April and May Update

Dear praying friends and family, this newsletter is long overdue! We thank the Lord that we have been keeping busy in His service.

Since our last newsletter we have been to Moshi and back for our Annual General Meeting with other CMML missionaries. It was an encouraging time. While there we left the kids with their grandparents and Gina and I traveled with baby Michael to Dar Es Salaam to visit the U.S. Embassy and fill out the paperwork for his birth certificate and passport. Please pray that those would be sent to us soon, before we have to travel in July.

While we were gone we heard that my motorcycle had been stolen, but miraculously, a day later some students found it hidden and reported it to the police. Upon returning to Kigoma, I was eventually able to get it back from the police after multiple visits to the station. Praise the Lord for His help in this situation!

A couple weeks later I taught the last course at the discipleship course on the end times. During the last week of teaching we welcomed Nate and Tabi Douglas who were visiting from our home assembly in Yakima, Washington. What a blessing it was to spend time with them and show them some of the ministry that the Lord has called us to. On their first Saturday here we had a church celebration for our 4 graduating discipleship students. We praise the Lord for their determination throughout the year and it is our earnest prayer that they will go on serving the Master faithfully. Please pray for them. Their names are Paulo, Aroni, Peter, and Furaha.

Graduates with the 3 teachers.

On Sunday we visited a village church with Nate and Tabi. On the way back the clutch failed but God helped us to get it fixed temporarily and get back home. 

Nate, Luke and Aaron fixing the car.

We also spent some time at the beach and sailing with them, and Tabi got to teach at the Good News Girl's club and the women's meeting. On another day we visited with 2 of the deacons in their homes. Nate and Tabi helped Esther with her homeschool, they spent time with the kids, and they helped around the house, and they encouraged us by talking with us and asking questions. We were sad to see them leave but we know they were eager to get back home to their 5 kids. Praise the Lord for their encouraging visit!

(There are many more photos from Nate and Tabi's visit, if you'd like to see those just click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/gina.johnson.739/media_set?set=a.10153083895704219.1073741834.614664218&type=3&pnref=story )

Upcoming

Right now I am trying to buy some new tires before the 4 day evangelistic conference in the remote village of Kahwibiri. Pray that the tires arrive from the big city in time, and pray for other repairs on the car before this big trip. We hope to do door to door evangelism, open air meetings, and show evangelistic films in the evenings. Please pray for lasting fruit at the conference. 

When I return I will be teaching a course on Hermeneutics (Bible interpretation) at a local Bible College in town. And then in July Peter Yamungu (one of the discipleship course teachers) and I will be teaching a 3 day seminar at one of the village churches. Please pray that in all these endeavors each member of the body would become complete in Christ.

The Homefront

Meanwhile, and perhaps most importantly, Gina continues to homeschool Esther (currently in their last week!), and take care of a 3 month old baby, as well as 2 other kids (and a thousand other things I don't have time to list here). I am so thankful for all that she does for our family. On June 2nd we celebrated Aaron's 2nd birthday. He is growing up so fast and tries to keep up with his sisters.

Aaron on his birthday.

Thank you for remembering to pray for us. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, because sometimes we forget that we are serving Him.

In Christ,

Luke and Gina

March Update

Dear praying friends and family,

We hope that you have been busy in the master’s service in whatever way He has enabled you to serve Him. In Ephesians 4 Paul tells us that the risen Christ gave gifted leaders to the church “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building upon the body of Christ” (v. 12). We feel that this is our special task and calling at this time. Please pray with us to that end. 

Family

Our last general email was the news of Michael’s birth (Mid-February). Since then we have been adjusting to a new schedule of being up in the night and caring for a newborn, as well as taking care of the other 3 kids. This has made home life busy, but we continue to count our many blessings. The older kids are learning to be helpful in many ways and a delighted to have another sibling. However, it is especially hard for Gina and Esther to keep to a regular schedule with homeschool each week day.

Discipleship Course

The discipleship course has been in session since the beginning of March and Peter Y. is currently teaching our 3rd module on New Testament Survey 3 times a week. On some of the Sundays we have been trying to visit the village churches with the students, for their practical experience and to encourage the saints in these locations. Tomorrow we will travel 3 hours to the village of Sigunga along Lake Tanganyika. By the end of this session, Lord willing, we will have our first graduating class in May 2015, and in hope we pray for many more in the future.

