February Update

Dear praying friends and family, we continue to praise the Lord for his faithfulness to us.

Ministry

Last time we wrote Luke was teaching at the discipleship course. The teaching went well and now we are back up to 7 students (2 dropped out since last term but 2 new ones joined). Japhet is currently teaching on the attributes of God. Please continue to pray for the teachers and the students, that God's word would be planted in their hearts and that they would become firmly rooted in Christ's love.

Luke finished teaching his 2 week course on the End Times at Grace Bible School in the village of Sunuka. Thank you for your prayers for Gina and the kids. Gina did a great job though we were all very happy to be back together again.

Upcoming

The next thing we are preparing for is a 3 day seminar in the village of Lugunga. (Monday Feb. 29 - Mar. 2). Lameck and Luke will be teaching on salvation by grace and the assurance of salvation. This teaching is very much needed in the village churches as many of them have received a false gospel of works or they believe their salvation is kept by good works. Please pray, pray, pray for this seminar that the Holy Spirit might bring understanding and conviction to those who are in darkness and give peace and assurance to those who know the Father. 

Then on March 14 and 15 there will be a 2 day seminar at the village of Sambala, taught by Ayubu and Luke on giving. We hope to encourage cheerful giving on their part to support a full time elder (his name is Bahati) who has been traveling from a neighboring village twice a week for over 2 years to encourage, help, teach and preach at their church. He was chosen to go there after their church began experiencing problems, and has been faithfully doing so. Pray that the saints would be encouraged to give freely from their hearts, out of love for the Lord.

Family

We celebrated Michael's 1st Birthday on February 15. He is crawling now and getting into all kinds of things he shouldn't. He was quite sick at the beginning of February so we are thankful he is doing better now.

Michael on his first birthday.

We had a quick visit from Luke's Aunt Janet who lives in France. She stayed with Harry and Ruth and it was nice to see her again. Danny and Anne Johnson also came down with Anne's mother Raquel, to pick Aunt Janet up and take her to Burundi for a while. 

Ruth, Janet and Harry singing a special number at church.

Danny and Luke with their young boys.

 Thank you so much for your prayers for us and the Lord's work. Pray that we would be wise and faithful to the One who has called us.

Blessings,

Luke & Gina & the kids

December and January Update

Dear praying friends and family, we praise our God and Savior for each of you, because He has called us into fellowship with His Son, and with one another.

Family news 

Praise the Lord with us! Since our last newsletter we have moved in to a bigger house, next door, on the same property. We have been fixing up the old house and trying to rid the attic of rats (we have caught 11 so far). We are thankful for the extra room we now have.

During the month of December we had a visit from Luke's siblings and their families, a special Sunday School program on one of the Sundays, a Christmas service on Christmas day, and a special Youth service on the last Sunday of the year. Also Esther and Gina celebrated their birthdays, and Luke and Gina their 10th Anniversary.

Ministry

We had a month long break at the discipleship course and just started up again on Monday, January 11. Luke is teaching for 3 weeks on Salvation. Please pray that all 7 students would return this term and be ready to grow and learn, as only 3 have shown up so far. (We did remind them last week that we were going to start again).

In December there were different planning meetings; with the youth leaders, the board of Grace Bible School (in the village of Sunuka), and a planning meeting with our fellow missionaries, Harry and Ruth Johnson. Please pray that God's purposes would be accomplished this year in and through every leader, every ministry and every local church, to the glory of Christ. 

Upcoming Events

After Luke finishes teaching at the discipleship course he will go to the village to teach for 2 weeks on the End Times at Grace Bible School. Please pray for Gina and the kids who will be staying home alone for those 2 weeks, and that the students will be ready to learn the modules that will be taught this term.

Prayer Requests

- Please pray for some interpersonal conflicts that are causing division in the Gungu town church. Pray for true repentance, forgiveness, unity and restoration.

- Pray for growth in the village churches this year, and faithfulness and vision for the leaders.

