Bridgman - Japan

Challenges for 2008

Ⅰ．Our son, Kevin’s challenge was to contract a severe case of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (an allergic reaction to some medication that he received). It started out as sores in his mouth that got so severe that he had to be hospitalized. At first they thought it was some kind of infection like herpes, but when he didn’t respond to the medication, the doctors at Tokyo University Hospital had the wisdom to change what they were doing. We praise God for the wisdom He gave them and that Kevin is now recovering and should be out of the hospital in a couple of weeks. We were impressed with how Kevin handled the ordeal. He really enjoyed being read to from the Bible, and when he felt up to communicating with us, agreed positively that God was going to do something good through all this (as in Romans 8:28). Keep praying that God will be glorified.

This experience has made us appreciate what our Christian brother, Mr. Igarashi, is going through. He has a son with terminal cancer. Pray for healing and salvation!

Ⅱ．The believers of our church in Sanyo are challenged with vision for growth and a building. Each week in the worship service they take turns praying for the growth of the church and provision of land and building. Although we have some land that we like, and it is for sale, the land-lord isn’t quite ready to sell it, yet. While we wait, we are looking to God to provide the finances and to make us, the church, grow numerically and spiritually. Praise the Lord for the offerings that are coming in to the building fund, both from some of you and our believers.

Ⅲ．Individuals that we minister to are a challenge. Here are two. Mr. Nakae has lost interest in studying the Bible right now, but we still work together passing out each other’s announcements. Pray for God’s time when his heart as well as many others hearts will be open again. Miss Ishihara found out about our church from the web site. She came to prayer meeting a few weeks ago and has accepted Christ and has already read through 1/3 of her Bible.

Ⅳ．Our Lord’s return must be very near. We are challenged to be faithful to Him in all that He has called us to do. Then we can sing: “We are more than conquerors, over comers in this life. We’ve been made victorious through the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Paul and Violette Bridgman