Adventurous drive across Tanzania

We left for our trip to Moshi, on Thursday August 19. The plan was to travel to the town of Itigi, a crossroads where we head north after crossing half of Tanzania. But only after 5 hrs of driving (the trip for the day would have been about 11 hrs), our engine started heating up. It wasn't safe to continue, so we pulled over. We had left before 6 am, and it was only 11 in the morning. We let the car cool down, added water to the radiator, that seemed to be leaking a bit, and kept going. We could hardly go 5 km, and the engine would heat up, so we'd pull over again.

Finally, we were able to make it to the town of Kaliua. We spotted a greasy court yard full of dumpy vehicles in front of a rice mill, and pulled over to talk to the mechanics. They all rushed to our vehicle, eager to fix the problem. They decided, that the best way to fix the leaking radiator was to remove it and solder it. After another local man soldered the leaks, it was replaced. Luke took it for a test drive, and it overheated again. So they proceeded to glue the leaks as best they could.

With the mechanic in Kaliua.

At 4 pm, we left Kaliua, in hopes of making it to the bigger town of Tabora. But after only 20+ km, the car was overheating again. We pulled over. The sun was setting, and we were discouraged.

After letting the car cool a bit, we tried driving again. But this time we didn't get far before needing to stop again.

Sunset on our first day of travel.

After a whole afternoon of waiting, still smiling!

Luke decided to hop on the first vehicle that came by to get a ride to the nearest town for help, leaving me and the kids with the car. A local "daladala" / bus came by within seconds, I handed Luke his wallet and phone, as he flagged him down. He explained our predicament to them, and the driver offered to tow us. We were so grateful! We got hooked up, and were being towed in no time. We rounded the bend and there was the sign for the town of Urambo. We were less than 2 km away! He turned off the highway and cruised along the local roads of the town. We bounced along, trying to guess when his next turn would be. I think he forgot he was towing us, he didn't drive slow! The daladala plopped us at a mechanic shop in an alley close to the town center. The mechanic and his 10+ helpers rushed to our car, eager to fix the problem.

Luke explained what was happening, and what had been done at Kaliua. I rounded up the kids, and went in search of food. It was after 7 pm. We walked to the end of the block to find a local "mgahawa" /restaurant that served rice and beans. After a good meal, we placed the leftovers in a plastic container for Luke (and Aaron who was sleeping in the car). Then, the girls and I walked back a few blocks in search of a hotel to spend the night. We asked at 4 different hotels before finally finding room. It was only some 4 blocks away, so we trekked back to the car to grab the travel bag that contained toiletries and pjs.

The mechanic said he was done, and the car was ready to go. So Luke drove to a nearby hotel with the car (a different one, because ours didn't have parking) while the kids and I got settled into our rooms. We decided to book 3 whole rooms for our family of 7, seeing that they were only $3.50 per room, we didn't feel the need to squeeze into a small space. =) Luke joined us and we got ready for bed, he washed the plastic container that had held his meal and climbed under our mosquito nets exhausted. I tried to ignore the booming, party music coming from the "nicer" hotel down the street, and was grateful we weren't staying there.

Only about an hour later, William was up coughing incessantly. He was across the hall from us, so we decided to bring him to our room before he woke up his brothers. Or fall off the bed, that was about 3 ft high. He settled down, but I had to sleep at the foot of the large queen size bed, to give William enough room.

Then, in the middle of the night, (I couldn't tell you the time because I refuse to look at the clock, it just makes me upset that I'm not sleeping at such ungodly hours) we heard some noise in our room. Luke shown with the flashlight but saw nothing. Then we heard things falling, our deodorant, and some cups. Still couldn't see anything. I just tried to ignore it.

In the morning we found the lid to the plastic container (that had been cleaned, but had held rice and beans) chewed up. Itty bitty plastic bits were covering the one sofa chair in the room and some of our clothes. A huge, gaping hole stared back at us from the arm rest of said sofa chair. I was so glad we didn't have food. The rat had to be content with plastic, and he didn't manage to destroy anything else.

Evidence of the rat.

