4 Babies in one afternoon

We drove to the village of Nkungwe to visit some ladies in the chapel that had recently had babies. We brought gifts of baby powder, baby soap, baby paracetamol and sugar. Esther really enjoyed holding the babies. She would beg to hold each baby during our 3 hour visit. Two of the homes provided meals for us in that short time. As soon as we got home, Esther was bundling her baby doll with at least 2 cloths and holding it very carefully, pretending she was a new mommy.

Visiting 3-day old Shadrak and his mom Bernadetha.

Dismas and his wife had twin girls. Esther is holding one,

and I'm holding the other.

This baby was 1 month old and seemed so much bigger than the newborns.

July Update

Hello dear family and friends. We are praising the Lord for his constant presence with us through the ups and downs of family life and ministry. He is our ever-present help in time of need.

The month of July was busy as usual. In last month's newsletter I (Luke) was just leaving by boat to go down south and teach a seminar to the church at Igalula. The overnight boat trips on the way down, and back up were very memorable. Let's just say they were not designed for personal comfort or relaxation, to put it very mildly. The image of sardines in a floating can would be more accurate, but thankfully I made it safely there and back.

Luke was on this first boat for 14 hours.

The believers were very happy to see me and showed me the whole village. I literally walked from one end of it to the other (4 km. or so), and did plenty of other walking besides. I taught on salvation and the Christian life, as well as some fundamental principles concerning the church. The believers there are few as the church is relatively new. They are doing well at reaching out to the kids but are struggling to reach the adults.

After returning from Igalula we had about a week to get ready for our trip to Kumbya (in Rwanda) for an annual interdenominational missionary conference. We left 1 day early so that we could visit the churches of Kazilamihunda and Kasanda on the way. While driving on our first day we came to a big rut in the road, and when I braked we skidded and I lost control and we hit the rut really hard. The windshield was cracked in many places on the driver's side and the left front wheel got misaligned. However we thank God for his protection as no one was hurt. We were able to limp the car on to the Keza mission station where we were to spend the night. We were still able to meet with both churches, one in the afternoon, and the other the following morning. We had one of our Tanzanian brothers, Raymond, along with us and he was able to help with some of the ministry.

Fortunately, after our mishap with the car, we were able to catch a ride to the conference with my parents and my youngest brother Steven, who were also going. The conference was a real blessing to us and just what we needed. We were able to relax some and be refreshed spiritually as a team from a church in Texas ministered to the adults and also did a VBS program with the kids.

The VBS leaders with the kids.

The conference took place at the beautiful lake Kivu, so we were able to swim and kayak and sail. On our way back from the conference we stopped at Keza and after some minor repairs we drove our car slowly back to Kigoma where it will soon be fixed properly.

Meanwhile two young students from the Kigoma region, Peter and Abeli, left for Moshi to attend Berea Bible College. Abeli is a first semester student and Peter a third and last. Please remember them in your prayers as they receive biblical training, that they will put to good use what they learn. 

Prayer items:

- The young church at Igalula

- Praise for safety on our trip

- Praise for refreshment at conference

- Peter and Abeli at Bible College

May God's grace and peace be with you all,

Luke, Gina, Esther & Emily Johnson

God's Protection - Part II

I (Gina) try to put down in writing the times that God has obviously been protecting us (there are many that go unseen). A year and a half ago I decided to post the few events I'd written about God's protection. So, here's another "close call" where we sensed God's protection of our family.

On the 19th of July we were all in the car, along with a fellow Tanzanian believer (Raymond) headed to our old place of Keza and planning to meet with two churches in the area. We had been on the road some 4 hours and had already stopped for a potty break and a tea break, so we were just chatting and having great conversation. Emily was in my arms in the front of the car, fast asleep and Esther was fast asleep in the back seat next to Raymond. Luke was making good time and the road was decent. We came to a curve in the road and saw straight ahead of us a 2 ft. ditch that ran across most of the road. Luke put the brakes on to only have the car skid on the loose gravel. I held tightly to Emily while I glanced at Esther and Raymond saw my reaction and put his hand out to grab Esther just before we hit to bottom of the ditch and came out the other end with a big thud. The girls woke up instantly and began to cry, my neck ached and Luke jumped out of the car to inspect the damage. I was so relieved to see that the girls were fine, only upset and crying, that I didn't notice the broken windshield 'til a minute later. The hard impact on Luke's side of the car caused the windshield to break, but not shatter.

