Dear Friends,

We have been back in Japan for about 2 months now.It has been a busy time, but 2 months filled with the goodness and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The day we arrived back in Kobe, several people from the Nishi Okamoto Church met us at the church to welcome us back.Not having gotten much sleep for the previous 24 hours, Tomoko and I were a little tired, but overjoyed too see old friends. That Sunday was a welcome back party planned by the men's group, "The Sons of David."We really felt an outpouring of God's love that day.

One of the highlights of the summer at Nishi Okamoto Church is the Vacation Bible Club.Our desire is to "Share Jesus," just as the theme for this year's World Mission Offering says. Our theme for VBC was "Scuba Dive into Jesus Christ." We used some of the basic ideas and posters from a well-known VBS program in the US.But since all the lessons are in the wrong language, we had to write our own lesson materials.John wrote a puppet show for each day.Tomoko created the Bible lessons for each day.Mrs. Mito, the church organist, wrote a theme song, one of the best we have ever had.Pastor Takahashi was the chairperson and put all the pieces together, and the Holy Spirit led us in a very special week. We had many other workers from the church, and volunteers from outside our church too.

We had 134 different children come, with about 90-100 each day.It was a challenge in many ways.We have such a small building, a sanctuary that seats 75 and one small room upstairs that seats about 20.We always use the living room of the parsonage, and count on using the church yard for snack and play time.We were praying for no rain.It rained until noon of the first day.But by the time VBC started at 4pm, the sun was shining and it didn't rain till VBC was over.We knew the Lord was doing something special.

One child who had only signed up to come the first day, because he had swim lessons the rest of the week, said he was skipping the swimming to come to VBC.We trust it was the love and power of God at work through the members of the Nishi Okamoto Church that made this a special week.

We give thanks for your partnership in missions through your prayers and support.

• Please keep praying for the Nishi Okamoto Church and the ministry they have in this neighborhood of Kobe, Japan.
• Pray for the contacts that we have made through our VBC, that they might develop into deeper relationships, which will lead people to know our Living Savior personally.
• Pray and please give to the World Mission Offering.This is a key part of our support and our being able to be here as your missionaries.
• Pray for your part in the World Mission Offering.

Thank you again for your prayers,

John and Tomoko Armagost