Honduras Missions

Not Indestructible

2012-02-12T10:23:00.009-06:00

It has been a hot couple of weeks for us. Our temps are starting to climb, days in the 90s and the nights losing their cooling effect. We had 90 at midnight this week. Normally not a problem but when the kia breaks down and our bedroom a/c breaks one must choose; no food or supplies for 2 weeks or no sleep for two weeks. It ended up as no sleep. Jr did managed to keep the little truck from overheating and dieing also, so food runs were made. I hit a rock with the our big kia and broke the front axle. It's not indestructable after all. After 2 weeks waiting on parts we got it welded back together. So its on the road, at least till the rest of the parts get in.

Hard to sleep when it is over 100+ degrees in the bedroom. Our room has no ventalation so the fan just moves hot air and dust around like a convection oven making sure your toasted all over. After just a few days of hot sweats, an hour or so of sleep a night spread amid 6 hours of sloshing and sauteíng back and forth in your sweat,.. your sheets and pillow case begin a look and feel of a dirty melting glazed donut...(your welcome for the visual). Thankfully both are now fixed... and sheets are washed.

Not being able to sleep Lisa was up playing with her camera to try night shots. The camera actually sees a lot more than we can if it is set right. The pictures are from the front of the Lighthouse.

Our school starts this week. Jr got the classroom wired and fans installed as well as the pavillion/church/school building wired. I am sure going to miss the donated electrical wire we had. We almost finished the church with it, but ran out on the classroom and had to buy an extra 100 feet of the local car type wiring, it was all that was avalable...$300. Yikes. The window screens and doors are in and Lisa and the girls did some late night cleaning, prepping and decorating. It is going to be an ecclectic mix, our children taught at a certain time in their classroom, adults (some in the 1st grade) taught in the church building. And pastor Augusto will also working under our umbrella in Santa Teresa with more students. Jr agreed to help Pastor Augusto teach the english classes. All of course will have the Bible institute curriculum as well.

I joked with Adam and asked what he was preaching on just before Thursday night church service. I exited before church time to deal with a situation and was delayed returning. I returned to find Adam in the midst of a sermon. Amen. He now thinks I did it on purpose. We also discovered Sarah is allergic to cashew trees just like like Lisa. Adam opened one seed to see the cashew and the toxic oil got on his hands... then later on Sarah. Kinda like the caught red handed episode in the last post... :) Newlyweds :) ...If they had been married 30 years, likely less of a problem. So a week of drugs, showers, and A/C to make it subside before school.

Sayder is learning he is not indestructible. First the tree bug, joint infection, then 2 weeks ago he tied a rope to a tree and was twisting Duman and spinning with him when the rope broke and he did a face plant on a root with Duman sitting on his head. The bloody scratched face brought fought back tears. This time he was in the mango tree as we were talking to the teacher and students signing up for classes and plop. Fell out of the tree and rolled to a stop. Jump up smiling to fight off the pain. A hour or so later his wrist was swollen and he could not move it. To the Dr to find he broke his wrist. Dr said stay out of trees. So we have photographic x-ray proof Sayder is breakable.. contrary to his popular opinion... A next door neighbor yesterday died from a fall out of a tree he was cutting, so it kind rings home with Sayder. Photo is of new building about 1/2 hour before church service. Keep us in prayer, for the attacks are endless on every front...
Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry

Red Handed

2012-01-30T21:46:00.004-06:00

We have a young couple, Adam and Sarah Nelson here to help us get our school off the ground. Sarah has worked in Honduras previously, teaching with the same program. Adam is along for the ride to find what the LORD wants and help in anything he can . So like everything else in Honduras you learn on the job out of necessity. We will keep him busy. Sunday Carlos insisted we go to La Cruz for church. It was not hard to deduct they were wanting to celebrate a belated birthday for me. And since they had activities planned (they still remember I am sometimes long winded) they did not let me preach, but instead asked Adam. He had never preached before let along through a translator. I joked about tossing him into the deep end to see if he can swim. He did a fine job. Even procrastinated the end like a veteran preacher by saying just one more verse and ending 3-4 verses later. But it was a good message that two responded to. Amen. Afterward, it was a time of fellowship and testamonies, cake ect. Today was Adam and Sarah's 2nd wedding aniversary. Lisa baked a small cake and we sent them out with Jr his future spouse to watch the sunset from a mountain top. Should have some memories when they return.

The government school program director said we needed 20 students to start. Which meant we needed to open it to the church. They responded overwhelmingly and we have more than we can handle. We need to purchase all the books ect to start.... In a week. The cost is going to be about $600 for the materials we need from the state. I have Adam copying all the cd and dvd for both the regular school and the Bible institute curriculums and preparing them for use... about 300 disks to burn. Add Adam and Sarah to your prayers. They quit their jobs and have come here of their own personal funding and want to stay as long as possible. We are hoping they will stay at least 6 months if not more. But since they have no income that seems like a long time. Pray the LORD provides a way to provide for them so they stay longer, we need the extra help. We prayed for laborers and got them, now we need to find a way to keep them.

Pastor Augusto is also starting up our Bible Institute program in the mountain. He has a small handfull of students he wants to train and have them preach every day of the week in homes inviting all to the Sunday services in the church. Amen!

Been a busy time getting ready. Had numerous people working today some volunteering some requiring pay with no idea how to pay them. But the LORD does. And the work is needful. One crew doing the bathroom, one doing electrical wiring, one group preparing school curriculums and students, one cooking and watching kids, one laying cement and had to send the kia to be fixed.... Broke the lug nuts off hitting a pot hole and needed tie rods. Our AC died in the house so nights are very hot and hard to sleep till repaired... yuck. Wanted to add color to the bathrooms so we added a little food coloring to the tile grout a little red to the girls(pink) and a little blue for the boys and presto. Always a way to get things done in Honduras just need a little inspiration... A lot of it comes through the kids... Papi we need to paint between the tiles or the walls to make them different...hmm How can I change the color...ahh Lisa has food coloring for cakes. Neat thing about the bottles, every kids who touches them without permission... gets caught because the dye doesn't wash off easily...ie caught red handed literally.. ops.

Just a little bit more...

2012-01-22T17:53:00.005-06:00

Been trying to prepare for school to start in Feb. We have a teacher volunteering to help start, but needed a place for her to stay...by Thursday. The only place available was where we were holding church services. It was too small for church anyway. The thought was just fix it up as an apartment and build a multipurpose little pavilion building for the church, ministry, family and school. The idea was posts and a roof to replace the tent we had used. It starts out as a cheap idea, but never seems to end up that way. The “for just a little bit more”s... add up. We still go to the river to get the sand and gravel and sift it, mix cement by hand and do all work by hand. It has turned into a bigger task but is going to be a well used building in the near future. Not only church services will be held here, but other ministry meetings, school for our children, and possibly an adult education ministry ect. The Kia has hauled so many loads for projects like like this over the years, it now shows the abuse. It has lived most of its life overloaded and in 4x4 low. Now the transfer case grinds and both differentials grind, CV joints, front end needs more work, needs complete brakes, windshield, compressor..ect and the bed is now rusting since we have worn all the paint off sand blasting it a shovel full at a time. How can I be overloaded there is still room and the truck still moves... “just a little bit more” ...great for soul winning, bad for cargo. The kids like going to the river even if its just to load sand. They help some and of course play some. Even our “dainty delicate” Jenny offered to help... Once. I told her just 100 shovel fulls into the truck ok papi 100,99, 98..89, uh panting between words papi I'm tired, then takes my drink and goes off to walk in the water.. Hmm. Well it was eleven shovels I didn't have to do, but cost me my drink. But the hugs are worth it. They took the camera out and shot some photos...When they hear the truck start they run to stand on top of the pile for the ride home.

Went up to lenaca to preach Friday. We stayed and did a video outreach as well. When we go there we become the only light on the mountain physically and spiritually. The new power inverter runs the lights and we are the only light for as far as you can see in the dark night. It also runs the microphone and video projector without the annoying buzz we have had in the past. La Cruz has picked up 3 new complete families through VBS plus many kids. And the Faro Baptist church has had a new family also start attending in the last two weeks. The kids went visiting inviting the neighborhood today to our church outside. Because the apartment is filled with wet cement on walls and the church building has no roof in sun. Just set up chairs in a shady place and preach. Pray they stay and grow.

After many delays trying to adopt through child services we contacted a lawyer. Every thing here seems to need a lawyer. He said he should only take about a month. We shall see. He now has his required funds and prayerfully in a month we will have adopted our first two children. Jenny and Patricia with other to follow as funds become available. This might open doors for both them and the ministry in the future. Keep praying we let none of them go to waste.. Amen!

Lisa took a few photos of the kids today. Click on the photos to enlarge...enjoy

beginnings of another bus ministry...

2012-01-16T06:24:00.003-06:00

La Cruz Baptist finished their first VBS with more than 300 attending and brought in 84 in a single trip on the 15 pass van. There were also 84 in the teen class of which 15 came forward for salvation. Amen! It was the first time teaching for the teacher. Two of the bench warming men in the church also went to Carlos saying they wanted to be used in ministry. So they will now accompany the saturday men's outreaches. And this is the start of another weekly bus ministry outreach with the van...Amen. I was talking to Carlos Saturday and he was beaming. He said La Cruz Baptist is different because we laid a good strong foundation on God's word before we started building. Our people dont see things the way other churches do. They search the bible and give rather than believe anything to take. Sacrifice rather than burden. All I could do is say... Amen! He shared how various people sacrificed much to feed and teach 300 children, fix the old van, build bathrooms (where were those for the years I was there? amen)
Talked to Pastor Augusto Sunday. He wants to start bible institute classes Feb 1st in the mountain. Need to get another portable dvd player we have worn out the 6 originals we started with, need to do alot of copying too wish our risograph still worked. He has several adults who really want to grow in the bible. His plan for the coming year is to hold several regular house meeting in the area using his bible students as teachers. Hondurans (saved and unsaved) will often welcome a preaching service in their home. It is counted as a privilage, but wont go to a church. I will be preaching in another mountain friday in a home. Actually outside a home because 100-200 or more people may show up. Preaching under the starts by lantern...better know your message because its hard to read, but great fellowship Amen. Have a months worth of work an only 2 week to complete it before school starts. Need strengh, wisdom and supply to do all that our wonderful Lord has graciously put before us.
Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry

A still small voice...

2012-01-12T13:11:00.009-06:00

It has been a very difficult week here in Honduras. We had the mother of two of the Lighthouse children make a surprise visit after more than a year. The result was devastating. She secretly convinced her two daughters to run away and she picked them up. She found the only neighbor with a grudge against me because I put an older teenage family member in jail a month ago for breaking into our home in the middle of the night. Jr and I tied him up and took him to the police. The two girls convinced a third to girl who is mentally slow to go with them. The mother then went to the police and made all kind of charges against us. She also called the tv stations to air her complaints. Which aired all weekend. It required getting a lawyer and they put me in a secure location till the dust could settle. The LORD protected in many ways but the damage was costly. This lady lost her children years ago because she led her older daughter into her life of prostitution at 14, and tried selling the two younger children when they were 5 and 8 years old. Her sister is in jail for the same thing. She had come to our home 4 years ago with a gun threating to kill Lisa. Every contact has had adverse affect on the girls. Our names have been cleared both in the criminal court and the children's court. So it will not affect our residency status. But our names and faces have been plastered for days on TV. The father of the girls went to the judge and called her an idiot in court for even listening to this because only she was unaware of the character of the mother. He did the same on a call in tv program with the news reporter who had broadcast the story. Then many called in to verifiy the fathers words and tell of their family history. After the working of the lawyer, the police investigation was dropped, no charges filed and refered to child services. Child services did a very detailed investigation and found all the claims were baseless. Plus the girls recanted their stories once they were out of the hands of the mother. They are all now crying to come home, but that can no longer happen. Child services actually took some of our child care ideas to promote elsewhere. The collateral damage is our name is mud outside of our churches, the girls have lost their only real chance to have a family home and will be moved to a far location undisclosed and all contact with family will terminate. They will be instituionalized and the one who was mentally slow was diagnosed by the court psycologist and will go to a state facility for the mentaly handycapped with little hope for a future. It breaks my heart because she had trusted the LORD and she had grow so much with us and was becoming a self sufficient young lady. All our church folks rallied around us in wisdom advice, support., prayer and help which was very humbling for me. Many ministering saints prayed stateside and the destroyer was stayed, but not without injury. I was not able to fight this battle and it was totally in the hands of the LORD. I was wisked away against my desires by church members and the laywer to the mountains, fleeing the words of a jezabel. I read about Elijah while sitting and waiting on the mountain top for the LORD to fight the battle. The parallels were striking. All the while being fed by a widow woman and her 12 year old son... While there I received heartbreaking notes of affection from the children with Lisa. They brought tears reading them. When I returned home I was overrun by the children crying and giving me hugs. Please keep us in prayer the attacks seem more insidious as the years go on.

After coming off the mountain, I got a chance to stop by La Cruz Baptist as they were starting their first VBS, 250+ in attendance. They revived the old 15 passanger van and brought in over 120 children on it, 79 on just one trip 40 plus on the second... Even I was alarmed, but had to laugh as they drove in. Thankfully it was a short trip not over 15mph. But for those that know our bus ministry antics in the past 25 years, know that it takes alot to suprise me. The fruit does not fall far from the tree I suppose.

We started on building a room to meet in for church at the Lighthouse, because teachers are coming in just a couple of weeks and will occupy the other space. Also trying to finish the classrooms and ready for school to start then too. Still need to pay our upcoming payment ($2600) feb 1st to electric company, but with the storm of trials this week it now seems like it is impossable unless the LORD breaks the hearts of our already broken hearted and overburdened ministering saints

Lisa just returned this morning from a visit to child services because Jenny wanted to ask why her adoption process is going so slow.(uhh ok Jenny) Jenny has a dream of going to China as a missionary. I contacted someone I knew there yesterday and asked if they would entertain the idea of her there and they said absolutely, Jenny was jumping around the room in joy, hence why the urgency. So jenny went and asked and told them they were holding up her plans for the future. It was funny. Child service then turned to Lisa and asked us to take back at least one child plus 3 new ones... Noteing to Lisa they had seen many empty beds and more capacity when inspecting... Hmm. The need of Christ is great...

Photos, upper is the VBS, sorry for quality but taken with a phone cam. The second is the new room for church services, the last is the view from the mountain top. A 100 acre property that you could see all the way to the ocean 40 miles away. Would be very peaceful under normal curcumstances. Water there is by an underground fountain that flows and makes a brook that is pure to drink from. No water pump needed just pipe it down to the house. The birds would literally shake the tree branches and mangos would fall right at your feet where you sat. Every morning after I prayed on a rock, the lady went out to gather sticks to make coffee and give me a small piece of sweet corn cake from the corn her son picked. It was a humbling experience but very insightful from a still small voice... may be time to look for an Elisha... 1 Kings 17-19. Though in a remote area, by means of modern comunication, I was also given the opportunity to at least get a father and son to consider the heart of the other... another hmm, Mal 4:5-6

Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry

Would you wash Jesus’ feet? Mat 25:40

2012-01-02T09:10:00.007-06:00

Feeling a little rested after a long weekend. Friday we preached in San Geronimo. Lisa had made up the same little gift bags for children and bagged up some clothes to give away unannounced to the faithful. We buy used clothes bundles for $300 (bailed like hay) and it is much cheaper than shopping individual for the kids. The bundles are from the states from goodwill ect and sold on the streets here. If we go direct to the suppler, we buy them wholesale like the vendors. But the result is a lot of clothes not used which we share. Saturday received just enough in the bank for Lisa to food shop a bit and we decided to make a spaghetti watchnight service with smores and a few roadside fireworks and sparklers for the church. I was surprised how many came out on short notice. Kintine, our oldest man has become attached to Lisa’s cooking. As Lisa and the girls were serving he saw the spaghetti and smiled saying to Lisa… “I’m going to need a full plate of that”. Keep in mind a typical Honduran spaghetti is literally just a little ketchup and pasta. Lisa makes it hearty Italian…( of course, cooked outdoors on an open fire in a 7 gallon aluminum pot made from melted down car wheels and soda cans…) His grandson is the young child in the photo just tickled slurping in pasta. I was laughing watching him eat. Lit the bonfire and it roared to life 20' high in our 90 degree 11pm temps, had to hose it to keep the trees from catching on fire. Taught the folks how to roast marsh- mallows and make smores. Which was a huge hit. It all must have been a main attraction because outside the gate a large crowed gathered just to watch the church activities. One photo of Karen in front of the fire spoke volumes to me. Ending just after midnight, but by the time we cleaned up and got kids in bed it was after 2am. Then prep to leave at 6am for the mountain and preach in Santa Teresa.

Before morning church, I began to notice everyone’s dusty dirty feet from walking to church and took a few photos. Remembering the time I washed feet here as an illustration of being a servant of Christ Jesus. Dont think it would have quit the same effect in the USA. The difference here is it does not loose its meaning because it is needful, understood and something they all do if water is available yet is humbling for all. I have tried to live with this mindset and found it is a privileged position very few care to seek. The special blessings that flow from the LORD in this can be found no other way. Nor can it be enticingly explained, because if it could, all would seek the blessing rather than the glory of the LORD thus making it of no heavenly value. It is filled with heartache, pain and suffering as was the cross… followed by unspeakable joy. 1 Peter 1:7-8.

I handed out candy and things during the kids service and a few bigger prizes during an answer/question time. When they all left only one boy returned to hug me, say happy birthday and thank you. I then gave him all I had. I thought about the 10 lepers of which only one returned to give thanks… Honduras has taught me much. Rush down the mountain for services at the Lighthouse, then take Marc Antonio back to the hospital where he is caring for his mother who had a stroke thursday.
We have a teacher coming this month to help start the school but is only planning to stay 3 months. The only place we have to house her is the place the church meets for services. So we have dug a foundation in hopes the LORD provides enough to build a small multi purpose space. Ie a roof and columns with a floor. It will be where we meet for church services, chapel ect. I just put up the sail, the Lord provides the wind and direction. Our most frequent email is the bank saying low balance alert, like this morning. So now this, as well as school classes need to be finished in 4 weeks. As for my birthday… just did not have time for that, so maybe I'm not any older, my mind thinks so, but my body says otherwise and shows it's evidence.

The Pictures Sew the Story Together

2011-12-26T15:38:00.012-06:00

So much to share only pictures can tell the story. Please take the time to click on them to see larger views and pray. Folks already have a hard time digesting all that happens here and we don’t even share it all… Been a busy week. The pastor of the cult that I pulled out of the mud stopped by and gave our kids small Christmas presents to say thank you. An unexpected blessing. One child's box had an old Obama 08 tshirt (…um, um…uh, never mind) Been a much leaner year than in times past. We have run out of toys collected while on deputation. (Example; one lady gave us 10,000 ty baby type stuffed animals 8+ years ago) Those toys really augmented birthdays, Christmas and ministry outreaches these last 6 years, as well as deputation, vbs ministries prior. Those churches we visited on deputation doing vbs may remember benefiting from them. But alas the fount is dry, but not our Heavenly Father’s. A Honduran businessman called me to say, “take the kids to the shoe store and get them new shoes”. He had already arranged for it, Very timely and needful is the raven in the wilderness and unfathomable how the Holy Spirit works. After the photos Julie took a few post back of Ericson, Lisa knew my thought and made sure he got a truck, Wasn’t a tonka, it has a dent, but its is shiny new and has wheels, so he is happy running all over the driveway today. Lisa and some of the girls planned a Christmas dinner for some hurting families and handed out small gift bags to the children with a small toy, John and Romans, candy ect. We also did the same for Santa Teresa. Took up more cement for the church building up there. Truthfully we must take up cement. The Kia will not climb the steep grades without 4wd(very broken) unless it has at least 1000lbs in the tail (cement plus a few kids). Where there is a will...

Marc Antonio preached in the Lighthouse Baptist church and one teen made a profession of Christ on Christmas. What a gift. Then we all ate the great supper Lisa made. She has been saving stuff for over a month to do it. All from scratch for 100 folks, including very tasty desserts. It was another all night cooking session, not the feeding of the 5000, but it is a small miracle none the less. Lisa and I had our 28th wedding anniversary Christmas eve. We started a tradition 25 years ago of eating Chinese because it is the only place you can find open many times on Christmas eve, even here. She picked up some take out this year and we had a whole 15 minutes to our selves…ok maybe 12 minutes, but felt like 15 before a child knocked needing us. What did we do?… Talked about what else needs done … With a house like ours one seldom gets time not used for another. In the midst of all this do gram cracker candy houses with the kids. With all of the joys and treasure placed in heaven, who would want to live in a calm, clean, house and only guard the treasures of earth…??
Took several children to the dentist last week including our 4yr old who actually did the best and not a single tear. Why does a 4yr old have rotten teeth? A lollipop caregiver,(prior to us) candy is cheaper than food and keeps them quiet. Sayder just returned from the Dr, he is has a hot swollen knee, result of an infection from a tree bug that lives here. He is our tree climber. Dr says he might need surgery to relieve pressure in the joint if meds don’t work by Wednesday, they may hospitalize him as well, it is very serious. If meds don’t work he could loose his knee or even his life. Giving him injectable antibiotics and pain pills right now with 24/7 bed rest. Diagnosed as "arthritic septic celulitus", ie bad news.

Marc Antonio wanted to show me the property the church in San Geronimo wants to buy to build a church building. It is a little closer to town right, off the highway, has electric and water. They were kicked out of the last building after the owner chose to sell it and we could not come up with enough funds in time. They have been meeting at members home in the old tent La Cruz Baptist used to start. Its has sure gotten a lot of use in the last 6 years. Many trusting the LORD under this old frayed covering. We are negotiating with the owner for the land but it looks like it will cost $4000. If anyone wants to help this struggling, faithful, extremely poor, little church it, would sure be a great help and encouragment. As you see we stretch every prayer to the fullest….and always need more.
Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Does God have a sense of humor?

2011-12-21T04:47:00.009-06:00

Was able to visit with Pastor Santos finally and help him deliver food to many church members that are hurting this Christmas. We took up about 4000lbs of rice, beans oil ect. His 2 sons and daughter are working the cain fields to help the family. They leave at 3am and return by 8pm and make $15-20 between the 3 of them depending on how much they harvest. It is hard dirty work and they return black like coal miners. It is dangerous work for a teenage girl so she must stay very close to her brothers. It was a difficult food delivery all the way around. Pastor Santos called and said he was ready but I got cut off when my phone ran out of minutes. It took me almost an hour to remedy the situation. Finally figured out directions hop in the truck to leave and child services shows up to visit, with other ministries they are asking to take children, using us as a model to see how we run things. (they confuse me) Thankfully it was one of the better moments when things were running smoothly. Kids all helping, Lisa putting out lunch (a kinda fancy one at that) and of course they stayed for lunch…they always seem to time visits about when Lisa serves lunch or dinner. Jr was putting on some roof panels over the new washing space. Some kids playing instruction games, some doing chores, just everyone about the days duities. They finally leave and I do too. Had to go south to pick up the food then head up the mountain to Lenaca delivering it all. The 4wd died in the Kia Sunday on the last trip to Santa Teresa. Another real expensive repair, the kia is showing its age and honduran abuse, it has carried litterally millions pounds up these mountians and lives in 4wd mode. (only 250 trips is a million lbs and we have done many more than that) So it makes the mountian trips much harder and beats the kia even more trying to make the steep rough grades before stalling the engine. Backing down loaded for a second attempt is even scarier. It would be impossible in the rainy season.
Pastor Santos is doing much better after the time in the hospital (same time as Cindy’s operation). they carried him down the mountain in a hammock. I am still not 100% sure what he had but from the meds and description it seems to be like meningitis. We picked up some more medicine for him as well. It was a scary week for the family and I was oblivious because my phone speaker is dead to talk and those in his family using his phone did not know how to text message. So our line of communication faltered. We have so many in great need right now but the container is still stuck in port and the past due monies are through the roof. Yet I am still being told soon don’t worry its under control…hmmm.
The Christmas shoebox container is ready to ship as well.

Had a laugh out loud moment this morning as I was reading and overheard two of the younger children laughing and playing with the new puppy. Why do we have a new puppy? I’ll come back to that point. The puppy began to lick one child and the other reprimanded them and said. “Don’t let the dog lick your face, that’s adultery”…??? I just laughed. Now, why do we have a puppy? Lisa and some of the girls were out yesterday and saw the puppy on the side of the road with a sign. They stopped fell in love and got her for "me" as a Christmas present, seeing that it is an “Alaskan” dog, me being from there… This is akin to the joke of the young boy out shopping for Christmas presents with his grandfather. The grandfather tells him to go find what he wants to give to others and bring it to the check out counter. As the grandfather prepares to check out the boy arrives and puts a shiny new bb gun on the counter to purchase. The grandfather eyes the gun then turns to the boy. The boy promptly speaks up “But grandpa the bb gun is for grandma”… I could argue, but what’s the point I’m not going to win.. :) Just let them enjoy and play with it and I'll clean up after it later, besides its hard not to feel sorry for her. Not sure what great sin an Alaskan dog has to commit to be born in the very hot tropics of Honduras… maybe the LORD just wanted this old polar bear(me) to have company in my sweaty irony. It's my dog but look who its sleeping with...

What?!

