April Update

Dear praying friends,

Grace and peace to you.

This past month has been quite busy. We have done a lot of things together as a family. We enjoyed the Spring/Easter vacation with our girls Esther and Emily home from boarding school in Kenya (Rift Valley Academy or RVA). Now our girls are back at school and we already miss them. Lord willing Esther will be graduating in July and we will have a short furlough (July-August) primarily on the West Coast.

Kids all together; Luke preaching Easter morning.

We just got back from a quick trip to Dar Es Salaam (the big city on the East Coast of Tanzania) for passport renewals of 2 of our kids and dental work (for Luke and Gina). 

Now we look forward to the Disciples of Jesus school reopening for its second term tomorrow (Apr. 28). Pray for all 7 students to return.

Disciples of Jesus students studying hard.

Luke is also busy preparing for a trip to the Igunga area, where Peter Yamungu (a Tanzanian missionary) has planted 2 small churches among the Wataturu and Wasukuma tribes. A few years back the Lord provided for a well to be dug in one of the villages to show Christ's love to the community. A hand pump was installed but the well proved to be too deep for a hand pump and kept breaking, and finally could not be used for some time. Now the Lord has provided a solar pump that needs to be installed. A team of 4 of us are getting ready to drive 11.5 hours to the place and spend a week there, installing the pump, a solar panel tower and panels, a water tank and water collection point for the community. 

The car is all packed and ready for an early departure.

Please pray for our travels, all the logistics and work that needs to be done, along with finding some of the materials we still need. Pray for unity, love and patience and that we would have a Christ honoring testimony in all that we do. Pray for Gina as she stays home with the 3 boys, for strength, protection and stamina. Pray for success and for many souls to be saved as the love of Christ is shown.

Thank you for lifting us up before the Father's throne.

Sincerely,

Luke Johnson

December - February Update

Dear praying friends,

It's been a while since we have updated you on the work here. Thank you for those of you who continue to pray for us in spite of the lack of news from us.

Family

Soon after my trip to the village Esther and Emily returned from boarding school (Rift Valley Academy or RVA) for their Christmas break. The moment the girls arrive is always a very special and much anticipated day. We spent one night at the beach as a family and went night fishing. Our older boys, Aaron and Michael, continued their homeschooling with a volunteer up until a few days before Christmas.

All together!

Aaron's kind of fun 😁; Esther's 18th birthday

Travel

On Dec. 23 we took a bus to Dodoma, and then the new high speed train from Dodoma to Dar Es Salaam, to catch our flight to N. Cyprus, to spend Christmas and the New Year with Jerry and Sarah Mattix and 2 of their kids, Tirzah and Gabriel. Gina's parents, Mark and Carol Mattix, were also visiting so we got to spend some time together helping prepare for a Christmas outreach in the plaza, and a special Christmas service in an old Nestorian church. We also got to hike and do some sightseeing together.

Train ride; arriving in Dar Es Salaam.

Special time with family; Christmas service at Nestorian church.

Gina's Sickness

After the new year we returned to Dar Es Salaam, in Tanzania, and sent our girls back to RVA, in Kenya. However, Gina had been sick at the end of our time in N. Cyprus so when we got to Dar we took the opportunity to get her tested. She had malaria and she began taking medicine. Then we took the train and bus back to Kigoma, but Gina was still not well. Her condition worsened so we continued to test her for different things but then would find that she still had malaria and it was taking a toll on her red blood cells. For the whole month of January and the first part of February Gina was not well but finally after 4 treatments for malaria she began a slow recovery until she got better, except for her ongoing headaches. We are thankful for many of you who prayed for us during that difficult time.

Gina on 2nd treatment for malaria.

Disciples of Jesus School

In the meantime, on Jan. 13, we began a new year at our 1 year discipleship training program called the "Disciples of Jesus" school. We have 8 faithful students. Five are from 3 of our village churches and the rest from Kigoma town. There are 5 young men, 1 woman and 1 young lady. We are about to begin our fourth module. Luke will teach about Bible study methods and resources. Pray for these young people to grow and mature spiritually. We have taken 1 ministry trip to a village, and had 1 work day, and this Saturday we plan to do door to door evangelism in a nearby village.

Student leading the kids' meeting.

Team from the US

In the middle of February a team of 10 came from the US (and 1 from Canada) to Kigoma to help with ministry and with clearing the land that our co-workers, John and Jennifer Kinlaw have purchased in a predominantly Muslim area, in order to build a youth camp. During the first week of the team's time in Kigoma I went to Kenya to be with my daughters Esther and Emily during their brief midterm vacation from school. I enjoyed white water rafting with them at a river camp, as well as spending time together. Upon my return I helped with the team's activities. 

