Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Well it has been a week of warfare for the Lovely Feet team! Sorry for the delay in posting.

Rhonda had great fun playing trumpet with her brother Rich at Brass Ensemble at Immanuel Lutheran church in St. Charles MO. (Picture 1)

While here in St Louis we were blessed to be a part of a small group Bible Study that was a great encouragement to us. This is sweet group of brothers and sisters from Southwest Christian Church (http://www.swccmo.org/ ) (Picture 2)

The week started off with an amazing MIRACLE! We have been praying for the son of some friends of ours. He had a grand mal seizure. He has had many many tests trying to determine the cause. We have all been waiting for the results of these tests for some weeks. The prognosis was extremely grim. However, the family stood in faith praying against this prognosis and believing that God would heal. Our friend called us on the boys birthday with the news that the tests came back completely NORMAL…there was no sign of the two dark spots on his brain that has showed up on prior tests. We praise God our healer for this great miracle!

Then the enemy showed up! The enemy has been working overtime to discourage and depress us. We have different ways that we confront this battle. Ron has determined to rush the gates of the enemy by smacking him over the head with Youtube and Tangle videos. He has posted three of them. One is a take off on the new movie Twilight that all the kids are talking about. Another is Ron turning his face into a puppet and the last is Ron preaching the defeat of Satan in every book of the New Testament.

Rhonda has been spending a lot of time reading her Bible, praying and listening to praise and worship music with a little guitar practice on the side. (and helping Ron get his videos ready for posting).

We have been fasting and praying for direction and next steps. We have contacted over 100 ministries for open doors to minister…but doors have not opened. We were not sure why? We thought we had a plan. We thought that we were doing what God wanted. We thought…we…we? Could it be that “we” were being distracted by plans we had made or tried to make instead of hearing from God? We were becoming discouraged and frustrated until we realized that this discouragement and frustration were obstacles to the next steps that God had for us. We were allowing the enemy to distract us with the “why’s” of “the plan” not working. The Lord opened our eyes and we confessed to Him our short-sightedness. We confessed that these frustrations were not going to be a vehicle to share the Gospel with the Aymara or with anyone else and we laid all those emotions and frustrations down at the feet of Jesus. Whew! What a relief! How freeing!

Later that very night we had the opportunity to talk with some missionaries in New Mexico. Mark & Bev Chandler minister to the Navajo Nation. They contacted us some months ago by email (Lance & Michelle shared with a friend about us who shared with Mark and Bev). We had emailed back and forth a couple of times and finally got on the phone together. They shared their calling with us and guess what…? It was so very similar to ours. Isn’t God cool? We shared on the phone for over and hour. At the end of the conversation we prayed together but not before Mark and Bev invited us to New Mexico to share in the work of the Lord with the Navajo. WOW! How amazing is our God? What a glorious wonderful opportunity.

The Navajo are First Nations people just like the Aymara. I (Rhonda) just finished an AMAZING book that I highly recommend to all. It is by Richard Twiss a brother from the Lakota/Sioux. It is called One Church, Many Tribes. (http://store.fastcommerce.com/WiconiResources/prod-ff808081175e96dc01176560dfb87a2a.html) God has given us such a burden for the First Nations people. While there are many differences from the Navajo to the Lakota/Sioux to the Aymara there are many similarities amongst these First Nations people (“a term denoting original habitation by sovereign people or nations”). We hope and pray that God will continue to lift the veil from our eyes about worshiping Him in Spirit and truth and not following after the traditions of man. It seems that “Form” and “Substance” are reoccurring themes that keep coming up regarding our Worship of our Father God. Anyway, read this book! So it is amazing that here I was reading this book and then “coincidently” we talk with Mark and Bev who invite to come and minister with them to the Navajo.

We are greatly encouraged and excited about this opportunity. Please partner with us in prayer about this.

This weekend we will be spending time with family at Rhonda’s cousin’s daughter’s High School graduation on Friday. Saturday is a time for old High School friends. On Sunday we will be attending the Baptism of Chriss and Tony’s son Will. Later on Sunday we go to Rich’s (Rhonda’s Brother) for a BBQ with Lynda. (Rhonda’s step-mom).

