You start out as a single cell…this divides into two, then four, then eight, and so on, and at a certain stage there emerges a single cell which will have as all its progeny the human brain. The mere existence of that cell should be one of the great astonishments of the earth.
--- Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail
This quote was included in one of the first readings for my (Joy) master's courses. I'm getting good stuff out of it already, and I only started yesterday! Some things really should inspire awe. God's creation not only of the human brain, but of so many wonders, His salvation, the way He works mightily in the midst of this fallen world, and His personal care for each of us top my list.
We had an awe-filled (thankfully not aw-ful ☺) summer experiencing Glimpses of…
...God's Grandeur
On the way back to the US from Burundi we had a layover in Iceland and enjoyed sweet family time while marveling at lava formations, geothermally heated water, and even the many kinds of seaweed.
Then we visited churches and family in the northeastern US, and enjoyed hiking, fishing, and kayaking in New York and Maine.
…God's Power
Meanwhile we "watched" via What's App photos as the large conference that Jesse helped plan before we left became a reality. It was hard to be on this side of the ocean as for four days in August, the Emmanuel Churches in Burundi hosted a national conference that over 12,000 people attended, but even through pictures it was amazing. Postponed for a year because of Burundi's elections, we are thankful for the security to be able to hold such an event, and for the special time of prayer for the nation that took place on day 3. The conference contributed to unity among the churches and the morning seminars and evening plenary sessions were a great encouragement to all in attendance.
We are also continually reminded of how God worked mightily to provide for Discovery School's buildings as we are updated on the progress of the classroom building projects that continue there in anticipation of the 900+ students and 80 staff that will be starting the new school year there in a few weeks.
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…God's Care
We spent four days with Micah's best friend Logan and my dear friend Debbie, who moved away from Burundi last summer, and reveled in God's gift of friendship.
A week after arriving in the US we attended Jesse's brother Steven's wedding. It was a beautiful day in every way, and all the family who were able to attend camped out in an unfinished farm house for several days before and after the wedding, giving us lots of fun together time.
Here are the boys with some Aunts and Uncles. The groom is wearing the black vest. On the right is Zach getting to know his 2nd cousin Wally after the festivities.
We successfully enrolled our boys in Sugar Creek Elementary School. Zach and Micah started 5th and 3rd grades, respectively, on August 15, and Elliot started Kindergarten on the 17th. ( He did wear shoes-- this was just after he got home ☺).
Joy received a scholarship from Stewards Ministries that covered the first of this semester's four payments to Dallas Baptist University.
Thanks for taking the time to appreciate God's AWEsomeness with us.
Please continue to pray that…
...we would be filled with grace and patience as we live with my parents for the next five months. (We searched and searched for an apartment but have so far been unsuccessful). My mom broke her leg two weeks ago, and this is an extra challenge as a paraplegic, so we are glad to be here to help and ask for extra prayers for quick healing for her.
...the boys will thrive in this new environment and their parents will use this time wisely to accomplish and learn things they couldn't in Burundi while also being refreshed.
...Jesse's pain will be reduced (He had been doing much better but the change back to cold air conditioning, different food, etc… seems to have set off the fibro again).
...The Lord will comfort the family of the film team leader, Zacharie, who went to be with the Lord in July. Pray also for the team as they grieve and for Gedeon, who is considering becoming the new leader. The film ministry also needs a new four wheel drive ministry vehicle. There is currently one on sale for 12,000 dollars (usually they cost 15-20) but even that is completely out of reach unless the Lord does another miracle.
Thank you again for standing with us.
The Lord our God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God... (Deut.10:17a)
In His Name,
Jesse, Joy, Zach, Micah, and Elliot Johnson
