Tomomi Matsumoto longed to see her family experience the love, joy, and grace she had found in Christ. As our team built a relationship with the Matsumoto family, Tomomi asked for help sharing her faith with her family and other Japanese people. We began inviting Tomomi to different outreach events and our Seeker Bible study with Japanese mothers. Years passed, and our families became deep friends, all the while praying for salvation to come to the entire Matsumoto family.

When Tomomi’s son Taishi joined a new baseball team, we went to his games to cheer for him. Gradually, Taishi became more open to the gospel through our interactions. Then, Taishi decided to follow Jesus and was baptized in a bathtub a short time later. Praise God for answering Tomomi’s prayers for her family’s salvation!

Tomomi and Taishi began praying earnestly for the rest of the Matsumoto family. Even though she saw the transformation in Taishi’s life when he accepted Christ, his older sister Chikano’s heart remained closed. She heard stories of Jesus from her mother and brother, participated in our outreach cooking class, and even attended Bible study. When asked if she wanted to follow Jesus, she answered, “No, I am not ready.”

The Matsumoto family decided to host an American Christian student, Ali, as part of our exchange program. She and Chikano quickly became good friends. Together with Tomomi and Taishi, we prayed that Ali’s infectious joy and quiet peace would show Chikano the Savior’s love.

Near the end of our exchange program, Chikano volunteered to show the group her favorite place, a Japanese shrine where the group could experience Japanese culture and food. In the shine, we talked with Chikano about the difference between the dead god worshipped here and our living Savior. Right in the middle of the shrine, where others call out to the Shinto deity of learning, Chikano learned of Christ’s love and plan for her life. Most importantly, she experienced true salvation.

Thank you for sending our team to Japan to share Christ with the Matsumoto family! Taishi and Chikano now know the saving grace of Jesus because of your generosity.

Thank you for joining us in addressing the world’s greatest problem: lostness. Your gifts and prayers for this team enable us to reach the Japanese people with the good news. You are a co-laborer with us in the gospel. We value your partnership!

Thank you for praying and giving to enable us to reach Japanese people for Christ. Your faithful intercession and generosity partner with local Japanese brothers and sisters to reach out to people in their community, welcome them into our home, listen to their stories, pray for their struggles, and share the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ!

“Hospitality” breaks barriers and brings reconciliation! Manami is a Japanese student who spent a couple of nights with a Japanese Christian family in Tokyo. During her stay, she expressed curiosity about Christianity. Since Manami lives in another city, our missionary friends connected us. We soon invited her to our apartment to cook Thai Green Curry together with our teammates. We all enjoyed our time getting to know one another.

Several weeks later, Manami attended a Christian homestay program in Florida. While there, she witnessed the love of Christ in and through her host family. She returned with a desire to know more about Jesus and the Bible. One day, after sharing the gospel message with Manami, we asked if she was ready to repent and call on Jesus as Savior. Sadly, she was not.

We continued spending time with Manami and invited her to join a Bible Study led by a Japanese couple who open their apartment to disciple young believers. There, Manami met and heard the testimonies of Japanese Christians. Although she enjoyed the gatherings, her class schedule and part-time jobs made it difficult to attend regularly. So, teammates worked out a schedule with Manami to study the Bible with them.

During the school break, Manami spent time with her family and shared with her mom about Jesus and what she learned from the Bible. After the break, Manami returned to Bible study and said “Yes!” to Jesus; she repented of her sins, calling on Christ to be her Lord and Savior! Since then, the couple has discipled her, and she is growing in spiritual maturity!

Thank you for partnering with us to reach the nations for Christ. We appreciate your sacrificial giving and prayers as we labor together to solve the world’s greatest problem: lostness.