One new development is that we are currently in the process of purchasing another property close to the church for the discipleship course’s needs. As we prayerfully seek the Lord we trust that He will guide us and provide for us in the days ahead.

Students teaching SS kids.

Besides the daily burden of helping people with their many needs we have begun the long process of renewing our work permit, so that we can continue to serve the Lord in this country. Please pray that another 2 year work permit would be granted to us. At the same time there have been motorbike and car repairs, as well as leadership and ministry meetings. Please pray that we would be renewed and strengthened in our inner man each day, in order to accomplish God’s purposes for us at this time. We need wisdom, patience and love in all things.

Upcoming

Next week we will make a 2 day drive up to the city of Moshi, for the Annual General Meeting with our fellow missionaries. Lord willing, we will meet up with Luke’s parents (Harry & Ruth Johnson) who are returning from the US after Ruth’s heart operation. After the meeting Gina, Michael and I will fly to Dar Es Salaam to visit the US Embassy and  work on Michael’s legal documents, before returning to Moshi and then driving back to Kigoma. 

Please pray for us in these travels: 

1. For safety and that the old car would run well

2. For our meeting with fellow missionaries, that it would be profitable 

3. For Michael’s paperwork

And do not forget to pray for the Tanzanian church, especially for the leaders, that many who are sleeping would wake up and serve the Lord with humility, sincerity, and gladness.

Believers in the village of Kahwibiri.

Thanks for reading and partnering in prayer with us in the work of the gospel.

In Christ,
Luke, for the family

And then there were 4!

Michael Alan Johnson

DOB: 2/15/1015

Weight: 3.5 kg (7 lbs. 11 oz)

Just hours old.

Emily holding Michael for the fist time.

Michael, Esther, Aaron and Emily.

10 months later ... *sigh*

And the countdown begins ....

Gina past the "due date".

January Update

Hello dear family and praying friends. This newsletter is long overdue. We’ll begin by wishing you a happy new year (although it’s already February). 

Ministry

These past 2 months have gone by quickly. We finished our 2nd term of the discipleship course on Dec. 19, so up to that point we were busy with that 3 times a week. Then Christmas was upon us with its different celebrations. In January I (Luke) have been meeting with the other discipleship teachers (Peter & Japhet) to plan for the 3rd and last term of the discipleship program. Luke has also attended some church leader meetings, trying to sort out some problems. That, along with the many requests we get daily in this needy part of the world, has taken up much of our time.

Opening gifts.

Family

Over Christmas week Luke’s Uncle Ken & Aunt Melli + their 10 kids drove down to Kigoma from Burundi for a little break. Then at the beginning of January Luke’s sister Annette & her husband and 2 boys drove down from Kenya, to spend a couple of days with us. We were pleased to see them and catch up on their news. Besides that, Gina has been busy homeschooling Esther, along with the multitude of other tasks that need to be done daily to keep our family going. As a family we all eagerly await the arrival of the next baby, Lord willing, in the next few weeks. Please pray for special strength for Gina in these last days, and for a safe birth for both mother and child. We would also appreciate prayer for Luke’s mother, Ruth Johnson, who is currently in the US and is scheduled to have corrective heart surgery on Feb. 13. Please pray that it would go well and that she would have a quick and smooth recovery, and that God would be glorified.

Upcoming

The 3rd term of the discipleship course begins tomorrow (Monday, Feb. 2). It will continue for 3 1/2 months, 3 times a week. Please pray for God’s wisdom, health & strength for the teachers, and for personal growth & faithfulness in the life of the students. We have added practical ministry for them this time and will be visiting 7 village churches throughout the course. We hope to give them opportunities to discover, and use their spiritual gifts, as well as share what they are learning in the classroom. We want to build in them a vision for serving the Lord and helping with the many needs in the village churches. We also pray that the churches will be encouraged as we visit and minister to them. 

We are so thankful to God for each and every one of you who prays for us faithfully. May God strengthen you more and more in your inner man to pray more fervently than ever. We sincerely believe that this is where the battle is won, in the spiritual realm, through the prayers of God’s people. And pray for us, that a door of opportunity would be opened to us, for effective and fruitful service.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily, Aaron & ???? Johnson

November Update

Dear praying friends and family, we are rejoicing in the hope of our eternal inheritance which we have in Christ. We have received more blessings from God our Father than we could ever count. We trust you are thanking the Lord as well during this thanksgiving season.

