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My sister Keiko, my mother Nobuko, and me in March of 2009 at the national women’s meeting. (JBW)
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Alisen, Andy, Amie, John, and me at a park near our home (summer of 2009)
Dear Friends,
Recently somebody was asking about my testimony. I have shared it in several churches around the US, so maybe you have heard this before. But I thought maybe I could share it again for those who have not heard it yet. I am now a missionary, with the American Baptists - International Ministries. I am also Japanese. I was born and raised in Japan. But let me explain my amazing story.
When the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, my mother was 13 years old at that time and was about a mile away from point of explosion. She was one of two survivors from her school class. She lost her father and sister instantly that day. During the weeks and months and even years following, she was very ill from radiation sickness.
After the war was over, the American Baptists came back to help the church in Hiroshima. That's the way my mother came to know Jesus. Brave missionaries came to love an enemy, that's the reason my mother became a Christian. I have always admired their faith. Not only my family but all of the church in Japan wants to express our thanksgiving to you.
Well, my mother met my father at church and they were married by an American Baptist missionary. In those days, the victims of the atomic bomb had a hard time getting married. People were afraid of them. They thought that they might not live long or might have a deformed baby. And of course lots of people did. Many families were against marriage with victims of the bombing, so I asked my father how he could marry my mother. "You did know she was a victim?" I asked. " Yes, I knew. But I didn't know she was that close." He said with a smile and a laugh.
Every summer my family would visit the Hiroshima Peace Park for the Atomic Bomb Memorial Service. As a young girl, seeing the pictures and displays was very frightening. It made me wonder if it could happen again. As a little girl, the images of war scared me. But there was a moment that gave me peace. It was when I saw my mother and American missionaries talking and smiling together. That is how I knew that God is the one who brings peace, heals wounds and restores relationships.
Anyway here I am, the amazing result of prayer.
Recently somebody was asking about my testimony. I have shared it in several churches around the US, so maybe you have heard this before. But I thought maybe I could share it again for those who have not heard it yet. I am now a missionary, with the American Baptists - International Ministries. I am also Japanese. I was born and raised in Japan. But let me explain my amazing story.
When the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, my mother was 13 years old at that time and was about a mile away from point of explosion. She was one of two survivors from her school class. She lost her father and sister instantly that day. During the weeks and months and even years following, she was very ill from radiation sickness.
After the war was over, the American Baptists came back to help the church in Hiroshima. That's the way my mother came to know Jesus. Brave missionaries came to love an enemy, that's the reason my mother became a Christian. I have always admired their faith. Not only my family but all of the church in Japan wants to express our thanksgiving to you.
Well, my mother met my father at church and they were married by an American Baptist missionary. In those days, the victims of the atomic bomb had a hard time getting married. People were afraid of them. They thought that they might not live long or might have a deformed baby. And of course lots of people did. Many families were against marriage with victims of the bombing, so I asked my father how he could marry my mother. "You did know she was a victim?" I asked. " Yes, I knew. But I didn't know she was that close." He said with a smile and a laugh.
Every summer my family would visit the Hiroshima Peace Park for the Atomic Bomb Memorial Service. As a young girl, seeing the pictures and displays was very frightening. It made me wonder if it could happen again. As a little girl, the images of war scared me. But there was a moment that gave me peace. It was when I saw my mother and American missionaries talking and smiling together. That is how I knew that God is the one who brings peace, heals wounds and restores relationships.
Anyway here I am, the amazing result of prayer.
Family Update…
Summer is over and Amie, our oldest has returned to Canada to begin her
junior year of college at the University of Waterloo. She is a Fine Arts major. We really enjoyed having her with us for a few months. She was able to get a job and save a
little money, and of course she was busy with old friends. However, we got to enjoy some time with
her too. The day she took off, she
had to fly through Tokyo. There was a typhoon, and so we worried about her
flight, if she could get to Tokyo, then get out of Tokyo. That’s what we do as parents, worry. Of course the Lord was taking care of
her and she is back at school.
We told you earlier that Alisen had her appendix taken out this summer. She still loves sports but also loves to draw and is a high school junior now.
Andrew bought an electric guitar and spends his spare time teaching himself to play. He is a freshman in high school.
We would like to brag a little more about each of them, but mostly we give thanks for their lives, and we give thanks for your prayers for our family.
Thank you,
Tomoko
We told you earlier that Alisen had her appendix taken out this summer. She still loves sports but also loves to draw and is a high school junior now.
Andrew bought an electric guitar and spends his spare time teaching himself to play. He is a freshman in high school.
We would like to brag a little more about each of them, but mostly we give thanks for their lives, and we give thanks for your prayers for our family.
Thank you,
Tomoko