Making of the Boat (June - Oct. 2010)

June 3, 2010 - the skeleton.

June 29, 2010 - sides are up in no time.

June 29, 2010

July 7, 2010 - Talking about the details for the cabin.

July 26, 2010 - Caulking with cotton and palm oil.

October 11, 2010 - All painted.

October 29, 2010 - Harry with rudder box and rudder.

Center board.

Boat stats:
- Two-masted gaff-rigged ketch
- Length overall - 36 Ft.
- Beam (width) - 12 Ft.
- Draft (with centerboard and rudder up) - 2 Ft.
- Sail Area (two headsails, mainsail, mizzen sail) - 555 sq. feet
- Auxiliary Power - 25 hp outboard engine
- Designed and built 2010-2011 by Harry and Luke Johnson
- Shipwrights - Dunia and Amisi

Making of the Boat continued... (Nov. 2010-March 2011)

Nov. 24, 2010 - Making the sails from flour sacks.

Nov. 29, 2010 - Harry, Jesse and Luke working on the cabin.

January 9, 2011 - More painting and cabin work.

March 3, 2011 - Day of Boat Launch.

"Wings of the Morning" is in the water.

Trip down south via texts with Luke

January 19: 
The boat made it safely to the first village of Buhingu today. Upon arrival they were hassled by the military but everything is OK now. Luke plans to spend the night on the boat again. His first night on the boat he was eaten alive by mosquitoes and didn't sleep well. Will let you know how tomorrow goes once I get word.

January 20: 

Luke texted me this morning around 8 am to say that they had survived a huge storm while on the boat. I think the same storm hit us here around 3 am and was all calm by the time I got the text but down south they were still dealing with rain and crashing waves. The worst was over though, now everything is wet but they are thankful that the anchor held during the storm.

At the end of that day:

Today was a full day with seminars in the morning and in the afternoon. As dusk approached the team was busy getting the film equipment set up so they could show some Christian movies. These are always such a hit in the small villages.

January 22: 

In the morning the boat set sail for the second village of Igalula. They had Sunday meetings with the believers there. 

Later that day: 

Luke just phoned (8:30 pm) to say that a big storm with strong winds was starting. They are at the village of Igalula where there isn't a safe harbor so the boat is exposed to the crashing waves. Harry (Dad) was still on shore to show films so Luke, Danieli and Ruth (mom) were the only ones on the boat, and being at night makes everything more difficult. They have two anchors and they are barely doing the job of holding.

Pray that the strong winds and waves will subside.

January 23:

THANK YOU for praying. The waves finally lessened around 2 AM and those on board bailed non-stop, and by God's grace the boat held. God answers prayers! 

They began their voyage back home just before 9 this morning. We are looking forward to having Daddy back home. =)

Boat Trip, thus far.

On Tuesday (17th) Kigoma was awakened before dawn to a show in the skies. A thunder and lightning storm crept into the bay from all directions it seemed and settled in for a good while. After ear-splitting thunder every half second the rains finally gave way and the thunder subsided. It wasn't even 5 AM and I was ready to doze back to sleep when Esther came knocking at our bedroom door. She said her bed was all wet and had only a little corner left that was dry due to the leak in the roof just above her bed. So she snuggled in next to me while Luke got ready for his trip.
The 6 travelers from Kigoma left that morning. They made it to Kirando for their first stop to drop anchor and spend the night. Luke, Harry and Ruth stayed on the boat while the rest were sent to believers' homes. Mosquitoes were incessant that night and Luke didn't get much sleep. The next morning they were ready to leave early to make good time with two more men that joined the team making 8 total. They rounded the peninsula that provides a safe bay for Kirando and were brought to a halt by strong winds. They could have persisted with the outboard engine and fought the wind but fuel was precious so they returned to the safe bay of Kirando.
The believers at Kirando provided meals for the team on that second day while they waited out the wind storm. Finally on Thursday they tried once again to continue on their journey south. This time it was successful and they arrived in the village of Buhingu where a handful of believers eagerly received their much awaited Wageni (guests).

