(864) 877-9813
Terry & Rachel Ritschard & Family
Papua New Guinea
This nation shares half its island with New Guinea. It lies just north of Australia, but is a world away in many respects. Populated by hunter gatherers, the mountainous region is often primitive, though racked with destablizing guerilla turf battles.
Recent Letters
Please Pray for the Ritschards!
Cards and letters weighing one ounce or less can be mailed to Australia for 80 cents:
Terry & Rachel Ritschard
c/o Steven Mock
Trinity Baptist Church
PO Box 34 E
Earlville, QLD 4870
Australia
January 25 2006
Dear praying Friends,
Most of you have heard by now that we were involved in a truck accident in Papua New Guinea on November 30. When we regained consciousness after the accident, we heard the nationals wailing and saw that they had put mud on their faces as a sign of mourning. The Christian ladies gathered around Rachel and supported her broken limbs, and the men gathered around Terry and prayed with him. The nationals brought Samuel and David to us to reassure us that they were not injured. (Michael and Benjamin were home at the time and were not involved in the accident.)
Terry and Rachel were immediately flown to Cairns, Australia, for medical care. We are most thankful to New Tribes Mission for providing emergency care and organizing the medical evacuation and to our board, GFA, for sending our boys to Australia a week later so that the family could be together during recuperation.
Our coworkers in Kiari, Jon and Shelley Calhoun, watched our boys the first week and then spent many hours negotiating a settlement with the village to make restitution for the damages. Through all of these difficult circumstances, we saw the Lord work out each detail. If the crash had been one hour later, a helicopter would not have been available, and the evacuation would have been delayed for hours or days. Please pray that God will use this accident to further His kingdom in the village of Kiari.
The following letter was written before the crash and details our ministry opportunities in Kiari.
Terry and Rachel both work in the clinic on Tuesdays and Fridays. Before clinic, all patients are given numbers. Then they sit on the road outside the gate and listen to a Gospel message. (They must hear the message if they want to be assessed.) What a blessing and a challenge it is for Terry and Michael, our oldest son, to expound God's truth in pidgin, the language that most nationals understand. Pray that souls will be saved through the clinic ministry. Many people have heard the Gospel, but now we need prayer that God will go before us and prepare hearts for true change.
Sundays and Wednesday services provide a great outreach to the Kiari area. Rachel helps with Sunday school for the younger children. Pray for a national believer who teaches this challenging age group. Peter often speaks in Tok Ples Kiari (the local tribal language) to better explain God's truth to their young ears. The very young and the elderly respond best with Tok Ples instead of pidgin.
Samuel and David communicate well with the national children, and we find that they open a door of ministry with the village children. Fellowship meetings two evenings a week provide a way for the surrounding villages to hear the Gospel. Along with Jon Calhoun and three national preacher boys, Terry shares the preaching ministry of this outreach. Pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare hearts for His Word.
Every day, people come to our house to sell us food, ask for rides to town, or just look, all the time reminding us of the many souls here that still haven't received Christ. One day, Dorcas came to sell sweet potatoes. We invited her to church, and after attending several weeks, she accepted Christ as her Savior. She will face much ridicule in her village. Please pray that Dorcas will not fear man but fear only God.
Our Christmas was spent in an unexpected setting, a hospital room in the humid, tropical climate of Cairns, Australia. But we were still able to echo the words of Simeon in Luke 2, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people."
We still have months of recuperation ahead, but we are encouraged to see the way God is healing us and providing opportunities for Christian fellowship and outreach. The ministry of Trinity Baptist Church, pastored by Steve Gibb and Stephen Mock, has blessed us. Please pray for God's wisdom and guidance for our family in the months ahead.
In Service to Christ,
Terry and Rachel Ritschard and boys
January 18, 2006
Dear Praying Friends:
Psa 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
The Lord's loving kindness is obvious to us every day.
