The Rouch Family in Zambia
Mar/Apr 2007
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Dear Pastor & Church Family,
Family and Ministry Doing Well
Just a quick up-date for those of you who have asked about the family--Tressa, Taylor, and I are doing well. We are so thankful Taylor will finish 11th grade in July and has just been elected into a leadership role at her international school here in Ndola. Rachel & Bryan are to graduate from Atlantic in May and start full time ministry in South Carolina. Becky & Steve are in Dallas--expecting our first grandson (Eli) in July, and Jeremy & Jamie have our beautiful granddaughters, Noah and Cale in Branson. With the newer vehicle having finally come in, we are now able to continue our work to the other churches and prospective preaching points in other Provinces. The approval of plots and building projects still seems to take forever. The Bible Institute in Ndola will soon graduate two more men for ministry. We are praising the Lord that after 10 months it appears we will finally be moving into our own house – a process which has tested us in ways we never thought of, but we’ve tried to remember that the Lord had a plan. We are certainly thankful for the MacFarlane's who graciously made us part of their home during these months!
"High Octane - For Eternity"
As we grow in the Lord, no matter what our age or how long we have been saved, He sees to it that we "stand amazed in His presence" again and again. He answers prayer in His own way and time and is never slack concerning His purpose. This is a report of a few events in the lives of this missionary family the past few months that will give you just a few examples of what "fuels" a missionary to remain focused more than anything else. As your co-laborers, we trust it will also "fill your tank" and encourage you.
Immanuel became a child of God - Immanuel, a 34 year old man, was a so-called "Jehovah's Witness" since childhood. Against my advice and largely due to culture, Ida, one of our dear young ladies at Gospel Light Baptist married Immanuel almost 10 years ago. Since then, we have continued to pray for Immanuel, and he was always kind but made it clear that he was not interested in what we had to say. Ida was a wonderful teacher in the Sunday school, but after a while stopped teaching and although remaining faithful to come, over time, lost her smile. Her joy seemed to have gone. That all began to change just a few weeks ago when Immanuel woke up one Sunday morning and realized that during the night he had suffered a stroke leaving him partially paralyzed, on his left side. He was ready to listen to the Gospel message now! God, in His own time and way got Immanuel’s attention. When I visited him I asked "what if you had not woken up at all Immanuel? Where would your soul be right now?” He feared the Hell he had not believed existed and called to the Savior whom he had rejected many times before. With words slurred from a tongue not working properly, and through a drooping mouth he closed his double vision eyes and called out to the Lord to save him. After 10 years Immanuel walked about 2 miles to church with his wife who has her big smile back . . . and Immanuel? . . . with a twisted but big smile came forward last Sunday and said "Preacha, I need to be baptized!” Pray for Immanuel. He is now starting some basic discipleship lessons and will be spending much time going with his missionary to see what and how he does things daily. Pray that he will become a true witness for Jehovah God!
Mary's birthday finally here! Mary is the wife of one of our most faithful Bible Institute men, Matthew, who started walking with the Lord almost 12 years ago, but has lost 2 wives to death. Matthew, with broken heart and sometimes questioning his purpose, has continually asked prayer for Mary to be saved. Three weeks ago Tressa and Margaret Munkanta opened the Scriptures with Mary and she bowed her head and asked the Lord into her heart!
Josephine searches her heart . . . she has said the words before . . . but without heart repentance the strength of the flesh soon found her as before. The Lord drew her and the testimony of her devout and faithful Baptist husband, the prayers of God's people, and a missionary wife and local pastor’s wife that would not give up on her proved to be movingly powerful as never before. Tressa and Mrs. Munkanta took the Gospel message and led Josephine in serious heart searching. After an hour or so she realized what they had she needed and wanted. In wonderful Bemba words, Josephine called to the Lord and He saved her!
James is a truck driver who has become very faithful in the Lord's work as well as his wife, Beauty. Tressa and I have been discipling James and Beauty and have watched them grow. Recently James called from the Zambia/Tanzania border post and said "Bro. Rouch, I just called to tell you that I met another truck driver and have been telling him about our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and he has just accepted Christ as his Savior!"
Yes, events like these "fuel" a missionary and their co-laborers like you. Remember … "it's not about me … it's not about you … it's not even really about them ….it's about Him. What a blessing it is to see people in the churches winning others to the Lord and taking them under their wings in discipleship. Autonomous churches CAN be built in Africa!
We ask for your prayers specifically for the progress of documentation for church plots and approval of building plans so buildings can be started or completed. We thank you all so much for your continual prayers and support for the souls in Zambia. God bless you.
Partners in His Harvest,
Brother Charlie, Tressa & Taylor
crnzam@coppernet.zm
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Copyright © 2007 |
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