Christmas Day

On Christmas Day the Sunday School kids did a great job of acting out a song.

Kids who performed either by singing or acting.

A couple of ladies cooked in the old chapel building nearby and dished up some 80 plates. After the main service everyone was given a ticket. With that ticket you were eligible for a plate of rice and beans. Excitement filled the air as everyone enjoyed food and fellowship, this was a day of sherehe (party)!

Ladies dishing up the meal. 1 plate per adult!

Christmas Eve

Esther and I (Gina), once again, enjoyed baking some goodies for Christmas. 

Esther's cookies.

On Christmas Eve we opened our gifts. We were especially delighted with the surprise packages that our friends at Tieton Drive Bible Chapel sent us. Such a treat to get some American goodies!

Emily and Esther swarmed by gifts!

That afternoon the missionary community had a short Christmas Eve Service and Luke shared from Isaiah 9.

Then for a special Christmas Eve Dinner the missionaries (that were present) of Kigoma went to a fancy hotel to enjoy good food and fellowship.

Esther with nicely combed hair for the hotel.

Celebrating 6 years of Marriage

Quite an adventure; 6 years later and two girls of our own... whew! God is so good. We look forward to the many more that we will have together.

We aren't very photogenic...

December Update

Dear Friends and family, we are continually thankful to God for your prayers for us. They are much appreciated and vital to the work here.

Last month we had a 2-day Youth Seminar at the village of Songambele, planning meetings for upcoming events, a 3-day Seminar and Conference at the village of Nkungwe, a special day of prayer for the young people at the town church, and I did some preaching. Then at the beginning of December we had a celebration for the Gungu church Youth Group to thank God for the 3 years that we've been meeting. 

However, it's not the busy schedule that counts, or the events and activities that we do, but rather our heart attitude and the spiritual benefits that come from what we do. It seems that in all the busyness we can lose sight of the real reason we're doing these things, and become somewhat distant in our relationship with the Master like Martha. It takes a conscious effort to be like Mary and choose what's better, and that is to spend time listening to the Savior. Please continue to pray for us that we would be firm in our devotion to Christ and not become overwhelmed or discouraged with the work and the small problems and difficulties of daily life that seem to add up really fast. 

As we look ahead we have a sailing trip planned for this weekend. It's our first real trip (3 nights) for the boat. Then maybe sometime in January we will make a trip down south to visit two new churches and bring teaching and encouragement to them. We also just bought a new stock of Bibles which we hope to sell at a reduced cost to the believers in the churches that we visit.

As a family, we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with the fellow American missionaries who live in town. We even managed to get a turkey! Then last Saturday we celebrated Esther's 5th birthday at the beach along with a Danish missionary family that has 3 girls who are good friends with Esther. Unfortunately, for Gina's birthday and our 6th anniversary I (Luke) will be away on this boat trip, but we hope to do something special when I return.

We hope you all can look back on this year and see all that God has been doing in and through you. May you have a blessed Christmas remembering God's saving act of sending His Son into the world, and may we all press on to know our God more fully next year.

In His loving care,

Luke, Gina, Esther & Emily Johnson

Praise items:

- An encouraging Seminar & Conference at Nkungwe.

- Thankful for a good youth celebration.

Prayer Items:

- Safety for sailing up the lake this weekend.

- That we would not get discouraged.

- Luke preaching on Christmas day.

- Upcoming ministry travels.

- Distribution of Bibles & hunger for God's Word.

Esther is 5!

At breakfast, opening gifts and card.

Spending the afternoon at the pool.

Family photo.

Twin Babies

On Oct. 20, 2011, Anne Johnson gave birth to two beautiful twin girls. Rebekah Faith was sheltered in the Everlasting arms of her heavenly Father and Ruth Margaret was joyfully held by her earthly mommy and daddy.  We continue to pray for this new family as they adjust to having a little one in the home and as they grieve. We love you Danny, Anne and Baby Ruth!

