed) When the screech of tires and the ominous thud you never want to hear. A few moments later a woman screaming. A taxi had hit a 5 year old boy named Oscar Alvarando. An impoverished mother picked him up unconscious and bleeding everywhere, then in a panic started to run back to her plastic home on the river. Lisa and I stopped her, Lisa wrapped him in a towel put him in our truck and rushed them to the pay hospital. If he had internal injuries or head trauma time was key. The taxi driver saw the crowd gathering and fled off. I called Carlos and asked if he knew the taxi numbers owner. He said no, But saw him a few minutes later on the other side of town and flagged him for a ride. He then informed him everyone saw him. And an American missionary had the boy at the emergency room. The man was scared to death. He met us at the doctors and was pleading for mercy from us and from the parents not to call the police. He did not have money to pay the hospital bill, and there was no way the family had the money. The father admitted they were not watching the child and he was running wild in the street near naked and chose not to press charges, but only after the Doctor said he was going to be fine and stitched him up. We paid the hospital, doctor and x-rays, gave them the meds needed to the grateful family. Then told the driver he could pay his part by showing up in church with his family for a month. He happily agreed. The entire neighborhood saw the events unfold, The LORD’s people should not be ones to stand and watch or pass on the other side. We shall see how this affects the church….Time will tell knowing the LORD works in mysterious ways.
Unworthy Servant to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour
Barry

Lisa is Back!

2007-09-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

Lisa is back! She hand carried a special doll for Julie’s Birthday. Because of the Hurricane the airline allowed extra luggage and Lisa brought back lots of stuff…Customs was not happy and gave her a very hard time to the point other passengers began to complain. But it all worked out and she got through once a supervisor stepped in.

Many things are happening and on the “to do” list now. I will be going to the USA for a missions conference in late Oct. We have 2 groups of friends visiting in October. Several outreaches planned and we would like to help Pastor Santos put on a children’s SS room. And church Doors and Windows for Pastor Enemesio. Enemesio has his motorcycle! Still learning to ride it and needs to get his license. God’s ministering saints always amaze me. Only wish more christians would listen and be blessed. Many tears in heaven of the “should of” or “could of’ opportunities missed.

Some things are still a major struggle. We have large roof leaks in our house and the landlord only offers promises. He wants to sell it to us rather than fix it. I would consider it for a church property....but more issues. $ being a major one. As a house it has no place to let the children play… Still need properties for an orphanage and for a church. Outside the city is best for a orphanage but the La Cruz Baptist church needs to be in our neighborhood. The property we have been trying to buy is in conflict…several owners in a family all fighting with one another. (one photo is from the property we are looking to buy) Plus part is about ready to flood and the owner still thinks it is a goldmine because an American is interested. Our river is at flood stage. Lots of rain during and after the hurricane has finally reached us. It is now touching the red danger zone painted on the bridge. Putting tents up in the rain for church means only the most faithful and healthy will be in church…Difficult to grow in but the roots go deep. We have had several issues with families; Because of the 2 ladies and the little boys a few weeks back, the church has a reputation of fighting with each other. In reality far from the truth but Satan is subtle and magnifies every flaw. Neydi’s mom Suyapa is expecting again and Neydi has withdrawn from school and is working. You preach, pray, weep, reprimand, love, aid, rescue, pour your time, heart, resources out and help, then see someone throw it away for a moment of pleasure or fear. One thing is for sure, Honduras has allowed me to see the world in a much more christlike way…and it is heartbreaking.
Working for the “Day of Rejoycing!” for it is not far.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

Intercessory

2007-09-14T19:37:00.000-05:00

Putting out an intercessory plea for Paster Enemesio. As many of you know he is the pastor up in Los Tererros. The church has begun with a bang and he has been diligent in preaching, visiting, soulwining, and helping the people in general. He worked on the church building for a couple of months without income for his family.(he is a carpenter by trade) And now rides his bicycle 33+ kilometer up the mountain for each service. Quite a feat when you see the mountain and the road, then consider he is 60 years old. I could not do this when I was 25. He has not complained nor asked for help in this, but it is wearing on him and 1 John 3:17 keeps coming to mind. I have rescued him on several occasions when his old bicycle broke down. As the LORD opens the door, the prayer is to purchase a small motorcycle for him; To be used to visit and ease his burden/need. It would help the new church grow and even deliver a few things. The cost for a new 150cc motorcycle, helmet and license is about $1000 dollars. Really not a lot in American eyes, but a fortune for him. If our LORD lays it on your heart to help in some way please let us know.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Children's Day Choluteca 2007

2007-09-11T10:04:00.000-05:00

Honduras celebrates a “Day of the Children” as a national holiday. What a church opportunity to teach and share. So we did. 110 people crowded under the tent for preaching in the hot sun. The church members took on the cost and responsibility of doing a piñata and feeding the children. This gave me a joy unspeakable. Our ladies along with Daisy and Alba began cooking at 6:30am on our home made oven to feed the children after church. More than 150 were served a meal, given a tract and a Bible. Afterward the piñata was hit, the gospel train ran, Candy Cannon shot off and City of Jericho bounce house was used….until we got caught in the rain anyway. It soaked everything to our chagrin. It meant Barry Jr and I had to put everything back out the following day just to dry, backbreaking… but the neighbor hood children loved the second chance playtime…and Angels in heaven rejoiced.

Sasha is now in college and called to tell me of some she has already led to Christ…Amen. She is already missed much here. Lisa is due back on Thursday, Julie’s Birthday, and is bringing her a special doll.
Speaking of gifts REMEMBER the shoeboxes on the Chirstmas post a couple of stories down...now it the time to start.

Counting the Heavenly Value of it All…..
Barry Ritchie

Counting the Value

2007-09-06T08:38:00.000-05:00

Just a question.
How do you you measure the value of?
* Hearing a impoverished child walking by your window at 6:00am singing the hymns from your congregation… during your devotion.
* Or a Mountain Pastor visiting to say thank you with eyes ready to flow over. Why? 2 families are living in the church building for refuge after a hurricane…A church that you helped build.
* Or giving food to a needy family and the child says thank you first...
*Or giving thanks for prayer in tears that move a hurricane.
*Or dropping 7 abused and abandonded children off at a Christian school and each one stops to give a hug and “I love you papi” as they exit...
And it is only 8am.
Do you want to die working your job like I do or... retire?

Truth be told you cannot measure things of infinite value this side of Heaven…

Welcome to Honduras Sept 6th, 2007.

Felix...

2007-09-05T13:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your effectual prayer. The LORD heard the voice of His people and the storm did much less than any were bracing for. A lot of people were in fear here with some leaving this neighborhood, because all remember this area during Mitch. The LORD was in control and gave us a calm of spirit and we never needed to. I even told Carlos and our landlord who offered his truck, we will not need to evacuate this time. If the Lord had given us anxiety about it all we would have done so in a heartbeat. There were at least 11 lost due to this storm close to the landfall on the northern coast. That’s much less than the 11,000 dead plus 8,000 missing during the last cat 5 storm to hit here. We will continue to watch the river, but now it is not expected it to crest above the limits.

What did the children do during the storm?….Read the books Lisa mailed. The worse thing now is prices of things will go up for a while, but we weathered the storm fine. Lisa is due back in a week, and Sasha is in college. AAmen.

Isaiah 4:6

And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Thank you all again,

Unworthy

Barry Ritchie

Honduras Missions, Children’s Lighthouse

PO Box 51

Choluteca, Honduras

PH 603-397-0606

Blog www.casadeluzparalosninos.blogspot.com

Felix

2007-09-02T18:41:00.000-05:00

Thank you all, We may be without communication for a while this week. Hurricane Felix is expected our direction. At the minimum we will get a lot of rain and lose communications…at the worse is could be like Mitch in 98. Honduras is still rebuilding from it. The house we live in was 6 feet underwater…Could use a few prayers, a cat 5 storm in a central American country is not good news even is it skims by. We also have papers to visit the police on Tue about the child getting hurt…In the midst of the storm…Lisa is due back in 10 days. Still no news on the church property…if it floods again the price might go down… :) Other than that things are great. I will be blog posting more when Lisa returns and things “normalize” a little.

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Heartwarming

2007-08-21T17:12:00.000-05:00

Playing Mr. Mom for the last couple of weeks has left little time to do other things. But the LORD has rewarded with some heartwarming moments. In the capital after dropping Lisa and Sasha at the airport we (all the children an me) stopped in at a bookstore. The children wanted several items but one was a children’s Bible Devotional. Alba and Jenny have been reading it to the family nightly before prayer and bed time since…This is a reward from the LORD. Sayder got into trouble last week in school and a note was sent home telling us about it and explaining he needed a reading book. Prior to this year Sayder had never been to school(2 years late) could not recognize letters or numbers ect. Today he came up sat behind me with his new book and began to sound out all the words…and actually read and understand the story…It was another reward from the LORD. In ministry one sometimes wonders “Am I doing what the LORD wants?” Then the affirmative hug and I love you for a child sneaking up behind you while you work, or a chorus of “thank you for the food papi” Even though Barry Jr actually cooked it…(yet another moment.). Even asking the 3 and 4 year old Eric and Christian, "Who ate the coolaid powder?" And both quickly point toward each other with red tongues and mouths covered in red powder.... The LORD has a way of confirming our hearts in deed and in truth... Kids give many a sermon illustration that often speak more truth about adults than the kids...

Unworthy to be this blessed,
Barry

Time to think Christmas...no really!

2007-08-13T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hello to all our praying friends,

Lisa and Sasha are in the USA. As of today are flying into Ohio. Barry Jr has been cooking since Lisa left, doing better than expected. The military MREs left by the doctors work great... just kidding... ok sort of. Alba and Jenny are helping more with laundry, kids ect. The girls helped Ermita teach Lisa’s Sunday school class and did a good job.

Time is going to run out if your not thinking about this now……Christmas! No really. Paul Deem from Direct Line Ministries is sending us a container to be filled with 1000 Christmas shoe boxes for children. He needs your church's help by a deadline. All that is needed is a shoebox sized container filled with items like on his website, (Toys, Bibles, hygiene items school supplies ect) Then mail it to Coolville Oh with $4 inside to cover shipping of container. It is an inexpensive way to get a whole church involved in a missions project and the rewards are great! His ministry link for more info is:
Shipping Container for Honduras for CHRISTMAS
Click here to go to Pauls site

He can also take other donations for our ministry large or small to ship in the container; there is a wish list on web his site. I have traveled with Paul Deem to Mexico on one of his deliveries a few years ago. I can tell you from first hand, both on the giving and receiving end of his ministry. He and his ministry have a heart after God and are profitable for the LORD's work. I would highly recommend them to visit your church and allow them to share their blessings and heavenly treasure.

Our church property deal went well this morning... for a few moments anyway. The “real” owner agreed to a price then we went to a lawyer to write up the papers only to find his power of attorney from a part owner(sister) …isn’t. Problem is she lives near Los Angeles, Calif, is 69 years old and doesnt drive in LA and no one seem to know her telephone. Could it get anymore complicated? In Honduras it just might.
Barry

Paul Deems Info For Christmas Shoe Boxes or?:
E-mail directlineministry@ohiohills.com
Web Site www.directlineministry.com
Phone(740) 667-6166
Office(740) 667-0045
Home (Paul Deem)(740) 236-1619
Home Address Missionary Paul Deem 28940 Torch Rd.Coolville, Ohio 45723
Support Address DirectLine Ministry P. O. Box 453 Little Hocking, Ohio 45742
Sending Church Friendship Baptist Church 1094 Clement Ave. Belpre, Ohio 45714
Pastor Vernon Snell

Looking for the rainbow...

2007-08-08T11:17:00.000-05:00

….As some of you know we lost a container of supplies a while back due to flooding in NH prior to shipping. Yesterday the city water finally was fixed and we are suppose to have water to our house now, first time in almost a year. During the rains last night Lisa awoke to put out buckets to catch water from our leaky roof. But water was everywhere not only leaking from the roof but bubbling from the floors. The new city supply of water ruptured the lines under the house and flooded where the food was stored for the feeding center. Over 20,000 lbs of dried food must be moved gone through and the floor taken up to fix it…With Lisa and Sasha leaving tomorrow no time to do so…

The baby girl that was born while the doctors were, here passed away yesterday. Baby Kenya(after the Doctor) was in a difficult fight from the beginning. Mom was very diabetic(unmonitored) and the baby was in its 10th month pregnancy on the mountain when we rushed mom down. The Hospital did not do what the Doctors requested and stressed the baby even more and then all the hospital workers went on strike. In the end baby Kenya was not strong enough to fight her battle… Welcome to Honduras

Smiles speak volumes

2007-08-06T12:38:00.000-05:00

The first batch of medicines taken to Los Tererros Clininc. Enemesio was happy to deliver them. Nurse Suyapa has more than just comforting words to give to folks. On the return trip Enemesio was in tears, telling in detail of some who have recently come to Christ. The ministry continues....

Property and Medicine

2007-08-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

Lisa and Sasha picked up a pallet of medications from MAP international in the Capital. It was enough to cause them to be searched on the return trip at one of the police checkpoints but all papers were in order. We are now sorting them for distribution in the mountain clinics. Our names are in the local news here, but not by choice. A local TV reporter was interviewing the hospital director about the stolen medications the ORH team donated to them last week. They actually began arguing on camera when the reporter asked,"Why would they (us) want to donate anything else to thieves?" They had to cut filming a few moments later. BTW Hospital workers stole all the medications donated last week through the medical team that visited. Welcome to Honduras…

Sasha and Lisa leave next Thursday for the USA. Sasha is college bound. We are still in need of churches to visit that will let Lisa present the ministry. We are in great need of more support with many mouths to feed. I know of no other full time American missionary doing more with less….If there is please put me in contact with them to learn how. amen.

The property we are trying to aquire for the church has turned into a mess. The adjacent property owner lives in Mexico. She married a Columbian man who showed up a few days ago, tore down one of the buildings on the property we want to buy, and began putting up a fence there... now we need prayer, for a court battle may ensue. All delaying our plans. Not having a location to meet in for church makes it very difficult. Add to that, live in a house/orphanage with the food for a feeding center without a place to get it started….

Wednesday night’s message in our carport was on the 10 lepers. I handed out candy to the congregation prior to preaching and only 10% said thank you…they then became the illustration. A first time visitor sat attentive with her children, after she came forward for salvation…Amen!
Still looking for the last one before the trumpet sounds.