Women's Retreat

In mid-November, Gina had the opportunity to attend a conference in the big city with 50+ other women. Luke and the kids managed just fine without her cooking and cleaning for 5 days while Gina enjoyed fellowship, great teaching and pampering at a fancy hotel. The team that hosted the retreat were very encouraging and generous. Here is a a link to their ministry website: http://www.purejoyinternational.org

Trip to Burundi and Kibondo

A couple hours after picking Gina up from the airport we went on a 3 day trip to Burundi to visit one of Luke's childhood friends, Davidi, whom he had not seen for 15 years. We had a nice time with Davidi and his new bride, as well as with relatives (Luke's brother and uncle and their families). On our way back to Tanzania we took a different route and border crossing we had not tried before, in order to visit a new church plant in the town of Kibondo. We stayed with them for 3 full days, with 2 days of seminars and the Sunday meeting with them. We returned on Monday Nov. 24, very tired, but glad to be home.

Visiting Nyakarago with Davidi and Melissa.

Ladies busy cooking the meal.

Small children being prayed for in the church.

Discipleship Course

We continue faithfully with the discipleship course although 1 more student has traveled, so that leaves only four. We have one more module (Old Testament Survey) for 3 weeks and then our 2nd term will be over. Pray for wisdom for us leaders as to how to proceed next term and in the future as well. We want to be as effective as possible, and pursue God's purpose for us. 

Christmas

There are several things going on for Christmas. The northern churches and the southern churches are each separately getting ready for a 3 day conference; a time for fellowship and encouragement. The youth in the town church plan to lead the church service next week, followed by a year-end celebration to God for having brought us through another year. The following Sunday will be a special Sunday School program service. 

Family

At the moment Gina and all 3 kids have nasty colds and coughs, and Aaron has tummy trouble as well. Please pray for healing for them, and that we would grow in grace and in faith through the many challenges we face. 

We are so thankful to God for those of you who stand together with us in prayer and giving. One day you will receive your reward from the all-knowing Master. Your labor of love will not be forgotten.

In His grace,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily, and Aaron Johnson

October Update

Dear praying friends and family, we thank you for your prayers for us. Here are a few highlights from the past 2 months.

Ministry
We got the discipleship course up and running soon after our return. We still have 5 young students who meet 3 times a week for 2 hours to study God's Word. After class we get to play some sports. We were able to make some volleyball posts and now we have another sport to play besides soccer (or football for those who live outside the U.S.)
The first 2 weeks of October Luke went to the village of Sunuka to teach at the local Bible College (Grace Bible College). He taught on the doctrine of salvation, 4 hours a day. We are thankful for God's protection and help when Luke fell over on his motorcycle due to the bad road (i.e. rocks and loose gravel). He scraped up his right palm and sprained his right ankle. Fortunately, as God would have it, this happened directly opposite a new dispensary and Luke was able to walk there and get his wounds cleaned and bandaged before continuing on his way.
Beginning tomorrow (Mon. Oct. 27) Luke will begin teaching a 3 week course on the doctrine of salvation to the discipleship students here in Kigoma town. Please pray that God would be glorified in that.

Family
Our family is happy to be back home in Kigoma. Gina continues to homeschool Esther every week day (2nd grade). Esther and Emily enjoy playing with our neighbor's girls, Reagan and Sarah. Little Aaron loves to tag along with his sisters and is showing more and more of his personality. He still doesn't talk much but he makes up for it with a wide range of noises. Lord willing we will welcome another child into our family in February. Please pray for Gina as she will be entering the uncomfortable and tiresome months.
Harry and Ruth Johnson (Luke's parents and our co-workers) have traveled to the U.S. so that Ruth's heart condition can be checked out by the doctors. Please pray for them, that the doctors would have wisdom as to how best to help her. Please pray for us as we hold the fort here with some added responsibilities.

Aaron is all ready for bed.

Emily as she catches flying termites.

Thanks for joining with us in this ministry and spiritual battle. Pray that we would be bold and pursue our calling with wisdom and zeal.

With love in our Savior's name,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily and Aaron Johnson

September Update

Greetings from Kigoma, Tanzania.