Danny, Anne and baby Ruth Johnson

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Job. 1:21b

End of Year Busy-ness

Ministry has really “picked up” lately. Dad and Mom Johnson have been away for the past month and that might have something to do with the extra load that fell on us. We have been in Kigoma 2 years and we are feeling more settled.

Luke was heavily involved in the youth seminar we had this past weekend (Nov. 25-27). Many youth came from other villages and spent the days in close quarters, sharing meals and sleeping on reed mats in the chapel at night. They gathered on 4 ocassions for some solid teaching and then twice for an evangelistic conference held outside to draw the neighbors. We trust the efforts for these big events will result in an awakening and spiritual maturity.

Christmas is around the corner, hard to believe! We look forward to another youth event this Sunday with the local church. Many more meetings are being planned for the end of the year. Pray that God's Word will bear fruit in the lives of those who trust Him.

Emily is walking

Squirt is walking the length of the hallway.

Emily finally decided to walk today. Maybe this "new-found freedom" will make her a happier baby! She's been really fussy lately, and I remember Esther being fussy the weeks before she started walking. Little squirt is going all over the house like nothing. I guess she finally got the confidence to try out more than 5 steps at a time and surprised herself at how good she is. She's pretty proud of herself and so are we!

Uncle Ken is cancer free!

Update from Ken & Melli Johnson, November 17:

Biopsy Benign!  No Cancer!  Just got back from seeing the doctor and learned that the biopsy is benign.  We're relieved and joyful!

Thank you all for praying!  We praise God for this good news, which strengthens our resolve to lose weight which we are told can help this acid reflux problem to go away entirely.  So losing 60 pounds will be a challenge but knowing Ken must do it or be unwell, is a most convincing argument for discipline.  We will encourage each other.

Thank you for your prayers! We are praising the Lord!

Update on Uncle Ken

Ken, Melli & family

Good news regarding Ken's surgery! His gall bladder has been safely removed. Thank you to all who so faithfully lifted prayers on his behalf.

The surgeon got a "good biopsy" from the endoscopy of his esophagus and our prayer is that the lab report (due later this week) will show no indication of cancer.

October News

Dear Friends and Family, 

Thank you for your prayers. The weekend seminar in Songambele went really well; Luke and Abeli shared the load of teaching. Many came on day 2 and filled the church. The hosting church worked hard at making meals and serving everybody. A "kitchen" was built just outside the building and smoke seeped in while those inside eagerly took notes in their personal notebooks. They really appreciated the teaching on love and its many aspects. They peppered Luke with questions at the end of the session while he looked to the local leaders for their input as well.

The week previous we enjoyed a little vacation with a drive to Burundi to visit the Johnsons that live there. We attended the memorial service that the local church had for Grandma Eleanor. Esther had a great time playing and reconnecting with her cousins.

We are looking forward to another Youth Seminar and conference at the end of the month, this time in the village of Nkungwe, only an hour away. We'll be getting together with fellow Kigoma missionaries on Thanksgiving Day.

Items of Praise:

- Luke was the only teacher at the seminar in Sunuka and it also went really well. Thank you for praying. 

- 2 new babies in the family: Ruth Margaret Johnson and Carl Daniel Hebert!

Please remember in prayer:

- Danny (Luke's brother) and Anne as they grieve the loss of baby Rebekah.

- Luke's Uncle Ken who is scheduled for surgery on Monday the 14th in Kenya.

- The preparations for the conference at Nkungwe.

With much to be thankful for,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily Johnson

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindess in the morning and Your faithfulness by night." Psalm 92:1-2

Ken Johnson's Surgery

Luke's Uncle Ken was scheduled for surgery today (Wed. 9th) at Kijabe hospital in Kenya. 
However it has been postponed until Monday. 
Dr. Peter Byrd will do an endoscopy and biopsy of the ulcers in Ken's esophagus, and while Ken is under anesthesia, Dr. Bird will also remove Ken's gall bladder which has been giving him terrible problems, especially lately.
Please keep him in your prayers.