2011-12-17T18:52:00.003-06:00

Yuck. I like bugs and things, I was even intrigued by this latest new bug the boys brought me called a chinche. It was crawling on my desk as I observed. Also known as the kissing bug… Intrigued, that is until I looked it up….splat, now it is know as a pretty dead bug. Numb tongue scorpion stings are no big deal now. This innocent looking beautiful little stinky bug is deadly. A slow agonizing death at that. What does it do? It comes out at night, follows your breath to your face, bites and eats your face, digests your blood, then poops in the sore. The poop contains a parasite that enters your nervous system and causes light flu like symptoms off and on for up to 20 years then comes alive and you either die from your digestive system failure followed body starvation or from your heart swelling up and basically exploding. There is a test and medicine to kill the parasite but only if you catch it early. If you wait years…there is no cure, you simply die. Wee.
Also had the tires and wheels stolen off our trailer last night and the church broke into and messed up again..… SOoo not only do we have to worry about feeding all the mouths every week, or being stabbed again (not since we moved out of the city has that happened) or the many other maladies we face here. (Got ran off the road this evening by a bus passing and he ran the oncoming car off the road too, The bus had an 8 foot sign Jesus lives on the full across mudflap with an “artistic” rendering of him). After 6 years I discover there is a face eating beetle that poops on your face that and you can die from some years after said event… oh weee. There’s no place like home.

Lisa made a 12” cookie and the kids are doing the math it took to make it in order to win it… Taking them a lot longer than it should have…
Multitasking in the USA- having more than one app open on your computer…
Multitasking in Honduras- A lady walking down the highway balancing a full 6 gal bucket on her head while carrying a second bucket with a toddler attached, calling out to sell tortillas, whilst publicly breast feeding her infant. (Seen today) I also followed a family of 5 on a motorcycle; Toddler on gas tank, Dad driving, toddler between Mom and dad, Mom sitting side saddle in a skirt nursing and infant…on a 125 cc motorcycle dodging foot deep potholes and on coming cars that give no respect and force them to drive on the side of highway…only one with a helmet...the driver, because its required and it comes with the motorcycle. A large basket of groceries tied on the handlbars. I also saw a man on a bicycle with a regular size refrigerator tied on the rear book rack going through town in traffic. Had I not seen it I would have said it was impossible. Different world we live in now.

Heading up the mountain to preach tomorrow with the crunching 4x4 transfer case in the kia… I don’t say it in jest or lightly, we need your continued prayers… Amen. We live here by the prayers and hearts of God’s ministering saints. Thank You and Merry Christmas from Honduras.

hmm

2011-12-14T14:48:00.005-06:00

Just a few photos I let Julie take the camera to take photos of what she wanted. When I looked through them, the photos of Ericson playing with his worn out tonka truck in donated pants with hole in them was so emblematic to God’s ministry here. He did not stop playing just because the wheels had been run off and it was worn out. Nor did it change his spirit, he was happy with the new dirt pile. If you would like to share in some of the needs, weights and burdens in this ministry, just let me know and I will gladly list some of them for you. I often pray, humbled in all that God does and allows me to participate in, and ask, “why me?” And hence why I sign off with..
an unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Long but good day

2011-12-11T20:39:00.012-06:00

Went to preach up in the mountain today in St Teresa. Headed out at 6am to pick up Marc Antonio in Choluteca. Several of our kids went to help. As we hit the steep grades the kia began making crunching sounds in the gearbox when in 4wd. Wee. Also brought up cement so the church can do a little more on the church building. They have put a cement coating on and begun a water threshold (like a sidewalk but to keep water away from the non-foundation base of the walls) on the adobe brick building to protect it. They still need to do the interior. We had a couple of small wind gusts and the dust from the interior walls and floor kicks up so bad it requires everyone to keep a washcloth to breath through. They need about 60 more bags of cement to finish the walls and floors. Each bag costs about $9 including getting it up the mountain. They haul the sand, gravel and water they need with an old oxcart or wheel barrow from the river about a mile below. When done, the building will last 25-50yrs with only minor repairs.

We bought and delivered a bunch of chairs for the church in San Geronimo Friday, thanks to the big hearts of ministering saints. The whole church had seats, no rocks were occupied. Amen! How long would you sit on a rock or lean on a barbwire fence to listen to preaching?... The San Geronimo church is growing slow but steady under Marc Antonio’s preaching. He is shaping up to be a great pastor.

The church also came to the river to watch first baptisms of the Lighthouse Baptist church. Marc Antonio is always asking me bible questions to verify his thoughts and grow by, I enjoy his conversations. We had several of our children ready to baptize as well as one of our senior ladies. One of our ladies backed out at the last minute because her catholic husband refused to let her participate. Another time, maybe next time he will be included. She pulled me aside and asked, is it ok if she still comes to the church service? Yes of course your welcome. Patricia had been asking for months about baptism and has been beaming all day. Sayder came privately to me yesterday to verify he was ready. Wow was he ready. I asked a few questions and he responded with answers only a bible student would answer with. He then prayed and humbled me. A president of a Bible university could not have spoke with more power, conviction or more articulate. It moved me to tears listening to him talk to God. I tried to record it but did not want to interfere. Lisa made cupcakes to share at the river and of course kids and water cannot be in close proximity without mixing, so most of them dove in and splashed around after the service for a short bit.
Over all a great day… till I sat and looked at photos and realized I had a big hole in my shirt. Preaching and baptizing all day with a big ol hole. As we looked at the photos, I asked the kids why didn’t you tell me?…Responce-It didn’t bother us and we thought you knew. (Insert exasperated sigh) Back to real concerns. Without going into details, we had some issues this week that could have turned very tragic personally and ministerial, that really brought the spirit down in the house. But thanks to ministering saints prayers being heard by our LORD, it seems that it was avoided. Only the LORD could have changed the circumstances and hearts. Please keep us in prayer, it's not over yet.

I am including a video if I can upload it of the girls folding clothes this evening. They have been singing all afternoon. Amen, BTW, both our washer and dryer have died, so we are back to washing by hand. Making their songs even sweeter to hear. Amen! I have tried and tried for days to load this video and the conection just wont handle it. Stayed up all night sunday trying when loads were less. Need a better way.

Gooder and Gooder

2011-12-05T19:28:00.006-06:00

Update: Cindy doing well, will visit Dr Fri to remove stitches. But moving her head, healing well and playing. The Holy Spirit seems to be moving through the family these past weeks.

Bessy, One of our abused Lighthouse children, came to me asking for salvation Sunday evening. She came in heavy hearted saying “papi I need to talk to you”. She said the same thing earlier in the afternoon but said she wanted to wait till she could talk privately. I only asked why several times and she already had all the answers breaking into tears as she spoke… and in tears, weeping she just prayed on her own. I have been blessed so many times in witnessing this miracle of a new birth, and thankful the LORD made my worthlessness worthy to participate as one who rolls away the stone. Amen

It gets better, or as we used to joke on the church bus gooder and gooder.

Julie came in too, saying the same thing, I need to talk, but for a different reason. She shared how the LORD has been working on her heart and she now feels she would like to be a missionary. She would like to do our jobs in the future and take care of the Lighthouse. My private hope has been one of the children here would one day take the reigns. She previously wanted to cook and maybe start a restaurant. She still wants to learn to cook but feels the LORD is directing her desires to a different path… A ministering saint sent a surprise pacage in the mail just for Julie that we picked up today. Had a nice long skirt and shirt set… strange timing? I think not. Amen!

Today’s is Korina’s birthday(Jenny’s little sister) I asked her Saturday what she wanted while out driving and she said to visit her older sister(where she used to live). I relented against my better judgment.. cuz it was her BD and all. She was scared to return, heart racing and ducked behind my seat when we pulled up. She got out and found most of them could care less. The older half sister (36) talked a few minutes then ignored her telling me of all her problems wanting me to turn on her electric because her man will not. A halve brother did not even turn to say hi when walking by even though they all called out repeatedly. The dad moved to a different city. She got back in the kia in just a few minutes wanting to leave. Today she was giggly happy when I suggested going out with Lisa for a dress or something after lunch (special lunch made by her request). A few minutes later several girls came in saying Korina is crying in the bedroom. I went to find out “now what?”. When I asked her she said she was not crying because she was sad… she was crying because she was so happy and did not want to go back living like she did… You needed no fire to melt me… I am glad she did not ask for anything else at that moment, else I would have felt obliged to give it to her no matter the cost…Amen.
We will be doing our first baptismal service in the Lighthouse Baptist church on Sunday, should be several of our children and several adults… We will see. Taking them all to the river. Amen!

unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

A Long Day

2011-11-30T20:26:00.003-06:00

Cindy went in for surgery at 7am and they rolled her out at 11 am to remove a growth around the base of her tongue that would grow to the size of a grapefruit if left alone. She was in pain as they put her in her bed but it only took a little reassurance from papi to get her calm again. The photos in the top right are her last week. By request we stopped for a frosty on the way home this evening. Get home with Cindy to find Jr with a tick buried deep in his ear canal. Lisa brought home an ear scope from the USA last trip and I was able to fish it out and clean up the blood with peroxide. As I finish Lisa walks in teary eyed and says our 2 year old great dane security dog just died. He has had a hard life and has been sick since we got him as a puppy, then bit from a poisonous snake at 6m old and almost died then. Did not have extra funds or time for a vet this time, was not sure what was wrong, like he just gave up trying. So Jr and the kids are burying him right now. May have been poisoned not sure. The way things have gone lately it’s a possibility.

Yesterday… Just yuck, Someone broke into where we have church services defecated on the floor and spread it all over the rough cement walls with a toilet just 5 feet away… I could really use a pressure washer right now. Had a boy asked us to pull out his dad who was stuck near us. Head up the tiny cow path a mile or so and find a Toyota 4x4 stuck in the mud. Pull him out only to find he is the pastor of the cult in the mountain that has been giving Pastor Augusto a hard time...hmm. The man with a tractor(who couldn’t fit) wanted to charge him I did it free, just smile and put a few coals on the fire…Rom 12:20-21 Amen

While at the Hospital, Pastor Santos’ family called needing a ride to the hospital because they said he was having stroke like symptoms. I have not heard back since.

Had a bank robbery yesterday in town and 4 youth were killed in another late night street robbery with a 5th in icu. To show you how quick our justice can be the police caught the bank robbers already and according to the news they were already sentenced to 27 years in jail…48hours from robbery to jail.. hmm. Now if I could only get the ones tearing up our fence and cutting down our trees… just fixed it a couple of days ago. always have need of prayer....

Praise, Plea and a Giggle

2011-11-28T15:55:00.009-06:00

An Amen praise and another great need. We finally have legal electric. Our electric service has been a major problem since the beginning of our Children’s Lighthouse construction. Those who have helped, understand some. Today I had a good meeting with the electric boss. I felt like a kid going to the principle’s office, I was worried what they would do because of how long we have had unmetered service. The Holy Spirit prompted me to make a timeline last night of the progress of the project and the time of electric ect. When we began talking he wanted $8400 dollars today or cut service. I showed him what the project was (home for sexually abused children) and the time line and what I felt we used and how it was all installed. He opted to not require us to put the meter by the highway as was originally on their plans (big savings we have not had the funds to do) and without argument he accepted the numbers and dates I had. It amounts to $2600 at their rates. When I told him about Lisa, he gave me till Feb to pay. So now we must come up with $2600 quickly and start paying another electric bill (part of the property has been metered all along). He then gave me the paperwork to buy a meter and start our monthly service. Picked it all up and Jr installed it this afternoon. But it is a relief to know we are now legal and it wont be shut off for now as long as we pay by Feb.
Cindy’s throat operation is Wednesday at 7am. Thanks to ministering saints. Amen! Lisa wants to do a few girl things and take her dainty shopping before hand and get her some regular pajamas ect.
Another big huddle is start up of the school. Not sure how to get it done. We still need a certified national teacher at a cost of about $350 per month (our school year will be 12 months long without a break). We have several teachers in our churches that could/would do it here, but it would require them giving up their primary income to do so. On top of this, I need to finish the classrooms and set it up per the commit- ment I made to the government officials…
A big praise!! Korina came to me after church Sunday and said she needed to talk to me looking troubled. Uh oh. She then slowly said She did not want me to tell anyone, Uh ok… Then she sat on my knee, began to tear up and said Papi I want Jesus to save me, I want to live for him and not like the world.. Wow was not expecting that. We talked a bit and she prayed on her own. You could see a burden lifted in her face. After I shared how we are not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that she should tell someone. She told Lisa and Jenny who both gave hugs…Amen! Jenny asked friday to do a family devotions with the girls to share a book I gave her…Amen!

Need a few small miracles and lots of prayer.

Now something funny... Dunkin Donuts is just not the same here. Jr brought back a rare and expensive treat from the capital last week when he took a public school class to the science museum, it was 2 dozen Dunkin Donuts. (photo- the chapperone is laying on a bed of nails) Lisa bit into a donut with what could only be described as a maybe a beet and ketchup filled sugar coated donut... What does she do? Warn us? Nooo she goes with a smile, "Try this a tell me what flavor this is"... As each one tries it and violently spits it out anywhere there is an open space, she moves to the next unsuspecting victim and gets the same reaction... Then calls the skinny hungry dogs to clean the mess... and the dogs do the same thing, spit it out. The other kids that were handed the same flavor donut as Lisa ate around the filling and tried to get the now wiser dogs to eat their centers... nope again. Ok maybe the monkey will eat it... nope same reaction, spit it out, and actually got a little mad and shook the cage... When food is rejected by several species, some quite hungry... it might not be all that good...

"Honduran" Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T11:19:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving in Honduras has never been normal. It’s not a holiday here and it gets harder each year trying to maintain the traditional element to it. This year we were tapped out more than in the past in many ways and passed on celebrating traditionally; choosing rather to save what we could for Cindy’s operation soon. Lisa got sick after Jenny’s big day and the special day also drained resources. So a few days later when Sayder and Patricia have birthdays there is not much that can be done. Thankfully, they were easy to please. When I asked if they want a party or the beach… the beach! I can swing that, there is fuel in the kia, throw some lunch in a cooler and take off with the kids so Lisa can rest. We arrived to find the spot we use got hit by a mini tsunami a month back, and took out buildings near the beach. It made the entry road only accessible to soft tired 4x4s. Blessed being all alone with family at the beach again.
A few days later we went and had blood tests done in preparation for Cindy’s operation and also did Aids test on her and Patricia. Both came back negative which is a relief considering their backgrounds. While in town the Kia broke a U-joint and needed brakes before taking a group of school kids to a science museum in Tegu the following day. (another promised the kids got me into, you know, like “My dad can do that” and all assume it’s a done deal and just tell me about it later on a need to know basis :) I was cringing watching the mechanic try to change the u-joint, swinging wildly with a hammer. So I offered a little expertise in self perseveration of the drive shaft. Threw on new brake pads, but the kia really needed rotors and calipers, not in the budget. We have worn out 4 or 5 sets of brakes on the same original rotors and calipers. It now has a hard pull to the left and pads smoke…wee. Going to make it rough in Dec when I go weekly up the mountain to preach for Pastor Augusto. The devil always seems to put hurdles in the road to what the LORD wants done. Thankfully the LORD made me with the attitude of an ant, when there is an obstacle in the way, just find a way over, around or through it and continue… going back is never an option. On her birthday, Patricia asked to visit her grandmother. I’m putty when she asks for things in a sweet spirit on her birthday, so when we stopped by and chatted, for the first time they finally admitted what we had suspected for a while. That her father died of aids, and that he had a baby die of aids as well from his relation with a 12yr old… The reasons why we do what we do are always before my eyes here.
Our thanksgiving dinner this year was a soup/stew. A very good soup that Lisa made, even spent the morning with the girls making the noodles and homemade bread, but still not what you would expect for an American thanksgiving. Never the less it was commenced with a true prayer of thanks because the kids know the reason for the change. A ministering Saint has promised the bulk of the funds, but nothing here is ever as cheap as first stated. And as I write the power company visits again and says I must meet with the boss to discuss our electric situation. So Monday I will find out we must pay a very large sum we don’t have to the electric company or cut our power… Need prayer as always… We really need a large increase in support level.

Dr...

2011-11-16T11:28:00.002-06:00

Returned from a Dr Visit for Cindy and José yesterday afternoon. Both have birth defects that need surgery to correct. Cindy has a cyst on her tongue/thyroid that looks like an oversized adam’s apple. We were waiting till school let out to do anything and our school year ended last week. After checking her this time, the Doctor suggested an operation in December and was surprised how much it had grown. As it grows it gets more entangled and becomes harder to separate without more damage to surrounding/connected tissues. If left alone it could be the sized of a grapefruit in a few years making talking, eating and breathing difficult. There are a few people on the street here who beg for money with this growth. Cindy cries each time she sees the lady who has one so large you can see it blocks away. The Doctor said the operation would cost between $1-2000 dollars depending on how long he rents the operating room and how complicated it is. If we return her to child services they might arrange it through social medical but it could be a long time waiting and/or place her in another ministry somewhere with deeper pockets. So if we are to keep her, we basically need extra funds on top of all the other things we are in need of during December. José’s defect is a cleft inside his nasal passage and can wait for now. It just means he gets sick more frequently, talks, breaths and snores unusual. Cindy is the older sister of Asyln 4, Elmer 6 (had seizures a while back) and José. She is mentally a little slow (maybe slight downs syndrome but undiagnosed) and was sexually abused (with persons in jail a long time). She is a handful but craves true love and attention. This is the first stable environment she has been in and she is finally starting to respond in the right direction, though it has been an arduous journey battling some of the “programming” she came with. Whatever we do it is in the hands of the LORD and how he choses to work because we cannot do it ourselves. If anyone wants to give an abused little girl a Christmas present…this would be a big one.

A Collage...

2011-11-13T19:25:00.007-06:00

A collage of photos to go with the collage of ideas… We had a very special day Saturday. Lisa has been working on this project for a year collecting trinkets while in the USA and ideas from different things. It was originally to be a special birthday for Jenny but her birthday came and went last month without much fanfare. Time, money and sickness ect collided and it did not come to pass as planned. But rather, as God always does, it was transformed into something much better. A couple of weeks ago Jenny ran off in the woods after refusing to go to school. My heart sank as we thought she ran away, and began looking for her. We found her crying on a big rock in the mango trees. She had been acting unusual, distant and a little rebellious for a time. I told her what I saw and asked her what was really going on. We talked a while about many things and she finally said she had been having bad dreams and thinking about all the things in her life and things we sacrificed for her and had gone through, and the pain she saw us endure. The dream was that she ran away after being dropped at school in the city and went to be with her mom and started working the same way as her older sister and mom do. (Prostitution) Nancy, one of the children we had a few years ago, did just that. Jenny then broke down crying and fell on me in a hug and said, “I don’t want that for my life, I want to live for God”. So her fear, rebellion, repentance, disappointment and missed birthday were transformed into a Consecration to God gala with a princess theme. She invited friends and those she thought needed to hear and see her make this choice. Each one had to bring a parent. We ended up with several churches represented, well over 100 attending, in an activity that was filled with tears of joy, laughter, food and fellowship. All centered around a preaching message that pricked deep into heart of all present. When Jenny walked out in her Cinderella gown followed by her younger siblings in princess attire, I was amazed and told her I never saw her look more beautiful than that moment and it was true. All of child services showed up (one with their teen daughter). Carlos and folks from La Cruz Baptist sang and he read “Stay in the Castle” with everyone hanging on every word reading from their own copy. A short ceremony by Lisa where Jenny takes off her childish things and gives them to her little sister, then puts on her adult things to listen to a really strong sermon by Pastor Augusto. Afterwards she made a public offering of consecration to the LORD and prayer. We printed copies and I asked if any teens wanted to consider a similar path. About 40 came forward. We then had a special paper for the parents and asked if they wanted to raise their children this way. I think they all came forward even child services workers. After the event Maudra, a Child services lawyer (she was taking notes and crying through the services), went to Jenny and told her how blessed she was and that none of the children they place in homes have this great a blessing. At the request of Jenny, I had asked Pastor Augusto if he would mind preaching this type of event. Unsure of what it was having never done it (nor have we), he wanted to talk to Jenny and ask her what it was she wanted. To be sure it was not our will but her will in this event. He became convinced it was all Jenny. The event was an eclectic mix of consecration, baby dedication, wedding, chastity vow, preacher’s ordination, birthday, princess ball ect but Lisa and Jenny pulled it all together to make a beautiful event that I am sure the LORD was well pleased in. While at home talking to his wife about it earlier, Augusto’s teenage son chimed in and said “Dad I want to do that too, I want to dedicate my life to God”. He was almost in tears telling me this. Last night I had Katheryn walking back to the house still dressed as a beautiful princess and said, “Papi, I am ready, I want to turn from my sin so Jesus will save me, I want to be a princess of the King like Jenny”…and I had the privilege to lead her to Christ. Then as I was getting ready for bed Patricia comes to me to hug goodnight and asked to be baptized… I have never talked to her about it previously so it is purely Holy Spirit conviction…amen. I took a picture of Jenny and her little sister sleeping this morning with the doll Jenny gave her yesterday, not all grown up yet…amen. After she woke, Jenny came to me to say good morning and take on chores so Lisa could rest after 48 hours without sleep. I told Jenny what transpired last night with Patricia and Kathryn and she began to weep and I got another hug…Amen. Lisa and Jenny worked 2 days straight without sleep to bring it all together. The kids have been working days to do special clean up to make everything presentable to a large group of visiters. Burning leaves picking up ect. Even a little painting on the gate ect. Then this evening as I proof read Patricia hands me this note, if you can read it you'll be blessed... I know it touches my heart. All of the trials and all of the weariness of work fade away in moments like these…Amen!

Communications...

2011-11-10T09:21:00.001-06:00

Having a difficult time with internet connections. And way too slow right now for skype or loading pictures ect. Took most of the day yesterday to send a single email. Trying to figure another work around since our new repeater Lisa brought back from USA was short lived and now just hums… So it is harder keeping in contact with everyone at the moment. Praying and working on a solution just not sure what it will be.

A Cinderella moment.

2011-10-28T04:27:00.005-06:00

The waters have asswaged with no major damage locally. Thank you all for prayers they were effectual. Trying to do a few repair/modifications to the Lighthouse to prevent future issues. A retaining wall is going in to keep the foundation secure and need to fix the drainage of water off the mountain in back of the house because when it gets heavily saturated, the water comes through the cement and across the floor…Happened last year too. Just need to give it an easier path to follow before entering. This too will affect the foundation if not addressed. Needed to do it whether or not we could afford it. Need shorter months or longer finances. We lost the front wall of the dinning room a couple of years ago when building. But had hurricane/tropical storms back to back for two weeks then and no roof on yet either. Our potholes are torturous right now too because of the rains, some more than a foot deep and span the lane, makes driving at night risky. Seen many vehicles in ditched from blowouts. Pastor Santos came down today asking for help. The rains destroyed his crops and he has no money or food in the house. We did not have any funds to give him but Lisa went to the kitchen and shared what we had. (he has many in his house too including 2 orphans from church members he took in when their mom and dad died of aids.) We also loaned him clothes for school graduation. (the schools require a special uniform the children must wear and recite all the required things and photographs in order to graduate. Toño and Julie just finished yesterday. Lisa keeps a couple of sets on hand from years past. Must buy a special uniform to use one week…
“Doing” in Honduras is always twice as difficult as it should be it seems. Like internet not working correctly. I was trying to put minutes on my phone (use internet to do so), so I could call about the food shipping container (still up in the air). The connection kept timing out, loosing connection ect, and I tried 8 times till it finally registered on the phone. Unfortunately, 2 days later I find my bank was overdrawn because the cell provider gave and charged me …8x what I wanted. And since it is a third party, I’m stuck.
Jr church classes have been going well teaching on the Genesis foundations. Still working on basics with the church. Like having to teach a babe to eat. But we are having a faithful few. Preached a really strong soulwinning sermon this week and had many raise hands... much work yet to do.
Lisa brought back material to make a Cinderella dress for Jenny and a few other girls. A trial fit, but only after Lisa snapped a shot of Jenny scrubbing the back stairs of the green slime the rains caused. (need a good pressure washer if someone has one not being used). And a few photos of the bugs driven out by the rains. The kids are fascinated by them. The huge beetle and huge moth and locust, all sound like a military helicopter when flying- thump thump thump. Found a small bright florescent green spider too but wasn’t about to find out if it was venomous. It is now a permanent part of the cement wall. 9 inch spiders, 5 inch beetles, huge moths and 6 inch locust, When we enter the property at night there are always rabbits and huatusas scurrying across the field in headlights, a regular Garden of Eden…after the fall. Mosquitoes and all. By the sweat of the brow… Blog post at 3 am so I can load a picture…always harder here but not impossible…With God. Amen.

Flooding

2011-10-16T06:29:00.001-06:00

Choluteca River's rise up streets on both sides of La Cruz Baptist Church. 2pm Oct 15, 2011. And photo from bridge. 3-5 feet till entering church.

How to get a monkey off your back.

2011-10-14T15:52:00.005-06:00

How do you get a monkey off your back? Life on the mission field in Honduras is like chasing monkeys with marshmallows and other ways to get them off your back and into the cage…. No really.

