{"id":3862,"date":"2020-09-21T09:20:40","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T14:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=3862"},"modified":"2020-09-21T09:20:41","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T14:20:41","slug":"bamba-newsletter-september-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/bamba-newsletter-september-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Bamba Newsletter: September 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Greetings from Japan!<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Things seem to be changing daily. How thankful we are that we serve a God who is never changing! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What a comfort to know that God is ultimately in control of all things; we don\u2019t have to depend on the economy, government, or our own efforts. We are so thankful to have you working with us, through your faithful prayers and support, to share the hope we have in Christ with the lost people of Japan.<\/p>\n

In Japan, many stores and restaurants were closed for March and April. The Japanese schools were closed as well. The Japanese school year starts in April, but they only get a two-week break between school years. They extended the break this year and didn\u2019t start the new school year until the end of April. When the new school year began, it was online.<\/p>\n

We also had to cancel our English conversation classes for the month of March. We started them again, virtually, in April. The kids were happy to have something to do, even if it was online. At the end of May, the Japanese elementary, junior high, and high schools began meeting in person, with safety measures in place. Masks had to be worn, several hand washing times were instigated, and temperature checks took place.<\/p>\n

In Japan, mask-wearing is very common. People with hay fever wear them every spring. People also wear them if they feel like they are catching a cold; they normally will wear a mask to school or work to not give anyone else their germs. However, they certainly aren\u2019t used to wearing them all day long!<\/p>\n

Since the schools have resumed, we decided to start our English conversation classes in person again after June. We and all of the children wear masks and sanitize our hands before, during, and after class. The kids and their families were excited to meet in person again, though some of them were still fearful. The first book we read when we resumed class was The Miracles of Jesus. The children listened intently to the stories and were amazed at what Jesus was able to do for the sick, blind, lame, and mute. They found comfort and encouragement from the stories, hearing about someone who loved everyone, and had the power to help and heal. Please pray with us that we can bring God\u2019s hope and peace to the people in our neighborhood during this time.<\/p>\n

\"After-school<\/a>

After-school English classes<\/p><\/div>\n

When Tokyo was put in a state of emergency, our church had to switch to online services. Our pastor gave a sermon, and Hiro gave a message for the children as well. Several of the moms commented on how much they enjoyed the simplicity of Hiro\u2019s messages; they were easy to understand and were so applicable to what the kids were feeling and dealing with. Since many of the Sunday school kids\u2019 parents do not attend church, we were thankful that they were able to listen in as their children watched the Sunday messages.<\/p>\n

\"Slowly<\/a>

Slowly back to Sunday School with the COVID precautions<\/p><\/div>\n

When the state of emergency was lifted in June, we were able to start meeting in person again. We adjusted several things to meet regulations. Everyone wears a mask and sanitizes their hands. We have to keep the windows open for air circulation. Since we only have two small air conditioning units, it can get quite hot. In spite of the heat, everyone is very happy to be able to see their fellow believers. For most of the congregation, their only contact with Christians or anything Christian is in our church.<\/p>\n

Though things are not as they normally are, we are so thankful to be able to be here in Japan at this time to share God\u2019s hope and love with the Japanese people, most of whom have not even heard the name of Jesus before. Your partnership is a blessing and a gift! We pray for each of you and thank God daily for you!<\/p>\n

Your Missionaries to Japan,<\/p>\n

\n

Hiro, Eryn, Justin, Ax, Hunter, and Olivia Bamba<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Greetings from Japan! Things seem to be changing daily. How thankful we are that we serve a God who is never changing! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":3505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1,4],"tags":[367,108,109,319],"class_list":{"0":"post-3862","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-missionary-newsletters","8":"category-uncategorized","9":"category-world-missions","10":"tag-367","11":"tag-bamba","12":"tag-hiro-eryn-bamba","13":"tag-september","14":"entry"},"title_es":"Bolet\u00edn Bamba: junio 2020","content_es":"