Unworthy servant to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Operation Renewed Hope

2007-07-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

The ORH team is now gone. A very tiring week but all will sleep well. Much was done for the glory of the LORD. The doctors, workers, and evangelist teams worked hard through very difficult conditions. More than 1000 people were seen and helped. Even more sat under good preaching. They were shown the LOVE of Christ in Word and in Deed. Pastors if you want to send your folks on an adventure for the LORD that will send them home, worn out, tired, broken, contrite and willing to serve the LORD….call ORH. This team had folks from Panama, Mexico, Honduras and the USA. Our Church, Our Family, Our mission, and our people want to thank each of you for coming and sharing in our burden and glorifying Christ.
ORH Has a online picture slide show at: www.teamORH.com

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour

Barry

ORH CONTACT INFO:
Jan Milton
ORH@AOL.com
http://www.teamorh.com/

Just the Facts

2007-07-26T13:19:00.000-05:00

Just the info as I know it for now, more detail to follow as time allows.
Los Tererros 2 day total 169 decisions for Christ 247 in services
Agua Calente 2 day total 140 decisions for Christ 320 in Services
Whensawe Center almost 200 decisions for Christ with more than 4oo in services
La Cruz 2 day 60 decisions for Christ with 220 visiting doctors
That is more than 500 souls making professions of faith...amen!
OTHER Tid bits
1 distressed baby born...would have died
4 or more rushed off the mountain to Hospital
Treated all sorts of ailments from simple to deadly...
Several surgerys, hundreds of teeth pulled, Our Churches dentist(Ermita) may go on a future trip with ORH
Many touched by Christ Ministering Saints...."LORD, When Saw We Thee" AMEN!

I have seen many a ministry, ORH is without a doubt one of the best, most effective ministries I have ever seen by obeying the Bible in deed and in truth.....

First Church Service in Los Tererros

2007-07-23T05:33:00.000-05:00

The plowing, planting, and watering has gone on for months.... then comes a harvest amen!

Since the Plane Arrived

2007-07-20T08:21:00.000-05:00

Since the plane arrived….busy. The Operation Renewed hope team has begun to arrive in waves from the USA and several Latin American countries…44 team members. The advanced team of 4 came from Fla to help prep for the evangelism and medical clinics. They arrive in a private plane in Choluteca. I got phone calls as the plane circled the city looking where to land. (It’s the first plane we have seen here in 2 years). We unloaded medicines and glasses and got them bedded down for and early start. The next day I did not want to go to Los Tererros empty, so we stopped and had them load 2 meters of gravel to finish the entrance of the church. Installed a battery light system on the church and add the solar panel later as time allows. Map out and plan the location then move to the next mountain and plan some more. Cutting fields, making ways to carry everything up the mountain, getting all the supplies, make a wood stove for Lisa to feed 60 people per day, and so on has really been a chore but the end result will be glory for Christ and lives changed for eternity. Pastor Ramon had a member very sick and asked Dr Waller to visit him Thurs morning. Everyone said the 28 year old man had cancer, but Dr Waller felt he was late stage Aids. He died that afternoon and the preaching service was at his home that evening.

The entire team will be here Saturday. We need a lot of prayer for this week……

Roof Top View

2007-07-15T08:45:00.000-05:00

I liked this view of the roof going on the church building in Los Tererros. It now has all the tiles. Amen. Just need steps, doors and windows.....
Barry

Busy

2007-07-13T07:32:00.000-05:00

Busy prepping for the doctor team from Operation Renewed Hope to arrive, so my blog time has been light. But the work of the LORD continues. The Church building in Los Tererros will be finished before the doctors arrive. Roof tiles going on today. Bro Dan Asher has been here with his son helping and sleeping with Barry Jr on the mountain.The 10 tables and 15 benches requested for the medical team have been made. Still working at cleaning and repairing all the tents needed; a 40x40, 2-20x30, 20x20,and 15x15 tents. Each will serve as a doctors office or evangelistic tent. Prepping properties, spraying for ants, mowing(with machetes), getting eletric, amplifiers ect still to do in all 4 locations. We are hoping for more than 1200 folks to show up for preaching. Amen. Wendsay we took 96 pieces of lumber and a cubic meter of sand up the mountain in one load. As we turned off the highway to start the climb, an ice cream truck was there waiting on us. Why? The government hired him to take the refrigerated vaccinations to Los Tererros but he could not make the final 5 km climb. He asked if we would take the cooler to the nurse already in Los Tererros…all in a days work. Then more folks got on the always overloaded truck and up we went…the front wheels actually floated off the ground in one steep section of the climb. Our budget is stretched beyond belief getting the church built so we had to improvise on metal plates for the trusses. We found old refrigerators and tin roofing and cut them up and nailed them on with 30 lbs of nails…Dan thought his work might be easy…Welcome to Honduras where it takes twice the effort to go the same distance…But the rewards are sweet. Amen

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

Honduras Funeral

2007-07-03T14:20:00.000-05:00

Our first real funeral for The Cross Baptist Church. Maria Cristina passed away yesterday in the hospital of hepatitis. She was a grandmother to many here and had made a profession of faith several months ago. In prayer requests since she repeatedly asked for salvation of her children. The family, though mostly Catholic, asked the church to do the services, preach and pray. I chose to have Carlos do the service and he did great. It was an impassioned plea and all heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. (What your mother wants!) The truck was also the hearse, and we physically helped bury her. (The family digs and buries their own) More than 200 walked to the cemetery. Several grand kids handed out a few hundred Gospels of John with salvation plan in it. It was a bitter sweet experience but Christ was glorified.

Earlier in the week we took the children to the river for an afternoon out. I drove to an area where the river parts and forged about 2 feet of water to park on the island. The children were wading with Sasha in the wide shallows, but it quickly drops into shallow rapids. I though its not too dangerous but I need to walk a little down stream just in case. I no sooner got to where I was going to sit and watch when Karen sat down and was sweeped down river under water. I had to jump in and lift her but could not stop and was now under water instead. I finaly caught a rock and was able to hand her off to Sasha and get out. It scared us more than it scared Karen. If I had missed, it would have been very difficult to catch her. The LORD is in everything even terror, for the children brought up later, the story we used months ago to explain the depth of our love for them. A fictional story saving them from drowning, even at our own peril. It now has deepened….Amen.

Pictures Say It Best

2007-06-30T20:42:00.000-05:00

The Church in Los Tererros has a floor thanks to a bunch of helpers sent by the Spirit of the LORD! Many hands make light work as they say. The church building is almost done just a few more things to finish. It only needs help 3 areas to complete it.
Cement for front Steps and baptismal...
About $500
Doors and windows...about $600
After inventoring the wood left over we are about $300 shy for the roof. If anyone is led to help in any way please let us know. We have tapped all we had to get to this point and are within sight of the finish line. Our goal is to have it completed for the medical team in only 3 weeks...eek.

JUST A NOTE OF THANKS...

to those who helped us acquire the new truck. It has REALLY been worked and used for the LORD. It has hauled at least 100 tons up the mountain. On a trip yesterday we solidified the name for it…Garobo, the local name for mountain lizard. One of the volunteers was amazed how it climbed up a steep rock like a lizard and never spun a tire. At the time it was carrying 4000lbs of sand, 800 lbs cement and 6 men, and 5 local “hitchhikers” needing a ride up the mountain with their supplies bought in the city….It serves daily as a school bus for the Children’s Lighthouse, has been an ambulance on several occasions, hauled Bibles and evangelistic outreach equipment, it’s a pulpit, it hauls 2200lbs of water at a time, building materials, lumber, rock, it rarely makes an empty trip someplace and has more hours in 4wd than not. I can think of no greater service for it than to wear it out in service for the LORD…amen. Believe it or not the plan is to run it 20 years…..If it helped build 1 church a year…that’s 20 churches!

We needed to clear out space in the house to live and work when the doctors arrive, so Carlos volunteered to share in our space problem and store Bibles we have left. On the way over we chose to stop at the hospital and share a few...thousand. Amen!

PS Yes that is where the kids rode to keep the Bibles from falling off. It's ok it's legal, I was wearing my seatbelt as we drove by the police departmaent... Sasha wanted a Honduran Drivers licence before heading off to college, so she stopped in the police department to buy one. Sign here, pay here and give them a photo and presto your a honduran driver. No exam, no driving test nothing... (She has never driven before) This now explains alot.... Welcome to Honduras...

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Work, Work Work...

2007-06-26T22:31:00.000-05:00

What a day of rejoicing and easy day to sleep after. Work begins at 6:30 and ends at 8:30pm nonstop. Load by hand and bring 4 loads, 2 square meters each, up the mountain of cement, sand and gravel for the church. And race down the mountain to drop off and pick up the children from school And give the teachers in the mountain a ride to town. Return to unload a container of food, by hand, then return to the mountain with one more load of gravel. The photo shows Barry Jr carrying 125 lbs at a time….the photo below his shows one of our very pregnant ladies in the church carrying 100 lbs of corn on her head…..I really did try to make her stop but she insisted. One of the smaller teen boys surprised me by carried in 3 bags of corn at a time.(thats 300 lbs on a 100 lbs kid) Many helped and we got in done in less than 2 hours. Some looks like it may have been stolen after the accident and some got wet changing containers, but need to verify. The truck got into a wreck before entering the capital and the load had to be transferred to another container. Welcome to Honduras. With the food we will be able to help many…LORD, When Saw we thee?…

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,

Barry Ritchie

2007-06-25T00:48:00.000-05:00

Another week of ups and downs on the Honduras road. The city decided to dig drainage in front of the Whensawe property. Great, except they left a ditch and a rock hard mountain of dirt in front. No way to enter. So Barry Jr and Omar set out to fix it. Blanca was there helping clean to get it ready for the doctors to arrive with her children after school. Maria(6) climbed up the container and fell off on the walled side into a barb wire fence. She was rushed to the Hospital and was ok, but got a few stitches, broke one of her adult teeth and a bump on the head. It could have been a lot worse.

Several La Cruz church members wanted to visit and see the church in Los Tererros. I needed to pick up Enemesio on Saturday so we took about 12 of us up the mountain. At the highest point we stopped to pray. Marco prayed as we looked out over the city talking about a white field. After arriving at the church all gathered near the hole dug for a baptismal in the floor of the church to pray. It moved Enemesio to tears. It was good for the church folks to see.

The truck transmission noise is continuing to get louder and the timing for this is bad…as if there is a good time for repairs. We need it to finish the church and right after for the medical team…If we take it in to be fixed now the church will not get done…if we wait till after we will not have it for the medical team….

Our first 40’container of food was due but the shipper had an accident with the truck. It is now due for Monday with no room except our house. That’s 12 people in a 1000sf house that has 0 yard. Now we’ll be using the living room, kitchen, bedrooms and halls for food storage…We Really need to get a church building here in the city. To add to it, in a short time feeding 41+extra mouths in the house with the medical team here.

Today was La Cruz Baptist Church one year anniversary. Carlos preached, several gave teary eyed testimonies, a potluck dinner and a time of fellowship. It was real sweet. Talking we all realized something. As one drives into Choluteca, the first thing everyone sees as they arrive at the bridge in the city skyline is the Old Catholic Church buildings. The new church property would be in between, right in line of sight. Everyone smiled and said we need a big lighted cross on the roof. We shall see…I would be satisfied with just a roof so as not to have to put up tents every week. Amen!

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour

Barry

It's all in the LORD's hands

2007-06-19T10:44:00.000-05:00

Carlos is out of the hospital for real this time. Doing well. Omar and I repaired the windshield and a little rust on the car fixed and painted as a get well soon gift. When he saw it he began to cry deeply. Between breaths explained, even his family does not care for him as much as the people in ministry here…Amen. We are hoping to have him preach for our 1st year anniversary for La Cruz Baptist Church. Yup, 50-100 of us have been meeting in a tent for a year now. With the constant heat, rain, bugs, drunks, street venders, hecklers and a continual threat of no place to meet next week. It has been amazing to see this little church grow in the LORD and lives changed for eternity. Prayerfully, we will finally sign on property the LORD provided today. Amen

The second church in Los Tererros has walls up on the church building. The medical team from ORH will be here in July to use it as a major outreach point…Amen. They have been instrumental in getting it constructed…Thank you LORD for your humble willing servants. The people that live in Los Tererros are strong in many ways, very closed community. With our numerous trips up the mountain carrying materials for the church, the ministry truck has become the local bus. We have not made a trip up or down the mountain without giving people rides. (Sometimes 24 at a time). This too has made an impact. One teenage girl we spoke with starts walking to school at 3am down the mountain…In the USA we had a hard time just waking them up. As for our truck, it began making a noise yesterday and a leak in the transfer case was found. No surprise it has spent almost 3 weeks in 4wd low. Now back to the dealer. Pray it will be an easy, cheap, quick, fix under warranty. We really need it not to be down for days or weeks waiting on parts. Pray for the large medical team that is coming. They are very strong on evangelism. Amen.

Now for more minor news, we loaned out the smaller tent used for Sunday school class to another ministry here and it finally came back. Although no one told us it had been ripped severely and we did not know….until we needed to use it. It’s all in the LORD hands Amen.

911-Do It Yourself

2007-06-13T09:39:00.000-05:00

Carlos is out of the Hospital...sort of. Because of poor sanitation and the risk of infection so high, everyone, including the surgeon, suggested he be moved out of the Socialized Hospital. (all doctors here are required to donate time every week at the socialized hospital) Mold on the ceilings, no ventilation, many sick in one room, cats wandering in licking plates and people as they slept, (we chased them out from under Carlos’ bed on every visit), no screens for mosquitoes (dengue and malaria are here) . I watched the nurse give him a shot without cleaning anything, then go to the next patient and do the same (at least she used a different needle…why? Because you bring your own.)… So we had the doctor from the pay hospital make the arrangements to move him. Omar is a constant blessing and a surprise to us. He showed up in a borrowed ambulance and “we” moved him. 911/Home Depot style (do it yourself). God always amazes me in surrounding us with the right people at the right time. Carlos is in a much cleaner place under better care until he goes home.

Just the calm and peace it gave Carlos will allow him to heal faster. It will cost $300 for the week including the medication, because “the workman is worthy of his hire” and the good samaritian would have done the same for a stranger. Carlos is a major part of the ministry here and we felt something needed to be done, even if it hurts.

What puzzles me is we are trying to donate a large amount of medical supplies from ORH to the socialized hospital and we have yet to get the government to give permission…all we need is a letter of acceptance. But in a day where everyone wants credit for the good and someone else to blame for problems... it's hard.

One blessing in the socialized hospital was tracts. Lisa and I brought in the chick tracts left by the last pastors and four of us handed them out in both wards. It was funny looking around seeing literally everyone, more than 100 people; nurses, patients, visitors, all reading tracts. Amen

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

So you like Socialized Care?

