Tossing this phrase out among our family has multiple connotations including “life is crazy busy,” “we’re off to new places,” or “leaping with faith into the unknown.”
Home Assignment this past summer has captured all 3.
Life is Crazy Busy
After finishing the school year and celebrating Lizzy’s graduation at full throttle, we continued on to the States visiting 7 churches within the first 7 weeks around the Midwest and South Carolina. It was such a blessing to catch up with old friends, meet new people, and most of all worship together as a body of believers, celebrating the true Gospel that propels us each out into the world to share of Christ’s wondrous peace.
Spending precious time with our families is always a highlight of our home assignments. We are deeply grateful for their hospitality to us as we moved back and forth between our parents’ homes over the past few months. Cherished memories of beaches, baseball games, bake-offs, bonfires, barbeques, and other adventures weaved throughout our summer brought great joy and bonding with each other. We don’t have space for all the pictures here, but there are many!
Later in July, we were able to promote Flight Nerd Airforce (Ben’s Business for Mission) at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. Our kids showed fantastic enthusiasm marketing at the booth alongside Ben. Please pray for fruit as follow up conversations continue. If you are interested in knowing more about Flight Nerd Airforce, click the button below:
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We’re Off to New Places
Although not a physical new location, we found ourselves in a new place as future in-laws! In early June, during a family vacation in Door County, WI, our oldest daughter, Elie, got engaged to her high school sweetheart, Musa. We are so thrilled and look forward to how God will bless their marriage and life together in the years to come. Becca spent precious time with Elie beginning to plan next summer’s wedding.
Another new place for most of our family was a trip to JAARS, in NC, where we met up with our teammates, Miles and Hannah Hillman. Becca, Miles,a nd Hannah took an off road 4WD driving course giving them more confidence and skills when driving on the mountain dirt roads around Boonchu’s village. During the week, they got hands-on experience with vehicle and travel plan safety, understanding road hazards and overcoming obstacles (like getting unstuck in the mud or using winches to upright vehicles). Ben and the kids cared for the Hillman’s two young daughters during the classes. An adventurous team bonding experience!
Leaping With Faith into the Unknown
When our family uses “We’re Going on an Adventure” in the above context, it does not always mean we are lost, but that we’re not exactly clear where we’re going, we’re floundering forward into unknown territory. This summer has also held these moments for us.
As excited as we are for Lizzy to transition to Cornerstone University her freshman year, and as confident as we are in God’s great plan and provision for her, there is still an ache. We are taking steps forward in faith as to what life will look like for her as classes begin and for us, at home in Thailand without her. Please pray for this time of transition for Lizzy and us. We praise Him for the ways He has provided so far!
As we return to Thailand to begin a new season, we are taking stock, evaluating, and reassessing our focuses of ministry, our roles in Serge, life in general, and our marriage/family relationships.
As you know from our updates, last year was rough and we want to give ourselves space to grieve and heal and move forward in healthy ways. Please pray for us during this time to see God’s guiding hand of wisdom to know what to pick up, lay down, delegate, etc.
We also need to do more support raising. If you or someone you know would like to financially support us, please click on the link below to set up one-time or monthly giving.
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Oh, and occasionally “We’re Going on an Adventure”......occasionally it means, “We’re lost” and have to pull out Google Maps. 🙂
We are extremely grateful for a fantastic team, a supportive organization, and all of you wonderful people who bless us with your prayers and giving!
Thank you for being on this adventure of life with us!
Blessings,
Ben and Becca Johnson
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