We were up before 7 am and on the road again. As we left the town of Urambo, the car started heating up so we turned around. We stopped to eat some "chapati" /fried bread and tea before heading back to the mechanic in the alley. The mechanic was not an early riser, and so we waited for him to show up to his "shop". They continued to work on it. The kids and I explored the local market to try and make time go by quicker. At noon, we left. It still wasn't fixed.

But, the bigger town of Tabora lay only some 70 km away and we prayed that God would allow us to arrive there and find the help we needed. 

He answered our prayers, we arrived at Tabora around 3 pm. Our first stop was a much-needed meal. Then we tried to get our fancy smartphones to help us locate a good hotel to stay at. But the network wouldn't cooperate. We asked God to lead us to a comfortable guest house for our family, and a faithful mechanic to work on the car. We started by driving down some main roads in Tabora, scanning for  decent hotels. Turning down from the main road we came upon the Moravian church. Realizing it was a big compound, we inquired about a possible guest house. Sure enough, they had the whole works, a guest house, a conference hall and lots more on their compound that spanned to the other side of the road. Thankfully they had room for us, and so we proceeded to unpack the car. The people were surprised that we'd be taking all our luggage, until we explained that our car had to go to a garage for repairs. At this they responded: "We have a mechanic that we use for our vehicles, he's very faithful and good. We'll call him for you." Praise the Lord!

The garden at the Moravian guest house.

Luke studying at the quiet guest house.

The kids, having a bit of screen time during our stay.

The mechanic changed a head gasket on the car engine and had it all back together by 10 pm. He promised  to give it a test drive in the morning, and let us know how it was doing. So we went to bed, thankful for the hard work that was done, and praying that it would truly be fixed.

In the morning the car overheated as usual. So the mechanic tackled the radiator, once more. Luke came back to the guest house and had time to prepare for his teaching sessions for the following week. We relaxed, and enjoyed having Esther with us, her last week before starting school in Kenya.

We ate at the local market.

Our meals came with a side of okra, this boy loved it!

Luke sent an email to praying friends in the US. They responded later that afternoon saying that they were praying for us. In the late afternoon, Luke went to see how the mechanic was getting along. They had been working hard all day, and were stumped. They decided to check the actual unit that tells us the car was overheating along with the thermostat. The thermostat was pulled out, and found to be faulty. The car drove without overheating. God answered the prayers of our friends!

Such a small thing! And why couldn't we just have found it days earlier and saved us the headache of all the run-around and delay?

Well, we wouldn't have seen God's hand at work in so many situations: the helpful men at the hardware store that gave us water for the radiator, and their phone numbers, just in case. The women who sold rice in Kaliua who were curious about the mission work in Kigoma and eagerly read the gospel tracks we left them. The bus driver who graciously towed us, even though his customers grumbled. The adventurous spirit of my kids, searching for food and lodging in an unknown town at night and laughing thru the whole ordeal, knowing that God would somehow fix it all, even though we couldn't quite see how. Being blessed by listening to my girls play guitar and sing in the courtyard of the guesthouse. Being reminded of how God can guide and answer prayer.

Or maybe it was just to humble us. Our family had made plans for a vacation, at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro prior to the church meetings. We had planned a 2-day, uneventful car trip to our destination. I (Gina) was proud of myself for having made all the necessary bookings and the preparations for a getaway. Luke has always taken such great care of our car and kept it running well for 13 years. He's good about checking it over before long trips, and we've hardly had mishaps because of it.

But God had other plans.

Sunrise on our fourth day of travel.

We were up by 5 am and on our way again. I kept checking the temperature gauge, being skeptical that it really was as simple as a faulty thermostat. How we thanked God with every kilometer marker we passed, we were really on our way!

Breakfast by the side of the highway.

In less than 12 hrs we were at the north of the country, in the city of Arusha. We decided to call it a day, and find a place to spend the night. Arusha is full of tourists, therefore there are lots of fancy stores and restaurants, unlike our town in western Tanzania. So we did what all tourists do; we went to the American Pizza Hut, a first for our family. After that, we had some gelato too. We were worlds away from our humble town, even though we hadn't bothered showering or washing the car for our city outing. Sorry mom!

Enjoying a special night out.