The boys and I were needing to leave the church member's home where we were staying in Cairns, Australia because they were coming home from vacation. Rachel was about to begin the rehabilitation phase of her recovery but the doctor refused to discharge her unless she could be within walking distance to the hospital. Then, at the eleventh hour, the insurance company approved our moving into an apartment across the street.
The boys and I are very happy to have Rachel with us now. We can easily take her to where she needs to go in a wheelchair. Pray our family will continue to be a testimony to God's goodness.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
Wed, 7 Dec 2005
The Ritschard boys arrived safely today. Terry was discharged today so they are all staying with the Gibbs at the moment. They will be transferring to a church member's house tomorrow who are away on holiday for a few months and are happy to share their home. Rachel is scheduled for surgery on her wrist on Tuesday. Her sister, Julia, is staying in the hospital with her.
Everyone seems to be in good spirits and doing well.
Tue, 6 Dec 2005
Please continue to pray for TBC missionaries Terry and Rachel Ritschards, as they are hospitalized in Australia, following their
accident in PNG.
Update: The Ritschard boys plan to arrive in Cairns Australia to join their parents on Wednesday at 3:35pm their time (our Tuesday night). Terry is praising the Lord that he has graduated from a walker to a cane. Rachel is praising the Lord that she can now sit up in bed--and that her sister Julia is with her.
Terry and Rachel Ritschard were in a serious car accident in Kiari yesterday (November 28). Rachel has multiple fractures and Terry has a serious neck injury. They were airlifted to Cairns Base Hospital in Australia. They were to arrive in Cairns about 6 a.m. our time today. Samuel and David were with them in the vehicle but are fine. (Michael and Benjamin were not with them.)
All four of the boys are with Jon and Shelley Calhoun, the Ritschards'
coworkers, in Goroka. This town is a day's journey from Kiari and is where the Ritchards obtain their supplies. They can stay there at a
guest house as long as needed.
Please pray for the Ritschards today.
November 24, 2005
Still haven't gotten the other church packages. We got the 4th out of 5. What a great treat that those cool birthday candles were in the box! You were clearly the one that brain stormed that, right? You and James picked them up as one of your amazing finds. Ben had a stressful trip to town but the cake with those sparkling--hard to blow out candles really made the party. Janice Berbin says not to worry about th package because by
land it can take 3 or more months. It is actually surprising that we got the one even.
Michael filled out his questions late that you sent. I will ask Jon to take them to town. He may go next week. Also have a small bilum for you.
Will get a nice big one made. The ladies love to make them. The Christian ladies really follow the pattern of the Prv. 31 virtuous woman. They get up early, go sometimes very far to their gardens to get food. Work hard in the evenings on their bilums and they certainly are not idle. Terry got the crate and opened it and made the first trip back with stuff. We got our wood burning stove set up and it has made the biggest difference just to be warm. I even cooked in it yesterday.
Shelley has taught me how to cook just about anything in and on it. I Made brownies but it is really tricky to gauge the temperature, so they were a bit gooey in the middle. It cooks kaukau(sweet potato) beautifully.
Right now the boys are cooking their pig and chicken food on the stove and the smell of kakau is filling the air. How nice to have good smells floating around. This seems so much more like home. Our propane refrigerator is
Also up and running. It is small but how nice to have a place to put left overs. Before, I used a cooler and changed out ice packs in it daily. You know all those candles(nice smelling votive And various sized) you sent??? Well some made it back and I am so excited to
fire up a bunch of them for Thanksgiving. We are having the single missionaries from Aibai come to visit us. The Berbins will enjoy a quiet
Thanksgiving in Aibai and we are looking forward to company. My Centerpiece will be many candles with local flowers in a large flat tray made of reeds (PNG style). I am sooo thankful for nice smells and feeling a
bit spoiled and selfish now with all these new appliances.
Well..the stove is warming up and soon I will cook breakfast on it. Will try oatmeal on the top.
