Dear Friends,

As I sit down to write to you, I realize that the Lord blesses us in more ways than I have room to share with you about.Ami and Alisen have just finished up the school year, and I would love to share about the blessings and joys in that area.Andy continues in Japanese school, and I want to share about that too.But I will save that for another time as there is something else I need share with you today.

Rev. and Mrs. John and Christine Hopkins, Rev. Julie Ono, Mr. Steve Roblee and Mr. Brad Orchid, all from churches in the Pacific Southwest Region, spent the first week of June with us.As pastors, lay leaders and region staff members, they came to learn and share with the pastors and churches of the West Area (Kansai), and Inland Sea Area.I am always amazed in the way that the Lord works in and through events and people to reveal His glory and bless His people. We have heard several testimonies of how they touched the lives of individuals during their time here. The lady who translated Julie's message said she was moved to tears when she went over a copy of the message a few days before Sunday.Miss Yukiko Masuda, who translated for Mr. Steve Roblee here at Nishi Okamoto Church, has written a couple of times to tell us what a blessing it was for her to participate in that way. We give thanks for these special people and the time they shared with us.

Another testimony is that after each planned event, the people stayed and stayed to talk and share in fellowship.This is a powerful testimony that though we speak different languages, and have different cultural backgrounds, we are one through faith in Jesus Christ.The Holy Spirit breaks down barriers to remind us that as Christians we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.

A quick prayer request:

• The end of July we will have our Summer Bible Club.This year the theme is "Miracle Circus: Welcome to Jesus".Through your prayers, we trust that again this year we will have at least 100 children to share the gospel of Christ with.

Remember us in prayer:

• Give thanks for these 5 who came to share their time and faith, as well as opening their hearts to hear and see what God is doing in Japan.
• Pray for our family, especially our children and their education.
• Pray for our Summer Bible Club.

Grace and Peace,

John and Tomoko Armagost

ABC-USA missionaries in Japan