One of Student Mobilization’s main goals is to make disciples of all nations. That’s why there are teams strategically located in some of the most unreached nations in the world. One of those is Japan.

 

With a less than 1% Christianity rate, darkness is evident, but the miracle of salvation shines through even brighter. Hiromi’s testimony reflects that truth found in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

 

In 2016 StuMo launched its first team to Tokyo, Japan. After a year of full-time language learning, StuMo staff, Beth Anne, met Hiromi.

 

Hiromi, like most Japanese, grew up non-religious. She never thought much about faith or life after this earth. She had never studied the Bible, let alone owned one. She didn’t even have any friends who followed Christ or knew anything about his life. 

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The sad reality is that the story ends there for most people in Japan, but God used Beth Anne’s faithfulness to interrupt the trajectory of Hiromi’s life.

 

Over the course of 2 years, they developed a special friendship. Beth Anne would invite Hiromi into her home, visit her at work, and even got to read the Gospel of John with her. Through their friendship, Hiromi noticed the joy and peace Beth Anne had. She noticed how Beth Anne loved her in ways she hadn’t experienced before and she started to realize that what was missing in her life was her own relationship with Christ.  

 

As they read the Bible together, Hiromi slowly got to know Jesus. One morning, Beth Anne had Hiromi over for breakfast and they read the powerful story of the Woman at the Well.

 

Reading about how Jesus forgave the woman when no one else would, showed Hiromi that he would do the same for her.

 

She was able to see herself so clearly in the gospel and made the decision to surrender her life to Christ. She said she felt “relieved.” That’s what Jesus does. He alone relieves us of all our sin and gives us his light and easy yoke.  

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This past year Hiromi has been faithfully walking with God. She has identified with her faith to her friends and family, gotten baptized and has faithfully participated in StuMo Tokyo’s first house church. Our prayer is that she would be steadfast as the only Christian of her Japanese friends and that God would use her to bring others into a relationship with Him. 

 

The story God has written for Hiromi’s life is a reminder that no one is too far off from His grace. It shows that He will leaves the 99 time and time again to rescue people from the ends of the earth. Please join us in praying for her as she continues to walk with God. 

 

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