cracked windshield

After spending a couple of minutes inspecting everything and seeing where exactly we had hit, we got back in the car and thanked God for his protection of us all in the car. The remaining 1+ hours went a lot slower and Luke could feel that the steering wasn't responding the way it used to so we took it slow while splinters of glass fell on to Luke's lap. We were able to make it to our destination, visit the two churches and leave the car at Keza. The following day we piled in the car with Harry and Ruth (Luke's parents) and went with them to Rwanda for a missionary conference. We had planned on taking our car, but we were able to change plans last minute and still make it to the conference. We enjoyed our stay in Rwanda, and a great conference that had VBS for the kids, so the girls made loads of new friends while Luke and I sat (without kids) during the seminars and listened (for once). =) On our drive back we were able to pick up our car at Keza, and drive it back home, to Kigoma, after some minor adjustments that Luke was able to make.
So, our car is home, and tomorrow will get a new windshield, Lord willing. We are so thankful that it's just the car that needs repairs. My neck pains went away within a day and everybody is wazima (healthy, whole)! Thank you Lord for your protection.

p.s. On our drive home we saw numerous accidents and it reminded us to take it slow. The roads seem great for a stretch and then in an instant they are treacherous and accidents happen in a flash.

Beets!

We don't have a huge selection of vegetables in Kigoma, so we can easily get tired of the same repeats. We have tried to grow some of our own in our garden, but with dry season upon us it's hard to keep a garden going. There are a couple of vegetables that the locals like but isn't enjoyed by our family, like okra and eggplant. This past month we decided to try beets, a friendly muslim man brought them to our gate, so we decided to give them a try. They were a hit! I just boiled them 'til tender and sliced them up for lunch. It's so nice to have something different than the typical tomato and avocado (which we love).

Beets for lunch.

Emily with a beet face.

Smick, smack, smooth -- beets are gone.

BIG bed...

This BIG girl ...

Emily at 22 months

Is sleeping in her own 

BIG bed!

Esther and Emily's bunk bed.

The Chronicles of Narnia

We have greatly enjoyed reading thru the Chronicles of Narnia with our daughter Esther. She first got excited about the series when watching the movie "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe". So we borrowed a complete series from Luke's mom and dad and began to read. It all begins, of course, way before Lucy and Edmund and our daughter was hooked. We looked forward to our evenings of reading and Luke and I re-acquainted ourselves with all the colorful characters and Esther interrupted continuously with many questions. A couple of nights she'd ask that we specifically pray that the White Witch wouldn't come get her, and when playing she would sometimes pretend to be Queen Prunaprismia.

Tonight we read the last chapters of "The Last Battle". It's been a great adventure for Daddy, Mommy and Daughter. But I think we'll have to repeat the whole thing in another 5 years, just to refresh our memories!

The book we've just finished reading.

Aslan tells the children when they arrive in his country that: "the term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning." -- Heaven is going to be great!

June Update

Dear praying friends and family,

The team of 8 that went up north on the lake returned safely. Thank you for your prayers. They showed Christian films for the two nights they were there and also did some impromptu meetings with the many children. The village is mainly Muslim, but the parents seemed OK with sending their kids to listen to some Bible stories. There was a little bit of resistance when some young guys tried to shoo away some of the kids on the first night when the films were being set up. Also there was no response either night after the gospel had been clearly presented. Please pray that the seed planted will bear fruit eventually. This may be one of the first times some of them have ever heard the gospel clearly presented to them. With time, prayer, and the help of the Holy Spirit the Word may begin to sink in and germinate. In a neighboring village there is a slightly bigger evangelical presence and Luke and Harry were able to visit that village briefly as well.

This past Sunday we visited a small group of believers at Munzeze, a church an hour's drive away from our town that has recently gone thru a split so they're struggling. Luke encouraged them with a message on Psalm 27.