2007-06-09T21:04:00.000-05:00

Carlos is now in the socialized care hospital here in Choluteca. The papers stating the severity of the emergency from the pay hospital put him in the front of the line so to speak. He is scared but knows God is in control. While Omar was visiting today he led a man to Christ, who was severely burned in the bed next to Carlos …with Carlo’s help even in excruciating pain. It was Omar’s first time to witness. What a testimony. When the church folks arrived they would not let us in. We all had to sneak in 2 by 2. He was in a room with about 25 men in it with various sicknesses or problems, with no ventilation, only one open window. I went out and got hand sanitizer and told Carlos to rub it all over all the time….. They were supposed to get his sugar down but they forgot about him and did not give him the right meds. When the doctor arrived he had to possibly delay it till Monday. Carlos was in tears in pain. About a dozen church folks gathered around, held hands and began to pray. The whole room went silent and many bowed and prayed with us. After Carlos said the prayer made the pain and the worry subside. Amen. He shared not only did his car’s distributor get stolen, but he had a flat, his dog died and the police called about the smell and the birds eating it, bothering neighbors, plus the rabbit in his house had 5 babies, all since he got sick.

Omar and I are going to fix Carlos’ car as a surprise. It is a 30 year old Datsun he uses as a taxi to support his family but it is in sad shape.(he uses it much for ministry as some of you already know) The interior is bad, the windshield is so broken one can hardly see, needs tires, and now a distributor, and some rust repaired. If anyone is led to help in this or any of the many other unexpected expenses occurred as of late please listen to the Holy Spirit. I just keep going forward, letting my LORD worry about filling the tank…Amen!

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Sword & Trowel

2007-06-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

Sword and Trowel

Building walls and defending against attack…modern day version.
Wednesday night in church service, Carlos was getting sick during the preaching. By the time he got home his blood sugar hit 420 and was complaining of strong stomach pain. His wife Luz called in a panic and Omar and I went to take him to the hospital. He had taken his medication so the sugar level had gone down a little but he would not go to the hospital. He promised to see a doctor in the morning. So we left and Omar would check on him later. Barry Jr, Enemesio and I returned to work on the mountain church. About 5 pm Teo, our highest skilled laborer, blacked out and fell hitting his head on a rock, began vomiting and was incoherent. No one even saw him for a few minutes because he was working on the other side of the wall of the church. We rushed him down the mountain to the pay hospital, none felt it was wise to wait on the socialized care hospital. In route I got a panic call about Carlos and told them to take him to the same hospital and I would cover the costs. (Jesus said “the laboror is worthy of his hire”) You must pay as you go here no billing. (ie…you want this exam, medication, or diagnosis…pay first) Family, church and friends came to offer support and prayer. Both men in beds side by side on IV drips being monitored. The “good” pay hospital had no working blood sugar tester. Carlos’ tester had just quit and they felt he might have gallbladder attack too, but the sonogram also did not work. After a few hours of multiple meds, both men we better and released to return for testing later. Teo may have had a stroke, but was severely malnourished as well. The hard work in the rain for the last 2 weeks did not help. Carlos as a diabetic, polio victim living in a 3rd world country does not have the resources to monitor his blood as he should (Nor does he eat right). This morning it was confirmed he has gallbladder issues. Men and equipment often work beyond their limits in Honduras. While Carlos and his wife were in a store today for a few minutes, buying medication and waiting for results…someone stole his cars distributor. We went and used a tie down strap to tow it home. Welcome to Honduras….
Tonight he was given an emergency prescription for surgery and is fearful in this system. We need prayers for him. Once they get the sugar under control they will operate Sunday...

The Church of Christ Jesus the true God...

2007-06-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

We got enough building materials up the the mountian to finally begin construction. I helped lay out the foundation lines and Enemesio stayed all week to lay the foundation and will return Monday to continue work. Enemesio has walked a fine line laying the foundation for the ministry to be well received. Helping in situations no one else would/could. In the comunity to bring water, preaching house to house, teaching and witnessing. He wants to see his people, his birthplace saved and serve the LORD. Even the witch, the catholic priest, and Adventest pastor are now pleased a baptist church is growing there... The Bible says that when a man's ways please the LORD he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him....amen.

Friday we had another outreach in a different area working with Bro. Sabas and some of our church members. It is not a long trip but because of the rain, it was a very difficult passage up, having to lay rocks down and push the truck even in 4wd. Off road tires would help alot. The village was surprize to see us show up because they thought no one would come in these conditions. No one visits in good weather let alone bad. But I had promised Maria we would be there on friday...and we were. Made anouncements, shot off the candy cannon leaving a trail of smoke and more than 100 people came out to watch a movie. As the credits rolled ending the film, the rain returned with vengance. I began preaching in the rain. To our surprise eveyone stayed with more than 25 coming to ask Christ Jesus to save them, over half adults...amen! The trip down was so dangerous I had everyone get out and walk in the rain and mud. The truck kept sliding on the off camber rocks toward the cliff like it was on ice. The left front wheel found a small groove less than a foot from the edge. I was about to tie it off to a tree but with several men pushing and pulling we passed that area. Later Carlos humbled me with a comment that spoke volumes to me. "Barry I have been alot of places with you and said alot things preaching. This was the first time I was really scared. I must admit you live the truth you preach. " I said "Carlos was the LORD pleased tonight?" "Of Course Barry" "Then nothing else matters" Amen. Ask me in 1000 years was it worth it...

PRAYER REQUEST
We also made an offer on property behind our house that was accepted...now we just need to come up with it all.....ops, details in the LORD's Hands. The purpose will be for the church, Bible institute, school, feeding center and maybe a short term safe haven for abused families. As the LORD provides and breaks hearts....AAMEN!

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

A rescue mission a yard from hell

2007-05-28T10:52:00.000-05:00

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." -- C.T. Studd

What would it be like to live a yard from hell in a rescue mission? I was sitting outside last night talking to Carlos and watching the neighborhood. Doing what we could to help. A whirlwind of events took place around us, numerous things happening. Mariana (one of our newly saved ladies) rushed by without stopping, crying out, “I need to talk to you.” Two other women at the end of the street began fighting with knives over food. An 11 year old boy ran by with his mother chasing him, cursing and throwing rocks at him. Another lady was yelling at and chasing her older promiscuous teenage daughter with a stick, the girl laughing as she ran from her. Neydi and Suyapa walked over to talk about Neydi being sick and wanting to return living with us. Then Suyapa's drunk "man" stumbled by us, barely able to stand, staggering his way home. I looked at Suyapa and her grimace said it all. He returned a few minutes later heading back to the bar. Another drunk man about to pass out at our window, began undressing with 3 teenage boys hovering and watching, just waiting to rob him. Barry Jr chased them off before the police showed up and arrested yet another man in the liquor store for fighting. All the while working these issues, Carlos and I were talking about the property the mayor wants us to buy for the church…basically all the slum housing in an effort to improve the area. The world’s way of solving problems…move them elsewhere. Several folks came by to say the police arrested Mariana too, only to see her walk back a few moments later. She had been arguing with the man in the liquor store. She sat down next to us and began to cry and pour her heart out. She had just found out the man she was arguing with was in a relationship with her husband….aaaahhhh. Now she and her house need to be tested for aids, because of the extremely high percentage of those engaging in sodomy here also have aids…Some say more than 70 or 80%. Honduras has the highest rate of aids in the Americas. She also shared she needs to find a new job because since trusting the LORD she cannot in clear conscience work for the Liquor store owner. She made food there. This was bothering her before this, right now it is unbearable. We stopped and all prayed. I would love to turn the slums into a rescue mission…but the LORD must open some hearts and eyes because I cannot do it alone.

The property outside the city for an orphanage etc. was sold before we even looked at it. The man on the property lost it to the corprativa holding company who had already sold it. He was trying to sell it again and take off with the funds….Welcome to Honduras- wisdom is needed in everything here. The mayor suggested a property out of the city toward Nicaragua. So, Sunday we loaded up in the newly repaired Kia (Amen!) to go see it. It was one of the most beautiful properties we have seen here to date, something you would dream about owning…21 manzanas (36 acres) of every kind of fruit tree and coffee. Good water and sewage. A creek and a small adobe home right on the Pan- American Highway…problem? $50-60,000 short. We thanked the Mayors helper for showing it to us, and looked at one other property of 2 manzanas for $12,000 but it had no electric or water and was off the road a ways. So, for now, this idea is just a dream.

I talked with Enemensio this morning. The older lady(the village elder's wife in LosTerreros) we picked up in Tegucigalpa and brought to Choluteca a few weeks ago, passed away yesterday. But not before trusting Christ with Enemensio. Amen! The new truck is a blessing, taking supplies into the mountians, giving a dieing grandmother her last ride home or pulling out a stuck neighbor from the muddy street and handing out tracts...why? Added example: The elderly lady's family has asked Enemesio to preach at the funeral…they are all not saved. Now, they shall hear the truth. Amen. Tommorrow we will be taking building supplies to Los Tererros and Thursday sand and cement up to Agua Calliente on Friday doing an outreach up in the mountian in Fray Lassero. Pastor Santos and the church men finished the church roof and wants to do the Ormundo Bible Institute in Agua Callente with the men. AMEN!

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

"The best remedy for a sick church is to put it on a missionary diet." -- David Livingston

Candles, Cake & County Jail

2007-05-24T20:46:00.000-05:00

Pastor Bossley, Brother Wellington and Brother Ben are gone. I believe we wore them out. They had several opportunities to preach with more than 15 trusting Christ. The last day we went a saw the 70+ year old Lady Maria I led to Christ last year and she ran up to the truck hugged and kissed me. Loaded up the truck and bounced down the rocky path for the movie and preaching. The outreach brought 125+ folks in and the men fed them bananas and tracts. Several churches were blessed this week and many hearts touched. In all, it was a really good visit.

Several things have happened since. 2 properties have come up for sale; one for the church in Choluteca; the second 3.5 acres 15 kilometers outside the city for the orphanage/home/farm/ another church and ? It already has a well, electric and a 60x20 warehouse type building that the owner is living in. Ben had discussed manufacturing vitamins while visiting…Hmm, there’s a huge need. But the property is $20,000….always a catch. 19 of us loaded into the minivan we rented (our truck is being repaired Amen!) and went to view the property. All felt it would be perfect for ministry if God opens this door…

The church property in the city is $12,000 and crosses behind our home from street to street with a section down to the river. We have about ½ of the funds needed. The property we were renting from the bar was sold again. This is good news and bad… (Good) The new owner is going to build a house there, not a bar… (Bad) in 3 months…..So the church really needs a meeting location soon.

Below is just one reason for an orphanage/home/farm/ future church location out of the city….All the children need the freedom to go out and play without fear.

Example--Wednesday, Barry Jr. was outside our home riding his bicycle and 3 policemen stopped him. Officer Maradiaga reached and took his pocket knife and tried to take his bike with no explanation. Barry Jr. came in and told me the police just stole his knife. I went out with a camera and called to them but they laughed and kept walking. I told Barry Jr. to go take a picture of him to show to the police chief…He got too close, the next thing that happens is they beat him in the head and arrested him. Several church members saw it happen and rushed back to where I was. Peddling there on a borrowed kids bike, I got the camera back and tried to talk to them, by then they were mad and put him in a truck. I continued to take pictures and went to the police station. Within 15 minutes many from our church showed up to show support. The “posturing” and lies began, trying to intimidate us. When we called a local news reporter Carlos knows and a police commissioner in the capital Omar knows, things began to move in the right direction. I made it clear if I left the next call was to the embassy. They asked if I would sign a paper for his release. No problem as long as it has NO lies in it. They did not know what to do with someone who insisted on the truth because God demands it. The release paper went through several “revisions”. Till it finally said we are releasing him to his father because we find no fault in him…..They were looking for a way out because they knew they had beat and arrested an American minor for simply taking pictures…. Wisdom says it is good to move them out of the city.

Even with all this, Church that night was sweet, with a surprise birthday party for Lisa. The folks here have truly adopted us as their own. More than 60 people packed in our carport in the dark (power was out with a heavy downpour) for candle service, reading the bible and the ladies feeding everyone food and cake. In the USA it would be a nice thing to do…here with the money they do not have… it is a grandiose gesture of love….AAAmen. Keep us before the throne of grace we need every prayer.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

2007-05-19T08:37:00.000-05:00

The visiting men provided funds needed to retest the children this week.

For those of you who have been praying and following Alba and the rest of the children's story, you know what importance these negitave results are. We humbly thank each of you for prayers on her behalf, for our wonderful redeemer heard, and it availed much to His Glory. Amen.

If you do not know the story, look in the archives for November of last year to the right of the blog. Then pray and rejoice with us.
Thank You LORD!

ROLLED !

2007-05-18T10:34:00.000-05:00

Maiden voyage hauling church building materials up the mountains in the new truck…. And rolled it over! Thankfully no one was hurt. We had a American pastor and two of his church members with us as well as Jeny and Barry Jr. Everyone crawled out the passenger window and left our cameras inside. oops. Once unloaded, we all pushed it back on to its wheels, started it to check it, then reloaded part of the load and made the delivery. Think of driving up a very rocky creek bed and you’ll understand the “road” we were on. The left rear wheel was pushing hard on a rock that moved and the tire went into the rock’s hole and over it went. The joke the rest of the day was me looking for a scapegoat. Someone else to blame, to say it was their fault not mine. Tried blaming Jeny but she would not take blame. Instead returning a pointing finger “You Papi” with a giggle and smile. Finally I settled on… it was the American men’s wives back in the USA. Yup, if they had fattened up the men sitting on the right side of the truck it would not have rolled. But I kept thinking, I think Adam tried that too in the garden…Anyway.

The church was blessed and encouraged on the mountain. The men’s hearts were broken in what they saw with lots of tracts distributed. In eternal value the trip was easily worth it, in worldly value it will be a 2-3 thousand dollars in repairs. I really do not have to worry about the kids scratching it now….:)

We took all the children for AIDS and Hepatitis testing again Thursday. Because of their stories, we included Jeny and Neydi as well. Results will be a 3:00 today.. Need prayer.

We have an evangelistic outreach planned out of the city for Sat as well that needs prayer.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Our 3 Piñata Week

2007-05-13T22:18:00.000-05:00

One was a birthday party for Neydi. She had never had a real party and we asked her if she wanted to have one at school. So arrangements were made and we brought out a bounce house, cupcakes and piñata for her class. It was a really good time for all. Lisa found a cheap red bicycle as well that lit up her eyes to make it a day to remember. Neydi gave Lisa her first kiss and hug. Her walls are coming down. On mothers day Lisa wanted have a piñata just for moms after church. It was great, they all turned into little girls for a moment just to beat candy and prizes out of a paper lady. Even some of our great grandmothers swung a few times. Another church family made food for all, children made gifts and handed out flowers. I could not help thinking like a papa proud of his children…I believe the Lord was pleased.

Our voodoo circus is back and their presence affects the spirit in the neighborhood. We even had a black cat with a slit throat put on the church property. A lot of superstition here.