- Continue to pray for our work permits, as they have not been issued yet.

- Pray for the property that was purchased for the discipleship course but has not come through due to corruption.

Thanks for praying.

Luke and Gina and kids.

November Update

Dear praying friends and family,

In our last newsletter we mentioned the visit of Phil and Mary Parsons.
Here is a photo we will share of their visit to a village kindergarten. 

Parsons at Lugunga

It was a blessing and an encouragement to have them visit us.

We praise God for a safe trip to the city of Mwanza. On that Sunday we were able to visit the small assembly that is renting a building. Unfortunately they will need to look for a new place soon. Luke spoke on the excellency of Christ from Colossians 1.

Assembly in Mwanza

Tanzania held nationwide presidential elections, and we praise God for a peaceful week while the votes were being counted. In fact, the new president has already been sworn in. The country is passing new laws regarding the status of foreigners with a permanent address here, so that affects us. Pray that our work visa from April will be issued soon, as we and many others wait. We are thankful to have Emily's new passport, as well as Michael's 5 year passport (instead of the 1 year emergency one).Luke taught three weeks of "Bible Study Methods" to the Discipleship course students and now they are finishing up the term learning about the doctrines of man and sin. We are thankful for the 7 students who faithfully attend. The property we purchased for further development of this Discipleship program is still being held up at the land office due to injustice and corruption. Please pray that the name change could be completed on the title deed. God is still able to move in the hearts of men.Our family is transitioning as we look forward to moving house, just next door! The new house will be bigger, and the girls will have their room separate from the boys for the first time.

Esther (8 y/o) and Michael (9months old).

We have been getting a lot of rain, almost every day now, for the past 3 weeks. Last Friday there were high winds and a very heavy rain. 2 church buildings (of other denominations) and many houses were knocked down. Pray for the people who are trying to rebuild, as many of them are poor.Thank you for your prayers for us. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings in Christ,
Luke & Gina Johnson
with Esther, Emily, Aaron and Michael

Baby Luka

Luke has a baby named after him! But it's not ours... unless you count Aaron, whose middle name is Luke.
But this is a first name, the baby is Luka Abeli. He lives in the village of Nkungwe with his mom Bernadette, his dad Abeli and his big brother Shadrach. We enjoyed meeting him for the first time. At the time of his birth, we tried to visit him and his mother at the local hospital, but we were not able to see him or his mother. We are thankful he is doing well.

Esther and Luka

Bernadette, Luka and Emily

The neighbor kids also enjoyed seeing the visitors...

Just outside the door.

Trick o' treating with the cousins

We had a big group of kids for trick or treating this year. And they were all related! The cousins from Burundi arrived that day. So we piled them in the car and we headed to the missionaries' homes to get some candy. It took awhile to do the rounds, so it's a good thing this only comes around once a year!

Cucpcakes at Mrs. Sue's

Aaron dressed up as Lowell Wertz from Joy in the Harvest.

The whole crew.

August and September Update

Hello dear praying friends and family,

Here are a few highlights from the past two months:

Discipleship Course

On August 18, I (Luke) sent out a quick email asking for prayer for the discipleship course that had just started up again. We continue with that 3 times a week. Peter is finishing up a course on Old Testament Survey (Part I), then Swedi (an elder from the town church) will teach on "The Christian Life." Please continue to pray for us teachers, as well as the 7 faithful students who have continued on with us. 

We were able to purchase a piece of property for the discipleship course, and we went through all the legal steps to make certain all would go well. However, there is now a "hang up" at the land office due to corruption. Please pray that we would be able to get the title deed transferred to us.

Ministry

The seminar back in July, at the village church of Munzeze went well. A few people were able to come from a neighboring village church as well. Peter and I taught on the New Testament church. That Sunday, 4 people were baptized! Please pray that the Lord would raise up other elders to shepherd the small flock there, as there is currently only one elder.