Love, Rachel Ritschards
November 07, 2005
Subject: 051108 Ritschard Family Update
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 139:12
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
What a blessing is the assurance that God knows the way we are to take. He can not be confounded.
I have been in Lae for a week now trying to get the details of our container worked out so that we can take possession. I learned yesterday that they just found it even though it has been sitting on their wharf for 45 days. Please pray that we will be able to work out the details and get everything squared away.
Please pray also for a new Christian named Martin. On my trip out of the bush Martin hitched a ride from a neighboring village. As we came to another village the road was being blocked. The men in the village violently took Martin out of my truck and began beating him. After they got him out of my truck they ordered me to drive on. There was no way to argue with them. Apparently, Martin was involved in rugby a game that ended in a fight against that village. Evidently, Martin was seen holding a stick and participating in the fight, so they were determined to get their revenge (this is a very important aspect of the culture here). I learned three days later that Martin was delivered back to our village by another truck that passed us on the road. Rachel helped to dress his wounds. She said he had no broken bones and should recover soon. Please pray the Lord will help Martin through this ordeal and that in the future Martin will conduct himself as a Christian should. We understand that Martin's village is planning an attack on this rival village. These tribal fights can be very deadly. Please pray that somehow the Lord will give us opportunity to be a witness for Christ. We have been assured that we as missionaries are in no danger and will be considered neutral so long as we keep ourselves neutral.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
October 17, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Prov 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
What a comfort as we try to serve the Lord; what a rebuke when we fail.
We praise the Lord for the many opportunities He gives us here to be a witness. I continue to have additional opportunites to preach. I still need much prayer as I continue to better my skill with the language.
Please pray for a man that I dealt with last Sunday who came telling me of his desire to be a Christian. Also pray for a young boy Michael dealt with for salvation as well.
Also, please pray we will soon hear somthing about our container. It left the US almost 3 months ago.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
October 12, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 107:8
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
I spent the past week buying supplies and doing some necessary business.
Pita, one of the Christians from the church here was with me. On our way back, we had a tremendous time of fellowship. We spent quite a bit of time preaching to men along the way who had put up road blocks. This is when these men block the road and demand money before we can pass.
Along the way Pita and I recounted to each other the many ways the Lord had blessed in our lives. About 5PM a terrible rain suddenly came just as we were approaching a landslide area that had been fixed several times before. As I drove onto the landslide area, I couldn't see well because of the rain. I asked Pita to go out and check on the integrity of the road ahead. Moments later I looked to my right to see the landslide about to come down on top of me. I lurched forward and the landslide missed me.
Then the road beneath started to give way and I was unable to move because the the truck had gotten into a bog. The truck started to turn over and then stopped. I was too afraid to stay in the truck any longer so I jumped out. We watched as the truck continued to slowly slide down the mountain. Just before the truck would have turned over it got caught on a big rock and stopped. Pita had hollered out the way they do here and a message began making it from one mountain top to another that our truck had turned over. (This was not a completely accurate message but I was glad this was the message as it caused every one to mobilize more quickly.) The rain finally stopped. Some nearby village men started a fire to warm us as we gave testimony to them of the Lord's work in our lives. The truck was still hanging on as it was being held up by a "rock" that refused to budge. Finally, around midnight Jon Calhoun arrived in his truck along with the government bulldozer. Our truck was pulled out of the ravine without any damage and I climbed into a warm dry bed at about 1:30AM.
Pita and his wife and one son came over the next day and we recounted together the Lord's goodness to us. Please, pray earnestly for Pita. He wants to spend his life serving the Lord. Ps 107:8
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
October 4, 2005
Dear Praying Friends
Heb 1:14-2:1
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
I'm often reminded of this verse when I travel to town. Yesterday, Peter (a national Christian from the Kiari church) and I came to town. The Lord gave us safety and a great time of fellowship.
