Back in Tanzania

We are so happy to be back in Tanzania!

But we're not quite home when the plane lands. There's a whole country to drive across, a straight line from east to west. Thankfully it's mostly paved, but that doesn't make it less dangerous.

Driving across the country. again.

Esther singing in the choir at the local church.

The kids spend most of their days outside.

Luke spends most of his days fixing something. =)

Back to school; learning about magnets.

Emily in her element, sailing on lake Tanganyika.

Luke doing what he loves: teaching God's Word.

William doing what he loves: eating!

Highlights from our time in the USA

 We arrived in New York, and were picked up at the airport by Phil Parsons. He took us straight way to CMML guest house. Mary Parsons had stocked our little kitchen with cereal, milk, bread, butter, orange juice, and even a roasted chicken! We were exhausted, so after a bowl of cereal (american cereal after 44 months!) we got the kids and ourselves to bed; we slept great that first night!

The next morning, the kids were up early and ready to explore the forest behind CMML.

That was the beginning of our 3 months in the USA. I will share via photos the highlights of our time there: traveling the east coast, then onto Phoenix and the Northwest and briefly finishing back in NJ.

We always enjoy the different seasons there are in the northern hemisphere. This time it was spring, and beginning of summer. It's refreshing to see big parks and open, clean spaces for enjoying God's creation right in the city limits. And it's so encouraging to have fellowship with God's people! Luke had many opportunities to share about the Lord's work in Tanzania. Our family returned with hearts filled to the brim (not just our suitcases!) with gratitude and with wonderful memories.

Pond near Belmar, NJ

Visiting with College friends and Aunt Carol.

Visiting with Chris and Genesis.

Cousins meeting for the first time.

Uncle Jesse teaching the kids how to safely fire a .22.

William meeting Bigfoot.

Celebrating birthdays: Aaron, William and Isaac.

A sunny day on the Oregon beach!

Briefly seeing Great Grandma and Aunt Sherry.

Pretending for a day that we were in the Swiss Alps.

Good food, quality time with cousins.

Playing in the snow!

Fishing with Daddy.

Pleasant picnics by the lake.

Learning how to balance on a floating log.

Fun in the pool.

Skating rink, a first for our kids.

Heading to the hills to beat the heat in the valley.

Great food. Maybe a bit too much!

Packing, standing in line, and exhaustion!

In case you missed it...

 We have a new prayer card!

These kids are growing SO fast.

Traveling to the US

 Well, it's time we go on a furlough. A real furlough. Actually leave the continent of Africa. It's been 44 months since we've visited the US, the many family and friends and supporting churches. 

It's long over-due.

We tried to have a furlough after our typical 3-year stay on the "mission field", but that was the year 2020. Lots of crazy stuff happened that year, one of them being canceled flights, which affected many people world wide.

So here we are: US furlough take 2!

It begins with a 2-day road trip across the country of Tanzania (the size of 3 California States!), from Kigoma to the coast and city of Dar Es Salaam.

Long hours in the crowded car!

The sights from driving across the country:

Trucks carrying big loads.

Bicyclists carrying big loads.

Beautiful, puffy white clouds.

Threatening, dark, gray clouds.

Then, once in the city, it's time to get covid tests and allow for a couple days to get results. William isn't 2  years old yet, so he's the only one who doesn't need a covid test for entry into the USA.

Everyone is very excited for the international flight. Especially the movies.

Waiting in the Dar airport.

But after a 6 hour flight, the newness of it all wears off. We arrive for our layover, and we try our best to get comfortable for our 10-hour stay in the airport.

Everyone is getting a good sleep at the Dubai airport.

We board our flight to New York, and after a 13 hour flight we safely arrive, get thru customs and are happily reunited with our luggage! Welcome to the USA!

At the New York airport!

February and March Update

Dear praying friends,

We thank our God and Father for the many of you who were praying for Luke's ministry trip down south to visit 3 village churches. We were greatly encouraged by the many who responded and told us they were praying. We could sense the Spirit's presence and sustaining power as we ministered, and we believe this was due to the prayers of the saints.

On Wednesday, March 3 I (Luke) left Kigoma with one of the elders from the town church (Peter) and a young man (Charles). In spite of heavy rains on the way down we were able to reach the first village (Kahwibiri) in about 3.5 hours and teach a seminar on giving to the Lord and His work. As we were setting up for films another light rain began so we had to move the equipment inside the chapel. Due to a mishap during set up the speaker fell off it's stand and 2 pieces broke off of the plastic casing at the top. In spite of this the speaker continued to work and we finished without any more problems.

Seminar teaching at the chapel in Kahwibiri.

Lots of rain!

Spending time with the believers in Kahwibiri.

The next day (Thurs.) we drove on to the second village (Igalula). We took with us the elder from the church we had just visited. After about 1.5 hours we got to a place in the road where the bridge had been washed out from the rains the day before. The villagers were busy fixing it by hand with rocks and sand. After some time we began to help them to make it go faster. We were able to cross but soon we took a wrong turn and got lost. We had to turn around and find our way back to the wrong turn. After that we entered a plain with many muddy spots. Soon we got stuck in the black mud. We had to dig and push ourselves out. We continued to encounter many bad spots but we were able to make it through and get to the elder's house in our destination village. After being fed we went to the chapel for one late afternoon teaching session. Then we set up for gospel films. The next day (Fri.) Luke taught all day on "Church growth principles" taken from the book of Acts. In the evening we showed films again.

