tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49994669411805580822024-03-14T02:53:26.095-07:00Ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comvisiting orphans, fatherless and children in needRitchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-1791380229108905382016-07-10T08:17:00.001-07:002016-07-10T08:20:42.868-07:00Update from Zimbabwe - Isaiah’s Home of Love (OARRS has helped with family tracing to promote adoption)
Update from Martin Barrow and Our Neighbours Ministry in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Martin wrote- "It was with joy that we received the news that Ezra and Martha were finally given permission by the Department of Social Services to foster Michael, to be adopted ASAP, from Isaiah’s Babies Home. It’s been a very long journey for them all!"
Isaiah’s Home of Love
Established to assist abandoned babies, orphans and vulnerable children in desperate need of care. Since 2007 we have cared for or are caring for for 117 babies/children, with 37 of them fostered or adopted by loving families, 23 placed into ‘forever family homes’, 31 reunited with their extended families, and unfortunately 5 babies have passed away.
We have a babies home for abandoned babies where they are lovingly cared for and we help to facilitate fostering and adoption. In this home we currently care for 21 children aged between newborn and five years old. We partner with organisations and have established ‘Forever Homes’ where abandoned and orphaned children not fostered or adopted are cared for in a family environment. There are two of these homes in operation within vision to establish another home in the very near future.
Please consider sponsoring one of our abandoned babies, click here for all the details.<a href="http://ourneighbours.org/index.php/about-us/isaiahs/"></a>Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-49581925232167747082013-12-23T14:27:00.002-08:002016-07-10T08:28:29.789-07:00Zimbabwe in 2014 ?? Please pray for wisdom as Keary and I consider returning for a foster care/adoption training eventRitchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-49592098952732883622013-09-15T18:34:00.001-07:002013-09-15T18:34:36.228-07:00Houston TX - Empowered to Connect - Practical and effective techniques that help us connect with hurting children and give them a voice and a path to healing <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_48bA0G_GlfirDATfa-lKTaFyfR2r8SImJXCtqJES_k0SRuJIITDx0YnV6B_X_VQgm2rXsBcfUyMgjt3EWDBRRCE-talvvyKFQL_rwuujQH9nBV6qzNNKE_PgtRZmn7vz9opAAN2vLO/s1600/show+hope+empower+to+connect+houston+tx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_48bA0G_GlfirDATfa-lKTaFyfR2r8SImJXCtqJES_k0SRuJIITDx0YnV6B_X_VQgm2rXsBcfUyMgjt3EWDBRRCE-talvvyKFQL_rwuujQH9nBV6qzNNKE_PgtRZmn7vz9opAAN2vLO/s320/show+hope+empower+to+connect+houston+tx.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGSLFuRacUbiwqvtFyNejXz_lInm7vQmvNaOHeK9mQzVCgCdtl-pY3CAEXPrTg-i6nxjuFMcnQX49m9rSYuzqCITtHTa21xrbdzZOtEtaad80SwJ9Q8X60vNx9ToYFlggemTnigXIc_qd/s1600/show+hope+houston+tx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGSLFuRacUbiwqvtFyNejXz_lInm7vQmvNaOHeK9mQzVCgCdtl-pY3CAEXPrTg-i6nxjuFMcnQX49m9rSYuzqCITtHTa21xrbdzZOtEtaad80SwJ9Q8X60vNx9ToYFlggemTnigXIc_qd/s320/show+hope+houston+tx.JPG" /></a></div>
Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-75292618713397423442013-09-12T08:02:00.000-07:002013-09-12T08:04:40.770-07:00Show Hope/ Empower to Connect - Specialized Orphan / Adoption Attachment Bonding Training
Show Hope/ Empower to Connect Conference in Houston, TX
Equipping families, churches, and professionals to bring hope and healing to adopted and foster children.
Speaker - Dan Cooley will share his experiences with adoption and foster care. I am excited about the attachment disorder training and look forward to seeing how God will you use it in my life and the lives of my family and the orphans we are connected to in Africa.
http://showhope.org/be-hope/equipping-families/etc/ - Established in 2003 as Shaohannah’s Hope, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth initially founded Show Hope out of their desire to see more children find their way into forever families. Though many families they talked to were willing to adopt, the financial costs to adoption were simply too high.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-87580768138674224612012-07-03T09:34:00.002-07:002012-07-03T09:35:11.281-07:00Bananas for Orphans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuZMBeWoGjbxy4Al7_z7ulPqegNuPFiR9D9Hqb63I4IKwlOqdAPnBv4E488tqpSrhkJPNHvMFJew7cXOT6ZVlw30v5MVOBUcWR5uib8WxBR5dvKcpVE5vtSeF1tkAQE5zHxqFVXBz4s47/s1600/DSCF3331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuZMBeWoGjbxy4Al7_z7ulPqegNuPFiR9D9Hqb63I4IKwlOqdAPnBv4E488tqpSrhkJPNHvMFJew7cXOT6ZVlw30v5MVOBUcWR5uib8WxBR5dvKcpVE5vtSeF1tkAQE5zHxqFVXBz4s47/s200/DSCF3331.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LFlsUrro7vCyeAGFN3PipDIqzpEnjE0R5kXrN1APzmPLQZAPSz3fYyTu9tVjumwKMU84a5rJP9vqelZgPt0gOVg6z_25vhw_TqOVUkLCg3LtO3iwtAohLEcl54p5xkTd2Y5W00-mR7Ig/s1600/DSCF3287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LFlsUrro7vCyeAGFN3PipDIqzpEnjE0R5kXrN1APzmPLQZAPSz3fYyTu9tVjumwKMU84a5rJP9vqelZgPt0gOVg6z_25vhw_TqOVUkLCg3LtO3iwtAohLEcl54p5xkTd2Y5W00-mR7Ig/s200/DSCF3287.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFI_5tHEi-q997Ursgn_2Ubo1HAze1tpWuM1B-uOqJaPK3kS4c3TxYaNUB3VlpTFGtIfVFOqxEeUo70mKaYK5golcPdCBLHM2mXTgrT9HLedDSC99NzCikyOrS9cLo_VA-Bb1fY5LSl8S/s1600/DSCF3297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFI_5tHEi-q997Ursgn_2Ubo1HAze1tpWuM1B-uOqJaPK3kS4c3TxYaNUB3VlpTFGtIfVFOqxEeUo70mKaYK5golcPdCBLHM2mXTgrT9HLedDSC99NzCikyOrS9cLo_VA-Bb1fY5LSl8S/s200/DSCF3297.jpg" /></a></div>
