Inyonga Conference

 Dear praying friends,

We wanted to give you an update on the ministry trip to Inyonga to visit our friends, and national missionaries David and Sara. 

We know that many of you were praying, and told us so, and we want to thank you so much for your participation in the gospel.

We left on Thursday (Sep. 17). The trip took us 8 hours and a 3.5 hour section in the middle was very dusty and bumpy. We arrived hot, tired and dusty, and found that they had already started the first open air meeting so we immediately joined them. After the service we were able to take bucket baths and get ready to show films.

For 3 nights in a row we showed the King of Glory movie and there was much attentiveness and interest. Also on the third night we showed the dramatization of the testimony of a man from Ivory Coast who turned to Christ from animism and encountered opposition from his family. On the last day we showed a brief version of Pilgrim’s Progress and then The Hope.

On Friday and Saturday mornings, Luke taught for 4 hours each day about salvation and the church. There was time for questions and there was some good interaction.

In the afternoons on (Thursday through Sunday) we had open air evangelist meetings with choirs singing, praise times, and gospel preaching. At the end there were several who came forward to repent and be prayed for. There were also many who were sick and demonized who came to be prayed for. The area of Inyonga is very dark spiritually, and steeped in witchcraft. The few churches in the area are just starting so there is much spiritual opposition and not much of a gospel presence. 

Please continue to pray that the strongholds of the enemy would be broken down and that the seeds of truth that were planted would be watered and bear fruit. Pray that the light of the gospel and the testimony of David and Sara (and other servants of the Lord in the area) would penetrate the spiritual darkness and bring healing, salvation and deliverance to the people there. Pray that many more would be added to their number. The church consists of about 15 ladies, 3 young men, and about 50 kids.

We thank the Lord that our drive back went well and that we had no car trouble. We made it back safely on Monday afternoon (Sep. 21).

Thank you again for your prayers. I know that God is working through them.

Blessings,

Luke and Gina Johnson

Praying for the sick.

Luke getting films set up the second night.

Lemon grass tea for breakfast.

Happy kid with his chai and andazi.

Luke teaching the second morning.

Open-air preaching, Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, coming to an end.

The kitchen, where delicious meals were prepared.

Resting before the films begin.

Setting up films on Saturday night.

Up early, walking to church.

Visiting choir from Kanoge singing at the Sunday service.

David and Sara giving a testimony

Inyonga believers giving a testimony

Sunday afternoon

Last day of conference.

All packed and ready for our 8-hour drive.

Saying good-bye to our host's home.

Walking to the church, one last time.

The 1 km walk to the church property.

Sunrise on the day we left.

The church property, all empty.

August Update

Dear praying friends,

Much has happened in the last few months and we would like to update you. 

Regional Elder's Conference

We had a good elder's conference for our 3 western regions of Tanzania. 44 elders attended from 30 different churches and we had 8 sessions of teaching on Servant Leadership and Humble Leadership, followed by 2 days of business meetings. Pray for God's blessing on these elders, that they might be filled with God's word and His Spirit to shepherd the flock and serve humbly.

Seminar teaching for the elders.

Disciples of Jesus School

We have started our third and last term of our discipleship school. We now have 6 students, as one from last year returned to finish his last term. Pray that God would provide for these students and guide them as to how they can serve him when they return to their local churches. They are all young men.

Photo of students with their mentor, Daudi.

Johnson Reunion

In July we drove, took a bus and then a train to get to a Johnson family reunion on the coast of Kenya. We enjoyed 5 days together, celebrating Harry and Ruth Johnson's 50 years of marriage. We thank the Lord for a wonderful godly heritage. All 7 of their children and their spouses are walking with the Lord and most are in full time service for the King. It is by His grace.

Celebrating Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary.

Family News

After that we returned to Kigoma with our daughter Emily, for her summer break. We enjoyed some time at the beach, night fishing and sailing. Emily has just returned to boarding school in Kenya (Rift Valley Academy) for her 11th grade year. Esther spent a full summer at a bible camp in Ohio, but now has begun her sophomore year of nursing studies at Cedarville University. The 3 boys are about to start their homeschooling with Gina.

*As a side note... We can no longer send mail thru the Post Office to the US from Tanzania. So if you would like to write an encouraging note to Esther, I know she'd greatly appreciate it. 😊

Here is her address: 

Esther Johnson

251 N. Main St. #4370

Cedarville, OH 45314

Conferences

Two weeks ago we had a 3 day evangelistic conference in the village of Sambala. There was door to door evangelism with tracts, outside meetings with choirs and gospel preaching and Christian films shown at night. We thank God for the good response. Pray for lasting fruit and that the local church would follow up with the contacts that were made.

Door-to-door ministry.

Open air preaching.

One of many choirs singing.

Some of the crowd gathered to listen.

At the end of September we plan to attend another 3 day conference at Inyonga, where David and Sara serve as Tanzanian missionaries sent from our town church here in Kigoma. We hope to encourage them and also have some Bible teaching and evangelism. It is about an 8-9 hour drive so pray for God's protection for us and that our journey would be profitable for Christ's kingdom.

Work Permit Renewal

Luke has applied to renew his work permit. Please pray for it to be granted so we can continue serving here. Last time we applied we were told it was our final grant, but we know God is able to work in the hearts of rulers.

Thank you for praying for us. The God we worship is able to keep us from stumbling and bring us into his eternal and blessed kingdom. Let's keep serving while it is still day.

In Christ,

Luke and Gina Johnson

Photo update on the students' trip

    This past weekend, Luke and 5 students from the Discipleship School ministered to a new village and their church. The village is accessible only by foot. It is truly a “new” village, with no public school available for the children. In this country, we are used to seeing every, single village have its own primary school. 

Arriving at the village where the car will be parked.

    

And the walk begins...

Still walking...

Starting to see a few houses.

These pioneers have built their homes far apart as they thrive on farming. There is a center/market, so the team was able to have an open-air meeting with choirs and evangelistic preaching. Three other churches also made the trek by foot, bringing their speakers and sound system (and choir members carrying the equipment!) for the weekend meetings.

The believers are all waiting eagerly at the church, and gather for meeting the travelers and for a meal together. 

Then it's time for a shower... bucket bath. Never turn down an offer for a good bucket bath. 😉

It has a door!

After a meal and a shower, it's time for the open air gospel meeting in the town's center. Luke preached a gospel sermon after the choirs performed (no photo of Luke).

A crowd gathers to listen to the choirs.

    On Sunday, they were all up early and walking to the nearby stream where 15 people were baptized. *We hope to get photos soon.*

The students then helped with the children’s meetings and the preaching at the main service. 

Levent giving a short message.

Amani preaching the main message.

    After a rousing meeting where 6 choirs performed, it was time for a quick lunch and then the 3 hour walk back. 

    But that was only to where they had left the car! They hopped in and drove about an hour to the ferry crossing. The ferry was on the other side, but it was quickly nearing the time when it would do its last crossing of the day. 

Thankfully, it did cross over, and the team made it back. It was 9 pm by the time Luke got home — dusty, tired and sore. But thankful for a good weekend trip to the village of Kasagati, where God is building His church!

Thank you for your continued prayers!