the Indonesian

m f
MAT 1*73

VISITOR

News from Ron and Ellen Ritchey, Missionaries to Indonesia

FIRST

FRUITS

OF

LABOR

Praise Godl People here are accepting Jesus. Primarily throu^ the ministries of brothers Bob Sigafoose and Lew Cass, new Christians are now worshipping here in Salatiga. Please pray for brother Willie Warung. Lew Cass has been training Willie and through Willie's witness about ten peo ple have accepted Christ. In the village where
Bob Sigafoose is teaching, about seventeen have accepted Christ and now a small congregation is worshipping there. Please pray for these new
Christians.

Ah

GROWING
~

CHRIST

3^?^^

i' iL- ^ I \ -m
lOVB LOVE FROM ELLEhl ELLEU . . .

toward helping to teach these new converts. We have pT;oduced a tract entitled, "The Truth of Salvation." (^BEl^A,^ KESELAMATAN is its title in Indonesian.)
The tract uses six illustrations, and is a basic

part in this ministry is presently directed

presentation of God's desire to save man, man's sin, God's provision through Christ, and how to accept
The tract is used to teach new Christians how they can witness

Christ as one's Savior.

to others using this simple presentation. We have sent copies of the tract to Ed and Louise Fumas in Jakarata, and to Chuck and Nance Winegamer in Bandung for use in their ministries. Presently, the tract is produced by Rex Rotary duplicator. We are working on perfecting the tract and will have it off-set printed in mass quantity. Please pray that God will use this effort to help save many souls. (See I Corinthians 3:5-11.)

TWO

GOALS L Y
]

We are aiming at two basic goals in our ministry

here in Central Java. 1) Making new disciples,

2) Teaching new disciples toward perfection In
Our heritage of restoration emphasis is brou^t to bear on these two goals. The tract mentioned above

Includes the Bible's command concerning baptism.

We

HKff

see the Central Java churches as needing perfection in teaching concerning salvation. Thus, we are seeking to teach all the churches. HOW? We have produced a Bible study entitled, (English translation) "What About the Place of Baptism in the Plan of God?" This study is being used as a base for teaching young church leaders. An area preacher asked If Ron would teach a class for the purpose of deepening Bible

understanding. We invited people from many denomiWe hope that a second Bible study will follow

|^^H||||P|

the above one. The second study is now being produced in Indonesian and deals with the nature of the church,

Please pray that God's Word will reveal to these leaders the New Testament teaching concerning
salvation and the church. The church here will

r Ai . . . . . FROM . rROM RON ROW

multiply faster when each meirber realizes his part In evangelism and ministry.

ENGLISH
Indonesians want to leam English.

CLASS

We often are asked to help people leam Eng

lish. (Five people have asked us to help them). Ron has started teaching an English class on Thursday evenings for which forty-three individuals have enrolled. Materials from the English Bible will be used. Ron will visit the students seeking to witness
to the student and his family about Jesus Christ.

MONDAY

MORNING

Each Monday for the last month, Ron has discussed the Bible with two young men. One man is very open to God's will and the teaching of God's Word. That young man is very close to decision, one that means leaving his job at a time when his wife is ex pecting their first child. Please pray for this man; he wants to know who God is, if
Jesus Christ is God the Son who was incarnate and is now at God's right hand.

THE

FAMILY

We are happy that all major house repairs are finished. Your support makes possible the production of study materials, house repairs, foodin fact, everything we do! Thank you! and may God bless us all in further ministry and good stewardship. Deric Paul was six months old April 24th. His first tooth has come through. He has discovered his vocal chords and practices all day. (Special night sessions, too.) We are right in the middle of the
wet season at our house.

FACTS

ABOUT OUR

FELLOWSHIP

Glen Ellyn, Illinois:

our brethren here have

completed building-expansion as an aid to "people

expansion". They are helping Dan and Kathy Crosley go to Spain as missionaries. Scottsbluff, Nebraska: the Church at Bryant has a new minii^tex^Ed McQueen. This is Ellen's home church wh<tS: parents. Dr. Paul and Dorothy Baker, serve. Praise God for Christian parents in
volved in world evangelism!

- .

FROM VERJC PAUL

Joliet, Illinois:

First Christian Church, Ron's home church, is developing a

bus ministry. This church is a fine example of per capita giving to missions. They share along with LaVeme Morse and others in the ministry of South East Asia Mission. Swartz Creek, Michigan: Calvary Church of Christ is growing. Every time I read their church paper it seems an attendance record is broken. AMEN! Doug Haven, a Bomber here, is the son of Max Haven, now working with LaVeme Morse; hence, a
partner with the Joliet brethren.