We are getting ready to say our good-byes to our friends in Bulawayo and at Isaiah's Babies Home. We are planning to plant a banana tree at Isaiah's Babies Home this Saturday. Please pray for this and the rest of our time here. We leave on next Monday. We have been ill and are hoping for a speedy recovery. We are so thankful for your emails and prayer.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-10647705315491437382012-06-26T05:20:00.000-07:002012-06-26T05:20:03.203-07:00Foster to Adopt in Zimbabwe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkIm4fgoV4zTSQdwg5IQ4x8n3RcwxIMzTSElwoAgIr6iGvNvCW0gvgF4-6g2hMMYdL12Pcfkct22Xyjf7eC092T37FisbwTV3LAa9axGLqymZW6_RNQUII3_AF0Is5RmKeF-NW0EnFRUp/s1600/DSCF3443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkIm4fgoV4zTSQdwg5IQ4x8n3RcwxIMzTSElwoAgIr6iGvNvCW0gvgF4-6g2hMMYdL12Pcfkct22Xyjf7eC092T37FisbwTV3LAa9axGLqymZW6_RNQUII3_AF0Is5RmKeF-NW0EnFRUp/s200/DSCF3443.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFayi0owz8e-4mQNy43LAZxE8djQ5XwakjGSZ670HcRJRxjLiLmX97AhsSBH5Gz5naEcGt0qg92PEeEfsHY1yESPQnC-sMxmUkiO3SaQmNlEQnRx3DiVB2tejwNo-15ZR8Ye7ws7MMQiMD/s1600/DSCF3295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFayi0owz8e-4mQNy43LAZxE8djQ5XwakjGSZ670HcRJRxjLiLmX97AhsSBH5Gz5naEcGt0qg92PEeEfsHY1yESPQnC-sMxmUkiO3SaQmNlEQnRx3DiVB2tejwNo-15ZR8Ye7ws7MMQiMD/s200/DSCF3295.jpg" /></a>
We are so thankful for what we are learning about orphan care here in Bulawayo. After several days of spending time at Isaiah's, we learned that we could take children home with us for the weekend. This past weekend we were able to have 2 young boys from Isaiah's home come to our house in the outskirts of Bulawayo. They had a great time with our family and went to church with us on Sunday at City Pres. Church. (The other photo is at the home where Keary and Olivia are helping out with changing diapers.) There are always ways to help out the staff at the home. We spend much time washing and hanging out clothes (washer and dryer are both not working well), changing babies and playing/cuddling the kids. Please be praying for these children to be adopted. There are 20 plus children ready for adoption in this orphanage alone. Typically, the home will have only 4 or 5 children adopted out. We are learning about the barriers that exist to adoption here and are asking for God to show us how to help. Our children have fallen in love with these children and are struggling with these barriers as well!Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-70568925955252115042012-06-15T06:16:00.001-07:002012-06-15T06:16:43.714-07:00Making new friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FWwC5zdgcIdseTSwKgqjhOlXC9_AM2yZgv_oGrDR2V1fOoTS_k9xlDUfA_OiG017YG0EW8NDAZ9hpcMNj0EnNiaOG-oXPX-IbcpAbMrQk9NIOpVwpQva8Z_WYtmIXl3RTUdcckZ-iEwI/s1600/DSCF2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FWwC5zdgcIdseTSwKgqjhOlXC9_AM2yZgv_oGrDR2V1fOoTS_k9xlDUfA_OiG017YG0EW8NDAZ9hpcMNj0EnNiaOG-oXPX-IbcpAbMrQk9NIOpVwpQva8Z_WYtmIXl3RTUdcckZ-iEwI/s200/DSCF2946.JPG" /></a>
We had a wonderful time at Isaiah's home. Stephen, Sayer and Lillian played in the yard with the children. We are learning about how things work in Zimbabwe and how the community is caring for orphans. The children are well cared for, but unfortunately only one child is scheduled to be adopted. Some of the children are taken on the weekend by families in the area. We are getting to know various people involved in the orphan ministry here and are praying that we will see how God is working here and how we can be of further help.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-21408745021733931432012-06-08T02:57:00.001-07:002012-06-08T02:57:09.040-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UCCI42uvC5k/T9HJVXyWAMI/AAAAAAAAHuY/fO8Ydh5dwbQ/s1600/staci.keary.skip%2Btcz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UCCI42uvC5k/T9HJVXyWAMI/AAAAAAAAHuY/fO8Ydh5dwbQ/s200/staci.keary.skip%2Btcz.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXqtA01vNurQrIAtwPF6A1c6UMAkPKf6lIZdpWrAhAMIDVmTRSSnUO6EfbBRzt0mfE0DCbLJf2qMd0dUKTJrQt_nkVQQMDyrwNtx93yoZ_KBYPsskiMO5fRSYC3oiJG5WKGj02xhbc9Jl/s1600/skip.eku.toolbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXqtA01vNurQrIAtwPF6A1c6UMAkPKf6lIZdpWrAhAMIDVmTRSSnUO6EfbBRzt0mfE0DCbLJf2qMd0dUKTJrQt_nkVQQMDyrwNtx93yoZ_KBYPsskiMO5fRSYC3oiJG5WKGj02xhbc9Jl/s200/skip.eku.toolbox.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg421SpT08a0OLL-R391koJT0pTTY9LHfT3z8IYphKQ4fVFz7X40GU3-DJeoAaWrvZH0j5Rc7QbCUvJFBVzKsASFevz3DwxKNCpRJR3kcK4QDzduv6EAFWMj8cKikKONcEcDYVoio01qOYB/s1600/keary.eku.preschool.reading.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg421SpT08a0OLL-R391koJT0pTTY9LHfT3z8IYphKQ4fVFz7X40GU3-DJeoAaWrvZH0j5Rc7QbCUvJFBVzKsASFevz3DwxKNCpRJR3kcK4QDzduv6EAFWMj8cKikKONcEcDYVoio01qOYB/s200/keary.eku.preschool.reading.JPG" /></a>
We have arrived in Bulawayo. All of us are doing well. Keary was quickly put to work on our first day of ministry. She is reading in a preschool which is part of a carpentry training ministry in the country for young men. While the staff is working with the 8 trainees, the pre-school teacher(on the left) is working with the children and teaching them English. For two years, they are discipled and taught carpentry skills. We have received a warm welcome from our hosts Mell and Craig Jones. This ministry has been in existence for 20 years and some of the graduates are pastors in the area. The quote from the leader was the carpentry training program is "not a success", because many of the trainees become pastors instead of carpenters. Our experiences with the relief and development internship have been wonderful and challenging at the same time. Please continue to prayer for us. We are still in transition and with limited electrical power and tight budget, we face many challenges daily that can impact us in terms of preventing us for participating and serving the community here.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-26136516469905282592012-05-29T11:24:00.002-07:002012-05-29T11:24:34.399-07:00WhatsappFREE International texting
Skip recently discovered Whatsapp!
