I want to start by saying that I absolutely love Japan! The scenery is beautiful, the food is amazing and I love their culture. To start our stay here, our squad had an orientation to explain the Japanese culture to us and the ‘to do’s’ and ‘not to do’s’. After that was over our team split up into groups of two and each group is staying at a family household. Mark and I stayed with the Miyoshi family for 4 days and then moved to a new family.
The Miyoshi family was amazing! Kazahio (father), Akemi (mom), Hiyiori (6 year old daughter), and Torico (3 year old daughter) are the wonderful people that make up this family. They were very, very hospitable and took Mark and I in with loving smiles. In the short four day stay, I built an amazing relationship with the family. I had breakfast with the family every day and helped send off Hyiori to school. I went with our mom to pick up Torico from preschool every day at 1400 (2PM) and then we had dinner every night with our family. I was doing everyday life with our family and I loved it! God most definitely had a plan for me to come to Japan and stay with this family. Our family knows about Jesus and occasionally reads a kids bible. The preschool the kids go to is ran by Christians. They teach about Jesus within the school curriculum. Our mom is very involved with the school and that is how she heard about Jesus. The Lord allowed me to have a great conversation with the father one evening. I asked him what his dream was and his answer was, “To have a peaceful family.” I thought that was an awesome answer. I could tell from his actions around the house that he deeply loved his family. I began to explain to him that the only way we as humans can have total peace is through Jesus. I told him a piece of my testimony about how I was angry and frustrated inside but I would put a fake smile on the outside. I explained how Jesus touched my heart and completely washed away ALL of my anger and frustration and filled me with joy and peace. I tried my best to explain how we can try to fix our problems ourselves but that we will never fully succeed, and that the ONLY way to fully succeed is through Jesus. He was very focused while I was explaining everything, and after I was done he asked me an awesome question. He pointed around as he said, “Where is Jesus?” SCORE! I drew out the Holy Trinity for him and explained each part of it and told him how Jesus is the Holy Spirit and how everybody has the Holy Spirit inside of them, so therefore Jesus is everywhere. He seemed very surprised and interested at the same time. We talked about the beliefs of the Buddhist and moved on to other things. That night I went to bed praising Jesus and praying that the seeds that had been planted would continue to grow.
Fast forward to our last night at their house, by this time I felt like I was a part of their family. I would call Akemi mom and she would call me her son. I was thanking them for everything they had done for Mark and me. I explained to them that the reason Japan has been my favorite country is because felt at home here. I told them that China and Mongolia were fun but I didn’t feel at home there. I explained to them how I am a very big family person and anytime I feel a part of a family it makes me very happy. I then moved on to telling them that I had seen the peacefulness in their family. Kazhiro was surprised and satisfied at the same time. He then began to explain to me how after our conversation the other night his heart was emptied of the frustration and filled with peace. I was so excited to hear that! I told him that was awesome, and I explained how I could not take credit for it. Holding back tears of joy I told him that Jesus tells me what to say and I just say it and that all of the credit goes to Jesus. I then moved on to telling them what I have been hearing from God during my prayers. While I was staying there Hiyori would sit right next to me while I read my bible. I could see the curiosity in her and I explained to them that God told me that He has big plans for her in the future, and how she will be a big part of spreading the Kingdom here in Ashiya. As I was saying this I looked over to mom and noticed that she had tears of joy in her eyes. My heart was filled with happiness for their family and I knew at that very moment that was the reason God wanted me to stay with their family. After all of that I moved on to having a beer with dad and telling stories and doing origami with the family. It was so much fun!
I am writing this with joy, but it hurt my heart to leave their family. I grew very close to them very quickly. I have made friends with people in China and Mongolia, but it was easy saying goodbye to them. It was NOT easy this time. I felt like I was saying goodbye to my mom for the last time. As we got ready to leave I walked into the living room to give everybody a hug and mom was already crying. I told her that she was going to make me cry and needed to stop. As I gave her a hug I felt the love and compassion of a mom. It was a great and joyful goodbye and I cannot wait to see what Jesus does with her and her family.
I am currently in the process of praying through something. I feel like I can see myself coming back here in the future for maybe a few weeks or a month each summer to do ministry. I feel God is placing it on my heart to do so. I am going to continue to pray about this and see what He says. If you would pray alongside me, please feel free to do so. I am so excited to go through this and see what the answer is!
I am currently at $13,325 for my finances. December 31st is my final deadline for the trip. I am only $2,942 to be fully funded! I am so thankful for the giving hearts that have helped me get this far. I prayerfully ask that you would consider donating and/or spreading the word to friends and family. Thank you to all of my supporters. Your prayers have definitely been heard and are working!
Here’s some pictures of our family
Welcome the Miyoshi family!
Hiyori loves sushi!!!
Mark and I learning origami!
Having fun at karaoke!
Just another day with Torico!
Mom said we tired her out in the short 4 days we were there.
