Trying to get use to the fact that you can drink the water that runs out of the facet…as matter of fact the toilet water is probably clean enough to drink, going into a bathroom and there is always toilet paper available, there are not loads of people and animals out on the streets all the time, for one cup of coffee here I could get about 10 cups in Ethi, the internet is so fast here I don’t know what to do with myself, buying overpriced fruits wrapped in plastic and veggies and not having to bleach them…weird. Such a different life.

I’m trying to adjust to life back in California. It’s been nice to be “home” spending time with family and friends, hiking, biking and going to the beach! I’m currently in the process of looking for an elementary teaching job (preferably between Santa Barbara down to San Diego). I had 2 interviews for a school in LA, that didn’t work out. Waiting to hear back from a school in Carp, after having 2 interviews with them. Trusting that God has something in store for me, in His perfect timing.

If you know of any opportunities for an elementary teaching position, please keep me posted!

***On July 30^th @ 7pm I will be having an evening to share “My Year in Ethiopia.” I’m excited to share all that God has done in and through me this year in Addis Ababa!Lots of pictures and stories.

(at Danny and Sarah’s house: 140 Serafin Way, Carp, 93013)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! call for questions or email me! 805-403-3184

Something I’ve been encouraged with this week–God has incredible plans and He will provide us with all we need, as 2 Peter 1:3 says: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

*NOTE TO FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS: I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me this year. Without you I would not have been able to GO and SERVE. Since I’m back in the USA you no longer need to make financial contributions. You can stop them by sending SGWM an email or calling them at 714-993-4801. To let them know by email, please email Jack Fletcher and let him know that you would like to discontinue your giving for Me, Monica Johnson. His email is jackfletcher@calvarychapel.com

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

So while I was in Ethiopia I wasn’t able to upload pictures on here very easily…sorry about that. Here are a few pictures that highlight some of my year in Ethiopia. I hope they give you a better idea and visual of what my time was like there! Many more on FB too.

Hello Everyone!

So much as been going on here in Ethiopia the last few weeks. This last Friday was the last day of school. It was a really emotional time having to say goodbyes to all of my students. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have come to Ethiopia and teach at Bingham this year. I have been so blessed and encouraged by my students this year! We had Bingham’s graduation ceremony and reception. Lots of fun- 12 graduates, 9 nationalities, headed to 6 different countries!

Today (Sunday) we had the 1^st Annual Race for the Blind. Myself and three others put this event on here in the city. Through all the stress, planning and logistics that went into it; it went really well and was a success. This race was to help raise money and awareness for the blind kids in Mekelle (N.Ethi) as well as to raise money for the Hosanna House girls (where I taught English this year).

Speaking of teaching English…last Thrusday the girls put on a whole program for us, knowing it was our last time coming. It was amazing and so humbling. It was their ideas and they did it all by themselves. A night filled with jokes, riddles, coffee ceremony, popcorn, skits, egg relay races, choreographed dances, injera/doro wat, cake, soda, singing, crying, laughing, and praying together. It was one of the best goodbyes ever!

Prayer Requests:

-Transition back to states, saying goodbyes to friends here, safe travels (I fly out Wed. night—June 22)

-I have a job interview this coming Tuesday (June 21) via skype for a teaching job at Calvary Christian School in CA, near Malibu. Prayers much appreciated!!! God’s will be done.

I am sad to leave this place I have fallen so much in love with, but I am looking forward to being back home and seeing everyone!

All my love!

I just had to share another amazing moment that happened this week ( on May 19). After my last post “Salvation is Here” my class couldn’t keep silent! My students were excited and on fire to tell others. I challenged them to step out in faith and share this good news of salvation with the 5^th graders. The 5^th grade teacher and I were both prompted by the Holy Spirit to talk about these things with our classes the past 2 weeks. After talking to her in the beginning of last week we both realized that we were saying the same exact things to our classes! Not a coincidence at all, but the Lord!