<a href="http://www.whatsapp.com/download/"></a>
A quick download will keep us connected!Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-25759544859629209802012-05-25T08:02:00.003-07:002012-05-25T08:02:58.250-07:00Duffle PackingWe have hit the packing phase now! Duffles, duffles....we need more duffles! We are running errards each day collecting items that were requested by the staff in Zimbabwe. The little things in life that make our lives functional....like batteries, mint tea, nerf darts! Living in Zimbabwe will be very different! God is gracious and faithful. He provided 5 cannisters of formula for Lilly through a fellow teacher in Keary's school district. And BONUS! It has probiotic in it! Just what Lilly needs in Africa.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-41376893645095704382012-05-20T11:42:00.000-07:002012-05-20T22:45:33.461-07:00Graduations and Zimbabwe in sightFamily and Friends,
What an exciting time! Skip has graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary this week, Keary will wind down her work with ELL students, Olivia will graduate from elementary school Friday and our other kiddos will be running fast into summer vacation. We are excited about family coming in town to celebrate with us and help us prepare for our mission trip to Bulawayo!
With just 10 days away, Zimbabwe is in sight! We are making our final preparations and will soon begin our packing phase! We have been remiss in keeping up with our blog but will do our best to keep everyone informed with details and prayer requests.
<b>Fundraising:
</b>We are getting closer! We are still short about $2500 from being fully-funded. We ask for prayer for this especially. We have come a long way and are so grateful for our incredible team of supporters! We would love to reach our goal of 100%. Will you consider supporting us or perhaps adding to your current support? Donations can still be sent to either of the addresses listed on the right. We look forward to being hands and feet to the orphaned and fatherless of Bulawayo.
<b>Donations:</b>
We have gathered quite an array of donations! Now we are trying to gather enough bags to deliver them! Its not too late. We can sqeeze in more. If you have a heart to donate children's books, bibles or help purchase ministry puppets we will make it fit! And if you are local and have an extra large duffle bag in your basement to loan out, please call us!
<b>Prayer requests:</b>
We will send out a prayer request list this week with details on how you can specifically pray for us while we are away. Please hold onto it tight and lift us up as the Lord leads. We covet your prayers for each of us while we are away. If you are so led to give ONLINE, you can go to MTW.org and select <b><b>Donate Now</b></b> and <b>Give by credit card</b>, then <b>Click here to go to our donations site
</b> and click on <b>Make a One-Time Donation without Creating a User Account </b>and type in Ritchie to put in an amount and Credit Card Info. http://mtw.org/Pages/GIVE_FAQ.aspx
<b>Happy belated Mothers Day!</b> What a blessing you are to your families and a joy to the Lord for caring for his special children! And Congrats to all the new grads out there!!!Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-45253177268713491282012-01-15T08:26:00.000-08:002012-01-16T07:16:41.236-08:00Need Your Prayers and a little bit more support to buy Flights (Items for Orphans List)Zimbabwe Orphanage Mission Trip Update: <br />
We have been contacted by two orphanages in Zimbabwe that care for abandoned children. <b>Isaiah's House </b>is home to 21 children (4 months to 5 years old) and a boys home caring for children who have previously lived on the streets. The leaders of these homes work directly with Craig Jones, who will be our host and Summer Seminary Internship Coordinator. <br />
<br />
They have sent us a short list of important items needed for the precious children in their care. Please pray that we would be able to collect and deliver these items to their homes in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. <br />
<br />
Underwear – boy & girls – particularly small sizes<br />
Socks – unisex –1 year old up<br />
wash cloths<br />
Ziplock bags, all sizes<br />
Coloring pencils <br />
Toddlers (boys) shorts 2-3 years<br />
Swimsuits for toddlers 2-4yrs<br />
Sunhats for toddlers<br />
Wet wipes<br />
Stationery – early learning scissors<br />
<br />
The ministry leader stated that there is always a need for stationery and art & craft materials throughout the Ministries (pens & pencils, book covers, coloring pencils, paint-brushes etc). We plan to work with this established Orphan ministry in Bulawayo. See www.ourneighbours.org for more information. <br />
<br />
Thank you for praying for our family, the orphans in Bulawayo and the ministry in Zimbabwe that will be hosting us. We can be contacted at see5ritchies@yahoo.com if you want to join our support team.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-29809996474743205002011-11-06T13:36:00.003-08:002012-02-25T12:20:47.988-08:00National Orphan Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPyb7eWKsB2h5Ox93xD9YqiRDbcsiEWDCONwjldThec4jE_AwtFhIjqQ3gotv8ONQHlpZup2zZvyYyJPtQ8ld48y5BFQUR5xGTwZLvRY3QUMMJbDuIBctwBRTnm0zrhFv77yPdydiDlEy/s1600/Congo+Art+Hand+Painted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="90" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPyb7eWKsB2h5Ox93xD9YqiRDbcsiEWDCONwjldThec4jE_AwtFhIjqQ3gotv8ONQHlpZup2zZvyYyJPtQ8ld48y5BFQUR5xGTwZLvRY3QUMMJbDuIBctwBRTnm0zrhFv77yPdydiDlEy/s200/Congo+Art+Hand+Painted.jpg" /></a></div><br />
