150 days until due date (and Christmas)

Dear Friends and Family,

We just wanted to write a quick update concerning Naomi’s pregnancy. She was in for another ultrasound this afternoon. Though the technician was limited in how much information she could share with Naomi, she did say that the baby’s development looks to be on track and that the placenta seems to be doing its job sufficiently. We will learn more details when Naomi goes to see the obstetrician. Hopefully, at that time we’ll also receive a better idea as to what Naomi is allowed to do physically.

We have so appreciated the many emails and words of encouragement that we’ve received from so many of you. Even more so, we thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We know that many women who experience the complications that Naomi has end up losing the baby or the baby develops abnormally. We feel prayer has made a difference. Naomi still has a long road ahead (5 months to go), so keep them coming!!

Troy and Naomi Johnstone

Naomi and I are now in Sackville after a refreshing and fun time at our semi-annual national staff conference. Together with our co-workers from both the English and French divisions of Word of Life Canada, we were in Schroon Lake for a few days. We had many challenging messages from the Word of God and the theme for the conference was “Serving with Excellence in a World of Mediocrity”. Naomi and I both really enjoyed all the Bible sessions.

Word of Life and Parole de Vie staff

Year four is done. Today was the last day of classes at the Bible Institute. The students are dispersing across the province and have a couple of weeks off before returning for their summer ministry.

Students writing their last exam.

Dave is bursting with anticipation of going home for a few weeks.

We will be dispersing too. Next week we leave for our national staff conference with the rest of Word of Life Canada’s staff from both the French and English sides of the ministry. The conference will be at the Word of Life Inn located in Schroon Lake. While there, we will be having departmental planning meetings and having numerous Bible sessions. From there we will be traveling on to New Brunswick to spend some time with family and visit supporters and churches. We are both looking forward to having some relaxing time down there, but not nearly as much as my family is looking forward to having Ellie come.

We are so thankful to have gotten to know these students and watch them grow spiritually as they studied the Word of God here at WOLBI. We thank God for those who pray for us and those who support us and allow us to be a part of this ministry.

• Please pray for safety for us and the rest of the staff as we travel to and from the conference.
• Please pray for our students as they are home over break. They have important jobs this summer as counselors and staff at our summer camp. Pray that their hearts will be prepared for sharing the gospel with many kids.

Troy, Naomi, and Ellie

The school year is winding down with the last day of class on June 2. With only a couple of weeks left and warm weather outside, the students are finding it harder and harder to concentrate on their studies!

Upcoming Events for the Johnstones:

May 18-19 Campus Days. Our last Campus Days in April saw 20 young people attend and we had 10 new applications. Several of the others in attendance had already applied. We are praying for another successful Campus Days with many new visitors.

May 19-21 Alumni Reunion. Troy is the principal organizer for this event too. We are inviting all our alumni from the past three graduating classes to come back for the May long weekend.

Early June – Naomi will be working to finish the student’s yearbook. Much of the work has already been done by students and one of our interns, but the intern is getting married and will not be able to complete the project.

June 6-9 Word of Life National Staff Conference. Every two years we pull all of our staff together from across Canada for a time of encouragement from God’s Word and other meetings. This year we will be meeting in Schroon Lake, New York. Pray for safety for all our staff as they travel.

June 9- July 2 Vacation/Deputation. Troy and Naomi will be driving from Schroon Lake to Troy’s home town of Sackville, New Brunswick. While there we will be visiting supporters and churches to bring them up to date.

Please pray for:

• Admissions Interns for next year
• Students as they finish the academic part of the school year and prepare for their summer ministry
• Young people from across Canada as they plan to join us in September at WOLBI

Troy, Naomi, and Ellie