July Update

Hello dear family and friends. We are praising the Lord for his constant presence with us through the ups and downs of family life and ministry. He is our ever-present help in time of need.

The month of July was busy as usual. In last month's newsletter I (Luke) was just leaving by boat to go down south and teach a seminar to the church at Igalula. The overnight boat trips on the way down, and back up were very memorable. Let's just say they were not designed for personal comfort or relaxation, to put it very mildly. The image of sardines in a floating can would be more accurate, but thankfully I made it safely there and back.

Luke was on this first boat for 14 hours.

The believers were very happy to see me and showed me the whole village. I literally walked from one end of it to the other (4 km. or so), and did plenty of other walking besides. I taught on salvation and the Christian life, as well as some fundamental principles concerning the church. The believers there are few as the church is relatively new. They are doing well at reaching out to the kids but are struggling to reach the adults.

After returning from Igalula we had about a week to get ready for our trip to Kumbya (in Rwanda) for an annual interdenominational missionary conference. We left 1 day early so that we could visit the churches of Kazilamihunda and Kasanda on the way. While driving on our first day we came to a big rut in the road, and when I braked we skidded and I lost control and we hit the rut really hard. The windshield was cracked in many places on the driver's side and the left front wheel got misaligned. However we thank God for his protection as no one was hurt. We were able to limp the car on to the Keza mission station where we were to spend the night. We were still able to meet with both churches, one in the afternoon, and the other the following morning. We had one of our Tanzanian brothers, Raymond, along with us and he was able to help with some of the ministry.

Fortunately, after our mishap with the car, we were able to catch a ride to the conference with my parents and my youngest brother Steven, who were also going. The conference was a real blessing to us and just what we needed. We were able to relax some and be refreshed spiritually as a team from a church in Texas ministered to the adults and also did a VBS program with the kids.

The VBS leaders with the kids.

The conference took place at the beautiful lake Kivu, so we were able to swim and kayak and sail. On our way back from the conference we stopped at Keza and after some minor repairs we drove our car slowly back to Kigoma where it will soon be fixed properly.

Meanwhile two young students from the Kigoma region, Peter and Abeli, left for Moshi to attend Berea Bible College. Abeli is a first semester student and Peter a third and last. Please remember them in your prayers as they receive biblical training, that they will put to good use what they learn. 

Prayer items:

- The young church at Igalula

- Praise for safety on our trip

- Praise for refreshment at conference

- Peter and Abeli at Bible College

May God's grace and peace be with you all,

Luke, Gina, Esther & Emily Johnson