We love you all and pray for you...

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ …that [we] may proclaim it clearly, as [we] should.” Col 4:3,4

Diosampiki,
Ron, Rhonda and Sam

Ron and Sam's videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PS2igMFL3k Twilight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttthQKJ360k Ron's puppet face

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd0ZjETb8cw Satan's defeat part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JIPBOZ5b1E Satan's defeat part 2

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

And so begins another week on the great adventure God has called us to!

We had a great week! We spent most of the week catching up on rest, reading, studying and spending time with Lord and our friends. Tony and Chriss are such a blessing to us!

Wednesday night we went to an awesome Bible Study. Frankly I (Rhonda) was not having a good day. I needed to get into the Word...I needed me some Jesus, some Word and some fellowship with believers! I was like junkie I needed it so bad! As usual, the Lord blessed beyond measure. My nephew Jake invited us to the adult Bible Study of Southwest Christian Church. Sam and Jake went to youth and Ron and showed up at Pastor Loren's house. Pastor Loren and Julie Copp welcomed us in like they had known us for a hundred years. Brother Eric lead the Bible Study and we just had the best time learning and sharing about the Lord. Brother Eric asked first where/when we remembered experiencing God's presence in a real and tangible way. It was a really interesting opening. Everyone had a different story to share and only one actually shared an experience that happened in Church.

So what about you? Where have you experienced God in your life where you KNOW that you know that you know He was there with you, touching you? Respond to this Blog with your answer. I will compile them anonymously and post them. We need to look for God everyone. God says to us “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Let’s encourage one another with our word of testimony!

So, we had a GREAT time with the brothers at Southwest Christian Church (http://www.swccmo.org ). We plan to return this Wednesday night and Lord willing, attend this Sunday.

Sam had a tremendous opportunity this past weekend. He was able to attend a youth rally called FM419. This name is based on Matthew 4:19 Jesus said, "Come and Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19. ”Youth [have]…a weekend of high-energy music and life-changing training. [Youth] Get down to the basics of what [they] believe, find power to live what [they] say, and learn how to share [their] faith with others” ( http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1137883230?bctid=18737868001 ) The band “The Afters” were there. They sing “Never going back to Okay”. Sam and his two cousins went and they had a great time. Ron took some video footage after the event asking Kids who Jesus was to them. Look forward to a short U-Tube of this footage. It is pretty cool! Sam was blessed by the event and I believe it gave him a better comfort level in sharing his faith. Of course the enemy has been at him a little. He is a little blue…missing his friends…his life is so different. PLEASE pray for Sam. Call him, email him…encourage him. (sam@lovelyfeet.org)

Saturday afternoon we got a call that someone was interested in seeing the house. We were so happy. I told the girl on the phone that of course they could come and look at the house and that they should invite all their friends to come too. (she thought I was a little crazy…huh…imagine). You may have heard that the sale of the home fell through. We were disappointed but we know God is sovereign and that He has something else in mind. We know that He has a better house suited for the Johnson’s and a buyer who is looking for exactly what our house has to offer. Please partner in prayer with us about this. God will bring the buyer in His time.

Yesterday we had a GREAT day. Of course it was Mothers Day and that was great. Sam got me the most beautiful pair of earrings. They are silver doves. I LOVE THEM! I heard from all of the other 5 kids as well and basically felt like I must be the best Mom ever. Thanks kids! I love you all so much!!! (especially you…you are my favorite…you know who you are…)

The pictures posted above are from Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles MO. My brother Rich was able to work with his Pastor in giving us the opportunity to share about God’s work in Bolivia. We were given 5 minutes to share (you all know Ron…this was HARD…but he was able to say what God had him to say in 6 ½ minutes…a new record for Mr. Haynes!). We had so many people stop at the table and ask questions. Someone wanted to know when they could come to Bolivia and help in God’s work there. We were so blessed! To see the interest and compassion in these dear brothers and sisters was so amazing!!!

For dinner Chriss spear-headed the kids efforts and we had a great time visiting, eating, visiting, eating and visiting.