Melli, Ken, Ruth and Harry Johnson at Grandma's Memorial Service

Welcome Carl Daniel!

Carl Daniel Hebert

Born to Jacob and Annette Hebert on Nov. 7th at 3:30 pm.
Big brother Linden must be very proud.
Congratulations!

Another seminar

Dear praying friends and family,
This is just a quick note to remind you to pray for us as we go South to the village of Songambele to teach another seminar. I (Luke) will be teaching along with Abeli (a young man) about love in the church. Gina and Esther & Emily will come along this time, as well as Abeli's wife, Bernadetta. We leave tomorrow (Friday) and return Sunday.
Please pray for the seminar teachers and pray that the believers in that church would be strengthened in faith and love as a result.
Pray for Gina as she will have to take care of both kids most of the time.
Pray that it would be a mutually encouraging time.
Thanks for taking the time to pray for us.
Luke Johnson

Your prayers are needed

Hello dear praying friends and family. This is just a quick email to ask for your prayers for some upcoming ministry events.

- Tomorrow (Friday Oct. 21) Luke will be going down south to the village of Sunuka to teach a seminar to the church on the subject of love. He will return Sunday after church. Pray for Gina too as she stays home alone with the 2 girls.

- Next week on Wednesday (Oct. 26) our whole family will be driving up to Burundi for a memorial service that the believers there are preparing in remembrance of Eleanor Johnson (Luke's grandmother who recently passed away). We will be there until Sunday or Monday.

- On Friday Nov. 4 through Sun. Nov. 6 our family will travel to Songambele with another young couple to teach a seminar to the youth.

Please remember these upcoming events in prayer before our gracious heavenly Father. Pray for greater love and greater fruit among the believers, and that God's Spirit would inundate these efforts.

We thank the Lord for your very real participation in the spread of the gospel here in the Kigoma region, through prayer. Please read Eph. 6:18-20.

Luke Johnson

September Update

Hello dear praying friends and family.

Since we got back from Moshi (where Luke taught at the Bible School) we have been settling back in to the ministry here. That has included several things.

- The weekend of our return we went to a funeral service and burial of a close relative of some of our town church members.

- The following week we went out for a sail on Harry's sailboat and have continued to discuss what still needs to be done before the boat can be used for ministry trips.

- We also attended the wedding of Abeli and Bernadetta, young people from 2 churches in the North.

- We had 2 days of prayer for the young people of the town church to seek God's face and pray for spiritual renewal.

Then we began to plan for a weekend trip to visit 6 of the Southern churches that we as a family had never visited before. We planned to go down with my father and mother as well as 2 church elders, but just a few days before the trip we received news that my grandmother (Eleanor Johnson) had passed away in the U.S. and Harry returned to the States for the funeral.

We continued with the trip however and it was a blessing to see the believers and get a feel for what is going on in their respective places. We left Friday morning and returned late Sunday. It was quite tiring and filled with many impromptu meetings with lots of preaching for me, but the Lord gave us strength. There are so many needs and the Lord has burdened us to pray for these believers now that we have actually met them. 

We have had our share of challenges this month and have dealt with some discouragement with regards to ministry.  We had 5 days with no city water, but fortunately God blessed us with 2 big rains and we were able to collect rain water. We have also had quite a few power cuts that have lasted longer than usual. The girls are entertaining and learning how to  be playmates. Emily is a good crawler and our little mischief maker! Esther is always eager to help around the house.

Counting our blessings,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily Johnson

Visit to southern churches

We made a trip this past weekend to visit 6 churches. Luke and I had never visited these churches so this trip was planned so we could see the locations.

Amosi at Kirando chapel

First place we visited was Ilagala. The believers there meet outside still and are trying to get a building of their own.

