Lifted Vision Ministry

Greetings everyone! Today I’d like to share what it’s like being a missionary in Japan! So what is a missionary and mission life really like?
The word “missionary” actually comes from the Latin word mitto, which means “to send” and in the Bible refers to those who were the “sent ones”, or apostles of God. Today in modern day lingo, the definition of a missionary is a, “sent one of God to share the gospel.”
First of all, serving on the mission field is an extreme joy and privilege that I do not take lightly. Being a modern day missionary is, a calling and also a vocation, but honestly not that different today from what the Bible talks about what it was like back then. Biblically examples of people that did mission work are of course Jesus and also Paul comes to mind. What were the things that they did? Modern day missionaries attempt to follow their examples by emulating what Jesus and Paul did in reference to sharing the gospel with unreached populations with an upright desire to walk with them and help them understand the truth of God and all the while making the love, truth and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus and the Way accessible to them.
Currently, I am studying at a Japanese language school in an effort to become fluent in the language of the people that I am sent to. I have gone from Beginner level to Intermediate II in just one year and I am one class away from achieving full fluency by the grace of God alone! This has been an integral part of my mission work as I am able to more effectively communicate with the Japanese and explain the intricacies of the Bible in a different culture and language.
Now what is my ministry? One of love, power and reconciliation. The purpose and core of my ministry is to help people become reconciled back to God and to share the love of the Father with those who have never heard of it before. What that looks like practically, is going to those on the streets of Nishinari and telling them about Jesus, asking them about their life, and forming relationships with them. I make care packages of homemade food, homemade tracts, Bibles, personal hygiene items and whatever else the Holy Spirit lays on my heart to include at the time.
The future vision that God has given me is to plant a church in the area of Nishinari in order to have a safe haven for those who have put their trust in Jesus. There is a type of societal stigma if a Japanese were to become a Christian. It is not, “the norm” or common by any stretch of the imagination. In Japan, most people either identify to be either a Buddhist or Shinto follower by familial default. However, more and more Christians are growing here every single day due to God’s desire for everyone in Japan to hear the gospel message and be saved.
For such a time as this! God has sent me to truly one of the most poverty stricken and spiritually bankrupt places in all of the world to give them a chance to know Him, have repentance and then salvation through believing in Jesus Christ alone. I am specifically commissioned to speak to the Japanese for my entire life- I know that deep down in my Spirit. So I will continue to stay the course and keep focused on what God has asked me to do; and my life revolves around this one thing. This is what missionary life is like. Being on the field isn’t easy, glamorous or always fun. However, I can attest to the fact that you nor I will ever regret following God’s voice or God’s plan over our lives.
I may be hungry- but there is joy.
I may not live in the finest apartment- but there is peace.
I may not have many Earthly possessions- but I have treasure in Heaven.
I may feel uncomfortable at times- but the Holy Spirit comforts me.
I may suffer- but the Glory of Christ is being revealed.

I pray that Japanese people as well as everyone around the world who is reading this right now; that you may experience the love of God in a fresh new way from this day forward!
Thank you so much for reading!
❤