January 2019 update

Dear Friends and family,

Psalm 22:27

All the ends of the earth
    will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
    will bow down before him,

I know it has been way too long between updates. But we do really appreciate your prayers and I wanted to let you all know what God is doing in our lives and the ministry in Veľky Krtiš.

Life never seems to get slower around here. We are in a constant state of “doing” between traveling to doctors, Chello’s work, Kids school and ministry. But we can see God working in BIG ways and are so happy to be a part of it all.

1 Corinthians 9:16 

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Chello has always been somewhat of a rockstar in this town, but now his reputation for such is growing by leaps and bounds. He is always working, problem solving, and helping in any way he can. We can’t walk more than two minutes without running into someone he knows. Right now he is working closely with City Hall and the Ministry of Health to get an Autism Center started in Veľky Krtiš.

Also he is still working closely with the church and constantly inviting his friends, family and clients to come and hear about Jesus. 

Palm 114:4-6

God is higher than anything and anyone, outshining everything you can see in the skies. Who can compare with God, our God, so majestically enthroned, Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth?

For me back in October I was dealt some news that changed my world completely. We took Rocky for an official diagnosis regarding his autism. It was a process that took three days and as many visits. In the end on that paper where two little words that would set the tone for my future. “Severely Autistic.” Was the official diagnosis fallowed by the therapists telling me all the things he might never do. Things such as he might never talk, or go to school or read. Even as they were talking I had such peace and a voice in my head saying “my God is so much bigger than a diagnosis.” And I knew that I had to do all in my power to help Rocky as best as I can. So I started reading everything I could find on speech therapy, ABA therapy, meltdown treatment, good stimming/bad stimming and so on… I even trained some of his teachers on the practices so they can use it at school. Though I often feel underqualified and overwhelmed God is blessing the work. Rocky is thriving and God is giving me the confidence to push on.

Palm 46:5

God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.

Zoe is doing so well at school. She has many friends and her Slovak has already surpassed mine. Her favorite thing to do now is stay in hotels. She is always asking when the next doctor’s appointment is so she can travel and sleep in a hotel. She will be going for a CT scan in mid-February in Bratislava. This scan will determine when her next surgery will be. And because people were so generous to us this past Christmas we have the money to make it a family trip. She is so excited and can’t wait.

Isaiah 46 :4

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Rocky is doing really well in his preschool. He got a new teacher last month and though she hasn’t worked with autistic children before she is really good with him. And it is obvious she really cares for him and wants to do her best to teach him. He loves going to school and every day when I go to pick him up now he has a huge smile on his face. He is still only going for two hours a day, but we hope that will change soon. He even has a friend in the class that he plays with. Until now his sister was the only child he played with or wanted to play with. Rocky loves to play Minecraft but still dancing and singing are his absolute favorite things to do.

Psalm 138:1-3

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.
When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.

Again I need to thank you all for your prayers and support of our little family. We are grateful beyond words.

Chello, Meghan, Zoe & Rocky Johnson