Ruth (mom) teaching the kids at Kirando

The second place we visited was the village of Songambele. This was the only village of the 6 that wasn't along the lake, we drove inland a bit. The people there are farmers and not fishermen, therefore of Waha origin as opposed to Wabembe (the Congolese that live along the lake).

Fishing village of Sigunga

The third place was Sunuka where we spent the night.

Talking and relaxing with Isaac and Lameck

The following morning we went to Kirando where the believers eagerly awaited us. We had an impromptu service at their chapel. They fed us a delicious meal before we went on our way.

Women getting the meal ready

The fifth village was the village of Kahwibiri. They are mostly Burundian refugees so the people preferred to speak in Kirundi. However the service that was quickly scheduled at the elementary school was held in Swahili.

Luke speaking at Sigunga

The sixth and last village was Sigunga, lying on a mountain side next to the lake. The homes almost seemed to be one on top of the other and we had to park the car at the very top and make our way down to our host's home by foot. The following morning was Sunday and we enjoyed fellowship and breaking the bread with the saints.

Weddings

The bride and groom are never to lift a finger. Their assistants are there to fuss over them. Like, wipe the sweat from their faces, adjust the veil, and adjust the "cool" sunglasses. The bride does not show emotion and has her eyes downcast at all times and bows low to her husband at the appropriate times. The groom however is more free to "be himself".

Attendants fussing over Abeli and Bernadeta.

The "Icky, Mud-wedding"

On Saturday we attended a wedding in a nearby village. Our car was loaded with people as we headed out at 9 am to get there in time for the ceremony that was to start at 10 am. Just before noon the bride finally arrived with her attendants and proceeded to the nearest house to finish getting ready. An impromptu meeting was started while we waited for the bride, and the rain started to pour! The man leading the ceremony eagerly called for the bride, asking that she'd come because we had all waited long enough. She finally made it out, under umbrellas and some 3 girls helping her keep the white dress from getting all muddy. 

Bernadeta, the bride being escorted to the chapel.

The rain never let up, and the walk to the reception was a mucky mess. 

People trying to stay dry during the reception and walking barefoot for a better grip.

Finally wanting to head home after 4 pm we made our way to the car to find that the kids had tried their hand at some "mud art" on the windows of our car. So, the wedding will go down in history, as Esther likes to call it: "the icky, mud-wedding".

May 1, 1915 - Sept. 13, 2011

Eleanor Loizeaux Johnson passed into the presence of her Savior on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 2:40 AM.

Grandma enjoying a sail with her son Harry.

Visiting Grandma in Virginia July 2011

Our last visit with Grandma this summer was especially sweet. She was up early, making her mile-long walk before the heat of the day. At meal times we lingered at the table to chat. She was happy to meet Emily and watch Esther in the pool. She spoke of loved ones that weren't following the Lord, and you could see that her heart was really burdened for those individuals. She wanted to know of the work in Tanzania and how Luke was managing with the many teaching engagements, glad that he was using his spiritual gift. She encouraged me (Gina) to devote my time to my children during their young age. That visit will never be repeated, but we're so glad we could see her one last time this side of Glory. We will miss her greatly.

August Update

Our month in Moshi has come to an end. Tomorrow we load up the car and drive to Kigoma. We are eager to get back after being away for 4 months, including our furlough.

The main purpose for our stay in Moshi is so that Luke can teach at BBC. 

Last year Luke taught the first year students-- 2 of them. However this year, there are 31 first-year students. A huge answer to prayer! The classrooms don't look so barren and it's encouraging to see the desks being used by men and women studying God's Word. 6 of the students come from the Kigoma region. Luke is right now finishing up his Survey in Basic Christianity class by grading the tests. 

Last week church leaders from northern Tanzania gathered for meetings that serve the legal purpose of the assemblies. But they also enjoyed the Bible teaching and the mutual encouragement among brothers. 

