Thanks to the Lord I am alive and well. Thanks also to you who uphold us
in prayer as well! I am sitting in a little hotel in Cyangugu - out the
window Bukavu is in the distance. Both Jerome and I are both feeling
chest, neck and shoulder pains, mainly from the seatbelts, which saved us.
Yesterday, Thursday the 18th, we set out early afternoon for Kigali Rwanda
after crossing the border from Bukavu DR Congo. The rainy season has
begun, so it was with special prayer we approached the hills of the
National Park. We bought bananas at a village. At the second uphill
corner a passenger minivan, instead of rounding the corner, came straight
for us. If they hadn't hit us a van full of people would have been dead
down the bottom of the valley. Jerome had time for 1 decision - not to
avoid the minivan, but let the engine take the impact. If he had followed
instinct, the minivan would have hit at my door and I would not be writing
this!!!!
The week started with us knowing the building Jerome and Nino lived in had
been sold and we must leave. A contract for a new place had been signed!
Monday was to be a day of meetings with trained churches, hosting a
delegation of church leaders from Rwanda, as well as "The Exodus"! I awoke
at 6.30 to find that we were having "The Flood". My room was two inches
deep in water. My Bible and the computer were safe on the bed. I jumped
into the water forgetting that the electric cords were there. Miraculously
I wasn't electrocuted! The night had brought us no electricity and no
water, but in the early hours both had come. And the kitchen tap had been
left on! Apart from the kitchen, my room was blessed with most water.
Even with my shouts it was difficult to get Jerome and Nino up, as little
Kenita had kept them both awake during the night!!!!!
My morning was filled with drying up! The first afternoon engagement was
to visit those planting the new house-churches for the Siloam church. We
had 18 Congo Swahili Bibles to give them. They thought we were just
visiting to see how they were getting on, and gave us good reports of the
16 new Churches. We told them that we were worried about them not having
Bibles. They said that they had been making that an urgent matter of
prayer. When we said we had brought 18 to give them they were overwhelmed.
18 was the exact number needed! There was great rejoicing, except by the
soap-making ladies outside who felt that they should have a Bible too!
"Take our photo but we wont smile!" We said that they must go to one of
the house churches and they will find out about the Bible for themselves.
We collected our guests and took them to a Baptist House-church in a hill
suburb out of Bukavu. Through house churches they now have many new
churches all through these hills into rough hill farm areas. We all
shared. One pastor held up his Bible and said that unless he had been
given this Bible these newborn churches would not have grown. We smiled,
because we know what is coming!
There is a new shipment of 1000 Bibles arriving in Goma these next few
days, and we have been able to say that we will buy the lot. The people
have said that seeing we will buy the lot instead of US$7 each we can have
them at $5.75! We bless the Lord that those who have given quickly to
this need have enabled us to make a good start. It seems that new
churches are born every week. But there is much catch up to do. Please
keep praying for the thousands more Bibles needed.
We are also concerned that everyone in a church is equipped to lead people
to Christ: we are ready to print 10,000 copies of "Ulizo Kubwa" - "The Big
Question" counselling booklet in Congo Swahili. We have a special quote of
US$2000 for this in Bujumbura, and have NZ$300 towards it. One big
difference in these house churches is that every church is an evangelism
team: People being won to Christ is the heart! Please pray with us for
this need to be met! Thank you.
After Jerome and Nino settled into the new house, the renting husband and
wife had a difference of opinion. The wife broke the agreement and sent
the money back! So Kenita still needs a home!!!!!!!!! Prayer WILL help!
I don't know where or when I will get a chance to send this email. Jerome
is getting the car towed back to Bukavu for the insurance to take its
course. We were having a conference in Kigali today! [5 hours away.] My
extra week in the area next week is a for church planting seminar in Kigali
with the Good News [Brethren] Churches. How and when we get there I don't
know. But I am enjoying a good bed with 24 hours of lights and water. The
baggage and I stayed here last night while Jerome got through the Congo
Border after it was closed!!!! We praise Him for His goodness to us. The
Battle, our safety and our fruitfulness are from Him! Keep praying.
Blessings and love,
Ken.
PS. This is Saturday and I have arrived safely in Kigali to go to church 2
hours away tomorrow - I think I am preaching!!!!! Had a great time on the
minibus today with Oliver - married just a month ago today. Pray that he
will trust in the Lord. He has been conscious of God but turned off by
hypocritical church members!
ken@harvestpartnership.ws
The early church became the centre of people's lives. They worked for a
living, but lived by the Great Commandment for the Great Commission!
Ken Rout
HARVEST PARTNERSHIP
P O Box 6696, Marion Square, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND 6030.
"Mobilising Believers to make The Harvest their Business." .