Our third piñata was Jeny. Ok not really but she is beat up like one. Lisa took several of the children on a bike ride Sunday and a car swerved and hit Jeny. She was unconscious for a short time. We got her to the Hospital for x-rays and set her dislocated shoulder thankfully, no broken bones. AMEN. She will be out of school for at least a week and is doing fine right now. What added to the panic is our new truck is broken (Starter?) so we had to rush to get the old one going to rush her to the pay hospital and call the doctor in (We have his cell phone). No 911 here. Keep her in prayer.

Karen also re-infested with parasites…why? We caught her and Sayder using straws to drink toilet water… eeww…. could use prayer too…

We leave at 5am to take the truck to the dealer tomorrow by 8 and hope it is done before we need to pick up pastors at the airport. Pray for their time here to be fruitful for Christ Jesus.

A sizable donation has been made from a ministering saint of our LORD. About 1/3 of what is needed for property. We have chosen to use it as seed money for church property which is a major encouragement to the church. The church folks have sacrificed and put over $1000 toward property as well. Still a long way to go though.

Directline Ministries is also accepting shoebox gifts to ship in a container for our ministry at Christmas. If you want to help or get your church involved please contact us--

britcompel@msn.com or Paul Deem through their website info www.directlineministry.com

Don’t wait till Christmas…

Issues and Baggage

2007-05-05T09:21:00.000-05:00

Issues and baggage from sin filled lives. The children we now have come from some very bad environments. It comes at no surprise that the sin nature they were born with was gorged and made fat. Therefore, will take some time to starve off and mortify it. Example, we have had a ongoing issue with theft over the months each dealt with appropriately and proportionally. Never the less returning, just more creative each time. Even church offerings disappeared. This week we may have crossed the tipping point for the good…finally. All the children have issue in this but Alba and Toño are key and where the most pressure was applied. After finding the last money hidden in a mattress and under a vase, and taped to the back of a drawer, We picked up Alba from school in the middle of classes and parked in front of child services to talk…ok preach. It was very open, two side and frank, lasting more than 7 hours. But the end result was glorious, for it is rare see a soul cry out for Jesus as Alba did. The closest example from the Bible is Mark 10:47 Bartimaeus healed. After praying there was a calm in her face that was missing before and while I was actually thinking this, she look at me and said “Papi, I’m not scared, that I'm living a lie anymore, thank you for loving me even when it hurts and no one else would.” I was stunned, and overjoyed at what I had seen take place. But the job was not done The Bible was opened to John 8:1-8, for this is a very appropriate passage in our discussion from every perspective. But ended with... go and sin no more…. Pray she has lost her baggage. AMEN!

Toño was a different matter, he did not humble under instruction, his heart was hard. He is every bit a small version of his father whom we helped put in jail; stealing, lying, even beating and threatening the girls in secret. He needed a shock lesson. I talked with child services and they agreed to the entire plan. They were to pick him up and put him in jail to await an opening in the juvenile institution. The police were also informed and emphasized their part. After a few hours he began to beg and plead to return to papi’s house till the police brought the child services back in to listen to him. He promised to obey, not abuse his sibling, nor lie or steal…if true it is a good start. The lawyer walked him to our house at 10:30 pm to ask if we would take him back. I said if he was repentant and asked for forgiveness and wanted to change the Bible says I have no choice but yes. He began to cry and jumped into my arms repeating over and over "I’m sorry papi"….In the days since returning he has shown a much more humble spirit. The road we travel may not paved or straight but pray it is going down hill now.. Amen.

On other news. The first of the funds have arrived to begin the church building in Los Tererros. We will be purchasing material on Monday and taking it up…in the new truck amen!

Also an offer to help replace the roof on the building for Pastor Santos’ church in Agua Caliente. That will be a major blessing as well. It will be ready when the doctors visit in July. Amen!

Pray, for our church still need a place to meet. Property, building.. something. Near 100 degrees under a tent is tough on anyone.

Suyapa and Neydi: Suyapa agreed to meet with Child Services about the danger to her and Neydi, and we made arrangements to do so Monday. But at 2am friday he was put in jail for abuse for trying to lite her on fire while she slept. We now will meet on Sunday. For safety, pray he stays in jail. Within our ministry we have numerous situations of women getting saved and wanting to do right but traped physically by force/threat or financially in dangerous situations. No welfare here. The formula is simple: no man, no work no eat, for them or their children. Pray for wisdom as we guide and help as our LORD Jesus would.
I often feel like I am chained to a tree on a beach watching people, friends and family drown just out of my reach. Lisa and I want to do more....Pray that we can reach them and our chains loosed.

Carlos our interpreter, friend, sunday school teacher, my right arm most of the time shared he led his wife Luz to the LORD a week ago. And he has seen a godly humility sprout forth as good fruit since. As he was telling me this he got a text message from her asking for permission to do something...I was amazed for 2 weeks ago that would not have happened.
Lives changed for eternity... what other work has that value?

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Thank You Lord for Your Goodness

2007-04-29T09:19:00.000-05:00

The Turners are gone and our roller coaster ride of life continues. Work abounds here but so do the blessings. Christ’s ministry here this week has rescued the perishing, help one who was half dead, been a house of refuge, given a cold drink of water, defended the faith, proclaimed the gospel, taught the children, fed, clothed and offered the Love of God to all who enter in.

Both Suyapas came to us after our family and home class to talk.
Suyapa2 (Marcio’s mom) shared her concern about Marcio and how wicked some of his friends are, making it difficult for him. Pressuring him to do what they do, in an area where it is possible 1 in every 5 has AIDS, … very dangerous situation. We need to find a way to move him and give his new Christian roots time to grow. I need wisdom and providence in this. After a long very frank sometimes pointed talk, a weeping Suyapa looked straight at me and said… "I have brought my son and parents here to hear the gospel and they all asked Jesus to save them…I too need Jesus to save me”. After a moment of shock, We prayed and she believed on Christ Jesus. The Spirit of the LORD is at work. Amen and amen.

Suyapa 1 came in after to talk about her situation and Neidi. She needed assurance our home could be her refuge. She is in a dangerous situation and the threats she is being pressured by are real and life here is cheap. Because of our stand and involvement, these threats will soon turn toward us, especially if we get the authorities involved, which seems likely. Neidi said she was willing to go through with it all but I am not convinced just yet. In some ways this will be harder because the family involved lives all around us here.

Pastor Santos walked 5.5 hours down the mountain to visit with us and ask if we had medication for his wife. She had a miscarriage up in the mountain a few days ago and was very weak. Lisa was able to give them what they needed and he went to town to get some supplies. I told him to come back and I would drive him back up. While he was gone I was talking to one of my old bus ministry workers about Santos, his church building and things here. He pop up and said he wanted to help put a roof on the church to encourage that ministry. When I told the pastor he was excited. So off we go. This trip is a real test for the new truck…it worked flawlessly climbed like a mule sometimes feeling like your going straight up. It scrapped bottom lightly a couple of times over rocks because we had 7 men sitting in it, and picked up more riders on the way up, so it now has its first scratch and we can quit worrying about getting one amen!.. Since we have a welder… time to “modify it” for a 20 year life in ministry here…Amen.

Thank you LORD for your goodness and wonderful works toward the children of men. Psalms 107

One of our babies in the ministry got malaria this week and we were able to treat her. A mom of one of our ladies needed to be rushed to the hospital. Sasha defended her faith once again with the mormons. 6 people raised there hands for salvation in the Wednesday service…more follow up. amen.
Taking the Turners to the Airport we found ourselves in the midst of a transportation strike. (the taxis and busses block all the roads). The national guard and national police were called out to break it up. It seemed peaceful and we finally made it, but the news at night showed them turning over a Taxi that would not move…Welcome to Honduras.

We have a truck !

2007-04-25T10:41:00.000-05:00

The Turners are here visiting to see what the LORD has for them in life. They are a 50 something couple willing to surrender to full time ministry, possibly in a 3rd world area. In just the first few limited days here their eyes have been opened to the differences in poverty, spiritual wickedness and love here compared to the USA. The same day the Turners arrived, Neidi came to stay with us for protection. Not sure if it will be a day, a week or years at this point as she begins to share her thoughts and fears and we work with her mom. Monday morning in prayer, Neidi shared the man in her home had raped her on several occasions, and he was not always drunk. She needs prayer as her mom looks for a safe place to live and work to support 3 children. Her mom cannot read or write so it will be hard. I would love to hire her to help in a feeding kitchen but for now that dream seems a long ways off, we do not even have a church property in the city yet and the need is now.

On Sunday we had 102 people show up for church under the tent in 97 degree heat. It is suppose to get to 106 degrees or higher this weekend. Not sure how much longer the tent will hold up as it has begun tearing at most stress points as the sun dries it out. Pray the door for property opens soon. The need is very great.

A Major praise and burden lifted!!!
We have a NEW 4x4 Kia diesel truck. The LORD provided the funds. A ministering saint called up and said how much more do you need to buy a truck? If you had the funds when would you buy one? Uh?…Tomorrow….Then go buy one we will pay the $9000+ balance. AMEN! We called the dealer and there was only one left in country till the next boat arrives and its now in our possession for our masters use…AAAMen! We hopped a bus to the capital and it was picked up Monday night and driving back down arriving home at 10:30pm. What do you do the first day you get a new vehicle? Get it dirty.... and climb a mountain and visit Los Tererros with Pastor Enemesio do visitation, visit school children, hand out candy and tracts, and check out the progress on the leveling of the land…finished and read for a foundation. Now we have a truck to bring up materials… God’s timing is perfect.

There are 2 major praises attached to this as well that affect other ministries in the USA. I would love to share them, but to honor the request for anonymity it is hard to share it all. Our LORD knows. Lets just say the folks that sacrificed in giving toward the vehicle…did just that, sacrificed and it had a ripple effect for glory and serventhood. We do see God’s hand in it all and it is wonderful.

There is a need to do some modifications yet to the truck so pray for this as well. (cage/ rack, seats in back and change the tires to off road type ect). All this makes it even more multifunctional. The children insisted we use the new truck on the first day to take them to school instead of stacking 15 kids in Carlo’s 4 passenger taxi….Kinda hard to deny them that.
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN
Thank you LORD for the hearts you placed in your servants. Please bless them as they have blessed us!

Unworthy Servants to a Worthy LORD and Saviour
The Ritchies

Sweet and Sour

2007-04-19T09:34:00.000-05:00

This week has been filled with sour heart wrenching things and trials, mixed moments of sweet glory for Christ too many to list on a post.

Example: We get our truck back with the absolute assurance it is ready to drive anywhere, I just smile. Lisa and I take it for a test drive to the Capital. 1 hour into the mountains (first time it has run more than 15 minutes!) it has used 1 qt oil, leaking radiator and no clutch. We turn around to try to make it back down and the rear end begins to howl and grind severely, but gets us home. Sitting in front of our house frustrated Omar’s little girl came over to the window to say hi. riding the bicycle Bary Jr rebuilt for her. We talk, then I ask how is it at home now. She replies Bien Bien (Good Good). I ask is it different now than a year ago. “oh Yes”…Why? …”Because Jesus is there now”…..Instantly the truck was a non issue, because we are here to work for the things that last forever.
You see last year, Omar was one of our passed out in the street neighborhood drunks who beat his wife…now has the eternal testimony of his daughter, and he and his wife are faithful members of the Cross Baptist Church. Amen.

We are sitting in our carport talking with Tono about stealing(A long hurtful story) when Miriam the lady who came forward for salvation in church 2 week ago stops in our gate to say thank you. She continues with a testimony; Since trusting Christ she is beginning to see things differently and she doesn’t understand why she wants to smile now….I was not about to burst her bubble and all I could do was say Amen.

Another new Christian, Suyapa (Niedy’s Mom) came over crying and asked if she could leave Neidy with us a few days for safety. Suyapa has been making some good but difficult choices since becoming a Christian. She was not going to allow her “man” to return to their home and knew it could get violent. They were never married and he is not the father. He is a drunk and a bad drug addict, a very wicked man who has already tried to rape Niedy. We added if Suyapa or the boys need a safe place they are welcome too. She began to give this testimony... Before coming to us that morning, mom and the young boys were walking back from town with this situation heavy on their hearts. One of her boys saw the beautiful newly refurbished old catholic church (A historical site here) and said…mom can we go in and pray? I had just taught it did not matter where you pray but your heart condition is what God hears. She entered to find no one. The young boys sat in a pew and began to pray. A man appeared, put his hand on their shoulder and said “The Lord is with you”. Suyapa quickly looked up yet he was gone. She then came to us to talk. I will let your mind contemplate this, but I am sure many of you will have the same thoughts I had.

The photo is Neidy and our girls in dresses that arrived this week, made by a ministering saint in the USA.

We need much prayer, situations we deal with here are dangerous in many ways.
Working with 3rd world poor and severely abused children and adults creates all kinds of issues most people never even think about… We work without a net so to speak.

As servants of Christ Jesus, we are willing to give our lives away…
for the things that last forever and things that never die.

The Ritchies
britcompel@msn.com email
603-397-0606 Internet phone for USA users

What can you do but Laugh?

2007-04-11T08:33:00.000-05:00

Funny story about the children this week... a slight discipline problem. Not putting dirty clothes out to be cleaned kind of thing and mixing clean with peed right after they have been cleaned. All they have to do is put their dirty clothes in front of the washer…not under the mattress, not in the dressers, not on the floor ect.
So, Lisa had all the children wash their own clothes the way they used to; on a wash board in a 5 gal bucket. Julie was in the 3'x5'girls bathroom doing her laundry then Lisa heard the shower and went to look why? When Lisa opened the door, Julie was almost up to her neck standing in suds. She had used a 1/2 gal. of the new shampoo just purchased in the capital to wash 1 skirt. The whole bathroom was full and poured into the hall. Lisa acted upset, but had to rush to the bedroom to laugh and compose herself before the kids saw her....Some moments your too busy laughing to catch them on film.
Psalms 126 is true in many forms...Amen.
Unworthy
Barry

Danger Comes In Many Forms

2007-04-08T10:06:00.000-05:00

Dan Asher visited to see about helping build a structure in Los Tererros for a church. Like everything in Honduras it takes twice the effort to do things. He wanted to rent a 4x4 be able to get there, but this being a huge holiday week here things are either busy or closed. We had to rent the truck for a week because they would be closed the rest of the time…that was after we found someone with one available.
So we take a bus for 3 hours to the capital pick up the truck on Monday. I took Toño and Barry Jr, about 2hours in on the mountain curves Tono stunk up the bus which triggered other passengers who also vomited. Return home then drive back tues to wait all day for a plane that never arrives. Return home to find Dan stuck in Houston. Return Wednesday pick up Dan and make it back in time for church, Enemesio preached and the lady Sasha has been witnessing to who studies with the Mormons came forward for salvation, Amen. The next morning head to Los Terreros to see the property. Since we had a 4x4 also decided to visit the witch doctor. Steep dangerous drive but found a fairly good welcome and a breath taking mountain top view. First Americans to visit her home. Carlos chose to wait in the car and said with humor and a little seriousness “Barry whatever you do don’t eat or drink anything here, I need you healthy to drive me back down…I have a wife and child you know!” So what happens… she offers a homemade concoction to Enemesio, myself and Dan. I sniffed.. it smelled old and slightly fermented… must be safe (read Mark 16:18). Then look at Enemesio, he shrugged his shoulders we smiled said amen and drank it. Dan on the other hand was like a cat trying to get out of a cold bathtub of water, back peddling as fast as he could with multiple excuses why he could not. We left her and her family with snacks, cold water, bibles and gospel tracts. It made a strong impact. Not sure if she will burn the Bibles on the altar she had in her home but some were paging through them as we left.