Clearing the land; evangelism outreach.

This email is already too long so I had better sign off. Thank you for your ongoing prayers for the Lord's work here. There are many challenges and problems that we face in the work, including unjust court cases, threats of new taxation laws and unspiritual men in leadership positions causing all sorts of problems. Pray that Christ's kingdom would prevail and His will be done in each situation. And pray for wisdom, love and perseverance for us in the work.

We praise the Lord for your partnership in the gospel. May we live, work and serve for the glory of our great and worthy King!

Luke Johnson for the family

Village Trip Report

Dear friends,

Thank you for your prayers.

We got the letter of permission on the morning that we left (Thursday). Our trip down was a muddy adventure since it rained steadily from the time we got off the pavement and onto the dirt road. The last 2 hours were very slippery and muddy but with God's help we managed to not slide off the road. After reporting at the head office we drove another half an hour to the village (Ilangu) where the church was, and we were welcomed with joy by the disciples from there and the neighboring village of Mugansa. We got there too late to do any ministry that day.

On Friday and Saturday I taught a seminar about the church and about church growth principles. I taught about 5 hours each day and there was good interest and questions at the end of each session. In the early evening on both days we had a special meeting where the men that accompanied me were able to lead the service and share the word.

Sunday service with the congregation captivated by the choir.

I was able to sell quite a few Bibles and songbooks at a discounted price to many believers, and they were happy to get the chance to buy them, as they are not available there. I also gave away the last few reading glasses I had to elderly saints who could not read their Bibles anymore due to poor eyesight.

 

Luke teaching seminar.

On Sunday we had a special service to lay hands on and recognize 2 new elders. These men have been helping the one older leader (Noah) for several years now, but had not been officially recognized. Noah is 76 years old and would like to retire now. It was a joyful day of celebration, followed by a big meal for everybody. After saying our farewells we began our journey back, thanking God that it had not rained yet that day. Our trip back was uneventful and we made it back home at 8:30 PM.

 

The 2 new elders (Abeli and Methode), with their wives.

Pray for lasting fruit from the Word that was sown in the hearts of the disciples in Ilangu and Mugansa. May they be obedient to the Word and put into practice the things they learned.

Thank you so much for your prayers, and your partnership in the gospel here in Western Tanzania.

May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Luke Johnson

October Update

Dear praying friends,

Thanks again for your prayers. William is recovering well, we are praising the Lord. Now, I (Luke) am the one with a bad cold, but it's nothing to worry about, just inconvenient.

The graduation on Saturday went well, thank you for praying. Tim and Joy Beer (former missionaries to Zambia, who are now serving with missionary care) were visiting us. Tim graciously agreed to be the speaker for our graduation after the other speaker got sick. It was a nice time of celebrating God's grace in the student's lives and their efforts and perseverance. Pray for their ongoing service in their local churches.

Disciples of Jesus School Graduates 2024

Johnsons with Tim and Joy Beer

I (Luke) look forward to a slower pace for November, with car and ministry equipment maintenance, some home projects, and continuing to set up the Discipleship school office, computer and printer. I am also praying about making one trip to a village church to teach a seminar. 

We would also appreciate your prayers for David and his wife Sara who were commended from the Kigoma town church last month. They are now full time missionaries about 7 hours south of us in the town of Inyonga. Pray for them as they adjust to a new place, new tribes and culture, and as they evangelize those around them. Also Sara has been having some recurring chest pains so you can pray for her health.

David and Sara (missionaries in Inyonga)

Peter Yamungu (our other national missionary) just got back from another month long trip to visit the Wataturu and Wasukuma tribes in the Igunga area where he has planted 2 churches. Pray for spiritual growth for the young believers in that area.

We are thankful that two weeks ago Gina was able to visit Esther and Emily during their midterm break at boarding school in Kenya. They are both on basketball teams and very busy with academics and social life. Pray for their spiritual growth, and for Esther as she makes plans for next year after she graduates. The boys keep active with soccer, spear fishing and bird hunting.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke and Gina Johnson

Update on William

Dear praying friends,

We want to give you an update on William.

We were overwhelmed and so encouraged by how many responses we got from so many of you assuring us of your prayers. We are blessed.

William is improving. He almost went 48 hours without a fever and then he got one but it did not last too long. This morning we had him tested for typhoid, and that came back negative. So, we assume it is/was some sort of virus. We continue to monitor him but so far he has not had another fever. We are hopeful he is on the mend. Thanks for praying, and keep praying this will be the end of his sickness.

