"God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us…" Ephesians 3:20 from The Message.

PRAY… GIVE… BE AMAZED! This is the theme for the World Mission Offering this year. We give thanks for your prayers and gifts that support us in the ministry the Lord has let us be a part of here in Japan, because God does amazing things.

Last week I was away from home 3 nights, for 3 different meetings. The last one was on Saturday night, and I got up early on Sunday morning to catch a train home, and got here just as Sunday school was starting at 9:30. Tomoko had been away Friday night to a Women's Leadership Training conference and got home Saturday. So we had both been coming and going all week.

Do we ever get so busy coming and going, and doing our work, even church work, that we miss the amazing things that God is doing around us? I walked into the church on Sunday morning and said to me, "Oh was Tomoko tired when she got home last night?" I said, "I don't know, I just got home a few minutes ago, and I haven't talked to Tomoko yet…. But tell me, how was the conference" She said, "I thought I was too old to go to a leadership training conference, (she is 80), but it was so wonderful, I had tears in my eyes in the closing worship service." I was glad I got home to hear her testimony. God can do anything!

Kazuyoshi, a 9th grader, had to be at school on Sunday morning. His father's family is Buddhist. But Kazuyoshi never misses youth group on Sunday evening, and if often the first one to arrive. Takumi is a 7th grader. His great grandmother was a Christian, but his father has told us he is a Buddhist. Takumi is a very talented violinist and practices 3 hours everyday, including Sunday. Takumi only misses youth group when he has a concert. Takumi loves to play the drums during our praise time. Anna also has school activities on Sunday. She came home one Sunday after school and fell into a chair with a look of exhaustion. Her mother said, "Are you going to youth group?" She jumped up and running out of the room yelled, "Yes, I have to get ready." (Anna's mother told us this story.) What is the Lord going to do in the lives of these young people? God can do more than we can ever imagine!

The youth group had decided they wanted to do Japanese Tea Ceremony in our youth meeting. The Tea Ceremony is full of beauty and symbolism. Afterwards we talked about the Tea Ceremony, and how we don't make tea for ourselves, but for another person. Serving is the key word. Jesus said, "…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." God works within us.

Please don't forget the World Mission Offering. Your support is important. It is easy to get busy coming and going and doing things, even church things, and miss what God is doing. Please give generously to the World Mission Offering which is being taken in American Baptist Churches this month. I encourage you who are members of American Baptist Churches to give as this offering is essential to keeping missionaries on the field.

If you are not a member of an American Baptist Church, or you prefer to make a direct contribution to our ministry, then send your gift to the following address.

2006 World Mission Offering

International Ministries, ABC

PO Box 851

Valley Forge, PA 19482-9896

Pray, Give and Be Amazed.

Thanks again for your partnership in missions.

Grace and Peace,

John and Tomoko Armagost

International Ministries missionaries in Japan