Sunday, October 23, 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Dear Friends, Supporters and Family,

Carol and I just enjoyed our first Christmas here in the United States with family in twelve years, and it was delightful. We celebrated with Vance’s siblings; our family; our church; and Carol’s family. Maybe we were making up for lost time. It was so precious that on each occassion, we were reminded that the incarnation of Jesus was the reason for our celebration.

We have had snow (very small amounts) on three separate days and that has been fun, in its own way.

We wanted to thank everyone who prayed for our recent trip to the Philippines. God answered your prayers. We were able to visit with many dear friends, even flying to another island to visit a family that we have grown close to. Yesterday we learned that they are expecting their third child.

We were able to sell our things and pack up and move out of our small apartment. We were even able to drive four hours north on the island where we have lived and visit the homes/families of two of the young ladies that have worked for us.

Vance will be going back in the first half of February to help with an ongoing leadership development with about fifteen pastors who are leading church plants. Please pray that God will provide the necessary finances (about $1,200) so that I (Vance) can do this.

Speaking of finances, we are still on full time salary with the mission through the month of September 2017. Pray for Carol as she considers a part-time position with the mission after that. She is being asked to be the “Global Fingerprints’ site coordinator” for the Philippines. Global Fingerprints is a program developed by Reachglobal (our mission agency) which sponsors children for nutrition, education and health. There are children in a Muslim neighborhood in Manila, Philippines who are being reached for the Gospel by an onsite ministry team that could benefit from such a program. Pray for wisdom regarding this opportunity.

Our family has greatly benefited from being together for the past seven months. We are still working through issues and seeking a long term way to meet the needs that continue to exist. Continue to pray for this.

Tomorrow is the start of 2017, at least in this time zone, and as we look forward to a new year we are reminded that like Israel, God has brought us this far and He is still in control.

In His service and yours,

Vance and Carol Johnson

email: vance.johnson@efca.org carol.johnson@efca.org

mobile phone: Vance (360) Carol (360)

mailing address: 6608-A NE 259th Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604-9553