Daytona Beach, Florida: Daytona Christian Church had a revival the first week in April. They continue to plant new churches. Richard and Kathy Maxwell, fellow
L.C.C.'ers serve here. Yours in His service.

Ron and Ellen Ritchey

cr

Mr, and Mrs. William H. Ritchey

18 Kenmore Court

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Joliet, Illinois

60432

NEW LENOX, IL. 6045

PERMIT No. 26

, Pi /

the Indonesian
m t
SEPTEMBER 1973

VISITOR

News from Ron and Ellen Ritchey, Missionaries to Indonesia

GREETINGS

AGAIN

We apologize for the long lapse between this

and our last newsletter. Let us briefly

Yes, we are still alive and working!

i;

8
iMm

bring you up-to-date on what has happened

here in Indonesia lately.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

Jim Smith of the Christian Missionary
more time to survey needs for gospel

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Last April, Bob Sigafoose accompanied

Borneo. A Follow-up trip is needed taking

preaching, teaching, and literature. Also, if Christian Church/Church of Christ missionaries locate there, more facts are necessary

Fellowship on a quick survey to Northern

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concerning living conditions and needs. Mr. Sigafoose and Ron decided to return to Northern Borneo (now called Kalimantan). They made plans and preparations for an August 6 until September 3 trip. We asked God to lead if this was His will and the right time. God said, "No, Wait." (continued below)

TEACHING

AT

TAWANGMANGGU

Each Monday and Tuesday since June 4, Ron has taught the book of Romans at a Bible School in Tawangmanggu, about a two hour drive from Salatiga. He teaches

two hours Monday afternoon and two hours Tuesday morning.

The school's founder-

administrator asked Ron to teach during his absence due to a trip outside the country. The course will be over in mid-September.

GOD ANSWERS

PRAYERS

On Monday, July 23, Ron started having abdominal pains. The next morning, still uncomfortable, he drove home from Tawangmanggu. That night the pains in creased, so early Wednesday morning Ron, Ellen, and Bob Sigafoose got into Bob's

Volkswagen Minibus and hurried to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Semarang, a fortyfive minute drive north of Salatiga. At first the Doctor said he thou^t it was a ruptured appendix. After blood tests, typhoid fever was diagnosed, Ron stayed in the hospital four days. It was a mild case because Ron had had his vaccination

against typhoid. The Doctor wanted Ron to stay in the hospital three weeks, but we insisted that he recuperate at home. The Kalimantan (Borneo) trip was post poned. God allowed this to answer our prayer about the trip.
A host of people, both in Indonesia and the U. S. prayed for Ron's recovery. We have received cards and letters telling of your concern and prayer. THANK YOU, ALL. ". . . and He already knows what you need before you ask Him," Mt. 6:8b TEV, has fresh application for us. He answered many of your prayers before you asked and answered many prayers of people here in Indonesia shortly after they
prayed.

VISITORS
From time to time friends visit us here in Salatiga and usually visit near-by points of interest. The last week in May missionary friends who work with the

Missionary Aviation Fellowship visited us. That week Ron spent two nights speak ing and helping at a Bible Seminar in a near-by village. Mark Nord accompanied
Ron, getting a taste of one type of ministry here in Central Java.

July 16 the Ed Fumas Family visited us. They are Christian Church/Church of Christ missionaries who work in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Ed also visited the village to see work Bob Sigafoose has pioneered.

FINANCES
Many ask if our support is sufficient. Thank you all for your faithful support, and yes, support is enough. We spend from $350.00 to $400.00 monthly for field expenses. The balance above this need is deposited in a savings account. We maintain a minimum emergency travel fund of $2000.00. Upon entering Indonesia we had to promise the government that sufficient funds were available for our return to the United States. If you desire a more detailed account of our receipts and expenses, please write to our forwarding agent and request such. Their address
is at the bottom of our newsletter.

Our needs fluctuate.

We are very grateful we can work with a financial cush

ion, For example, when Ron was sick, the hospital asked us to pay ten days in advance. A financial cushion enables us to pursue opportunities such as a survey
trip to Kalimantan.

FAMILY
day.

