May Update

Dear praying friends and family,

We wanted to share with you some highlights from these last months.

First of all, our local church family in Kigoma has been hit hard with the death of an elder's son, and former deacon. Then, less than 6 weeks later, the elder's oldest daughter died too. Please remember in prayer our dear brother, Mr. Swedi and his family and the newly widowed Mrs. Janet who just gave birth to a boy.

Many people at the funeral

The Disciples of Jesus school students had a month-long Easter break. They are now back in session, and we've added two new students, for a total of 9 students. They have had opportunity to visit nearby villages as ministry trips. Pray that they will all finish the remaining eight courses to be equipped to serve in their local churches.

Young students preaching at the village of Nkungwe.

Game time for the students after classes.

And some exciting news: the new property for the school just got a well! We are so thankful that our friends from ODE were able to bring their equipment and drilling team this past weekend. They hit water at 270 ft, and plenty of it. How we praise the Lord for this provision! We can now move forward with construction, and we can provide clean water for the families in the nearby community.

* Visit our previous blog post to see photos.

As a family we enjoyed having Esther home from boarding school for her month-long spring break. Don't know if it's getting any easier to see her come and go so much, but it's become a "new normal", and we try to make the most of it when we can all be together. We were able to travel to Burundi, and visit with Jesse and Danny's families and have a little vacation. Our kids hit milestones with celebrating birthdays recently, it's a joy to see them grow! Pray for our kids as they finish up the school year, 1 in boarding school, the other 3 at home. 

Aaron, Michael and Emily doing school at home.

Saying good-bye to Esther, in Kigoma after Christmas break, 
and then in Bujumbura after spring break.

Michael turning 7, William turning 3!

Thank you for your prayers.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke and Gina Johnson

"Spring Up, O Well!"

We have a WELL at the new property! 

How we praise God for this provision. 

Our friends from ODE graciously agreed to help us by drilling a well. They brought the heavy equipment: the drill and the compressor in two separate trips on Friday. They set it all up, then drilled on Saturday. They hit water, and plenty of it! And so by Monday, it was time to pack up the equipment, take it back to their town base. They are currently scouting a new plot and ministry to bless, south of Kigoma. Thank you so much, drilling team!

With this access to water, we can begin the work of construction. We can also bless the families in the community with daily access to clean water.

The drilling team setting up their equipment.

 

The team working. Notice the neighbor kids watching!?

Don Reed, drilling.