He will deliver the needy who cry out,<br />
the afflicted who have no one to help…<br />
He will rescue them from oppression,<br />
for precious is their blood in his sight.<br />
Psalm 72:12, 14<br />
<br />
For more than 2 years, we have been praying about where internationally God would have us caring for orphans. We sense God leading for us to visit Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Our church and Covenant Seminary have ongoing and developing relationships with several people in Zimbabwe. Last Easter, we had a meal and conversation with a Zimbabwean seminary professor and his wife about helping with orphans in Bulawayo area. Currently, there is an orphan baby home that needs caretakers. Covenant Seminary is in partnership with the local Bible Seminary—Theological College of Zimbabwe and there are openings for Skip to be involved in internship in May 2012 in Bulawayo after his May 17th Master's in Counseling graduation ceremony. <br />
<br />
We are starting to see some potential with this location and need your prayer. For the last 9 years we have been working with MTW and have been in communication with them about our interest. MTW is supportive of our interest and working with us to visit this summer. Keary and I see many ways in which we can care for orphans as a family team in this location. New City is sending a team to Bulawayo in March to learn more about the ongoing reconciliation and orphan ministries. Please pray for us and for wisdom and leading in this area.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKAIbhkgP54XjiyHOxFDd6Mcn1JERy2sU_hG6l8VQaGhV1V7QMztZo3hAU8nAd36NGYsCG0QTN4jXKhiSvr98OcAqywG8Eh22v3N2virYhv_M7WQ7EF8tgE21hGqQRP0kmbZ3D5lg4Ucs/s1600/orphans+skip+congo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="164" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKAIbhkgP54XjiyHOxFDd6Mcn1JERy2sU_hG6l8VQaGhV1V7QMztZo3hAU8nAd36NGYsCG0QTN4jXKhiSvr98OcAqywG8Eh22v3N2virYhv_M7WQ7EF8tgE21hGqQRP0kmbZ3D5lg4Ucs/s200/orphans+skip+congo.gif" /></a></div>Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-18227564280149853602011-02-02T05:42:00.000-08:002011-02-02T05:47:47.776-08:00Medical Care for Widow and Fatherless - Thank you<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWmC_VmEPQJeVca52K3bePU5O1ti1u6fgn19pGq2I3JNVLwID9LeWlN6h2jPX1y07OfaYcpte1IONgb2uNgF57Jd1SPIChKSca9fed6t3HmPUK2J0bS3FdILeMdFnqZtYmki10doXJY2T/s1600/DSC01837.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWmC_VmEPQJeVca52K3bePU5O1ti1u6fgn19pGq2I3JNVLwID9LeWlN6h2jPX1y07OfaYcpte1IONgb2uNgF57Jd1SPIChKSca9fed6t3HmPUK2J0bS3FdILeMdFnqZtYmki10doXJY2T/s320/DSC01837.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div><br />
Thanks to God, you all and your prayers and financial support, many people in need received medical treatment and prescriptions in January 2011. The city of Addis Ababa has many poor areas. Many people can not afford medical treatment. This Project Beneficiary (ACT/MTW/SIM) mother and child w/ HIV have had a full check up and received needed medication. When a patient was waiting for the prescriptions to be filled we prayed for them. We sensed them become very encouraged by our prayers. Thank you again.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-83037691423110129682011-01-23T04:34:00.000-08:002011-02-04T12:22:11.933-08:00Back in the U.S. Thank you -SIM/MTW ACT staff and Friends - God is always amazing me.Thank you for your prayers. I am home - 5:00 AM typing to you all -- Now that I have slept for several hours, I wanted to let you know I am well and at home now and praising God for you all. <br />
<br />
At this point, I wanted to tell you what God did over the 2 week period.<br />
<br />
1) provided medical check-ups(Team made up of 3 medical docs, 1 nurse, 2 therapists and 5 counselors in training) and treatment, prescription medication, x-rays ultrasounds etc for more than 500 patients and beneficiaries of ACT. Most people have very limited income -- less than $5 per day is earned by most people in the project and some a lot less than that - so medical care is very difficult to afford.<br />
2) provided Prayer and talk therapy for more than 500 people at length - including many widows, fatherless children and muslims and non-believers.<br />
3) wireless internet device for faster internet for Ethiopian staff member<br />
4) money for mother to see her son several hours away that she has not seen since being rejected and kicked out of her home by her family when she became a believer in Jesus.<br />
5) gift items, shoes and toothpaste and other items to Ethiopia pastors who translated for us and who became dear friends -- they will follow-up with the people who called on Christ with home visits and bible studies. They have limited financial resources and are paid a small amount by their congregations.<br />
6) money gifts to Ethiopia ACT staff, drivers, translators etc.<br />
7) money gift for one pastor for his wedding anniversary that he celebrated while there.<br />