Visit to Buhingu and Igalula

The sail boat is once again all geared up for another voyage. This one will be the longest it's ever done. Luke, Harry, Ruth, Emineli, Japhet and Danieli will leave in the morning (17th) with film equipment, fuel for the outboard engine, bibles and food. After a day of traveling south they will drop anchor at the village of Kirando where they plan to spend the night. At this village two more men (Amosi and Lamech) will jump on board to join the crew as they travel the second day to the villages of Buhingu and Igalula.
The 4 days at these two villages will consist of seminars for the adults in the morning, some teaching for the children and then evangelistic films in the evening.
On Monday, the 23rd they plan to head back and Lord willing arrive back in Kigoma Bay on the 24th.
Please pray:
- for safety as they travel
- for health and strength
- that the visit will be of mutual blessing

January Update

Dear Praying Friends and Family,

The sailing trip to Kiziba went well. Esther and Luke enjoyed sailing with the rest of the Johnson clan, consisting of: Harry, Ruth, their son Steven, Uncle Ken, Aunt Melli and their 10 kids visiting from Burundi. We are thankful there is a good outboard engine for use when the wind isn't cooperating. On the 17th of this month a trip down south is being planned. Luke, Harry and several other church leaders will sail for two days to get to the villages of Buhingu and Igalula to pay them a 4-day visit for the first time. Please pray that this trip will be of mutual encouragement as the leaders teach morning seminars.

The gang arriving safely back in Kigoma Bay

We celebrated Christmas Eve with fellow missionaries of Kigoma. At the local church we celebrated Christmas Day with some special numbers by the adults and kids. The Sunday School kids did a great job of acting out a song and Luke spoke on Isaiah 9.

At the end of the service (around 2 pm) we all enjoyed a meal of rice and beans.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the Lord's work in western Tanzania. The year has just begun and many of the struggling churches need guidance, encouragement and solid teaching. Pray that we will have God's clear guidance and that we won't get discouraged in the coming days.

May this coming year be one of spiritual blessing and growth.

In His service,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily Johnson

Nairobi Fly

Nairobi Fly on the dish rack.

We have lots of bugs in muggy Tanzania. When you see a bug you smack it. Whether it be annoying flying ants, a biting red ant, or a disgusting cockroach, you don't inspect the victim but instead reach for your left flipflop (because you're right handed) and quickly kill it.

Not so with this bug... Introducing the Nairobi Fly. 

Our not-so-friendly critter.

This one you don't smack carelessly. 

If it's gastric juices get onto your skin you will swell so much that your throat will close up. A run to the nearest hospital is a must to get proper medication via an IV.

Just kidding.

But... you will get a red, bumpy, and itchy sore that spreads if the gastric juices touch your skin. The sore is called a Nairobi Eye. The only way for the sore to heal is to leave it alone, and that is very hard for little girls to do. If you scratch it and then scratch some place else, you will be dealing with two sores shortly. 

They are easy to identify with their red-black-red exterior but they are fairly small. This one was a big one at almost 1 cm. The last black little tip will sometimes curl up and when it does the bug resembles a miniature scorpion. =)

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day the Sunday School kids did a great job of acting out a song.

Kids who performed either by singing or acting.

A couple of ladies cooked in the old chapel building nearby and dished up some 80 plates. After the main service everyone was given a ticket. With that ticket you were eligible for a plate of rice and beans. Excitement filled the air as everyone enjoyed food and fellowship, this was a day of sherehe (party)!

Ladies dishing up the meal. 1 plate per adult!

Christmas Eve

Esther and I (Gina), once again, enjoyed baking some goodies for Christmas. 

Esther's cookies.

On Christmas Eve we opened our gifts. We were especially delighted with the surprise packages that our friends at Tieton Drive Bible Chapel sent us. Such a treat to get some American goodies!

Emily and Esther swarmed by gifts!

That afternoon the missionary community had a short Christmas Eve Service and Luke shared from Isaiah 9.

Then for a special Christmas Eve Dinner the missionaries (that were present) of Kigoma went to a fancy hotel to enjoy good food and fellowship.

Esther with nicely combed hair for the hotel.

Celebrating 6 years of Marriage

Quite an adventure; 6 years later and two girls of our own... whew! God is so good. We look forward to the many more that we will have together.

We aren't very photogenic...