Mika's story by Joni Thomas Find out more about Free Will Baptist International Missions work in the nation of Japan.

“I have a exciting news! God answered the prayer!”

Tears filled my eyes as I stared at my computer screen. It had been over a year since I left Japan, but God was allowing me to see His mighty hand still at work in the life of someone who had grown very dear to my heart.

God at Work

Mika lived in the Miharashidai neighborhood just a few streets over from the church I attended—Miharashidai FWB Chapel. Several years before I arrived in Ebetsu-shi on the island of Hokkaido, Mika studied English at the church with some missionaries. Then she moved to New Zealand to study for a couple of years.

Upon returning to Japan, she renewed her relationships with the missionaries and began developing a friendship with Alicia Hart and me. This friendship soon opened the door for us to invite Mika to various young adult activities, church activities, and sometimes even church services. It was so exciting to see Mika develop a curiosity for the things we studied. Eventually, she became interested in studying the Bible. Alicia and I invited her to our home for a one-on-one, weekly Bible study.

While Bible study can be challenging for any non-believer, it proves especially difficult for a nation of people whose language doesn’t even include a word for sin, and whose closest equivalent means crime. Most people do not react well to being told they are criminals when they have stayed within the parameters of the law and haven’t committed a “crime.”  It proves even more difficult when the person studying is endeavoring to understand difficult words and concepts in their second language. However, God showed He can work despite the most unlikely circumstances, and the truth of His Word began to penetrate her Buddhist upbringing.

Photo: Several missionaries played a significant role in Mika’s salvation and discipleship, including (left to right) Bethany Crowson, Alicia Hart, Joni Thomas, and (not pictured) Hollie Hubbard.

We had been studying the Bible together for over a year, when God laid it on our hearts to begin the Purpose Driven Life study with Mika. One night Mika was confronted with the question of whether or not she was ready to follow Christ. Although she wanted to take that step, these truths still did not “click” in her mind. After returning home that evening, she read through the study again. Later, she said that it was like a light came on. Suddenly, everything she had been learning up to that point made sense, and she knew what she needed to do. She immediately surrendered her life to Christ. Mika said it was like a weight had been lifted, and she felt very happy.

Stepping Into Deep Water

Mika wanted to be baptized. She knew baptism would show those around her she truly had taken the step to become a follower of Christ. Her family and close friends were not supportive. Mika’s culture demands conformity to the group. Baptism would set her apart, identify her as an outsider, and erect social boundaries. It would mean no longer worshiping at the little family shrine. Mika’s participation in weddings, funerals, the annual visitation to the ancestral graves, and many lifelong traditions would all be challenged.

For more than a year, she wrestled with the bold step of identifying with Christ. She struggled with obeying her parents versus obeying Christ. Mika repeatedly asked us and other Christians to pray for her family and boyfriend to agree to her baptism.

After a year of grappling with the problem, she nervously determined to confront both her family and boyfriend again. By God’s grace, she found the strength to talk with her parents. I was overjoyed when I opened an email one day and read,  “I have a exciting news! God answered the prayer! My parents said okay easily when I told them about my baptism. Thank you for your prayer.”

Her next challenge was asking her boyfriend for permission. This was very important to her, but once again God showed His strength to Mika. She wrote, “Thank you for praying. God answered prayer again. Hallelujah!! I told Kentaro about my baptism and he said okay. There was no reason to say no if my parents said okay. He asked me if I forced him to believe God. I told him I wouldn't, but believed God would. He said he would believe Him someday and wanted (to) see how I would be changed. So I should be going to testify for Him. I'll keep trying.” Not only did God give her strength to confront her boyfriend and family with this matter, He also began to work in her boyfriend’s heart.

Mika was baptized in July of 2006. She wrote, “My baptism went great, too. We worried about weather but God blessed us. It was sunny day. Water was little cold.” Mika went on to say, “I didn't feel anything when I got baptized. After while I couldn't stop crying. I was so happy.”

New Life in Christ

With the support of her brothers and sisters at the church, Mika is growing in Christ. The girl who once studied the Bible with me and other missionaries, now leads her own Bible study with a girl much like she once was. Sometimes she can be found leading the singing during worship, working with the children, or filling in wherever needed. She is living her life, trusting God to use her to help her parents and boyfriend understand He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

About the Writer: Former short-term missionary to Hokkaido, Japan, Joni Thomas is a mobilization assistant for the FWB International Missions department. She works closely with the E-TEAM and College Missions Program (CMP). To find out more about short-term mission opportunities, visit www.fwbgo.com.