So delighted to have my friend, Bev Rihtarchik, from Walking Well with God, guest-posting with us today, as we finish up this round of the “But God” series. Bev has a beautifully inspiring “But God” testimony that I’m thrilled to share with you. Thank you, Bev, for putting your heart on the page for us today. I pray God’s continued blessings over your ministry.
The year was 2012. I was well into year three of a long, drawn out divorce. I had lost my job due to downsizing. I was sitting in the recliner chair in the living room because I was only in week two of an eight week, non weight-bearing, post surgery recovery for a meniscus tear in my knee, and other complications.
I had read scripture, books, and magazines. I’d watched movies and binged on Netflix. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without crutches, and the four walls were beginning to close in on me and suffocate me. If I could have moved, I would have been climbing the walls.
The only thing running were the tears down my cheeks. “Why am I here, Lord?” I begged the question, “What good am I like this? I really feel like a useless loser!” Silence….
“Bev, do you remember writing poems about your dogs when you were a little girl?” I heard a still small voice. “What has always been your first love? What is your love language? What flows out of you like spring-fed streams from the mountains?”
“Words, Lord…words,” I answered.
“Then write,” He whispered. “Do what you love and glorify Me with the gift I’ve given you.”
I was sinking into despair…But, God met me there and gave me a new vision.
I began writing my blog entitled, “Walking Well With God” (kind of ironic because I wasn’t walking when I started this writing adventure).
Within six months, I found my posts reaching corners of the world that I couldn’t even envision.
Many Christians live in countries wherein you cannot carry a Bible or openly ask about Jesus, or find inspiration, so many turn to the internet. That’s what happened with my blog.
Maybe these Christians, in countries where they are persecuted, couldn’t carry a Bible…But, God brought the Word to them through writers like me.
Through my writing I met a young, but wise beyond his years, reader who began asking me about my posts, my faith, and my mission in life.
In turn, he shared with me his dream to make education available to the orphaned, impoverished, destitute, and persecuted in his country.
He taught children, who could not afford public or government schools, in a small home school environment. Like them, he had grown up very poor without a father. He knew their plight and the hopelessness they faced.
Here we were—two Christians living worlds apart—separated geographically and culturally, yet there was a common thread.
We both knew the wonderful and saving love of Jesus Christ and wanted to bring the good news of Jesus to others, and give them the hope that an education would provide.
We were an unlikely duo, BUT GOD had BIG plans in mind.
Fast forward five years, four more surgeries, and a God who has a way of blowing our socks off. We now have 52 full-time students in our school. We are currently maxed out in our current space. We have 20+ orphans on the waiting list.
Children who couldn’t read are now reading their Bibles and witnessing to others. 
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They are hungry to learn computer skills that will take them into the world beyond their small village. They have memorized scripture, grasped math concepts, learned to read in their native tongue and in English, and are mesmerized by science, and invited to soar, creatively, through the arts.
Their country tortures Christians, But, God has introduced them to Jesus and they are head-over-heels in love.
Tuesday, November 28th, is National “Giving Tuesday.” This is a movement that counteracts Black Friday, Cyber Monday and a culture that promotes self and commercialism. 
“Giving Tuesday” says, “Let’s thank God for our gifts at Thanksgiving and then, selflessly, give back to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. (a 501c3 non-profit ministry in excellent standing) could use YOUR help to expand our school so that we can get more children off the streets, out of harm’s way, and into the safe haven that our school provides. Here is one sweet face on our waiting list….
There’s two ways to give:
- Go online and check out our website: Click HERE to go to RCF, Inc. website. Read about our school, and then go to the “Donate” page to make a donation. ** Tax receipts will be sent out in January so be sure to include your mailing address. **
- Send a check to RCF, Inc., 103 Silver Lining Lane, Cary, NC 27513. Be sure to put “Giving Tuesday” in the memo line.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to expand to a facility that will enroll up to 80-90 children. We KNOW our God is able, and with YOUR help we can do this! “Giving Tuesday” donations accepted up through Christmas so it’s never too late.
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you that you are in the business of building bridges – bridges that only a heart of love can build. Help us to see our brothers and sisters, who live in terrifying places, and to let them know that they are not forgotten. Help us to set aside some of our materialistic wants and needs and instead give to those who are so less fortunate than we are. Move us to bring the light and love of Jesus to this dark corner of the world and to give these precious children the hope of an education, that until now, they could only dream of. Let me make a difference, Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
A native of Pittsburgh, Bev now lives in the south with her husband and grown children. She writes regularly at Walking Well With God, and is the founder and president of Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. ministry. You can follow Bev on her blog, and can follow her foundation on its site as well as on Instagram.
