The Rouch Family in Zambia

Oct/Nov/Dec 2004

Dear Pastor and Church,

FAMILY

Tressa, Taylor, and I are all doing well. We are thankful for good health. The year has ended with more rainfall than normal up to this time. Although we do not experience “white Christmases” in Zambia, it is very pleasant weather this time of year since the temperatures are cooler and things are very green. “Thank you” to those who sent extra financial gifts, boxes, and cards for us! The holidays are more difficult separated from the kids in the States, our granddaughter, and our parents.

REFLECTIONS OF 2004

We rejoice as we reflect back on 2004 seeing the Lord grow this ministry far beyond our goals. The emphasis this year was on spiritual growth of the people over numbers. We prayed asking God for wisdom, and because of that growth, God has given the increase in the numbers also!

Seven new works were started – two of which are now officially organized churches.
Over 450 souls won to Christ with almost 250 baptized
42 have begun and continued the discipleship program
The container arrived bringing the long-awaited “flying metal.”
Brother Winsky arrived giving a jump start to the airplane ministry – flying us over 7 of the 9 provinces and part of the Congo, visiting works in 4 of the 9 Provinces. This gave us insight and vision for greater opportunities for the Gospel into villages and other areas than we ever knew existed.
Lighthouse Bible Baptist Outreach of Zambia officially received the required registration and recognition with the Zambian government.
A new missionary couple came to team up with us (we are expecting another couple in 2005!)
Bible Institute doubled in attendance.
Bible Institute syllabus have been re-written, re-formatted, and reproduced – becoming the pastor students’ “libraries.”
Much of our Sunday School materials are now translated in the local languages and will soon have this in the hands of many who do not speak English.
Hundreds of people memorized the 66 Books and received a Bible for the first time in their lives! -- Thanks to church support and Bible Education and Missionary Service (BEAMS) in Gulf Port, MS.
God Provided a wonderful new Gestetner copier which has already provided 20,000 copies of Gospel materials, Bible Institute syllabus, and discipleship materials to several of the Provinces
AND . . . after all these years of applying for a Zambia drivers license (Tressa got hers in just a few months), my long lost paperwork finally “came through,” and I am now official – after more than 11 years!

Yes . . . . 2004 was one of our best years yet – thanks to all of you, our faithful co-laborers!

VISION FOR 2005

Please pray with us. We are seeking the Lord’s lead for 2005 and believe that although we have not yet reached our goal of “Into Every Province in 10 Years”, He is leading us to challenge the people to look beyond their own borders – Because Zambia is a peaceful nation in the heart of this continent, we are seeing an influx of people into Zambia from every surrounding nation. We are encouraging the Zambian people to: 1) Reach these people for Christ and trust God to call them back to their homeland with the Gospel, and 2) Be willing to go there as missionaries themselves.

Partners in His Harvest,
Brother Charlie, Tressa & Taylor
crnzam@coppernet.zm