Esther is graduating!

Arriving at language school in Tanzania, Feb. 2009.

Adjusting to life in a new country.

Living in Kigoma.

June Update

Dear praying friends,

As we look around at Christ's church today there is so much to do. Needs abound both physically and spiritually. There is teaching, training, equipping and discipling to do. The gospel needs to reach more and more people. There are problems in church leadership. Family and marriage problems abound. And yet, God, through His Spirit, is still working. Christ Jesus our Lord is still building His church. Let's pray for more laborers to join in the great harvest. The time is short and there is much to do. How are you laboring for the kingdom?

Igunga well update

The well that we fixed at the end of April in the Igunga area continues to be a good testimony in the community. People have been asking who did this and have been getting ahold of Peter Yamungu (the national missionary to that area) and asking how they can join the church or have a church started in the surrounding areas. Please continue to pray for much fruit and that many more hearts would be changed by the gospel, and churches planted in new areas.

Solar well was installed and opened last month.

Disciples of Jesus School

In the meantime we continue with the discipleship school. We have 6 solid students and 2 more who are less committed. Last weekend we had a ministry trip with some of the students to the village of Kibondo (4.5 hours away) where 2 of our students are from. We had a good time of fellowship and ministry with the believers there on Saturday and Sunday. 

Fellowship and ministry with believers in Kibondo.

Youth ministry

Luke serves on the leadership team for the youth in the town church. We have planned a youth conference in the village of Mwakizega (1 hour away) which will gather young people from 5 local assemblies in the area. We leave early Friday and come back late on Sunday. Please pray for the teaching, preaching and praise and worship times. Pray for God's Spirit to prepare hearts and that the youth would be challenged to rise up and build Christ's church together (Our theme is from Nehemiah: Let's build together). Pray for Luke and Taji who will be teaching the seminar. We both have bad colds and raspy voices and are not feeling very well.

Upcoming (Graduation and Furlough)

We have been getting ready for our trip across Tanzania to Dar Es Salaam, on the coast. From there we fly to Kenya for our oldest daughter Esther's graduation from Rift Valley Academy. We leave a week from Saturday and have a full schedule ahead of us. As soon as the graduation is over we fly to the US for a short 7 week furlough on the West Coast. We hope to meet up with some of you whom we have not seen in 4 years. We also plan to drop Esther off at Cedarville University. Please pray for safe travels and for a good time in the US reconnecting with our brothers and sisters who are partners in the gospel work in Tanzania. Also pray for Esther's adjustment to life in the US and for God's guidance for her future.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke and Gina Johnson

Photos from Luke's trip to Weja Wanongo

Faraja and Justin

Car trouble in Tabora.

Arriving at our destination

Off to get car parts.

car trouble ... again

Planning the work at the site.

Getting started.

Eager helpers; new friends.

Foundation for the animal trough

Cutting the metal posts, and staying up til midnight to set them in cement.

Posts are up!

Welding the frame.

Painting the solar panel frame.

Elisha the mason

Digging ditches for the water pipes.

Ditch that leads to animal trough

Bolting the frame to the posts.

Installing the solar panels.

Running water!

Government official giving a speech.

Excited for clean water.

Group photo before saying good-bye.

Taking clean water home.

Well project report

Dear praying friends, 

I wanted to thank you for your prayers for our trip to fix the well in the Igunga area.

Our team consisted of Justin (a new missionary who has joined us here in Kigoma since February), Muhoza (a discipleship student from last year) and Faraja (a young man from the Kigoma town church). We left last Tuesday and had car trouble on the way which delayed us for about 2 hours, but thankfully we were in a bigger town where we were able to find parts. Upon arrival we were welcomed by the locals and Peter and Samweli (both Tanzanian missionaries from Kigoma who have been ministering there). We unloaded the car and after supper we slept in the chapel, on the floor, inside little mosquito tents.

The next day (Wednesday) we went to see the well and discuss plans with the locals of where to put things like the water collection point for people and the water trough for their animals. Then we made a list of supplies we still needed and drove to the nearest big town (about 45 minutes away) but we broke down on the way. After removing the broken part we hopped on taxi motorcycles and got to town to fix the part. While 2 of the group stayed to see the part fixed and took it back to put it on, Peter and I shopped for hardware and supplies needed. We were able to get the supplies loaded up on local transport and by then the car was fixed. Just before arriving at the chapel we got stuck in a muddy gully that we had to cross. We managed to get out and then we had to do some more work on the car.

Thursday through Saturday we worked with the locals. We got a base and platform built for the 3000 liter water tank. We welded and installed U-shaped posts in concrete footings for our solar panel tower. We welded our solar panel frame together late into the night. We dug a trench for our water pipes for supplying water to the collection point for people and for the watering trough. We strung out our wire, water pipe and rope and zip tied them together. We lowered the pump into the well and set it at about 86 meters deep. We bolted our frame to the top of the posts and installed our solar panels and wired everything together on Saturday just as the sun was setting so we didn't know if it was going to work. In the meantime we noticed there was stress/weight on the electric wire so we had to manually pull out the pump and fix a few things before putting it back into the well.

On Sunday morning, at 7:30 AM the pump began to pump water out. The locals were overjoyed and we all walked down there to see the water. It was clear and just a little bit salty (like it had been before). Some government officials were invited and attended the Sunday service. We had a time of thanksgiving for God's help in providing water. After the service we all walked to the well and one of the government officials thanked us for helping to provide water to the local community. Then we all returned to the chapel and shared a meal together.

After that we packed up and returned to Kigoma. We drove all night and the journey took almost 15 hours because we encountered thick fog for several hours and we had to go really slow. We are thankful we had no more car trouble on the way back.

Thank you for your partnership in the work of the gospel among the Wataturu and Wasukuma tribes of the Igunga area. The Lord definitely strengthened us for the long days of work, back to back.

Grace and peace to you,

Luke Johnson

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.