We also went to Aguas Callente (different mountian) to leave Bibles, tracts, and some food for Pastor Santos, Cynthia and Angel. Everyone was very nervous when I had to turn around on a path and teetering the truck on 2 wheels. Dan and Enemsio hung over the side for weight to keep it down. I used to do this for fun in the USA now its all in a days work for missions. Friday drop Dan at the Airport for yet another long dangerous drive back home. Monday we do it again to return the truck. In all we went through near 100 police check points, drove 25 hours on paved and about 10 hours on mountain paths, saw a dozen bad wrecks. One was a fuel tanker overturned and leaking on the mountain.

A photo taken by Dan

Saturday I took the older children up the mountain to honor a promise I made to Alba. I had said when we were able I would take her to see her grandmother. With the new rented 4x4 we were able to reach where she was. It was a sweet visit for Alba, Toño and Julie with some tears of joy. When the truck goes back Monday I am hoping they do not inspect it real close mechanically and we get our $1000 deposit back. It has a lot of noises in the suspension it did not start out with but not a scratch on it. :) Welcome to Honduras....

Sunday Easter services were packed. Lisa had the idea to make a passover meal for the church to teach about the last supper, death, burial and resurection of our LORD Jesus Christ. It went very well. Thank you Lord.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie
britcompel@msn.com

Please to remember to pray for a vehicle, church property or meeting place, Safety, Health and Souls....

Battling Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

2007-04-01T19:06:00.000-05:00

Battling spiritual wickedness in high places continually,… leaves you fatigued, and your armor in constant need of inspection, repair and upkeep. Thankfully our rest is in the LORD.
This week in Honduras many wonderful things happened preceded by many efforts to thwart each one, some succeeded some did not. Baptisms have been a topic as of late with Sunday scheduled for a river baptism service. Iris came to me and asked to be baptized, after a lengthy talk I could find no reason not to, for I felt she had trusted Christ. In Wednesday service I picked her up in my arms as an illustration of Jesus saying "suffer the little children to come unto me". It was a touching moment as she shared with all her testamony. But this must have set off spiritual wickedness alarms, for heart wrenching events following the next 2 days. And made it so that Iris and her sister Bessy are no longer with us. I can only hope the little light that has been lit will burn bright and God will not only protect her in the wicked environment she will enter, but use her to save others.

Thursday was a surprise birthday for Carlos. We trucked 73 folks from our church to his house in 4 trips with a truck we borrowed from the mechanic at the last moment. A sweet time of preaching, fellowship and Honduran chop suey. Since we had the mechanics truck we held it ransom until ours was done. Amazing, it came back quick, but it is still not right and wont make a trip out of the city.

Sunday arrives and set up church on the river at 6am for a 10 am service. 60+ church folks show up for special baptism services. We shuttled them to the river in the datsun. It took 7 trips including tents and stuff, a lot of work but…. 14 were baptized! AMEN! Folks brought food to share, we brought a homebuilt barbeque and Lisa fed many. And the church was like a big family for about 6 hours.

If you seek to please the LORD Jesus Christ in all things, spiritual wickedness will seek every opportunity to damage, delay and discourage you.
PLEASE keep us in prayer!
Current prayer requests, Church property, vehicle, safety and health, souls...and spend a little extra time for Iris and Bessy....

Unworthy Servants to a Wonderful Worthy Saviour
Barry & Lisa Ritchie

Where did you bank today?...

2007-03-29T12:45:00.000-05:00

Where did you bank today?...

For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also...

Needless to Say....

2007-03-25T21:34:00.000-05:00

Another week has passed busily waiting on the LORD to return. Amen.

Church services this week were full, (Standing room only on Sunday) and fruitful. The discipleship classes have at least 15-20 adults expected for baptism next week in our riverside service. Suyapa’s elderly mom trusted the LORD last week and her father did this week…amen! Several people in the neighborhood are now coming to ask for prayer and council.
The property the mayor said “buy quick”… sold this week… someone else learned about it too. No one looks at these properties for 8 years till we show an interest, then poof gone. Still desperately need a place to meet for church, not sure of the LORD’s plan. Needless to say we need prayer

Our 1968 Datsun came back from the mechanic Friday. Only 3 months being repaired…and did not make it around the city 1 time before something went wrong. It’s going back Monday to be fixed. The donated funds for a vehicle have cleared so we are looking for a used vehicle that can carry us in our price range but have found nothing in the papers from the capitol and nothing here as yet. Needless to say we need prayer…

We took Iris and Bessy to the court psychologist this week. Did not go as well as we wanted, actually some things we heard were quite disturbing. We are not part of the other events in their family, but it sheds light on the battles we face. They have decided to not remove the older sister(15) from her environment. The judge’s words “She is already in ‘that’ business now and wants to stay, so why bang our heads and waste time end energy on her”. And he is considering letting Bessy and Iris go back because the psychologist was not convinced, and thinks Bessy’s statement she heard the mom say to a client, (You can do what you want with the bigger one but don’t touch the baby) was about the 15 year old not Iris. ???What??? This makes it ok? Then the psychologist began arguing with the child service lawyer… Doesn't selling your kids for $$ to go to the USA factor in here? The Bible says in the last days people will be without natural afffection...Even so LORD come quickly. Needless to say we need prayer that someone has wisdom.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Roller Coaster Ride of Missions

2007-03-19T15:40:00.000-05:00

The roller coaster ride of mission work. The thing about roller coasters is the rider controls nothing except sometimes the appearance of hanging on. As with working for the LORD, once committed your no longer in control. This week is a perfect example, Monday, we are getting the children off to school, at 6:30am we get a call from Ihnfa. The judge is investigating a complaint we are not schooling the children, and is sending court employees to the school to investigate. ??? The red flag goes up and it becomes obvious he is making decisions not knowing all the facts. Lisa and I go to the Judges chambers to see if we can visit him when he comes in at 8am. He allows us all the time we need and it is a very productive talk for both of us. His investigation (which he did not authorize… another issue) works to our benefit. Plus he learns things about the children that no one has shared with him to this point. He suggested we need to talk to the mayor about one of the situations. At the conclusion his comment was “There is no place better or safer for the children than with you.” Amen...on to a smooth stretch...maybe.

We left and went to meet with the mayor. He was also gracious and allowed us all the time we needed, but seemed to know we would come to see him. We discussed the medical donation paperwork, the dangerous situation of city employee's threats with gun, even garbage service(Which he fixed in 2 hours). After he said, "I also hear your looking for property to build a church on". Another red flag goes up (How does he know?) He then confides the first property we looked at a few months ago for $12,000 was the best option if we could afford it soon. Reason? He has approved and was including that street in a city beautification project next year and the price would double if we did not buy it soon. New fancy street, new fancy lights and brick arches over the street on the block just like around the old historic Catholic church. Perfect for a church project all free from the city…As if the need was not enough... Now I am in a quandary.

Some money for a vehicle has been donated for just that, a vehicle, which, like property, is desperately needed. We have not yet found a vehicle in this price yet. So a fleeting thought on the rollercoaster...Use the vehicle funds for property. But if we asked all donors and used it for other than the reason it was donated for, I feel we would betray a trust of all the hard work and sacrifice of those involved. I know all would say yes, but I could not ask again for funds for a vehicle....So we trust in the LORD. Now the other curve on the rollercoaster, the other side is our church folks. If we buy a vehicle during this exact time it will look improper unless a place to meet is secured… Again all would agree..all things are lawful but not convienent on this rollercoaster.

As for church services this week. In a word…Wonderful. Wend. night Suyapa’s mom trusted Christ Jesus as Saviour. Our Karen (6) even joined in and we are working with her. Sunday I had Aldofo preach…I was nervous about it, but he did great! He was saved when Dr Waller was here. His message was on faith baptism and the need for a strong church in our area…. perfect.

Just Beautiful… Thank You LORD!

Planing a River Baptism service in April for many are wanting.

After church Lisa put out clothes, gathered and left over from buying used clothes bundles for our children (we must buy in bulk now)…100lbs of clothes disappeared in 3minutes.

One other strange event: A pastor from a Florida church came and visited for 5 minutes then left for other business. He had promised to support us, but told me on the day I left to the field of Honduras he was not going to. The visit was nice and sweet but confusing to say the least, a long way to go unannounced and for a handshake and hug.

LORD, We want to do all you will allow….until we are spent….

In the rollercoaster ride of missions…only looking like I am hanging on.

Unworthy Servant to a Wonderful Saviour
Barry

Los Tererros

2007-03-11T17:20:00.000-05:00

Pastor Enemesio had a big event planned for the mountain village of Los Tererros. He is really making inroads to an otherwise very closed community. He helped get water to the village, has gone door to door feeding the hungry and chose to have a big event this past Saturday and feed near 200 people. We rented a truck and brought up the bounce house, candy cannon and a gospel movie Generator ect. Our children had to show them how to play in the bounce...What is it? It didnt take 30 seconds after that. Enemesio has seen numerous salvations this far. With a church building it will sprout.

The truck could not make the return trip so we had to ask the only other person available with a truck to take us back down…He was also the man who told, even threatened, everyone not to sell property to us. I think the LORD has a sense of humor in my humility because there is always irony…never the less for a fee he would. Thankfully our children sang all the way down the mountain.

One man who accepted Christ when we were preaching in the prison is now out. He heard we were going to be in Los Tererros and walked 3 hours from another town to thank us for helping his family and play his accordion. I did not know what to say, except pray.
Enemesio has begun clearing and leveling the property and it looks almost ready for construction.

The Bibles are being distributed; School kids in our ministry are taking them to school and sharing them. So far more than 10,000 J/R have been passed out. Daisy an older teen newly saved, and in Sasha’s Girls class took a lot of criticism in the college for passing them out…but asked for more. Amen! The School where the children go also Asked Sasha to work there and help teach…She is going Monday to see what it is all about.

Below is a letter I sent to a good friend and pastor I think it shares our hearts….

Hello Bro,You mention you had been studying/teaching about the Kingdom of God. I would like to share my glimpse. Where for a moment God allowed me to focus clearly enough spiritually to see…

Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

To know the kingdom of God is to wake at 5am to pray with a quiver full of God’s children rescued from the vilest grip of sin in this world. As I sit on our couch, Alba leans over and lays her head on my chest; Tono sits on the floor with his arm over my knee and head on his arm; Julie mirrors her sister on the other side. Then Sayder crawls up the back to lay straddled on my neck like a shepherd with a wounded lamb. This morning is after each poured out the filth in their hearts the night before… they truly are God’s wounded lambs. Each one has trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour since coming here and now have an eternity of blessings. Each prayed and cried. Alba hugged tightly and lifted her other hand straining as if to touch our LORD…And he was not far. I began to pray holding their hands. All words prayed were heard…for such is the kingdom of God.

Last Sunday after our dangerous and disastrous day the children gathered around to pray. I was holding Julie and Iris in my arms. Isis prayed for Lisa and me, the rest of the children, then asked for her mom to be saved. As I prayed I began to weep and the children began touching my tears and putting them on their faces…which brought more tears. At the conclusion they all hugged us as a group….for such is the kingdom of God.

Another night Jeny needed to vomit more information and say she was having bad dreams. When done she crawled up on my chest and I held her as a baby. She began to pray, after I prayed for 2-3 minutes when I opened my eyes to see she had fallen asleep in my arms…for such is the kingdom of God.

Alba came to me also having bad memories and dreams. She also shared she tried to commit suicide 2 years ago. She was bothered not knowing if the man who caused her pain was her father. The Holy Spirit gave verses, words and comfort. I told her she was my gift from the LORD to fill a hole I have in my heart. I asked, “Would he save you from drowning in the river if he thought it would cost him his life?” With her head lowered she whispered no. I lifted her chin and said “I would” She began to weep profusely. “Does that make me your dad? She nodded yes. She made the statement she had suffered a lot. I said no, the world says you have suffered. The LORD is in control and knows everything. He allowed the things to happen for it was the only way to break your heart and draw you to him. Your whole family is extremely hard hearted and wicked. Something harder than your heart had to be used to break it, she agreed. I then gave an illustration of 2 women. One born in the USA and lived a wonderful life, never had a care, spent her whole life focused on her family, but never had time for God. At 80 years old she dies with all her family gathered around and opens her eyes in hell. The second born in Choluteca, never wanted since birth, abused beaten taken advantage of never given anything never loved. At 30 she is in the hospital dieing of aids when a man shares a crumpled dirty gospel tract with her. She trusts Jesus and dies only to open her eyes to see Jesus.I asked Alba, which lady had the better life….she answered the second one. She leaned forward hugged me weeping and said thank you for being my dad. I love you….for such is the kingdom of God… Where we cry Abba…..Romans 8 Amen!

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry

Bibles and Blessing !

2007-03-09T09:05:00.000-06:00

I have been pondering what to say about this week on the blog. We have put much information out of a negative sort as late, by email and blog, always in need of prayer. And this week started no different. It will suffice to say it got much worse Sunday to the point of endangering the family, before it got better. If the LORD urges you to pray for this and you want details, please call me at 603-397-0606(USA internet line) and I will gladly share it with you to pray….we do need it.

But much has also happened to rejoice about.
1st-A Church.
Some men in the USA committed to come and help Enemesio build a church building on the mountain. If anyone is led to help and pray in some way, please do. The goal is to have a working structure before the Doctors arrive in July.

2nd-The scriptures arrived!
Bibles, J/R, Tracts ect. Much of the church showed up to help unload it. And we distributed 4-6000 J/R before the truck even left. The pictures speak volumes. Typical for Honduras; As the truck was leaving to deliver, we got a call..."We need $371 more dollars for fees or we cannot deliver it." (interpreted "We just learned your American"). We went to the bank and got what we were able, borrowed from Carlos, paid and got it here. AMEN!

