May/June Newsletter (Ethan)

Greetings from Ethan Johnston, a devoted servant of Jesus Christ my LORD. To whoever may receive this letter, may you receive the good news of Jesus Christ at its fullest.

After my time in Guatemala, “X squad” and I went to Fort Myers, Florida to help the Adventures In Missions base close down its relief efforts in that area. I was there last year with “L squad” while the base was in full gear to help the community. While I was there this time they were coming to a close, and it was sweet to be part of it at a few different stages. While we were in Florida we went to the beach for a sunset worship session and invited a bunch of people across the beach to join us. While we were worshiping I felt like the LORD gave me a word for one of the guys who came from somewhere else on the beach. I shared the word with Him and he said that everything I said hit him exactly at the right time. God is so faithful to care for us as his sheep no matter where we are. 

After our time in Florida, “X squad” finished its World Race journey back in Gainesville, Georgia at final debrief. This week was really hard for me because I had really grown to love my team “Israel”. I don't know the true feeling of being a father yet but this felt like what I imagine it feels like to be one. We talked about some of the best, worst, funniest, saddest, and most God impacted moments from the last year and I thanked God for the wonderful opportunity he gave me to lead these young men. We said our “see you later” to each other on May 23rd and started to go our separate ways, for some that meant a 4 hour flight to Colorado for some that was a 40 minute drive to a different city in Georgia. The following week myself and the rest of the leadership team went to a lake for a few days to process and talk through the year. It was hard but felt like a beautiful way to close the time. 

I then started helping at Adventures In Missions as an admissions interviewer for incoming World Race participants. I’ve been loving it so far, it’s a beautiful way to connect with people and gives me the opportunity to start the discipleship process with people over the phone.

I then took a weekend trip to Minnesota in early June to visit Baylee’s family! What a beautiful time that was, I really got to know them and see how the LORD is working in their lives and hearts. It was also really sweet to visit their church and meet people who have been praying for Baylee and I for so long now! I also asked for their blessing for their daughter's hand in marriage. They were excited and eager to invite me into the family in that way! Which leads me to my next piece of news…

The following weekend I took Baylee up to Tennessee to visit our friends Mike and Rachel from “L squad”. It also happens to be near the place where he went on our first date. So on July 15th 2024, I took her back to our first date spot, found some shade under a tree and danced to some music until I felt like it was time to pop the question. I’m excited to tell you SHE SAID YES!!! 

Baylee and I are traveling to our home towns this summer, we will be in Washington for most of the month of July and I would love to meet with any, and all of my friends and family from home. Please reach out to me if you would like to meet with us too, we would greatly appreciate it!