On Thursday my students got in groups with the 5^th grade students and went through the packet “Knowing God Personally” with them. What an amazing and powerful time it was because after that time there were 18 students in grade 5 for the first time accepted the gift of Jesus and 4 students that recommitted their lives!

The 5^th grade teacher and I never thought our prayers would be answered like this! We serve a BIG God who can do BIG things. I am so blessed, humbled and encouraged to be apart of what He has done this past week and it makes this whole year worth it!

Join me in praising the Lord for what He has done!

Testimonies from my students: (taken from reflection papers written this week)

“I have learned lots during these last few weeks. I have learned that Jesus is the only way, and that my life won’t only be easy. I have also learned God’s love for me.

It is important for us to know the truth so that we can share it with others. We also have to have fellowship with other Christians.

The verses that Miss Johnson has shown me have all been ones that I believe and that I trust. I also trust that God has something good in store for my life.

It is important for us to share the gospel with others so that they also can have the good news in their hearts and share with others. It is great when we get new Christian brothers and sisters.

When I asked Jesus into my life I felt like he has something special in store for me. It was the first time I really meant it on Monday. I feel like God wants me to share the gospel with others. I am 100% sure now that I am going to heaven.” J -Anonymous 4^th grade girl

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“This really means a whole lot to me. I think that this has been a great opportunity and I am so glad that SO many people came to Christ in the past 1 hour, it was amazing! I have really learned a lot more than I actually knew about God. I think that it is important to share so more and more people can join us in heaven. That’s why it’s imperative to spread the good news! On Monday I actually rededicated my life to God. I felt a little stronger and bolder.” -Anonymous 4^th grade girl

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“By the time we were done Sam, Daniel and Jacob (5^th grade students) understood a lot more about Jesus. I thought that we encouraged them because when we finished they were all brightened up. That was the best experience I had ever had in my whole life, because it says in the Bible, Let your light shine before men.” -Anonymous 4^th grade boy

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“To me this meant A LOT, Mia who didn’t even care about Jesus is now a Christian- isn’t that amazing. And this Monday May 16 three quarters of this class became Christian they prayed the prayer and now they can go to heaven. In the past two weeks I have learned that Jesus is like a bridge to God and we just need to believe that and we will receive the best gift of all, going to heaven and partying all day long. This is important to know because now you can tell others. It is very important to do that because then they can go to heaven as well and live eternal life with God and get to know more about him. On Monday I prayed that prayer but this time I meant it and didn’t just say it to get myself into heaven.” -Anonymous 4^th grade girl

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“It meant a lot to me telling other people about God. I have learned that miracles can happen between people and how important it is to teach people about God and Jesus.” -Anonymous 4^th grade boy

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“The past 2 weeks have been so exciting and fun especially today as I got to share the gospel with the 5^th graders. I learned so much about God:

-His love

-His mercy

-Jesus dying on the cross

I even got to say a prayer and accept Jesus into my heart! It was so cool!

It is very important for us to know this so that we can be happy and share with others! When others know, they can share too and so many people will come to faith and go to heaven.

Monday was a big day because I rededicated my life to Christ on a scale of 0-10 I’m a ten, I am sure I will go to heaven.” -Anonymous 4^th grade girl

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“In the beginning Sara said that she was 90% sure. She had lots of questions and I was more than happy to answer them because I knew that God has sent me here to tell her and the other girls that He is very anxious to come into their life and have them be with him in heaven.

They all became 100% sure and I thought that it was amazing. After this they all felt like a celebration was going on in heaven. They felt happy, relaxed and most importantly that they know that God is by their side and will go to heaven with they die.

This has been a huge improvement I have ever made and I am happy with my choice. I think that God is using grade 4 to help people so that they can pass it on so that when the end of the world comes we could all go to heaven and rejoice to the Lord always with the angles that are already there.” -Anonymous 4^th grade girl