The next adventure is for Luke as he goes (this very night) by local transport to the village of Igalula, south of here. This is his second time to that village, the first time was on the sailboat Wings of the Morning when they braved some strong winds and waves. After a night of travel on the taxi motor boat, he hopes to spend Sunday plus 2 more days of teaching the believers, Lord willing. Pray that the believers will attend these seminars and grow in their knowledge of the Scriptures and be encouraged with Christian fellowship.

Small boats ferrying people to the big motor boat.

At the end of July we as a family will drive to Rwanda for a missionary conference. Luke went to these conferences as a kid, but it's a first for us girls and we're looking forward to the little break.

Please remember in prayer:

- Munzeze believers

- A safe boat journey for Luke

- Teaching at Igalula

- Our 2-day drive to Rwanda 

Thank you for your prayers.

Blessings in Christ,

Luke, Gina, Esther and Emily Johnson

Safe Return

The team of 8 that went up north on the lake have just returned safely. They showed films for the two nights they were there and also did some impromptu meetings with the many children. The village is mainly Muslim, but the parents seemed OK with sending their kids to listen to some Bible stories. Pray that the seed planted will bear fruit. In a neighboring village there is a bigger evangelical presence and Luke and Harry were able to visit that village briefly as well.

Tomorrow we hope to minister to the small group of believers at Munzeze, a church an hour's drive away from our town that has recently gone thru a split so they're struggling.

Thank you for your prayers.

Blessings,

Luke and Gina Johnson

Team of 8 go up-lake...

Please remember in prayer as a team of 8 go up lake to the village of Kigalye to show films for two nights. It is a small village, mainly Muslim with one evangelical church. They left today, Thursday, and hope to return Saturday.
They are (pictured from left to right): Danieli, Mauridi, Heshima, Luke, Emineli, Lameck, Ruth and Harry.

Team of 8 all ready to cast off.

Pray for safe sailing, protection at the open harbor where the boat will be anchored and for the films during the evenings as well as any contacts and conversations with the village people throughout the day.
Thank you for your prayers.

May Update

Dear praying friends and family,
It has been over a month since some of you have heard from us, so we like to give you a brief summary of what we have been doing.
In the last week of April we drove 2 full days to get to the town of Moshi, located near the Kenyan border and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our first business was the Annual General Meeting at CMML-Tanzania missionaries. We spent 2 full days at a hotel enjoying fellowship with one another, and hearing reports of each one's work, and also taking care of some of the more practical things in the business meeting.
Starting Monday, the following week, Luke began teaching a 3-week course on the book of Romans at Berea Bible College. Every day, he taught for 3 hours to 16 students. These were 2nd semester students (the full program is 3 semesters long). Luke enjoyed the course and learned a lot, although he was busy, always preparing for the next lesson. We are very grateful to our hosts, William and Eunice Rea, who graciously opened up their home to us and fed us very well. Esther and Emily also enjoyed the extra attention, and Esther loved playing with her new Indian friend Bhavia, who lived nearby. We did get the change to go to a swimming pool a few times, and Esther can now swim for short distances all on her own.

Esther swimming at Hotel.

After the course ended we trekked back home and spent a few days unpacking and settling in. On May 28-31 we were happy to welcome to Kigoma 2 visitors from CMML, Bob Dadd and Allan Wilks. We enjoyed a sail with them and we visited the David Livingstone memorial where Stanley first met him. The guests also visited one village assembly and the town assembly of Gungu before returning to the U.S.

Allan Wilks keeping the course steady.

Now Luke is busy preparing to teach a 1-week youth ministry course at the Lake Tanganyika Christian College here in Kigoma town. After that is over he will take a local boat down south to visit the new assembly at Igalula and give a brief seminar.
Meanwhile, Gina takes care of the family, cooking lovely meals, and homeschooling Esther who is in Kindergarten. Emily has become very good at making huge messes in the house and at making us laugh as she repeats new words.
We would welcome your continued prayers concerning:
- Luke's teaching opportunities
- Gina as she home schools Esther

May God's peace be with you all. Amen
Luke, Gina, Esther & Emily Johnson