3rd- Our Resident Visas arrived!
I shared with our congregation Wednesday about Enemesio, and got amens. Shared about the bibles, got amens, smiles and volunteers. Shared about our visas and that we were permanent Hondurans now. And they began to clap, cheer, smile and say amen over and over…it choked us up for I never saw it coming. Carlos joking said we could only return to the USA if we hired a coyote and swam the Rio Grand and everyone laughed. The church services of late have been sweet, humbling and many are beginning to grow. Pray this continues. It still amazes me God is willing to flow his perfect water of life through my decrepit dirty pipes…But God has chosen the simple to confound the wise. I would rather wash the dirty feet of our poor congregation with little to show, than live in the richest mansion in the USA…

We are still working on getting the President of Honduras to authorized the US military to bring in 6 or more trucks loads of medical supplies donated for the local hospital. This needs prayer for if you closely watch the news our current president here is a friend of Noriega (Former Dictator now new Pres of Nicaragua(Iran/Contra war) and Chavez of Venezuela). And is beginning to follow their advice and turn against the US. Need prayers on many fronts.

Pressing Needs
*Church Property in City.. We desperately need a place to meet.
*Vehicle
*Support. A few churches are discussing taking us on even though we have never visited them soley by the recommendation of members, friends, and other pastors. This we truly need for our travel is limited with 10 children we cannot leave Honduras with. Nor do I think it wise to leave Lisa here alone.
*Housing/orphanage…The children need a safe larger environment. After the past Sunday, even more evident.

Unworthy servants to a Worthy Saviour
The Ritchies

Compassion making a difference...

2007-03-01T07:22:00.000-06:00

This is an email we sent out to those who pray for us and chose to post. It gives light to the last post and the Nov 9th, 2006 post. And of some have compassion making a difference...

Another problem this week, it began in school; a rumor that girls had been abused....and one girl told another and...then back to ours. You get the Idea. When they came home all were crying. I feared something like this would happen. (Discretion here is rare). It underscores our need for a school. We dealt with that issue, but the whole rest of the day was problem filled. Chasing container paperwork that was mailed to the wrong place, Scriptures at port tomorrow, more problems with our truck motor still not done(only 2 months), Carlos taxi broke down before picking up the kids, where to meet for church, Our tent tore taking it down in a place making it unusable, Locating someone to repair it, finances and much more.

The end of the day Lisa an I were talking with Julie(8) and Iris(8). Iris was in tears talking about how the words in school hurt, then began showing her scars from being beaten by her grandmother and mom(more new information), when Julie suddenly opened another volume to the mountain of abuse in her family. We had hints of some, but never confirmed. Karen(5) was raped, (the others finally revealed it) By the grandfather as well as the father and so was Julie. Karen for a year, Julie for 2-3 years. They had seen them rape numerous little girls and women in the barrio as well. Ad to that she shared Alba was also sold to men and teens as young as 13-14 for a beer or cigarette by her mother...even more so than her father. Now it’s known the reason her mother changed her mind and wanted her back home last year, after she came to stay with us for a short time, before Christmas… No beer/Cig money (Can I scream now) Alba came in and openly shared more info never before discussed with anyone. When asked did it happen 1-2 times?…no, 10-20 times?, no, 100s of times in the last 5 years.(not including all what her father did who is now locked up for 20 + years) Alba opened up even more and finally allowed some very difficult questions and lots and lots of weeping. She did a lot of healing last night. The reason she did not want to tell me is she had, in a small way, come to like it and was very confused and ashamed why. We had seen this in her but she never shared it till last night...After was a long discussion and loving teaching time, though it was on issues I would rather live my whole life and not ever mention. The LORD again gave wisdom beyond my ability and allowed illustrations that revealed and taught and soothed much. Cutting the filth from the good with the skill of a surgeon, way beyond the skill of a mechanic that uses a hammer like me. She went to bed after giving and receiving tight hugs, smiling and giggling. A far cry from when we began. Amen
The LORD can and does heal. Even a broken spirit 12 year old little girl who was diagnosed with AIDS and HepC, who no one wanted or was willing to care for.....but us, by Gods Grace.

I was not able to sleep because of these issues and prayed instead. Not sure to reopen this mess with the authorities, or if the authorities would even do anything. They did nothing previously (even though they knew about it). That is, until we stepped in. It took $$ last time to get them to act, and cost a small fortune. I paid for everything last time; testing and forensics, doctors, court cost ect. I even had to paid for the police and lawyer’s cell phones and to top that they wanted gas for the police truck to arrest the father. It was only because we sold our cargo trailer in the USA a week before this exploded we were able to do what we did.

We have no desire to inflict more pain on the children as this would do, nor spend more money on this. And the children ARE and feel safe. We woke the girls early this morning to pray with them…it was a very sweet time. The boys wandered in about 10 minutes later to also pray before breakfast.

Not sure how LONG a holy and righteous God will hold his wrath and return, but when one of his 12 year old children’s only vision of love and worth, is to be raped, abused, used and literally tortured repeatedly. Then begins to desire it because it is the only affection she has known; And her younger sisters following close behind... it can’t be long for many verses come to mind.

Very Unworthy to serve the LORD. Thank you for placing us at such a time as this.
Barry Ritchie

Because God is Good

2007-02-25T09:39:00.000-06:00

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....

2007-02-23T09:26:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-21T08:21:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-19T11:57:00.000-06:00

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 !

2007-02-15T10:42:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-11T16:05:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-05T16:07:00.000-06:00

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

2007-02-01T14:18:00.000-06:00

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

Random Shots

2007-01-31T13:43:00.000-06:00

Click to enlarge, Find out if the LORD allows you to see what we see....

Beds, Books n Bouncing

2007-01-30T10:34:00.000-06:00

Finally, the girls are sleeping in beds. Up till now they have all been sleeping on the floor. The six bed bunkbed princes’ castle is complete and in use, needs just little more paint and shudders installed. Plus the young boys bedroom/jungle is finished painted and lit. Complete with a rope ladder to the ceiling hideout with periscope and a swing in the middle of the room. For the first time in their lives, every child has a bed of their own.

Yesterday began the process of putting them all in school. Registering them produced a huge list of needs. Example; Having to have made at least 2 uniforms for each of them, thats 60 yards of material to start, 20 pairs of shoes (dress/ athletic) alone are near $400. We have not even priced all the books yet….and it all must be done in 2 weeks. Prayerfully in the future we will have them in our school, but we need a church building first.
We also took the youth from the church out to the river for time riding the go-cart. None knew what it was till we got there, but all enjoyed the adventure and want to do it again.

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

The Battles We Face...

2007-01-24T18:36:00.000-06:00

The Battles we face here in Honduras are pale compared to the world stage, but of no less importance to the ones we minister to. Sunday was a good example of the complexity. After wonderful outreaches with the Wallers, our attendance was down. This seems to be a pattern here; big outreach followed by light church attendance, thankfully it all evens out eventually. For the first time the policeman Santos came Sunday with his daughter Mayra whom we helped last year. He trusted the LORD in the service, Amen. Yet, just before church a lady showed up yelling at our boys. Alba (whom hid trembling back in the house) told me it was her father’s girlfriend. The lady took off when I went out, only to return to our house after church and yell in the windows at the girls. I was next door visiting a man when I found out; Located where she lived, and confronted her.
In the last few weeks we have had numerous people (family members/friends of the children’s parents) come by and disturbed the house. Jeny’s mom picks up her clients just 3 blocks away. The Wallers witnessed these disturbances in part with Iris and Bessy, how it emotionally wounds the children and sets back progress we make. It just punctuates the need to house the children out of the city where we can let them out of the house without fear. (Jeny was abducted last year)We also need to school 10 or more Honduran children. The Corp papers make us legally allowed to do so, but the process to become a qualified school may take a year, plus more money which is already over stretched. We must have an approved school building (like a church building) and state certified teachers. Not keen on paying to put them in the public/catholic school system nor the private “Christian” school that is not like minded… but is the lesser of two evils.

We have had several sweet times this week. Jeny came to me scared this morning thinking someone was going to take her away. After talking, reassurance and prayer she left with a big hug and smiling.
Alba attempted to lead Iris and several others to the LORD. She did very well. She also is beginning to take the lead spiritually in her bedroom, like praying with Bessy after Bessy said some bad words. This is needful for when Sasha goes to college. Lots of rough edges yet, but blessings abound. We finally found Alba’s birth certificate. It was hard because her birthplace, date, name are different than she knows and her father is not listed. When we showed her it that night and she began to weep, all she knew and was told had been a lie. She then leaned over with tear filled eyes, hugged me and whispered in my ear “thank you for being my dad”…..I am glad she asked for nothing at that moment because I would have been overwhelmed and compelled to do it.

Unworthy But Willing
Barry Ritchie

Our current major needs list:
Church Building/property for La Cruz Baptist church (May also double as school)
In March the church may no longer have a place to meet…
Vehicle
Schooling for 12-20 Honduran children (10 permanently in our care.) Our school year is Feb-Nov
Place to raise/house children…ie an orphanage/farm outside the city influences.
Church building in Los Terreros

Bump bump bump up the mountian

2007-01-17T15:53:00.000-06:00

The week with the Wallers is drawing to a close and everyone is tired, sore, but well spent for the LORD. We took Dr Waller and his wife to 3 villages; Corpus, Los Terreros and Agua Caliente all in one day with the vintage military 4x4 the gold mine loaned us for the day. Few vehicles could accomplish that. The good Doctor made a few house calls and scouted for a medical team to come down in July. In all we saw 20 souls ask Christ to save them this week. All were adults, including Adam, our unimog driver from the mine. After we were done he confided he had been praying for 2 months for this. Amen! We also saw the church property on the mountain purchased back in February. For $3-5000 a church building could be built there, and the newborn church would blossom and have a place for the medical team to come and work. Sin abounds everywhere, one boy was burned for discipline (Dr Waller said he will lose movment of fingers) another had accident with a machete, many with parasites and hunger... the list goes on

LORD, When Saw We Thee?

Unworthy but willing
Barry Ritchie

"The lowest station in the Lord's house is better than the highest position among the godless. To bear burdens and open doors for the Lord is more honor than to reign among the wicked. Every man has his choice, and this is ours. God's worst is better than the devil's best."
— Charles H. Spurgeon

For The Sake Of The Gospel

2007-01-15T07:06:00.000-06:00

1 Cor 9:22-23 …I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake…

The Waller Family has been a tremendous blessing visiting here. Their ministry is one of the most effective and helpful Gospel tools I have ever seen. Dr Waller is a surgeon who surrendered his practice to work full time in 3rd world ministry. Both Carlos and I have witnessed and been a part of other medical outreaches in the past, but none have worked this effectively in medicine and for souls. Nurse Linda and Dr Waller have diagnosed and helped some very sick people with meningitis, epilepsy, heart problems, aids, hernias, diabetics and more. I can already see the makings of a great missionary in their son Tim, serving people water, food and tracts, running errands allowing mom and dad to stay focused. I had a preacher tell me once kids take energy away from ministry…well I could not do, or be effective in ministry without ours, as many of you whom we visited on deputation know. Yesterday the outreach was set up to see 50 people. Our church folks were given tickets to use or give away for those sick to see the doctor. Each person came and checked in to fill out their paperwork, then saw Linda for preliminary workup. When she got a group of 10 they went to see the preacher first for spiritual medicine.(all sickness has a root in sin somewhere, for sickness began in the garden of Eden) I invited Ramon to preach 4 Gospel messages and saw 6 visiting adults accept the LORD this way. They sit in the waiting room with others working the Gospel and finally the Doctor is also a soul winner, 5 more were won this way. This is just a taste of what they plan to do in July, I am looking forward to working with them again. The Wallers were still smiling after a non-stop 12 hour work day with only one 10 min break to eat. Then repeated it all again the following day, for 6 more souls and 30 people treated after church. These Christians are sold out for the “Gospel’s sake.” Tuesday the gold mine has loaned us their military surplus unimog to go into the mountain to survey for July. The plan is to visit a few people the pastors know need help and increase the response for the later trip.

A Day in the Life...

2007-01-12T22:06:00.000-06:00

I asked Linda to write anything for the Blog she wanted. Greg, Linda and their son Tim are full time medical doctor/missionaries and friends from the USA here to survey for a July medical trip. I will write about them later, for now here is Linda's first few days here.

How do I describe a day in the life of the Ritchies? Our trip began in Honduras with a beautiful drive through the mountains, clear streams, green vistas, blue skies. When we arrived we were greeted with many hugs and words of welcome from 10 (yes 10) of the cutest little kids we had ever seen.
One day we went to see a 98 yr old lady for stomach pains and ended up having a “mini” clinic. After the clinic we drove to the Mayor’s office where Greg was able to obtain letters of permission for a clinic later in the year. We were hot, tired and sticky. What happens when you arrive home and little boy named Christian comes up, gives you a giant bear hug and hangs on around your neck? You’re not tired anymore. You are not hot anymore and the kids don’t care if you’re sticky!
Fixing a meal is in itself an adventure when you are used to cooking for 3 and all of a sudden you find yourself helping to cook for 17! Five pounds of potatoes will last quite a while at my house but I cut up that many for just one meal here! Yet, once again, when you see the little faces enjoying a satisfying meal and asking for more you know you could easily cut up another 5 lbs with no problem at all.
The children here at Casa de luz para los ninos are well cared for; food, shelter, etc. but let me tell you the most important ingredient I saw here. The children are well loved here. It is not unusual to be stopped mid stride for a hug from a child that didn’t receive to many before coming here but has learned that Poppi and Mommi are never to busy for hugs! Sasha and Barry Jr. are more than “caregivers” they are big brother and big sister. The kids love them as their own family.
I have had the privilege of being with the Ritchie’s this week and I can tell you that even though I have traveled to 3 continents and dozens of countries, none of the missionaries have touched me like these have. If you have not had the joy of getting one of Ericson’s hugs or your hair fixed by Jeny, then all the girls...at the same time, then make plans to visit the Ritchie’s and experience a blessing like only Casa de luz can give!
Linda

The Adventure Continues In Honduras

2007-01-08T22:35:00.000-06:00

Iris 8 and Bessy 5 are now here! The surprise call came about 1pm from child services. After the meeting in November we thought that door closed and went on. Come to find out, the Judge was fed up and terminated working with the family when the parents said they do not want the children nor do relatives. It breaks your heart but the Bible says in the last days people will be without natural affection, here it is first hand. The authorities dropped them off about 2pm (We do not have a working vehicle yet ) The girls arrived scared, sick, without anything, so Lisa took them to the market and picked up a few items, medicine, shoes, under garments ect. Lots of healing to do and these girls, unlike the rest, do not fully understand why they are here or the danger they were in.(The mother tried to sell them to men but was caught). The children here welcomed them in as sisters, which helps greatly. We talked with them all before they arrived. When I asked Alba if she would mind a couple of more sisters, she said “great, I want 1000”. Whoa... gotta draw the line somewhere. It’s going to be hard enough to supply the needs for the 14 in our house now… Need a few more prayers and a few more answers to prayer.

