Warm Greetings from Japan in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
With the beginning of a new year, we tend to reflect on the past year. We can see God working in many different ways, and we know that it is your faithful prayers and support that are making an impact on the lives of the Japanese people. We are so honored and blessed to have you working with us to be God’s hands and feet to share His love throughout Japan!
At the end of the year, we held several outreach events to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to share the true meaning of Christmas. We had several events at our church and our English school, where we sang Christmas songs, played games and made a Christmas tree craft. It was a blessing to see our children, as well as the youth at our church, coordinate a few of the events. We shared with the children and their families that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of the wonderful gift God gave us in sending His son to earth to live among us. Jesus is God’s gift of love to us, and all we have to do is accept His gift. There were several children and their parents who had never been to church before, and who had never heard about Jesus before. One mother and her three children came to our Sunday school the following Sunday and have come several times since then. They are experiencing many difficulties in their family right now. Please pray with us that the stories and sermons they have heard will grow in their hearts and that they will be drawn to God, who is the only one who can bring true peace and unity.
In our English conversation classes, we have been reading through a simple children’s Bible storybook. We have had several children and their moms come to observe the classes to see if they would like to join. One girl commented to her mom how much she loves hearing the stories and wanted to come back so she could finish them. Another mom commented on how different our classes were from other English classes she had observed. She sensed that we not only teach the children English skills, but also are concerned with teaching and training the whole child mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Please pray with us that the children and their parents will continue to feel and see the difference God makes in the lives of the people who belong to Him.
We were so thankful Justin was able to come home for Christmas break. He is doing well at Liberty University and growing academically as well as spiritually. He is a small group leader for the guys in his hall. It was hard to say good-bye at the end of his break, but we know that God is moving and working in his life, and we are excited for what God has in store this semester.
Thank you again for your partnership! You are an encouragement and blessing to us and the Japanese people!
Your Missionaries to Japan,
Hiro, Eryn, Justin, Ax, Hunter, and Olivia Bamba