8) shoes to staff worker who only had dress shoes and no sneakers for walking around<br />
9) Balloons, candies and other items to fatherless children after we prayed for them.<br />
10) Extra income for AID /HIV Beneficiaries of ACT - when we ordered our coffee through them -- They roasted and packaged our coffee for you all. 25 1/2 Kilos for you all ($3 a pound compared to $12 to 20 per pound at Starbucks for Sodama Coffee).<br />
11) lunch and fun day for sons of ACT staff member<br />
12) medication and gifts to MTW missionary and family etc.<br />
<br />
Finally, we took several photos of families and beneficiaries in Addis with ACT -- We would like to send them photos with the next team going to Addis in February -- Please pray for this -- many home visits revealed their heart for photos of family and friends -- They love to put them on their walls and display them for all to see. For the most part, friends and family are the only things they have -- some homes are 5 feet by 5 feet with a few blankets and a bed -- So sending photos to them is a big Blessing -- If you would like to help with this -- you may mail a check made out to MTW - #16626 -photos on the memo line and I will apply this to the development and handling costs of the photos back to Ethiopia next month. 5744 Bartmer, St. Louis, MO 63112. You can forward this to friends if you want. <br />
<br />
Items to donate -- Sunglasses -- at the altitude of 10,000 feet and being near the equator -sunglasses are needed to protect eyes -- many have eye damage --any unwanted sunglasses for children or adults would be appreciated as well. We will send them with the Baltimore Team going in Feb. or later team when they arrive. Send them to same address or give them to me when you see me.<br />
<br />
Thank you again for your prayers and support.<br />
<br />
By His Grace,<br />
<br />
Skip Ritchie.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-39904566357598088362011-01-18T19:28:00.000-08:002011-03-25T06:42:29.472-07:00Scenes in Addis - Counseling, Coffee, Medical Care and Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgOJhyY8NeM5Wmr5ketdv_z7yYHAoUW49LrjJmCbPL9TkSKFHmu1NDviB7JS24bVeIbhdHux34gCzREoagPdUF6WCbYYxlvb27NNySuLpY2t1tLdQDn024Ap5ZmWdSXFnOdnDyLf5G6wm/s1600/Ethiopia+2011+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgOJhyY8NeM5Wmr5ketdv_z7yYHAoUW49LrjJmCbPL9TkSKFHmu1NDviB7JS24bVeIbhdHux34gCzREoagPdUF6WCbYYxlvb27NNySuLpY2t1tLdQDn024Ap5ZmWdSXFnOdnDyLf5G6wm/s320/Ethiopia+2011+5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCsUTITsHB_-EOXwxryWS3L4lJkF8UWjfJcKM6Hqf5VtYYTxnP6qc-d_EFAdfVgZ1tuijGSI3yM9o1V0hSftkilFhZBoU_x7sWXuO4vwReF86yDj3O38dHKPAp1v8Kp7Njb__wedmuS9h/s1600/Ethiopia+2011+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCsUTITsHB_-EOXwxryWS3L4lJkF8UWjfJcKM6Hqf5VtYYTxnP6qc-d_EFAdfVgZ1tuijGSI3yM9o1V0hSftkilFhZBoU_x7sWXuO4vwReF86yDj3O38dHKPAp1v8Kp7Njb__wedmuS9h/s320/Ethiopia+2011+11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK2hSxpZjTBvPgpJYa90IPwLiEAYLo2YBthEBLo2xqzafYtbG3mkgZS_NHQyhpFA7z0am8RxhZT0w7ojK0JO0usOs8qxsWvK4P51Wf3r133Qmv7A8tOcGkj6pv_zRWiAw8WPQr9LDn7tx/s1600/Ethiopia+2011+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK2hSxpZjTBvPgpJYa90IPwLiEAYLo2YBthEBLo2xqzafYtbG3mkgZS_NHQyhpFA7z0am8RxhZT0w7ojK0JO0usOs8qxsWvK4P51Wf3r133Qmv7A8tOcGkj6pv_zRWiAw8WPQr9LDn7tx/s320/Ethiopia+2011+17.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHm5rbxiPjGOL5wR_IiCYtVV-s8PiMVG6okKaGPVpps5LGFBCTGcakjmmET58FK3WR61iQk3zjXLEtYxKQcU6_yXCKZrbkkG80GfgANgyXJgT-IaKC14uSGylaZ9azBaoi7dgY4V45FrX/s1600/Ethiopia+2011+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHm5rbxiPjGOL5wR_IiCYtVV-s8PiMVG6okKaGPVpps5LGFBCTGcakjmmET58FK3WR61iQk3zjXLEtYxKQcU6_yXCKZrbkkG80GfgANgyXJgT-IaKC14uSGylaZ9azBaoi7dgY4V45FrX/s320/Ethiopia+2011+19.jpg" /></a></div>Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-6163367041342329042011-01-16T06:10:00.000-08:002011-03-25T06:39:25.461-07:00Sheraton Hotel in Addis- Praying for this upcoming week.I am resting today at the Sheraton doing emails -- This is one of the few places in a city of 5 million with fast and dependable internet service. Our house phone doesn't work and we have no internet service. Last week, we were so busy at the mobile neighborhood clinics and doing home visits that we didn't have much spare time. There is an email being forwarded around that has a photo of me drinking coffee. This is outside of a home of one of the beloved beneficiary near SIM. We visited her and prayed for her. She is positive for HIV. She has what is called non-progressing HIV / AIDS-- she is not taking medications for HIV but is surviving and her CD4 remains good. This is very unusual. The main help of this project is teaching adherence and regular med taking practices which saves their life. Dr. Jason prayed for her for a second time. Last year he visited her. She has a rare case. She has so much joy and welcomed us like family. She served us coffee as a thank you. I drank it, but was a little worried about getting sick. They boil the coffee, but continue to pray. So far all is well with me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rb1br4aAWfewmGHIypCMn2ZTyArvYJVU-osSua28PpOLyFuuN8cF_0yyy5llFahc_bNfxqS2Q2PfQCTLkLvwCWEhuYPC9TQBMI6Tb-DryVS4HIKycwHBgFSnte27f0L-PSV9hP6pLVjs/s1600/_MG_4961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rb1br4aAWfewmGHIypCMn2ZTyArvYJVU-osSua28PpOLyFuuN8cF_0yyy5llFahc_bNfxqS2Q2PfQCTLkLvwCWEhuYPC9TQBMI6Tb-DryVS4HIKycwHBgFSnte27f0L-PSV9hP6pLVjs/s200/_MG_4961.