Baptism at Munzeze

As soon as I finished teaching "History of Salvation" at the discipleship course, I taught a 36 hr. course on Pastoral Epistles at a local Christian college to 30+ students. Please pray for these students who are also church leaders from various parts of Tanzania.

We attended the wedding of Habil and Margaret in a southern village (same one we visited with Nate and Tabi Douglas). 

Wedding Vows

Family
The Kumbya missionary retreat in Rwanda at the end of July was a nice break from the routine. (Yes, we were able to get an emergency passport for baby Michael just in time!) Esther and Emily had a great time at the kid's program and enjoyed swimming and playing with the friends they made. Aaron was not too keen to stay with the toddler's program, so unfortunately Gina had to miss out on most of the adult teaching and discussion. All in all we were encouraged from the book of Acts concerning the task of world evangelism. We thank God for a short visit in Burundi with Danny and Anne and their kids (Luke's brother and family) after our time at the retreat. Please continue to pray for peace and stability for Burundi as there has been some unrest and killings since the elections.

Family at Kumbya retreat

And we also celebrated a couple birthdays this month.

Aaron enjoying Emily's birthday cake at the beach.

Upcoming

This week we are happy to have Phil and Mary Parsons visit us on behalf of CMML. We leave in the morning to visit one of the kindergartens that is managed by a village church.

In less than two weeks we are making a trip to the nearest city of Mwanza (13 hr. drive) to take advantage of the Embassy's consular visit and renew Emily's passport.

Please pray for the country of Tanzania with the upcoming presidential elections (Oct. 25).

And finally, please join us in prayer for Esther's school books. They were sent in a container over a year ago, but that container has not yet cleared customs. The summer break has been great but we are eager to start school (I think she would say that too).

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke and Gina

and Esther, Emily, Aaron and Michael

EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS IN KAHWIBIRI (June 18 - 21, 2015)

On Monday we had a committee planning meeting and then on Tuesday we bought the necessary provisions needed. Very early on Thursday morning we left for the village with a car fully loaded with people and film equipment and sleeping mats. Others travelled on local transportation. The trip was dusty and the road was rocky but we made it there by mid-day. The church had prepared a place outside with palm branches overhead for shade. We had our first open air meeting outside that afternoon. There were a few local choirs, and a choir that had traveled 2 days by bicycle to get there. There was not a big crowd as it was the first day, but the preaching went well. After the meeting was over we set up for the films. We showed “The Hope” and a testimony of a man from West Africa who converted to Christ from paganism.

On Friday morning we divided up into 5 groups (each group including a local believer) and we went door to door talking to people about the Lord, giving out tracts, and  inviting them to come to the afternoon meetings and films. This was very well received by the locals and many who promised to come to the meetings did in fact attend. The afternoon was much like the first day, except there were more local choirs 

and more in attendance. After the message 2 came forward to repent, a man and a woman, and were prayed for. Then we showed films: Noah, Pilgrim’s Progress, and a testimony from “More than Dreams.” After the films a drunk man came to talk to us and was led in a prayer of repentance.

Saturday was much like Friday, except that my group walked a ways up into the hills to the Tongwe people, who are a mostly unreached tribe in Tanzania. They are nominal Muslims, but very animistic in their beliefs. Many were not home but those we found at home listened to the gospel with interest. Please pray for one man who was especially interested in the gospel but was not ready to make a decision to follow Christ. His name is Rashidi. Meanwhile the other groups were continuing to visit people in the village. One group was harshly sent away by one Muslim family, but that was unusual. The others were well received wherever they went. After lunch the outdoor meetings continued with even more people. After the preaching the sick were prayed for. 

Going door-to-door where the Tongwe live.

