Advent Candles

Preparing the way for Christmas and Christ, that is why we light Advent candles.  This past summer 2 first grade boys, Riki and Yuri, started to come to church.  Neither family is Christian. Riki’s mom comes with him every Sunday. Yuri’s mom drops him off on her way to play tennis, but comes back after worship to help with lunch. She also often comes on Saturdays to help prepare for Sunday lunch.  Both moms help with other activities, especially those related to the children, but Yuri’s mom has never come to our worship service.

Last Sunday Yuri helped Ms Iwasa light the 1st advent candle. Together as they lit the candle Yuri had a few short lines to speak. After worship and lunch Tomoko was washing dishes with Yuri’s mom and Riki’s mom.  Riki’s mom said, “Oh Yuri did such a great job lighting the Advent candle.  Next week I hope that Riki can do as well.”  Yuri’s mom looked up in surprise.  Yes, she knew Yuri was lighting the candle, but somehow the things we would call important, worship for example, are not the things she has been concerned about. She wasn’t there. Perhaps she was surprised Riki’s mom thought worship or those things of ‘faith’ were somehow special.

Yuri’s mom has been sending e-mails to Tomoko about some ideas for children’s activities at church. Yesterday she wrote, “By the way, I might come to worship next Sunday.”

Ahhh… yes. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him…” Join us in prayer for these two youngsters and their families. I believe it is going to be a special Christmas here and I pray that it will be in your part of the world too.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  No, we didn’t eat turkey, and it is not a Japanese holiday.  However we have many things to be thankful for.  First our family, Ami is a college senior, Alisen a high school senior and Andy a high school sophomore.  All of us are healthy and well.

Second, the people we work with and the ministries we are involved with here in Japan.  I can’t name everyone, but we give thanks for the pastors and lay people that encourage and bless us as we work along side of them.  Let me mention one young man, Yuichiro Hira.  He is a medical student, and member of Nishi Okamoto Church. He has a wonderful laugh, a deep faith and the love of Christ for our hurting world.  He spends his school breaks as a volunteer in countries like Laos, and is praying about being a medical missionary.

Finally we give thanks for you and each one who is a part of this network of sharing the gospel and building the body of Christ.  I want you to know that your prayers and your gifts of support have changed lives.  Jesus Christ is at work through you in Japan. 

Prayer Points

• Pray for Yuri and Riki and their families.
• Praise for young people of faith, like Yuichiro. Pray for him as he continues in medical school.
• Praise for you, and each one who has committed to partner with us and the Lord in sharing the Gospel in Japan.

THANK YOU!  Your gifts of support bless us. You are the ones who sent us, and the reason we can be here.

Merry Christmas,
John and Tomoko

MPT Website: www.armagostjapan.org