Church last night was good. Even in the rain. The church gave away a bicycle to a teen named Glenda, who memorized alot of scriptures in a month. She comes from a very poor family and tried very hard. Amen! One of the men came forward to pray and give a testmony. It has been a week of solid rain. All the ground around the property is very soft. Needing 4wd almost just to enter. Some of the ground in front of the dinning room and bedrooms has begun to wash away. So we are digging footers and putting in a secondary retention wall. Always something to do here. My do list is a mile long, but never get down to the urgent “to do’s” or the needful “to do’s” because we always are dealing with the emergency “do’s”.
In La Cruz the brother of Ermita trusted the LORD and wow what a change. He has chosen to give up the rather large multi generation family business which made drinking alcohol. In doing so, some of his business associates have even threatened to kill him. Yet he is growing in grace under the pastoring of Carlos. He is converting the plant to make medical alcohol for pharmacies and hospitals and the LORD has already opened doors for permits, licences, customers ect.

Lisa sent the boys to pick corn to make corn on the cob and found someone else harvested our field in the night. So much for that effort. You can’t keep anything here without sitting on it like a hen.

The last container of donated food has yet to arrive. Actually, it has been marked as abandoned by the port authority. The shipping agency gave up and dumped it on me to deal with. This container was suppose to be different (ie less headaches). The new shipping agency in the USA promised to handle all issues and deliver it to our door. OK great!...Not. They gave up this week and it is now my problem. But only after they made a really big mess. as high as $9000 worth port storage fees, fines and all. Welcome to Honduras. This is not the fault of ministering Saints in the USA that collect, store and arrange the shipping, but rather false promises from a shipping agency that found Honduras is rough team to play against and just quit midgame after getting a foul. Now the ministries in the USA get hurt as well as us. And we are left holding the game ball and all the debt that goes with it. Not sure how this will work. Need lots of prayer. I contacted our regular shipping lawyer and asked her to look into it yesterday. It is costing near 100 per day right now to sit and it is not even got to customs where our normal headaches begin. I believe we may have lost this container, I see no way to right this ship“ment”. Not sure how it will affect our name on future shipment either. But I am told even if it is abandoned there will be charges and fees that remain against any future shipment (As much as $4000) and put us in a high risk category with the Secretary of Finance for our nonprofit ministry corporation papers, which potentially affects our visas. And today as I write this I received an email from a collection agency demanding the storage fees for the port. Near $3000 and climbing and in Honduras a judge can confiscate your property until the debt it paid. It is a mess from any angle. So basically, I am going to owe thousands of dollars on a shipment I may not receive, that was donated for free distribution, and feeding of children placed with us by the state? One needs much more income than we have to stay ahead of the headaches Honduras produces. Need Lots of Prayer and a hand of providential intervention.

On another note. We started paperwork to officially adopt 7 of the children. Not a USA side adoption but a Honduran one. It gives the children a sense of belonging (very important for these 7) as well as opens up the possibility to travel with them and maybe visit a few churches in the future. Some colleges stateside accept missionary’s children for free as well. It is something that has been on my heart for a while. Each one has asked me or Lisa in the past if we would please become their real mom and dad. Each time was a heartbreaking moment. Not sure who needs it more us or them. When I went to child services to turn in the papers they were excited. Asking about the kids and how Lisa was doing. They then told us about budget cuts and all the ministries and homes that that failed inspection and they could no longer sending children to…then came “the question” Can you and Lisa take 5 more?…. Uh uh …So we might end up with 5 more children. Where is that word “no” in the vocabulary when you need it…Oh well. Plus I asked about a baby girl because pastor Augusto wants to adopt as well.

ok now to explain the monkeys. I had asked someone about monkeys as pets a couple of years ago, kinda half hearted. (Our family had one in Alaska when I was little.) Note to self… don’t make half hearted statements in Honduras because they might come to pass. Someone was moving and needed someone to take their monkeys right away and our name came up…hmm. So now we have 2 monkeys to add to our “zoo”. They have escaped from our leftover fencing and pvc cage several times and gone into the mountain swinging from the tops of trees with kids chasing them. Only to return when it was calm and they were hungry. And of course the first time is 10 minutes before church. Most of our kids take off after them and then the church kids do to… made for a rather short jr church class… busy chasing monkeys. Gotta be a sermon illustration in this somewhere. Still hard to catch though, little marshmallows worked the best. … Kids named them Tarzan and Jane. I dont know about this one. Where is that word again umm “kno”, uh noe, uh nnnnn…Gonna have to practice it so it comes out in time. A late no is the same and a yes I think. Anyway need prayer on many fronts. Had another church lower our support as well… Welcome to the spiritual front lines in Honduras
Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

3-2 is still positive 1...

2011-10-08T07:44:00.002-06:00

Been a while without a post. A lot has happened but not much “newsworthy”. Just been the daily struggles of existing here. Lisa finally made it back and is settling in. She did not make her scheduled flight in Miami, normally not a big deal for most, but we don’t role that way. Everything must be unusually complicated for us. We had ordered new debit cards while Lisa was stateside. We get our funds through atm withdrawals and credit card companies wont send cards directly to us here, so a perfect opportunity. When they are mailed from our home church it takes a couple of attempts to get them here. The CC companies often cancel them before arriving due to the long period not activated, ie 1-3 months in mail. The plan was Lisa would activate them just prior to coming here (which cancels old cards I have) and when I pick her up a few hour later presto we are all set again. When she missed her flight that left us with no access to funds, no money in wallet, no food in house(waiting for Lisa to make the preferred purchases) no money to pay mechanic fixing the kia, and no fuel in truck to even pick her up,… the following week. Ops. She ended up sending money by western union just so I could put fuel in the truck to get her at the airport. I took most of the children with me to the airport so Lisa got the big welcome home as she came out. Then rush directly to immigration and wait. Why? There was an issue with dates on her passport(correct) not matching the dates immigration stamped(not correct). Our immigration lawyer went on vacation the week(delayed) before Lisa got back so we had no one to explain the error. We also must come up with the funds to pay the lawyer before she will release the new visas to us. And we must now start the process all over for next year. Living in Honduras is akin to backpacking in Alaska and the kids with you are collecting lots of rocks and secretly storing them in the bottom of your backpack every night.
There are numerous birthdays around this time and all the children wanted to wait for mom to return to celebrate. Lisa is the bday expert. So belated and current birthdays are one of Lisa’s tasks next week. She brought back a few special toys she found stateside.
Jr installed the cell phone repeater Lisa brought. It helps a little but not near what we hoped. It seems to struggle finding a signal the same as our cell phones…but our phones read full bars of signal strength…to bad it’s a lie.
Unbeknownst to me, Jr got the little truck fixed for Lisa by selling some of his stuff.(no little task, it needed basically a rebuilt motor) So when the big kia was down being repaired, I got a surprise too. Now if he could only get the lawn mower working. Need a good riding lawnmower. Numerous long power outages, finally the electric came back on but the well water did not. Had to replace the pressure tank again after the switch did not shut off due to low voltage.
Tried to play one of our teaching videos in church Thursday only to have our video projector die. That is a tool we use often here for bible institute, evangelistic outreaches, and teaching videos in church ect. Need to find another one.
Other issues: a 40 foot container of food is stuck in customs for a month now, the storage and paperwork is in the $1000s, we may loose this one and it is greatly needed. It is not in my control this time.
Head lice is rampant, we delice, they go to school, and a few hours later they return with a head full again. And one of the girls came home with body lice too. Declogging toilets, sanitizing bathrooms ect
And a church emailed notifying us we were loosing support due to the economy. Wee…
Believe it or not things are going well and we are blessed in spite of the daily struggles. Three steps forward and two steps back… is still progress…Amen! And how was your week? (:

Weary but not fainted...

2011-09-24T17:02:00.005-06:00

Been long, tiring, and expensive days since Pastor Green left. It always take a bit to recover from the revved up pace, no recovery allowed this time. It took us a week to dry out our 30yr old bounce house. I had put a couple of boys inside it to seal up holes during the activity in the rain, but once the other children heard a day or so later it wasn’t scary, they all wanted to take a run through the maze.

No electric for several days so I took the children for a drive before church to see the flamingos migrate in from Florida, then a quick stop at the river to rinse off kids before church. Cross an area we crossed many times before, only this time it was washed out. Hit 4wd and it did not engage, right as I needed to rev the engine several kids jumped out so I did not want to risk hitting one. In that 10-15 second delay the kia took on water and poof motor quit. So we ended up stuck in the river, no one around and anything solid to hook a winch to, way too far away. Waved down a shrimp hauling truck to pull us out and he got stuck. Then found a farmer 2 hours later with a tractor to pull us both out in the pitch black night. The only light was from a spotlight on the kia a ministering saint gave us, but the kia batteries were under water so did not know how long it would last. The tractor chained up to the kia just as the storms waters quickly rose and began to sweep the kia down stream. Pay everyone for the help. Towed it to town and began the process of drying it out cylinders and all. It is still in a shop and they want $500 for all they did to it. At least the new motor did not get ruined. The “quick” dip meant we did not make it to church that evening. The only one home was Toño and he tried to play a gospel movie for a make shift service.
Borrowed a vehicle to meet the Visa lawyer and go to immigration Monday. Jr and I got final papers for this years visas filed, now just to wait for the state to issue the cards. But Lisa will have to go when she arrives Monday. And the Lawyer wants $1200 for her fees these last 8 months when Lisa goes. Not sure how that will happen. And the whole process must start over in just a few weeks. (Really want to get the 5 year visas next time)
We have been collecting supplies needed to wall up the classroom area so school classes can start in February. We started laying the blocks and mixed cement to fix the driveway as well. Time to finish messages for tomorrows services. Uh power just went out again. A tree on our property touch the high power line, Jr went to cut it down but now to wait for power again. Lisa will be home Monday and a container with some donated food should be here this week.

Had several of our preachers come by this week seeking advice for various situations in ministry. Again the Holy Spirit gave wisdom beyond my measure and made the complex and hard simple and easy. Amen!
Had several men from La Cruz Baptist church come by and as if they could “buy” our old van that hasn’t run in a year. They have a new member that wants to fix it and start a bus ministry…Wow amen. Of course I just gave it to them. Hondurans have a way of getting things working with little or no money out of necessity so I hope they can put it back on the road. In reality it doesn’t need a lot but it does need… They also finisshed the classrooms, and bathrooms and stuccoed the inside of the church so it all has a finished look. Pastor Agusto also has put a stucco finish on the outside of their church so the rain does not continue to wash it away. Amen!
Lots to pray for mainly in the health and finance end.
Thank You for every remembrance,
Barry Ritchie

All Things to All Men...

2011-09-11T22:32:00.004-06:00

Our time with Pastor Green is drawing to a close. Yesterday we visited two more of our ministries. One in St Teresa and one in San Geronimo. Both as outreaches for children’s day. In St Teresa Pastor Augusto arranged for us to preach in the public school, a first up there. There were several hundred folks and many adults present. We also brought our bounce house, generator and candy cannon and the girls did their puppet play. It was a full house and I think made many inroads for the church to follow up on. Rush down the mountain to the next meeting and set up again. We broke the hitch on the truck bouncing down the mountain. The air compressor also broke, so Jr made it work by just plugging the hose into the side of the piston. No gauge, no safety shut off, no pressure regulator…but we had air for the cannon and kind guess what pressure it is and unplug it. We arrive late in San Geranimo but thankfully Marc Antonio chose to start without us and preach to hold the 100+ crowd before we arrived. The girls did another puppet story. Brother Dudley also shared a story and the equipment was put out. Then Sunday Pastor Green preached at La Cruz for Carlos in the morning and The Lighthouse for the afternoon. I rushed around with the kids trying to get the old 600 pound bounce house up and running ect…before the rain. We had near 400 people show up. Pastor Green was going to preach and Jr translate but I ended up putting Jr, Tono, Sayder inside the bounce house to lay on the holes to keep the air from escaping. Pastor Augusto took the reins and preached a good message As the rains began and soaked everything. Many were inattentive hanging around the fringes of the tent, but there was a large core group inside hanging on every word. Hopefully it will bear fruit from a large crowd of visitors. The kids opted to bounce in the rain, which made everything slippery…and actual more fun but clean up is going to be miserable. So as you see the Bounce house photos remember three of our boys are laying inside the bounce laying on the floor plugging the large air leaks with their bodies and hands as kids above bounce and water fills around them…But it worked… Pastor Green just shook his head and smiled.
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, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Please continue to keep Lisa in prayer while she is still stateside.

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie
added a few photos of St Teresa outreach and Lisa in a building in Chicago..Her Mary Poppins moment. Plus a link to Brother Dudleys facebook page that he loaded his photos from his time here for those who would like to see more in its unedited form. Just click below
Bro Dudleys Photos

We're Going "Green"

2011-09-08T12:37:00.004-06:00

Pastor Green and brother Walden are here visiting. It is pastor Green's 2nd trip down. Last time I had a little manual labor to do and thought he was going to pass out in the heat. He never quit but we joked that God made him better equipped to preach than shovel… Soo armed with that info this time we did just that. :) He is here for 5 working days and we have him preaching to military bases, public schools, mission outreaches in mountains, in the city, in our churches and doing the children’s day preaching(in 4 locations). In all he is scheduled to preach 14 times in 5 days… fueled by beans and rice… So when he gets home to the normal schedule he can “rest”. Amen! Here are a few shots so far taken by brother Walden. They even tried to play with our kids but found that is even more exhausting trying to keep up with them…

Keep Lisa in prayer, She is done with treatment and wants to come home. Just waiting on the ability to purchase a ticket. She no longer has hair or eyebrows so its going to be a shock to see her at first. Several kids have written her notes and all want her to come home.

Prepping for mountain services for the next 2 days… Thank you for every remembrance.
Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

When it rains....

2011-08-28T21:05:00.006-06:00

Rain, no power, winds… and I am not talking about the east coast. It’s like that almost daily here right now. We have had so many children regularly attending church services since we started a few month ago, that I decided to start a special class. Jr Church, boy it brought back memories. I prepared a skit for our kids to perform with puppets and they did great to a packed house of more than 60 kids besides ours. Maybe it's something we can grow and minister in other churches and schools, amen! The rains began afterwards during the regular church service. Had over 100 folks in attendance even in the rain, another amen. Preaching went long in both classes so church was 4 hours long. The tent was sagging under the rain, then a strong wind gust lifted the tent and it ballooned like a parachute. Our boys all ran to the ropes to hold it down. Our folks must be getting used to it because they looked up a moment then back to the preacher and he never paused. I’ve been in church where people slip off their shoes for comfort reasons… But here, as the tent fills with running water our folks take off their shoes to keep them from being ruined in the water under their seats, and walk home barefoot with shoes under one arm and Bible under the other. Our little upstart outreach is beginning to grow spiritually into a church. We are about to start another year of the Bible institute as funds allow. We could really use a good risograph digital duplicator. We have one and worked it a lot until it broke a few years ago and we have not been able to get it running.

The boys were able to cut the tree off the roof from last week without roof damage, amen. Still need to repair the fence it took out. Our mower is also broke down and the grass is 2 feet high

Please keep us in prayer for finances. Need funds to purchase Lisa’s return flight to Honduras, many extra medical, and living expenses. There are also many on going needs, as well as upcoming ministry needs here that we are facing, electric change, new start school expenses, fix Kia, most of the kids need shoes, and many church projects, ect. Never seems to be enough to do what is set before us. Not only do the kids wear out shoes fast, (several boys have toes showing) the quality of things is at issue. I bought one of the girls much needed shoes this week. First day using them, it rains, and the soles fall off on the walk to school… Somehow the LORD gets us through thanks to soft hearts of His ministering saints. Thank You for every remembrance.
An unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Pick one Eat one...

2011-08-22T10:12:00.008-06:00

The Boys have been urging me to let them pick beans. So I had the boys go through the bean field we planted and harvest the ripe ones. They prepared and hunted for corn sacks, divided up into teams, chided each other in friendly competition. They also had the idea to use their school back packs to be more efficient. After an hour of planning and preparing then went and worked a couple of hours to return with one sack only about ¼ full but bellies 100% full. Hmm… pick one eat one doesn’t work so well if harvesting is the goal. If it is to have fun and eat well that’s a different story. As I amusingly mused the events, it dawned on me they were harvesting with the same hearts as maybe Adam would have in the garden. No worries, no plan to store up for tomorrow, we get more as needed because the ground gives its abundance. Just enjoying, the for the sake of enjoying, the activity of gathering ones harvest. Maybe God does the same in a spirit filled church. As opposed to our post garden requirement of extracting as much as we can with much effort to store, ship, sell and consume froma ground not giving its full measure. Then a flashback to a time when I was their age in Alaska picking wild blueberries in a huge patch with the same mindset; pick one or two or three to eat and put one in the bucket… then bears come displeased we were eating their food… No bears here. Maybe it is a little glimps of Adam's garden and of heaven… as little children. Hmm cant wait till then…

Church yesterday was good and the rains held off till afterward. As always, a lot of children and young adults so I decided to start a kids class next week. As we were listening to the preaching, several large scorpions emerged walking under the chairs. No one jumped or blinked, just raised a heal and crushed them as they passed underfoot. And continued listening. How would your church react if they saw a half a dozen large scorpions under the children’s pews during preaching? Pastor Augusto told me that last week it took him 6 hours to get home after the service. He waited on the rains to stop then went up the mountain in the dark. The motorcycle broke down and he ended up pushing it up the mountain and arrived home at 11pm. Yesterday he arrived with a tire nearly flat so we took care of that issue before he returned up the mountain.

Still waiting on the rest of the Kia parts to arrive to finish repairs but it is running.

Lisa had a rough week. She has been sick and vomiting. So much so, those she was staying with in the states took her to the ER where she stayed 9 hours getting checked over. Blood work, 2 cat scans ect. They ended up sending her out with just pain meds and anti nausea medication. As of last night she was still sick. Not sure what to think of it all or what it cost yet, I know we have no funds to cover this unexpected expense nor do we have insurance.
Keep us in prayer we need each and every one…
an unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

• God delights to increase the faith of His children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God’s hand as a means. I say – and say it deliberately – trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.
— George Mueller

PS just a photo a pastor sent me... I am not the only one who fits just one more on the truck. The verse "and yet there is room" Luke 14:22 Maybe takes on a little more to those who have worked bus ministry.

Another week closer to a day of rest with the LORD.

2011-08-14T20:29:00.005-06:00

Had issues all week but none were insur- mountable.
Last Sunday's service was interesting. About ¾ through the rains and wind came in hard. Our boys manned the corner ropes of the tent, trying to hold it down and drain the water. I strapped the center pole to a chair and sat in it to hold it down. Sometimes weight has advantages but not often. After a few strong gusts and worried faces, we had the congregation stand incase they needed to run. Got though the message, but everyone and everything got wet, and the big fan is now broken. Electric power goes out at the end of service so we go into the night hot and sweaty. Our overworked power inverter that we use on the kia truck to run a few lights and fans in emergencies smokes then dies. Monday morning I begin to worry because all the market food we bought Saturday is now thawed. Get a generator up and running, go buy $5 per gal gas to make it run and hour or so to freeze down food. Monday night power comes back on. We loose power Wednesday for a few hours. Jr has pulled apart the disposable power inverter and looks for a rectifier bridge to make it work, it doesn’t work. Wish we had a real diesel back up gen set. Saw a real nice one at an auction.

Thursday morning deliver 35 sixty lb bags of food and supplies to churches. Late Thursday afternoon get a call for the visa lawyer saying our temp papers will expire Sunday and they must be restamped or we get another fine. Ok do it Friday. Thursday night rush out to p/u the girls from school before having to set up for church and the lower control arm of the Kia broke in the middle of the Lighthouse property road. Thankfully, it was not a moment later on the highway or the truck easily could have flipped over. Call a church member to p/u the kids, then set up for night church service. It was another service in a hard rain. I had planned to show a teaching video. Everything was set and every one was present and packed into our hot little space when flash- pow a lightning strike and sparks flew from the fan and dvd machine. Hmm run to get the other dvd machine and sing a few songs in the process. Watch the video sweltering and swatting mosquitoes. The next morning power goes out and Jr hops a bus in hopes we can get kia parts and the immigration papers done. He finds the parts and gets them bussed down for Saturday at noon. Immigration also is understanding…for a price. It was only 2x what we were expecting to pay but half of what he was going to charge. So we got a deal…(I think) and our temp papers are good for a short time more while we wait on the government to approve the more permanent ones. Jr hops another bus Sat and returns to install the parts in the rain. He finishes just as the power came back on. Now keep in mind we have 21 kids that also need to be fed, and cared for that cant just be turned off till we fix this or that. Carlos preached today at the Lighthouse service to a good crowd of folks with a great interactive message. Afterward he shared a great testimony. A brother of a church member whom we have tried to reach for several years trusted the Lord. He came to Carlos yesterday to explain that he is closing his 3rd generation family liquor manufacturing business that he owns, and has made his family wealthy, because he wants to serve the Lord. Amen! That’s a big fruit I would say. How many wont even give up a petty little sin after they make a profession.

Lisa is still stateside and has begun her cancer treatment in Illinois. She says it makes her sick after just the first treatment. She also flew to NH and had dental work done provided by a Christian dentist. Ministering saints have helped in moving and caring for her while stateside and the Cancer Dr is also provide free and reduced services that ministering saints are helping with. Even so, it has all been a strain in every way so keep us in prayer.

I have a simple out of the box request. I would like to take the kids fishing and teach them. But we have no fishing supplies. If a few would be willing to send a few fishing supply things on the Christmas shoebox container it would be a blessing.
unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Borrowed shoes, Leaf pompoms and singing in the shower Honduras style

2011-08-05T19:22:00.007-06:00

A few weeks ago,Toño had a request for his birthday that was too simple to say no to. He wanted to play soccer when the school went to play another school. Today was the game day. Lisa mailed shorts and shirts from the states and today was a good day to use them.($200 for just 2 boxes) Loaded all the kids up this morning and went to a field near another school. The teams were not trained or organized like you see in the USA. Nor did they have equipment. For that matter no one even had a ball and went looking for one to borrow. Several of the boys borrowed our girls shoes and many played without shoes. Our girls cheered from the sidelines waving pompoms made for leaves on the edge of the field. Ended in a loss 1-0. Everyone was hot sweaty, so we went out for ice cream and some cool down time in the river. Put the kia in 4wd and drove down the river criss crossing the shallows till we found just the spot. Jenny gets out and lays down in the shallow rippling water then begins to sing at the top of her lungs. Water flowing over her head as she belts out amazing grace for about 10 minutes. The boys found a deep section next to a high bank and began jumping off higher and higher till a brave one jumped off the top in a full run; It was about 15 feet high then not to be out done they talk each other into doing flips. It was all fun to watch. I jumped in once and hit the bottom hard and went back to watching...It was more my speed. I made a video but only had my phone so it turned out poorly. You could hear Jenny all the way down the river but the phone just heard the water over the rocks.

Thursday in the new Lighthouse outreach I preached a very strong message about salvation. It would be tough meat even in US churches but all took it well. Several more folks made professions of faith. Amen! A hint Verses use: 1 Cor 2:14, Eph 2:1-4, Jn 2:23-24, Tit 1:16, James 2:19, Heb 10:29

Lisa is in the states still for cancer testing and treatment. The Doctor gave bad news and wants to keep her a month for treatment. She is also getting work on her teeth thanks to ministering saints. Ministering Saints have made her visit and medical care possible, but it is still a major strain on finances. She should be back here around the end of the month.
A container should arrive in about 2 weeks with donated food as well. What do you do when you have your kids boil up 10 lbs of spaghetti only to find you have no sauce for it. Take some of the milk you were making cheese and butter with thrown in the loudest rooster with a few veggies and presto… don’t know what it is but it tastes good.

We have committed to the government in starting a school and need to begin preparing classes and equipment now for the next school year; not sure where to find the several thousand needed. We need to wall up the classes, get furnishings, equipment to play the curriculum. There are numerous other projects also in need of funds. Just one example; would like to build a chapel on the Lighthouse property. We already have issues with space and this would be a great boost in getting the church on solid footing. It would cost about $8000 for a complete building, made with sun dried bricks fired like in the days of Moses and Daniel.

Footprints

2011-07-30T13:39:00.007-06:00

Sometimes you just gotta make a few footprints. The kids have been bugging me to go out and do something for days. After the clean up time for inspections, set up for church services, school exams, ect, they wanted to get away. Hard to do when school is at different hours and days for part of them and weather or funds don’t cooperate. So Friday was the day, no school and a bright sky, just loaded them up with the makings of ppj lunch and off we went to the beach. Tono brought a hymnal and they were singing all they way out. It was a perfect day only about 90 degrees with a steady 10mph breeze coming off the water. And since it was not a holiday or anything, we were again all alone, the only footprints on the beach for as far as you could see. I never have figured out how this much work can be relaxing but it does have that effect. I might be confusing exhaustion with relaxation. Work you say? Yes watching 21 children 4-15yrs old mostly 10s as a lifeguard alone for 8 hours is tiring, as well as for the kids. A church that visited 3-4 years ago made modest swim wear for the girls. Its the clothing we have gotten the most time out of. The girls have outgrown and passed them around but they're the only clothes that have lasted more than a few months and have been a real blessing. Could use more... The only hiccup of the day was on the way home with all the wet ones in the pickup bed, it began to rain… hard, but hey it only served to rinse a little more salt and sand off them before they got in the house. Today they are all too tired to play and just want to rest…great news for me. A $15 dollar day worth every penny…or centavo

Some listen, some learn the hard way...

2011-07-20T20:11:00.004-06:00

Jr and the men were working on the poles and running the electric today at the Lighthouse property. Did not quite finish before some needed to leave for church.(different nights). They got all the insulators in place and the cable run, also borrowed a line pole to turn off the main power 25,000v. Been hemorrhaging(seems like that when you dont have much) what funds we have on this little project. Hope to get working soon, need water hauling water for a household of 26 is not fun and uses up alot of your day. Still more to do and purchase to reroute the meters to the highway like the electric company wants.

