Packing my bags. Soon! Really!!

There's a song that starts, "My bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." Well, I leave for Africa tomorrow, but my bags are NOT packed, and I'm NOT ready to go! However, my flight isn't until 6:30 p.m., so I'm OK.

I arrive in Uganda Friday evening, then travel on to Democratic Republic of Congo Saturday. (NOT looking forward to having to be at the airport at 3:00 a.m on Saturday morning!) The itinerary will take me back to Uganda for a brief layover to obtain a visa for Sudan; then to Juba in South Sudan, and finally back to Uganda for the last leg.

Here's the "bare bones" version of the schedule:

• August 6: depart Montreal late early evening
• August 8: arrive Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo at noon
• August 10-14: Evangelism and Church Planting Conference, Kolwezi (350 km. northwest of Lubumbashi)
• August 15-19: ministry in Kolwezi district
• August 20-23: layover in Kampala to obtain Sudan visa
• August 24-30: Youth leadership conference and evangelism, Juba, South Sudan
• September 1-6: Pastor's training conference and evangelism, Adjumani, northern Uganda
• September 9: depart Kampala (Arrive Montreal Sept. 10, late afternoon)

Looking forward to being together again with Congolese and Ugandan friends and co-workers. Looking forward to teaming in Juba with James Okot, Alfred Flett, and Trevor Meier (all from Calvary Temple, Winnipeg). And really hoping to be in Lubumbashi long enough to spend some time with PAOC missionaries Pierre and Marielle Paradis!

Please pray for:

• Safety and health
• Strength . . . physically, emotionally and spiritually
• God's clear direction for each aspect of ministry. That He will make it effective and fruitfull
• Ability to adapt quickly to the different cultures, conditions, and needs in each location
• Wisdom, direction, and strength for the African leaders responsible for planning and logistics of each conference
• Safety and provision for those traveling to attend the conferences
• A spirit of unity and cooperation at all levels
• Granting of my visa for Sudan quickly and smoothly

Remember that Congo is 6 hours ahead of Montreal time; Uganda and South Sudan are 7 hours ahead. When it's midnight in Montreal, it's 7 o'clock the next morning in Uganda!

I'll keep in touch as Internet access permits. For those of you on Facebook, please understand that connection speeds are often too slow to access FB. If you'd like to send me a message (and I'd love to hear from you!), it's better to email.

And check out the new web site: http://www.joyjohnston.ca Thanks Rudy!