The Rouch Family in Zambia

Jan/Feb 2007

Bible Institute Class

Pouring Floor at Kawama West Church Building

Dear Pastor & Church Family,

At the writing of this report, we are thankful for the Lord’s many blessings and safe keeping. We are also thankful for you, our faithful co-laborers. This year has been the most difficult year yet in this ministry. Most of the churches have reported lower attendance, especially in January and February, due to the heavy rains. We are thankful to report their faithfulness in winning souls, discipleship being taken much more seriously, and broader vision toward continued expansion into other Provinces. Most of the national Pastors are experiencing slow but steady growth of their people through more intense and consistent one-on-one training. ”Everyone needs a ‘Paul’ and everyone needs a ‘Timothy’ strategy is producing solid “fruit” that is remaining.

It is a joy to report that “Chris”, one of the men we wrote of in our last letter (truck driver from Tanzania) is continuing the basic discipleship program, although he lives in Tanzania. Please pray that he continues and that we will soon see him again for some one-on-one time in the Lord.

The rainy season has been extremely intense this year. There have been a few times it has been up to 60 hours of non-stop rains. With these monsoon rains come much sickness and death to our people. We often hear the cries and wailings in the distance of an otherwise quiet and peaceful African night, as our people mourn the loss of another loved one – most of them without hope or any understanding of what lies beyond this life. Because of the poverty, most of them still rely on witch doctors for traditional medical help. Mosquitoes are rampant, as well as the malaria they carry. Many houses are flooded and those made of sun-dried brick are collapsing due to the torrential rains “eating away” at them, making victims of the families inside. Many have drowned. One of our Bible Institute students lost his sister as she was taken by a crocodile while washing clothes at the flooded river’s edge. They never found a trace of her. In our last letter, we requested prayer for Pastor Chitondo. We are sad to report that he passed away on Christmas morning.

Current Progress at Kawama West Church!

As soon as the rains slow down, we will be able to resume the work on the building project in Kawama and start the church building in Lubuto. We are anticipating three additional church buildings going up this year. One in the Southern Province, one in the Northwest Province, and one more in the Copperbelt Province. Besides the rain, the local government corruption is such that we don’t dare proceed without proper ownership documents. With most councilmen being Catholics, Baptists are not favored concerning land plots. It is a long and ongoing “fight” for each one, and some Pastors have fought for over four years to get one. Needless to say, they get discouraged. Please pray for our churches to have a door opened for land so they will have their own buildings to worship and grow in the Lord and reach others.

We want to express our thanks to all of you for your faithful prayers and financial support. Also thank you to everyone who sent us Christmas care packages…we are happy to report that we have finally received them.

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

“Sending the Gospel Light into Every Province”