We need to get Lisa from Indiana to New Hampshire for dental work the 1st week of August after her visit with a cancer specialist. If anyone in NH wants Lisa to visit, or help getting her to or from NH, let us know. She needs someone to stay with and a way back and forth to dentist Wend/ Thurs. She needs a lot of work done so not sure what she will be up to doing, but she said she wanted to try.

Honduras national holiday "Day of the Indian" was today. And all the schools celebrate it. I picked up a little traditional material and had the sister of one of our new church "members" sew a few dresses in the time-honored manner. And Tono dressed as a baquero (cowboy) and won the schools grand prize voted on by applause, the other girls also won in their grades.

Had to run to hospital with Duman this evening to get stitches, He picked up a power tool the men were using to cut bolts and cut his leg. Not too bad but definitely in need of stitches, Thankfully not an artery.

The ER doctor prescribed antibiotic injections and tetanus shot. So picked them up on the way home. I just gave him the lecture and the shots. Not sure which was more painful….

Just Making Memories

2011-07-17T07:05:00.002-06:00

Do you want good memories to keep when in heaven or ones where tears must be wiped away? One full week with no water, many trips to the city with a tank to pick up water. During devotions last night, Jenny, our one child who really likes to stay clean (personally anyway), made a comment to the kids; who stinks? Then she began to sniff out the problem smelling each kid. Her face was priceless as she discovered it was her… And ran into my bathroom and bathed with the bucket of water I had saved to flush my toilet. Hmm what should be my illustration for devotions now?

We managed to purchase 4 power poles, as a few of you who helped know, they’re hard to put in by hand. Three got upright Sat. before the rain started. But we had help, when some of the folks in the neighborhood found out, 8 men show up with shovels, all hoping we would allow them to run a line across the highway so they could run off our transformer too… Suddenly our transformer seems small. The big question for me is who comes to church Sunday? Still need enough electric line to run it all. Maybe a shower by next week. It doesn’t matter how strong the deodorant or perfume one uses they can all be overpowered if given enough time … Hmm sermon illustration.
Sitting down to a movie and popcorn with the kids. I did not grow up with TV in Alaska, just a special neighborhood16mm movie time once or twice a month. Nor do we have it here other than what we put in a machine. So to me, movie time should be a special family time. Making the popcorn takes a while. For most, they toss one or two bags in the microwave and a minute later eat. We do it the old fashion way in a 10gal pot over an open flame and make a big garbage bag full… We did the same thing for the church on Thursday. Since no one had power, we were the main attraction in the neighborhood running the video equipment and lights off the kia like in the mountains.

In other news -

There are 240 suit quality belts available in the USA hand made by the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in St Teresa up in the Mountains. Believe it or not, made on an old peddle sewing machine. You will think they were made in a big factory when you see them. I am still amazed. They are quality leather, sizes 32-40, black dress belts. These will sell for about $15 plus whatever it takes to get it to you (from Oh or Fla). (we are not the ones setting prices stateside they may chose to sell them at cost or with a markup to cover their costs too) All great quality and will last years, best of all your helping a local new testament church survive, grow and propagate the Gospel. AMEN! This batch will buy cement and other materials needed to prevent their adobe walled church from washing away. Your abundance supplies their need and their abundance supplies your need… All things in Common, and Biblical Amen. This is our first shipment of many we hope. So if you are interested in great belts please let us know. Maybe for your church bookstore, missions conference, college or school, a special one for someone special a pastor or missions director, husband ect. Maybe you know of a chain store that might stock and sell them or??? If you want something different made also let us know as well, Special request, Bible covers, Harnesses, hair/keychain almost any leather item. The plan is to send them back in suitcases for now. I checked UPS, shipping a 50 lbs box with about 120 belts from here was $700+ dollars….yikes, so returning empty suitcases are fine for now, and the cheap mail within the USA is best.

The last things.. Playing with the kids, I printed off a bunch of paper airplanes patterns for the children to make. For a while we were a busy paper airplane airport…
For some reason I was given many notes today from the kids. Some color pages some hand written notes. I even got two from Jenny and Julie which has become rare as they matured. They would normally rather tell me and hug, than write a note. But still nice.

Simply Sweet...

2011-07-09T07:58:00.008-06:00

Last night was a special reward for this broken down old warhorse. One of our children here in Honduras, Lenin, gave me the privilege of watching the miracle of a new birth. I was at my desk last evening listening to Jr tell about his project of cooling his computer in oil using car junkyard parts (ie modifying things, Father like son) and Lenin(Le-neen) had come in 6 or more times asking if I needed anything. When Jr left Lenin came in again and said “Papi I need to talk to you, I want to change and be like Jesus, I want him to save me.” I shared a few things but then said you know all this, all you need do is pray. He took my hands and began to pray, all I did was listen. This young boy prayed a prayer of humility, repentance and profound wisdom that would shame a veteran preacher, it was breaking my heart, all I wanted to do was take him up in my arms, which I did when he finished… as did our heavenly Father. To understand the full view of what I was witnessing you must understand that Lenin and his sister Kathern are from a home where the prostitute mother had abandoned them and where father repeatedly told them they were not his, he did not want them, and left them at child services. It is hard to explain to people that we are not an “orphanage” rather we are a family. I often get a deer in the headlights stare when I do. When the Children’s Lighthouse began taking in children I searched the scriptures. I could not find the model of an orphanage, but I did find that we were suppose to take the fatherless into our homes and care for them as our own… this was the bible model. So we have set out to do so, the risk to the heart and life are much greater. There is no turn off switch or time clock where you quit and go home to another life, no separations of "us" and "them". It has been hard and it may seem only a minor difference to some, but to our family it makes all the difference.

Psalms 68:5
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:

As Lenin left a new creature, I pick up my camera to take a picture….Uh Jr…Why is my camera covered in oil?? Oh well not important right now… :)
Andy preached the last service thursday here at the Lighthouse and a teenage boy we have had helping Tono do a few things trusted the LORD as well as a mom... Line upon line precept upon precept is a church built..

Lisa is still state side hoping to get dental work done and maybe visit another Dr for ongoing care. Still need prayer on many fronts; health, finances, wisdom..... I would rather be dumb as a rock with just a little wisdom than the smartest man without wisdom... I think I am close to the former
unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry
Addendum; went out this morning to find our yearly migration of ants has begun. Normally they pass around the house, this year they decided to cut through. Not sure why they do this but there are so many its like watching a really scary moving carpet 6 feet wide. What do the boys do? Dare each other to run across barefoot... Boy are boys everywhere, like in the USA boys camp, daring who would touch their tongue on the electric horse fence or frozen flag pole... wisdom comes later I suppose... We are also giving a bycycle to a young man in the St Teresa church who is in the city studing. Pastor Augusto told him to attend LaCruz with Carlos, but it was too far and no money for bus fare. Brother Marc Antonio wanted him to work under him and train him in ministry... So a bycycle was an easy fix to the situation...

Friends

2011-07-07T09:33:00.002-06:00

The time for Bob and Andy is ending. Here are some random pictures of their time here. They visited Los Tererros, Preached in Lenaca, St Teresa, Choluteca, and Las Cabañas. Preach where you must scream over the rain, and walk in the mud, delivered supplies on the mountain and bounced in the kia. Ricardo was singing in church but the noise is the heavy rain on the tent. The kids as always touch the hearts more than the rest. From Fernandos grin covering up a real handful kid, to the hugs from a few to say goodnight or goodbye. It has been a time of fellowship of old friends. Last night was an emergency of sorts. Had a church member’s child fall and jam his teeth up into his gums. Jr had the Kia up in the mountain so I called other folks who came and took him to the Dr. Ermita left church and opened her office to pull 3 teeth and put in stitches…Never a dull moment even when we try…

Friends Prov. 17:17

2011-07-02T08:31:00.002-06:00

Some old friends came for a visit this week. Andy and his dad Bob are here. I picked them up at the airport Thursday and brought a dozen kids with me. Since the last names of Andy and his dad are similar to ours the kids automatically called them uncle Andy and grandpa. On the way back we stopped to stretch our legs at the roadside zoo the kids enjoy. We made it back just in time for evening service and Bob preached and several raised hands for salvation including our neighbor’s brother. Headed out yesterday to get food, drivers license, water, gasoline, and propane. To my amazement got it all done but the propane. I would have got that too but “grandpa” bought ice-cream for the kids and it would have melted had I driven all the way to get propane… So ice-cream and grandpas trump cooking fuel… We also visited up the mountain with Pastor Augusto and an order for 150 belts was placed. I thought he would almost cry for it was an answer to prayers for him because he did not even have the $5 for some medicine he needed for an infection. We are trying to market his leather goods in the USA to anyone who would rather buy a “Made by a local New Testament Church” label over “Made in China”. It is our “All things in Common” idea, to me it is a no brainer but getting it under the right eyes to see. Like a Christian organization, bookstore, college ect who might sell Bible covers, belts or other leather goods, We give them an opportunity to walk more circumspectly, biblically, and offer a quality product to sell that is not made in communist china whereas they are helping a local church propagate the gospel…win win on all sides. In other words; we supply their want and they supply our want. 2 Cor 8:12-15, Acts 2:44. Amen.

Lisa got the results back, It is kind of confusing to me and need to talk to her about it more. It was a negative result, which was great news. But, she was also listed as hi risk of reoccurring cancer? They tested the tissue around the lump and it was negative but the lump was not categorized. Nor do we know if any of the multiple others are at issue. And the grant she qualified for provided no more testing. So good news, but still in a quandary of unknown. All they said is she needs to be monitored frequently and have more test done Now we must figure out what else should be done, find a way to get her back home, and figure how to do it. So the prayers are working and we need more.

Some days are just longer...

2011-06-26T23:34:00.005-06:00

Some days are much longer than others… This Sunday was busy. Anniversary, wedding, church, and bring folks down off the mountain to an all church attendance at the 5th anniversary of La Cruz. Got a message late last night, a family member in the new church at the Lighthouse has a bus and would let us use it if we paid for fuel, amen, but still expensive. Jr headed up to St Teresa early this morning in the kia to bring 15 or so church members down. Once he got there…50 got on. Ops. Even the police stopped him for being overloaded in Honduras…that’s a first! So I guess we found out that 45 in a 6 passenger p/u is ok, but 50 is too many. OK, I’m good with that. We loaded the bus with 3 churches and our kids and headed to LaCruz. They ended up with more than 220 people for the 5th anniversary of the church in Choluteca. La Cruz Baptist, Come Unto Me Baptist, Fountain of Life Baptist, New Jerusalem Baptist, Lighthouse Baptist, New Life Baptist, Jesus Christ the One True God Baptist were all represented there. They had to put the kids in a special class just to make room, and still chairs outside the doors, Amen! Preaching was good and of course good food came out after. Another Amen. Return to the Lighthouse late and had a brief meeting but canceled a full service because still needed to get 50 folks back up the mountain in the rain before dark with an iffy 4wd and rear end… Jr took to task and we rigged the 4wd to work (did not work in morning) and away they went. Past the same policeman. Jr made it up and back just in time for me to take most of the kids to the wedding.(the pony express traded horses and the rider kept going…we traded riders and keep the horse running, fueled up 2x and a bus once today) Still seeing folks wanting to get right in obedience to the Lord amen. There was going to be 2 weddings, but the second lawyer did not get all the paperwork done… lawyers and weddings like hotsauce on ice-cream, but it’s the way it is done here. The second couple have been together 36 years… and want a prenup agreement (oh my achin head) but they are finally going to get married…

Had an unusually tense rebellious moment with Jenny this morning over something silly and it ended up turning in to a hard but well learned lesson. No discipline, but during the conversation she actually plead for discipline instead. The Lord would not allow me to back down and gave the wisdom of Solomon for a few moments. You could see moment when the truth opened her eyes and she fell on me to hug me and tearfully plead forgiveness. It was great to be truthful, wish it was always that fruitful. After helping all day, this evening she came in with Patricia and played with the camera taking photos, then Jenny did something she has not done in years. She sat on my lap gave me a hug and said “Papi I want you to adopt me for real I want to be your real daughter”.…And before the hug was done in just a few moments her body went limp and she fell asleep in my arms… That spoke volumes to me… The first time she did that was when she came to me 5+ years ago and began to share her story of abuse, it was like popping a cork on an over pressured bottle, she vented it all and cried in pain and fell asleep in my arms. What a picture of how we should respond to our heavenly Father. I had her read Heb 12:5-9 this evening and got another big hug…amen, "wow papi this is true!" In all a really good day even in the rain…

Been without electric, phones, water since Thursday and all came back on today, Good thing, its hard to get upwind of the stink when its yourself. Plus, got word someone in the USA is going to try to seek support for us to buy food for the Children’s Lighthouse regularly…amen! And others are also sending food down... Thank You! It relieves a great burden.

Lisa is healing right now and got a second opportunity to see her parents; Just waiting on the results of the last test. The doctor who did the biopsy chose the biggest, deepest lump to test, and when he opened her up they chose to take the whole lump out. So she is very sore. She has many more in both sides so the test is critical to tell us what to do next… Always in need of prayer! Thank you all!

Capture the moments when you can...

2011-06-20T19:40:00.006-06:00

Some things are harder than they need be… Good Thursday service in the new outreach with 3 adults and 2 teen professions of faith. Amen! Saturday, preached in the mountain church of Lenaca with a strong message to the young adults. But on way up the 4wd quit working in the pouring rain. Had to push a little harder to make it, then a tire went flat. We got it back down off the mountain but it was late on Sat, tire places closed Sunday, and need to leave early Monday morning to airport so Lisa can return to States for more tests so we know what comes next. As we arrive home Saturday the electric power goes out, so the local tire guy (we know were he lives) could not do anything, Power stays out till Monday afternoon. Sunday Morning Jr works to weld another center pole for the tent for church services. After church head to town to get tire fixed (hopefully). Found one shop but he could only put a tube in it. Ok back up and running for Monday am. Lisa packs her bags Sunday in night by flashlight. Head out with Lisa and the girls and the tire blows half way into the trip. Change it and arrive late to airport. (had a wow moment as we passed a new installation of huge power generating windmills…Wonder where Honduras got money for those??) All checked in, in the nick of time, say goodbys, load up the kids and head out only to get a panic tearful call from Lisa. Immigrations pulled her out and will not let her leave because our visas are not current… Run back in and argue with immigration that they can’t keep a US citizen in Honduras. I prevail but it might come at a cost later because they will give us a hard time when she comes back. (Our visas are expired and we need to renew them) Lisa makes it on the plane as they are closing the doors. She finds her seat with the Honduran national soccer team. She asks for photos and autographs but said none would allow it. Head back down mountain with no spare and near dead battery in phone. Wee. As we got closer to Choluteca I opt for a rest moment by the ocean. The girls walk along the beach only to dive in with their Sunday dresses on a few minutes later. All I could do is smile at their carefree spirit after the days events. I watched a young man begin to fish with just a homemade hook and a line and a rock. He would sling it out a draw it back and caught 5 small fish for his supper. No special lures, no pole, no lead weights. Got back to dinner that Lisa had put in the roaster just hoping for Electric to come back on which it did. Amen! Having a video for family devotion tonight “A Vow to Cherish”… The kids choice, hmm. Lisa is in Panama waiting for her connection as I write this. Her exams are Thursday. Keep praying we need each and every one...

Go.... Teach

2011-06-13T03:04:00.008-06:00

Had a rather large group gathered for services Sunday. Around 140 people showed up. It helped that the 3 children with birthdays this month chose to wait for momi Lisa to return and have a combined Birthday after service. Lisa made cupcakes and chinese for everyone, the kids had a piñata and bounced in the bounce house afterwards. Pastor Augusto has been helping on Sunday services, our children have been helping with music. Many folks have already become regulars for every service. It's surprising how the LORD works and it is rarely in the way we think it should be. A lot more teaching is needed before calling it a "church" but it seems to be going in the right direction. Thursday I taught a lesson on church doctrine basics. Time will tell as the Holy Spirit grows and weeds his garden.

Thanks to ministering saints, Lisa has a return flight to Miami in a week for more medical testing to find out what we should do next. Everything is up in the air at the moment till we know more. The ticket is open ended so she might be there a few weeks or months I don't now yet... So many variables are not in our hands. Final diagnosis, plan of care, kind of surgery here or there, how to pay for it all ect. I do know the financial, spiritual and work load increases much when the family is split in 2 locations. Considering we just squeak by, I don't know how it will all work out, just that is needs to.

Phones have been down for most of this week so for now this or email is our only communication. I did receive word Brother Paul Deem of Directline Ministries wants to put together a container shipment for us for food for the Childrens Lighthouse again. This is always a huge blessing and relief for us. If you want to help and donate food or other items please contact us or them at www.directlineministry.com Keep us in prayer.

Living by Faith

2011-06-07T15:48:00.005-06:00

What can you do with a dollar in your pocket?
I want to share a testimony and praise of today. It will be clumsy of wording but in the end you will understand.
We live by faith each and every month, most people do not understand what this means in truth. Few would choose to live as we do. Faith for many is getting something they want. After living in Honduras I have learned most things are wants at some level and few things are needs. We have 21 "extra" mouths to feed. This past two weeks since Lisa returned from the USA for medical test have been rough. The trip left us totally without funds. I had to ask someone to give us fuel money just to be able to pick up Lisa at the airport. She arrived to a near bare kitchen. She worked her expertise and prepared feasts each day pulling oil from the barrel each time. Yesterday she was down to the milk a farmer had given us(which she made cheeses and sauces to put on donated rice) for yesterday. But last night she said she did not have anything for supper tomorrow.(this just before I told her the news Below) Feeding 24 people 3 times a day 7 days a week is no easy task, now try it with near nothing...

I had posted a request for prayer and this was just one of the many things we need uplifted. Only 5 of near 400+ "friends" on facebook replied and only one asked for our petitions, though it is hard to know how many prayed. What we do know is someone touched then hem of grace. This morning our bank account was still -7 dollars, I looked in my wallet and had 18 lempiras, just less than a dollar. As I prayed again the phone rang. A local Honduran man who knows nothing of our circumstances tells me he wants to buy us some food, enough for the week... Lisa heads out with some of the children to meet them and buy the food... We fall short each and every month yet the LORD always uses someone with ears to hear to fill the gap... Our ravens keeps returning every month for 5 years... Amen...
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Below is the short list that I shared with the person who requested it... It is not in order or context, just my notes for prayer

*Electric company may want 3-5000 dollars
*Visa and mission papers and drivers lic overdue $2000 plus late fees.
*No funds for food, fuel, phone, and all out- with a -37 dollar bank balance.
*Lisa's cancer tests and dental needs (Just got word(10am yest) from my sister the test came back positive for breast cancer, must confirm with more test, Have not even told Lisa yet. Need more test just to find out what to do next. Will know more in a few days when she/my sister receives the results in hand...)( I did tell Lisa last night after writing this list.)The nurse on the phone would not confirm the diag but immediately shared info on medical plans that included reconstruction that we should look into.....
*Child services wants us to conform to new regulations and be certified more $$.
*Committed to government to start new school for kids, must complete class construction hire teacher ect...
*Several kids need medical care,.. we cant even afford the meds. Dumas-mrsa infection with boils, Cindy operation in throat to remove a growing cyst, Elmer don't know, Jose also needs a nasal operation to correct a birth defect.. Dental ect for all
*Several wayward children we are in contact with... breaking our hearts...(this weighs heaviest)
*Vehicle blown motor.
*Church in mountain needs cement, the adobe walls are washing away
*Our tent collapsed in a storm and needs repaired sunday morning..
*We have hungry people all around us and we have people wanting to donate a container of corn but no funds to get it here..
*And a hundred more.....
Wow got the photo uploaded amen! only 4 hours.. soo On a side note the photo is the kids holding up the toys donated by our daughters Kimmy's Work. She "proofs" toys for retail. These are the samples. Also a christian bookstore in the USA gave braclets while Lisa visited.

Are many perishing amidst our pleasure?

2011-06-02T11:36:00.002-06:00

Lisa is back, and we are already eating better even though were are low on food. She makes much from little, I make little from much. Thankfully she made 3 gallons of special sauces before she left that could be put on almost anything to make it taste good. I asked one of the kids in the last week after he said he wanted momi to return. What do you miss about momi ..her cooking. Here kids here's your burned cardboard smothered with moms sauce...result yum. Passes but somehow lacks. As she rolled into the driveway all 21 kids ran out momi momi momi only outdone by our great dane who pushed her way to the door of the car first, impeding her exit. She later went into our bare kitchen and whipped up dinner from what we thought was nothing. While in the states she was able to get some of the medical tests done before she left, but need prayer. We don't know the results as yet but it was not sounding good. Our daughter Kimbra's work donated some toys for the children that Lisa brought back. Great since we have BDs coming up.
Last Thursday at our newest outreach I taught the history of the spanish Bible. It touched on the topic of the spanish inquisition. Sunday the crowd was much less. Not sure if there was a link but seems to be. Time will tell. Preparing for a service tonight. Our neighbor Reina came forward to reconcile with the LORD Sunday. So even with a lower turnout it was a great blessing. It is a new work so things are still in a state of flux... After one of our power outages, had the electric company come this week and inform me that they were prorating out electric for the last 18months and we will need to pay 2-300 per month more for the last 18months. Plus reroute the electric to conform to their requirements. That's another $2000 maybe? My heart sank. The next morning when I was trying to leave to pick up Lisa Infha(child services whom we get the children from) showed up with a high boss from the capital. They asked lots of questions filled out lots of paperwork and require us to have some new registration permits. IE more money wanted. And our visas were due this week but could not turn in the applications for lack of funds. Always something... The moma kia blew the engine again as well, did not even make it to the first oil change. We still see folks saved... but seems to come at a heavy toll. Closer to the front line the more damage is expected... Waiting for "the" day of rest. Only then will I not feel ashamed that one is perishing amidst my pleasure... AMen...

No Greater Joy than to hear my children walk in truth..

2011-05-22T23:02:00.008-06:00

Few shots of the service today. Had no electric most of the day. So the pa system went out just as we needed it. Lite drizzling rain as well, but still a good crowd, only after a long wait again... have to work on that at some point but more pressing issues first. Was asked if two other churches could join our services... not sure what that means if anything just yet if anything. It's an open tent all are welcome to listen to good ol preaching. We already have a few regulars. Lots to teach and do again. Just like all the others church plants each one unique but in truth all in need of the same things...

The photo is of Karen on my shoulder. One of the other children was playing with my phone and snap..keeper. The children we have keep me going. Without them I would have run out of strengh long ago. They seem intuitive as to when I need a boost. Got a note from Iris, Enrique, Lenin and Korina today. I am posting Korina's. If you can read spanish please do. Suffice to say she ends it with I Love You and 1 John 1:4 no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth. Such wisdom for an 11 year old. She has no idea of the issues and burdens that were weighing me down today. But the LORD gave her just the right things to say to lighten the load and give hope...

It was Lisa's birthday today and she got some of her medical tests back... which say needs more tests. She will be returning to Honduras the 29th. Still no options on dental work. Need lots of prayer on every front. Personal, finances, work, health, ect please leave no stone unturned...we need it. Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

We'Work Till....

2011-05-15T19:41:00.004-06:00

Great day today. Managed to get the well pump out and reinstalled last night and we have water without another major expense. The first sunday service turned out well. Ended up with 75 showing up after a bit of a wait. Came time for the service to start and only 3 young girls had showed up. Pastor Augusto was about to change his message when the older man from across the street began to come across the road and slowly for the next 30 minutes the neigborhood came. 75 in all. With a few teen boys outside the gate all service cutting up. Between them and the bus and trucks passing it was difficult to hear a few times but the message fell on soft ears. It was a little surprising to see a few folks for they had given us difficulty in the past year. Most were from a catholic background. The preaching went long and only a few children left because they need to go to the catholic meeting... but most stayed. The older man across the street stood for a testamony that was basicly, "its about time we started a church", but in a good way. The girls sang their song but were a little timid seeing all the eyes on them. Jenny got out of her public appearance shell and helped with music. Even Alba and her mom rode a bus out to attend. Afterwards Alba asked me to pray with her privately. It was sweet. Near the end of service, we asked again who wants to come back thursday for more bible study...all hands went up. So I believe we have begun. Now time to teach, win and grow them. AMEN! I think a church building is going to be needed in short order though. The fields are still white in Honduras so the time is not yet to quit or go be called home... We'll work till Jesus comes...

Counting the costs...

2011-05-13T21:50:00.004-06:00

Had our first service in the Lighthouse Property for reaching the neighborhood. An hour before we start the rains came
hard; then nigh fell black without a moon; Then the power went out before the first person arrived. Scrambling to make it work while Jr is off picking our two high school kids up from school. Got a lamp hooked up to the kia and headlights shining in the back. Real cozy like in our 10x 30 space. Yet amazingly 30+ people showed up. Walking from up to a mile away in the pouring rain and dark. It was our lighthouse kids that have been pushing to start. They invited friends and families to come from the school. Just like when we started La Crus Baptist... In the rain and dark shining the only light in the area. Jr arrives and does a quick rewire on the building to hook up a generator and presto a few lights. The only photo was while everyone was still arriving as I tried to get lights up and running. All this for 3 adults hands and several children for salvation. Amen! I asked who wanted to have a second service on Sunday and all hands went up. So our next service is Sunday at 2pm. OK service is over its 9pm, time to get the kids home and shut down and get them fed and bathed for school. But no electric, no water, no cell services, no fan to sleep with..and it hot and very humid. Weee. Next day still out and no water. When electric did come on we found our new pump might have burned up from low voltage...again. Sooo tomm we will pull the pump out of the well, again... What does it cost you to go to church?

