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Pray for Honduras 01

Thursday, 02 July 2009 07:50 administrator

You probably have not seen the news from Honduras, as for some reason the media is making very little of it. The little that the likes of the BBC and others are reporting put a very different angle on the events than people within the country are observing. A missionary family I know have been posting prayer requests for their particular situation, but also mentioning the surrounding events. Here are some paragraphs from e-mails I have received over the past few days:

JUNE 28
Just a quick note to let everyone know we are safe. All seems quiet because businesses and transportation means have been shut down and there are not many people in the streets. If you can't reach us it is because communication lines are being periodically interrupted. If you are waiting for Barry to respond to e-mails or phone calls, please be patient. He is still at the Lighthouse property with all 18 children, while I remain in the city with Sasha and Barry Jr. Traveling beyond your front lawn has become prohibitive and therefore he is unable to come to the city...

On another note: Despite warning for the public to stay indoors, Iglesia Bautista La Cruz held Sunday services under the tent as usual with 21 adults and their children braving the streets to here the Word of God and pray for their country as police and military patrolled the streets around us.

30 JUNE

To all our praying friends,

News here is traveling by any means possible, usually by word of mouth. A large portion of the communications systems only works periodically. I will continue to send updates when the internet is available.

The armies of Honduras are taking position at vulnerable points all over the country. Pro-Zelaya supporters are rioting and attacking the military which are guarding the presidential house in the capital. The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa was grenaded and has been attacked with machine gun fire. With all the anti-American statements from leftist dictators such as Castro, Noriega and Chavez etc., the U.S. embassy has strongly suggested that American citizens remain indoors and off the streets as anti-American riots are taking place all over Honduras. Being aware of this and that Barry and the kids are in need of supplies, O and B bravely offered to take food, water and phone cards to Barry knowing they would have to pass through military blockades. This was successful and he should have enough food and supplies for a week.

Honduras is now preparing for a possible invasion. The Honduran army currently has 4 tanks and an unknown number of troops positioned and waiting on and around the main road less than 1 mile north of the Children’s Lighthouse property. Also, the armies of Venezuela, Nicaragua, and troops from the United Nations are positioning themselves just 5 miles south of the Children’s Lighthouse on the Nicaraguan border. The significance of this is that Barry and the kids are in the middle of the battlefield if conflict should break out. If necessary, he will abandon the Lighthouse and flee the back way into the mountains to get the children to safety. There are several places in the mountains that we can go where we should be safe. Abandoning the Children’s Lighthouse will leave it vulnerable to squatters, vandalism and theft with people stealing whatever they can carry away.

In this conflict it appears from many news reports that Honduras is standing alone with many outside forces trying to impose a would be dictator on a sovereign nation who by their due process of laws removed him from power. If you want to hear what Hondurans have to say, check out this link: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/29/115025/418 (we know nothing of this site and do not support it in anyway)

On another note: The children are obviously scared over this situation but P bravely offered to stay behind and protect his home and so he could hand out tracts to the soldiers on both sides of the conflict. He is only 11 years old but is willing to sacrifice his own safety for his family and to accomplish the work of the Lord. Not that we would do this but just his desire to protect his family and spread the gospel no matter the cost warms our hearts.

P.S. Rumors are circulating that former president Zelaya will be returning to Honduras by military force tomorrow. Later in the day, it was reported he would be speaking at the United Nations. This evening we have been told that after Zelaya speaks at the United Nations, the U.S.A. is going to put Zelaya on an American military plane and fly him to the American military base in Honduras as a guest of the U.S. military. Ok…. I am not even comment on that.

Please continue to hold us up in your prayers.

2 JULY

The US Embassy in Honduras’ capital city of Tegucigalpa is still strongly suggesting that Americans restrict travel to that of emergency or absolute necessity. Marshal Law has been extended here in Choluteca until Saturday, July 4, 2009. Military road blocks tighten security in the area while soldiers and police personnel patrol the streets.

There is overwhelmingly more support by the Honduran people for the ousting of Zelaya than against it, which you do not hear much about in the USA news. This morning, thousands of people dressed in white gathered for a grand march/anti-Zelaya rally lasting until early afternoon ending at the Choluteca City Hall, which is just 2 blocks from our home here in the city. As reported by the Diario La Prensa, The Choluteca for Democracy rally was peaceful with "We want peace, we want freedom,” “Democracy yes, communism no” as the main slogans shouted by the Catrachos who have joined the country wide rally in support of the new pro-constitution government of Roberto Micheletti, waving banners against Zelaya and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Though many churches have cancelled services, Iglesia Bautista La Cruz was open. Our Wednesday evening services are held under our city home open carport, and 21 adults and their children braved the tormenting rain, mosquitoes and dark uncertain streets to hear the Word of God and pray for their country. Carlos preached on Psalms 28 and assured everyone that the Lord knows of the problems in Honduras. He said, “In our eyes, things are uncertain, but the Lord has a plan for Honduras. You must have faith and believe that He is with those that do His will. He will protect us; we must trust His plan for our country. Brothers and sisters, we must have faith, we must have faith.” Carlos was careful to end services in enough time for everyone to return home before the 9pm curfew.

