No ordinary farm girl!

Press Release for Dorothea Johnson--for those of you who were on the medical team, I just want to let you read about this amazing woman you worked beside!

Dorothea E. Johnson

8/8/1932 – 14/11/2012

            Dorothea E. Johnson was born in a small farm town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  After completing high school, Dorothea went to nursing school, entering a profession that she pursued for 53 years.  Dorothea, however, was far more than an “ordinary” nurse.  As she lived and worked in rural areas, she was an Emergency Room nurse (casualty) and a “flight nurse”, flying with patients in small airplanes and helicopters to hospitals in larger cities.

After a near fatal incident on a flight where the pilot passed out at the controls, Dorothea decided to get her own pilot’s license, which she received in 1982.  As a pilot, Dorothea began flying patients on her own, in Cessna and Piper aircraft.  Even after retirement about 5 years ago, Dorothea continued to volunteer full time as a nurse at a clinic in her hometown of Overgaard, Arizona.

            Dorothea (nee Shockley) married Kenneth Warren Johnson, originally of Willmar, Minnesota, on Sept. 27, 1952.  Kenneth had served during World War II in the US Navy, in the South Pacific front, until 1946.  After the war, he worked for Western Electric, installing telephone equipment across the country, and was involved in installing the first long distance (STD) service in the USA.  In 1956, Kenneth enrolled in the Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago, and became an ordained minister in 1961, serving as pastor of Baptist churches in numerous states.  Kenneth was also a certified elementary school teacher, and taught for over 35 years, including the last 20 years on Native American (Navajo and Hopi Indian tribes) reservations, before passing away in 2008.

            Dorothea and Kenneth were very active members of the First Southern Baptist Church of Overgaard, Arizona, and also involved with numerous Christian ministries including Wycliffe Bible Translators, Bibles For The World, and others.  In addition, Dorothea and Kenneth were avid motorcyclists, both riding Harley Davidson bikes, and even into her late 70’s, Dorothea continued to ride a motorcycle.

            While Dorothea and Kenneth did not have any biological children, they adopted a son, David, and a daughter Diana, both of whom live in Kentucky.  In addition, they took a young Navajo student of Kenneth’s, Benjamin Yazzie, into their home, and raised him like their own son.  Benjamin is now also a pastor, living in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Hallelujah...Amen!

A new excerpt written by my brother, John--be blessed reading this!

Dear Friends of Dorothea,

It's now a little after 7 am here in India, and over 200 youth of the village have spent the entire night assembled outside our house (the Bangla), singing songs of praise and glory to God for the beautiful life and example of Dorothea.  Though we knew her only so briefly compared to you, we miss her deeply.

The funeral will be held some time before noon today, as is our local custom, first with a program here at the house, and followed by a short burial program at the Sielmat village cemetery.  The Chief of our village has offered a grave site from his family's area (or "quota"), so she will be buried alongside the former Chief (his father), and other members of his family.  

Backing up a bit, at the RIMS hospital,  before leaving there, we had a short program by the Hmar Youth Association (HYA), Imphal branch, honoring her, with a traditional Hmar shawl.  We had arranged the best coffin we could find, and carried her in our hospital ambulance, which was accompanied by at least 8-10 other cars.  Along the way, other vehicles joined us, even though it was already around 9pm, as well as motorcycles and scooters, so she entered our village with quite an grand entourage.  On reaching our village, the Sielmat village branch of the Hmar Youth Association honored her at the entrance to the village, again with our traditional Hmar shawl.  There must have been more than 500-700 people at the entrance of the village (just outside our hospital) to welcome her back.

On reaching the Bangla, we were received by perhaps 1000-1200 more people, from all over the district, who had assembled, waiting for her.  Dorothea's body was placed in the front foyer area, and for the next few hours people filed by, paying their last respects.  As I watched for a while, I saw scores of those who had volunteered along side Dorothea during the medical camp, and many more who had been treated during the camp.

I'll try to write more a little later today, and we're also having both still pictures and video taken of the funeral service, etc.  As Dorothea, during her brief visit here, touched lives crossing tribes/people groups and denominations, we expect a very large crowd, perhaps over 2000, maybe even more.  It happens to be a state holiday, so this may also result in a larger crowd.  It's also been carried in the local newspapers ad local television channels, the news of Dorothea dying on the mission field here in Manipur, so many Christians will be attending.

John

Harley's in Heaven

As many of you may have known by now, Dorothea Johnson, an 80 nurse from Overgaard, AZ who traveled with our Bibles For The World team passed away this evening in Manipur.  She never made it back to her home on earth, but, she is in heaven riding her Harley motorcycle with her husband on the golden streets--at least that's what I'd like to think she is doing right now.

Below is the latest release from my parents that I thought I would post for you all to read.  There will be more updates and pictures of the medical missions week along with more writings of the passing of Dorothea.


FROM THE DESK OF ROCHUNGA and MAWII PUDAITE:
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“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”  Ps. 116:15

Beloved ones,

We received the news that our precious sister, Dorothea Johnson, R.N., is with Lord.

We talked to John early this morning.  He and Lawm had gone to Imphal to see

Dorothea who was hospitalized and kept in the ICCU at RIMS Hospital in Imphal.  They gave us a good report that Dorothea had improved very much.  Her vital signs were up and she was cheerful. She even asked them how soon she would be discharged to return to USA.  They left her side, rejoicing and praising the Lord for answered prayers.

However, while they were still on the road, before reaching home in Sielmat, they received a call from Debory with the sad news that Dorothy suddenly took the turn for the worst and was gone!  As you can imagine, it was so shocking to Debory and Rachel who were with her.  They immediately called John and Lawm, who then immediately turned around and returned to the Hospital.

We feel everything, humanly possible, had been done by her beloved friend and roommate, Paula Bartels, R.N., our household members, the doctors, nurses and helpers at Sielmat and Imphal for Dorothea to try to save and lengthen her life on this earth and make her comfortable. Thousands of us - her brothers and sisters in Christ- in northeast India, Delhi and elsewhere were crying out loud, day and night, to the Lord for her recovery.  But, her times were in God’s hand and He has welcomed her into His arms, reunited with her beloved husband, Kenneth, in Heaven who passed away three years ago. Dorothea celebrated this year her 80^th year!

We will miss her, yes, we already do.  We thank God for the joy of knowing and loving her, and for the privilege of serving the Lord together in India.  She had come to northeast India, the second time, to give her volunteer service with JVMI & BFTW groups for the Medical Camp at Sielmat Christian Hospital. 

Her body has been brought to our home in Sielmat. Even though night had fallen, over 500 people received her at the entrance of Sielmat and from there the coffin was carried, as an honor and tribute to Dorothea, by the Youth of Sielmat and brought it to the house.  The youth - young men and women - are having a “Watch-Night” by her body, singing, praying and sharing all night long.  Her funeral will be at 10 A.M. India time.  There will be a farewell service at the house and a final Funeral Service by the grave. These services will be conducted by the leaders of our Partnership Mission and Church – the Evangelical Free Church of India (EFCI).  Dorothea’s remains will be laid at rest at the Sielmat Cemetery.  Needless to say, we are grateful indeed to the Chief of Sielmat and the Authority of the Community of Sielmat. 

Our loss is Heaven’s Gain.  We watched her suffering with hope and prayer, and I must confess, with fear- fear of losing her, a beloved friend.   Dorothea is now beyond the pains and pangs of this our mortal life.  And someday, in God’s own good time, we shall see her again in Heaven, never more to say “Good Bye.” Oh, that will be glory!    With love, Ro and Mawii Pudaite