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| Chatter Valley Story |
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Since its beginning, Chatter Valley Ministries has been a labor of love for its founder "Mr. Ritchie". The ministry began by coincidence and with no preplanning. However, keep in mind that a coincidence is when God works a miracle and chooses to remain anonymous.
The ministry was born the Sunday "Mr. Ritchie", the Director of the Challenger Ministry for 1st through 6th grades at his local church, was thrust into the position of speaking to 92 Junior Church kids. Having no prior experience, he was understandably very nervous and at a loss for words. With no idea of where to start, he asked the 4th grade teacher to watch the kids while he went off to try to prepare a message.
Alone with his thoughts, he opened his Bible and beseechingly prayed, “Lord, I need your help NOW! I’m in a big fix! I don’t know how to present a message and I have a stuttering problem that I fight constantly. Please rapture me out NOW!” He opened his eyes and no rapture!
As he dropped his hands to his sides, one hand brushed the squirrel Beanie Baby in his pocket he had brought to “pester” the kids with. He pulled the squirrel from his pocket and told him, “Bud, it’s just you, me and Jesus now, so let’s go!”
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Returning to the Junior Church and the 92 kids, "Mr. Ritchie" still had no idea what his message was going to be. With nothing but his faith, he opened his mouth and the Lord took over. He heard himself telling the kids about a squirrel named “Toon”. He used the squirrel Beanie Baby he had with him to help tell the story.
When he finished his story, he asked the kids to bow their heads for a prayer. Upon finishing the prayer, "Mr. Ritchie" said, “If anyone wants to ask Jesus into your heart, just raise your hand and look up at me.” One little girl in the back raised her hand, and looked up. The look that “precious little girl” gave him has changed his life forever. Since that first day, the little story of a squirrel has grown into “Toon, Spiritual Squirrel of Chatter Valley”.
The Chatter Valley Ministries includes “Toon Shows” which are available to do shows for kids’ groups, churches, orphanages, etc. Most recently “Toon” has been invited to give a show at the Hope’s Children Home in Tampa, Florida. Toon books and Toon T-shirts are also on the horizon.
What is the purpose and goal of Chatter Valley Ministries? Speaking from the depths of his heart, "Mr. Ritchie" himself gives the answer...
"The Lord really convicted my heart to GET THE WORD OUT TO KIDS that don't, or won't, have an opportunity to hear His Word otherwise. Through the ministry of the Toon Shows, the Toon Books, the Toon T-shirts, the Chatter Valley Challenge and now the Chatter Valley Website, we will have the opportunity to get the Word into the hearts of these precious kids."
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