PIONEER MEDIA MISSIONARIES OF BURUNDI

"Ken & Melli Johnson with their Adopted Burundi Family"

Dr. David Livingston, his candle-powered “Magic Lantern” with hand-painted glass slides, probably should be credited with bringing the first media shows to the small central African country of Burundi, located on the northeastern shores of Lake Tanganyika.

But ask anyone, virtually anywhere within its borders, who is the father of Media Evangelism here? The name Carl Johnson will be the likely answer. Eleanor and Carl would have arrived in Burundi in the early 1940's. We know that by the mid-1950's Christian films had begun to be used in the USA in a big way. So it isn’t surprising that media caught Carl’s eye early on and soon became an important part of his vision for sharing Christ among the Tutsi and Hutu peoples. Over time, sons, David, Harry, and Ken were born. David became like his father, a great teacher of God’s Word. Harry grew up, married Ruth, and followed his Dad to the mission field. Likewise, Ken met Melli, and they, too, in God’s time returned to serve the Lord as missionaries.

Around 1975 Ken Anderson Films was contacted by the Wheaton College Communications Department. Could we provide an international student with an internship. Our Yes brought Simeon Havyarimana, one of Burundi’s brightest young future leaders, to work with us on various summer projects. Simeon knew the Johnsons very well, but not until years later did he learn that they occasionally helped with his college expenses from their meager missionary salaries.

"Simeon & Eodie Havyarimana, Project Leaders for the Kirundi Language"

Once educated, Simeon returned to Burundi, and as an employee of Trans World Radio, helped them build a multi-purpose Recording Studio, modeled after the designs he had studied right here at our office. That studio became the future 1991 recording site for the very 1st InterComm Recording Project in the Kirundi Language.

God doesn’t make any mistakes. One connection in the world often opens another door years later. In 1993 when war broke out in Burundi, Carl and Eleanor refused to leave. The largest displacement camp at one time became known as the Johnson’s Camp. The Kirundi videos we completed in 1991 sat idle for the most part during this bleak era. People were afraid to go out. But God hadn’t given up on Burundi. Yes, Harry and Ruth Johnson moved over to Tanzania and continue to serve there to this day. Ken and Melli Johnson returned, and God began to give them a unique ministry to orphans.

In the meantime, back in the USA, Jesse, son of Harry and Ruth, was finishing his Christian education at Wheaton College. Here he had met Joy, also an MK (Missionary Kid). God brought them together, and in 2006 they came to Burundi as missionaries. The legacy of Carl and Eleanor Johnson now continues through the dedicated life of their grandson and his wife. Like his grandfather Carl and father Harry, Jesse is convinced Media Evangelism is central to sharing Christ in Burundi. Beginning with 16mm films, Jesse now works mostly with video. At first he began using the InterComm Kirundi and French video tapes we had provided his uncle, Ken. Now we have provided these films on video disk for the future. Jesse writes, “We were able to start up with the film ministry in 2006. We have several of your films, including the videos you sent my uncle. So far, over 500,000 people have come to our showings with over 7,000 making decisions for Christ. So thank you from the Johnsons and the people of Burundi for providing these ministry tools.” As a wise young leader, Jesse tells us, “The main reason for the film ministry’s success, besides the excellent film material, is National Leader, Expert Bukene. He is a dedicated, zealous, and gifted leader, who overseas this AVangelism Outreach”

Won’t you praise God with us for this exciting up to date Report of what God has done and continues to do through 3 generations of Johnsons in Burundi.
 

A PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
by Lane Anderson

My first flight was on a Capitol Airlines DC-4 back around 1958. We flew from Muskegon to Chicago, a special treat. The stewardess was very attentive, and the cookies and milk hit the spot. They also hit my shirt just as we landed. What a mess. So imagine how tentative I was October 3, 1963, as we prepared to depart on the 1st leg of our around-the-world adventure. Flight #1 would take us from Chicago to Los Angeles, where we would be joined by our cinematographer, Dan Dunkelberger. I already knew Dan from earlier Projects. Better yet, we would be flying a jet, my 1st time. I had read that the new jets were pressurized and much more comfortable for nervous travelers. This certainly proved to be true throughout our travels. We flew on many 707's, DC-8's, some turbo jet Viscounts, an old DC-3, and even the uncommon BOAC Comet. The Comet was the often grounded 1st small passenger jet with 4 small engines built inside the wings. It was unique, but extremely noisy, and single handedly caused passenger air serve to shy from jet planes for many years. We survived.

My 1st over-the-ocean flight flew to Honolulu. I listened very carefully to the life jacket demonstration. Yet the trip was routine. Trip food was great, but remember I was still 17 and back then food in the air was quite good and even served on plates with real tableware.

We scheduled 2 overnights in Hawaii with discussions about future film projects. The most important would be for a film we would call ONE CAME BACK, the true story of the infamous Capt. Fuchida, Japan’s warrior, who trained his country’s pilots for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. A 25th anniversary memorial gathering was to take place in 1966 for America’s servicemen and surviving families. Capt. Fuchida, now a born-again Christian, would quietly return to present a memorial Bible to the people of Hawaii. During production a few years later, Dan Dunkelberger, also a pilot, rented a small plane and took Fuchida up once again over the island. Dan turned the controls over to Capt. Fuchida, who had not flown since the War. Fuchida once again flew the route he had piloted that fateful day, as he led his bomber group towards Pearl. No one was ever told about this, as you can understand.

While in Honolulu, we visited the Arizona Memorial. But in those days, with so few travelers, only a small group went on our boat, and, unlike today, no Japanese dared make the trip. Not until years later. Our last morning in Hawaii we enjoyed some liquid sunshine on the beach, carved my name and address on a fresh green coconut found under a palm tree, but no one ever sent it back to me. I would not return to these islands for 22 years.

Later we would head for Japan and the most memorable non-18th birthday I never celebrated.
 

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PROJECT UPDATES   2-4-1 Matching Funds - Goal Has been Reached! 2009 Khmer Recording Project in Cambodia Recording in Phnom Penh scheduled to begin September 28. Continue to remember this Project in prayer.      DONATE NOW>>    2010 Russian Recording Project in Kazakhstan Full Budget will be needed for this 2010 Project. Set-Up Meetings in-country to take place September 23 and 24.      DONATE NOW>>    New Air Conditioner - InterComm Office Urgently needed this summer. $6,000 Needed. 21% of our goal reached!     DONATE NOW>>    K’ho Dubbing Project Laptop Computer needed for Vietnam Tribal Language. $1,000 Needed. Thank you this need has been met.     DONATE NOW>>  Disks for National Leaders - $5@.    DONATE NOW>>    Torch Kits - $300 or $25 per month for 1 year.    DONATE NOW>>     General Fund - InterComm runs significantly behind each month in the General Fund. Please pray about meeting this important facet of ministry.    DONATE NOW>>       "But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?. . .’The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding." - Job12,28     SEARCH THE WEB?  SUPPORT INTERCOMM!   Now you can raise money for InterComm by just searching the internet at GoodSearch.com.  You use GoodSearch.com like any other Search Engine.  The site is powered by Yahoo, but each time you use it, money is generated for InterComm.  Here’s how it works:   1.  Go to www.goodsearch.com. 2.  Type InterComm into the “I support” box, and click on “Verify”. 3.  Search the internet just as you would any other search engine. 4.  Since GoodSearch shares its advertising revenue with charities and schools, every time you search the internet at GoodSearch, you’ll be earning money for InterComm.   GoodSearch also has a toolbar you can download from the home page so that you can search right from the top of your browser.    Another way to support InterComm!   Join in this cutting-edge money-raising opportunity today and invite your friends and church members to do the same.  InterComm needs your help.  Will you support this opportunity today?

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