The photo is of our children watching a tape and eating popcorn, just before bed this evening. After this day, a time of bonding and laughter was greatly needed, and provided… Amen. Thank You LORD.

Adding to the confusion of the day. At suppertime many people gathered outside our house. About 200 feet down the street one of the local drunks apparently overdosed and died in the street and was almost hit by a taxi. His name was Homer, he fathered a 7yr old little girl Carolina in Lisa’s SS class.(neither parent attends) She was crying at our door alone when we looked out. I told Sasha to get a stuffed animal to give her and pray with her. It was a bitter sweet time for Sasha, She is truly learning how to minister. Carolina’s mom and sisters jumped into a taxi to follow Homer to the Hospital and left her alone. One of our church ladies came and offered to take her till the mom came back.

One more note; Our oldest daughter Corinna had a baby boy Jan 5th named James Thomas Gwynn, That makes us grandparents…again.

Thank you All
Unworthy Servants to a Worthy Saviour,
The Ritchie 14
Barry, Lisa, Sasha, Barry Jr. Alba, Jeny, Toño, Julie, Iris, Sayder, Karen, Bessy, Christian, Ericson…..

Giving the Gospel...

2006-12-31T10:33:00.000-06:00

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

2006-12-25T20:31:00.000-06:00

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!

2006-12-22T09:06:00.000-06:00

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

2006-12-14T14:41:00.000-06:00

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?

2006-12-11T07:56:00.000-06:00

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.

2006-12-08T09:47:00.000-06:00

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

2006-12-04T08:46:00.000-06:00

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...

What a Day of Rejoicing

2006-11-27T08:16:00.000-06:00

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

2006-11-25T06:16:00.000-06:00

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

2006-11-15T11:23:00.000-06:00

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

2006-11-09T12:52:00.000-06:00

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.....

---------------------------

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.

____________________________
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

_________________________

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!

2006-11-03T11:25:00.000-06:00

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

2006-11-02T05:33:00.000-06:00

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

2006-11-01T06:41:00.000-06:00

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

Ana's Heart

2006-10-27T09:21:00.000-05:00

Update for Baby Ana Cristina’s pulmonary artresia with vsd open heart surgery. Through many days and hours of calls, the LORD has arranged for Ana to be cared for by some of the best pediatric heart doctors in the world, Aldo Castenada Foundation ( www.fundacionaldocastaneda.org ). They said yes, the only obstacle was the cost of a state run hospital in Guatemala City. Once I agreed to cover the cost some way, we got a green light. The surgery is $11,000 including up to 3 weeks in ICU. Several ministries have contacted us to cover transportation, food & hotel for family, the initial cardiac catherization and ½ of surgery. This leaves about $5000; considering our whole ministry and family operates on 1/3 of that amount per month, all we can do is pray. Besides, how could we say no? I am confronted with this verse daily in Honduras…pray I never “shutteth up”

1 John 3:17-18
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

I cannot think of ANY family in the USA that would let one of their children die for $5000. Ramon is a young struggling pastor and brother in the LORD making less than $200/mo. He and his family came over last night to talk, cry, pray and visit a USA Doctor visiting Choluteca, just to make sure Ana was fit to travel. She checked her and said yes but also strongly emphasized the urgency. Ana will need much prayer over the next week, as will the family and us.

IF THE LORD LEADS YOU TO HELP, PLEASE DO....
Unworthy Servant to a Wonderful Worthy LORD and Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Salvations

2006-10-23T23:55:00.000-05:00

Pastor Enmencio working the Mountain village of Los Terreros, led Felix (89 yrs old) to the LORD. The photo is of him in front of his home. Felix has a growth on his nose that we have arranged to have looked at by a doctor, even though any good prognosis is dim. He is a diabetic and cannot afford insulin which is a greater concern. He could use your prayers, but is comforted to know he now has an eternal home. Amen! Another one of the salvation decisions this week was one of our teen girls named Daisy. She came forward after the outreach event and said “I need to be reconciled”. I thought wow that’s a big word; we then sat and she shared she knew God did not like or want her to sin and she knew the penalty because the Holy Spirit has been convicting her. With a soft, humble spirit, she prayed and asked Christ to save her….AAmen! It was music to my spirit not unlike..."What must I do to be saved?"

Two more children received sponsors this week…Blanca and Jeny ...
THANK YOU LORD.

The Holy Spirit led Lisa to drop off a little food where Alba lives. We quit helping the family a while back for a multitude of reasons (gratitude, attitude, funds, ect) Then Saturday, an unexpected but pleasant visit from Alba and Toñyo. She had dressed up in the clothes given previously, and carried a sweet spirit about her, not seen in some time. It promted us to take them out for ice-cream and a talk. Maybe her spirit has softened; it would really be nice to see this tree bear good fruit. One can only watch and pray.

Prayer requests in brief:
Ana’s Heart, Vehicle, Funds for church property, Sponsors, souls….

Barry

Myra, Cynthia, Ana & Jeny

2006-10-17T13:58:00.000-05:00

Pastor Santos visited from the mountain today. He came down to collect a small government scholarship for Cynthia; the orphaned little girl his family took in. She was proud she had won the award (Actually a teacher applies for destitute children’s grant and it is “awarded”) and really needed it to stay in public school. After making the long trip down, Santos went to the bank to collect and buy the things Cynthia needed; only to find out, even though she had "won", she was too far down the list, and the fund had no more money.
A disheartened Pastor Santos and Cyntha walked to our house because they did not even have the $2 bus fair to get back to the base of the mountain. During our fellowship, Cynthia and Jeny played, and we found there are many nights the family goes to bed hungry because he does not make enough to feed them all. Santos is pastoring 2 churches and working full time, but it is not enough.

When you look into the eyes of Cynthia and see the hurting your heart goes out. As the LORD would have it, a one time donation had come in a while back specifically for Cynthia and her lil brother Angel. It was not a large amount, only $70. But it happened to be about the same amount of the scholarship. Hmm, wonder how that happens? God never ceases to amaze me. His eye is on the sparrow…and her name is Cynthia. The little orphaned girl who does not know her birthday has our heavenly father watching her. We added funds to it for food, plus provided 50lbs mix of rice and beans for the family this month. I only pray more would see Christ in the eyes we see. WHEN SAW WE THEE LORD?
(Cynthia & Angel need sponsors)

Ana Cristina Heart Operation- No big news yet. Spending lots of time on the phone and overnight$mailing information to the USA, but as yet nothing concrete. I feel I am fishing with many lines in the water a few nibbles but no bites. She needs this to happen before she dies, so we need your prayers!
(Ana needs a major medical sponsor)

Souls-We have 2 more evangelistic outreaches planned in the next couple of weeks and a time of teaching about Mormonism this Wendsday. The big campaign Dec 31-Jan 5 is still on. The largest soccer stadium/field in town has been secured for those dates. PRAY!

Myra- The little girl with a birth defect in her brain, we helped in Jan, came by with her dad. Lisa had made a dress for her birthday and we had a few other things. I blew up 8 balloons and tied them to her wrist. Jeny has become our little ambassador with other children and they played for a few hours.
(Myra needs a sponsor)

Helping Hands…sometimes aren’t. Last night Lisa heated water for the girls to have warm sponge baths. Jeny has never had a warm bath or shower and really liked it. Great, so today she wanted to repay the favor by helping Lisa. Soo…This morning while Lisa and Sasha were out in the market, I was on the phone and Jeny and Barry Jr were doing their school work, so I thought. Jeny started to help with the laundry. I am oblivious to the events happening in the kitchen until Lisa returned and walked in to find: washing machine in the middle of room, garden hose running it over with water, water covering the entire floor, one lone red hanky in the tub of white clothes and the strong aroma of bleach, the clothes on the floor bleach stained……and Jeny greeting her with a big smile of thanksgiving. Lisa walks into the office and says "Barry I hope you like pink"…. Soo... at least the floor is clean,until tomm.
(Jeny needs a sponsor)

Jeny is 11 --- Ana Needs Prayer

2006-10-11T10:35:00.000-05:00

Jeny, the little girl who was abandoned, abused and running streets at 6… is now 11. We had a private time on her birthday with gifts and play time. The girls went out for ice cream and brought lil Cindy for fun. The Ice cream was huge, the glass bowl was dipped in chocolate and nuts. Jeny really enjoyed the day. Lisa promised after church on Sunday Jeny could celebrate her birthday with friends from church. When word spread that the Americans were having a “girls only” Princess Birthday party…her Sunday School class swelled to over 50. To keep control, it was held in the gated parking area where we will start having Wednesday services. Boys lined the fence to beg for candy. Jeny in her princess dress made by Lisa, a piñata that withstood a 30 minute beating and still would not give up its candy, Bobbing for...potatoes?, Lettuce ball(like musical chairs & double dare). A day Jeny will remember forever.

On a more sobering front is a little 15mo old girl named Ana Cristina. She is the daughter of Pastor Ramon, who is shepherding the people written about in our first ever blog post called “Pure Church” in January.
Ana has a severe heart defect, that if not corrected will end her short life. Ramon came over Friday to talk, cry and pray. He has been through the socialized care in Honduras and was told they could do no more in Honduras; just take her home to die. The only hope was USA medical care. We have been on the phones ever since looking for an open door. She needs prayer. What Glory for Christ, what praise and joy it would be, to see this struggling family, living on $190/mo, relying only on prayer to have them answered….

If you want to help with the already mounting costs, just note for Ana on the check or the paypal donation link to the right

Send support to
Honduras Missions
PO Box 501
Kenton, OH 43326

Field Contact:
Honduras Missions
PO Box 51
Choluteca, Honduras
Central America

Internet PH 603-397-0606
Cell in Honduras 011-504-925-3538
britcompel@msn.com

Work & Play

2006-10-04T14:20:00.000-05:00

Wonderful times in the Name of our LORD Jesus. Last weeks service was a time of refreshing. The LORD prompted to open the service with a 5 minute question and answer time. Nothing was off limits. I asked about beginning a 2nd week day of church, and all present shared the same desire. Then their questions began, simple at first. Example- Why did Jesus say he did not come to bring peace? But then the questions turned more personal, each person publicly sharing trials and quandaries. Some members have aids, others less notable diseases; some have children in jail, another asking how and with whom they should begin a relationship after the death of a spouse. Each yearning to know why and what would please God. It was nice to see them corrected and comforted by God’s Word. It ended up taking up the whole service but drew the church closer. The first Wednesday service should be one of prayer, this seems appropriate. The problem is where to meet. The tent is a lot of work to put up and down and cannot be put away wet. (It rains every evening doubling the work). If it is left up at night it will be stolen. The tent stakes were stolen again this week but a lady in the church found them and made the man give them back. She weighs only 90 lbs. Our rented house is not large enough but the area where we park might be if everyone does not come. Barry Jr and I, are trying to roof it all in with lightweight tin as we are able and the church agreed to try it for a while to meet in on Wednesdays. It would be nice to purchase the rented land and build, but that seems so distant and the need is now.

Jeny’s 11th birthday is Thursday. Lisa is making her a beautiful princess dress and wants the day to be special for her. We have been working with Jeny and she rarely calls herself ugly anymore. Sasha learned that Jeny’s mom studied with Mormons and got the idea dark skin is from a curse and bad. Now I at least understand where/how this lie was started and how it tainted a little girl’s view of herself. Sin never affects just one person…. Lisa purchased all of the Honduras School books and is home schooling Jeny for now trying to get her caught up a little. Her grade level is way behind due to her rocky life history. She worked diligently much of the day Tuesday on math and we finally let her out to play with church kids in the vacant lot where the church meets. Barry Jr taught them a little about American football…ok ok it was more like chase & tag the person with the football, but smiles were dealt out liberally.
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Anyone else have a tract?

2006-09-25T14:59:00.000-05:00

Another packed day. Sunday was another holiday in Honduras. I was talked into entering the train into the parade with other churches. I had concerns on several levels but relented and did so. Fully knowing it would be difficult to get the train, plus our church folks, to the other side of town, and it was.
Sunday was the day of our first baptisms, Amen! Also, one adult lady, Suyapa, came forward for salvation, AMEN! This was the priority of the day but the LORD bless all around for a lot of hard work.
First, put the church up, put together the baptismal, order a water truck to fill it, have church and baptisms, break it all now and put it away then set up the train for parade, and move 100+ people to the other side of town; All in about 4 hours. While the crowd was gathering outside our home with the train, a crazy man in a skull mask came up to scare the children. He wouldn’t leave until I buzzed our stun zapper.
We then hooked a truck to the train, loaded with near 100 people, to tow them to the other side of town for the parade. Try and try smoking the clutch, but the truck would not budge it from our dirt street. The train had to be started to get it all rolling. Off we go and arrived about 15 minutes after the last of the parade had left. We tried to catch up but only fell farther behind. In essence, it was a one church, one float parade, that actually was a blessing. The church folks were great handing out thousands of home made tracts. At the center of the route is the large main Catholic church, upon hearing the train, their people came out to take tracts. 2 hours later, about 3 blocks from home, the transmission broke in the train and had to be towed the rest of the way. We rewarded the kids for helping by shooting the candy cannon, and called it a night. Sleep came easy Sunday night. Thank You LORD!

Honduras Ponderings, Perils and Praises

2006-09-18T10:38:00.000-05:00

The LORD always seems to bless most when we are weakest. A short list of blessings:
*A food shipment has been donated and paperwork is now in the works to get it here.
*A 900 lbs donated shipment of medications was approved and shipped. We had been working on this for another missionary’s medical team next month.
*Honduras Missions was also selected for a large team of Ind. Baptist, evangelical, medical doctors, dentist and eye doctors to visit and work. Tentative for July next year.
*A supporting church is planning a group visit in June 2007
*Visa paperwork was approved…Should not be long for actual visas.

