All went quite smoothly as we landed in Bangkok last night. Walking to the immigration section was a task – easily a kilometre if not more. Our airport transfer was waiting, but took us to the wrong section of the hotel. Unfortunately that was only found out after us and all our luggage had been offloaded. The blank look on the face of the guy at reception didn’t make us feel comfortable. It wasn’t until I asked if there was a problem with the booking that he looked at me and said, ‘I think there’s a booking here, but it’s in the other building.’ He called the driver in, and yes, all our luggage was put back in the van, we loaded ourselves back in as well, and were then driven 50 metres to the other building. We all checked-in, got the wifi code [!], most organised a 6:30 wake up call [which nobody got] and we ordered the return transfer for 8am. Continue reading En route Brisbane to Bangkok – Sunday July 20
Category Archives: Travels
LEAVING TODAY
We can’t believe that today is departure day!
We have had a whirlwind week of final preparations, but the real preparation has been happening for the last 18 months.
We want to say a huge thank you to Cara and Christine from Inner Faith Travel for their constant help, support and patience over these last 18 months, with our questions and requests. They have been incredible!
The last week has been a wonderful time of farewells. The Commissioning and prayer for the whole team last Sunday was a blessing. We have people joining us for this Growing Together Tour from each of our Sunday congregations, and they were prayed for at each congregation last Sunday. Continue reading LEAVING TODAY
Group Training
Our second day for orientation was held with Bruce and Libby Hayes focussing on the Nepal portion of our trip. It was fantastic to brush up on Nepali Christian history as well as the political history, and prepare ourselves, at least in a meagre way, for what will undoubtedly be two weeks of very different experiences, culture, weather, and society. We are very aware, as a group, that even though we might want to be useful to the Nepali church and the workers there, we will probably be the ones needing the help.
We now have a much more firm program in hand for our two weeks in Nepal which is bringing great clarity to our preparation.
Following our arrival in Kathmandu on Sunday July 20, we then journey to Tansen, a 10 hour bus trip on the Monday. Tuesday will be spent gaining some understanding of the integral mission happening in Tansen, as well as tour of the mission hospital there.
Arriving in Pokhara on Wednesday afternoon will bring a new perspective on ministry for us.
Over the course of 6 days there we will be
- leading two sessions of Children’s Ministry at a children’s hostel
- taking the Children’s Ministry at one of the Christian churches in Pokhara, while Chris and others will be attending the large Naya Gaun church, where Chris will be preaching with a translator
- we’ll be involved in a Nepali deep-end culture activity
- leading two Bible studies – one for local missionaries, and one for the Christian medical students at Manipal Hospital
- we’ve also been asked to do some Sunday School Teacher Training for the Naya Gaun Church children’s ministry leaders. There are about 60 teachers who minister to over 200 children each week
- as well as the above we will also be doing some handyman and maintenance jobs at a women’s hostel.
Our time in Pokhara will draw to a close with an afternoon of relaxing around Lake Phewa, and we are hopeful the monsoon weather will hold off for us.
Our journey back to Kathmandu will take about 6 hours and we then have a couple of days in Kathmandu to explore the bazaar, the temples, the palace, and hopefully to visit some Christian ministries and pray with those in leadership.
We only have another 19 days to be ready! Will we do it?
Group Preparation Gathering #1
Last Saturday saw the first gathering of the group coming on our “Growing Together Tour”. We had a fantastic day of input, learning, sharing, fellowship, asking questions, eating, and excitement.
The team shared with each other a little of their life story, including any spiritual highlights, why they decided to come on this trip, and what they are looking forward to most. We read from Scripture, prayed together, and left at the end of the day with a much greater understanding of both the theological and political nuances.
Oh … and we all also left with an increased expectation of what this month will bring, and a growing awareness of the reality and closeness of our leaving date.
Four and a half months to take-off
As time runs down to our departure, we are so thankful to God for all he is doing. Things are slowly coming together and yet, of course, there is still so much to be done.
We love our church and want to leave it with great plans in place for the few months we are away.
We are so grateful to Hugh Begbie and Bruce Worthington for stepping in and taking the reins. We know that God will use them mightily in that time.
Our next task is to finalise the Growing Together Tour, and to plan at least two gatherings prior to departure with those joining us. We want to form friendships and grow in Christ-likeness together so we can truly be shaped and matured through this time and through our serving.
We will be producing a study and reflection booklet for our 30 days together, which we’ll use every day, praying and reading the scriptures together.
The journey will be amazing.
2014 – A Year of Change, Challenge & Excitement
2014 for the Johnsons will bring many new things. Probably the most incredible is that for the second half of the year, we will be ‘away’ from our family, from our Church, and from Australia.
We are taking Long Service Leave for the first time, and exploring some of the world our amazing God has created.
The first month will be with other people as we lead and guide a group on a ‘Growing Together’ Mission Trip visiting Nepal and the Holy Land. We are looking forward to that so much.
Two very different lands, two very different histories, and two very different current settings.
Nepal – an ancient Hindu Kingdom, where the Kingdom of God has only seen light of day in the last 50-60 years, but is now a fast-growing Church; and Israel, where the Kingdom of God has been predominant for several thousand years, but where the Christian Church is now under threat.
Stay tuned as we prepare for this epic adventure, and set off on a tour of a lifetime.
Chris and Lynda Johnson 