Dear Friends,

First we give thanks for your support through your prayers and your gifts towards our ministry here in Japan. It may be too early to write about Christmas, but sometimes we get busy that time of year, so if we don't have a chance to send another letter before Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas. At Christmas we remember that God came into our world, and into our lives in Jesus Christ. "Emmanuel"… God with us.

Here at Nishi Okamoto Church in Kobe, we recently remembered, "All Saints Day". I know that it is not an often remembered part of the Baptist Church calendar, but in Japan, remembering those who have passed away is important. Those from the Buddhist and Shinto traditions actually pray to and for their ancestors on a regular basis. They often keep a place in their homes where they can pray. What if they didn't or couldn't pray? Would their loved one be in trouble, or be angry? Of course in our Christian tradition we often look too a funeral with hope because of the promises of God, and because of our faith in Christ. But we are here with the people of Japan. And God is here. How does the Lord offer encouragement and hope?

We invited the families of those who are buried in the church tomb to join us for worship. Yes, we have our own tomb. It is a practical and important part of our ministry. In Japan everyone must be cremated, and most people then buy their own family tomb. But the cost of a tomb is high, so being buried in the church tomb is cheaper. In addition, especially for family members who are not Christians, and don't understand our faith, it is an encouragement to know that every year, at Easter, and on All Saints Day, and on the memorial of the Earthquake, we gather to pray and worship at the tomb. Of course they are welcome to come anytime they want to visit and pray. But they would have to pay for a Buddhist priest to come and say prayers at their own family tomb.

After the service at the church we went up the mountain behind us to the cemetery where our tomb is at for another short service.

Perhaps this seems odd to our American traditions of memorials services and funerals. But we pray that God uses these times for us to build and strengthen relationships, especially with those who do not know the Lord. Just as God came into our world to be with us, in our times of hurt, sorrow and needs, before we knew him, we want to be with the people in a way that helps them in their sorrow and needs.

Prayer points,

• Families who came to the All Saints Day service… especially the Yamada family, Sugihara family, and the Honjo family.
• Christmas services at Nishi Okamoto Church
• The Jr.-Sr. high youth group

As always we give thanks for your prayers for our family. You are a blessing to us.

Grace and Peace,

John and Tomoko Armagost

International Ministries missionaries in Japan