Wanted to add this clip of the girls practicing a song for church. I caught them on the cell phone so its poor quality. If they would have know I was recording I would have got nothing so it is what it is. I like it just turn the volume up.. AMEN. Patricia, Julie, Corinna, Kathryn and Jenny guiding GIRLS SING Just click here

More Baptisms

2011-05-08T11:01:00.003-06:00

Been a long month. Lots happening and little time for city time.. IE internet posts. I have tried to post from a phone but it fails to load. Here is a photo page from yesterday, Jr taking folks from San Geranimo to the river for baptisms. 25 people loaded into the 800cc micro p/u and off they went. Marc Antonio performed the baptisms of those he has won and taught. AMEN! Had birthdays for 2 of our Lighthouse kids yesterday as well. Lisa will be traveling to the USA tomorrow. She will be stateside for a few weeks. Going to our daughter graduation trying to get a few medical tests done if funds allow ect. The KIa is back on the road with a new motor. The well pump was fixed as well. Several american groups in the past month with preaching in every area including over the border in Nicaragua. We have also been battling spiritual wickedness in all forms in all fronts. Always need prayer. Had Iris's older sister show up with a friend who was trying to give us her baby. Had a hard truth talk with them. Her friend was also a friend of Nancy, she shared Nancy is now working as a prostitute... Heartbreaking. There is heartbreak all around us. Often its like watching a bad trainwreck live but in slow motion. And nothing you do seems to help. I believe spiritual wickedness is working without rest now days... Because I sure dont get any. Keep us in prayer and I will try to get my post back to a regular timing.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Tsunami Baptisms

2011-03-21T20:11:00.003-06:00

What do you do when its at the end of your dry season and the rivers are dry and there is a tsunami warning… Baptize of course. Actually the warning was last week and the beaches were hammered and lost a lot of frontage. When the church arrived, the waves were heavy. When it came time to baptize the 8 folks waters went calm for just the time needed… Amen! It was a double service Honduran fathers day preaching at 8am followed by baptisms then lunch more preaching at 2pm then free time of fellowship. In all, a great day in the LORD. Since there were not enough seats some of the guys hung their hammocks for service
La Cruz Baptist rented a bus, packed it and took the whole church with a few extra cars. I could not bring our family due to our transportation issue… The KIA is at the dealer being assessed and prayerfully fixed this week. We loaded it on the trailer and a friend towed it up the mountain 3 hours. Amen! Broke the axle on the trailer and lost a tire but made it back. Our well pump died again Sat night and in the process of pulling it up it broke off and fell down the well …again. We have 2 days in retrieving it and still no joy.

The car we borrowed blew the radiator this morning, It got fixed after I dropped the kids off. Then proceeded to pick up 100+ gal of drinking water + 8gals of Juice in a jeep… Which is what I started out doing 6 hours earlier. 2 steps forward 3 back some days…
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Here is a story Lisa posted about the day…

I must first say that I gave the kids Albendezol 2 days ago.
(pills to clean out intestinal parasites) as we do every 6 months.
Also, as seems to be typical here, (for us anyway) our well pump decided to quit running on a Sunday. To make it ...even more fun and challanging, the pump came lose from the security cable and fell
all the way down into the well, thats 270 feet...oops. (Jr. wanted to go fishing anyway, ha ha) To make it even more exciting, that's when the kids decided to clean our pila (small above ground water storage tank) because it seemed dirty to them, IE: they drained
all the water out of it. So, we have not had water since yesterday.
So, no way to flush toilets, do laundry, take showers or wash the
dishes for more than 24 hours now. Yes, that's right..I know what you are thinking. Phew!!! Well, with all that background laid out..lets get to the horror story: I was in the kitchen preparing soup for lunch when I heard our great danes, Liberty and Justice barking from the bathroom. I didn't think much of it because they probably got shut in there again. (the door only swings in) I went to let them out
and noticed they were jumping and barking at the toilet. My typical response was, "no Justice and Liberty you can't drink out of the toilet." I pulled them out of the bathroom only to have them run back and continue the jumping and barking at the toilet. Then....my eyes caught something...under the lid of the toilet seat...I could see movement..."ooohhhh--- noooo" is what I was thinking, this cannot be good. Do you know how may tropical type of creatures can get into a toilet bowl? LOTS!!! With the kids surrounding me trembling in fear, I said "hey Toño (13 years old), go see what's in the toilet bowl!" He said in a very macho way, "I'm not looking in there!" I laughed and proceed into the bathroom to lift the toilet seat....!!!Ahhhhhhh!!! I jump back and every kid runs from the bathroom as very long and fat intestinal round worms started to leap out of the toilet bowl at us
and falling to the floor. What to do....what to do...we have no water,
the dogs are going nuts, the kids are screaming, there is a fountain of worms coming out of the boys bathroom toilet and I can't flush'em. Ok, lets try the broom and dust pan...Well, that didn't work. It's like trying to pick up spaghetti with a spoon. Ok, the shovel...nope,
same results. I tried to step on them but it seemed they just wouldn't die. I did the only thing I could do, even though it was extemely scarey and gross. Again, I know what you are thinking...NO, SHE DIDN"T! Yes, I did, I picked up the worms with my hands and threw them back into the toilet and took one of our last 5 gallon jugs of drinking water and flushed them down the toilet. Yeah!!!! Success.
But then....wait a minute...I just picked up intestinal worms with my hands...I have no water...I can't wash my hands, !!!!Ahhhhhhh!!!. I laughed and said to the kids as I headed to get my anti-microbial
betadine surgical scrub soap someone sent me...WHO WANTS A HUG!!!!! Can you believe they all ran???? Well, that's gratitude for you. To answer your question, The round worms were a result of the
medicine I gave them to....It seems to be working. Also, I cleaned my hands with the above said soap and used a few bags of drinking water to rinse them. To make double sure, I poured rubbing alcohol on them too. Sitting down after that incident a particular passage of scripture came to mind, Mark 9: 39-50....to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, ...


Please refill the prescription

2011-03-17T19:16:00.000-06:00

We brought Elmer home Thursday under strange circumstances. The Hospital we were in is suppose to be one of the best socialized hospitals here for children. (Wont waste space on my opinion but most Americans would request another hospital if the ambulance brought them here after an accident) But it is also the training school for new doctors… Hence why I felt there were a lot of very young Doctors. They rotate shifts, so in the 4 days Elmer was there, he had at least 12 doctors who only have the paperwork from the previous doctor(which the patient is responsible to keep). No way to search out a serious issue. When we began to inquire more diligently doors began to shut and things became more difficult (even a nurse and Doctor making derogatory comments I wont repeat here) till finally they said there was nothing more they could do. They then technically transferred him to our local hospital which has none of the equipment or testing we need. So if we are to pursue this medical issue we must be able to make routine trips to the capital and afford the private pay hospital care. I believe he needs to see a neurologist and get a scan. For now he is slightly feverish…(After entering the hospital) and we have him on antibiotics. He is not quit himself yet Not sure if we have issues from the seizures or he is just still sick. After 4 frantic days we still know nothing… And still have a little boy in need of ….? Prayers I think have been the best medicine so far… Please refill the prescription..

Amen and Thank You...Keep praying

2011-03-15T20:40:00.003-06:00

Wanted to add this from the facebook page...

Elmer is up and alert. Played and ate. Photo...Giving thanks for his food... He did not know prayer before coming to the Lighthouse... He spiked a low fever and has a high white blood cell count now, different than when we started.. But I think the Doctors are making headway and the prayers are being heard. It is a far different picture than what everyone feared Sunday...amen!

btw the prayer was spontaneous not requested of him... kinda puts a lump in my throat considering the last few days... amen! THANK YOU LORD for your ministering Saints. We still do not know what we are dealing with but appearances and hope is much higher.

Prayers heard...

2011-03-15T14:53:00.004-06:00

Prayers heard amid a world of turmoil. We awoke Sunday to find Elmer our youngest boy in seizures. The motor had gone bad in our Kia Saturday night going to preach, so panic was setting in as we tried to find a way to the city hospital. Many calls made till finally a friend of a friend brought a friends truck with a blown head gasket. We made it to the local hospital where anti seizure meds we given in an IV. But we were told we needed to get him to the capital quickly so more test could be run. Incase it was caused by a head injury like a stroke or tumor or? Time was critical struggling to find transportation while the doctor gave more meds yet he continued seizing till almost 3pm when we arrived at the Children’s Hospital in the capital 6+ hours later. A heartbreaking ride up as he would scream on occasion or begin uncontrolled biting or repeating the word bird over and over for several minutes. As we arrived to a very crowed emergency room once the doctor saw me standing there with and IV bag in my mouth and papers from the Choluteca hospital we were admitted right away… To begin the long waits. Finally with a little pushing they took him for an ultra scan after hours. We rewarded the med techs with pizza afterward for appeasing us. The Hospitals here are different than the USA. The family must care for the patient, change linens, clothes, help to the bathroom, sometimes even go to the local pharmacy to by the prescribed drugs. No need to worry about hospital food here there is none. This hospital is one of the premier socialized hospitals in the country, the doctors work very hard…and see a vast more patients than even an inner city emergency room in the USA. Most seem very young (or am I just getting old and my perception is changing). But things still cost, tests, supplies, meds ect, must be purchased as used, no billing for later. I stayed the night but had to return the next day because of the borrowed car we had. Jr stayed behind with what cash I had, till we can make other arrangements. Elmer has since woke up for short intervals and we were allowed to feed him some baby food Monday afternoon. While awake he asked about mommy Lisa and his siblings colored a moment then back to sleep. One of our church families also went up to relived Jr as needed. The doctors did x-rays on him today as well as a chemical test and a lumbar exam. So far no big red flags as to what this is. The MRI showed slight brain swelling but inconclusive. Our communications with the doctors are as much. Unless I follow them to lunch and stand there so they cant eat I don’t get a lot of info. Jr said they are nicer since they moved him to a observation room. So its not as bad as we feared it looked like (we think) but we are still not out of the wood yet, and still don’t know what caused this kind of reaction nor the true extent of damage, if any, since it is hard to tell while drugged.
They are now taking him for an EEG brain scan as I write...

As far as the bad motor in the kia we will know more after we tow it to the kia dealer. I talked to the dealer Monday and they said it could be as high as $4000 depending on what was needed. I had a few moments today to look at it and got it to turn over, but the sounds its makes hint at internal damage. So it to is not as bad as I feared but still a major overhaul plus some major parts. Head and pistons in frame overhaul maybe? Need prayer on many fronts that have been temporary overshadowed.

We are planning for several more baptisms in the ocean this Sunday for La Cruz Baptist... Since the rivers are dry... and need a vehicle
Thank you all for every prayer and remembrance.

Thankfully the rewards outweight the pains...

2011-03-04T16:13:00.007-06:00

Been busy as usual. Had a preaching weekend in New Jerusalem Baptist church. The first night we ran the lights and PA off the kia inverter, but had a hum in the speakers from the new alternator. So the next night a generator was used and about 150 people visited the only light on the mountian. During the evening times it was open house and the church invited the community to hear Carlos preach(by flashlight to read your Bible). Our Lighthouse kids sang a special as well. At night the members from the local catholic church came to hear. Also the pastor and a few members from the Church of Christ came to hear. Carlos preached exactly what the LORD told him to with boldness. I think the LORD was pleased and many were under conviction. In the AM service we loaded the KIA with church folks and went to a mountain river to baptize in a beautiful early church type setting. It was a time of preaching on the riverbank and the baptisms were simply as the LORD led. Not predetermined, so we did not know if anyone would choose to enter the water. As I stood in the water, a few more deeply felt questions were asked by those considering, then the first person came forward wanting to follow Christ in a believers baptism. Amen.
Since I had baptized 12 folks in the AM service, a baptism message became very poignant considering the visitors we had.

Yesterday the school teachers were on strike so we opted to make a drive to the capital with everyone and visit an interactive child science museum called Chiminike. It was right up my alley for those that know me. A little sparse by US standards but well done and the guides made it a wonderful time for the kids. I was very impressed when I walked in to see a real moon rock as the first exhibit. Donated to Honduras by Nixon in 72…Stolen in 1984 but found in a bank sting in the USA about 10 years ago, sent back to nasa then returned to Honduras in 2007. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_and_missing_moon_rocks ) The big nose that sneezes when all the children tickle the inside. Got a picture of Jenny coming out the giant digestive system… She fought me playfully and wanted the camera to delete the picture when I turned her around to see what she came out of… Hilarious reaction as her brain light came on and figured out what the photo was of. They laid me on a bed of nails, electrocuted me and the kids with a tesla coil, played on the life size operation game, sniffed the smell machine that copies body smells with amazing accuracy and strength. Here kids put your nose here and poof the worse smells possible right up the nose, even your tongue is trying to distance itself from your nose…yuck. A neat model of the hydrologic cycle that was interactive with all kinds of water wheel, pumps and ways to make floods to wash out the houses on the river or fish ect. A working radio and tv broadcast area operated by the children, Banking weights, pulley and levers and a wacky playground rope tree outside of the inverted house where things role uphill. It was 6 hours of driving for a 3 hour visit but worth it from the smiles of the kids. Not bad for $2 per child. Much better than regular ol “school”

Preaching on the mountain top

2011-02-24T15:34:00.003-06:00

Saturday Jr was given another opportunity to preach in Los Tererros with Pastor Enemesio. Afterwards they handed out the last of our Christmas Shoeboxes to a very thankful group of children. Lourdes and her mom helped Jr and Enemesio distribute to many children. We also gave some special baby boxes to the young girls with babies (under 14) that Lourdes’ family accepted into their home, similar to our Lighthouse children. To get a perspective imagine a typical American church family accepting some of the problematic church bus kids into their home to care for…I am humbled in so many ways here.
Brother Marc Antonio preached with Carlos in San Geronimo and saw 2 adults trust the LORD Saturday as well. It was exciting for Marc Antonio because the folks had been faithful to services for a long time and he had been praying for them to get their eyes opened. Saturday was their day of salvation, Amen. Special service for revival start this Saturday in Santa Teresa. Carlos will be preaching For Pastor Augusto and they asked me to baptize Sunday as well…amen! Might be sleeping on the mountain…
Had some men visit from a ministry that drills water wells. It was short and I am not sure what to think. To be encouraged they are considering us or that they think our area might be too hard to drill…So we could definitely use prayer, we really need clean water.

Amen

2011-02-15T16:55:00.002-06:00

Jr preached his first church service in Colonia Trapechee this week. One reconciliation was made. Amen. Lisa also had them take up some clothes and some new flip-flops we could not use. Clothing and the like is always a help. We have been offered a block house in the project to preach in and to purchase for the church. We would like to, but coming up with the $3000 is the issue. Sure would be nice come rainy season to have a permanent place to preach in… Maybe one of the preacher that visited and stood under the tree in the rain over the past few years might consider it… Never know how the Holy Spirit will work. Once Enemesio and other pastors heard Jr preached, they too asked him. So Saturday he will preach 2x with Enemesio before handing out the shoeboxes in different locations Enemesio is planting works. Amen! Enemasio shared today he drove the “rebuilt” motorcycle 600km round trip into Nicaragua to visit and preach for an old friend. Yikes. On the way to town today the brakes gave out on the kia as I was entering a packed school zone. Wee. So instead of doing what I came to town for it is being worked on. Never dull even when I try to make it so.

...find so doing

2011-02-10T15:39:00.005-06:00

Been a busy few weeks, delivering shoeboxes to literally thousands of children. Plus, trying to get our kids ready for school at the same time. No time for sickness but sometimes you are forced to make time…. I went down with a 106 fever yesterday, after meds, the fever broke, but today I feel like someone beat me for 12 hours with a hockey stick… But that’s an improvement amen! Lisa just took all the kids shopping with her. It is always a sight when we do that. The first day of school was yesterday for the younger grades and Lisa lined them up for a photo. Our older children started last week, so they are all in school. Some in the mornings some in the evenings, some in the city some across the street. Living by faith is always best, but it can be nerve-racking. I jokingly tell people it’s like jumping out of a plane without a parachute… The first time is the hardest but it gets easier thereafter. Three weeks ago I did not know how we would get them all in school with all the bills… Yesterday they all went. Skillfully cutting corners where we could. Lisa altered uniforms, others made at a bargain price, just enough unscheduled funds came in to buy what was needed, normally only a day before a purchase must be made, sometimes the same day. Head out to the store knowing there was no money in the bank last evening, check the atm and presto…buy what’s needed. Most folks want more tangible security than what we live with… but so did the 11 other disciples who did not walk on water. I can study, pray, preach and teach but nothing draws me as close as obedience and living by faith. If the LORD tells you to get out of the boat (or plane) you might well do it. For only then can you truly get close to the Saviour. The price will be much higher if you do not. Went to Lenaca and Santa Teresa to give out shoeboxes, saw several adult decisions for the LORD made. Pastor Augusto chose to distribute them as I would want to do. Using them to get into homes not normally open to him and witness. Amen! Click on the photos and enlarge them and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a little insight of what we see… then pray.
This is a link to 32 raw photos used to do the post with for those who care to see more. Takes a while to upload but if folks like it I will try and do it more often..
Blog Photos Raw

Shoeboxes!

2011-01-31T10:46:00.002-06:00

We have begun to distribute the shoeboxes. What a blessing it is to see the smiles. The photos do not do it justice. It is so hard to capture the real event in a photo. One little boy was sad faced, till he peeked into the box then ran screaming and giggling back to his mom. Plus they wear their best when they think we are going to take a photo… We have distributed in 4 locations so far, more today and this week. Have seen one dad trust the Lord who normal would not attend. Amen! It is always a touching time handing out the shoeboxes. One family in La Cruz Baptist lives along the river in a shack made from trash… but you would not know that in the photo. All you see is a clean child smiling with a shoebox. The only problem with the shoeboxes program…is we need so many more. We are always keeping the door shut some to limit how many we can give out. I will post more as we now need to go into the mountains. Pray we get the kia truck back on the road soon the alternator died and we have already temp fixed several times so we now need a new one. More money we don’t have. Some of the kids must start school tomorrow, the rest in a week or so… no one is ready yet. Just haven’t been able to do it all, will not be able to even transport the kids to school, purchase the things needed or deliver shoeboxes without the kia. The LORD knows…and I am sure many ministering saint are reminding him…
One added blessing this week Jr is schedualed to preach on the 12 of Feb...Amen!

Children's Lighthouse 2011

2011-01-25T08:15:00.001-06:00

A photo to print and keep to remind you to pray for use. Just click on it and save

Arrived!

2011-01-25T06:47:00.004-06:00

The container finally arrived Saturday. Wresting it from the powers that be was more difficult, confusing and costly than previous shipments (didn’t think that was possible). But it was the first to arrive at our door unopened with the original locks and seals in place AMEN! Only to get a call from customs Monday…"we are coming to inspect your shipment at your property"… Hmm. Good luck with that, because the kids are already eating and wearing the shipment… Amen. It arrived at 5:30 am Saturday, and we began unloading by 6:30. Most of the kids helped, plus church members. Carlos took to sorting shoeboxes, Jr drove the kia to put corn in storage, and Toño drove the 4wheeler and trailer hauling food up to the Lighthouse kitchen, along with Bibles and miscellaneous. Like a beehive. The churches that sent this year were very thoughtful in packing and labeling. It made the work easier and faster. Lisa spent the afternoon sorting and distributing the things designated to our children. Another one of those really long days that your smiling as your head hits the pillow, then an instant later it seems its time to wake up.. A big “Thank You” to all the folks and churches that made it possible. We have some much needed food, the kids have much needed clothes, the tires for the Kia arrived, and we are prepping to distribute the shoeboxes next week. The photo is one of our few with all the children posing with new clothes…Amen! Then load up for Sunday Church. Lots of plans for evangelism with the shoeboxes. Pastor Agusto came and asked if he could visit and give them out in homes of children who visit sometimes but the parents are not saved and wont come to a “Baptist” church. He thinks like me and saw it as an opportunity to get into homes he would not normal be welcome in, and present the Gospel…
Uhh of course that’s the real purpose for them. Amen!!

Lord, Make my cross a little heavier...

2011-01-17T15:25:00.003-06:00

LORD, Having seen what you see, please help me and make my cross a little heavier…

After the American visitors left the regular load begins again. This week has been full of blessings and difficulties. The container is in port but we are still wresting away from the powers that be, and it is costly. Prayerfully it will arrive this week and we can distribute the Christmas presents and minister in the churches following. Direct line had to send fewer presents this year even though our need has grown, so we must limit distribution some how. Prayerfully more churches will help in the coming years with this outreach. We see wonderful results every year and it is a good outreach tool for the ministries here. Honduras Missions held its first pastors workshop planning meeting. It was the first time all the preachers we work with were assembled in one place. Some had never met each other. They made plans for evangelistic campaigns and pastors would guest preach in each other church. Fellowship time and other outreaches were set up. My schedule has increased a lot and my burden and vision has been expanded as well. One item I ask of the men was to list their goals, needs and prayer requests for the coming year. I am sure the LORD was pleased with the replies. All were seeking help for souls and ways to grow the churches in truth and wanting materials. One wanted to train some Timothys, Another wanted to see 9 new families saved and join the church, Most of them have very serious issues of meeting places. Some of the financial needs are listed below.

Lisa made a great lunch even though she was recovering from another allergic reaction to inhaling the burning wood from our marañon trees. Had to rush her to the hospital again to get injections. Not fun. She still looks like she was dragged by a horse and feels like a sunburn all over. There was a heartbreaking night when three children ran away after visits with family during the holidays. God protected and allowed some hard lessons. We found them walking along a long dark stretch of road about 3 hours later. Unfortunately it was just a short time after a man on a bike had stopped and tried to molest 2 of them. They were able to get away but they got scratched up. He was actually the second man. Another tried to entice them into a car a earlier. The older child broke down and cried when she was confronted with the danger she incited and was saved from. She came to me late last night to pray again. I pray it is a lesson learned because these lessons only get more expensive.
Keep us and them in prayer for it is yet another issue to deal with, and a roaring lion lives just outside our gate...

We must enroll the children in school next month and those expenses are weighing heavy right now. We are responsible for putting 25 children in school, 4 of which are higher grades which cost a lot more this year. We must come up with several thousand dollars for clothes, books, tuition ect in just a few weeks. Its is like this every year but this year it is even heavier. But the LORD has always supplied the need.

Below are a few of the big needs from the pastors.

Fountain of Life Baptist Church needs a property and building. When we first started meeting there, the community offered land for free. Later the church found out that it must be shared with other community activities even if the church builds the building. So they opted to keep praying and meeting under the big tree. One member in the community is willing to sell their home for $2500, which would work as a church. It is a newer cement building with a good roof and costs much less than the land and building a new structure.

New Jerusalem Baptist church needs cement on the adobe walls to keep the rains from washing their building away in the spring. Bags of cement up the mountain is no easy task. The cost of cement has increased greatly then moving it to the mountain is also costly. (like a our broken 4x4 Kia from its many trips. It lifted the entire church building in Los Tererros including the water for the cement) They need about 100 bags of cement to ‘stucco’ the walls to keep out the rains. That’s a little under $1000, but will allow their building to last 20 years.

Ven a Mi Baptist Church cannot contain its members. They purchased their property 2 years ago and now need a larger building. It would cost about $5000 but this church is very poor financially. I am amazed they do what they do. This is where the teenager died late year because they did not have the bus fare to bring them down to the hospital nor the money for antibiotics. The pastor walked all the way down to get me one year because his wife was sick. We have remedied that using cell phones and the kia as an ambulance but still it is a poor community in the mountain.

San Geronimo needs a building too but more so the preacher needs reliable transportation. I purchased the mama kia for him to use but could not keep it running and it is now dead. I would like to get the preacher (Marc Antonio) a Chinese motorcycle, that way he can go at the right time and more frequently. They only cost about $12-1500 dollars US for a new one. Then he would have service multiple times a week and he wants to start the bible institute out there.
All the men asked for more materials, a way to copy papers ect. We need a good copier or Risograph. I have bought several old ones in the USA and shipped them here but they did not last. Just to old and parts not available. Lisa had made lots of items when the Risograph was working. When I shared with them the pastors Library they all wanted to use it to make sermons and SS lessons. Just need more books and materials in Spanish.

None of the pastors/preachers items are big things but for us barely feeding all the kids, it adds up to insurmountable amount, yet in God’s hands it is already done… Amen!

And all this in just a week. Most who visit, return thankful for the cross the LORD has given them to bear, and a little ashamed for wanting it lightened… Some even return and ask the LORD for a heavier burden… Amen!

A week in pictures Ex 33:14

2011-01-11T09:50:00.005-06:00

The LORD’s ministry in Honduras is never dull. Whether we are packing 40 people into a 6-passenger vehicle or driving as a ambulance in the middle of the night or simply preparing a meal for 30 from market food, it is never insipid. I meant for this visit to have less pressure than most, more of a time of fellowship with a friend. Yet even with a more relaxed mindset, much was accomplished. Several adults made professions of faith, some reconciled, and many taught. Some electric repaired. Hearts were softened toward the things of God.

