Reflections on My Year in Japan

What a wonderful year in Japan! When I first received the call to Japan, I had no idea the difficulties and challenges I would face. But God not only gave me the strength to serve him, but also has blessed my stay in Japan in so many ways.

Being back in the states for only a day, I feel as though I’m only on vacation and will be going back to Japan in a few weeks. I have made so many friends that I will probably never see again. That is probably one of the hardest parts of coming back to the states, leaving people behind. All the last times and goodbyes were very hard. Many people I believe I will one day see in heaven. However there are so many others who I can only trust are in God’s hands. Many people I hope to keep in contact with, especially since most people now have email.

I will miss the Stahmanns as well as the rest of the missionaries very much. It was such a blessing to have their support and guidance. They have become dear friends to me as I became part of their family for the year. I will miss teaching the Stahmann girls. It is amazing all the changes and growth I have seen in the girls in and out of the classroom. We finished off the year with some fun and excitement going on a fieldtrip to the Ueno Zoo, having Spirit Week in which the girls dressed up according to different themes, and finally having a picnic at the park on the last day.

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the many different English classes this year. We ended the year with parties and just enjoying time together. In my Tsuchiura adult class, we went out to a place that gave cooking classes and learned to make handmade soba noodles. At my Mito preschool class, we had a party. During the party each family told me some parting words that Pastor Haga translated. I never realized how much my classes impacted the students and how much they meant to me until that day.

There are some things I won’t miss: the occasional earthquakes, not knowing the language, and Japanese drivers. But being in Japan has shown me how valuable it is to go to church every week, to be able to listen to a sermon, and to sing the hymns. Being in Japan has also taught me what to do and how to communicate without speaking the same language. Just being able to read signs and labels was difficult if not impossible. I had taken all those things for granted, but after not having them, I appreciate them so much more.

I am very excited to be back in the states, and am looking forward to my new role as a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. But I will never forget what I have learned and experienced this past year, and am sure God will use it to benefit my future ministry. Thank you all for your prayers and support.