DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
It’s interesting for us to see how the Lord directs and guides our steps along the way. We were planning to head to Alberta for Christmas this year, but it seems the Lord has other very special plans for us. On December 25 we are expecting a new addition to our family! We look forward to meeting this new little person.
With this change in plans, we’d like to share some other “changes to plans” and prayer requests with you.
BUILDING PLANS
With baby #2 on the way we will have to do some room-shuffling. We plan to put the baby in our office/guest room. However, we have a lot of visitors and really do need the office space.
With this in mind, we would like to build a room in our basement to act as our office and guest room, as well as a small bathroom. Because we rent our home from Word of Life, this has been deemed a special project for which we must raise funds. We have broken the project up into two phases. Phase 1: Enclose the basement for an office/guest room. Phase 2: Install a bathroom. The first phase has been estimated to cost about $4500. We will finish each phase as the Lord supplies the finances.
If you wish to help us with this, we would really appreciate it. As with any funds directed toward our ministry, please make out cheques to Word of Life, with a memo that it be used toward the “Johnstone Basement Project” so you may receive a tax-deductible receipt.
NOT NECESSARILY IN OUR PLANS…
Naomi’s pregnancy has not been without complications. Currently she has to stay off her feet much of the time due to a placental abruption she experienced during our trip to New Brunswick. This serious condition places both her and baby at risk. Troy’s mother, Starr, has been staying with us and has been so helpful. Naomi’s mom, Janice Cross, plans to join us in August after Starr leaves to help around the house. Please be in prayer for us. We specifically ask that you pray that the abruption would stabilize and that the baby would continue to develop healthily and normally to full term.
YEAR FIVE, HERE WE COME
We are very encouraged with our number of applicants for the Fall. We are hoping for between 35 and 45 students. However, more important than “numbers,” we pray that each student would truly desire to learn and grow.
We have enjoyed having Ben from Troy’s home church here the past two years as he attended the BI and then ministered on the Impact Team. Now we look forward to having two students from Naomi’s home church with us this coming year.
CAMP SEASON
Word of Life is not just a Bible Institute. Among other ministries, we run Summer Camps and Winter Camps in which our students play a vital role. We are halfway through our current summer camping season. It is wonderful to hear the reports of changed hearts and lives. So far, we have seen over 100 kids put their trust in Jesus as Saviour for which we are so thankful.
Ellie’s Corner: Our little baby girl is no longer! In her place is a busy little toddler. She babbles non-stop about who-knows-what and brings us so much joy. More of her independent nature and unique personality emerge each day. During the day she enjoys the outdoors, playing in her sandbox and with her balls. In the evening she and daddy enjoy storytime together. We pray for wisdom as we teach her, discipline her and love her.
Troy & Naomi Johnstone