LIFE

Deric Paul is ten months old and growing every Praise God for his health and the joy he brings

#
B

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1
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R
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I

English words.

us I He is trying to form Indonesian, Javanese, and

Ellen started teaching oral English two hours a

1
A

week here in a small university.

help since she is "a native speaker".

She was asked to

-W

Ron continues to study Javanese so he can speak

fluently with Javanese people in their own language.

W
venrc VBHIC at AT lo JO M0WTff5 months

PRAYER NEEDS
need to expand our social contacts and friendships with the Javanese people. Still out-

siders having much to leam, we need God's strengthen

ing hand. There are many barriers, so please call

down God's blessing on our behalf.

building up of the body of Christ.

We pray God continues to bless you all unto the

Yours in His service.

The Ritcheys, Ron, Ellen and Deric

Mr. and Mrs, William H. Ritchey

18 Kenmore Court

BULK RATE

Joliet, Illinois

60432

U.S.

POSTAGE PAID
26

NEW LENOX, IL. 6045

PERMIT No.

Lord *s
1111 IvK

Reap ers

07.T.rk Bible
Main

College

Joplin,

Mo

the
Indonesian
DECEMBER 1973

VISItOR

News from Ron and Ellen RiUhey, Missionaries to Indonesia

MERRY CHRISTMAS
A HAPPY

AND

NEW YEAR

Ellen, Deric, and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a joyous new 1974. It is" only mid-November at the time of this writing, but you all wl I I barely have
received this letter before Christmas.

Ellen and I want to thank all of our support ers and friends for the constant prayers,
concern, and financial support you have showered upon us during 1973. THANK YOU!
THE RON RITCHEY FAMILY

EVANGELISM

SEMINAR

From Thursday, November 1 until Sunday, November 4 an evangelism seminar was held here at Sumogawa, a village outside of Salatiga. People from at least nine

villages attended.

The meetings averaged fifty in attendance dally.

The meetings

were jointly planned by Bob Slgafoose, Ron, and the Indonesian church leaders from Salatiga and Sumogawa.

NEW

SOULS

The climax of this evangelistic effort was the surrender of many souls to Christ Jesus accepting Him as Lord and Savior. These people were baptized on
Sunday, November 11. PRAISE GOD! Please pray tor these new Christians.

Also, please remember the five new Christians from Salatiga.

people were baptized the last part of August.

These young
Please

They attend a small church in

Salatiga where Ron is helping preach and teach.

One of these people, our lawn boy,

has shown continued interest In personal evangelism and Christian service.

keep him In your prayers. His name Is WIdodo. These people are now studying a series of lessons on Christian growth every Thursday afternoon. Ron Is helping lead this study and needs your continued prayers that God^s Word will abound to
His glory.

MISSIONARIES

ME ET

From November 5 to November

8 the Church of Christ missionaries

met In Bandung at the home of

Charles Winegarner. A spirit of Christian brotherhood prevailed as

various matters were discussed and

acted upon.

One important topic

dealt with, was how missionaries

on the field can help new missionary

recruits enter and serve in

Indonesia.

Presently two new

WIDODO BEING BAPTIZED

missionary -recruits are seeking to enter Indonesia. They are the Robert Maclean family and Miss Linda Joyner. Mr. and Mrs. Truscott from Australia are In Indonesia to help In a short term way with missionary activity. We are anticipating the possible coming of other missionary workers. Brethren, please pray for
these matters. (See Matthew 9:37-38). More workers are vitaI! Also it is

vltaI that God is the One sending out these workers. Thank you.

GIRL FROM SUMOGAWA BAPTIZED

HEALTHY.

Ron and Ellen had complete physicals on November 13.

We are in good

health.

Thank you all who have offered prayers for our continuing health.

NATIONAL

MISSIONARY

CONVENTION

Ellen's parents. Dr. Paul and Dorothy Baker represented us at the 26th National Missionary Convention held In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A resume of a year of our
work was handed out. If you would like a copy please write to our forwarding agents at the address on this letter. Ron's parents, Bill and Dorothy Ritchey also attended
and shared In the fellowship with

our supporters and friends. Dorothy helped at the Mission Services

booth.

FIVE YOUNG PEOPLE BAPTIZED FROM SALATIGA CHURCH

Yours in His service,

qjr\^ oQb/UC^
The Ritclieys, Ron, Ellen and Deric

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Ritchey

18 Kenmore Court

BULK RATE

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Joliet, Illinois

60432

NEW LENOX,
PERMIT No.

IL. 60451
26

cyiyk.
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