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYseOJCvRq-AcmlgMCtX3mUTPRo5x0Jp-vZsrWePwf8dRnUUFnRnV8tFj87kwbYuQEpb7-IS9GIcFRnBXZV0vM7wCclxXPjg7jjlbvG7_-b_3H2OkJsWkI7Z_mV93AOOtAVRFH5ezcQS_/s1600/DSCN0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYseOJCvRq-AcmlgMCtX3mUTPRo5x0Jp-vZsrWePwf8dRnUUFnRnV8tFj87kwbYuQEpb7-IS9GIcFRnBXZV0vM7wCclxXPjg7jjlbvG7_-b_3H2OkJsWkI7Z_mV93AOOtAVRFH5ezcQS_/s200/DSCN0704.JPG" /></a></div>Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-38480476746094732092011-01-16T04:45:00.000-08:002011-03-25T06:35:56.999-07:00Hello from Ethiopia - Sunday AfternoonToday, we went to church with Gizaw. The church's name is Akaki Kale Hewot Church in the west side of Addis. They were having a wedding at the end of the service. Gizaw and his sons went with us to lunch. We dropped some of our team at the shops near the Sheraton Hotel. This week was a great week. Several people called on Christ. We treated over 400 people in our mobile medical clinic. Dan Zink is not feeling well. Please pray for him and our team. Next week, we will do more medical clinics, except for Wednesday. TimKat is the holiday which celebrates Jesus' baptism.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5lAT0VLzWLEikdJ8u4Bp6YjtvN1W55glE2mC4wgcf809P_VmUhktzTj-BPJfX3i5Vdk_oJS6wolGtfLwQxeMlu8vqDXRIhLBM3ZYtRGSpaFEedsRRmoz7XJJxuTyvZ23k8V6F5ZXI7GD/s1600/DSCN0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5lAT0VLzWLEikdJ8u4Bp6YjtvN1W55glE2mC4wgcf809P_VmUhktzTj-BPJfX3i5Vdk_oJS6wolGtfLwQxeMlu8vqDXRIhLBM3ZYtRGSpaFEedsRRmoz7XJJxuTyvZ23k8V6F5ZXI7GD/s200/DSCN0620.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdqMYazCgNegUXCF_JlKroBQU_VlHN97W5coylu8rpf7frN_OSCNiBAXGq8K1-2N-N-hDsK8wxiatYIkhyGENtuJQJvNYeoKWVPScZRwwXkwhtkCj69J0Do3kE-OlGdwsiso1zo-od6mv/s1600/IMG_5036%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="133" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdqMYazCgNegUXCF_JlKroBQU_VlHN97W5coylu8rpf7frN_OSCNiBAXGq8K1-2N-N-hDsK8wxiatYIkhyGENtuJQJvNYeoKWVPScZRwwXkwhtkCj69J0Do3kE-OlGdwsiso1zo-od6mv/s200/IMG_5036%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-62994566997867567622011-01-02T14:25:00.000-08:002011-01-18T19:22:24.447-08:00Worku and Ethiopian Friends Here and There<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxijs00CalxuJDoMV19N9igtOeCQy6dr6mgFtZYJ-V6Cvj34ge4jW3iajNHHwEd04bs66809FP9lcPWRy-DspGKFu4a52FhnyPSJUIGERaGnrwge__2gl3pnNtwG7W9jnWqQWA0osIBxhb/s1600/Congo+missions+396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxijs00CalxuJDoMV19N9igtOeCQy6dr6mgFtZYJ-V6Cvj34ge4jW3iajNHHwEd04bs66809FP9lcPWRy-DspGKFu4a52FhnyPSJUIGERaGnrwge__2gl3pnNtwG7W9jnWqQWA0osIBxhb/s200/Congo+missions+396.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557719800431238914" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMx24nVNS4mpUjgTp8e_0dMvJ329C06lhDRYSnGMt0l2z1C2rtClHql_uD-65_QFupLwDK5ZMwGN1cOLorylNmYt8dHwahhmSlfuVyWFZ5oHUjM8XOBetymSm2CBtZcITnKzk-dmIT4pj/s1600/Congo+missions+421.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMx24nVNS4mpUjgTp8e_0dMvJ329C06lhDRYSnGMt0l2z1C2rtClHql_uD-65_QFupLwDK5ZMwGN1cOLorylNmYt8dHwahhmSlfuVyWFZ5oHUjM8XOBetymSm2CBtZcITnKzk-dmIT4pj/s200/Congo+missions+421.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557719664091090290" /></a><br />
Pray that God will strengthen my relationships with Ethiopians in need here and there -- This is a traditional coffee service with women who are with the project in Ethiopia. Many women are widowed and have children at home.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-90807849615441412522011-01-02T14:21:00.000-08:002011-01-02T14:22:48.866-08:00Salam No, Salam Nesh, and Salam Na Cho (Hello)As most of you know, through reading Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s leading, I began the Master’s program in Counseling at Covenant Seminary last August. God’s call to care for the fatherless is clear but I needed to be better equipped for service to the fatherless and orphans in this world. In the past, I have led our family on mission trips to Mexico and Peru to care and encourage the fatherless. Now I sense the Lord’s leading to be a part of a special trip this Christmas season. Covenant Seminary and Mission to the World are working together to bring the love and goodness of God to the people of Ethiopia. The AIDS Care and Treatment (ACT) Project ministers to the 700 HIV positive beneficiaries and 50 orphans under its care. When I think of those fatherless children and hear Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, saying “Skip-go and encourage them,” I know he will equip me to serve once again. This Christmas season (starting January 6 in Ethiopia) will you pray that the sick and fatherless in Addis Ababa would be greatly encouraged? <br /> <br />Counseling Professor Dan Zink will be leading our team of medical doctors and counseling students. The primary focus will be providing a two week medical clinic to persons with HIV/AIDS within the ACT/SIM project in Addis Ababa. This will also be a time of learning and specialized counseling training to ACT workers and counseling students under Dr. Zink’s supervision. SIM is the indigenous Addis based mission group.