Please also pray for the graduation ceremony tomorrow (Saturday) for our 7 graduates from the discipleship school, that the Lord would be glorified in the celebration and in the lives of these students.

We hope to send another update soon, Lord willing.

Grace and peace to you,

Luke, for the family

Prayers needed

Dear praying friends,

We need your prayers for our youngest son, William (5 yrs. old) who has been sick with fevers for over a week now. We have tested him multiple times for all of the common sicknesses (malaria, worms, amoebas …) but he continues to get fevers. Today we went to the regional hospital and had a bunch of other less common tests at the lab and the results have come back normal. The doctor's best guess is that he has some sort of virus which he hopefully will get over soon. Please pray for God's healing touch for William and for God's peace and strength for us as parents, that we would not worry, and that we would be able to get some much needed rest. 

Also the discipleship school will be having its graduation on Saturday and there are many preparations that have been put on hold because of William's sickness. Pray for a Christ-centered celebration and that many more believers would see the importance of studying God's Word.

A recent village visit with the students;
our three boys and Gina also pictured

Thank you for your prayers for us at this time.

Luke and Gina, for the family.

August Update

Dear praying friends,

We thank the Lord for a good evangelistic conference in the village of Shankala. The gospel was preached and several made decisions to follow Christ. We met with them later, along with the local church leader, to encourage them to continue in the faith. 

The Disciples of Jesus school continues with the 3rd term. Aroni, who taught for the first time, did well. Now Japhet is teaching on stewardship and work ethic. Today, we just had an afternoon of door to door evangelism and next Sunday we will visit a village church and give the students an opportunity to serve and use what they are learning. Keep praying for the 7 students as many are getting weary and face lots of challenges.

Aroni teaching.

We were able to take a week long family trip to Katavi national park, 7 hours from here, and see the African wildlife. From there we went to a lodge by the lake where we camped for 4 nights. On the Saturday of that week, Luke taught an all day seminar on God’s plan for the church at the nearby village of Kirando. A good number of other believers attended from nearby villages. On Sunday we packed up the car and fellowshipped with the saints at Kirando, then we started our 2 day journey back to Kigoma.

Luke preaching at Kirando.

Last weekend there was another conference at the village of Bukuba and Luke taught a seminar Friday and Saturday mornings (and gospel films were shown at night) and our whole family worshipped with the believers on Sunday. There was open air preaching in the afternoon of each day. Pray for eternal fruit from these efforts.

We just said good bye to Esther and Emily as they return to boarding school in Kenya for a new year of studies. Esther is a senior and Emily a freshman. We are sad to see them go but fortunate to have a good Christian school nearby that they can attend. Aaron and Michael will start homeschool on Monday with a volunteer lady named Paula. And William will start kindergarten. Please keep praying for our children to follow Christ with all their hearts.

Camping as a family.

We are currently working on the paperwork for renewing our Work Permit and then Residence Permit. Pray that these will be granted, if it is God’s will, so that we can serve for at least 2 more years here in Tanzania.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke and Gina Johnson

July Update

 "We must work the works of Him who sent me, while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4

Dear praying friends,

Our national missionary friend, Peter, recently returned from a ministry trip among the Wataturu where 3 new believers were baptized. He also worked on building a high fence around the well in preparation to install a solar pump, panels and a tank. They are already in need of water, as things are very dry now, but we wait for God’s timing. Please pray with us for this need.

Also, our friend David Michael has now completed 1 year of studies at the Missions school on the coast, 2 months of field work and 2 months of research among the unreached Wakami tribe in the Morogoro region (eastern Tanzania). He is checking out one other people group and then he and his wife will pray and then go where the Lord leads them to serve among the unreached. Please pray for God’s clear guidance and provision for David and his wife Sarah. Also, continue to pray for the Tanzanian church to mobilize and begin to send, pray for and support Tanzanian missionaries. This is all very new to the believers here.

Next week (July 26-28) a small team of 7 of us will go to the village of Shankala, about 6 hours from here, and do door to door evangelism, open air gospel preaching and Christian films. There is a new church plant there, which we hope to encourage, and help them evangelize their community. Pray for God’s Spirit to prepare us and those who will hear the Good News. And pray for the powers of darkness to be bound so that people will be free to respond to the Gospel.

The 8 students at the Disciples of Jesus school are on a short break. We will start up on Aug. 8, for our 3rd and final term of the year. They will, Lord willing, graduate at the end of October. Please pray for Aroni, a former student, who will be teaching for the first time. Pray for him as he prepares.

Luke teaching History of Salvation.

