Now that we are back in the swing of things here in Kigoma it's time to write a newsletter.
In July we went to the graduation of our oldest daughter, Esther, from High School. It was a nice time celebrating with family. Luke's parents and 2 of his brothers and their families were also there.
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| Our graduate! |
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| Our oldest and youngest. 😁 |
Hours after the graduation we flew to the US and landed in Seattle for a short, 6 week furlough. We were based in Yakima, Washington, and very much enjoyed our time with the saints at Tieton Drive Bible Chapel, our commending church. As always God provided a place to stay and a car to drive while we were there, through the love and generosity of His people (thank you Wendy Stone and John and Becky Meinzinger). During our time there we were able to visit a few churches and some friends and Aaron and Michael got to experience a week of boy's camp at Shiloh Bible Camp and William attended the chapel's VBS, while Gina and Esther and Emily helped out.
In the middle of our time our family flew to Ohio to drop Esther off at Cedarville University where she has begun to study nursing. It was nice to be able to see the campus and be there with Esther for orientation. While in the area we were able to meet some more believers and also visit the Ark Encounter (a life size replica of Noah's ark). We flew back to Seattle and spent a couple more weeks in Yakima before saying our goodbyes. Then we flew back to Nairobi, Kenya and dropped our second daughter, Emily, off at boarding school (Rift Valley Academy or RVA) where she has begun 10th grade. Finally we flew back to Tanzania, took the train from Dar to Dodoma, and then drove 13 hours from Dodoma to Kigoma. It took us about a week to recover from the trip and the jet lag, and unpack.
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| Troopers! |
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| Our last day of travel... |
Now we are involved again in the ministries here. A week ago Luke took a trip with a fellow teacher and the 5 students of the Disciples of Jesus School. We drove to the village of Songambele that has been doing outreach in 2 new areas (one of them takes 6 hours by foot to reach, and there is no road). They invited the believers from an older church plant and these 2 new church plants and it was a joyful time of celebration and encouragement to see what God is doing to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. Luke is currently teaching a class on "Christ and the Holy Spirit" and then Harry Johnson will finish the year by teaching on "The End Times." Lord willing, these 5 students will graduate on Sat. Oct. 25, 2025.
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| Packed church as Songambele hosts 3 churches. |
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| Student, Lameck, giving a message. |
Meanwhile we continue to support the village churches with Bibles and songbooks, reading glasses and assistance for various building projects. Also, we continue to support in various ways the Tanzanian missionaries who have gone out for the sake of the gospel.
Esther seems to be adjusting well to University, although she misses home. Our daughter Emily, at boarding school (RVA) has been having some episodes of dizziness, headaches and near fainting during sports activities. She has taken a break from sports and the Student Health team at the school has advised that she see a Neurologist and get some further testing. Gina will be flying to Kenya next week to be with Emily during that time. Aaron and Michael go daily to the house of Miss Paula, their teacher to do homeschool, and William is doing 1st grade with Gina, at home.
Praise the Lord for safe travels and good time in the US.
Pray for a good finish to the year at the Disciples of Jesus School, and for the 5 students who will, Lord willing, graduate.
Pray for Gina as she goes to Kenya to be with Emily to see the Neurologist, and for Luke as he holds down the fort at home.
Pray for the village assemblies to mature and grow in their witness.
Pray for the Tanzanian missionaries who are reaching new areas and new people groups.
Thank you for lifting us up before the throne of grace.
In Christ,
Luke and Gina Johnson
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| 📷 2025 Prayer Card. |
