June 2017 Updates

Posted on by Spanky Rouse

Time is getting close to our departure for South Africa! We are really excited and probably more nervous than we realize. We are scheduled to take off on August 1st. Much has been done to get us to this point and we feel like we are closing in on one of the big mile marker moments in this journey.

Here are a few updates from our last Newsletter Update in May:

  • Visas – we need to be applying this week and praying that there is no issues with the consulate accepting and approving them quickly.

We did apply for our visas and had all of the paperwork and more they needed thanks for my organized wife!!! We have not received our visas nor passports back yet, but from all of those that have gone through this process before us have said that “no news is good news”. If there was a problem we were suppose to hear with in 14 days. We haven’t heard so we are assuming all is well! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

  • Trip to NYC to apply for visas with the SA consulate

You can read our latest blog about our New York trip here, The Big Apple Adventure

  • Putting our home on the market and selling the rest of our furniture, cars, etc.

The Lord gave us this house as a blessing and it continues to be a blessing. We did sell out home in a matter of 4 hours!!! We even got over asking price which is amazing! We know that it is all of the Lord’s doing. We are just about to close (Tuesday the 11th) and are currently getting rid of the last few things. We believe that life will feel a little less heavy after this is all said and done.

  • From our family’s prayer card, the letter T – Travel arrangements: purchasing the best plane tickets, cost, routes, etc.

We are purchasing plane tickets this week! Our church, Ridge Church said that as part of their support for us they would like to purchase our tickets! How cool is that!!! We even got a pretty relaxing schedule where we can spend a day in London as a family walking around between two long flights.

  • To have 100% of monthly support finalized and one time set up cost in

We have been blown away by the generous people the Lord has brought our way this past month. We have reached 100% in our monthly support! Praise the Lord! It feels so good and we are extremely thankful. We still would like to raise about $7000 in set up cost before we leave August 1st so please let us know if you would like to help meet this need.

Prayer needs for July:

  • Visas to safely and quickly get here in hand
  • The closing and moving out of our house to go smoothly (Closing is July 11th)
  • Packing essentials and things we will want in SA. We can only take 2 free bags each but currently have 4 extra bags ($200 each x 4 = $800!)
  • All of the goodbyes. There are many!
  • From our family prayer care we have a couple:
    • J-Joy, “Not to feel sad”, Ellyana
    • E-Everyones luggage will arrive safe and sound
    • K-Kids, Trusting God to provide what they need in each step of the journey and that they will recognize His goodness

 

If you would like to join our financial or prayer team you can check out how to partner with us by clicking here Partnering with us…. Thank you!

 

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

The Big Apple Adventure

Posted on by Spanky Rouse

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A couple of weeks ago we had to make a last minute trip to New York City to apply for our South African volunteer visas. Lara and I thought it was going to be just the 2 of us but it ended up needing to be all 5 of us. None of us had ever been to NYC so we were excited to see the city but nervous about the visa application process. We arrived early in the morning to ensure we could make it before they stopped accepting visa applications at 1pm. You should have seen us jogging from the train station, through the city, with bags in hand, in 95 degree weather, for as really long way. #touristbecrazy IMG_7785

We made it and only had to wait behind one person before it was our turn. Lara had done a ton of work to make sure we had everything they would ask for and had it in order which made the process a little more simple (not that there is anything simple when it comes to dealing with a government office!). She did ask us for a couple other documents but we were able to have them sent to us and printed at the local FedEx store (Thanks to all at East Mountain in South Africa for making that happen!!!). When we went back to the Consulate office the to deliver the documents you should have seen the ladies face. She couldn’t believe that we had gotten everything together and came all the way back to give them directly to her. Hopefully that helped us out some!

Now we wait. We have no way of knowing how the process is going, if we are going to get approved, or when our 5 passports may show up in the mail. So we wait and trust in the Lord to handle it. We are moving forward with everything else in life and planning on leaving August 1st!

If you would join us in praying that we would be approved quickly and receive our visas and passports promptly, we would really appreciate it! Be praying for the person that is reviewing and approving our application, that we may have favor with him. God has provided every step of this journey and there is no reason to not trust Him with too. He is faithful and trustworthy!!!

PS – NYC was awesome! We loved sight seeing, eating at cool local spots on the street, and meeting some people. It is a big city with tons to do so we will definitely need to go back and stay longer!

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2016!

Posted on by Spanky Rouse

What a big year!

-2016 Summer Olympicsscreen-shot-2016-12-21-at-11-39-43-am

-Cuba, you can now freely (legally) visit this beautiful island!

– Zika virus outbreak stormed Latin America

-The Queen of England turned 90 years old

– US Presidential Elections…Oh my!2016-election

– Syrian Crisis

-Hurricane Matthew58615649_hm_queen_elizabeth_iiembargoed_until_0001am_gmt_sunday_february_12th_2012_first_use_on_the-large_trans5imstzwctiy5u7qsxwr4txprc0l9pb_vion6sux5xte

-Is the UK leaving the EU???

And so much more happened in 2016!

For the Rousehouse it was a big year too!

-Elly started Kindergartenimg_0659

-Mac began middle school

-Lara and I took a trip to South Africa

-Mac made it to Africa for the first time!

-I was able to play a role in mobilizing/recruiting 61 new missionaries. PTL!img_6380

-Family camping trip for Fathers day

-I visited China for the first time

-Beach Vacation

-Family trip to Atl to see the Braves play one of their last games at Turner Field

-Spanky ran his first (of many) Spartan races! hoorah!

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This past year also included some significant spiritual formation for both Lara and I. Both of us went on an amazing weekend with the Battle for the Heart where we have seen the Lord spark something great in us for Him and His word. We have seen the Lord grow our children physically, mentally, and spiritually this past year. We have seen our relational influence grow in different circles of life. Our fitness and nutrition has been on a good path where we have seen some wonderful changes and feel much better. We have heard from God in many ways and as a family have been seeking after His plans for our lives more intentionally.

This has been a memorable year for the Rousehouse! I know that 2017 will be even more eventful, challenging, and more rewarding than we can even imagine. I can’t wait to share more details about our next steps in this journey of life come January. Be on the look out because it is the biggest “MOVE” we have ever taken and we are super excited to share it with all of you!

2016 verse of the year is Psalms 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is one of the things that I believe the Father has been trying to help me understand. Be still, slow down, wait on Him, don’t try and make it all happen, rest in the fact that He has it all figured out, and enjoy His presence fully.

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