Greetings from Japan!
New Year’s is the biggest holiday in Japan, filled with many traditions rooted in both Buddhism and Shintoism. From midnight on New Year’s Day and throughout the day, temples and shrines are crowded with people seeking blessings and good fortune for the coming year. Some sincerely follow Buddhist and Shinto teachings, while others participate simply out of habit or cultural tradition. There was a long line at the shrine behind our house on New Year’s Day. It saddened us to see so many lost and searching souls, yet we are deeply grateful for the opportunity God has given us to share His light in Japan. We are thankful for your partnership and for your love for the Japanese people. Through your support and prayers, we can continue bringing God’s love and forgiveness to the people of Japan.
Over the holiday season, we held a Christmas cooking class for the children in our neighborhood. Some of the kids brought friends who had never attended before. Everyone enjoyed making cookie and marshmallow mugs and snowmen, and the mothers loved seeing their children’s creations.
Christmas cooking class
We also hosted Christmas parties for the children in our English conversation classes. We played games, ate cake, and shared the true reason Christmas is celebrated around the world—because Jesus was born for all people everywhere, including the Japanese people. Many of the children had thought Christmas was Santa Claus’ birthday.
Christmas party for the neighbors
Our church held a Christmas service with more than 80 people in attendance. This was quite a surprise, as our small building can only hold about 60! Many visitors came for the first time to see what a Christmas service at a church is like. Since then, several couples have continued attending regularly. Many of these new couples have young children, which has been a great blessing to our aging congregation. Please pray with us that the seeds planted during these Christmas activities will continue to grow and flourish throughout this year.
Christmas church service and potluck
The Japanese school year ends in March and begins anew in April. As children grow older, move up in grade, and graduate, we always reorganize our English conversation classes to accommodate their new schedules. Please pray that God will bring more students to fill our classes, giving us more opportunities to share the Gospel with children and their families.
We are so thankful to have you with us in this mission to share God’s love with as many people as possible. Without you, we would not be able to shine God’s light in the darkness of Japan. Thank you!
Our Christmas family reunion
Family | We were thrilled that our children were able to come to Japan and celebrate Christmas with us this year. Justin and Rachel came, bringing our first grandson, Akio. It was his first time flying and his first visit to Japan. Hiro’s mother was also able to meet her great-grandson! Ax was able to take time off work to come, and Hunter was on Christmas break from his graduate studies. The church members were encouraged and happy to see our children again; many remembered when they helped with Sunday School and church activities.
Your Missionaries to Japan,
Hiro and Eryn Bamba,
Olivia, Hunter, Ax, and Justin (Rachel & Akio)