The Lord has given us several more opportunities for witness through our work in the clinic. One lady was badly burned to both of her feet. A 4-year old boy had 2 fingers chop off while he and another 4-year old were playing with a hatchet. We had wonderful opportunity of witness with these patients and their families. Peter and I brought both these patients to the city so they could go to the hospital. Please pray for safety as we continued to work among the Christians and the lost here in Kiari.
In Service to Christ
Terry Ritschard
September 19, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 9:17
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Many still have never heard. We pray for ever increasing opportunities to give out God's Word
I took a hike to a nearby village to help a lady there who was too sick to come to the clinic. As usual, the reception we received was encouraging. Please pray that the Word given will find root in someone's heart.
Please pray for two men in particular who have made a profession but are facing persecution when trying to be faithful to church services. Their names are Stanley and Andrew.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
August 1, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Josh 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
In about a week we will have been here for four months. We are very grateful for what the Lord has accomplished in spite of the many obstacles.
The Lord has provided us with a vehicle that is well suited for the task of getting us back and forth. We continue to be told by different mechanics that our truck is a very good one.
We have been out in the bush for two months and have made great strides with learning the language and adjusting to the culture of the bush life. The boys really love it in the bush and the national Christians have warmly accepted our whole family.
Gus Walker and his son Jacob came on July 3 to help us build a house. Gus had figured out that we had 18 working days. His stated goal was to have us in the house before he left. He told me over and over how the Lord was blessing him unusually in this endeavor. By the time we sent them back on the plane two days ago the house was complete. I have about two hours worth of plumbing issues to work out when I get back to the bush with some parts. We plan to move in when we get back to the bush. Fellowship with Gus was such a blessing. Despite many obstacles over the last three weeks he was determined to do what he and so many others had been praying would get done. What an encouragement to be around someone who was determined to use his skill for the Lord and what a lesson for us all. We thank the Lord for making it possible and for making such a positive impact here among the nationals.
We are very grateful for the mission board's ability to help us with the many expenses we faced in our start up here in PNG. Please pray that the Lord will continue to abundantly provide as He has been so that we will be able to quickly repay the mission board for these forwarded funds.
The ministry opportunities here abound. Please pray that the Christians here would take on a growing responsibility for the work of the ministry and that they will learn more fully how to trust the Lord to enable them to do the work of the ministry. Please pray that many in the community who have heard the gospel numerous times would bow the knee to Jesus Christ. Please pray for several who have recently made profession that they would be grounded in the truth and grow in grace.
Please pray for Rachel and me as we become more involved in ministry. My goal is to be able to preach in Pidgin by the end of this year. Also pray that we will be able to get a reliable method for communication in the bush. Once rainy season starts we could be in the bush for months at a time.
Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf. It is a joy to serve in Papua New Guinea on your behalf.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 56:9
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
We are grateful for the Lord's obvious protection.
Gus Walker and son Jacob arrived without any problems. They enjoyed the ride into the bush (especially Jacob). The roads have been dry making traveling much easier. We have really enjoyed getting to know the Christians here as we remain in the bush to get the house built.
Please continue to pray as we continue to build.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
June 6, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Gen 7:16
. . the LORD shut him in.
What a blessing to know you are in the hands of the Lord even when so much is uncertain.
The whole family will be leaving for the bush on Tuesday morning, June 7.
We have been enjoying the fellowship of one of the men from the Kiari church who came to town with me to help get supplies. We will be staying in the clinic building until we can get our house built.
Please pray for our continued safety as we travel. As we travel we have constant contact with villagers along the way. We pass out tracts and urge them to come to Christ. Please pray as we continue to learn the language. It is becoming very annoying to have our 5 and 7 year old constantly correcting my speaking as they both are speaking quite well.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
Wednesday, 4 May, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Psalm 56:3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
I remember the eyes of children as I taught this verse in Children's Church several years ago. The verse became a special blessing to me this past weekend.
I'm sorry it has been some time since my last e-mail. Our e-mail service was down at exactly the times I was at a computer.