We slept well and woke up to a frigid Arusha, sitting at 4600 ft above sea level. There was no hurry to get to Moshi quite yet. We didn't want to drop in on our hosts, Steve and Anne Street, too early. So we pretended to be tourists again. Once again, our amazing smartphones were not cooperating, or perhaps it was the poor network. (Or maybe the users just aren't very adept. ha!) We headed in the direction of Moshi, knowing that there were some hot springs that looked like fun to visit. After a certain distance, I knew we'd gone too far and must have missed the turn. Luke had been scanning for signs the whole time, always asking me to remind him of the name of the hot springs (Kikuletwa). I figured, it wasn't THAT renown of a place to have even a sign board; we had to ask the locals. We pulled over and Luke asked a friendly, local butcher. He proved to be very friendly. It took him some 7 minutes to give specific details and on how to locate the right road, and that his brother was also a butcher in that town, and it'd be best to stop and talk to him too. He gave us names of all these important relations and how exactly they were related, and that he'd lived in these parts all his life, and many in his family are also butchers. Luke got back in the car, we turned around and headed back a couple kilometers, laughing at how much extra information he was given.

At the next main turn, we stopped to ask directions again, just to make sure. This time Luke decided to ask a couple of ladies who were selling tomatoes. One eagerly explained to him how to access these hot springs, proudly exclaiming that she was from that village and she'd be happy to show us the way, but only if he'd buy the tomatoes. No reason to return home without selling your produce first. Well, we didn't have need of so many tomatoes, so we declined her offer.

As we turned down a dirt road, we bumped along and followed the road out of town. It became even bumpier as we went along and it looked less and less like a main road. I started to doubt my idea of trying to track these hot springs, something I'd seen on someone's Facebook page some 9 years before. I hadn't quite given all those facts to Luke yet, he thought I really knew about this place, but I didn't. By the looks of it, we were headed to a hot springs, that only the local people knew and we'd find a crowded pool, where old men like to soak their tired bones and women washed clothes while children scampered about.

Then we came to the train tracks. We stopped to ask some motorcyclists directions, and they offered to show us if we'd pay. We declined, and kept going. We crossed the train tracks and were abruptly stopped by an elderly man. He was wearing a burgundy suit, with a matching hat, and a paper flower on the pocket. He proudly held a laminated card that hung from a lanyard and announced in a very loud, and broken English that he was our official guide. He assured us that he would guide us safely to where we wanted to go. He then opened the back door, and unapologetically let himself in, saying he wouldn't mind sitting in the back with the children.

We were quite taken aback, we could hardly respond, not knowing whether to laugh or ask him to please get out of our car. But he didn't look like the type you could argue with. So we followed his lead and went on. How he loved to talk. He told us many facts about the hot springs, and the tribe that he was from. The children just sat dazed by it all, I don't think they could imagine someone being able to talk more than them! As we made our way to these unknown hot springs, I was cautiously optimistic that they would be great; seeing that a man stopped tourists just to show the way in hopes of making a few shillings was a sign of a treasure. Or of a very bored man.

 In less than 10 minutes we were crossing a dry river bed and making our way towards an oasis. As we rounded the corner and came to the far side of the oasis, we saw a long line of safari vehicles. There were curios shops, and even restaurants. I noticed the restaurants right away and was relieved, we had pursued this excursion and driven away from civilization without any proper thought to the next meal.  God was taking care of our needs.

We thanked our guide, and assured him that we could find our way back, he needn't wait for us. A group of boys came running up, offering us baobab seeds to buy, saying they were a tasty snack. They made you pucker, but were a bit addicting too.

Once we got a look at the water through the thick wall of vegetation, we were amazed. It was crystal clear and an enchanting blue color. The kids didn't waste time getting into their suits and jumping in. We rented a couple tubes, when we heard of the depth (a hole that feeds the spring runs 5 km deep!) and eagerly joined the other swimmers. The water was surprisingly refreshing, not warm. A rope swing hung on a huge tree, and many kids and adults showed off their skills. Some young men kept trying to out-do each other and attempted higher and higher jumps, with flips and dives into the water. We swam upstream toward the source and peered into a black hole that gaped open under us. Little fish nibbled on our feet and legs, and big catfish burrowed into the sand. It was paradise in the middle of a dessert. We spent all afternoon soaking in God's creation, and relaxing in a picturesque pool, enjoying each other's company.

