Honduras Missions

The Ritchie Family / Children's Lighthouse

Thursday, October 31, 2013

In everything give thanks...

Been one of those kind of days. Ended well but kinda shakey along the way. Got word from those involved in the water well drilling, it was ago for today. Amen! Drilling a new hole for a new 400 foot well. The machine would be here at 10am... it was not. I had planed on rushing to town to p/u drinking water and a few quick errands but was interuped by a couple of uninvited guests. Family of one of our kids came asking for help and caused heartache to the child here... So I was not able to rush to town...At the time appointed anyway. The time for the rig came and went and the visitors had not left and I was trying not to be rude but trying to get them to leave. During this time Marc Antonio had tried to call and could not get through(because I did not have my phone, because I was occupied with "guests", so he decided to drive out here on the motorcycle). He blew a front tire at highway speed and wrecked. He was laying in the ditch calling and finally got Jr. who rushed out. Jr arrived as the ambulance was leaving, but retrieved the motorcycle. It was nervous couple of hours because the Drs would not tell us anything or let us or his wife see him. So no one knew how bad he was. Then suddenly he walks out of the hospital and greets everyone. Sewn up, bad road rash on every "corner", back, front, top, and bottom, and stiches on his chin, but ok. Just very sore. As I took him home. His only worry was if he was going to be able to hand out tracts tomorrow at the city cemetery as he does every year (thousands of them). It is the day of the dead and thousands put flowers on graves. You know, the other part of Halloween. It makes for great witnessing time because they are all thinking about death. His "costume" is automatic, kinda looks like a mummy. But I think his plan "b" is better. Another pastor and son will relieve him. I also learned he witnessed to the ambulance emt the whole trip and the worker stayed with him at the hospital to hear more... but in the end was not ready to make a decision for Christ. Went and got all the meds and bandages he needed, now time to fix his motorcycle... again. Almost lost the back wheel a few weeks ago when bearings let go...  The drill rig arrived while I was out and they waited for me to know where to drill. We had to trim trees and take down power lines to fit the rig, but it has begun a hole just before sunset. And all of this after chasing folks off the property that keep cutting down our trees.. dozens. Jr's thumb is starting to heal but still looks bad. Amazing how little one can do without an opposing digit. Marc Antonio has a good habit that many question him about. He firmly believes in everything give thanks... And when he prays and people hear him give thanks for trials... it opens up yet more opportunities. Amen. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Medical care Honduras style

Jr hurt his thumb mechanic"ing". Punched it through from the bottom and ripped the nail off on the top. We attempted to clean him  up but the grease was going to need a good ie very painful scrubbing. So we went to town and visited 3 different doctors. First for advice and possible cleaning, he advised an xray and did not have all that was needed. Went to get the Xray (across town), in and out, but did not have someone clean it. So we went to our local dentist and borrowed what we needed. Needle, numbing meds ect and picked up the other supplies we needed at a pharmacy then went home. He broke the very tip of his thumb so not much anyone can do except bind it well. Returned, numbed him up and cleaned it out, then taped him back together. Cost? less than $50. Lourdes was going to do it but she started shaking too much since it is Jr. I thought it was sweet... just not effective. What is Obcare really going to do for us that we dont already do? 

We were just offered 2 million tracts that should arrive in Feb...Amen! We can put them everywhere then...

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Out go the lights

Been a long few weeks of breakdowns and power outages. Still working on the Kia. It now has a bad oil pump which caused it to eat a cylinder and valve...And we still have not tackled the 4wd problem. Have been without power more times than I can remember. Very hard on electronics and lights. Lights glow real bright then pow nothing for a day or so... Dont know what electic powered thing it kills until the power comes back on. Could have really used a backup low rpm gen set over the past several years. The kinder playground is almost done. Used it a little for church sunday. Just a few more things like finishing the wiring ect. Internet has been mostly off or too frustrating to do much. Our school year is almost over so working on closing our grades ect. Two churches will be having baptismal services so we should have 20-30 baptisms in the next 30 days or so. The well is hooked back up to our hole in the ground not sure when it might cave in. What we will do is still up in the air waiting for some news from the ones who started this phase of help to see what they will still do.
We purchased a bicycle for another pastor to cover for Pastor Ruis who is still down with diabetic issues. After 1.5hrs on the bus it takes him 45mins of hard sweat uphill peddling on bumpy rocks to make it to church (he is 46years old). Yet 18 minutes to make it down to catch the last bus back to town. We really need a few motorcycles for some pastors. Will have a group of young men ready to preach in the coming year. Would help alot. Marc Antonio has near worn his out up and down the mountain preaching. The chinese motorbikes can be purchased here for around $1500. The cheapest Yamaha is a little more than $2000 but they last alot longer. Food for thought. If the internet allows I will try to add a photo page... Please keep us in prayer.


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