\u00a1Saludos desde Jap\u00f3n! <\/h2><\/div>

Parece que las cosas cambian a diario durante estos tiempos de incertidumbre, pero podemos encontrar consuelo al saber que nuestro Dios no cambia. Es el mismo ayer, hoy y ma\u00f1ana. Independientemente de cu\u00e1n inconstante sea el mundo o cu\u00e1n inconstante sea la econom\u00eda, sabemos que Dios tiene todas las cosas en Sus manos. Podemos encontrar consuelo y paz en Dios sin importar lo que suceda a nuestro alrededor. Nos duele el coraz\u00f3n cuando miramos a nuestro alrededor y vemos el miedo y la incertidumbre en los rostros de los japoneses. <\/p>

Frente a la pandemia de COVID-19, la ciudad de Chofu, una ciudad vecina a Saitama donde vivimos, ha ofrecido una descarga gratuita de un legendario monstruo anti-plaga, Amabie. Sugieren que las personas usen la imagen para ayudar a prevenir el coronavirus. Buscamos todas las oportunidades para compartir la esperanza que tenemos en Cristo con los japoneses para que no sientan la necesidad de recurrir a monstruos imaginarios en busca de falsas esperanzas. <\/p>

<\/p>

Tuvimos que cancelar nuestras clases de conversaci\u00f3n en ingl\u00e9s para el mes de abril, pero pudimos comenzar de nuevo en mayo en Zoom. Hemos echado de menos interactuar en persona con nuestros estudiantes y sus familias, pero estamos agradecidos de haber podido seguir vi\u00e9ndolos virtualmente. Nos ha dado la oportunidad de comunicarnos tanto con las mam\u00e1s como con los pap\u00e1s, lo cual es raro ya que generalmente est\u00e1n en el trabajo. Sin embargo, dado que muchos de los pap\u00e1s han estado trabajando desde casa y los ni\u00f1os est\u00e1n estudiando en casa, ambos padres han tenido la oportunidad de participar en nuestras clases. Ore con nosotros para que las palabras de aliento que compartimos apunten a nuestros estudiantes y sus padres hacia Dios y Su perd\u00f3n que es para todas las personas. <\/p>

Hiro ha podido realizar nuestras lecciones de escuela dominical en l\u00ednea. Estamos agradecidos de poder seguir compartiendo el amor de Dios con los ni\u00f1os en nuestra escuela dominical, incluso cuando no podemos estar con ellos f\u00edsicamente. Los pap\u00e1s de nuestros ni\u00f1os de la Escuela Dominical no asisten a la iglesia. Ore con nosotros para que los mensajes que los ni\u00f1os escuchan en casa puedan tener un impacto en el coraz\u00f3n de sus padres tambi\u00e9n. <\/p>

Estamos muy agradecidos de que incluso entre todos los vuelos cancelados y las actividades canceladas, Justin pudo terminar su primer a\u00f1o en Liberty University con \u00e9xito y pudo regresar a Jap\u00f3n para el verano. Estamos muy agradecidos por este tiempo juntos antes de que Justin regrese a la universidad y Ax se una a \u00e9l en su primer a\u00f1o de universidad. Contin\u00fae orando por Justin y Axe y los ajustes que tendr\u00e1n que hacer y por nosotros, ya que ser\u00e1 dif\u00edcil tenerlos a los dos tan lejos de casa. <\/p>

<\/p>

Estamos muy agradecidos por sus continuas oraciones y apoyo. \u00a1Su compromiso con el cumplimiento de la Gran Comisi\u00f3n est\u00e1 marcando una diferencia en todo el mundo! Su asociaci\u00f3n est\u00e1 llevando la esperanza y el amor de Cristo al pueblo japon\u00e9s. \u00a1No podr\u00edamos llevar la luz de Cristo a Jap\u00f3n sin ustedes! \u00a1Gracias! <\/p>

Muchas bendiciones, <\/p>

Hiro, Eryn, Justin, Axe, Hunter y Olivia Bamba<\/strong><\/em> <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","author_name":"Hiro & Eryn Bamba","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/01\/Missionary-NL-Featured-Image.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-10i","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}