And that is how we ended our 5-day trip across Tanzania, that should have only taken 2 days. We would have missed such a treasure in our hurriedness. God knew best.

Emily, getting in.

Crystal clear pool.

Michael likes to come prepared!

Aaron and Esther.

William and Esther.

Emily on the rope swing.

Swimming up stream to the source.

Aaron, ready to get in a second time.

It's time to go.

Good-bye hot springs.

August Update

Dear praying friends, 

What a privilege it is to be servants of the Most High God! The more we see the brokenness of this present world the more we long for our heavenly home. We must work while it is day, for night is soon coming. Be steadfast and immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord for your labor is not in vain.

We would like to update you on the work here, as it has been a while …

Disciples of Jesus School

The discipleship school just started up again after a month long break. We still have 8 students who, Lord willing, will graduate at the end of October. Please pray for them that they would finish well. We have 2 ministry trips planned for this last term. 

Johnson Family Reunion

We thank the Lord that at the beginning of August we were able to have a reunion of all but one of the Johnson siblings with their spouses and kids. We gathered here in Kigoma and enjoyed a week of swimming, snorkeling, spear fishing and sailing at a beach on Lake Tanganyika.

Showing off their tie-dye t-shirts.

Regional Elder's Conference

In June we held our annual seminar and conference for elders from the 3 regions in our area. Luke and his father had the opportunity to teach on "Preparing new elders" for the work of shepherding. The teaching was well received. Please pray that the current elders would begin doing this important work in their local assemblies.

Elders gathered for teaching, representing more than 25 churches.

Bible Training for Men from an Unreached Area

In July we had 5 days of intensive training for 4 men who come from an area of the country that is mostly unreached. This is the area where Peter ministers among the Wataturu and Wasukuma tribes. Pray for each of these men to use the Bibles and commentaries they were given and to teach others. We are thankful for the report of some already teaching others. 

Luke with 3 of the 4 men that came.

Upcoming Events

Now we are preparing for a 2 day drive to Moshi (near the famous Mt. Kilimanjaro) for a 3 day vacation, followed by a week of meetings where elders from all over the country will be gathered for Bible teaching and to discuss church matters. Luke will be teaching at the seminar there. Pray for his preparation. While in Moshi we will say goodbye to Esther who will be returning by bus to Rift Valley Academy (a Christian boarding school in Kenya) for her 10th grade year. We certainly enjoyed our summer vacation with her at home. Upon return from Moshi, Gina will be starting up homeschool with our 3 middle children and Luke will begin to work on the stack of paperwork for renewing our work and residence permits. Please pray for these matters as well.

Your prayers for our family and the work here are very much appreciated.

May God's grace abound to each of you,

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

Running Water

 On May 21, our friends from ODE successfully drilled a well at the property.

You can see news about that HERE. 

We praise the Lord for a good source of clean water, and everything going so smoothly.

Checking out the poles that will hold the solar panels.

Today, June 25, the team was back at the property and installed the 5 solar panels (325 W each), fastened them to 15 ft high poles and connected all the wires. Within a very short time, water was coming up the well and flowing thru a big black pipe. 

The solar panels are installed.

I sure hope they're high enough to be safe from robbers!

Running. Clean. Water was going out the fence in the big pipe! The neighbors immediately lined up with their buckets and barrels and jugs. It was so exciting to see! The water will run whenever there is sun. So there should be plenty of water for everyone.

The big pipe going down the property to the lower fence.

Clean water for everyone!

The solar panels still doing their job at 5:30 pm.

We pray that this clean, potable water will be a blessing to this community. 

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Blessings from Tanzania, 

Luke and Gina

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.

February Update

 We thank God for his protection and constant provision. We are thankfully enjoying good health (besides a passing cold), and not being hindered in the work of the Lord, here in Tanzania. The ministries we are involved in have not slowed down, the believers are free to worship and meet together and we count it a privilege to be able to do so.

Luke is currently teaching “Bible Study Methods" at the Disciples of Jesus School. There are 7 faithful students who will study a total of 13 courses, equipping them to teach and shepherd their local churches. Please pray for these students, to study well, and learn with the intent to then teach others.