As I scan through the photos from the last week it is hard to describe the events. Lots of laughs and smiles. A week filled with joys of just being. Lives were touched on every side. Salvation decisions, reconciliations, changed hearts, I think the visitors had some soul searching take place. In all a great time of fellowship. It is easy to sleep at night when your body is tired and your heart hears “well done” from the Spirit of the LORD. Oft times I have our children come up to me and rest or cling or fall asleep in my arms, but rarely do I get photos. Our visitors got a few. Oh for the day we too can fall into the Savoiur’s arms in an eternal rest for such is the Kingdom of Heaven…Amen.

Double click the photo pages to enlarge them for greater clarity

We'll work till Jesus comes.... Then we rest

2011-01-03T15:42:00.006-06:00

This is always a busy time of year for us. Christmas, New Years is enough for most, but when you add our wedding anniversary, my birthday, visiting Americans, substitute pastoring, a shipping container and a broke down vehicle, to the mix on top of our regular load, it gets a little hectic. A good friend pastor Wellington is here visiting with 2 church members, Andrew and Amanda. In usual Honduras fashion we also temp fix the kia to get it to the dealer to be repaired because the dealer says they have all the needed parts. We head up to meet the incoming plane of visitors planning to stop at the car dealer after. The snow in the USA keeps part of the group from arriving till the following day. Arrive at the dealer and they say no problem to repair and show me the new parts. Ok install them and we can be on the road in the afternoon (to return up the mountain in the morning again) Nope they do not finish, so no car. After numerous calls we stay in the capital at a friends house. Go to the dealer the next day to find they only installed the “extra parts”, read; the parts not needed unless the broken part was replaced… that ended up being the wrong part. IE sir we replaced all the parts except the main part you came in for that was bad… here’s your bill have a nice day, no time to argue. Call Pastor Augusto to meet him and p/u his truckload of supplies from the inner city to take to the mountain when we visit his church the following day, then time to run to the airport and head home. Only to sit in construction traffic on the only exit road from the city, not moving long enough to loose any hope of making it back for evening church service. But arrive to a hot meal by Lisa and time for bed. Amen. We begin our adventures by ending the New Year and a few home grown Honduran fireworks (besides Chinese ones are way too expensive… and safe). Anyone over 40 knows what they use to be like… They’re much more dangerous here. Then the next day preaching in New Jerusalem Baptist in the mountains and delivering Pastor Augustos supplies... With the still broken kia. Why? The unimog got another flat but this time it made it to a tire shop where we left it. Good service with Andrew preaching and Jr interpreting. Sunday Andrew preached again and Wellington to preach the evening service which was a not so surprise birthday for me afterwards. But 15 minutes before church an emergency call from the mountain and the kia is and ambulance bringin someone down from the mountain again… The church was full for the evening service with several pastors present. After service each came forward and gave testimonies. Pastor Ramon talked about Ana Christina who is now 5 years old. She is the baby the LORD allowed us to arrange a radical life saving heart surgery 4 years ago. It was a humbling time as church folks came and shared stories, sang and shared. All I can say is thank you LORD for allowing this unworthy servant to play a part in your miracles. The men are out preaching in the mission outreaches at the moment. Amen!

Simply Beautiful

2010-12-27T10:17:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to share a scene from the last few days. We were returning from the mountain church services this weekend, looking out over the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Fonseca as the sun was setting. The elevation is more than 3000 feet driving along the ridge of the mountain you can look down on both sides. In the distance is our property the Children’s Lighthouse, Choluteca, in the far distance is El Salvador to the right and Nicaragua to the left. The temperature up there is in the mid 70s dry and beautiful. The stars came out later bright, above the haze of the city you see so many more. What was even brighter were the souls that called on the name of the LORD this weekend. Now for the Choluteca twist to the beautiful events…
We ended up getting a flat on the Unimog later. Huge tires, no jack, lug wrench or spare on a Christmas holiday night with a truckload of children… But that was after it ran low on PS fluid and brake fluid…. How to fix. Sing praises unto the LORD and pay a man to sleep on the Unimog and leave till the next day to fix it. Hitch a ride home like everyone else does… Wee. Need to get a vehicle fixed to p/u visitors tomorrow in the capital as well as Pastor Augusto and hopefully some paperwork for the container that is coming.
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Feliz Navidad from Honduras Missions

2010-12-24T16:06:00.003-06:00

After the late night ambulance trip into the mountains a few days ago, the kia is down. It is at a mechanic right now, will know more after Christmas. Last week we were wondering how everything was going to get done, but as always the LORD provides often through his ministering saints. We were given the use of a mining truck called a Unimog (actually a 40 yr old Mercedes Benz military truck that has the same size engine as the kia, just on monster tires and tractor gears) for the week since they are not using it over the holidays. We have a go anywhere vehicle till Jan 3rd. Jr says it makes the kia look like a girly car. Wish we had one of these all the time.

Ministering Saints provided gifts and some clothes for the children. And we were able to take the children in to a nice shoe store and pick up new shoes. All provided by the LORD through the hearts of his ministering saints. THANK YOU. After shopping was done. Lisa wanted to deliver her food baskets for folks in the mountains and city and let the Kids do some visiting. We loaded up all 25 of us in the Unimog and off we went. The last time Lisa visited one location was the last time we had the Unimog 4 years ago. It was a long day that wore everyone out bouncing around in the back of the truck…they all really like the “luxury” of the kia now. The Unimog goes anywhere but your body pays a price Your arms, legs, back, neck and stomach muscles are tense all the time, just holding on… and sleep comes easy. Tomm we head back up a different mountain for church services Saturday and Sunday. Today is Lisa and my 27th anniversary…. I’m taking her out in the Unimog… how romantic.

Thank You all for the prayers and wonderful ministering Saints the LORD uses and makes all the ministry here possible. AMEN! Feliz Navidad

I think I can I think I can

2010-12-20T11:39:00.005-06:00

We ventured up the mountain this weekend 2 times, from sea level to 3000+ft almost straight up it seemed at times. Both outings were to preach and teach in New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Santa Teresa on Saturday and Sunday. The ladies ministry from La Cruz Baptist offered to go and teach the ladies and teens in the mountain. They also brought food for a time of fellowship. Carlos went with us to preach to the boys. It was a time of blessings all around. The pastor’s family as well, as church members, were finishing leather belts after service so Pastor Augusto would have them Monday to sell in the capitol before Christmas. They make a lot of them to sell to vendors for as little as 50 cents apiece. I was fascinated watching them all work together. This is their year’s income. like bringing in the crops so to speak. They prepare for months getting leather ready and the old pedal sewing machine was going so fast I thought it would start smoking. I watched them the next day finishing up a large batch as I waiting for them so we could get them on a bus.
It was then I had an epiphany. These folks are hard working making items to sell in the market so the pastor and church can keep going. Not asking for a handout which I see so much here. But it would be more profitable if they sold them to churches, bible colleges ect in the USA than a street market in Honduras. The idea was if a bible college or Christian bookstore was selling a specialized bible cover or belt or other item(widget) for a fair price and it had the label the stated. “This item was hand made by a local NT church in a third world country. Your purchase helps sustain them and plant more indigenous churches”.(and orphanages) And it was next to a similar product that just said “made in china”…which would you buy? As I watched, the name and principle that came to me was “All things in Common” out of Acts 4:32 and it is not a far removed principle from Paul teaching in 1 Corinthians 8:13-15 I would like feedback from ministering Saints on this Idea. If it is pleasing to the LORD pray for a door to open.

The rest of the story… The Kia began to make loud screeching drive train noises as we arrived with the Ladies. I was concerned it might not make it back down that night. Instead of using gears I rode the brakes all the way down the mountain, heating them a lot. They got soft but never went out. We made it back to the city and I tried calling around to find another 4x4 to borrow but to no avail. I was committed to the promise of covering Sunday preaching up the mountain the next day. So I loaded the older children in the morning, prayed and headed back up the mountain path. It made it up, and the LORD gave a wonderful service. It is easy to teach those that want to learn. With the lighter load and heavy prayer the kia made it back without a break down, and we got the pastors wife to the bus. Amen. We now need to fix the Kia again (I think transmission) but no time or funds at the moment. It’s the only vehicle we have and it is in use daily. Our Christmas container is enroute and we do not have funds for it once it arrives either. It has cost at least $1000 each time we bring in a container and this time there is additional shipping across the country we must also pay. If we do not pay the fees and final transportation they sell the contents at a government auction and we loose everything. So... much to praise for and much to pray for… But always abounding in the LORD
unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Wedding in Honduras

2010-12-13T18:14:00.003-06:00

Iglesia Bautista La Cruz had their first wedding in the church building. After much time and many hindrances, the couple, Blanca and Omar, are now officially married under the laws of Honduras. It brought out healthy discussions in the church about many issues that grew the church body. Our ladies ministry did decorations. Carlos did the religious ceremony and we had to have a lawyer do the civil ceremony, which Lisa and I were the official witnesses. (it’s a little different here, only a high up RCC priest is allowed to marry people here without a lawyer.) The couple made their vows one to another then on their knees to God. Several of our children were in the wedding as pillow girls, ring bearer and flower girls. Lisa had promised Blanca she would make a cake, and wow what a cake. It took 60+ eggs and turned out prettier than any store bought I have seen here or states. Even without knowing the colors they matched. Carlos got in some preaching and the dinner after fed more than 200 folks gathered. The church in Colonia Trapeche came down out of respect; and had one church member pass away a just a few hours later. Omar rushed up to help as he could and spent the day after his wedding helping with a funeral. We finished at midnight… but not by preaching, it took that long before they were willing to cut the cake. Amen growing in grace Several more to do in the mountains with folks wanting to be obedient to the LORD Amen. Keep us in prayer, lots to do this month and little to do it all with... But the LORD has always been and will always be faithful.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Gathered random shots

2010-12-06T10:43:00.007-06:00

Here are a few random shots collected from the past weeks. A dinner photo from Thanksgiving, Birthday photos from Korina and Patricia’s days with the cakes Lisa made, including the only photo we have of all the kids at once. Need to make a new family photo when I get a decent camera. Lisa and I collected alot of toys before coming to Honduras through special purchases and donations like toys for tots ect and shipped them more than 5 years ago. But the supply is about out. It has been a great blessing permiting us to do much more than our budget ever allows in so many outreaches. I pray the Lord lays it on someonle else's heart to do something similar.

And a carnival/fair photo on the Farris wheel. We had a small old time carnival pass through our town. After driving by numerous times with multiple kids asking to go, I finally stopped checked the price and let some of the kids try some rides as a reward for helping so much. The little Farris wheel and merry-go-Round had to be more than 60 years old now operating with Isuzu and Toyota diesels engines from wrecked trucks instead of electric motors. As a former mechanic I was intrigued with the merry-go-round… But the multiple welds, re-welds, rebar in place of tempered steal, many temp looking repairs and modifications on an ancient Farris wheel gave me the willies… It did the kids too as the operator throttling the engine and changing gears shifted it into 4th gear for a high speed spin. I never saw one turn so fast. Yikes! The kids screamed closing their eyes and turning down heads, but it wasn’t till they got off they said why they were screaming; the bugs were so thick around the lights when they sped up it was like driving a motorcycle in a bug storm…yuck. At least it was cheap and they had fun :) The videos are from the Baptism a couple of posts ago, and musical chairs from the birthdays, And the church Aniversary up on the Mountain... 2hours of singing before teaching/preaching starts at 8pm... Haven't preached till midnight like Paul yet by maybe one day.

Welcome to Honduras

Without a vision…. Here is a list I posted back in June. I had someone ask recently if we had any needs or projects… so here is a short list...

Future and current project list, big and little.
1. Roof on La Cruz Baptist classrooms $1500 DONE!
2. Build church larger Church in Lenaca $5-7000
3. Build a church building/chapel on Lighthouse property to facilitate a new church plant. $5-7000
4. Build a church building in Colonia (have land) $5-7000
5. Build a church building in San Geronimo. (need land) $10,000 for both
5a. Help dry up church building in StTeresa Currenlty adobe without cement stucco so
each rain washes it away. Also need chairs ect. $1000+
6. Finish classrooms and start a school at the Lighthouse property $5000 plus ongoing expenses for teachers materials ect
7. Build a Laundry room at the Lighthouse $1500
8. Beds/closets for children of the Lighthouse $3-5000 DONE!
9. Clean a field and plant a veggie garden at the Lighthouse 0-$300 fencing ect
10. Finish the retention pond to charge well water Just time and weather and fuel
11. Finish running electric to install meter on lighthouse $1000-1500
12. Build secondary dorm rooms $5000
13. Build a work shed/garage $3000
14. Finish Kitchen at lighthouse, food storage, grill, LP stove, cabinets ect $1000
15. Awning from outside kitchen to dinning hall $500
16. Fix gutters and downspouts( Overflows right at the corner of the foundation and is washing material away) $200 DONE!
17. Build a large concrete water storage tank on the mountain to supply entire property with water and allow us water even when electric is out frequently here. $2000
18. Solar hot water system $500-1000
19. Drill well deeper and case it and add a sediment filter(clogs the washing machine in one day) $5000-10000
20. Finish second floor level at Lighthouse $10,000
21. Need a bus $15000 and will need to replace the 4x4 in the not too distant future.
22. Look for ways to raise current support now and for 50 future children in the Children’s Lighthouse. That’s over $800 per week just in food no including prep, clothes schooling ect… The government would give 50 children to us tomorrow if we said yes. Currently struggle with the $300 a week it costs now just in food…
23. Look for a way to open a feeding center for 150 children 1 meal daily around the Lighthouse property. Approx $3000 per month including help
24. Finish Lighthouse office and library $1000 …in progress Need more lights, fans ect (this is for the children and national pastors/teachers to use)
25. Fence front of property ??
26. Cut a car accessible road on the property ??
27. Repair bathrooms in bodega $200
28. Find way of communication from property (satellite system?) $3500
29. Prepare to collect a food drive and container shipment $5500 DONE for Dec but another due in a few months
30. We need school uniforms and school supplies for 25 children and tuition for 6 by Feb 2011
Almost $4000. This is a huge weight over our head.
This is a short list there are more as the LORD provides.....

Just a note

2010-12-03T21:31:00.004-06:00

Just a note of thanks to our praying ministering saints. Our LORD has used you to sustain us here in Honduras time and time again. This month will be busy in ministry. The Christmas shoebox container shipped out today and already one problem; the shipping is only paid to port so we must find someone to drive it across the country to us. The companies contacted want around $600 to make the trip and we must pay it before receiving the container on Jan 8th. That is on top of the “fees” that will be incurred at customs and for the agent to release it.
Pastor Augusto has asked me to fill his pulpit as he goes to the capital's market for 3 weeks to sell the leather items he has been making all year. It is most of his year’s income made in just a few weeks. So I will be making many trips into the mountain this month but the Kia is still "workenbroken" with a makeshift radiator fan and shroud. Lisa is preparing for a wedding on the 11th, and still we are doing all the other ministry as well. Feeding our large crew is just one issue but the outpouring of food in the container will soften that burden for a while. School starts in Feb 1st and that is always a huge trial on finances. Putting 22 children in school with uniforms, shoes, books, tuition, supplies etcetera is a heavy weight and it is always on the heals of the Christmas container customs issues which don’t help. The LORD has made it possible every year, but each year it seems tighter and tighter as our Lighthouse family grows. We still live in a house without a couch, comfortable chair, or regular furniture, phone service, drinkable water and our kids wear their shoes till their toes hang out so bad they stub their toes. Sounds bad but Chinese made shoes here only last a few months in the rain, mud and rocks. We actually went all last year without beds but ministering saints solved that. The truth is we have been here 5 years struggling on one hand, and being bountifully blessed in the other… Yet the blessings cannot be bought for any price. I get handed notes by our children several times a day, these posted were given spontaneously about an hour ago, also hugs frequently, kisses unexpectedly. The lieing, stealing, eating garbage, worldlyness issues we deal with often fade away with each note and hug as each learns a better way. We have seen many trust the LORD in our home, and in the churches, to be a part and allowed to roll away the stone in Christ's miracle, makes every struggle and trial precious stones in the crowns to lay at our LORD’s feet. Thank you LORD Jesus for working through your ministering saints and bless each and every remembrance, prayer, and help toward your servants in Honduras
An unworthy blessed servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

Nothing but Thanksgiving

2010-11-21T14:28:00.008-06:00

After the last few days how could one have anything but thanksgiving in their heart. Got a camera working and a few photos with it. It is plastic wire tire together, takes blurry photos and eats 4 batteries in less than 10 photos, but like most things here it’s “workenbroken”. So enjoy the pages. We (the whole family, all 25 for the first time at the insistence of Pastor Santos) went to Ven a Mi Baptist in the mountains yesterday for their anniversary. Lisa had been asked to teach the ladies and I was to preach to the men.(the emphasis was on Lisa though) But first we were to visit Pastor Santos’ family for lunch. They killed many of their chickens and sacrificed much to feed us just one meal, very humbling. As we left, the Kia made a lot of noise and the radiator fan came apart and began vibrating. Will destroy the waterpump If I do not fix it soon. We got to church and I used wire from spiral notebook bindings and coke bottles to makeshift it to cool. We had to let it run hours to have lights off the inverter for church. Many people showed up mostly Ladies because of Lisa. They had been praying for her since last year. Special music went on for 2 hours and near 8pm preaching started. I took the men outside and preached by flashlight and headlights from the Kia. Lisa taught inside and used Alba as her part time translator. The Holy Spirit pierced hearts. Amen!

Lisa has been busy baking lately; cakes for our kids, the school, Jr’s request for Loude, Church Anniversary and 2 upcoming weddings. And still feed us, make cheese and so on. Amen!

The cross cake Lisa made for Ven a Mi was for 300+ people and weighed 25lbs or more. She worked all night and finished it at 8am for us to leave at 1pm…only to return home at 11pm, tired to say the least. We ran out of 300 napkins, before we fed the men and boys…So the rest happily took a piece of cake in their hands. Made it home, made supper, only to get up a few hour later and take La Cruz Baptist to the river to do a baptismal service… It was simply beautiful. Baptizing in a river with water rushing through the rocks in the background. Carlos preached strong and Mark Antonio did the baptisms with songs before each one. I kept thinking that the days of Jesus, Peter and Paul were much the same. Preach under a big ol tree next to a river and baptize…. Then eat a shared lunch. Amen!

Plus today is Patricia’s Birthday…but Lisa did not have time to bake a cake…yet.
When I finally stand before the LORD I will still be amazed and have nothing but thanksgiving….
An unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour
Barry Ritchie

Lots happening...

2010-11-14T20:42:00.002-06:00

We have a lot of things on the burner so to speak. Two weddings in the coming weeks for folks wanting to get right with the LORD. AMEN! Also baptizing in the river near the Children’s Lighthouse, with the whole church, next Sunday. That means a lot of shuttling with the Kia. But Saturday night we will be in the mountains celebrating the church anniversary up there. By request Lisa is a speaker for the Ladies... Pastor Santos visited yesterday to tell me if I had to make a choice of me or Lisa going...they wanted Lisa. She is also making a cake to share with them…as well as the wedding cakes. Sayder’s BD is tomorrow and Patricia’s is next Sunday. And preparing for a container to ship in 3 weeks, trying to find things we need in time to ship.

The La Cruz church had a lack of seats again today because we were full. I was sitting in the back on an old five gallon bucket behind our 22 children. As more entered, our boys gave up their seats too and stood around me in the back. I was the one who started the church and taught the pastor, yet I was sitting in back with a baby on my knee and a dozen children around me as Carlos preached on humility and putting others first... Several of our folks looked back at us during the service and smiled. I believe they were getting more preaching though not from words. Live what you preach or it is as tinkling brass... Our kids remind me of this often. Every time I fail.

Lisa had the outdoor oven going this week making pizza. One tasted like a trip to DQ. Another well… If your light on meat and need a way to save money just let the dog catch a large green lizard, then let the boys kill it, then let the girls clean, gut and flambé it in the outdoor oven. Actually they did it by covering it in oil and it caught fire…Then sprinkled the meat on homemade cheese pizza…Really homemade. Lisa made the sauce from tomatoes, the pizza bread from scratch, even the mozzarella cheese from the raw milk we get. Set the kids down for a bible movie, earthen oven lizard pizza and juice. Welcome to Honduras.
I hit another pothole tonight taking folks home from church and just held my breath hoping nothing was wrong. It did not go flat but I will check it tomorrow for damage.
Sorry no photos struggling with cameras right now… Keep us in prayer we need every one.

Time is short

2010-11-11T09:16:00.001-06:00

To our ministering saints, The Christmas container is going to ship out Dec 3rd. That only leaves 3 weeks to get items to Paul Deem of Directline Ministries. www.directlineministry.com He is collecting sending Christmas shoeboxes, food and other miscellaneous items being donated. A couple of things needed is a good portable digital camera our has died. Another big need is tires for the 4x4 kia, I blew out one yesterday hitting a huge pothole driving after church (they are only available in the USA not here) so now I have problem. If you interested in helping acquire tires, send shoeboxes or help with food, camera ect let me know. We have had a couple of churches donate some food which is always a huge blessing, the need is great and we need more. If your inclined to help now it the time.

Waiting for the trump and keeping busy till it sounds,
Barry Ritchie
Honduras Missions
Children’s Lighthouse
Planting churches and caring for the fatherless
britcompel@msn.com

Daily Life in Honduras

2010-11-03T11:27:00.007-06:00

Jenny and Iris are readying for their graduation and have numerous “projects” for the school. The director told the kids to sell candy and stuff in school to raise money for the projects; class photos, cement benches for graduating class, diploma paper ect. I asked a basic economic question… If the families are too poor to just give the funds needed for their children, then how would selling candy to the same group raise money? All I got was a look like a deer in headlights.(thats with the teachers) I said you need to sell to folks with funds and sell something they would buy… SO I told the girls to talk to mommi about a bake sale and I will make arrangements with a local store (our version of walmart) to sell out front. Lisa baked her heart out for 2 days making birthday cakes, cookies, spicy breads, brownies ect. The catch was we used all the products sold in the store, so the store promoted it as well on a loud speakers. (as American Made.. Ie made by an american) The moms of 3 of the girls we also helped made Honduran treats, Blanca showed up to help Lisa and the girls. The girls after proding began to give samples and sell. They did not make near as much as Lisa did doing this in the USA for our girls, but it was a large amount by the local school standard. I would not be surprised to see a bakery in the store in the near future. Some folks even asked for Lisa's phone number to ask her to bake things for them and the store thanked them for having the bakes sale there. We also got a local farmer to sell milk to us so Lisa was able to make cheese. As her first product ricotta to fulfill lastyears birthday promise to Jenny about a lasanga dinner, That was made entirely from scratch, home sauce, homemade cheese, homemade pasta... an it was goooood. This morning I got the girls up early (4:30 first light) to load sand at the river to drop off at the school for benches/tables. They thought I would just do it for them…uh nope. They even cleaned the truck afterwards before school…

The fix on the little kia only lasted 2 weeks and the motor locked up on Jr on the way to church Sunday. Not sure what to do about it. We need other transportation but just cant seem to keep anything running. Even the big kia is getting difficult to fix. How many times can you temp fix things before it catches up to you… That’s the condition of most older vehicles here, years of substandard repairs conglomerated into transportation that is frequently broke down. Our camera has bit the dust as well. Just one too many trips up the mountian bouncing around I suppose, or the dust or rain or extensive use. Pictures are important in relaying information from here. So we might be a little light on blog photos for a while.

We had our first tragedy in dogs. Lisa’s little dog got out and the big guard dog thought is was a toy and played with her breaking her leg. Lisa was upset so I called the childrens doctor to see if he would set it… sure, bring it in to the hospital and I’ll take care of it… We are not in the USA… but welcome to Honduras.

Emergency room visit for a 2-lb Chihuahua $26. Peace with Lisa priceless….

Always abounding

2010-10-27T10:59:00.004-06:00

The Lord is always abounding. As usual here in Honduras there is rarely a day that is uneventful in some way. Since our last post many more have heard the gospel, been taught and blessed by the LORD. The kia was back together so we took supplies to Santa Teresa, and play a gospel teaching movie(Really strong message), and fix the solar panel electric system… only to break down again with the kia. This time tore out bushings in the front end, and it also makes new noises that I don’t know what they are yet. It is starting to show its age/abuse after countless trips into the mountains on basically donkey paths. But it always makes it back. Even our camera got tired of all the bouncing around and quit working. Someone said I should buy a military truck… I agree, but I would likely break it too by overloading it.. It would be hard to buy something tougher than the people of Honduras who live in these mountains. Like planting corn on the sides of mountan slopes 60+ degree angles. As I began to write this, Pastor Santos visited in need of help. He and 40 men in his ministry walked a lady down the mountain last night in a hammock/sling to go to the hospital, taking turns carrying her. That is 10+ miles in the dark, rainy night, down a muddy, slick, rocky, mountain to the highway, then got a ride. Senovell Castella needs an emergency appendicitis. They needed 2000 limpiria for the needed meds so the “free” hospital would perform the operation. He was afraid to ask but the need was too great and could not stand to see another member die for the sake of a few dollars, like the teenage did a short while back. I had some money in my wallet to fix the kia but only about 1000 limpira. When I opened my wallet to give him what I had there was 2000 limpiras in it… All I could do was smile and say thank you LORD. I returned inside after a short fellowship with him to do this update and check bank balance for our atm to find our pastor had just made a deposit of $115 which after bank fees is $2000 lempiras… hmmm. We have been here 5 years living this exact way. Living by faith is hard but carries the greatest blessings. Our LORD Jesus through his ministering saints have taught me that lesson repeatedly.

