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