Our family has been home for a month now and we're feeling more settled in. Emily and Luke both celebrated birthdays this past month. Esther has begun 2nd grade in homeschooling, and Emily keeps Aaron entertained during the school hours. However, the favorite past time for the girls is to play with their neighbor friends.

Emily on her 4th birthday.

The discipleship course at the local church is in its 4th week with two faithful brothers (Japhet and Peter) teaching the first two modules. Luke is up for teaching next, but before that, he's teaching Soteriology at Grace Bible College for two weeks. He drove the motorbike down to the village this morning and plans to stay until Friday, teaching 4 hours every afternoon. He hadn't quite made it to the village when he called to say he'd been in a small accident. He was being treated at a health clinic for his bruised ankle and sore hand. Now he's arrived at his destination and teaching the students. We pray he'll make it thru the end of the week and that he'll heal fast and have strength to do it all over again next week.

Thank you for your prayers for us and the Lord's ministry in eastern Africa.

Blessings in Christ,
Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily and Aaron Johnson

August Update

Dear praying friends and family,

The time for our return to Tanzania has come. As I write this the car is all loaded up with our luggage for our trip to Seattle and then our flight Monday morning. It has been a great furlough of seeing lots of chapel friends and many family members as well.

Since our last newsletter we visited Luke's uncle Don Tinder and his son Derek and his family in the San Francisco area. We had a great time with them and got to share about the work at Sun Valley Bible Chapel. We enjoyed the train ride there and back.

With the cousins in California

As soon as we got back we helped out with a week of Day Camp (like a VBS) at the Tieton Drive Bible Chapel in Yakima, WA. We did the journey through the Bible and it was a wonderful outreach to the kids of the community. The children really enjoyed acting out parts of the Bible as well as all the teaching, activities, crafts and singing. Please pray for lasting fruit from this effort. Since then we have been getting stuff we need and packing for our return to Tanzania, and now it has come. 

Our Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) in Tanzania is 7:30 AM, Wed. Aug. 27, 2014 (Local Time). In the meantime, and for the next few months we will be awaiting another arrival. The ETA for his/her arrival is February 2015.

Aaron has no idea what this is all about!

When we get to Tanzania we'll still have a 3 day drive to our home in Kigoma, then we will begin unpacking and settling in. The discipleship course will be starting up soon after that. Please keep all these things in mind as you pray for us. Thanks.

May God's peace be with you,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily, Aaron & ????? Johnson

June and July Update

Dear praying friends and family,

We are State-side this summer and enjoying our time in the Northwest. More than half of our furlough is over already, so we are taking a look at our "to do" list to make sure we are ready to return to Tanzania the end of August.

Some highlights of our furlough have been with family. Gina and the kids spent a few days at Lakeside Bible Camp with Jesse and Janel and the kids enjoyed playing together, which helped with adjusting to the new time zone. A week after arriving we attended the wedding for Ben and Breana Johnson in Phoenix and also enjoyed seeing some of Luke's siblings and their growing families. A couple of weekends were spent at the farm in Oregon with a chance to see Grandma Nelson and also attend the Memorial Service for Grandpa David Nelson. (pictured below: us girls with Grandma Nelson in OR) There were two other family weddings in June and July, and it was fun to see so many aunts and uncles and cousins after many years.

With Grandma Nelson in Forest Grove, OR.

Upon arrival, Luke stayed in Chicago to then catch a ride to Dubuque and attend the Iron Sharpens Ironconference at Emmaus Bible College. We also spent a week at Family camp this time at Shiloh Bible Camp, where Luke and Mark Mattix shared the chapel sessions. Luke has also shared about the work in Tanzania and will do so again a couple more times.

Another highlight has been our time with our chapel family, Tieton Drive Bible Chapel. Dave and Heather Cole have blessed us by sharing their living space with our family of 5. Their house has a feeling of "home" for our kids whenever we come back from a weekend trip. (pictured below: Thomas and Lincoln Cole with Emily and Esther near Mt. Rainier) In August we will help out with Day Camp that the chapel is hosting and looking forward to having some 100 kids for that week.

Kiddos on a little hike.

Our kids have adjusted well to the many changes and the lack of routine. The next adventure will be our train ride to the San Francisco Bay area to visit family and a couple of churches.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily and Aaron Johnson

Many more furlough photos!