Archive for the ‘Prayer Letters’ Category

30
Jan

January 2007 Report

   Posted by: Rabbi   in Prayer Letters

January 2007

It rarely hits the news in the USA, but Bolivia is in serious turmoil. Our city has been under siege for a week, as a showdown between the national government and the state governors has heated up. Detailed reports are on our web site: www.exhort.com

We have not been in real danger, but I now know what tear gas smells like! Cynthia and I spent some time pinned in our taxi as rioters marched by, carrying clubs (with nails), gunpowder and gasoline. Fortunately, God is on the Throne and our lives are protected in His mighty hands! When we talk about missions being exciting, this isn’t what we had in mind! This has given us new opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray particularly for Adriana and her family.

Blessings on blessings!

Thanks to individual contributions, we were able to purchase the motorcycle that we’ve been praying for! This will save us over $100 a month in transportation costs. A taxi will still be needed to transport the entire family, but many of our trips are one or two people, so the “moto” will do very well! I was teasing with one of our Bolivian friends who is a motorcycle enthusiast. I asked him why, since a motorcycle is such a “macho” vehicle, the proper word for it was feminina (motocicleta). He assured me that in Bolivia, it was called a “moto”, which is masculine and very macho! Thank you again for this tremendous blessing!

The picture is from the day we took delivery. Richard (the dealer) is explaining the operation of the alarm system to me, while our friend Marco looks on.

Our language school has picked up after the Christmas break. Again, thanks to a private gift, Cynthia has been able to start classes once a week, until that gift runs out.

Challenges!

The violence in the city made it impossible to get around. With the city blockaded, no food could be brought in, even for the small markets that were able to stay open. We are unable to stock up enough meat to get by for more than a few days. A chest freezer has become a necessity.

We have access to well water for emergencies, and our water filter can clean it to acceptable levels.

Our daughter Lorien was to join us for Christmas, to begin her studies here. Her passport and money was stolen as she began her journey at the KC airport. Thanks to several churches helping, we have ordered her replacement passport, and if the bureaucracy moves smoothly, she will be able to join us by Valentine’s Day. All of the kid’s Christmas presents were in Lorien’s luggage, so their first Christmas on the field was a bit thin, without sister or presents, but they were troopers!

Thank you for your faithful support!

Steven and Cynthia Johnson, Thomas, Nicholas, Staton and David!

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23
Sep

Report: August/Sept 2006

   Posted by: Rabbi   in Prayer Letters

September, 2006

Rejoice with us! The Lord has seen fit to bless us with ministry even before our language school has begun!

As with most new missionaries, our first months have been devoted to getting our resident status set legally and receiving our shipped goods from the U.S. Without knowing what these tasks are going to cost us, we have felt that good stewardship would say “wait until you know what funds are left before committing to a course of language study”. So, we have waited.

We have only been in Cochabamba for 2 months, and the Lord has led us to spearhead the formation of a Bible Institute. Our original plan had been to wait until completing language school before beginning the institute. However, one of the other independent missionaries became concerned at how the government was leaning anti-Christian and worried that we might not have much time here. [I think he is overly concerned – the door to Bolivia is still open!] Our emphasis has always been – and always will be to prepare the Bolivians to minister to their own people. An institute is critical to train pastors, teachers and servants.

On our FIRST night of classes, we had NINE Bolivians students, with a total of 13 people in attendance!!! Feedback from the students has been good, and we expect more students next week. I am teaching “Methods of Bible Study”. A young University student named Angel (pronounced “An-hel”) is working with me as translator. Please pray for this fine young man who is called to be a pastor!

We are limited in our ministry until we master the language, but we pitch in wherever we can. Our boys worked with a group ministering to impoverished folks who are literally living at the city dump. I was able to preach for a local church, and three adults accepted Christ! We also helped with an outreach to a local school, where many professions of faith were made.

PRAISE:

Inauguration of the Bible Institute of Cochabamba, with great initial attendance for the premier classes and excellent continued attendance.

NEEDS:

Transportation…
We need a motorcycle. The need for our own transportation is more urgent than we could expect. I can get a new quality motorcycle for about $1,000 - $1500 (including taxes and registration) that would cheaply meet most of our needs. We need that bike immediately! A quality used vehicle that can carry the family will cost $5,000, but the family can get by with taxis for now.

Language School…
We need $4,000 committed for our language school! Learning the language is the most important part of our ministry at this time. Spanish tutors are running $10 - 12 USD per hour and you can imagine how many hours of instruction is needed to be functional, much less to be able to witness and preach and teach in Spanish. MaryKnoll Language Institute is recognized by missionaries all over Latin America as one of the best language courses and training available, and we don’t have to pay for lodging!

(Jer 29:7) And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives,
and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

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