We are pleased to have Esther and Emily back home with us for an 8 week summer break from boarding school in Kenya. We hope to do a few fun things together as a family. Please pray for our family and each of our children, that we might walk humbly and in daily fellowship with our God and Savior.

There are many church problems in another area of Tanzania, that are ending up in legal battles. Please pray for God’s intervention, and for resolution to these conflicts. Pray that both sides would humble themselves and seek to reconcile instead of going to court. 

Your prayers make a difference in the work here, because we have a great and powerful God. Please don’t stop praying for these needs.

Grace and peace to you,

Luke and Gina Johnson

All together!

Luke's Journal from his trip

 Dear praying friends,

I just wanted to give you a report of the ministry that took place last week. Thank you for your prayers. We really felt God’s power working in and through us, in spite of our weakness. You were a part of this work, through prayer.

The team being prayed for before leaving on their trip.

Day 1: We drove for 11.5 hours (about 600 km.) and arrived at the sub village of Weja Wanongu. We were welcomed by the few believers and some of the locals. We showed films before eating and going to bed.

Car parked in front of chapel building.

Thankful for mosquito tents.

Arriving in Central Tanzania.

Day 2: We took the gospel door to door as one big team of locals and us visitors. We visited about 4 houses and shared the good news and prayed for each household. After lunch I set up 2 strings in the front of the chapel for hanging my teaching pictures. At around 4 PM I began teaching the Firm Foundations course which emphasizes God’s salvation plan from the beginning, up until the coming of Jesus Christ. There were around 30 in attendance. Then we set up for another night of films but there was a problem with our HDMI cable. We were not able to show films.

Luke teaching Firm Foundations.

Peter teaching.

Day 3: We divided into 2 groups and visited people in their homes. The third home we visited was the home of a witch doctor. We found someone in the courtyard and he said the owners were not there. As we went on I saw a man come out of one of the houses and stare at us. After that, at the next 3 houses that we visited no one wanted to listen to the good news so we stopped and prayed again, binding the powers of darkness. The next house we visited welcomed us and listened intently with many questions. I taught again in the afternoon and then we talked with the locals since we were not able to show films.

Getting to the houses wasn't always simple.

Taking time to visit.

Some just weren't so eager to visit.

Day 4: We went to the broken well to attempt to pull out the pipes for the hand pump. Someone has donated an electric pump and the plan is to install solar panels and a water tank. We were not able to pull it up with my limited tools. We contacted a well repair man to begin his journey and come help us. Then we took the gospel door to door in two teams again. More teaching in the afternoon, before showing the Jesus Film at night. Someone was able to send us a new HDMI cable by bus. I began to feel quite sick to my stomach and did not sleep well.

Houses are well spread out from each other.

Day 5: I woke up still not feeling well so I rested that morning, while the others took the good news door to door. In the afternoon I was able to teach my course and that night Faraja translated the Pilgrim’s Progress film.

Day 6: I woke up feeling much better and we went with the well repair man and about 12 locals to pull out the pipes and rods for the hand pipes. It was a labor intensive job, but God helped us get it done. In the afternoon I finished up my teaching with a very clear gospel presentation. The family members of the sub village chairman wanted to receive Christ so we prayed with them. We showed films again that night.

Getting to work on the well.

A long and tedious process of pulling out the pipe.

"Many hands make light work."

Day 7: It was the Lord’s day. We had a wonderful time worshipping the Lord together. We also had a baby dedication and 15 young children were prayed for. Samweli, from our team, preached on the new life we have in Christ. A couple came forward to trust in Christ. After the service we went to visit one of the believers in his home, where they live together as an extended family. In the afternoon I did some teaching on God’s plan for the local church. We showed films for the last time and then packed the car to leave early the next morning.

Praying for the children.

Sunday morning service.

Day 8: We had to push start the car and then drove for 13 hours and arrived home safely.

Thank you again for praying.

May God bless you,

Luke Johnson

Please pray for the community near RVA

As you may have seen in global news, Kenya has been experiencing well above average rainfall over the past few weeks. The area around RVA received massive amounts of rain last week, leaving the ground saturated and causing damage to roads and houses.
 

We received word this morning of flash floods and a landslide in the outskirts of Mai Mahiu, just down the hill from RVA’s campus. This flooding has caused massive destruction, many injuries, and the loss of lives. Several of our staff at RVA are affected by the damage. 

Here is the news link:

In the News

If anyone would like to give financially, this can be done via RVA's benevolence fund. Online donations can be made to this fund at the following link: RVA Benevolence -- Flood Relief  When making donation, please check the box to "Leave a note for the finance office" and type "Flood Relief" in the notes section.