Saturday night was an outreach out near Cedeno; A gospel movie, candy cannon and preaching. Easy I thought, oops must be getting senile. I was even told they had electric so we did not bring a generator. As you would expect, a bad storm rolled in as we set up, and CRACK-pow… lightning strike, no more electric. A 50 minute drive in the wind driven rain for a generator, only to return to find the lightning also zapped our amp and speaker system. Honduras is really rough on things. Thankfully a local had one that was made to work. During this time the last natural light began to disappear, so we chose to shoot the candy cannon for the children to buy a little time. Proceeded to pack it full of candy, stuffed animals, and trinkets; go into the dirt road, gather all the kids, boom, shoot it high into the air; only to have a big wind gust carry it all into the adjoining muddy sugar plantation field. Oh well, looked cool, a few persistent boys got a lot. While waiting for the generator, lots of songs were sung in the sweatbox, and the only light anywhere was my single led penlight flashlight shining at a movie screen. How many people can fit into a 26x26 foot space? Now add 50 more to your number. It was a packed house with pouring rain, leaky roof, with mosquitoes swarming like flies on rotting meat. Each person has at least 100 bites(Americans even more) then presto, movie is rolling. I asked Carlos to preach and do the invitation; he did well and a few others even joined in to plea sinners home. Each time one came forward there were cheers and applause. That was a new experience. 13 came forward, 2 men ….and Jeny! I had not confronted her with the gospel yet, just watching her for the right time…The Holy Spirit won out in spite of the difficulties. When we are weak…

Sunday’s church service had its own excitement. All was well until another old drunk man came into the children’s tent swinging a machete. Lisa gathered the kids and ran away with all the kids screaming; over it all I heard Sasha yelled “DAAAD!” I can’t remember the last time I heard Sasha yell. I rushed over and took his machete away. Lisa gave him some bananas and water, then I had to physically walk him down the street. Only to have him return across the street, lay down on the gate of our house and go to sleep in the rain. Oh joy.
Santos, the visiting man saved last week, returned and came forward today for baptism. AMEN! Added to that senora Erica( Aug 22 post) received 10 large sheets of tin to help keep her house dry. It was donated by a local businessman. Thank You LORD.

Sunday evening we had a special service with a movie outreach under the tent. It was a film about salvation and the rapture. At intermission time right after the trump sounded in the movie… we stopped the film and fed everyone popcorn. During this, I hid behind the screen and blew a shofar as loud and long as I could. Stepped in front of the screen and said… “uh oh, why are you all still here!”; This opened the door to teach a bit about the rapture and warned them not to wait. It was a fun way to talk on a serious subject. It rained most of the day so taking the tent down is 2x the work… has to be put up again Monday just to dry out. As we were drawing to a close another drunk with a Big machete sought refuge under the tent as Barry Jr. and I were dropping it. He was big, mean and everyone was afraid of him because he had been yelling and swinging the machete at them. I walked over shook his hand very firm, held it to turn him around and just like a child, told him he was in the way of the Lord’s work, and to go home… so he did. Carlos’ mouth looked stuck open in amazement. He had been so scared "for me" he had the numbers dialed to call the police,(not that they would come) and locked himself in his car with Lisa and Sasha standing outside as Jeny ran screaming into the house. Jeny asked later if I was scared of the bad man. “No” stunned she said “why?” “I only fear the LORD like the Bible says.” Jeny had a look on her face that is hard to describe but gave me an extra tight hug this evening….AAAMEN!
To say we need your continued prayers at this point is an understatement….Thank You

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Needs:
Purchase Church property/building-Souls
Build the Whensawe warehouse
Purchase another year curriculum for institute
Purchase a vehicle
Get more proficient in Spanish
Stay healthy enough to finish the course set before us.
Ability to care for more abused and orphaned children

National Children's Day in Honduras

2006-09-12T11:44:00.000-05:00

Sunday was a big national Holiday here in Honduras. Day of the Children, we chose this time to bring out our equipment. Well over 120 came under the tent for church services. Many more visited outside the tent. Everyone in the barrio came out to see the children riding on the train and received tracts as we went around the blocks, up and down the street. We also handed out the prizes for memory verses and one adult and one teen memorized all of them. Carlos returned from a medical trip in the north with reading glasses for all who needed them. And Carlos was able to get a hearing aid for one of the young children we have been working with…She can now hear for the first time. AMEN! The preaching message under the tent was from:

Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Two visiting men in their 40s came forward Santos and Pedro dropped to their knees with tears, "I want Jesus" ....They repented and pleaded for Christ....as little children. AMEN
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour

Barry Ritchie

Please pray

2006-09-07T09:29:00.000-05:00

Please Pray for the children Honduras Missions touches. We need as many as we can near the Throne of Grace.

Great Blessings always seem to come with Great Trials

2006-09-03T18:54:00.000-05:00

After several weeks of preparation work, we had our first evangelistic outreach with the bounce houses, games etc, partway into the mountains, to a village called Linaca. There is a pastor up there that Carlos knew and had asked us to help. We explained 5 weeks ago, what we would do and how to do a promotion to allow the children to “earn” tickets by saying verses, inviting friends and parents to church and so on. We knew something was wrong when the pastor arrived to help load equipment and I found his only prep work was inviting the entire village to the event… Uh, oh. Then, five minutes before leaving, Jeny decided after 3 weeks of wonderful behavior, now was the time to steal, lie about it and act up. So we left her home with Sasha, who was glad not to go because she broke her tail bone riding in the back of the truck a week ago and is very sore. It worked out for the better and Jeny had a change of heart when we returned…Amen.

We arrived in Linaca to the open space used for a soccer field. Our first real hint the day was going to very difficult was the huge crowd already there waiting. It didn’t help seeing a Pepsi truck unloading nearby for a little store and had security guards armed with shot guns like a Brinks Bank truck …uh,oh. Unabashed in our efforts, I took our rope and sectioned off an area to set up in. With several workers, but very little help, 2+ hours later in 100 degree heat, all was ready. Everyone came under the tent except a few groups of distant onlookers; men in the so called road and a couple of groups of teen boys watching afar off in the field. After preaching, so many raised their hands for salvation I could not count them, It was wonderful as 50-75 adults, teens and children, asked for forgiveness for sin, help to live pleasing to God and a plea to Christ Jesus to save them. AMEN! and amen. If it was not for salvations, we would have quit doing this along time ago, because as many of you know who helped with events in the USA, it’s a lot of work

Here the difficulty of the work is multiplied. Near the end of the event, with everyone near exhaustion, the teens in the distance saw their chance, became bold, and flooded into the event stealing whatever they could. I caught one 3 times and emptied his pockets. To make matters worse instead of helping correct the problem, some adult church workers started stealing themselves, with a your rich, you can afford it attitude…. ok, time to shut it down. One teen who had been watching, started fighting with Lisa when she would not let him steal…When you hear your wife scream your name in panic… Uh, oh …civility goes out the window. I grabbed him and pinned him on the ground and said I was taking him to the police…the police do not come to you here. His uncle came red in the face mad and ready to fight me. I am glad he did not have a machete or he might not have been as scared of me. While all eyes were on me, the other teens started rolling the go-kart away, Lisa and Barry Jr. ran them down. Then another took the basketballs and Barry Jr. ran him down…it was a madhouse for a while. No one was willing to confront or stop them, not even the pastor. The uncle returned a while later and I had the chance to actually talk to him and calmed the situation. I ended up letting the boy go. We lost about $500 in supplies and equipment. To top it off, while loading the last piece of equipment I was bit by a stray dog…thankfully he did not break the skin.

It is an understatement to say we were glad to get home and see Jeny’s beaming smile greet us. All I can figure is our LORD allowed us to really hit the panic button of spiritual wickedness in high places…in my book, that makes it a good day AMEN! We did learn some things though, like the next event we do of this scale…we need to have a place to lock things up and hire a policeman to come with us, its cheaper in the long run. You won’t lose things, patience or testimony.

Carlos is gone. We allowed him to do some translating work for missionary doctors in the northern part of the country this week. It seemed a good time to let Pastor Enemensio preach. His back is acting up so he has been struggling riding a horse to Los Terrerros. He goes on the days when his back will let him. Just the fact this 60+ year old man walks or rides a horse up the mountain is amazing. So today we let him sit and preach here in La Cruz Baptist Church. Before services a slightly drunk man came in and begged for salvation. Enemensio and I looked at each other with a question mark kinda look. Do we kick him out or witness….I would rather err on the witness side. So he did and led them man through the entire plane of salvation and prayer….Through the fog of his mind if the light came on then AMEN! If not God will use it for Judgment later, either way God is glorified. Later,half way through Enemensio was standing and preaching hard and everyone listening intently. Our baby Christians desire and need much milk. I pray the desire does not wax dull.
Lisa taught about the Tower of Babel today and had me cut up building blocks from the wood used to let down the container. The children had a blast and all went home full of popcorn that Amish Country Popcorn donated while we were in the USA.
Please pray for Jeny she has been infested with worms since arriving, now Barry Jr. may even have them but were are not sure yet. We need to get more medication as funds allow. We have numerous needs, church building and property, car, safety, We may be getting more abused children from the government. And the list goes on....
Thank You ALL!! We covet your prayers.
Unworthy Servants to a Worthy Saviour

Went Saw Moved Healed Matthew 14:14

2006-08-28T00:27:00.000-05:00

Another Sunday is past and our daughter Kimmy is now gone. :( Her visit was a blessing and needed time of rest for her. Though she did get a bad sunburn. On the 2nd day here, Lisa told her use sunscreen because we are near the equator. She said naw I’m from Florida and I don’t burn…. She doesn’t say that anymore. She got the worst burn of her life but only in one spot. The blister was 3+ inches. Never the less she got rested and spent a lot of needed mother daughter time. We used the borrowed Isuzu to take her back to the airport. It is 174 miles round trip and it used $12.76 for 8 spark plugs, 3 gallons of water, $8 for 2 qts oil and $50+ dollars in gas…. I think it is time to seek all our praying friends to pray earnestly for a vehicle.

The new little church under the tent is starting to grow spiritually. 75 people in services again and the discipleship is going very well. Lisa and Sasha are now teaching the lessons for the youngest ones. It takes all you can do to keep little ones (and Adults) in one place and focused when there are no doors and distractions continually up and down the street. Like an Ice cream vender came down the street and parked close, where all could see and rang his bell for 10-15 minutes during services… No one bought (none have any money) but he kept all attention till I finally got him moved down the street. We help in whatever way the door is opened onto us. A visiting man in church today ask for prayer for pain on his stomach. He had fallen out of a plantation truck and skidded down the road scraping all the skin off his chest and stomach down to the muscle. While we prayed Lisa ran and got the last tube of topical antibiotics from the house for him. If you see a brother have need and withhold your bowels of compassion… You know the rest.

Two evangelistic outreaches are planned for the next 2 weeks. One up the mountain a bit in Lenaca, and one in our barrio. It will be the first real use of the equipment…so please pray the LORD will supply the many needs, use all and be in all, that souls would be saved.

Lisa is bumming, today the only store in Choluteca with everything in one place...sort of, and with refrigeration has closed up after 10 years, It was the only place to get anything American too. Now food shopping will go from a 1-2 hour event, to an all day affair in the open street market. One guy sells melons, another tomatoes, another sugar, another bread...you get the idea. We may go vegetarian after seeing all the flies on the meat hanging outside all day...or just cook it longer with the spices friends sent....Oh well. Welcome to Honduras where the only guarantee is that nothing is guaranteed... Traveling to the capital for supplies? Not after reading above.

We promised Jeny we would pick up Cesa and his family from across town for church services and to visit and play, if she was good…She was, so we did. Jeny hid at Cesa’s house a while before the authorities found her in the streets. Upon arrival, the first thing we did was attempt to de-lice, de-worm, shower and clothe Cesa 10, Maria 13 and Martha 11(all stunted in growth for their age). After church we ate lunch and they ate like they were starved…Because they were. They only eat one time per day Monday-Friday at a feeding center. Weekends it is closed, so by Sunday afternoon….well Cesa ate 5 plates full till his belly thumped like a ripe melon. We also sent them home with the last of our donated rice and beans and some vitamins Kimmy brought…Jeny even gave away some of her things because she saw the need…It is a new experience for her to be on the giving side…amen! And now we have to de-lice Jeny again and Sasha’s room, and our room, but it was worth it.
It is one thing to read about things here, prayerfully it might even stir your spirit to help in some way. But to live here, even a short time, and see it daily, changes a person. Our door is always open to those want to be changed for the gospels sake instead of just being stirred in the spirit. Remember Jesus WENT forth, SAW a great Multitude, was MOVED with compassion.. and HEALED their sick. Mathew 14:14 And Jesus IS the best example

Jeny Smiles!

2006-08-22T11:14:00.000-05:00

The last 12 days have been a blur. Jeny arrived; Our daughter Kimbra arrived; Luke’s dad visited for their last few days in Honduras; Luke left today and will be missed by all. Jeny has been a bundled hyper ball of excesses with 2 weeks full of firsts for her. Her first time in the big city of Tegucigalpa, to see an airplane, visit a free zoo, eat Chinese food, swim in the ocean, boat ride to an island, clean, clothed and fed everyday. She is learning quickly how to live in her new world. She has never had anything, nor had any restraints. Like, we do not spit or throw food at the windows. She grew up tossing garbage out the nearest window…Ours have glass in them…kinda creates a mess. Dresses are just big towels to wipe your face with. At first we could not get her to take a shower, now she wants to shower 2-3 times a day and use it all up. Jeny was told to set the table, she saw napkins in a restaurant, so she found some in our house…sort of....Bounce dryer sheets and set them out because they looked like napkins and smelled good. (all we could do is smile and happily use them. We do not even have a dryer they are only used for the bounce houses) She is learning she does not have to steal or hide what will be freely given, just ask. For Sasha’s graduation present, we ate lunch with Kimbra, Luke and his dad, on Tiger Island and Jeny was shocked to receive her own plate of fish. Jeny looked at me in bewilderment, “for me?”, “Yes”, “All of it?’”, “Yes” and a big smile sprouted. She had only ever been given a samples from others or leftovers of fish from the feeding kitchen, but never just her own plate. Afterwards, the seaside shack restaurant we were in turned on music and she jumped up, covered her ears and said bad musica very loud over and over. Sasha has been teaching her about music…Amen! They both went over and had them turn it down. We have learned yet another bit of disturbing information about her. Since arriving I have been calling her bonita (Beautiful), Good morning bonita ect. Only to be followed by a frown on her face and the words "yo faya" (I'm ugly). It bothered me and I did not understand why she did it. With a little gentle prodding, she finally confided that she was ugly because her skin was dark, only light skin is beautiful. This she got from her mom and aunt who are both lighter skinned. We have a lot of issues to work through with her, by God's grace we will. But for now, it is enough for Jeny to know she is loved and she is already beginning to express it to others. She gave away some of her things and along with tracts to Cesa’s family… God is in the details so beautifully.

Some more photos….Bottom- Erica, a lady in our church who has begun to grow, and her home. She is trying to help her daughter and grandbaby live. I would like to get her some metal for her roof but funds are quite limited with all the expenditures as of late. We were able to help with medications for her daughter and baby. Top Rt-Carlo’s first ever tie. We gave it to him for when he is preaching. His wife Luz told him he looked very handsome… soo, he then went and bought 3 more from a used clothing store. Amen! Middle-Luz visited with some of the church children and their grandmother told them she would come but can’t walk that far. Carlos gave up his wheelchair and Luz, Sasha and Jeny went to get her and wheel her back. (it's still bus ministry to me...amen) I was tickled so much watching Luz and Sasha push, while Jeny pulled and brought this lady up the little hill into our church under the tent.. so much so, I forgot to take the pictures….