Dear Praying Friends,

The wind-up wall clock that my grandparents gave my folks years ago has always been part of the rhythm of my house growing up. Once a week (always Sunday night for some reason?) it gets wound up with a key.

But I hear it differently now--with each tick and tock and each week I wind it up, I grow more conscious of the shrinking time between now and my departure for Prague less than 3 months away!

I feel like I'm on a dinghy, tethered to shore by a rope. I can feel the rocking of the waves, but the shore is safe and familiar. The open sea, though, looks dangerous and unknown. But I think this is where God wants me--having to trust Him at all times for the big and little things. I am excited and eager for the journey, even while bracing myself for that difficult moment when the rope is finally cut and I head out to sea. So I trust...and I tremble.

Sufficiently Single

Last month I attended an annual conference held near Málaga, Spain, called "Singles on Mission." We dug deep into the practical theology of singleness, and explored the beauty and power of a single life well-lived.

In a marriage-saturated society and in family-focused churches and missions, singleness is often overlooked, or treated as a problem to be solved, rather than an opportunity to embody God's grace in a different way. It is common for singles to be treated as incomplete, or as not-quite-adults, or even as "free radicals" that can't be trusted! (And heaven help us if we walk into the sights of a well-meaning matchmaker!) It was refreshing to be in an environment where singleness was not just accepted, but valued as a valid calling in its own right.

The conference was a celebration of the way God puts together His family, in all of its many ways. As marriage is a metaphor for the union of Christ and his Church, singleness paints a vivid picture of the sufficiency of Christ. Jesus often made a point of prioritizing the spiritual family over the natural one (see Matthew 12:46-50 for example). Whether single or married...with children or without...the family that God calls us to is a spiritual one, an adopted one, formed by the blood of Jesus, and it crosses societal, ethnic, and national divisions, and supercedes them all. From my vantage point, in my current context, this is especially good news!

The Latest Developments

~ Countdown Continues: I continue to be on target for a departure in early May. I've submitted my visa application, and barring any hiccups, it should be approved in April. There are of course dozens of other things that need to be accomplished in these few remaining weeks.

~ House and Home: I've made the difficult decision to put my house on the market. It's been the family home for nearly 60 years. Even with all of my galavanting over the past few decades, it has always been home, and the seat of so many memories. I had entertained renting it out through a manager, but in the end, selling seems be the most prudent solution. Arriving at this decision has been a spiritual exercise for me as much as a practical one. The more I allow God to pry my sticky fingers off those things I have always clung to, the more God proves that He still has His grip on me, wherever I go.

~ Language Learning: I've got more than 500 days of Duolingo online Czech lessons under my belt. (Don't be too impressed. These are short, five-minute lessons with limited retention.) But it has been helpful in getting my feet wet and gaining a feel for Czech, which is on a short list of languages considered the most difficult for native English-speakers to learn.

I plan to begin a year of intensive language study at Charles University (Karlova Univerzita) in Prague, starting in September. Language learning and cultural orientation will be my primary focus for that first year, at least. The successful completion of this course would theoretically place me at the "B2" level of language proficiency--not fluent, but functional for day-to-day living. I've been told this is a very ambitious goal, and many students end up having to repeat a semester! However, language learning is a high priority for me; the inability to communicate effectively is probably what provokes the most anxiety in me, and so I am seeking the best path to proficiency. It will continue to be at the top of my prayer requests!

~ Partnership Development: I marvel at God's faithfulness and your generosity! I am very encouraged by how many of you have responded to partner with me in your financial giving. In just the past few months my shortfall has dropped from $4000 to under $1500 per month! I am beyond thrilled. On top of this, my start-up expenses are now covered. If you haven't yet thought about supporting me financially, would you prayerfully consider it, so I can quickly close the remaining gap? You can contribute, or set up regular contributions, at alongside.org/donate. And I am always, ALWAYS in need of people committed to regular prayer support!

~ Main Street Church: My employment with the church in Utah officially ended on December 31, though I am still volunteering a few hours for the time being. We are also developing an "exit strategy" which will maintain (and even improve!) the core ministry activities, and so this is a huge blessing, and answer to prayer. (And thank you for praying!)

~ Flourish Mid-Columbia: I will also be stepping down from my duties as treasurer and board member of this local organization which has been such a huge blessing to me since returning to Richland. My involvement with my Flourish colleagues and friends has been transformational as I have walked through these massive life changes over the past few years, so I am overwhelmed with gratitude for these gifts God has given me in them. Fortunately, here, too, we are also taking steps to make sure that my departure doesn't leave any logistical gaps in its day-to-day operations, and we seem to be making some headway in this area. Please pray that this continues to take shape!

He makes me lie down in green pastures. --Ps. 23:2 FOR YOUR PRAYERS… Praise God for an encouraging time in Spain and Florida, a meaningful conference, and good times with old friends. Praise also for the generous provision which is putting my financial support target within reach! Please pray for my ongoing partnership development needs. Please pray for me in these last few weeks in the United States. There are many loose ends, and the emotional weight of selling my home and most of its contents, and saying good-bye to my beloved community of friends and loved ones. Praise God for the technology that allows us to stay in touch with so much greater ease than my last overseas missionary service! Blessings in Christ,

CONTACT: Scott R. Johnson 1016 McPherson Ave Richland, WA 99354 mowglisj@gmail.com ~~~~~ ~~~~~ My Blog, "Among the Saints" amongthesaints.blogspot.com SUBSCRIBE TO MY EMAIL LIST ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FINANCIAL SUPPORT: I am receiving support & pledges on the Alongside Ministries Donation Page To donate or set up recurring donations, click on above link, select my name from the "Fund" drop-down menu, enter the desired amount, and recurrence information. Alternatively, checks can be sent to: Alongside Ministries PO Box 610 Langley, WA 98260 If you have already been supporting me through West Side Church, you do not need to change your giving method. These funds are now going directly to Alongside Ministries. If you wish to begin giving through West Side Church, you may designate it as a portion of your regular giving, or make checks out to "West Side Church" (not Alongside) with a note saying it is for my support.