Shadow of Joy follows camp

Note from Kenya, 
"The joy of the Lord has continued to shadow our lives as we take time reflect on the big progress that was accomplished for our Lord in the camps. I am glad that what the children learnt in the camps will; continue to live in them and we hope to see the children live for Christ. 

Meanwhile many children and parents continue to give good testimonies about the camps. I have heard of a testimony of a child who has influenced the parents to always pray to God before they go to sleep, something that never used to be in their family. As well parents report of changed behaviors in their youths especially at this time when they are out of school. Thanks to God for all the achievements done; many families will have reasons to thank God for their children lives." ~Pastor Eliazar

Dear Kenya Prayer Team,

I returned safely last night about 6pm from my 8,000 mile "commute to work".  I really enjoy the job of sharing Christ in Kenya.   I struggle to find words to describe God's work that I witnessed. Even though this was my 18th trip to Kenya since 2001, participating in the camp program was a different experience.  It was absolutely amazing to see how God worked in the 3 camps. To see a child, with joy on his face, take off a tattered shirt with holes and put on a new camp t-shirt was one thing I will never forget.  Many have never owned anything that was new. The Kenyan staff worked so well together, even though many of them had never done anything like this before.  What a privilege for me to be able to go and to watch God work out His great master plan. 

Your prayers have made all the difference.   I saw so many situations where I could tell that your prayers were the key to unlock the power of God there.  I am still getting an official number from the area camp directors in Kenya, but we are realizing that over 200 trusted Christ on this trip.

I'd like to share a personal story with you.  You prayed for a young girl on the camp staff who's name is Quinter.  She was the only one saved in her family.  God placed a burden in my heart that I should speak with that family about His great love for them.  As I sat in their dimly lit home late one evening on the western end of Mfangano Island, I could sense that their hardened hearts were softening as I shared with them how they could know the peace of having their sins forgiven.  Before the evening concluded, her father, mother and aunt would bow before God and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Her brothers refused to make that decision.  Quinter's mom shared with her later that she was fearful to have the very first white person in her home, but by the end of our visit she knew that Bobby was a friend of this family through Christ.  Thank you for your prayers for this family.  Quinter is pictured in the camp staff photo next to me with a hat.  Also pictured is her mother receiving her very first Bible.  Quinter could not put into words the joy she was feeling that evening.  Thank you for praying. 

There is so much more I could share with you that time will not allow.  I look forward to sharing more at our One Year Anniversary Dinner for Interlocking Ministries on January 15.  (Watch for the invitation.  Save the date on your calendar if you can come!)  But know we will one day have all eternity to share these stories and victories together.  Thank you so much for your partnering with Interlocking Ministries and enabling us to share the good news of the Gospel with those that have never heard. 

I hope you have a Blessed Christmas!
Bobby Johnson

Three Camps!

The camp sessions have begun!  Bobby called and said that he had that same feeling that he would get at New Life Camp on registration day. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation of what God will do this week.

They sent a boat around the island picking up kids.  Just to let you know how big the island is, it takes about an hour and a half to get around the island on those boats.   They have nearly 200 kids attending the camps.  Each camp is hosting a different age group.  The kids will sleep in the school buildings that are rented for the camps. 

Praise the Lord for the 4 people who were saved during worship service on Sunday!
Please pray for the camp teachers and support staff as they run three different camp sessions in the rented school buildings.
Pray for the precious children who are attending camp this week, that God would meet them at their need and that they would grow in faith.
Pray for Bobby as he travels back and forth to the three camps, teaching.
Pray for wisdom, unity, patience, grace, and endurance.

Enjoy the pictures of Camp workers & Teacher training that were sent by email!

Thank you for joining me in prayer,
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

God blessed the hostess & husband

God blessed the hostess and her husband. Read:

"Our Sunday service at Makira was powerful. The servant of God had a great message for Makira church and we saw 4 people accept the Lord in their lives at the end of the sharing. We later moved to the house of one of the ladies in the church who decided to host the servants of God for a lunch in her house. After all the good care she did to us, her

husband who joined us as we continued with our lunches had the chance to hear about salvation from Bobby. Thank God that the husband who was never a believer as well fully surrendered his life to the Lord. This lady did not know that God would use her heart of welcome to reach her husband with message of salvation. They are now a couple living for the Lord, pray that they will continue to grow strong in the Lord." ~Eliazar Wambo, pastor at Makira

41 Saved on Monday

Thank you for continuing to remember Bobby and the team in your prayers.  Please continue to pray for the staff training week for the three camps this week.  There is also a lot of discussion about future ministry with the leaders in Kenya.  Please pray for God to guide them with much wisdom.

There is great news about the trip to Kikubi.  They saw 41 people turn their lives over to live for Jesus.  One of them was the widow of Sausi (we had thought his name was Tausi, but were mistaken.).  Sausi was the man who drowned just days after Bobby preached in September. Sausi had decided to follow Christ.  Now his wife, a widow, has made that decision. Praise the Lord! 

I have enclosed a photo of the widow with her children.  Bobby said there were seven children.  I think one might be on the mom's lap, but behind the kid in the orange shirt. This is the widow of Sausi who drowned in September.  His wife's name is Susan.  Susan heard Bobby share the Gospel on Monday and prayed to receive Christ.    Bobby presented the family with a photo of their father.  The kids said "Baba" which means Father.  Bobby said that this was such a wonderful day.   (For those of you who aren't used to seeing Kenyans, the girls often have their hair very short as well as the boys.  It is easier to care for.)

Some people ask about how we help the needy.  There are many widows, orphans, HIV patients, etc.  We can't help everyone, but we are seeking God's will as we minister there.  There is a book that helps us think through these things.  It's called "When Helping Hurts".  It helps us to think about ways to help people without hurting them in the long run.  Charity is not always the answer.  We know that giving them spiritual hope is the one thing we can offer freely to everyone.  Here's one thing they do when we have mission teams there.  They employ mainly widows to assist with cleaning & cooking for the team.  This is a good way for them to earn money to provide for themselves and their children.  Many of the teachers are also widows. 

“[Jesus the Good Shepherd] Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:7, 9-10

Thank you for joining me in prayer,
Page Johnson