The picture above, of course, is my wife Denise. Over the past five years she has become quite good at shopping in many different situations and circumstances. God blessed me with a wonderful woman who has been a great helpmeet all of these years, but especially here on the mission field.

One of our first tasks, after arriving in the country, was to plan and conduct a two-day Team Orientation. To say the Orientation went well would definitely be an understatement. It was a wonderful time of bonding and casting vision. I taught three sessions, another one of our team members spoke twice, and two others spoke once each.

WE COVET YOUR PRAYERS THAT GOD WILL EMPOWER AND ENABLE US AS A TEAM TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASK BEFORE US!

On Friday mornings I am presently meeting with six of our young people, along with a young lady named Ericka who is interning with us from the States. Our goal during this time together is basically two-fold: (1) to personally help these young people to grow in their faith and relationship with the Lord, and (2) to see these six young people start discipling one or two others before the summer is over.

PLEASE PRAY FOR KONG, JUI, LAMPHAN, LILEE, BOUNMEE, AND PACHU AND OUR TIME TOGETHER ON FRIDAYS!

Three weeks ago we started classes in our School of Ministry. We presently have eight students and our classes are held Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. On Monday, one of the National pastors is teaching a class on “Galatians and Ephesians.” On Tuesday, I am teaching “Bible Study/Bible Teaching Methods.” Wednesday, I am teaching the “Gospel of Matthew,” and on Thursday, I am teaching a course called “Being a Disciple and Making Disciples” and another course, for men only, “Principles of Biblical Leadership.” My wife is teaching on Thursdays also, a “Christian Womanhood” class. We are excited about the opportunity to invest in the lives of these young people!

WE COVET YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY AND FOR OUR STUDENTS!

Koumaly and Darath Thongdy, who are presently on a short furlough during the summer months, started our English school here seven years ago and have faithfully guided it over the years. The school provides us a reason to be here.  Yet, more than that, it gives us an opportunity to meet and build relationships with folks we never would have had a chance to meet. And yes, some of them actually get saved. Our school also offers us an opportunity to help the locals to better themselves for the future. We are excited about the Summer Term that just started and look forward to the upcoming Fall Term.

WE COVET YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE SCHOOL AND OUR STUDENTS!  

We presently are blessed to have ministries in two different villages. In both of the villages we have seen churches planted. Both of these works are pastored by national men. And, for this we thank God! God is doing some amazing things in both of these villages, but especially the village that Kong and his wife Lilee are overseeing.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS THESE VILLAGE MINISTRIES AND THE TWO MEN WHO OVERSEE THE WORKS!

Our most recent Celebration Service (combined service) was great! It was a true blessing to have all three churches gather together for a time of worship, teaching, preaching, and some wonderful food. We are grateful for all that God is doing and thankful for the opportunity to occasionally gather together!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR THREE CHURCHES AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FAITHFULLY SERVE IN THEM!

For over seven years now (even before coming to this part of the world as a missionary), I have been preaching for a dear friend and local pastor, and teaching in his Bible Institute. Over the past few years, I have added something special. His ministry is filled with factory workers, male and female, and as often as possible, I try to spend an evening with them. We gather together for a time of food, fun, and fellowship, as well as teaching the Word of God. It was a blessing to meet with them two weeks ago!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE FOLKS TO BE USED BY GOD TO REACH THEIR PEOPLE! 

We have so many young people here. In fact, our ministry is overrunning with young people. So many of them are growing in Christ and have a desire to serve the Lord with their lives. Recently, we started having occasional “Friday Teen Nights” to encourage and edify the young people. This ministry is totally run by our National young people and led by a young man who is my assistant. His name is Jui and he is doing a great job!

It’s always a blessing when our ladies have the opportunity to gather together. Recently, our ladies had a Ladies’ Fellowship. While I wasn’t there :), I was told they had a great time of food, fun, and fellowship. My wife had a chance to speak for the ladies on being “Rooted and Grounded in Christ.”  While the ladies were together, I took a few of the men and teen boys out for some pizza. And, yes, we had a great time too!

As always, my wife and I would like to thank you for your faithful financial support and your consistent prayer support. We are here, doing what God has led us to do, by His grace and your generosity!

Johnny and Denise

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is.                                     Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”