Jenny and Iris have passed their year end exams to graduate. They had lots of things to memorize. So what seemed a lost cause a few month ago has turned to a bright road. Pray they stay on it. Not a lot of “entertainment” here so we make frequent trips to the river swimming hole just down the road from us. Some photos are just too fun not to share.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Promises

2010-10-20T12:32:00.002-06:00

I would like to share a blessing. I have several birthdays to deal with this week and in coming weeks. Lenin and Enrique’s were celebrated yesterday, Bessy’s on Thursday. But in the midst of this we have chosen to celebrate a quencenedia(like a sweet 16 in USA, really big deal traditionally here) for two of our girls but only as a Christian promise day of purity. With Jenny we had talked, it was her idea, but she was not interested in the show side of it, only in the promise before God. If you remember a few weeks ago we did nothing for her birthday, no cake nothing due to funds, and told her to wait on the LORD. She did wait patiently and again the LORD does far above all we ask. The man who manages the gold mine in the mountain came to visit and gave us 2 small gold nuggets for her. Jenny picked them out. I took her to an old fashion jeweler and he set them on gold earring studs surrounded by a gold hearts he made and put a ruby in the center. Why? I gave Jenny the nickname my heart years ago and the pure gold in it was to remind her to keep her heart pure before the LORD, and if she did her price would be far above rubies…She was clearly shaken when we did this. She has promised to do so and not only that, but to save them to give and teach her daughter. (in 10-20 years I added in laughter). On the way home she went silent in the truck. I thought she was mad at me or something. As we pulled in to the house she said papi no one has ever given me anything like this or loved me like you do…and tears welted up for both of us. As we took them inside she went to her bedroom to get a letter of prayer she wrote. This is her prayer and vow to the LORD. A far cry from where we came from with her…

Alba has been doing well so far and has told Lisa she want to help her little sister like we did with Jenny’s sister. It is a far more difficult situation but I told her to pray about it, because this would open many wounds both old and new. I told her I would pray too but I would support and help in any way.
Our trip up the mountain was postponed because the truck was being repared so next week.. we heard up again, only to have Pastor Enemesio ask us to Los Tererros for Friday.
To our ministering saints, As you see I need every prayer and I waste not a one…Thank you.

Jenny’s promise her words from her heart and her decision to do so…Amen!

Querido Dios yo se que te he fallado en algunas cosas y que necesito algo para reparar mis problemas te pido perdòn por todo lo que no he hecho bien. Perdoname y ayudame aseguir adelante, y a ovedecer tus mandamientos mejor. Pero Señor, yo te prometo poner todo mi esfuerzo para lograr la meta que busca, y la meta que tu tienes preparade para mi. Padre Celestial, mis padres me daran algo muy especial y con mucho amor y valor pero con esto yo te pometo estar lista y preparada para el dia de mañana y te prometo esperar para mi esposo y darle mi corazòn a papi y mami, hasta que ellos me digan esto es bueno o malo aceptar y abedecere a mis padres y en todo y en primer lugar te obedecere a ti. Gracias por entendereme y enseñarme màs de tu palabro en el nombre a Jesus Amen.

Translation

Dear God I know I have failed in some things and I need something to fix my problems. I apologize for everything that I have not done well. Forgive me and help me gain sufficient assurance on, and obey your commandments better. But Lord, I promise to put all my effort to achieve the goal you seek, and that you have prepared a goal for me. Heavenly Father, my parents have given me something very special with lots of love and value. With this treasure I promise I will be ready and prepared for the day tomorrow (wedding day) and I promise to wait for my husband. And my heart I give to mommy and daddy until they I say this is good or bad, and obey and accept my parents. But first of all I will obey you. Thanks for the understanding and teaching of your Word,
in Jesus name Amen.

Thanksgiving...

2010-10-18T12:11:00.005-06:00

I want to thank those of you who pray for us. We have many needs but prayer is frequently our lifeline. We have been in Honduras 5 years and could not make it without prayer from afar interceding on our behalf. Thank you. With help from ministering saints the kia was repaired. A little welding, finding of parts, making due with other, and presto its on the road… for a day before the alternator died. It too is now being fixed. I was a highly certified ase master mechanic for 20 years… but still I am amazed watching Hondurans rebuild almost anything with nothing. We used to have this talent in the USA but seem to have shelved it for expediency and profit. Rewire an alternator with stripped wiring, a machette and sticks cut from the tree on the street while sitting on a rock. We plan on going up the mountain for a teaching/outreach tomorrow and Sunday, hope it works. The last time I ended up pulling out a bus near the bottom that was stuck…and giving most of the passengers a ride back to the top and needing to fix the kia afterwards Will be taking supplies to Santa Teresia this time. Had a long visit with pastor Augusto yesterday. Very fruitful fellowship.

Alba has returned for a trial time that may be permanent. It is in her hands to do right or not. She has made some very poor choices that will take time to heal and maybe a lifetime to pay for and wants to try to walk right. Amen. The least I can do is help, some of us only learn the hard way it seems. Please pray. Strangely, the last 2 days even with all the issues around me, I was allowed to sleep all night and awake praying with tears in thanksgiving to the LORD. Everyday for 5 months the LORD has awakened me at 3 am to pray with a heavy heart. And for the last years prayer has been a time of burdens. Yesterday and today was different AMEN!

Lisa is getting better spiritually, even though the burden is more and sickness seems to be frequent, her spirit is better and she always does more than her share. She is prepping for a bake sale for the school to raise funds for the end of the year activities. I went with Jenny and Iris to ask permission to sell out front of some big stores in the city. It will be another learning experience for them.

After fighting with the kia and charging the battery Sunday we arrived a little late to church. To find there were not enough chairs…That was a treat to come to church where there is standing room only so to speak… Amen. In reality all problems are blessings from the LORD if we just accept them, and allow the LORD to be Glorified through them.

True thanksgiving comes only with the expectation of nothing... It is the connection between mercy and grace.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,

Barry Ritchie

Life is Real

2010-10-11T17:34:00.003-06:00

Had a rough weekend. I had promised to take corn and supplies to Ven a Mi Baptist Church in Lenaca (Pastor Santos). We met his daughter in town Saturday and loaded 4000lbs up to go. The road was almost non-existent, following the hard rains. People were hurting because of a lack of supplies up there. It was a very long, rough climb in 4wd. When we returned back down the kia was making noise and so was my neck and back and everything was covered in mud. The truck overheated as I pulled into the Lighthouse property. I found a fan housing had broken loose and broke up in the fan. Barry Jr and I wired it together enough to work temporarily. Need to find a new one but things get worse. As I left for church Sunday morning, I pulled onto the highway and heard a loud clank but saw nothing. Made it to church and returned home only to see oil all over the driveway. We did not make it back to church and I tried taking it to a shop in town only to have the rear end come apart and lock breaking the differential/axle housing…Not going to be a cheap fix this time. So now it is very difficult to move the family around, get food or anything. Plus the water pump is still out at the Lighthouse making it even more difficult to just make it through a day.

Sunday night service, which we missed, was also a problem.

The 18yr old niece of Carlos and Luz living in the adjacent house committed suicide during church hours; they got the call during church. She had been in rebellion for a while, not listening to her mom, grandparents or Carlos and Luz. Her live in boyfriend of 3 years had been beating her. Her words to everyone in the recent past had an eerily familiar meaning, “I’m and adult, its my life, I want to live my life my way, I just want to be free and have fun”. Why do young people think running from God ordained authority, from the ones who love and sacrifice for them is freedom? Satan has a secret way into almost everyone 12-25 years old it seems.

And just to add a little icing to the cake we have had a rash of people coming onto the property. Sat night 3 men were seen on the property after midnight by neighbors. That same night the girls heard men outside their window. Laydi was and is very scared to the point of throwing up. Today Toño took the horse and camera to look around and saw more than 20 people in the back of the property cutting down our fruit trees. When Jr confronted them they laughed and said what are you going to do about it...So when I have a vehicle and can bring the police out we have pictures to start looking for them...hmmm.
Life is so real here, but then so are the principles and truths in the Bible.

Always in Need...but never lack.

2010-10-08T21:44:00.003-06:00

Just a brief overview. I went yesterday to pick up papers at child services and was asked to take home Cindy the 11 year old sister of Aslyn Jose and Elmer. She has not completed the 1st grade. I am not an expert, nor has she been tested, but she exhibits many of the characteristics downs syndrome. Not severe but there none the less. We have become in need of a bilingual special education teacher. We now have multiple children in need of this type of help. Definitely need prayer the LORD opens a door. We do not have funds available for this endeavor but we have the need. Do not have funds to fix the well water pump yet, and the kids were out of school today, and the Kia had fuel. Great day to “do nothing”. Bonding time with the 5 new children who have never seen the ocean. And we found that Cindy knows her brothers and sisters but they have never lived together. So we loaded all 25 of us up in the 6 passenger Kia and went to the beach. (we now really need a bus). One great thing about Choluteca, doing nothing is relatively cheap. I lived a lot of places in the USA where doing nothing was always expensive. Toss in PPJ and water and drive off. Watching 22 children mostly 9-11yrs old, at the beach is a chore. Akin to keeping 22 cats in a small box with no lid. Had a great time but wore me out. As it turned out the bonding time was needed all around. We were alone as far as the eye could see up and down the beach, perfect weather perfect day. Then load them all up return to the Lighthouse unload Lisa to fix supper and head to the river near the house. Why? To play and rinse all the sand out of the kids and clothes that ruin the washer and clogged the drains…Shhh don’t tell the kids that they just thought I was being extra fun and nice…
The moma kia may be back on the road tomorrow. We welded the head journals and cam bearings then rebore the head and put in a used cam. Not a lot of faith in doing this. Not the way it would be done Stateside, but that’s the Honduran way. No one has money to fix things properly (nor money for right equipment) but they need to get it working so they find a way to do many things for nothing. Like rebuilding a $10 walmart fan with discarded extension cord wiring and bottle caps…

Laydi our new 14 year old has begun calling us mami and papi and giving hugs. She has settled in and begun to help as well. She too needs special education.

So now we have 22 children living with us and child services yesterday, mentioned the original 3 we agreed to take are about finished processing paperwork and the court recommended them to live with us. Weee. I honestly do not understand how we get through each month. I would drive an accountant crazy because the math does not work. We are always, always, always in need, but never lack. All I know is God provides through his ministering saints and angels unaware…

ps One more thing I wanted to share...Here is a photo showing a major problem in Honduras. It is a major problem in the USA too just not so obvious...

A cool drink of water to keep running the race

2010-10-07T00:08:00.001-06:00

Just a few things to share. A call from the child court on the first. I now know the real reason we got the last three children, because of the 10yr old sister. She is now in court and someone may go to jail. They asked if we would take her too. Even sick in bed Lisa said yes, so in the next few days when court is over we will take in another sexually abused child...

Went to the base of the mountain with pastor Enemesio today to pick up a small horse for the kids. A Los Tererros church member basically gave him to us and rode him down. After a little work we got him in the Kia and went to the Lighthouse. This fulfills a promise I made to Toño on his birthday to replace the horse we lost. This one is trained, he has been taking loads up to Los Tererros for more than a year and came with some gear. Toño already mounted him and he will be great for the property easily scouting out the property and moving stuff.

Lisa is just getting over scarlet fever. She went to the doctor a few days ago and got shots and put on antibiotics. She still gets sick easily yet keeps on keeping on.

I got stranded in the city tonight waiting on parts for the big Kia. So I was unable to pick up the kids for church. I walked to church and had a great service that was almost full on Wednesday, even without my family. Several former members in attendance and after hard preaching they went forward wanting to repent and come back…amen!

Our water pump at the Lighthouse has been out for a week now. Just not enough to fix it and do everything else. Each time we get a deposit it goes to more pressing things like food or drinking water, electric. Jr has learned a way to direct start the pump, but must leave lines open so it does not trip or burn up the pump too. So for now we turn it on, flush the toilets and fill all we can for an hour them use that to wash with. Each kid gets a bucket to bathe in and we fill the washer with buckets. One more pain in the neck but works.

Yesterday was Yeni’s 15th birthday but we were unable to do anything for her. The 15th is a very big deal in Honduras. She was good about it. I had asked her what she wanted, at first she said nothing, only after a little pressing she just said something real and not fake or cheap toys. I am working on a special gift for her if it all comes together it will be something for her to hand down to her children. She knows about it because she overheard me talking on the phone about it. Since Toño was patient and it paid off, she has chosen the same path…amen.

I find more pleasure in hearing a spontaneous "Im sorry" with tears and a hug from one of our Lighthouse children than all the laughter they can make.... Because it means they just moved a little closer to my LORD. Amen! I received this blessing 2x from different older children... Its a cool drink of water to a laboring servant...Thank you Lord

I need these cool drinks, because just the rare few minutes I get seeing the economic news in the USA or about how millions were raised for candidate a or b politician can realy be depressing. Then we go to the atm 2-3x to see if there are funds to feed our brood, and usually withdraw every dollar when there is… God knows just the time for the cool water and the true value of labor to be remembered amen!
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Just another day...

2010-09-29T13:11:00.002-06:00

The 3 American preachers have now left after a last hurrah. Friday we were suppose to preach at a public school in the mountain and Pastor Santos church, but rain, flat tires, and a non working 4wd made us late in getting up there. So we missed preaching in the school because all the students had already gone. But the teacher still wanted me and jr to look at the solar system they have to see if we could get it working. Jr translated very well for Brother Phil in church and Seth gathered a crowd making balloon animals. As we sat to preach the bats flew in seeking a dry place to perch…and no one gave them any attention, like a normal visitor entering to listen. Bats in mosquito country are welcome friends. Saturday we divided and preached in 3 different locations. I taught in the public school of our kids with a soul winning video and handed out Bibles to all the students since it was national Bible day. 80% of the students are from catholic homes. Our children had arranged for me to do this (then asked me) and did not tell the teacher what I was going to play or teach… They wanted their school friends to see the video and trust the LORD. Amen for the effort, but the steam blew out and our kids were a little disappointed as the school director dismissed everyone because of rain at the most critical time in the lesson… prayer. So its in the LORD hands as always. Randolph went with Omar to Trapeche and Phil and Seth with Carlos to San Geronimo. Brother Randolph found out what it was like to ride like a real Honduran in the back of an uncovered truck in the rain (someone keep my bible dry please!). Then Sunday finish preaching in La Cruz. As usually nothing goes according to plan…with a tropical storm billowing overhead. Monday drive up to Tegu with lots of washed out placed in the road, even more dangerous at night. But in all it was a good visit. We have Lisa and 6 children sick today. Barry Jr took the preachers back to the hotel one night when I was tired. Hard rains, defrosters not working right, and a little lack of attention…well, he backed out of the hotel and hit a car. So on top of all other expenses, I now must fix a big dent in the door of the car of lady living across the street from the hotel. After dropping the pastors off I took the kia in for repair. Replace broken door handles hard to get in or out without those. Fix the 4wd, ps and idler pulley that quit or broke this week. Finally arrive home to find the well pump also not working, so no water….water, water everywhere, but none to drink…or shower in, or was dishes or flush or… weeee.

Welcome to just another day in Honduras.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Long Days and Short Nights...

2010-09-23T18:02:00.006-06:00

Long days and short nights for the three visiting preachers… and us. Went to Santa Teresa yesterday but the KIA 4x4 would not engage(needs repair). We made it but it was rough.. Don’t need 4wd just more speed! Which worries Brother Worley, I think he has learned to just close his eyes and pray, but he keeps asking “How do you get this 6 foot wide vehicle through these 5 foot spaces?”. And torrential rains that followed us up hindered the solar panel install. Brother Robert and Jr got the lights up in the church making it the only light on a hill. Brother Seth preached a good message and got a few stirred up with his illustrations. After dark we headed down and even I was worried about a few spots we had to cross after the hard rains. One washout ravine was dangerous with a cliff on one side. I paused a moment and almost took the boards from the back to make a bridge but a heavy throttle allowed the Kia to cross up and straddle it. Had I missed it would have went down a cliff. A mile or so later I was driving a narrow slippery ridge almost balancing the kia and the back end sliding sideways. Brother Worley commented, “You got a washed out ditch on this side” I said “Yes but I have a 300 foot cliff on this side and I would rather slide into the ditch than fall off the cliff”…He agreed. All the while the children are in the back singing hymns at the top of their lungs and Seth and Bob ard learning many ways they should not bang their heads. They both complained of sore heads and rears this morning.
Today we preached in another large public school in one of the worst neighborhoods. Brother Randolph preached well and hands were up all around. Brother Worley got the chance to hand out tracts and John and Romans and got mobbed. That charged his 70 year old battery and got him excited. Pictures are worth a thousand words they say but being here to experiencing it is a large volume book with lots of photos…
After the school we went to the military base to preach. Brother Randolph preached a double header and did great. A few minutes in, the main military colonel came in, shook my hand and sat down to listen. He was one of the 3 that trusted the Lord as Saviour. Amen!
Lisa made the cupcakes to share and fellowship after...needless to say they went over very well.

Tomorrow we head back to the mountain for a school and church meeting. Pray we can do all that needs to be done. We are always loaded with burdens…
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Sometimes pictures are the only way to share it

2010-09-21T21:07:00.004-06:00

Seth Buckner is visiting us here from Texas. He is a representative for the Fellowship Tract League and has come to Honduras again. I think to charge his battery on tract distribution. He also brought a couple of preacher friends to witness Honduras first hand. Phil Worley is a veteran evangelist of more than 60 years experience. After he preached even he was a little taken back by it all. The other pastor Robert Randolph began to hand out Books of John and ended up trampled. Literally, he tripped as they all pressed him from every side and fell down. He was like a giant piñata that was on the ground being stripped of its candy. How often do you get to see folks yearning to receive a tract or a John/Romans. We preached our first location at a public middle school with 800+ students present. It was a hard to deal with, large group with little control, but many hearts were open. The hands went up all around desiring salvation.

Tomorrow we will go to Santa Teresa and install lights to run off a battery and solar panel, then preach a service afterward. As I was driving through town today looking for the lights I needed I saw a clearance on a motorcycle. A new Chinese motorcycle that would work in the mountains for $750 plus tax. I instantly thought of Pastor Santos. It would help him and his family greatly. Allow him to get to the city anytime and do visitation much easier. I went on visitation with him once in the mountain…and could only walk with pain for a month afterwards. When his wife was sick a couple of years ago, he walked all the way down to my house starting at 3 am and arrived around 10am drenched in sweat, just so that I would go up and bring her to the hospital.

We are in need of churches to contact Brother Paul Deem about sending shelf stable food for the Children's Lighthouse Home and about Christmas Shoeboxes. There is a great need for both.
DIRECTLINE MINISTRIES click here for a link or call 740 667 6166 in Coolville Oh
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Childrens Day and the Old Watering Hole

2010-09-15T07:48:00.003-06:00

An eventful week to say the least. National Children’s day is a big holiday in Honduras. Since we have so many, not just in our home, but in the various churches and school we always are called upon to help. Lisa was up till 2am baking for the school and we were all up late for days making gift bags to hand out in the churches and school. Each one got some candy, tracts, and a trinket toy, plus played a gospel movie and set up the bounce house. The newest church in Santa Teresa was very satisfied.

Barry jr had worked on the datsun distributor to get it going for the men to preach in Trapeche. It had been down for more than a week due to lack of funds. But he found used electrical parts and got it running. On the way up the motor came apart making a big hole in the block. So R.I.P for the old datsun, it has been taking men to preach in the mountain for 2+ years. Not sure what to do just cannot be in enough places at the same time with the kia. La Cruz took what Lisa and the kids did, amplified it and made it a big day with lots of visitors. The Ladies ministry cooked and fed everyone. Carlos preached a tough pointed message to the parents, particularly the fathers. With all the extra work, Lisa came down sick Friday and is still fighting it Wednesday. In an attempt to give her rest Sunday I took the kids to the river “watering hole” and let them play again between services. It is close, free and the children enjoy it. It started raining and I told the kids to get out of the rain before they get wet…some obeyed.. for a moment till they though…but we are wet.

To make matters difficult what little funds we had in the bank got messed up. With a holiday in the USA consecutive with a holiday in Honduras banking can be a challenge. Then have the ATM machine not give funds but deduct them from the USA account…Go inside and complain and have the bank say try it again…and it happens again. Ops now no funds avail even at another atm and the bank only says sorry. So it self corrects in 7-10 days but all the while we do not have access to funds…wee welcome to a little idiosyncrasy of 3rd world missions. With all this going on we postponed Julies BD, though she did get prayered for in church.
Thanks for the prayers, Iris has recovered from dengue.
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Moved with compassion...

2010-09-08T23:10:00.003-06:00

Just a few brief praises and prayer requests. We had a surprise visit from child services today. It went well. The new southern Honduras boss wanted to see us. They were so impressed they stayed for 4 hours and helped Lisa cook and ate with us. They also want to bring the Honduran President’s wife down to visit us. (She is the head of Infha Child services)… They left then returned a few minutes later to ask us to take a 14yr old girl no-one else would take. She was with Infa visiting us and when they drove away she asked if she could live with us. Her name is “Lady”. She was picked up on the streets in Tegu.. Thankfully they talked to Lisa first so I’m not at fault this time :) I will share more as we learn more and she is comfortable with us. This first night she opened up some, but seemed a little overwhelmed. Never lived in a house with water, or sufficient food or a father, or a bible or? She has never finished the first grade, so we have work to do. The director said schools will not accept her so just try to teach her a trade…. so we now have 21 + 3 more on the way. They gave us papers for the last 3 children and we found out as usual the info we had was wrong. Elder’s name is Elmer, Ashley’s name is Aslyn and they are all younger than we thought by a year. Both dads are addicted to drugs and the mom works the streets… A story repeated many times here. Aslyn is a beautiful baby and very intelligent. She picks up on complex ideas quickly and figures out problems without help. I am dumfounded why/how a mom would abandoned children for a man… But the bible is clear in saying “in the last days without natural affection” and is more prevailing each year

I took Iris to the doctor tonight to confirm she has dengue fever so she is miserable. We also need to do aids tests on the last 9 children to enter the house when funds allow. We confirmed that Patricia’s dad died of aids and had a child with a 12 yr old girl and the baby died of aids complications as well…And her 14yr old aunt (in the blog photo Aug 8th 2010) whom we visited is now with infa because she was “working” too. I suspected that during our visit there by her actions, but it was confirmed to me today. So as we learn more about the children and their families, it is prudent to continue as we have with the rest and check.

. A statement I find is true… Many men have families… but few families have fathers… I told the Infa Director this and she copied it down to use later

Alway in need of prayer... and a few to listen to the Holy Spirit

Unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry

When it rains it …means we get wet.

2010-09-01T14:54:00.005-06:00

We picked up 3 of the 6 children yesterday. Jose 8, Elder 6, Ashley 3. Jenny, Toño, Kerinna went with me to pick them up. But only after having to fix the Kia AND Tow the datsun. Monday I took the kids to the river again. Its at a perfect flow and it is close, the kids enjoy it and best of all free. I joked with the children as it began to rain I don’t want to go swimming in the river while its raining I’ll get wet… The kids prevailed. Supper time Lisa called and time to go, only to have the Kia break down returning. We made it back, but lost the alt/fan belt, broke a pulley, drive shaft u-joint let go, and the speedometer sensor broke off…all in less than a mile. Finally, returning to the Lighthouse with all the kids, to find the electric cut on the bodega…which controls our well pump no showers. Wee. Since no one is living in the bodega near the road, we have not got a bill… ops. Barry and I took the old Datsun Tuesday to town to try to take care of things. Had to find an old electric bill and go find out what was owed. (we have to hook the power lines back up ourselves) Also take the drive shaft and look for belts, and return to fix Kia before going back to town to pick up the new children. On the way back the datsun broke down. The only thing left running was the 4wheeler, Talk to Police at the checkpoint then Jr went to the Lighthouse to drive it back and we towed the datsun back with the 4 wheeler down the highway. Did a temp fix on the Kia then left to pick up children to find only 3 ready. The other 3 would be the next day. Returned to the Lighthouse Tono took over care of fitting the two boys into our family, and Jenny instantly adopted Ashley as her little sister and began babying her and taking care of her. To the point her own little sister felt a little slighted. I was tired and sat in front of a fan when Kerinna came in climbed up and laid across my chest looking me eyeball to eyeball. With the most serious look. I asked “are you sad?” “Yes a little.” I knew why so I began to explain love is like seeds the more you plant the more you have, you should be happy Jenny is planting seeds. It’s not like candy that you give away and have no more… She then said “Will you get me a little sister too?” I had to laugh. Iris has already laid claim to the next little one that comes into the house. When I left this morning to write this blog, it was the first time Ashley cried then went limp in Lisa’s arms…it tugged at my heart. I picker her up for a hug and she sprang back to life...only to do it again as I drove off. Now to go pick up the other 3 children…
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Plans just keep us busy.. so God can work.

