Bridgeman - June 2008

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Japan! God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Jesus is the Light of the world. God is giving us NEW OPPORTUNITIES to be His lights in dark Japan!

Paul’s opportunity – Recently Paul has become the chairman of the neighborhood committee! What an opportunity to get know people! Getting known in the community will hopefully help people to trust us! A man from the Sanyo newspaper came to interview Paul. The day the article went out, I received a phone call from a man we didn’t know, saying it was wonderful and he wanted to meet Paul! He came over for a good visit! The big annual meeting used to be on Sunday mornings, but since Paul could not come on Sunday morning, they changed it to Sunday afternoon! Even with the change, they got a good attendance! Paul also cannot bring rice wine to the local shrine. *Pray that the stands he takes will be a light to this world!

Kevin’s opportunity – Kevin is planning to go on Hi-BA’s Gospel Team on June 7-21, after he finishes his junior year of high school. The teams will go to Tokyo, Osaka, or Sapporo for a 2-week evangelistic outreach to Japanese high school students. They get up early to pass out invitations to the kids before school and then they hold rallies after school is out. He is to raise 30 prayer supporters and at least $300 of the $650 it actually costs. If you are interested in teaming up with Kevin, contact us for more information. *Pray for Kevin as he raises prayer and financial supporters. *Pray that God will minister to Kevin and through Kevin to bring God’s light to Japanese young people.

Violette’s opportunity – Awhile ago I wrote a course for my English Bible Study at church, that included the key points of the Bible built around the theme of light and darkness. I have been feeling led to teach this course to my unsaved Japanese friends, too. So now I am working on redoing the lessons. Then I would like to go door to door, inviting them to attend this 6 week course, calling it English Bible Tea Japanese will come to a cooking class, a concert, a party, etc., but they may not come so readily to a straight Bible class. *So please pray that God would prepare their hearts to want to attend! *Pray that, Lord willing, I will be able to actually get the lessons done and that God will use the course to lead Japanese under the power of darkness into the kingdom of light!


Prayer requests:

Church – We are pleased that our Japanese church members are taking leadership for the growth and fellowship of our church! They have formed an Esther Circle for the women believers of our church and a Grace Circle for the men and guests.
We are continuing to look for land to build a church on. We found another land possibility that looked exciting, but then realized it wasn’t the right place for us after all! *So pray for us as we keep searching for the land that God has for us!
We are greatly encouraged by the financial gifts and promised contributions from our U.S. supporters that total about $10,000! *Keep praying for the remainder of the U.S. side goal of $90,000 to be met for our new church.

Home Assignment – Instead of having our usual four-year term, we are staying an extra year, so that Kevin can graduate from his high school in Tokyo. So next summer, in 2009, we plan to come back for our one-year home assignment! *Please ask God to provide someone who knows Japanese to take our place for that year!

Our sons - Jeffrey has finished his second year at Arkansas Tech University. *Pray that he will be able to find the summer job that God has for him. Kevin has recovered from his Stevens Johnson Syndrome (or whatever it was?!) that put him in the hospital for 16 days, although his immune system may still be recovering. Thanks for praying!

Thank you so much for partnering with us by your prayers, letters, gifts, and financial support! Together may we reflect Jesus, the Light of the World, to the people around us!

In His Service,

Violette Bridgman