Last week I traveled to Lae to pick up our truck which was having maintenance done. Then Michael and I turned around and traveled into the bush where we plan to build a house. That trip took us parts of two days. We four-wheeled through rugged terrain and over landslides. 40 miles of this road is right on the edge of cliffs that drop anywhere from 50 to several hundred feet and all the bridges take your breath away as you cross them.
When we got here a government-owned bulldozer was here, broken down and in need of a fan belt. Jon helped to get a fan belt on and the bulldozer hung around long enough to clear a place where we plan to build a house.
It was good to see the church members again who have faithfully prayed for our arrival for over 2 years. We are working at learning the language by just engaging in conversation as often as possible. Please pray we will soon have the language learned.
Please pray for our safety as these roads are very treacherous and the constant rains make them ever-changing. It is very intense! We plan to head back in a couple of days to rejoin the family in Goroka.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
April 20, 2005
Dear Praying Friends
Prov 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
We are encouraged in the Lord as see men who do not name Christ as their Savior do things in our favor.
We went to Lae on the coast to find a truck. We found one from a broker who buys vehicles and does a lot of cosmetic work and then jacks up the price and sells them for a large profit. He agreed to sell one before he started his cosmetic work. We took it to a trusted mechanic who kept saying things like "you've got a good one here," and "the timing of this was perfect."
How we wish to be able to communicate with these men and countless others that this is not by chance but it is the working of an Almighty and gracious God. Thank you for your prayers.
We were in two different churches last Sunday and enjoyed worshiping with many believers here in Goroka. Please pray we will find opportunities for service.
Please pray as it will be another week and a half before we are able to pick the truck up as this mechanic will be doing work on it to get it ready for the bush roads. Please pray as we are working hard to learn the language.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
April 14, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
We have a new mailing address!
P.O. Box 1427
Goroka, E.H.P.
Papua New Guinea
This is only mail service available to us. Packages can be received at this address. Bear in mind that in the future, after we go to the bush that anything sent could sit at the Post Office for up to 3 months if we were not able to get out of the bush to get it. Please send no perishables. Letters are always welcome.
We love to hear from anyone who writes; it is always a tremendous encouragement! Please send e-mail when you can. However, when e-mailing, please send only plain text format. Please send no pictures, and no special formats; also please do not forward e-mails or put our address in a group mail unless the e-mail is in plain text format. The time needed to download an e-mail with anything other than plain text format will be cost prohibitive when we are out in the bush. But in no way do we want to discourage anyone and everyone from writing.
In Service to Christ
Terry Ritschard
11 April 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Luke 23:26
. . . and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
What a joy to bear the cross of Christ to another land.
Everything went famously for our trip to PNG. We all made it on time with all of our luggage. There were no customs charges! And we were escorted to a mission flat where we will stay for 2 months.
About 1:30 this morning Samuel got out of bed and said "Dad, I don't have to sleep anymore because I slept during the day!" I instantly made a rule. "No one can get up before 5am." Other than severe jet lag we are all doing well.
Just a few moments ago the owner of the flat where we are staying hooked us up to their internet server and we will be able to keep our e-mail like in the States for the 2 months we are here. I'm very happy to be given another 2 months of fairly normal communication.
Please pray that we make good strides with the learning the language. Also, pray we will soon be able to find a vehicle.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
April 5, 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 139:17 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Again we thank God for His greatness; His way is perfect.
To my bewilderment the ordination council voted to ordain me into the Gospel ministry. You may now refer to me as Rev. Terry Ritschard, RN (oh brother).
Our sending service was a time to remember as our home church kindly honored us as we get ready to embark. We are ever aware that the real honor belongs first to Christ Jesus and then to all of you who have faithfully prayed for and supported us.
