APRIL NEWS

Hello to all. I hope everyone is doing well as April turns to May. Things have been hectic here with the anticipation of new workers arriving, a new building move, and new contacts accepting Christ.

Last month I reported that Patricia had accepted the salvation of Jesus. I also mentioned that her daughter Evelyn was also making plans to do the same. I am pleased to announce that Evelyn did in fact clothe herself in Christ in April. It is very exciting to see God working through families like yeast through dough. We were also blessed to see Victor give his life to Jesus this week. The two events combined made for an exciting month for us here and reminded us that the Lord is continuing to bless the work in Leon.

These last few months the Leon workers have been focusing on two projects simultaneously. While we continue to work with the original church plant movement that began three years ago, we also have looked just outside of the city and begun our second church plant in an area called Los Sauces.  This work has been a very difficult one in that it is much “grittier” as people in the area struggle with real life problems and issues.  Please keep the Los Sauces work in your prayers as we work with those who desire to give their hearts over to the Lord.

Two weeks ago, I learned of a new work that I have been very eager to be involved in. On the southwest part of Leon lies a district that could only be described as “forsaken.” The area is filled with poverty stricken and hungry people who are in great need of many of life’s essentials. Here children snort drugs to help them forget about the pains of hunger. In the same way, things like alcoholism, robbery, and abuse are an everyday occurrence in this “dark underbelly” of Leon. In the midst of the chaos is a small house where a very serving woman lives who is trying to make a difference in the world. She has decided simply to feed breakfast to the street children and try to influence them by her example. Needless to say, when we heard about the situation we had to get involved. I have been out to the house twice now (once with Jessica) and plan on making it a regular visit during the summer. Honestly, this is the kind of work that really excites Jessica and I, and we are eager to share the light of Jesus with these children.

As some of you know, Jessica and I were in the United States three weeks ago to attend my grandfather’s funeral. C.T. Johnson had impacted so many people with his musical talents and written songs that can be found in many of our hymnals. I was truly blessed to be able to attend the event and was glad to get to enjoy the company of so many friends and family members as well. Thank you to all who kept us in your prayers. We highly value them.

Finally, in just under two weeks, we will be experiencing a lot of changes here in Leon. We will be moving to a new location for meeting together with the body, and we will begin the Summer process of watching an influx of workers including seven new AIM students, LST workers, summer campaigns, and much more. The ministry in Leon is getting ready for another big boost. Please keep this and all of the work mentioned in your prayers. Also, please know that you remain in our prayers. Jessica and I would be lost without such incredible partners by our side. You make our ministry work. When we hear that you are praying for us, or when we see that we are provided for financially, we remember how wonderful it is to have you.

Thank you.

Chris and Jessica Johnson