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Dear Partners in Ministry, Vacation? Yes, our travels were great but seem somewhat distant now. We camped in the rain, saw lots of birds, warded off leeches, and saw a wild elephant in the bush—a first! We came back happy and ready to go again. And we have been going and coming ever since. 
More Firsts Just before we left we decided with Muana and Villy that we should have a church camp. After looking at different factors, including farming and teaching schedules, we decided that right after we got back would be an opportune time. It was one of the fastest organized events in history, and it worked out really well. We took folk from both areas and headed for Chiang Mai for our first church camp. Our friend Tom was the main speaker and we were the tour guides. It was the first time for many to go to Chiang Mai, and the zoo was a big hit. There were many firsts—first time for some to hear about having a relationship with God, first time for some to hear the Gospel in unaccented northern Thai, first for all to go to a church camp. Inn loved it! We hauled her wheel chair around, and carried it and her up stairs. We got so excited about showing her stuff that she got wheel chair sick and had to sit still and take motion sickness tablets. I think that was a first too! Tom spoke on our relationship-with God, our families, other believers, and our communities. It was really good and got some worthwhile ongoing discussions in motion as we thought about our relationship with God affecting all our relationships—and our responsibilities in that. 
And a Second Bus completed his second time in the center in Chiang Mai, and the doctors/therapists were happy with his progress, changing some of his exercise regime giving hope and encouragement to his parents. Yot and Bua Gaow continue to study with Larry. We have had opportunity to get to know other family members recently too, and sometimes they stay for the Bible study. We pray that you, also, are having some firsts as you move forward with Jesus. Thank you for your continued commitment to us and Thailand. 
Larry and Jan
| | John and Tomoko Armagost
Missionaries to Japan 
Walking in Different Shoes! I was thinking again about the theme for the World Mission Offering this year, “Be surprised by walking in different shoes”. Guests Herb Tsuchiya, Gordon and Helen Yip from Chinese Baptist Church in Seattle spent a couple days with us. They shared their testimonies at the Nishi Okamoto Church Wednesday Bible Study and joined us at the Sone Church’s after school program, “Olive Club”. In his testimony Herb told us that he has a picture of when he was 3 years old, at the pre-school at Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle. His mother was a member. His introduction to church, however was interrupted by WWII, and his family, along with other Japanese Americans, being sent to a “relocation camp” in Idaho by the US government. It wasn’t till after he graduated from college that, at a friend’s invitation, he returned to church and became a Christian. Gordon and Helen also shared their testimonies. As we listened to their faith journeys and shared in fellowship, the breaking of bread and drinking of coffee, Tomoko and I were struck by beauty of God’s family. “There is one body and one Spirit…one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”(Ephesians 4:5a,6) Here we were Japanese and Americans, Japanese-American and Chinese-American breaking bread together. There was a time when our nations fought wars, and in our human frailty we can still mistreat, mistrust andmisunderstand one another, but in Christ we are one. The beauty of that became clear as we laughed and prayed, sang and shared together. Sometimes it is painful to put on the shoes of others, but Christ can help them fit. Giving to the World Mission Offering, and supporting mission work is one way of making the words from Ephesians a reality in our world. It is a way to be a part of bringing peace to our world, which, as we all know, is in need of peace. John and Tomoko Armagost
Thank you! I had a wonderful 3 weeks in Kansas during September and October. I give thanks for those families that hosted me for a night or two, and for the pastors and churches that asked me to come and share. You lifted my spirit with your words of encouragement and your prayers. You filled my heart with your love and caused me to gain 2 pounds with all those deserts. Thanks especially to our MPT, who worked so hard to make it possible and productive. Hi-lites… Being in the new building at FBC Greensburg, rebuilt after a tornado destroyed most of the community. 
Hearing the testimonies of what the Lord is doing in places like Chanute and Hutchinson. Finally, the new fiscal year is just starting for us. To all those who have recently pledged your support and prayers, and for those who have been on the journey for awhile, we give thanks. Tomoko and I are not yet at our goal, so there is always room for more to join us. There are lots of neat things happening in the next few months and we look forward to sharing with you. Grace and Peace, John 
Nishi Okamoto Church Bible Study
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