Please pray that with the very first day of our arrival we will find ways to implement personal evangelism as we begin a "career" of finding those sheep in Papua New Guinea who will worship our eternal God. Please pray that our initial adjustment to our new environment will go smoothly.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
23 Mar 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Heb 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We are grateful for God's Word and we are looking forward to teaching God's Word to the people of Papua New Guinea.
Please pray as we continue to ready ourselves to take the trip to PNG. Please pray as I prepare for my ordination council meeting coming up on April 1st. Pray for the evangelistic meetings to be held April 6-10 in PNG.
In Service to Christ
Dear Praying Friends:
Ephesians 6:19
And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
This is our earnest prayer. Please continue to pray as the Lord prepares us for the ministry in PNG.
We have purchased airline tickets! We plan to leave Greenville at 9:00 am, Friday, April, 8, 2005. The boys are so excited especially the younger two -- this will be their first ever airplane trip. Finally, our long awaited plan to depart has been dated. Please pray as so many items must be accomplished before that deadline.
We are so grateful as we have watched the Lord use so many people all over the country and all over the world to bring this deadline to pass. We truly thank God on every remembrance of you.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
February 2005
Dear Praying Friends:
Psalm 127:1
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
We pray the Lord will help us to see our ultimate need for Him in all we do.
Please continue to pray that our visas will be approved. We were informed of the reason for the delay and did what we could to expedite the process. We also have much to accomplish to get ready to go by mid-March if this is the Lord's will. As soon as we get our visas approved we will order our airline tickets. Also pray that needed funds will continue to come in to meet our passage and set-up needs. Pray that the Lord will continue to give us opportunity to minister here while we wait.
In Service to Christ
Terry Ritschard
November-December 2004
Dear praying Friends:
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33
As Thanksgiving is upon us, we pause to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy. We are most thankful to God for the leading He provides His people. As we wait upon the Lord, we are benefited over and again by His timing of circumstances. This becomes the way we perceive His will. What a joy it is to receive constant reminders that He hears our prayers and acts on our behalf.
One and a half years ago as we started our deputation, we had no idea where our path would take us. The Lord has shown us step-by-step the way we should go. Our trail has taken us over many miles and through numerous circumstances. He has brought into our lives the acquaintance of some of His best servants. We are encouraged as we have seen all the places God has His people serving Him. The Lord is accomplishing His will in the lives of His people.
We are grateful for the prayer support we have. We are constantly receiving e-mails and other reminders that people are praying for us in their churches and in their homes. It is no wonder that we look back on our deputation so far and describe it as a time of unexplainable blessing.
At the moment our financial support level is at 87.7 percent. We have heard that others are considering taking us on. We are now in the process of obtaining visas and are seeking the Lord's guidance for the next steps that should be taken.
Please pray that the visa process will go well and without any undue delay. Please pray as we make travel plans for our departure and as Rachel and I work through a language study program. Please pray that the needed funds for passage and setup will come in as we set out for Papua New Guinea.
Very soon our families and churches will be celebrating the birth of our wonderful Savior. Let us give ourselves wholly to Him as we reflect on His great gift to us.
In service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
10 Nov 2004
"Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation."
Dear Praying Friends:
Gen 12:1
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
We are constantly in prayer that the Lord will increase our faith so that we will trust His every command.
Rachel & I greatly enjoyed our time in Kansas for a missions conference. Our flights there and back and our stay there were all very nice. The boys were well cared for in Greenville and were very happy to stay home and not travel. Please pray for me as I travel alone this weekend to a missions conference in Farmington, NM that will last through next Wednesday. Please pray that I will minister in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Please pray as we continue to follow the Lord's leading on deputation and that we will soon be in Papua New Guinea.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
21 Sep 2004 14:48:23
Dear Praying Friends:
Ro 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
What an appropriate verse for all of us to meditate on. With Christ as our Saviour these descriptions can be true about us.
Please pray for a man named Bill, whom I witnessed to; also for a boy named Ethan whom Benjamin led to the Lord.