Traveling between countries has affected us, with the added requirements, but God has helped us through those hurdles. Our oldest daughter, Esther, has started studying at a boarding school in Kenya (neighboring country) for her high school years. We thank God for his provision of this lovely school for her, and the excellent teaching she is receiving. Please join us in praying for a relaxing of these added requirements and an ease to traveling.

I (Gina) continue with homeschooling with the other school age children: Emily (11 years old), Aaron (8 years old), and Michael (7 years old). It is always challenging, and tiring, but so rewarding to discovery truths together and see them grow in their knowledge and understanding. Our youngest, William, is 2 years old and loves to be at the center of everything! We would appreciate your prayers as we seek the Lord’s wisdom and patience in raising all of our children to be Godly men and women for the Lord.

Blessings in Christ,

Gina Johnson

At the Kigoma airport, watching Esther's plane take-off.

New Year Update

Dear praying friends, 

Another month has gone by since we last wrote, and a new year has begun with fresh opportunities for serving the Master.

Disciples of Jesus School

On January 10 we began a new school year with 7 new students (2 men, 3 young men, and 2 young ladies). We may get 2 more students next week, if all goes well. Please pray for a deep spiritual hunger and for steadfast commitment for each student. Pray for us as teachers as we seek to nurture them spiritually.

Homeschool and Online School

We were happy to have Esther home from boarding school for the month of December for her Christmas break. Well, she is still at home, studying online after many staff at her school in Kenya had gotten sick with Covid. The plan is for her to return on Jan 29. Gina continues to homeschool the 3 middle children. That comes with many challenges, so you can pray for all of us for patience and wisdom from God with homeschool and online schooling.

William was sick with malaria on Christmas.

We enjoyed a Christmas dinner on Boxing Day!

Pretending to be tourists in our own town.
Visiting Dr. Livingstone museum.

Back to school: Emily doing a science experiment.

Esther doing online school with RVA.

Direction for the future

As we look forward in this new year we would ask for your prayers for us. That God's Spirit would guide us and fill us with love, wisdom, and the knowledge of His will. We need His direction and empowering for our family, for the discipleship school, the new school property, evangelism and outreach, and with the many struggling churches in the region.

Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer for the Lord's work here in Western Tanzania. May the Master use you as well to accomplish His good purposes.

In Christ, Luke Jonson (for the family)

End of Year Update

Dear praying friends, 

The Disciples of Jesus School celebrated the graduation of its 9 students on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Please pray that they would serve the Master with the new knowledge they have and remain faithful to Him.

Graduates 2021

We have continued to visit village churches as we are able. Luke traveled with 5 others to visit the believers at Kanoge for 4 days. There was a seminar, a wedding, a Sunday service, the recognition of 2 new elders, as well as good conversation and fellowship.

Continue to pray for the many village churches to be salt and light in their communities.

Wedding in Kanoge.

Luke has begun studying the book "True Discipleship" by William MacDonald with 5 young men from the town assembly. We have met 9 times and the discussions have been good so far. Pray for Isa, Michael, Baraka, Daudi and Amini to dedicate their lives fully to their Savior and serve Him mightily.

As a family we have made 2 visits to two different families, both who recently lost loved ones and also recently had new births in their families. It was a joy to spend time with them and seek to encourage and bless them in a small way.

Work at the Discipleship school property continues slowly. We planted a bougainvillea hedge around the fence, and have to replant where the clippings did not sprout. We are in the process of getting the power company to bring electricity to the property as well.

Pray for God's provision and direction to move forward in His time.

Finished fence and gates.

A week ago Gina and I were able to fly to Dar Es Salaam to meet up with Esther, who was returning from boarding school in Kenya for her Christmas vacation. While there we visited the US Embassy to renew Luke and Esther's passports before flying home. We are now enjoying our time with Esther during her 1 month holiday!

Family fun at the beach.

Family time at the beach.

Celebrating Esther's 15th birthday.

There are many different Christmas celebrations at the church in the coming weeks.

Pray for God's Word to bear fruit as some family members who normally don't attend church may be coming for these special events.

We thank you for your continued prayers for the Lord's work here in the Kigoma region. Most of all we thank God for his indescribable gift, as we remember His coming to earth and wrapping Himself in a human body in order to redeem us from the curse. 

