Friendship Evangelism

Two of my good friends here in Kobe are Akiyo and Yoshimi.

Our friendship dates back to 1994, when both attended my English class , intermediate level . That was during my first year of teaching English classes here at this church. Akiyo then was still a new believer , having been led to Christ by former missionaries, Ray and Julie Sears. Yoshimi was not yet a Christian but she had come to know about God and His plan of salvation through the Bible times in our English class.

The three of us hit it off instantly as we had similar personalities and common interests. We would often hang out together after classes.

At that time, Akiyo went to another church here in Kobe. But Yoshimi would sometimes accept my invitation to go with me to my church for worship services or other events.

Later that year, Akiyo was transferred by her company to the branch in her hometown. But she would often visit us here in Kobe.

After that horrible Kobe earthquake in 1995, I had to return to the Philippines. But we three were still able to keep in touch. They even visited me in Cebu.

Akiyo and I were concerned about Yoshimi so we agreed to continue to pray for her salvation.

When God sent me back to Japan to teach again in 2005, Yoshimi was among the very first ones I contacted. Then Akiyo came to see me. What a blessed reunion the three of us had . It was great to see Akiyo's growth in the Lord as she found a good church in her hometown.

We continued to pray for Yoshimi. We didn't know then that God never stopped working in Yoshimi's heart during the ten years that we were apart.

In December 2006, I took her with me to visit a friend in Yokosuka . We went to my friend's church that Christmas Sunday . God used the pastor's message that day to speak again to Yoshimi's heart. During the train ride back home, she asked me a lot of questions and we talked more about God's love for her . I could see she was almost ready to accept the Lord into her life. That week, she found a church near her apartment, and attended the worship that Sunday. (Our church is farther, about 20 minutes by bicycle from her place). That was the start. Amazingly, Yoshimi never looked back.

We continued our regular hangouts together. I encouraged her to join Sunday School and Bible studies in her church and she did. She attended regularly the singles meetings at our church too. God gave me more prayer opportunites with her . Even more spiritual talks and counseling times. A year later (on my birthday) , she was baptized.

One of my joys here in Japan is seeing Yoshimi grow in the Lord and knowing that she is a living fruit of "friendship evangelism" in a country like Japan, known to be among the hardest mission fields in the world. Praise the Lord!