2010-08-30T10:17:00.007-06:00

After living in Honduras I often think it is futile to plan things for they rarely go according to the plan. We had scheduled for the La Cruz church to go up the mountain to support the Church in St Teresa, Pastor Augusto. But days of rain, a broken bus and a death of a church member have a way of constraining us. The bus driver called at 5pm Saturday to say he would not risk his bus going up there and his other bus was broken. I loaded up all the kids and supplies and headed to La Cruz to take as many as we could in the Kia, Then Pastor Augusto called and warned the road washed out in several places and the river crossing was gone plus and a church member died of septicemia in the night, so they were canceling services too. So as all La Cruz Baptist Church had gather early in the morning to go, it was obviously time to postpone. Instead, we had a sunrise service and church was over before it would normally start. On the way home to the Lighthouse the sun came out and the rain stopped. I got there and instead of unloading the kia, I chose to load it more with things to take up the mountain to lighten our load next time. I took blocks and wood for benches to sit on, candy for children’s day, Bibles, hymnals, Tracts, solar panels ect. I thought If we cant make it we just come back. Then loaded a few kids to help and off we went. Up the shorter, steep, less traveled route, straight up the ridge of the mountain. 3000 plus foot climb on a path not much wider than the truck, cliffs on both sides at times, washed out and slick from the rain, but what a view. I thought the view from Los Terreros was beautiful… this was even more so. One side looking deep into Nicaragua, the other looking down at the whole Choluteca plain. Even overlooking the Lighthouse property mountain(hill).

The little Kia chugged up and did not spin a tire in any ruts, but it is now obvious it needs new u-joints, they were creaking under the strain. We arrived to find the pastor also was having services because of the sun. He asked me to preach, 3 hands raised and I gave them to the pastor, afterwards it was a good time of fellowship. It started with just a few folks, but when others found out an american was there to preach, more showed up carrying chairs from there homes to sit on. Some were at the home of the man who died still mourning, but came to hear. The pastor was happy to give me the belts we asked him make for the boys. He puts food on his table by doing leather work. The quality was just like the store bought belts I was surprised. I would like to put in lights like we did in the other mountain churches running off a battery and solar panels. I have the panels, but cant afford the battery wiring and lights at the moment. When we can, Jr wants to return to help install them.

We returned in time to make our 3 service of the day back in LaCruz. Jenny(Yeni) had practiced a song with Patricia, Katheryn and Karen to sing in Church. It tickled by heart, God works in mysterious ways. Amen! Sorry it is so short but it took almost 2 hours to upload that much.

Lisa, Blanca and Yeni repainted the castle bed for the girls room and moved it from the city. Karina wanted to sleep in it and it was fitting since she also wanted to go to church in a princes dress. The photo tell alot.

The 6 other children we planned to pu today, well... Drive to Choluteca to find it is postponed till tomorrow...hmm... Amen! Always in need of prayer...
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

The goodness of God...

2010-08-26T13:09:00.003-06:00

Here are the first photos of Karin, the 10 year old sister of Yeni we now also have. Sorry for the quality they are from a cell phone. All of the heaviness we have had of late is not without its blessings. I would like to share a few of them with our ministering praying saints.

We now have 4 girls with a variation of the name Karen in the house. The latest opted to be called Karina similar to our oldest daughter Corinna. She is a starved for love and attention ten year old. Lisa pulled out a stuffed animal teddy bear to give her. She was eyeing it on the table and when I told her it was hers she snatched it up and hugged it tight then leaped into my arms for a hug. Lisa then gave her a doll of her own and the scene repeated. It was the first doll and teddy bear she ever had. While talking to her and Yeni I found she has never gotten a Christmas gift or birthday present in her life. She has been clinging to me and giving me hugs every awake hour of every day since she came to us. I have taken the kids to the river several times to swim and this weekend took them to the ocean. It was Karina first time to see the ocean or play on a beach, it was there she began to open up and the fear began to melt away, it was on the beach she gave me the first spontaneous hug, after that one the floodgate opened and they have continued at a furious pace. Her eyes grew big as Lisa gave her choices of fruit for breakfast and she loaded her plate. She always ate in her old home but in a way that always left her hungry ie very little… I was skeptical about Yeni’s return but her heart has been great so far and her actions have spoken louder than words. She lost a lot of weight in the short time away but her appetite has returned. She has been more helpful, more thankful than before. I pray this last month has opened her eyes to the LORD’s blessing and hand upon her life. I am one that looks for the details more than the big events. The ten leapers being healed was not the point, rather the one returning to give thanks was the lesson… It is the same with the children as well. Yeni talking about ways to protect her little sister. Two times this week Enrique pulled me aside to talk to me privately; once asking if I would please adopt him too, the second to tell me he wants to be a pastor when he grows up. Many times a day children coming up behind you to give a hug and whisper “te amo papi” in my ear. Children rushing to get their food… not because they are hungry, but so they can be the first to sit next to you.
I took Bessy to the doctor to find out why she continues to have ear aches. Without encouragement the children with me give out tracts to everyone in the building and Iris tries to witness to the receptionist. As I exit the small office, I see everyone reading gospel tracts…
Our schools teachers are on strike ie few classes and many days with kids all day, so I have gone to the river several times. And the ocean once, 22 of us loaded up even though the kia had a bad alternator. A promise is a promise, therefore I charged the batteries and went anyway, hoping to return before darkness and rain prevailed… We just made it back. Then going to bed without funds in the bank to buy the needed food the next day or fix the Kia… yet wakening to find a deposit made in just the amount needed to shop for food and fix the kia…. At our level of support/income, I do not know of many who would accept (or even consider) the responsibility of 23 children into their family without extra help or income...(And more in the future) Some might call it living on the edge… I would rather call it living in the center of his hand. Everything this side of hell is a blessing… Amen.
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

James 1:29 Pure Religion...

2010-08-24T11:28:00.004-06:00

Here is a wish list for the Christmas container that is coming.
Lisa’s list is detailed for those who want to find out the nitty gritty of the needs. Kids clothes sizes, kitchen needs ect will go out on email. I will be posting a general list on the blog and pray the LORD opens doors to supply some. Maybe some store is going out of business, or someone has items in their garage taking up space, or someone just has a generous disposition, or a church activity or??? however the LORD works. He is amazing at putting 1+1 and producing 10. The 3 big needs.. Christmas Shoeboxes, Food, Clothing…

Christmas Shoe Boxes-Much needed this year. We will be reaching out to 10 or more ministry locations through this effort. For most of the children it is their only Christmas gift. It has produce fruit that remains each and every year. It is a great way to do a mission project without affecting budgets and gets a direct feedback from those participating… Paul Deem of Directline ministries has a wonderful program set up. He is also the shipper of our containers. Contact him at 1-740-667-6166. Or online at www.directlineministry.com All items will go to him for shipping to Honduras.

Food needed- Anything shelf stable. Canned, dried, sealed, ect. Canned, meat, ham, spam Vienna, veg, fruit ect, dried, pastas, beans, sugar in sealed tubs. Oatmeal, flour in sealed tubs, cereals, regular or number 10 large cans are great. Powdered drinks mixes. Keep in mind our meals 3 times a day are for more than 25 people. That’s 525 meals a week made….and we normally help many other not under our roof.

Clothes Needed- pants, shirts, culottes, skirts, dresses, shoes for the children. Almost any size will fit someone but Lisa’s list has the details. We can make clothes here but need material, prefer strong material but need all kinds. Along with all other related sewing supplies, patterns and equipment.
Quality shoes are hard to get here. We buy so many cheap Chinese made shoes, some only last a week before coming apart. Nothing like the quality sold in the USA. We need black dress boys and girls for school and tennis for other times and sandals work as well. Lots of socks too… I will add the details in a few days of sizes ect.

Please contact Brother Deem to arrange mailing, shipping or possible pick up if he is in your area.

Thank you all we need each and every prayer. This is a major help to us, we would have been hurting very bad last year had food not been shipped. It was and is a true blessing to the Children’s Lighthouse as well as many other outreach ministries… James 1:29.

In 20 years of children's ministries, I have come to learn there are many men in the world… but few fathers… And this is what is meant when God uses the term "fatherless" instead of orphan….

Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Praise and thanks for prayer

2010-08-16T18:12:00.005-06:00

News to our praying ministering saints. Yeni is back after more than 3 weeks of heartache. The child services lawyers visited her and saw the conditions in which she was living. After some heavy discussion they took her and gave her a choice. She could go with us or to a state facility but she could not stay where she was, she chose us. After picking her up we stopped at a restaurant to use the bathroom and eat. Yeni ran up and hugged me in public and whispered in my ear…we need to get her little sister too. We then talked to the lawyers and they believe so too. Please pray the LORD works in her heart and spirit both are very lacking at the moment. So including the other 6 we agreed to take, in the coming weeks we will have 23 children living with us permanently. Need lots of prayer and help financially. We are also seeking to legalize papers on several children, like an adoption, which would open the door for them to visit churches with us in the USA for short periods of time. As usual the funds shrink and the needs grow…but God gets the glory for seeing it through.

In other news we are already gearing up for the Christmas shoeboxes. Paul Deem of Directline Ministry ( http://www.directlineministry.com/ 740 667-6166) needs to know who is willing to participate this year and schedule pick ups or mailings or shipping info. Our goal is to combine the food drive with the shoeboxes and put them on the same container. Since neither shoeboxes or food take up an entire container… but both would. Then the funds for a second container will be completed early next year to send a mid year food shipment and or clothing. So churches willing to donate to the Children’s Lighthouse shelf stable food, along with shoeboxes would be great. Paul has a list on his site of normal needs and how to do the shoeboxes and I will also prepare one to post. Basically anything shelf stable, dried foods, beans rice ect, cans ect. We also need clothes and shoes desperately, but only new things can go with food or shoeboxes due to fumigation requirements. Lisa has several requests to pray about on the list as well. One church in Mo has already sent some food amen!!
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

A field.. Green, unto harvest...

2010-08-09T18:55:00.005-06:00

Our first church outreach on the Honduran local military base was great. Marc Antonio arrange for us to enter and present the gospel to the 101 Infantry Brigade.(the men guarding the border last year during the political stuff) It went over very well. Seven soldiers came forward for salvation, including the master sergeant in charge. Every soldier got a bible and a health kit with a tooth brush, soap, comb and a tract. To clean their mouths, bodies and hearts… Every one was pleased and they may allow us to do this regularly. Pray this door is opened for the sake of the gospel. The two ladies(kitchen help) were looking over the back wall and followed along in the Bibles we gave them as well. A field still white...uh or green?

I will be posting about the container soo

n and putting up a needs/wish list for churches wanting to help with the food drive and supplies needed. It looks like it will ship from OH in Oct at the moment. Still need more funds for shipping but it has mostly been covered. AMEN!

Please keep us in prayer. As many of you know we always carry a heavy load, and we will be taking in possibly 6 more children in the coming weeks… We are also arranging more permanent papers for 3 of the children we have now who emotionally need the idea they belong to us, and call us mom and dad. It will allow us to arrange for visas and travel with them in the future and possibly visit churches in the USA.
unworthy servant to a worthy Saviour,
Barry Ritchie

All in a days work for the LORD

2010-08-08T23:09:00.003-06:00

Had a great united service up in Lenaca Saturday with Pastor Santos. We stopped in Colonia and picked up almost 40 folks from the church there and brought them up to Lenaca. The folks in the outreach Pastor Santos is working, Pichote, also came. So 4 churches were represented. Good time of singing then Pastor Santos preached. After the LORD pricked my heart to have a service specifically for the teens. For an off the cuff instant in season or out message it ended up firing both barrels at the same time at them. With all that has happened in the last months I did not sugar coat anything. I pray it opened a few eyes and hearts to the LORD and a desire to yield to Him and not the world. I know they all left a little overwhelmed and a little shocked but they are without excuse for their actions now. Several said they had never heard anything like that before…But it was all Bible. Pastor Santos was pleased as I believe the LORD was too. We are currently working 7 church or missions outreach plants.

Carlos keeps proving why the LORD put him as pastor. The messages today were strong and taught much. Even our children noticed. As we left church tonight Sayder said “Papi that was strong preaching”…Amen! In between services today I took the kids to the creek/river near the Lighthouse. It was just right. Flowing well and clean from all the rain and the kids would float down jump out and run back up stream to jump in again. We also took the dog who we found likes the water near as much as the kids.

I also took Patricia to see her other grandmother this week, to see if she would sign papers making it easier to adopt her. She is dirt poor and lives in a shack. It is surrounded by water runoff and the baby that was there was covered in mosquito bites every square inch had at least one. Very dangerous considering the many cased of dengue we have here killing babies. Patricia had me copy the few photos I had of her deceased father and fix/modify them to make a presentation she could give her. Still not sure of the papers, but her aunt(14ys old) asked me privately 10x to please let her come live with us too. Patricia played with the camera that day taking some good random shots…mostly of herself…

Brother Marc Antonio has arranged for us to preach at the military base tomorrow evening. Normally a very closed door. Pray it goes well and this might become a great outreach.
unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

God giveth the increase...

2010-08-06T03:19:00.003-06:00

We have begun working in another location to form a church. The last Sunday of the month we will go into the mountain beyond El Triunfo to help establish a ministry. I almost want to call our outreach ministries the wayside ministries. Because they have all sprouted from seeds not planted on purpose but rather from seeds fallen by the wayside then nurtured.
1 Cor 3:7… neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
The man we will be working with is named Augusto Terres. He was a former pastor in another denomination who fell under conviction of the scriptures. A few years ago he was told to preach in a way contrary to the scriptures he was reading. He refused and it has cost him dearly. He was given a Baptist constitution from another like minded IB missionary near the capital. He studied it, taught it to his folks and the chose to become a IFB. By doing so they lost their building, help, his pay, his home ect. The other ministry came later and told him they would restore him as pastor and build a new building and classrooms and start a food program through them feeding the community. He and the few still with him refused choosing the truth of God’s word over riches…They now actually persecute him and are trying to keep him from preaching. He wants to do our bible institute and needs the umbrella of our mission corporation to remain legal on the mountain as a church. I will be taking La Cruz Baptist church up the mountain on the last Sunday this month to show him support and preach.

Not sure why the LORD has so many times placed me in a position of healing others even in churches on deputation in the USA. The men we have in place preaching and shepherding here are all older men, who have strong yet heartbreaking testimonies for the LORD. All have paid heavy prices for their walks with God. The timing of this is of the LORD, considering I just lost a man in whom I trusted in an agonizing way. He knows when to stop and rest, when to load more cargo, and when to water and encourage or whip this old warhorse to get the most work. I have often prayed asking that I would be totally spent when the LORD calls me home or sounds the trump. I want to leave nothing behind. Each day in Honduras brings me closer to realizing this prayer….
Lisa has had the best month spiritually, emotionally in more than a year. Even hurt and sick she has had more desire and strength, I have seen the wife I married starting to return after a long battle. Keep praying

Please keep Alba and Jenny in heartfelt deep prayer. I have a disturbing fear for them. and what is coming. The LORD has been waking me every day to pray at 3 am continuing till the children wake for school. I could use a few others in this, they truly need effectual fervent prayers of the righteous.

Our church lawsuit over property lines appears over with the Columbian man. It ended not with court battles but rather a friendly handshake in the church after a meeting with him Sunday after morning services. He has agreed to help the church with materials to help finish construction. Amen
Unworthy Servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Perdition

2010-08-02T12:03:00.003-06:00

For those that have followed the blog or have visited will know that what I am about to write is very painful for me and I will only share a few points. We have had an epidemic of youth issues in our church and Lighthouse ministry. Several families have called for help in this matter and it has affected us directly. Our two oldest girls have now left and returned to that which they came. It has been related to cell phones. They are now very cheap here and offer free middle of the night minutes to students. Boys at school or in the neighborhood secretly give girls phones and they talk on the “free time” offered by cell companies in the middle of the night. Both Jenny and Alba have chosen to return to their families where there are no rules. They are free to live as they please. I do not see a bright spot in this. Alba left after I caught her with a man(49yrs old with a family) that I was working with, at the lighthouse and was training to be a pastor. I could not believe my eyes and said nothing till they noticed me. He is married, and up to then I had total confidence in him, I had worked with him 4 years.
Yesterday I learned Naydee the young girl we had with us a few years ago was in the hospital having a baby. Just turned 15 and her man abandoned her and went illegal to the USA. Nadee left us in rebellion 3 years ago and I warned her that before she was 16 this would happen. When I walked in the Hospital it took a while before she would uncover her face and talk to me. I brought our girls with me to understand more clearly why I taught what I taught. Alba agreed to come but now does not want any more contact with me. I also learned in the hospital that Nancy whom also left this last year had been pregnant with twins, but she self aborted them with help from her prostitute mom whom she returned to. It is impossible to fight this in our power. I have tried. I am at the point that it must be all of the LORD and he must teach the lessons the hard way. But it breaks my heart because I have poured everything into them. In a small way I understand the emotion of Christ on the cross, when your rejected, even hated by those your sacrificing yourself for. A tragedy, to trade your life even maybe your soul, to have a cell phone linking you to people who have no real love for you. Currently both Alba and Jenny are living with “fathers” who are drunks, but give them the “freedom” they desire. Alba shared when he comes home drunk she sleeps outside, Jeny called crying a few days ago and I ran to where she was to find her fighting with her drunk dad about hauling water. She came home with us for the night but returned the next day because she preferred the cell phone than living with us….I asked her point blank in Gods eyes whose daughter are you, yours. In my eyes whose daughter are you…yours. In your eyes whose daughter are you… yours. Where does God want you to live… with you. OK Come home…no I want to live this way and to keep my cell phone, which she bought by stealing the small amount of money I gave to her 35 year old sister who lives in the same house. Her sister works 10 hours a day in the melon fields for $4 and cannot feed her four children every day. She asked me to take her kids and told Jenny she needed to go home to her father(me) as well. It has been 2 months of agony and heartache and continual 3am prayer.

Faith returns....home

2010-07-22T07:40:00.003-06:00

Here is the departing shot of the Faith team loaded and leaving for the airport.
The week has ended and I believe many hearts were touched on both sides. I know the churches liked the visit, the kids liked the time many things were done for the honor of the LORD.The kids will sleep on beds this weekend, the Dining hall is tiled. and memories for a lifetime were made.

Just want to say Thank You!

Greater is He

2010-07-20T21:39:00.002-06:00

Winding down the visit from Faith. Tomorrow is the last day to finish up what they can and pack up to leave. A lot got done today. The beds are getting close. We will not finish every job but the bulk will be done. Rain gutters, tiled floor, beds closets made, Muffler on equipment stuff moved and cleaned 5 churched churches and 2 schools preached in and maybe a chicken coop for the new chickens. Not bad for a week. Went to Lenaca today to preach. Some stayed behind to sleep off sickness, some stayed to work and the rest went. Pastor Kline had said he would come back last year and the church remembered. Good message then after Pastor Santos asked for prayer on a personal level. We gathered round and talked then prayed to lift him up. Good time on the mountain. Had a VERY uncomfortable experience this morning. I was eating homemade bread with jam I scooped up the jam and took a bite only to find a wasp was on the jam. He stung me on the back of the throat right where the gag reflex is. I swelled to hardly breathing but took a lot of Benadryl and used a piece of paper to pull out the stinger. Made it through the day but was in a daze. Made it up the mountain but actually got lost on a road I know like my hand. Lisa tripped today and hurt her foot as well. Then to top that off while the power was out, men broke into the property and got into the storage garage. Not sure what if anything they got the boys and dogs scared them off. Been a really tough week of little battles, multiple tires flat, not having supplies, constant change of planes out of my control, prakes, powersteering, A/C and the 4wd on the kia, lights on the datsun just and endless drip drip of issues to change the attitudes. But alas they have not prevailed because greater is He that is in us then he that is in the world amen!!

Funerals and Faith

2010-07-20T06:02:00.001-06:00

It is amazing how a day can change. Here in Honduras if a person dies, they try to bury them within 24 hours. The family and church normally take care of it all, much like in bible times. Moving, cleaning and prepping the body and casket, even digging the grave. Yesterday our eldest church member died Alisa the mother of Iradia. We had to scramble to change plans, postpone the trip to Santos church in the mountain, PU supplies for the Faith group visiting, and use the kia for the funeral up near Corpus in their home village an hour away. Carlos was asked to preach. What a difference preaching at a saved persons funeral with many saved present, though sad it is comforting. Honduras has taught me many things. Bible truths are so real here and so are the consequences of our actions.

Several of the Faith group are sick, and behind in work they chose to not go to the funeral and continue working. Nothing serious same as what the kids are passing around. But it is enough to take the fun out of things. Yesterday they were getting a lot of work done, beds are taking shape fixing gutters and laying the tile in the dinning room.

We will attempt to go to Santos church in the mountain today but the kia has issues, the brakes need repair, the power steering bracket broke, the 4wd wont engage, and the ac quit. And no time to stop and fix it till the group leaves.

Pastor Kline and Dan understand a little better why it is so hard to get things done here. Its not impossible just requires a lot more effort.
unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry

Getting a Vision of the uttermost

2010-07-19T05:29:00.002-06:00

Morning service with Faith

2010-07-18T13:42:00.005-06:00

Had a great morning service with over 130 souls present. The ladies planned a catracha snack and fellowship for all. Alex preached for the second time. He preached so well in San Geronimo yesterday, Carlos requested him again for Sunday morning and he did not let us down. It was a stirring message, just what our folks needed. He closed and sat down, I shocked him and said he was not done, he was not empty yet and to preach some more. In a bit of fear a trepidation he continued and the second helping was better than the first. Some Faith folks sang, La Cruz folks sang in all it was a good day. The group is now headed to Los Tererros to do the evening service on the mountain.
Yesterday one group went to La Colonia and another went to San Geronimo to preach. I think the Faith folks are going to return broken, beaten and sick and weak… and it will all give God glory. Broken hearted, beaten flesh, sick of the sin in this world(maybe just sick too) and weakened on resisting God’s will in their lives.
We tried to get work done too, but the three flats and two ruined tires kinda get in the way. The beds are coming right along Amen!
Unworthy Service to a worthy Saviour,
Barry

Random or not so random shots

2010-07-17T22:34:00.005-06:00

Living in prayers

2010-07-15T21:17:00.004-06:00

Faith Baptist from Missouri has arrived. A larger group than last year, 17 of them. With the other vehicles down, I had to tow a trailer to the capital and pack them all, plus the 4 we had into the Kia. Easily over 6500lbs in all on or towed by the whopping 83 horse power truck. 1st gear on some of the climb out of the city. As I left the airport on the first little grade I thought wow kinda hard to stop, but kept it to myself. Several police check point stops later, we headed down the 4000 foot decent. I had a vehicle in front of me I could not pass running just a little slower than the gears would hold in the kia requiring a more frequent use of the brake than normal…And the brakes gave up suddenly, a total brake failure going down the mountain with no guardrails and steep cliffs, thankfully near the bottom. (I say it often we live or die on the power of prayer, we use each and every one from our prayer warriors) A moment of panic, a few ground gears and fast thinking to get the speed under control. (Thank you LORD!) Then continue slowly 1+ hours to Choluteca. They began to work about an hour later but now need some repair to put them back at 100%. Everyone in the cab of the Kia knew what was happening but we did not tell those in the back till we got to the Hotel. Add to this we got to the Hotel and they looked panicked and said your not suppose to be here till tomorrow…uh-oh. And there is a doctors convention in town as we tried to find another place. So for the night the group is in 2 different hotels to reunite in the morning. Never a dull moment. One blessing of the day the visa lawyer called and met me at the airport to give me the new residency visas… good for another year, and we drained all funds to pay her and cover the fees of course. Never a dull moment…
Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,

Barry

Prov 13:22

2010-07-08T09:25:00.004-06:00

A Praise for our ministering Saints,

We have been offered the funds to send another container to Honduras. I would like to gear up for a food/clothing/drive for our Lighthouse children and supplies for churches. I will say more as it comes time.

I would also like to start savings accounts for our Lighthouse Children.After like maner of the princaple of inheritance found int the Bible, Its what a family should do in some way. The idea is to open a bank account for them to receive help and donations and a place to save money earned. It would be for them when they are ready to leave and enter into the world, money toward college or land, or home, or business startup or emergency or whatever the LORD leads. I am hoping ministering saints will aid us in augmenting them as well. I am not aimng at anything large maybe a few hundred, maybe a couple of thousand in the bank when each one comes of age to reap its blessing. We will use them to teach the children a good work, savings ethic, but restrict access till they are ready to leave and need that little extra blessing. If it sounds like a good idea, pray and ask the Holy Spirit if you should consider helping in some way?

Maybe at Christmas or birthdays, maybe one time or maybe monthly or even a small amount daily to give older children encouragement as they begin to help above measure in the daily tasks of the ministry and share our load. They do this already in a great way. It is beyond my ability to do this alone, especially as the number of children increase. Please keep us in prayer we need each and every one. Amen and thank you for the prayes they are being felt.

Unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour

Barry Ritchie

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children...

A Time of Questioning

2010-07-07T10:11:00.005-06:00

Continue to keep us in prayer. It has been a rough few weeks spiritually. Seeing people near and dear to us, whom we have poured our heart out for, and sacrificed our lives and treasure into, trusted, walk away from the LORD as Demas did Paul. It’s like sand at the beach, you cant build a sand castle or dig a hole on the beach that lasts. The waves always wash the work away… Sin is like that in this present world.

On the way to the Lighthouse I saw a pickup in a ditch and stopped to help. The man swerved to miss an ox on a curve then went into a ditch and flipped. So it is a modern version of the ox in the ditch. We hooked up the winch and righted the truck to pull it out. And of course a bad wreck that someone walks away from with just scrapes and bruises, makes for a good witnessing opportunity. Toño handed out tracts to all the bystanders and we gave a bible to the driver. Pray the LORD takes it from there.

A weary and unworthy servant to a Worthy Saviour,
Barry