The men who attended the week-long meetings. + the cooks, who wanted to be in the photo.

Please pray for safety on our road trip across Tanzania. 

Pray that we'd settle in quickly into life and responsibilities that await us in Kigoma.

We really appreciate your prayers.

In Christ,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily

Grandma Eleanor

Uncle George and Grandma relaxing in the July heat.

Esther fondly remembers visiting Grandma Eleanor in Virginia and even took pictures with her disposable camera. We just got word that Grandma had a stroke. This is after a long week of adjusting medications due to a heart problem and were waiting to put in a pacemaker. Please pray for her, and for the family.

In Moshi for a month

BBC students doing a "team building" activity; they managed to balance 10 screws on the head of another screw.

We are in Moshi, (northern Tanzania) for a month. Luke is busy teaching two courses to 31 students at Berea Bible College (BBC). This is the first time the college has had so many students and it's a big answer to prayer. Last year Luke taught only 2 students, so this increase has changed the dynamics of the classroom.

Back to Tanzania

We are in NJ, at the CMML "mansion" and having a wonderful time. Tomorrow, Monday the 25th we head to the airport to get on a British Airways flight that will take us to London and then a second flight that will take us to Dar Es Salaam, TZ.

The boxes and suitcases we mailed on ahead arrived OK except one. A box was broken into and Luke's amplifier was stollen. So Luke might make his way to the FedEx office in town tomorrow to report that something was missing from one of the boxes.

Our 3-month furlough was a first for us. We enjoyed our visits to Chicago, Dubuque, Seattle, Yakima, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Melbourne, FL., Brooksville, FL., Columbia, SC., Charlotte, NC., Roanoke, VA., Baltimore, MD., and Belmar, NJ.

3 months seemed like a good length, for some it may seem long and for others short. That is what worked for us this time, and we'll just see what happens the next time we come State-side. Doing both West and East was a push, but I'm glad we did it.

Looking forward to getting back. Esther is excited. Emily could care less!

Pray for us as we travel. Thanks.

June

Dear Praying friends,

Greetings from the north west USA. One month into our furlough and we're starting to feel at home, just in time for packing up and getting back on the road!

It's been encouraging to visit with friends and see many fellow believers while we share about the Lord's work in Tanzania. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Tanzanian church. Annual meetings for the elders in our area are taking place these 3 days. “Wings of the Morning” sailing ship will be re-launched this coming week and moored in a safer harbor, Lord willing. And dad and mom Johnson are busy moving house once again.

Our girls are adjusting well to so many changes and all the traveling. Emily was sick during our first week, but has recovered and is now back to her wiggly self with two new teeth. Esther loves playing with so many new friends and looks forward to her Sunday School class we've consistently attended for the past 4 weeks. Pray for us as we pack boxes and suitcases to send on ahead.

Thank you for your prayerful support, we really appreciate it.

Serving The Highest Master,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily Johnson

My fun girl...

Seeing snow!

In a BIG bathtub, so they are both able to be in at the same time.

Running around EBC campus.

Picking a wedgie... it was a faze and I'm glad it's over!

Emmaus graduation

Congratulations Joy, Christopher and Amanda!

Christopher, the graduate with his sister.

Christopher and Mom.

Fun traveling

Just hours after arriving at O'hare.

Sick baby and tired mommy... welcome to the USA!

Taking a family photo for our prayer card.

A couple days later we're feeling and looking a lot better.

In the Modern World

Dear friends and family, thank you for your prayers.

The long car trip across Tanzania and the long plane rides en route to the U.S. all went well. An overnight lay-over in London meant that we could see the Whites (Old time friends of the Johnsons) briefly, and rest between continents.

We are currently in Chicago staying with Danny & Annie Johnson. Annette & baby Linden, and Lisa (Luke's sisters) showed up and surprised us. It has been great to spend time together with all of them.