Here are a few supporting news report clips by the Washington Post, CS Monitor and World Daily Net’s exclusive report with Ellis Washington, ….. The angry Honduran ex-President Zelaya who was allowed asylum in Costa Rica after being ousted said, "If holding a poll provokes a coup, the abduction of the president and expulsion from his country, then what kind of democracy are we living in?" claimed Zelaya in Costa Rica. I answer him in this wise said Ellis Washington in a WND news report: "Mr. Zelaya, the kind of democracy Hondurans are living in is the very kind that Thomas Jefferson dreamed of for America and eventually for the entire world to enjoy – Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." " It is so refreshing to see the Honduran military provoke truth by ushering in essence a counter-revolution to oust the would-be tyrant, President Zelaya, and prevent his sham referendum for making him "El Presidente" for life, said Washington. President Manuel Zelaya, a Marxist socialist and the puppet protégé of his Venezuelan neighbor, President Hugo Chavez, plans to come back to Honduras this weekend in what could be a showdown, leading to speculation and veiled threats about how regional leaders, particularly Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, may intervene. Musolini-lite, Hugo Chavez is extremely angry by this recent "coup" in Honduras. Why? Chavez is worried that his people in Venezuela will get dangerous ideas of liberty and freedom. Emilio Alvarez, Nicaragua's former minister of international relations says political crises’ of this nature in Central America can only be resolved in one of two ways: an agreement is worked out between both sides, or a violent rupture occurs. Chávez warned that if the Honduran military or coup leaders respond aggressively or violently toward Zelaya's announced return, "we won't remain with our arms crossed, there is a red line, and if it is crossed, there is no return," Chávez said. "If there is any outward appearance of resistance against the return of Zelaya and his delegation, it would open another door that I don't want to talk about." Mr. Alvarez says that an agreement has to be worked out, because "the other option would be Chávez invading Honduras by air, sea, and land from Nicaragua and that would be worse than the coup itself."

For all who don’t know, one of our ministries, The Children’s Lighthouse orphanage (where Barry Ritchie and 18 orphans are at right now) is just 5 miles north of the Nicaraguan border and the city of Choluteca (where Sasha, Barry Jr. and I are currently at and Iglesia Bautista La Cruz is located) is just 15 miles north of that same border. It is calm here tonight, but many people fear it is the calm before the storm. Please continue to pray for The Ritchie family and the people of Honduras in these uncertain times.

In His Service,

Lisa Ritchie

I'll close this post now but will share some further thoughts on the situation later. Please do pray for this family and others in Honduras at this time.

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 July 2009 08:12

The Story of Redemption

Friday, 26 June 2009 17:36 administrator

Everyone loves a good story, and the greatest story of all is the Story of Redemption! This message was preached at Hallgarth's Friend and Family Service in June, 2009.

Part of the reason for the service was to celebrate Hallgarth's 100 year anniversary.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 June 2009 17:39

Follow Me - Part 1

Wednesday, 24 June 2009 07:18 administrator

When I was growing up a lot of cartoons involved people turning into animals, or cartoons where cool animals were the stars, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Thunder Cats.

What distinctly stands out is that myself and all my friends had animals we wanted to be like. Some of us wanted to be like a lion, others wanted to be an eagle, but no one ever said, “I want to be a sheep!” But God often likens us to sheep. The lion and the eagle may be our animal of choice,but it is not the animal to which God likens us.

I believe there are two reasons for this comparison. We are the sheep and Christ is the Good Shepherd. The shepherd’s tender and comprehensive care of his sheep is compared with God’s loving and perfect care for His people. What other occupation other than the shepherd so wonderfully pictures God?

Also, we behave very much like sheep. Several factors combine to make us very sheep like. This comparison has nothing to do with the adverb “sheepish”. There are two major factors I want to consider here.

1. God made us with the desire to follow. Look around today and everywhere you see people following someone. Whether they follow a sports personality, a pop/rock star, a politician, author or actor they will follow someone. Some may claim uniqueness, they want you to think they are like no-one else and follow no one but they do not know their own hearts, they have been deceived by themselves. God has designed us to follow.

2. The second factor is the innate desire to be with others, like others and liked by others. A preacher once told the story of coming from something of a sheltered upbringing. At family functions growing up he always saw a cousin who just seemed unique, who had broken the mould and was doing his own thing. He followed no one but himself, or so it would seem. This cousin would tease him and accuse him of following mindlessly what others did and said. The cousin had wild, colourful hair, punk style clothing and a skateboard covered with graffiti.

One day the young boy had a chance to go out with this cousin. They went to a local park and there were a dozen of this cousin’s friends, all with the same hair, clothes and attitudes.

You see,people will accuse you of being straight laced, mindlessly following some church and never making a decision for yourself. But we have more choice then any sinner, not by virtue of anything we have done but because of choice. In Romans 7:5-6 we read,

(5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Those that accuse of us of simply falling into a mould simply because our parents are Christians, or anything like that, are victims of a set mould themselves. What I want us to see to begin with in this short series is that every one follows someone or something.

Ultimately we either follow God or Satan. Paul is not very subtle in Ephesians 2 where Paul makes it clear that we walk Satan’s paths, follow him and are children of destruction before we come to Christ. That is a hard truth, but there it is.

We all follow someone, make the choice who you will follow.

The context of this first verse is important. Peter has just tried to pull Christ away from goingto the cross. Christ has begun to teach them of His death and resurrection but this does not fit with Peter’s idea. Peter and the other disciples all expected a physical kingdom right away. So Peter physically takes a hold of Christ and rebukes Him. Can you imagine this? It seems like Peter just took Him by His shoulders and shook Him saying, “This is not going to happen!” The context of our first verse is Christ’s determination to follow God’s will for Him, but also to challenge others to do the same.

Peter pictures the reaction we may often display, one that is selfish, our will and not God’s will. So the context is the example of God’s will and self will. This passage is about salvation and discipleship.

In Matthew 28:19 – we reading about teaching. The word here means to become a pupil, to make disciples, to disciple. Disciples follow. Over the next few days I want to look at several “Follow Me” statements made by Christ and about Christ.