Programming Note: We have a family health issue in my home this week, so I won’t be around the linkup as much as normally. I look forward to reading and catching up with you all when I’m able, though. As always thank you for sharing your words at this table.
Holiday Note: The #ChasingCommunity Linkup will be taking a break next Thursday as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families. One of the many things I’m thankful for is this community. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and I’ll see you back here for the linkup again on Thursday, Nov.30th. ♥
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It’s a casual, pony-tail & sandals environment around here, but a few important reminders:
- Please remember to visit and leave some encouragement for other friends who’ve linked-up today — this is the heart of community & your words of support could be just the thing another friend needs to hear today.
- Please only share like-minded words of spiritual encouragement and insight.
- Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
- By linking up & leaving your email address you agree to receive #ChasingCommunity updates.
Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.
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Bev, What an amazing story of how God used your writing and continues to use it. And amazing how He blessed you with this ministry to help these children! Thank you for sharing!!!
Naomi,
Thank you…the pleasure is all mine getting to work with these precious children.. I feel so blessed that God ordained this all to happen. Thanks so much for commenting.
Blessings to you,
Bev xx
What an amazing story and opportunity! I love the tangible way we can refocus after Black Friday and Cyber Monday with Giving Tuesday! It’s shocking to my system how we go from Thanksgiving one day to “more, more, more, me, me, me” the next day. This is a great way to bring things back to where they ought to be!
And I love your story Bev! So great to see how God works in one another’s lives!
Becky,
You are SO right – somewhere in the middle of Thanksgiving to God the focus has shifted to more for “Me”. We’re trying to take back that attitude a little at a time. We are so blessed as a Nation and it is such a gift to be able to help those that have so little in life. Thanks for reading and sharing your encouragement!
Blessings,
Bev xx
So glad to hear the backstory behind all of this Bev! Thanks for sharing and providing hope and Jesus’ love across the world and thanks to Brenda for bringing it to us. But God moments are sooo good!
Jill,
Yes, the ministry has quite the backstory – one that only God could have dreamed up. So thankful that we have an awesome and creative God. He takes our small dreams and enlarges them a hundred fold. It’s been fun guest posting here… keep Brenda in your prayers.
Blessings,
Bev xx
How wonderful to see Bev’s testimony here this morning! May this open the eyes of us all to the great needs of others. Praying this morning for God to provide the monies needed so the RCF can expand to the glory of God and the help of many children!
Joanne,
How wonderful to see your smiling face here at Brenda’s (do keep her family in your prayers). I will try to get around to all the blogs – I know I haven’t been too good at that. Love the community of writers here as we all “get” it. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving sweet friend,
Blessings,
Bev xx
Love, love, LOVE your story, Bev! What a blessing you are! Thanks for sharing her words here, Brenda! Blessings to you both!
Thanks Liz,
The great thing is that this is God’s story and He’s letting me play this role in it. We all have a part – no one part greater than another. Please keep Brenda and her family in your prayers.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Love this testimony, Bev. You are a natural storyteller. Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your own story, plus the encouraging news of the gospel’s spread!
Sarah,
Thanks to She Speaks and Compel, I’m getting better at my story-telling skills lol. It’s always my joy and pleasure to share about the ministry. Please keep Brenda and her family in your prayers. So good to see you here!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Sorry, Brenda, for the additional challenge in your home this week. Trusting that all will soon be well, and that you will have an amazing Thanksgiving. So glad we’ll be taking a break.
And, Bev, you already know that you are my hero with your heart of patient acceptance and real gritty truth about how hard it has been. Blessings to you as you put the glory of God on display.
Michele,
Thanks, and keep lifting Brenda and her family up in prayer – I know she feels them! Gritty….I like that term. I guess you could say I’ve got some grit with what I’ve been through, But, God…..how He keeps bringing beauty from the ashes. That’s why I loved being part of Brenda’s series.
Blessings to you,
Bev xx
Bev, thank you for sharing this part of your story; I didn’t know you helped with this school. Your story is a compelling testimony for obeying God and seeing where He takes us.
