Introduction
by Dick and Lawana Johnson 2009
Around the end of 2008, Elder Dick and Sister Lawana Johnson had completed their three year "Be Smart!" mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most of their time since Dick's retirement had gone to that very enjoyable and successful endeavor. Now, it was 2009 and they were enjoying becoming more like normal retired people... traveling, seeing grandkids, and even doing some remodeling.
But, then came an exciting invitation from Lawana's brother and his wife to visit them in Kenya while they were serving there on a special three month measles prevention mission! The Church has provided around $1 Million/year on measles programs in 45 countries so far and has sent senior missionary couples like Elder and Sister Ogborn to implement the program. It is a very worthwhile & needed work, because, even though vaccinations stop measles in developed countries, over 500 children still die every day from measles, mostly in undeveloped countries like Africa where shots are not readily available.
Quite honestly, Dick and Lawana's initial thoughts were that they would help out where they could on the measles work, but probably spend much of their time in a vacation mode seeing wild and exciting Africa. This seemed reasonable, especially considering that they were financing the whole trip themselves, rather than having their big travel costs and other expenses (like, over $2,000 in medical shots before going!) paid by the Church. As it turned out, though, because they quickly fell so much in love with the wonderful African people and quickly saw the great need for the work, they very willingly devoted over 3/4's of their six weeks time in Africa assisting the measles campaign.
Living among the African people and working with and for them on the measles work was a wonderful, unique, adventure and spiritual awakening for the Johnsons. Lawana has gone to many countries now and Dick has traveled to practically every continent and around 100 countries in this great world. But, neither have experienced as life-changing a time as in Africa. It will be remembered forever!
This journal chronicles our experiences and feelings in a series of 27 e-mails we sent home to family and friends during the six week trip. Besides learning about the measles work, you will also see and enjoy reading in these writings that Heavenly Father seemed to reward us for our decision to devote most of our time to the measles work by providing us with many very unique and exciting wildlife viewings during those few days we were able to go on safaris in Africa's wild bush. Indeed, our experienced guide of 25 years, said he had never seen so many unique sightings, especially of the big predator cats and so many baby animals so close up. It was Springtime in Africa and every species had babies everywhere!
We promise you will feel as you read this journal, the wonderful, loving spirit of the very poor, but very noble and much to be admired and respected, African people. And, we hope that somehow our words and pictures give you a sense of that wild, dangerous, and beautiful country that is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Love,
Dick and Lawana Johnson
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