I (Ben) felt the call to missionary work overseas first in my early high school days. God had already laid on my heart a desire to go into full-time ministry, but I had not figured out in what way that would look like. Around my 9th-grade summer, I was praying that God would show me what he wanted for my life. Around that time, I was reading the Word, and it opened to the Great Commission in Mathew. My parents were missionaries, and it reminded me that when I was little, I told my dad I wanted to be a missionary when I grew up, just like him. God must have been listening that day and has led me towards missions for as long as I can remember. Japan came later in that calling, and now my wife, son, and I are preparing to answer God’s call.
I (Emily) grew up hearing about missions from my mom (who was an MK). When I was in Middle school, several missionaries came to speak at our church, and one in particular spoke about the great need for missionaries, and it touched my heart. In 2013, I went on a mission trip to southern Texas near the border. While there, I felt like I was doing exactly what God wanted me to do for the rest of my life. Two years ago, we were able to do a mission internship in Japan. There I saw the kids playing at a school, and my heart ached to show Christ’s love with them. I knew this was the mission field God was calling me to. 
We are planning to go to Japan, preparing to disciple and to be discipled. We want to serve the local church and the missionaries in Tokyo, Japan, as they need us to. For now, we have no idea what it will look like exactly. I (Ben) have a passion for small groups in the church and prayer. I hope to use the Shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument, to share the gospel and build connections with local Japanese. I (Emily) hope to work in some small ESL ministry (at a church or house). Whatever the Lord has for us, we hope to share God’s love with the people we meet.