Brenda, thank you for this series, “But God.” I looked forward to reading each person’s story and learned a new way of looking at “But God.”
Lord, protect Brenda’s family. Fill each person with Your comfort and peace. Provide wisdom help, and healing.
Happy Thanksgiving. I count you, Brenda, as a gift in my life.
Debbie,
Brenda is an awesome gift in so many of our lives. Please do keep lifting her and her family up in prayer!! I know she feels those prayers. And, before you give me too much credit, I did drag my heals a bit when God laid this plan out for me. Thankfully he’s pretty persistent. I’m so glad and blessed that I obeyed. Missionaries can’t go into this part of the world, so if we don’t minister to them as we are through the school….who will? Thanks for reading and commenting!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev! I did not know this story! That’s so amazing! One of the most important things we can do is give a child an education. I love what you are doing and your story is so powerful. Thank you so much for sharing! Brenda, thank you for hosting Bev today!
Leslie,
I agree wholeheartedly that an education is a priceless gift to children and in this part of the world where girls are not educated due to cultural norms, it gives us great pleasure to have so many girls in school and to see their self esteem blossom and flourish….it is true joy to behold!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, what a wonderful story of how God has used your writing!
May your home be filled with joy this Thanksgiving – and all physical challenges turn out to be light.
Jerralea,
It’s amazing how God can use all of us if we simply make ourselves available (He’ll do the equipping). I knew nothing about starting a school and a 501c3, but God provided in all those areas. He’s pretty awesome that way 🙂 A blessed Thanksgiving to you and please do keep Brenda in your prayers as well as her family.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, what a great story of God’s love and mercy! I can certainly relate to your hearing God call you to write in the midst of disappointment. That is very similar to how i began my writing journey! Isn’t it good to know that we have been called “for such a time as this.”
I loved getting to know you more through the telling of your personal story. Thanks for sharing!
Rachel,
So glad to hear that I’m in good company….that God called you to write in the middle of disappointing times. A lot of good writing is born out of pain and then refined by walking closely with God. I’m sure YOU have a personal story as well that is worth telling!! Thanks for listening in on mine.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Dear Brenda and Bev … blessings and hugs to you both, even and especially during these challenging seasons.
Linda,
Thank you for the blessings and virtual ((Hugs)). I accept and I know Brenda can feel them at this time. Please do continue to lift her and her family up in your prayers. Thank you for your loving and caring presence here!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Wonderful story and ministry, Bev! I’ll be sharing!
Kelly,
Thanks so much….and please do share. There are so few of us ministering in this part of the world. We don’t want these precious children to feel like they are forgotten. Thanks for your kind comments!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev – I loved hearing your story and about your ministry. You reminded me God is in control. He will show us all the way. We must just listen. I am so glad you listened to God. Your words minister to many, including me.
Maree Dee,
I didn’t listen so well right away, but thankfully God was patient with me. God IS in control and He knows what the real needs are and so we do need to listen to His still small voice of leading and answer in obedience. I’m so glad I finally said, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” Thanks for your encouragement here.
Blessings,
Bev xx
What a powerful story, Bev! Praying right now for the school to receive the needed funds to continue doing such marvelous work.
And praying for the health issues in your family this week, Brenda. May all be well by Thanksgiving!
Lisa,
Thank you so much for your prayers all around. I thank you for the prayers for the school and I know Brenda feels uplifted by your prayers. Thank you for your loving concern.
Blessings,
Bev xx
A powerful and beautiful story of where God can take us when we allow Him to be in control. I lift your family and the health issue up as well as the ministry and the children you touch. Praise God.
Linda,
Yes, what God can do when we say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” It is such a pleasure working with the children and seeing their gratitude for the love and an education. Please do keep Brenda and her family in your prayers…..I know they need it. Thanks for commenting.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Wow Bev!! I just had my jaw to the ground as I was reading this. God is so good!!!
Meghan,
God DOES work in miraculous ways and will orchestrate things so as to meet needs. We just need to be willing to respond to His nudging. But, never in a million years would I have guessed that he would have me doing this, but I LOVE it!! Such a joy to minister to these children. ….scary too, but if we don’t go there….who will? Please do keep Brenda and her family in your prayers as well. Thanks for your enthusiastic response!
Blessings to you,
Bev xx
Have a great weekend!
Lisa,
You too….thanks for stopping by.
Blessings and a wonderful Thanksgiving to you.
Blessings,
Bev xx