Back to Japan

Dear Friends,

It has been awhile since we wrote to you last.  It has been a time of transition for us as we have not only moved back to Japan, but also moved to a new residence. Except for our US assignments, we had lived next to the Nishi Okamoto Christ Church in Kobe for 10 years.

Transitions can be times of stress and uncertainty but they can also be a time to stretch and rethink.  It can be a time to let God be in the lead and to look for the doors that He opens.  But for that to happen one has to be listening for God, a challenge in the middle of our busy lives. Perhaps we are feeling a little like Abraham and Sarah right now.

We felt the stress and uncertainty.  We moved right in with Tomoko’s parents, who love us and support us wonderfully.  But they have a rather small apartment, so Tomoko and I left the kids and went to stay with her sister. The search for our new home began in earnest.

We had needs, hopes and limitations.  It needed to be big enough for our family, plus we do host guests from time to time.  It needed to be within walking distance to the train station for the kids to get to school.  And we hoped it would be somewhere between Kobe where our kids go to school, and Osaka where most of the church in our area are located.

Actually we felt blessed that on the first day of searching we found a place that we felt fit our needs.  Large enough for our family, less than a 10 minute walk to the station and the rent was very reasonable for the location and size.  Of course there is a reason for the reasonable rent.  We are right next to one of the train line.  Literally RIGHT NEXT to it.  Even though 20 or 30 trains go by during the rush hours, it really isn’t too noisy and we do feel fortunate that we found this place.  The Lord opened the right doors.

It has taken awhile to get all things set up in this new place. We had to wait over 2 weeks for the paper work to get completed so we could move. Then getting phone and internet service took almost a month, but now finally we are in touch with you again.

SUMMER BREAK

In the middle of all this transition the kids are on summer break.  Ami came back to Japan with us, on break from college and after working for a while, has spent some time with friends.

Alisen went to Germany with some of the youth from Japan for “Dive Deeper”, the Baptist World Alliance Youth gathering.  

Andy has been enjoying a lot of free time.  However, he was especially glad to get reconnected with friends from Nishi Okamoto Church.  We have been helping with the youth group, partly in the roles of parents this time.

WHAT IS NEXT?

In September we will be attending a retreat for the pastors of our area.  The subject of the retreat will be our roles in ministry with the churches of this area.  When we left a year ago, we had planned to come back and focus on ministry with youth, children and parents.  During our absence several things have changed, including the fact that now 5 churches are without pastors.  Still we feel the need to reach out to the youth of Japan.

We are excited about all the opportunities ahead of us.  But we know that we cannot do all things, so we need to be open to the leading of the Lord.  This is a time to pray, listen and perhaps stretch a little.

FINAL WORD OF GOOD NEWS!

The Nishi Okamoto Christ Church continues to grow in faith and in their ministry of the gospel under the leadership of Rev. Akira Takahashi.  Just after our return we met with Pastor Akira and he shared with us that they are well under way with plans for a new church building, having just hired an architect.  As you may imagine, nothing in Japan is cheap, including a new building.  But as a church they are stepping out in faith. Trusting the Lord will bless them in this journey,  next spring will begin their time of transition.  We rejoice in their faith to follow the leading of God.

Thank you for your prayer in faith for us. You are a blessing to us.

Grace and Peace,

John and Tomoko Armagost