It happened in May 1963, 50 years ago! Frances and I were flying to the Assemblies of
God headquarters in Springfield, Missouri for final missionary approval.
(Photo Colfax Assembly of God) In the spring of 1962 we organized our first mission convention and enjoyed receiving several missionary speakers that week. On Thursday night Ruth Couchman, a tiny lady,
came to us. She was dynamite in a small
package! Among other things she said
with authority, “I am asking God for five missionary couples to come to
Argentina!” That night I knelt at the
altar and wept uncontrollably as I felt God calling me to Argentina.
During the following weeks God reconfirmed that
call over and again. I was bursting with
excitement, but my dear wife, Frances, felt no call and was troubled about
leaving our church, her mother, brothers and sisters, and taking our three little
sons out into an unknown future. She
struggled with this for three months, but finally signed the application papers
and the process began. I knew her
well. Once decided, she would never look
back.
Now, one year after my call, we flew to Springfield to stand
before the World Missions Committee, including Executive Director Phil Hogan
and Field Director Mel Hodges, for approval or disapproval. After dealing with my health issues, their
first question to me was, “Ralph, how do you know that God is calling you to
Argentina?” With great enthusiasm I and
told them how God had placed a burden for the lost in that nation. Their second question was directed to my wife. “Frances, how do you know that God has called
you to Argentina?” My heart hit the
floor. Frances was always totally
transparent and I knew what she was going to say before she said it. I heard her words, “God never called me to
Argentina.” I knew that was the end of
the line, but Frances continued. “I
never was even called to be a pastor’s wife, but I married this guy and there
can be no doubt that God has called him to Argentina. And I believe that it is my place as his wife
to go with him and stand behind his ministry wherever the Lord may lead him.” I was watching the expressions on the faces
of the committee members. It looked like
they were in shock. They sent us out of
the room and we waited for a long 20 minutes.
Finally Mel Hodges came out to talk with us. He asked us, “Would you be willing to go to
Chile instead of Argentina? I was
stunned by the question, but said, “We certainly would if that is the place of
greatest need.” “That is all I needed to
hear,” he replied. “You are approved to
go to Argentina!”
That was 50 years ago last month when this picture was taken. Our three boys played ukuleles and sang in most of our services. They could really sing and strum those ukes.
Fifty wonderful years!
I tell
you that there is nothing like the Assemblies of God World Missions
organization! Of course you know we
retired six years ago when I was 75 years old.
But we could not get Argentina’s wonderful people out of our hearts and
we returned to Argentina every time we could. And almost
immediately after the Lord Jesus carried Frances away to her heavenly home, God has called me again. I have ministered throughout the entire
country during these past almost three years.
Lord willing I will leave again
for Argentina on October 2. I already have
my ticket.
Although fully retired, I
work under the leadership of Assemblies of God World Missions, alongside and in
full cooperation with our Argentina missionary team… almost as if I was a full
time missionary. So here goes my 51st
year with the AGWM! Praise God for
health and strength!
Ralph
