April Update

Dear praying friends and family, it has been quite a month since the last time we wrote. We thank you all for your prayers for us and the work here. 

We were once again reminded that our only secure treasure and inheritance is laid up for us in heaven where no one can touch it. On Sat. April 19, while we had gone to the beach for a few hours our house was broken into. The robber(s) cut through some metal bars on the bathroom window and entered the house. They took our computer, iPad, a projector for the film ministry belonging to Luke’s Dad, an external DVD drive, Luke’s cell phone and a backpack. We are thankful that they did not take anything else.

We are also thankful that we have all our computer’s information backed up on an external hard drive which was not taken. We are thankful that some other missionaries have lent us a computer for the time being. And we have so much else to be thankful for. Afterwards we did try and make the windows harder to break into by welding thicker metal bars on the outside. 

Welding stronger rebar on the windows.

The week following the robbery Luke taught a course on Youth Ministry at a Christian College in town, 5 hours a day for 5 days. The following week Luke continued to attend the discipleship course, on Monday, Tuesday and Friday afternoons, to see how things were going as Peter taught the first part of Old Testament Survey. 

We were able to take a quick 2 day (1 night) trip as a family to Matyazo Mission, where Aaron was born. We went on a hike to see a waterfall and swim & relax by the river. 

The following week Gina & Esther worked hard to finish school by Friday (and succeeded!) and Luke prepared to teach a 3 day seminar and show Christian films at the village of Nkungwe. On Thursday Luke left for Nkungwe and co-taught with Peter a seminar for youth in the mornings. In the afternoons the church held outdoor evangelistic meetings, complete with many choirs and a guest evangelist. In the evenings we showed Christian films. It seems the enemy sought to oppose our efforts as Thursday Peter got a bad sore throat, stuffy nose, and sinus headache which lasted the whole time there. On Friday night Luke did not sleep well, as he woke up multiple times with nausea and achy joints. Saturday morning he was still unwell so Peter taught the first session while Luke rested, then Luke taught a short 2nd session before going home early. 

Outdoor Evangelistic meetings

Once home, Luke rested (as best as he could with three kids who were very happy to have their Daddy back) and began to take malaria medicine.  We thank God that today, Sunday, Luke is feeling quite a bit better, though not yet back to full strength. We are thankful that Aaron is also all better from his sickness with malaria this week.

Please pray for us as we seem to have too much to do before we leave on Thursday morning for the 3 day drive to the coast, Dar Es Salaam, where we catch our plane the following Tuesday for our 3 month furlough in the States. 

Thank you for your prayers for us at this busy time.

Blessings in our Savior’s name, Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily and Aaron Johnson