On Friday (May 6) we met up with Carol Mattix (Gina's Mom) and went to Emmaus Bible College to attend Christopher Mattix's graduation. We were able to see many of our old professors from when we attended the College and, of course, participate in the graduation ceremonies. Now we are back in Chicago and tomorrow we will take a two-day train trip to Seattle, along with Carol and Christopher Mattix.

It has been a bit difficult getting over jet lag, and along with the fatigue Gina and I feel like we are coming down with colds again. Emily has also had a rough first week in the States, being sick since we started the first flight out of Tanzania. After a doctor's visit and proper medication she is now on the mend.

We would appreciate your prayers for health & strength and for the many travels and visiting we have ahead of us. Hopefully we will get to see many of you during our stay in this country. We certainly do appreciate your prayers and support on our behalf.

In His grace & care,

Luke, Gina, Esther, & Emily Johnson

April Update

Hello dear praying friends and family, we trust you are all enjoying close fellowship with our Lord. 

This past month several major things happened. 

In our last newsletter we mentioned the successful launch of the sailboat that my father built for ministry along the lake. Some of you may have heard that only 5 days after its launch a huge storm came up on the lake and caused the boat to drag its mooring block and run aground. To make a long story short, with the help of many from the missionary community along with hired workers we were able to pull the boat up on land for some fairly major repairs. We are thankful that there was not more damage as the whole boat could have been smashed to pieces. We have just begun to make repairs, but it may be a few more months before it is launched again.

We are thankful to God for our trip to Dar Es Salaam (the big city on the east coast of the country). We went by road, along with my parents, in order to attend the Annual General Meeting of CMML missionaries in Tanzania. We had a nice 4-day stay in a hotel on the Indian Ocean and heard reports on the work from our fellow missionaries. We also discussed various issues and were able to share our ideas regarding how to better work together in the ministry with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in Christ. All in all it was a profitable and encouraging time. On the way back we saw many very bad accidents and so we are extra thankful for God's hand of protection on the dangerous Tanzanian roads. 

While in the big city we were able to finally pick up Emily's new US passport and her birth certificates (Tanzanian and US consulate report of birth abroad). We are thankful that we were able to get these documents as we prepared for our furlough to the U.S.  We will arrive in Chicago on May 2, 2011 and we fly back to Tanzania from Newark airport on July 25, 2011. Needless to say we have many things to do before we leave.

We just visited the village church of Nkungwe and were encouraged by their outreach efforts to a neighboring village. On the way back from church we were able to take a man to the hospital to get treatment. He had broken his leg (or had badly torn some ligaments) the day before and had no way of getting to the hospital to get an X-ray to see if it was broken or not. We were told that he is a new believer. 

We would appreciate your prayers for the Gungu church here in town that there would be peace and unity. There have arisen a few complainers who have been trying to stir other people up against the leadership. Please pray as there will be a meeting to discuss these problems on Sat. April 9, 2011

Prayer Items

- Boat repairs

- Praise for good meetings with fellow missionaries

- Praise for Emily's passport

- Prayer for furlough preparations

- Prayer for unity in the Gungu church

Thank you for your participation in the ministry here. May you be blessed in the Lord.

Luke, Gina, Esther, and Emily Johnson

Mbawa za Asubuhi

Wings of the Morning is now in the water!

March Update

Dear Friends and Family,

    Yesterday was an historical day. The boat (Wings of the Morning) that Luke, his father and many other men have been working on since May of last year was launched. Some 80 men were hired to push the boat into the lake, but only 40 showed up. However, they still managed to turn/lift her 90 degrees before pushing her down the beach and into the water. It made for a good show as the men worked together to the leader’s sing-song chanting and all grunting in response as they heaved the 4-ton boat in unison. There is much work to do still on the boat (for comforts’ sake), but we are thankful that it does well in the water, either with motor power or wind power. We pray this boat will be used for God’s glory in reaching many of the village churches up and down lake Tanganyika.