We leave you with this blessing…

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
We love you all!

Diosampiki,

Ron, Rhonda and Sam

Meet me in St. Louis...

Dear Brothers,

Greetings from St. Louis MO! (and surrounding areas)

We arrived in St. Louis late Friday night (May Day). We brought with us the blessing given us by Brother Ron Moore, a pop-up camper. Bullet (our truck) had no problem pulling the pop-up. In fact we got much much better gas mileage! We are very thankful to God for this blessing. You would be surprised how much it holds. We were thinking we would have to leave a lot of our things behind in Chicago but were so grateful to find that almost everything fit! We had to leave two things behind...Rhonda's Bike and Ron's bass guitar. However, one other blessing is that Ron's brother Buddy let him borrow his bass guitar which is much smaller and lighter. Therefore Ron does have a bass, just not "his" bass. So we are thankful. Also we were able to bring Ron and Sam's bikes so if Rhonda wants a bike to ride she does have access.

We had a great day on Saturday. We went to Rhonda's brother's praise band practice; Rhonda even got to sing a long. It was a great time of worship and fun. Rich introduced Rhonda to everyone adding that she was going on a "mission trip" to Bolivia. Rhonda had to point out that her dear brother was still in a little bit of denial about the whole thing. Rhonda pointed out that we are MOVING to South America not taking a short term mission trip. Rich grinned and we all had a bit of a laugh at his expense. It is hard for a big brother.

Sunday we were so blessed to minister in two churches in Steelville MO. Steelville is about an hour and a half from St. Louis. We left early Sunday morning for Center Point Baptist Church. The Pastor, Matt Cook, is married to Rhonda's cousin Sharon. The congregation was so welcoming! They treated us just like family. Well I guess we kind of are...Rhonda's aunt and uncle have been members of this church for about 300 years so, we felt right at home. Ron preached an anointed message and we praised and thanked the Lord. We talked afterward with several people. Rhonda shared with some really cool teens who were very interested to hear more about the mission. One girl Hannah Banana is home-schooled and seemed especially interested. We thank God that He is moving in the hearts of our youth and preparing them for their calling.

After church we had a great lunch and visit with Rhonda's family. We all shared stories of times past. Later Uncle Terry took us over to the Meramac Baptist Assoc Camp Grounds and showed us around. We are hoping to take the pop-up down there and park for a week or so to rest and spend sometime together as a family and with the Lord.

Sunday evening we were invited to Straightway Baptist also in Steelville. How awesome to be invited by Christian brothers and sisters we haven’t even met! God is good all the time! Pastor Mike and the whole congregation invited us in with open arms. We had the best time singing some old time favorites and then Pastor Mike turned the pulpit over to Ron. WOW, Ron was on FIRE! He preached from Mark 2 and shared about the Aymara. The Lord really moved. The congregation was so generous in every respect. One brother spoke up and made a motion to for the church to make a donation to the mission to the Aymara and it was quickly seconded and past. Another brother was ready to sign up to come and minister and work on a short time mission trip. This brother (Brad) wanted to plan a trip and bring his 13 year old daughter. We hope to spend more time with Pastor Mike and his wife as well as Rhonda’s family while there camping.

It was such an encouragement to see these two bodies of believers so on fire for the Gospel! We were greatly blessed! We pray that they were blessed by our sharing as well.

Today we wait to hear if the deal will go through on our home sale. There have been a few hic-ups but we know that God is sovereign and faithful and that He will sell our home at the right time to the right people and the He will greatly bless us and the buyers in the process. We are so thankful for our new friend and Real Estate agent Karen Miller. She and Jessica Smith have worked so hard for us. We feel more like they are friends than agents. We are thankful to God for them and for our new friendship.

Please be in prayer for the final steps of selling our home. Also please continue to pray that God will open doors for us to minister. We are overwhelmed by the church’s desire to hear more about the Aymara. It is amazing how the people want to know more and help more to spread the Gospel. We trust God to open doors that no man can shut and to direct our paths.

Thank you, thank you for all your prayers for us. We feel them and God answers them!

Diosampiki!
Ron, Rhonda and Sam