Merry Christmas!

May you rejoice in Him always,

Luke and Gina Johnson

Esther, Emily, Aaron, Michael and William too.

September Update

Dear praying friends,

Since our last newsletter we made a quick trip (6 full days of driving) to Kenya and back to drop off our oldest daughter, Esther, at Rift Valley Academy. God worked a miracle regarding the required negative Covid tests which did not all come through on schedule but God made a way through the prayers of His people. Esther has started 9th. grade and is adjusting well to the academic and social life of boarding school, although we miss her here at the house. On the way back to Kigoma we stopped in at the Serengeti national park and got to see some of the african wildlife that tourists come to see. 

Pray for Esther and us as we adjust to the separation.

Saying goodbye to Esther.

Arriving at the main entrance at sunrise.

Baboon on our car while we get signed in.

Ostrich in the Serengeti.

We have recently visited 4 different churches and plan to visit another one this Sunday with the discipleship students. Luke taught a course on Christ and the Holy Spirit at the Disciples of Jesus school and we are now making preparations for graduation which will take place on Saturday Oct. 23, 2021. 

Pray for the students to serve the Lord as they return to their home churches. Pray for the spiritual growth of the assemblies of believers here.

A young student preaching.

Selling Bibles at a very discounted price.

Another exciting development, that has kept Luke extra busy, is the building of a chain link fence around the new property which was purchased to build the discipleship school. Luke has been trying to keep up with the demand of building supplies and make sure things get done right. The property is located on the edge of town with no water or electricity services. Also the road is pretty bad and you have to cross 2 small streams before a steep hill. The motorcycle has been quite useful for going out there and checking on the progress of the work. The fence is almost complete and the last gate nearly installed. Lord willing, we should finish by the end of this week. 

Pray for the Lord to be glorified through this property and that each step of its development would be completed in His time.

Installing the chain link fence.

Getting ready to install one of the side gates.

Since getting back from Kenya, Gina has been busy with homeschooling Emily, Aaron and Michael, and we have all been busy trying to potty train 2 year old William. To add to all the fun and extra business is some plumbing issues in the house which require chipping away at concrete and locating and replacing old copper pipes. But it is not all work. Luke was able to go fishing with the older kids one day and also get an old control line model airplane running. We also managed to squeeze in a date night as a couple, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma babysitting services. We are thankful for the good health that God has blessed us with lately. We are all looking forward to rainy season and saying good bye to dust and brown and hello to mud and green. Pray that we would be clean vessels, ready to be used by the Lord to accomplish His purposes.

Thank you for your prayers. They are much needed and by the power of God they make a difference. We thank the Lord for your partnership in the gospel. We thank Him for how He is using you wherever you are. May we all be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Amen.

Blessings,

Luke and Gina for the family

August Update

Dear praying friends,

Well, it’s time for a much needed newsletter/update. So here goes:

Our family greatly enjoyed a 3-month furlough to the US in early summer. It was an encouragement to meet in person with the Christians in many states. We enjoyed such lovely fellowship and yummy meals at people’s homes. We are humbled by the saints’ generosity and continued interest in the Lord’s work in Tanzania.

We are now back in Kigoma and feeling quite at home with daily power outages and inconsistent water. For almost 3 weeks we all graciously shared a flu around (possibly Covid), ending with pink eye for 4 of the kids. We thank God for his healing.

Luke has managed to make two trips to village churches in our short time back. One church we visited as a family and were greatly encouraged by their growth and genuine love. Gina has started school with 3 of the kids: Emily (6th grade), Aaron (3rd grade) and Michael 1st grade).

Now we get ready for our trip to Kenya, planning to drop off our daughter Esther, for her first year at Rift Valley Academy  Pray for a safe road trip for our family and for a smooth border crossing (Aug. 26th). Pray for Esther (9th grade) as she adjusts to a new school, and first time boarding away from home.

The 9 students at the Discipleship School faithfully continue in their studies. They recently started their last trimester of classes, looking to graduate in late October. 7 students went at dawn today with pickaxes and shovels to break ground for the fencing at the new property for the School. An exciting milestone!

Thank you for your gift received thru CMML. We great appreciate your support and prayers.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke and Gina Johnson