<br /><br />It was a joy for Keary and me to travel to Africa for the first time in June to serve African orphans and learn from existing models of care. We spent five days at the ACT Project walking alongside project leaders, national workers and care givers. We went into the homes of the poor and prayed for individuals who were ill and suffering from HIV/ AIDS. We spent time leading Bible Clubs after school and were able to talk intimately with beneficiaries and their children. It was a time of great sharing.<br /> <br />Our entire time in Africa was quite memorable, but one moment in particular struck me deeply. I had just finished sharing a story to a large wide-eyed group of boys (about my son Stephen’s age) recalling God’s faithfulness to me, while living in Virginia. At the end of the story, I looked around and asked the boys if they would like for us to return. Most of the children exclaimed a resounding “yes!” Then, as I was thinking about what that meant, a young Ethiopian boy began to pray for me and my family. God spoke deeply into my heart and the importance of strong friendship and relationships. We need each other!!!!!<br /><br />I am excited about this trip because it will allow me to bring the goodness and mercy of God to the fatherless, but it will also teach me more about how to more effectively care for those in need in the African/Ethiopian context. For the past three years, Covenant Seminary has sent teams to Addis and again we anticipate experiencing valuable hands-on training during this time. I believe my return will also be of great encouragement to the national workers and individuals I met this summer. Please pray for me and considering supporting me financially. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel, again.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-22831879206172697922010-11-07T04:09:00.000-08:002010-11-07T04:16:07.980-08:00National Orphan Sunday - Please Pray<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLD_YdRJcNbWUfJWgV_H5yx5o8i8ZECSS9AeIscQGhMkNJaNUGb_K41vzK1BTRRtcWyL406l5vOe8ui6kP2mo-VY2-3Ssa_DUvNc7SLF8h9jT7xmrgghXXmepNf6BTcTRN9-DQGL0Lp5_/s1600/2010-09-16_IMG_4890.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLD_YdRJcNbWUfJWgV_H5yx5o8i8ZECSS9AeIscQGhMkNJaNUGb_K41vzK1BTRRtcWyL406l5vOe8ui6kP2mo-VY2-3Ssa_DUvNc7SLF8h9jT7xmrgghXXmepNf6BTcTRN9-DQGL0Lp5_/s200/2010-09-16_IMG_4890.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536780483555615570" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />November 7, 2010, is national Orphan Sunday. It is a movement to raise awareness of the 145 Million orphans worldwide.Orphan Sunday began in 2003 in Zambia when American Gary Schneider responding to the need to help local orphans. This weekend, an estimated 2,000 events will be hosted throughout our Nation primarily by evangelical Christian ministries encouraging others to respond through adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry initiatives. Orphans will be the subject of sermons, fundraisers, benefit concerts, prayer gatherings, and other special events designed to prompt people to respond to the greatest need in the world.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-10601353983685852942010-10-25T10:11:00.000-07:002010-10-25T10:32:12.394-07:00PraiseThe LORD - The kids will have $300 more per month for food.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLohBkMqrewCgibTFeJydPmq6EXPB2YKhyphenhyphenVmxNj7gv0qyQEoX9kKznUc-P-fK0FV0DGGEKEWPCxXcfu0CshNK4yrnjauAmFvRe2VJd2Q8ZlMJ5jv4lKMfbZRnMjrlyyfR2tqvxW8FD4-5/s1600/CEFOREA+1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLohBkMqrewCgibTFeJydPmq6EXPB2YKhyphenhyphenVmxNj7gv0qyQEoX9kKznUc-P-fK0FV0DGGEKEWPCxXcfu0CshNK4yrnjauAmFvRe2VJd2Q8ZlMJ5jv4lKMfbZRnMjrlyyfR2tqvxW8FD4-5/s320/CEFOREA+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532037136511921282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WRYBIqBiSkg8md6sShzqGMR7sPUXrOhyphenhyphens_D43J8xdjA42WOXo0_2_-EajgsHshoPsFKQqrWeGU6Aelk4Dex4qOnt-GLkqK42IkUWQAcz2swfll4ZFS-hjJtUu4TCTCxCLMe46wsPkwNi/s1600/DSC02188.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WRYBIqBiSkg8md6sShzqGMR7sPUXrOhyphenhyphens_D43J8xdjA42WOXo0_2_-EajgsHshoPsFKQqrWeGU6Aelk4Dex4qOnt-GLkqK42IkUWQAcz2swfll4ZFS-hjJtUu4TCTCxCLMe46wsPkwNi/s320/DSC02188.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532035806241735730" /></a><br />This last month we have being praying that God would raise additional funds to increase the food budget at La Grace de Dieu (Grace of God)Orphanage in Kinshasa,DR Congo. God raised $900 for the children. On our recent mission trip, we discovered that the children were not getting fed regularly. We are in the process of hiring a trusted Congolese friend to help cook and feed the children so that they are getting all the food we have sent them.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-35873251408309080692010-10-01T10:38:00.000-07:002010-10-01T10:41:57.089-07:00Ethiopia ACT - Aids Care and Treatment - VideoThe video from Ethiopia ACT Project - AIDS Care and Treatment -- www.mtwact.org. Covenant is sending a team of counselors and medical persons to care for the people of Addis Ababa. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouZVT41KcJI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouZVT41KcJI</a>Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-67379515578362100422010-08-22T07:19:00.001-07:002010-09-12T16:05:03.735-07:00Summer Friends - African Refugees in St. Louis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ydLUUolOImGd7OsY8hV3fEpwBj6rJCoBx9Jg89Q86WOY8RZGMCX7D-NhDuZ6vq6_lL9mTkr5ohNwYRiY0qi9dbhRfVTKvz-ZoDBGB2yq1hzkvAxHgIdDQeWR6OLT9cFJ4BTjVLYfSj8e/s1600/summer2010+391.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ydLUUolOImGd7OsY8hV3fEpwBj6rJCoBx9Jg89Q86WOY8RZGMCX7D-NhDuZ6vq6_lL9mTkr5ohNwYRiY0qi9dbhRfVTKvz-ZoDBGB2yq1hzkvAxHgIdDQeWR6OLT9cFJ4BTjVLYfSj8e/s200/summer2010+391.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508240356560781714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3_4U7-e7Kvyyfhb7OabdAwUPSjZjyiKxjIMP7Ss3GAA9HGjEpfwdYHQ1YEoOHmrbxK6P_64FY7hTjTmtV4HHXl1rJ57P9Q04idZO9vOedf_JpXI6SbiYybCVY1-LgfN4R6y_0Gf_K2Pe/s1600/summer2010+401.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3_4U7-e7Kvyyfhb7OabdAwUPSjZjyiKxjIMP7Ss3GAA9HGjEpfwdYHQ1YEoOHmrbxK6P_64FY7hTjTmtV4HHXl1rJ57P9Q04idZO9vOedf_JpXI6SbiYybCVY1-LgfN4R6y_0Gf_K2Pe/s200/summer2010+401.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508239945665649410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnxd2KRx6DqKW4BjCP_Tir3YsqzdR8EuHINlUCkcZZUdJS-Y1lXe_menYzlJZ8eOhO94M6y8vFrpL5Fi69Q4ZQpZfJD8YLeAuNZ940uqcZ3Du9egE36I-H5JGvaLuhEXuRyPEnrIjfwSB/s1600/Fall+2010+015.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnxd2KRx6DqKW4BjCP_Tir3YsqzdR8EuHINlUCkcZZUdJS-Y1lXe_menYzlJZ8eOhO94M6y8vFrpL5Fi69Q4ZQpZfJD8YLeAuNZ940uqcZ3Du9egE36I-H5JGvaLuhEXuRyPEnrIjfwSB/s200/Fall+2010+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508239322521030338" /></a><br />During this summer, our son Stephen became friends with some African refugees in St. Louis. We learned that they wanted a bicycle. Skip thought about the idea of getting them a bike and realized that it would be financially difficult for our family to buy a bike for them. Skip asked the children to bring a bike that we could fix through Bike Works in St. Louis. Bike Works offers used bike parts at a reduced price. They open their bike shop for people to fix their bikes each week. We prayed and put out an email to the Covenant Seminary community to see if anyone could help. Two families responded and gave us bikes for these refugee children. Praise the Lord for his provision. The photos above are of the bike that was brought to Skip by the young child and what God provided through his people.Ritchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999466941180558082.post-48014434994764817502010-06-21T09:33:00.000-07:002010-09-28T16:15:40.740-07:00Leaving Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqYskR3vznOMfB8qyaIeRcF7bmCbE7JxlSNH1TsBxyZ_BugrOmU89En4Jz4L_kf1k1hHf0R8vsdeMqs769cd8-tZMjs-Al5VQABW0PmmmaIWiX1T80XLjbCf-Stf1ViMMWRQ60q4lsFGf/s1600/summer2010+371.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqYskR3vznOMfB8qyaIeRcF7bmCbE7JxlSNH1TsBxyZ_BugrOmU89En4Jz4L_kf1k1hHf0R8vsdeMqs769cd8-tZMjs-Al5VQABW0PmmmaIWiX1T80XLjbCf-Stf1ViMMWRQ60q4lsFGf/s200/summer2010+371.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522107018968503058" /></a><br />With heavy hearts, rumbling tummies, and encouraged spirits we prepare to leave Africa. We will have traveled over 18,000 miles in humble service to the poor and orphaned before landing in Saint Louis. We have been encouraged in a mighty way by God's love, faithfulness and commitment to his people. Along the way we have: laughed, cried, stumbled through many languages, eaten bizarre things, contracted food poisoning, slept under mosquito netting, suffered from altitude sickness, shared the gospel, enjoyed the smiles of strangers, worshiped in seven churches, made many new friends, held babies, fed the hungry, played with children, assisted the elderly, attended to the ill, shared resources, visited widows in great distress, wrestled with the sting of poverty, explored future ministry opportunities and have praised and prayed continually to our mighty God. We have been called a blessing but He alone is worthy to be praised! In two countries, under the oppression of rampant corruption and greed, we see the Lord's hand at work, his name being praised and his son exalted. On soil where whatever rests in your own two hands <span style="font-weight:bold;">must</span> be sold in order to have food for that day, we have learned more deeply about power of the holy spirit and the meaning of true faith. We now return to a land, also of great poverty....despite having an abundance of personal resources... we are a people that are poor in spirit, faith and belief in an Almighty and Sovereign Lord. The harvest is indeed ripe and the workers are few. We see great need for continued work in both Kinshasa and Addis Ababa, but also in our own hearts and in the cities oh America. Please be in prayer for our re-entry and for our future service to the poor and orphaned. Thanks to each of you that have supported our mission with faithful prayer and personal resources. We have been greatly encouraged by each of you and thank God for your partnership. We look forward to seeing each of you soon! Ciao and Mbote! Skip and KearyRitchies 4 Orphans - ritchies4orphans.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03860848355143205040noreply@blogger.com3