Kansas City move and update

Just wanted to write and tell all of you what is going on. We have signed up for the International House Of Prayer and are waiting for there final approval. Many of you are wondering what has happened and why we are here in the United States. To make a long story short, we had problems with our immigration papers in Mexico. We had hired lawyers to do our FM paperwork to live in Mexico. When it came renewal time we found out that the lawyers had did the work illegally. We hired specialists to try and sort out our paperwork. In the end they were not able to. They advised us to leave the country for a time, and then approach the Mexican Embassy here in the US. We only had 1 week from the time we found out to be out of the country from the months end. We had to drive to Kansas City and have been trying to get a home and situated here before we could write a letter of explanation. We have to wait a few months to address the issues of our paperwork. Meanwhile, during that time, we are going to be attending IHOP. There is a 3 month internship that our family will be taking there. During this time we are going to be praying for direction and guidance to our next steps ahead. At this time, we are not able to give you anymore information. Because, we don't know ourselves. Many of our supporters have told us that this is called a Spiritual Sabbatical and is quite normal in ministry. If there is any of our supporters that we were not able to be in contact with by phone. Please call us at 701-347-2114 or email us at rossandmandy@yahoo.com. We would appreciate all your prayers during this time of change and transition. Blessings in His name. Ross, Amanda, Alyssa and Zoe Johnston

long time without blogging

Well, I must admit that I am not good at this. I don't take the time to just sit down at the desk and do stuff. I feel like I need to be moving around doing stuff to accomplish anything. I know that I have to get better at this so I will make a better effort at it. Right now we have alot to tell you about. As of this week we have finally been in close contact with the church that we are attending and we are going to begin working with the youth. We are more than super excited about it, and look forward to an amazing time ahead. We are going to be working with the youth in therelationship area and outreaches. There is another couple that we are going to be working hand in hand with who are going to do the weekly service, while we work on outreach's. We also are working at a social help program called " La Casa del Mana" which in english is "House of mana". We are doing feedings and taking care of anything that they need done. Right now there is a list of around 700 people for sure that want to be baptised. This is great news except for we need water and a swimming pool or something like it. Our group is working with all areas of social help. From children that are terminally ill, to inmates, to the families of inmates, to children on the street, or whatever we can. Right now there are 1,006,000 children oficially that need an adopted home in Mexico City. (If any of you are bored with life or unemployed we need your help.)But we are happy that God has laid this task out infront of us. We also are working at the christian school plant here as well. I am teaching in the high school and we are trying not to kill ourselves getting our new school ready. Because the style of education is something like the style in the states and the education is blatently Christian and not religious, the school is exploding. We are continually getting new students and are growing and growing. Because of the growth we need a new building. We have found a new building, but the building is in need of SERIOUS help. We are changing the floors, patching the holes in the floor, busting up the concrete that was spilled all over, painting, cleaning, taking down the sticky plastic that is all over the windows, and etc. This is in our free time, as well as trying to be a family as well. I am thankful for the opportunity that we have to have our girls working hands on with us on the field as well. This last Thursday Alyssa and Zoe were able to help us by handing out food to people that were in need. Mandy and I had them stand in the distribution line and take over the lettuce post. It was so fun to watch them as they learned about giving to others. They also were able to spend a couple hours worshipping the Lord with all the people before this. God is so great in his kindness and love. I remember Alyssa asking me how to love people with food one time, and this was a perfect example. God in His mercy showed them how to love people that they didn't even know Zoe was so cute, she was singing worship songs from her heart as she was giving out food. We were all so over filled with joy. The people were very thankful and seemed to enjoy all the hugs from us. They also gave us a huge welcome. This was very nice to have, because, earlier that day we were denied service at a store just because we were American. We have this often but we just needed a extra welcome from the people we are helping. Knowing there are ignorant people in every country,expecially in our country but thankful for the good people and not giving the bad ones a second thought. Well, I just wanted to let you all know what we have been up to and we have many more plans as well. I will try and update this more and more. Also please feel free to look us up in Facebook. We love to visit with all of you back home that are just as much a part of this ministry as we are. We love you all and look forward to hearing from you soon. We will be sending out a new newsletter soon!!! Ross

Waiting!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone it has been about a month since our last blog. Many things have been happening in our crazy lives. We were working on the house and preparing for our Thanksgiving Party. We had 3o people show up for the party. We had such a great time with each other. We gave thanks, played games and ate way more food than we should have. I(Amanda) have been baking like crazy. For the Thanksgiving parties, Christmas parties, gifts and just people over at our home. I am planning on also having a cookie exchange at our home. I (Amanda) have also been battling with my fibromialga since after our Thanksgiving party. It seems like a never ending battle but it is teaching me to take care of myself more. Hard thing to do when you are busy mom and hard headed. I will be writing up a newsletter/seasons greetings card for this month. You should receive it by Christmas time.

Ross has been busy working during the week at two different school. He is teaching in a high school at one of them and sixth graders at the other school. He is able to share about Jesus at both of the school and is building relationships with all the kids. Along with teaching he has been teaching the other man that is living with us how to fix things around the house. This is one of the things he finds relaxation in. He is also very good at it. We are so thankful that he knows how to do all of this because the house was in REALLY BAD SHAPE when we moved in. Thank God for our handyman.

Alyssa and Zoe have also had a lot of changes happen in their lives lately. We moved to a different home, in with another family, plus they changed schools. Jesus is so wonderful, the girls were able to have time between the changes. They were VERY ready to change schools. They come home everyday with huge smiles on their faces. It is so wonderful to see how they have adjusted to everything. We as a family made a gingerbread house the other day. The girls were telling us that the frosting is the glue for the elves. We had a wonderful day bringing in the Christmas season. They have their school play coming up. They are both so excited. The other day Alyssa cam and told us that she was so thankful that we have our family day together. Every Saturday on our Saboth we celebrate being together as a family. We understand that our family is first and our ministry/work is second. They are both growing up so much!

Well to end we would like for you guys to be praying for us for the next two weeks. We have yet some more things that maybe changing in our lives. Please pray for guidence, wisdom and encouragement from the Hold Spirit. We thank all of you that keep up with our lives and ministry. Many Blessings! The Johnstons
P.S. If you don't receive our newsletters and would like to please email us or leave a comment for us. Our email is rossandmandy@yahoo.com