December - February Update

 

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.

 

December through February have been full months.

 

Soon after my trip to the village Esther and Emily returned from boarding school (Rift Valley Academy or RVA) for their Christmas break. 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. 

 

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 Lefkosa, 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. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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. 

 

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 and Gina Johnson