Paul’s testimony:
God is faithful. He answered my prayers after eight years. After I finished Golden Gate Theological Seminary God gave me a pastoral ministry. During that time, I never felt a passion for missions. But a trip to Japan changed my direction. I came to Japan in 1991 for a mission conference. Rev. Hondagochi knelt down and bowed before the ministers, with tears streaming down his face and asked for forgiveness concerning the Japanese invasion into Korea for 36 years. He asked us to come to Japan to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit moved my heart and I was compelled to come to Japan. But at that time, the doors were closed so I prayed for a different country.
God gave me a desire to go Uzbekistan, one of the poorest countries in the world. I remember being told to take enough toilet paper for two years. I thought, "What am I getting myself into?" This was a third world country that had just gained their independence and was trying to catch up to the rest of the world. But, the people there were very open and friendly. After six years of serving in the Soviet Union, I transferred to Japan.
Though the two countries are different economically and spiritually, I pray that the hearts of the Japanese people will be open and that they will know our God is the True God. I live on a “man made island” in Kobe called Rokko Island. It is a little hard to reach out to people because most Japanese people don’t like to talk about themselves very much. But, I have been able to get to know my neighbors and I am looking forward to sharing Christ with them. My desire is to start a cell group on the island, so please pray that God would work in the hearts of those that He wants to come and that many people would be blessed through this experience.
God gave me a desire to go Uzbekistan, one of the poorest countries in the world. I remember being told to take enough toilet paper for two years. I thought, "What am I getting myself into?" This was a third world country that had just gained their independence and was trying to catch up to the rest of the world. But, the people there were very open and friendly. After six years of serving in the Soviet Union, I transferred to Japan.
Though the two countries are different economically and spiritually, I pray that the hearts of the Japanese people will be open and that they will know our God is the True God. I live on a “man made island” in Kobe called Rokko Island. It is a little hard to reach out to people because most Japanese people don’t like to talk about themselves very much. But, I have been able to get to know my neighbors and I am looking forward to sharing Christ with them. My desire is to start a cell group on the island, so please pray that God would work in the hearts of those that He wants to come and that many people would be blessed through this experience.
Yumi’s testimony:
I have always been on the move. I emigrated to America from Korea and became a pastor's wife. Then I moved to central Asia, which is mostly Islamic. After being a missionary for six years in Uzbekistan, God transferred me from one of the poorest countries to one of the richest countries. As a pastor's wife, I reached a lot of people, but Japan is a spiritually poor country.
My two baby brothers were killed by a Japanese soldier during the Japanese-Korean War. Initially, I felt hate and anger towards all Japanese people. I questioned God, asking Him how He could let my brothers die --not by a natural death but by murder. I went through a period of grief and bitterness, but over time I remembered that God forgave my sins and that I should do the same. So, I came to Japan with a heart to share what I had learned: the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. My hate was turned into love; that, only God can do. He filled me with the desire to share His love with the Japanese people. One of the ways I reach out to Japanese people is through teaching them how to cook Korean food. Many Japanese people are interested in Korean food and are excited when I invite them over to my house. It is a great opportunity to share my testimony and deepen relationships.
After I finished two years of language study in Tokyo, I moved to Kobe. I had to leave my oldest daughter, Hannah, behind in Tokyo. She home-stayed with a family there to finish her senior year of high school. It was hard. My younger daughter, Jessica, came with us to Kobe and graduated in 2006 from Marist Brothers High School. As a mother, I want both of my girls to be happy.
My two baby brothers were killed by a Japanese soldier during the Japanese-Korean War. Initially, I felt hate and anger towards all Japanese people. I questioned God, asking Him how He could let my brothers die --not by a natural death but by murder. I went through a period of grief and bitterness, but over time I remembered that God forgave my sins and that I should do the same. So, I came to Japan with a heart to share what I had learned: the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. My hate was turned into love; that, only God can do. He filled me with the desire to share His love with the Japanese people. One of the ways I reach out to Japanese people is through teaching them how to cook Korean food. Many Japanese people are interested in Korean food and are excited when I invite them over to my house. It is a great opportunity to share my testimony and deepen relationships.
After I finished two years of language study in Tokyo, I moved to Kobe. I had to leave my oldest daughter, Hannah, behind in Tokyo. She home-stayed with a family there to finish her senior year of high school. It was hard. My younger daughter, Jessica, came with us to Kobe and graduated in 2006 from Marist Brothers High School. As a mother, I want both of my girls to be happy.