    Luke had the opportunity to preach this past Sunday on Psalm 84. Much discernment is needed in knowing how to best help the struggling churches and people of this area. Pray that we would show Christ-like love to all that we meet.

    A couple weeks back Luke and Esther joined Harry and Ruth in visiting the small church at Kamara. Emily kept me (Gina) company while I laid low and recovered from malaria. Thankfully we are all now healthy; Emily is a chubby 6-month old reaching for everything and Esther is begging to go to school. 

    At the end of this month we are planning to go to the big city on the east coast for a conference with fellow CMML missionaries from Tanzania. Please pray that the national airlines will resume their flights to our corner of the country so we won’t need to make the 3-day drive.

In His Service,

Gina, Luke, Esther and Emily Johnson

Kaziramihunda Trip

Esther playing with Eva

Getting things set up for the film.

Choir singing.

Sitting on a low stool to stay off the mud.

Emily getting some attention.

January Update

Dear praying friends and family,

In January we traveled to Kazira (near our old Keza place) for evangelistic meetings. Two 4WD vehicles were full with people and equipment for the 6 hr. drive. The hosting church was thrilled to have some 30 visitors and scrambled to get everything ready. Our 5 days were full with Sunday School, Seminars, Evangelistic meetings, and evening films. We were also able to sell a box of Bibles at a reduced price to many eager believers who were hungry to get a personal Bible.

The rains were persistent and clay-like mud was everywhere. The fellowship among the believers was the highlight, especially for the hosts. They feel a little left out being so far from the other assemblies that are close to Kigoma town. 

Two weeks later we were visiting another village assembly (Nkungwe), this one only being about an hour away. Youth leaders from 4 churches were invited to attend a 3-day seminar, and Luke was busy preparing to teach 3 of the sessions. The youth face similar problems like in the Western world, but add to it the poverty and the harsh village life and it creates many more issues.

On the home front, we are grateful for good health, besides a few stomach bugs. Luke has been busy helping his Dad with the sailboat that he is building. They are finishing the last few jobs that need to be done before it is launched. There is still a lot to do but some of it can be done once it is in the water.

Thank you to those of you who pray for us faithfully. 

Please continue to pray specifically for:

- the word that was preached and taught, that it would bear fruit in those who heard it.

- those who received Bibles, that they would have a hunger for the Word of God.

- the youth in the churches to stand with integrity and be a Christ-like witness.

- the work that needs to be done on the boat before it can be launched.

Praise: 

- Emily's passport is ready! Just needs to be picked up when we go to the big city.

Blessings to you all in Christ,

Luke, Gina, Esther, & Emily Johnson

December Update

Dear friends and family,

We hope many of you had a chance to see family members and friends during the Christmas and New Year's season. This is what we've been up to:

Looking back - Christmas day was spent visiting the assembly at Lugunga for the closing meeting of their conference. The choirs sang enthusiastically and Luke preached a message from Matthew 1.

We welcomed the new year with a night of fun and fellowship with other missionaries in Kigoma. On the first Sunday of the year 4 believers from the local church were baptized. Please pray that these believers will continue to grow in maturity and be a witness for Christ.

Looking forward - we will all be going for a week-long evangelistic campaign on the 11th of this month to the villages of Kazilamihunda and Kasanda (where we lived for 8 months last year). The two vehicles are filling up fast with people, film equipment, generator, and boxes of Bibles. There will be seminars every morning, open air meetings in the afternoons, a visiting choir, and Christian films in the evenings. The days will be busy and full of activities. Please pray that this effort would draw many to Christ and strengthen the 2 local churches in that area.

Esther celebrated her 4th birthday with some friends and Emily is now 4 months old. Please pray that Emily's birth certificate will be issued so we can get her US passport.

We are grateful for your continued prayers and hope you have a blessed 2011.

In His Service,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily Johnson