Bridge on the main road got washed out.

Then the temporary bridge was in need of repair.

Roadway covered in water in many sections.

Arriving at Igalula and meeting outside with the believers.

Seminar teaching on day 2 in Igalula.

The following day (Sat.) we left for the next village (Buhingu) with the elder from the church we had just visited. The road was really bad so we had to take it slowly. Eventually we got to a very deep, wide, muddy crossing. After hearing from the locals that a car (ambulance, actually) had gotten stuck there the day before and had to be pulled out we decided to leave our car at the local police station, take our belongings and walk the rest of the way. It was only a 30 minute walk before we reached the house of the elder in that village. We were received by the believers there and after a quick breakfast, Luke taught on "Church growth principles" again both in the morning and in the afternoon. The locals really wanted to have films so they sent a motorcycle to go get the film equipment in 3 trips. In the evening we set up for films but the projector kept on shutting off. After almost an hour of having trouble we were able to begin showing the Jesus film but after about 1 hour a storm that had been brewing brought some gusty wind which blew over our screen. We decided to pack up. The next day we met with the disciples again for our Sunday meeting. Peter preached.

That's as far as the car can go.

Walking into the village of Buhingu.

Buhingu and Igalula are on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Chapel building at Buhingu.

Believers gathered for seminar on Saturday afternoon.

Fellowship and food.

Peter preaching Sunday morning at Buhingu.

After the service we had a quick lunch before getting 5 motorcycles to take us and the film equipment back to the car. After loading up the car we headed all the way back to Kigoma. Many of the bad muddy spots had dried enough to pass and the temporary bridge was still intact. After that it started raining really hard again and we almost didn't make it up one steep hill because of the slick mud but the Lord helped us. We were able to make it back home safely at 8 PM.

Please continue to pray for the saints in these villages, and the leaders, that they would apply these principles of church growth and see the Lord's hand of blessing on their assemblies.

Japhet continues to teach our 9 faithful students at the Disciples of Jesus school. Then Peter teaches 1 more module before we wrap up our first term. Please pray that the students would grow in their faith and knowledge of the Word and be equipped for service.

On the home front, Gina continues to homeschool 4 of the 5 kids and is trying to finish the school year before our fast-approaching furlough. Please pray for Gina and the kids to finish the school year in time. Please pray for us as we make furlough plans and try to wrap up many things before our trip. 

Upcoming, we have a church business meeting on Sat (Mar. 13) at the local Gungu church here in town. Then at the beginning of April we will have our Annual General Meeting of missionaries. This year we will have a joint meeting in Dodoma with our German missionary colleagues who mostly work in the southern half of the country. Please pray for unity, peace and love during these meetings. After that we go from there to Dar to catch our flight to the US and, Lord willing, have our furlough. Please pray for negative Covid test results for all of us so that we will not be hindered from leaving.

As always, we praise our Lord and Savior for your faithful partnership with us in the gospel.

In Christ,

Luke, Gina and the kids.

January Update

Dear praying friends,

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?" (Ps. 27:1). When we make the great "I AM" our focus, and know Him as our "light," "salvation," and "defense," our fears begin to fade. It is my prayer that you are trusting Him daily, and seeking Him, who is our great reward.

Wataturu Tribe Outreach

In our last update (early December 2020) I gave a report of our ministry trip to the mostly-unreached Wataturu tribe to visit our national missionary friend Peter Yamungu. Well, Peter is getting ready to go back on Feb. 3, 2021 to encourage and teach the 2 small gatherings of believers, and continue building relationships and evangelizing. Please pray for Peter and that God would open a wide door for the gospel among the Wataturu.

Peter and Naomi giving thanks at the Kigoma church.

Disciples of Jesus school

On Jan. 11, 2021 we began a new year with a new group of discipleship students. We are finishing up the first module with 8 faithful students. Then I (Luke) will be teaching 2 modules back to back. Please pray for strength and stamina for the teachers and students. Pray that God's Spirit would do a great transforming work in our lives this year.

Family

After a 2 week break for Christmas and the New Year, Gina is continuing strong with homeschooling 4 of our 5 kids. Esther, our oldest, hopes to start 9th. grade at a boarding school in Kenya (Rift Valley Academy) in the fall. Lord willing we hope to travel to the US for a furlough, from mid-April to mid-July, after our tickets were cancelled last year. Please pray for us as we try and meet all the COVID requirements in an ever-changing world. Pray that our time in the US would be one of blessing and usefulness for Christ and His kingdom.

Finally, brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God. Fight the good fight. Pray at all times in the Spirit. And pray for us, that utterance may be given us, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. Take courage, our redemption draws near.

Grace be with you,

Luke, Gina, Esther, Emily, Aaron, Michael and William Johnson