We are enjoying ourselves in the home of a godly Christian family in Fort Collins, Colorado. We are at a missions conference here at a very good fundamental church. Please pray that we will be used to bring glory to God.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
15 Sep 2004
Dear Praying Friends:
Col 1:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Praise the Lord for salvation. Let us live for Him with all our strength.
I always thought that the Kansas state tree was the telephone pole. However, after staying a week in Kansas, we find it to be another place of beauty in God's wonderful creation. We are also grateful for the many Christians we met and the fellowship we enjoyed.
Please pray for one church in particular who has had several converts recently. Pray that these new converts will grow in grace and that the Lord will be glorified as this church is experiencing an outpouring of the Spirit.
Pray for a mission's conference in Fort Collins where we will be attending for a week. We will have the privilege of staying with another family. Pray that all goes well and that we will be a blessing and an encouragement.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
September 2004
Dear Praying Friends:
1 Co 11:31
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged .
We should keep short accounts with God as we strive to walk on His straight and narrow path for us.
We had a blessed time in the mountains of CO as we did deputation in the small town of Walled, CO, near where I grew up. We drove back to Denver over Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in America at nearly 2.5 miles high). The boys enjoyed seeing several herd of elk as well as awe-inspiring scenery.
Please pray for a young teen we met in Walden who comes to church all by himself, from a broken home. He has made a profession and needs our prayers as he tries to live for the Lord.
We will be traveling to Kansas late this week where we will have 5 meetings in 8 days.
In Service to Christ
The Ritschard Family
Fri, 16 Jul 2004 16:37:38 -0400
News from the Papua New Guinea Team
We began building an 18' X 28' clinic. The roof trusses are all completed. The team will start concrete for the floor as soon as the rain stops. This is a prayer request because it rains every day at 3:30 p.m. The team is healthy, but 7000' altitude slows everyone down a bit. Mr. Pruden (AVIAT) can only supervise because hard physical labor does him in quickly at this altitude. GFA missionaries, Jon & Shelley Calhoun (he an '88 grad, former employee; she a former student) are enjoying the Christian fellowship. (This is the clinic for the Ritschards. Mrs. C.)
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation."
Hab.3:18
Fri, 23 Jul 2004
Travels
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 34:9
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
We thank the Lord for His constant care for us as we travel and His constant provision.
Our meetings in California are going well. We suffered a minor accident on a highway (no one was hurt). Please pray that repairs will be done and provided for.
We also had need of brake repairs which the Lord graciously provided for.
Please pray for a couple who are praying about the possibilty of going into missions. Pray they will know God's will.
Please pray for Jon & Shelley Calhoun (our coworkers in PNG). They have a team of workers with them right now. Pray for God's blessing, protection, and efficiency as they build a clinic building.
Pray for our meeting in Antioch, CA this Sunday.
In Service to Christ
Terry Ritschard
Thu, 05 Aug 2004
Dear Praying Friends:
Ps 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Our hope is in the all-sufficiency of Scripture. May God give us the grace to be in His Word constantly!
We are grateful for the many friends we made in California. The Lord blessed us greatly as we ministered in 7 churches in California this past month.
Please pray as we now make our way back to Colorado where we will be involved in a week-long missions conference in Denver. Please pray that we will soon hear of another church willing to take us on for financial support.
In Service to Christ
Terry Ritschard
Area:
178,704 square miles
Population:
4,599,785 (1998)
Major Religions:
Indigineous, tribal religions and "Christian"
Official Languages:
English, Tok Pisin (a Melanesian Creole English)
Literacy Rate: 50%
Agriculture: Coffee, copra, palm oil, cocoa, tea, coconuts.
Industry: Plywood, gold, copper.
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Cards and letters weighing one ounce or less can be mailed to Australia for 80 cents:
Terry & Rachel Ritschard
c/o Steven Mock
Trinity Baptist Church
PO Box 34 E
Earlville, QLD 4870
Australia
