NEWS FROM HQ

Missionaries-At-Large

May 2019

Dear Prayer Partners and Friends,

Greetings in the Name of our Savior and Lord. We thank the Lord for the good health we have had for the last few months. However, we are not planning to go to Kenya this summer. Last year Gary was out of commission for most of a week with stomach problems; then he became intolerant of the malaria medicine, so he did not feel well most of the time there. Enough about our health.

How bad does it hurt not to be able to go to Kenya this summer with the SOME team? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worse pain, I would say an 8 ½ to 9. Since we have come from full time service in Kenya, 10 years ago, we have tried to go back with the SOME team every year. But this year we are holding off going and Miss Bonnie Leithmann will be heading the team in July.

We know the national pastors can handle their churches and teach in the Bethel Bible and Technical Schools. They also help with youth conferences, harambees (fund raisers) and other church activities. But it is hard to think really and truly we are not needed as much as we once were. But we miss them just the same. Hardly a week goes by that one of the national pastors does not call; sometimes they say they just want to hear our voices, or to know how we are getting along. My, I do miss talking with the pastors, elders, or just the congregation in the 18 IPC churches. Everyone has their own set of problems and each church is at a different stage of development and growth.

The Wood Workers for Missions is busy preparing the wooden Bible stories for Kenya. Let me tell you what the WW4M is all about. A few years ago Jim, Ivan, and Gary thought it would be a good idea to use a scroll saw and cut Bible figures from 1/8th inch timber. Figures like Moses, Noah, Jesus, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and others, and to send the figures to various mission fields of the world. The number of workers has grown to eight, and we all keep busy. One of the men has a talent to help draw the figures and color their clothes to make them look attractive to the nationals. It is amazing that the figures have gone to Mexico, Jamaica, Canada, Kenya, Indonesia, Cameroon, and others. Pictured here is “Moses” as he came to Awana on Wednesday night, telling the story of Moses and the 10 Commandments, and then giving each child their own tablet.

Most all of the winter activities have stopped. The Good News Club has finished until school starts in the fall. The Jolly Seniors had its last luncheon, (feeding nearly 150) with a wonderful program by the Christian School students; they will start again in September. There is still much to do this summer. We want to help in the DVBS at Cross Lanes Bible Church, handing out flyers, visiting homes, and then helping with the children in Bible stories and games. We are praying that many will come and hear God’s Word! We also want to do some visitation for the Putney Memorial Church, trying to reach the neighbor children and families for Christ. Also, we need to hold some activities for the Histimers; an outing, dinners, and fellowship times. It is our desire to be used for the Lord, no matter where He has us.

Pray for the following:

  • Kenya and the need for rains there to produce crops for the people.
  • The Kenyan pastors and their ministries in the churches and in the schools.
  • Pray for more students for the Bethel Bible School. At present there is only 1 student studying to be a pastor.
  • Open doors and the ministries we are to be involved in this summer.
  • For our health and strength as we serve the Lord.

Proverbs 15:8
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”

Proverbs 16:3
“Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.”

Yours in His love and service,

The Johnsons