I never wanted to be a missionary. Growing up, the thought of leaving my family and friends seemed too sad, and the thought of living in another country, frankly, seemed too scary and uncomfortable. In college, Japan began sticking out to me like a squirrel sticks out to an active dog. I started learning facts about its people, such as how suicide is a common, daily occurrence to which people don't even bat an eye anymore. I learned how high their depression is and how there are people who never leave their room for seven to twenty years because they are terrified of being judged by people. Why was Japan suddenly everywhere I turned and why did I suddenly start caring?

Asking God what He wanted me to do, in 2020, a realization suddenly came to me. I grew up hearing stories from missionaries going to Africa and Latin America because they needed help with resources - water wells, houses, etc. - as well as God. Praise God they are going! On the other hand, Japan has all the physical resources they need. They even have spiritual wells from which they drink. But what they don't realize is that those spiritual wells are poisoned, and they are spiritually killing themselves. Why is Japan the country with the second least amount of missionaries in the entire world sharing the gospel with its people?

My heart broke, that day, and I realized I had to go. It is an honor to be with the Japan Initiative team here at Converge, and I pray God uses us to save these people He cares about so deeply. Will you pray and ask God if He would have you partner with me - us - in reaching this precious, lost, and desperate people?