Then, while we were setting up the film equipment a man walked straight up to me and said, “I want to become a Christian.” I led him over to the church leaders as I was busy getting ready for the films. Later I was told that the man was a witch doctor. After explaining to him the gospel he wanted to be saved, but he showed them some of his witchcraft items & charms. The church leaders told him he needed to burn those things. He claimed he would die if he did, but they reassured him that Jesus was more powerful than these items. He finally agreed to burn them and a fire was started right there and the items were destroyed by fire (A rope that would turn into a snake at night and terrorize people, human bones, nails to stick into idols and inflict pain on people, offerings to idols etc…) He prayed with the church leaders and trusted in Christ. Meanwhile we showed films: the Jesus film and another testimony from “More than Dreams.”

Peter preaching in the afternoon.

On Sunday we had a church service outside. During the testimony time the witch doctor who had repented the day before gave his testimony of how he has given his life to Jesus, and asked that we continue to pray for him. He told of how he had many “evil things” that were burned. His name is Andrea (Andrew). Please pray that Andrea would grow in grace and the knowledge of his Lord and Savior. And please pray for all who made professions of faith, that they would continue to meet with the believers and not turn back. Only the Lord knows their hearts. Before leaving we implored the believers at Kahwibiri, once more, to follow up with these people and continue to visit and encourage them. Please pray that they would be faithful to do this, so that there will be lasting fruit. Praise the Lord for all that was done and for the Christ centered preaching done by Peter Yamungu, who also helps with the discipleship program. Also, many Bibles were sold at a reduced price and New Testaments were given to some of those who made professions of faith.

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray.

June Update

Hello dear praying friends and family, we are grateful to the Lord for your participation with us in the gospel. We are not ashamed of this gospel because it has the power to save even the worst of sinners.

Ministry

This past month has been a busy one. We thank you for praying for the things mentioned in our last newsletter. The new tires for the car arrived just in time for the long evangelistic trip to the village of Kahwibiri. The conference went very well with door to door evangelism, open air meetings and evangelistic films at night. At least 4 people made professions of faith and many more heard a clear, Christ-centered gospel. Please pray for lasting fruit, and that the local believers would be careful to follow up with those who made decisions to follow Jesus.

Conference at Kahwibiri

The very next week following the conference at Kahwibiri I taught a 2 week course on hermeneutics to 33 students at a local Bible College. Pray that these church leaders would use the principles they have learned to interpret Scripture correctly as they preach and teach the flock entrusted to them.

The following week was filled up with a committee meeting and regional church leader meetings. Praise the Lord, they went fairly well. Please pray for these church leaders as they work in difficult places, with few resources at their disposal. Pray that they would work as unto the Lord and not grow weary or lose heart.

Family Life

Esther has been on summer vacation so all the kids have enjoyed playing with the neighborhood kids for many hours each day. Aaron (2 yrs. old) has been saying new words and is trying to express himself more. We recently set up a small aquarium we had in storage and have enjoyed catching fish and watching them in our home. The dry season is definitely here with windy mornings and dusty/hazy days. Also our yard is now dirt instead of grass. The dust has given us stuffy noses and sore throats, but these are not too bad. We thank the Lord for good health lately.

Emily and Aaron cooling off on a hot afternoon.

Upcoming Events

1. Seminar on "Christ Loved the Church" at Munzeze, films at night (Thurs - Sat, July 16-18) and church meeting on Sunday. (Teachers: Peter Yamungu and Luke Johnson). Pray for those who attend to humbly receive the Word implanted.

2. Missionary conference and retreat (called "Kumbya") in Rwanda (July 25 - Aug 2). Please pray that Michael's passport would arrive so that we would be able to travel and attend this conference. We have attended once in the past and it was a great break and encouragement to us.

3. Start up the discipleship course (Mon. Aug. 17). It will run for about 3 and a half months, 3 days a week. Please pray as we prepare to teach again, and also get desks made for the new session and look for a piece of property to buy for the future.

We are so grateful for all of you who read these letters and pray for us. Your work is not in vain. Pray that we would not grow weary in doing good.

Looking for the Blessed Hope,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily, Aaron and Michael

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