Dear Friends,

April was a beautiful month.  Easter, baptisms, cherry blossoms, some new ministries and some new partners in ministry are just a few of the things we give thanks for. We also give thanks for each of you.

A New Building

At the beginning of April we wrote to tell you a little about the Nishi Okamoto Church, where we have worked for over ten years, the first 9 as the lead pastor and Christian Education Director. It is a church that found new life, healing and hope after the earthquake of 1995, when they lost their pastor.  We call it an Easter story. 

Well the story continues.  April 19th was the last Sunday in the buildings that have been home for over 40 years.  A few years ago plans began for a new building.  Some of the plans are very practical, such as the need for more than one bathroom, a kitchen that more than 2 or 3 people can enter without bumping into each other, and becoming barrier free. On Monday April 20, the church began to move.  After a couple of days of packing the church’s things went into storage in a move that took several more days for the volunteers.  Now is an exciting time of transition!

Did you know that some of you have been a part of the ministry and witness at Nishi Okamoto Christ Church for 50 years?  The property of the church was once a missionary residence, built in the years after the war.  Several ABC missionaries from IM worked with the church that began as a home Bible Study and then preaching point over the years.  The property was given to the church when it became an official church about 40 years ago.

Today the church is self supporting and will build the new building with its own resources, but the people always remember you and give thanks for your part in their history and ministry.

Sharing rides, finding parking, and no more meals at church are a few of the challenges for the next few months.  But there is a feeling that God will continue to do special things in and through this church even in this time of transition.

Update on Mrs. B

We wrote a couple weeks ago about Easter and told that after Mrs. B witnessed Mrs. Koezuka’s baptism, she asked if she might start thinking of baptism.  Since then she has been talking with Rev. Takahashi, and they announced last week that she is beginning to prepare for baptism.  It looks like she will be the first to be baptized in the new church building, perhaps next Christmas!

Easter stories, that is the Lord bringing healing and new life, they happen all year long.  Thank you again for your faithful prayers.

 

Grace and Peace

John and Tomoko Armagost

International Ministries missionaries in Japan

p.s.  If you receive this as an e-mail there are pictures that can been seen at:

www.internationalministries.org/missionary/44