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In November 1951, Florence Miller was one of three North American Baptist missionaries who stepped off a ship in Yokohama, Japan, desiring to share the love of Jesus. She had a long career in Japan teaching the Bible and mentoring students, working at a seminary and shining the light of Jesus brightly. Florence celebrated her 100th birthday in January this year, and then in April she met Jesus face to face.
As I have pondered her life and legacy, I am grateful for her pioneering missionary work in Japan. Although I did not know her well, her commitment to serving Jesus in Japan has been an inspiration to me. The daughter of one of her Bible students came to the airport to see me off. She is a second-generation Christian who was directly impacted by the ministry of Florence and to whom I also ministered.
God is still at work in Japan! The churches of the Japan Baptist Conference are looking to the future, seeking how to continue serving God faithfully. Please pray for the JBC churches and pastors to walk humbly with God and to trust him to do infinitely more than we might ask or think.
March was filled with more lunches, dinners, and tea times with friends as we said goodbye. I spent many hours closing my life in Izumi. Even in the way I did my final business with utilities and other companies, my desire was for the love of Jesus to shine through my interactions. I was grateful for one of my friends who sat by me as we spoke on the phone or navigated websites in Japanese. It was amazing to think of the years I have lived in Izumi and all the people with whom I have interacted.
I told many of my friends that I would be at the mall at Starbucks the night before I left. Around 15 people came and sat with me, and a few just dropped by. It was a fun time of fellowship one more time, especially with those who were not able to go to the airport.
The day I left Japan, more friends came to say goodbye. I was again reminded of the faithfulness of God. When I moved to Izumi in 2006, I only knew the missionaries with whom I would be working. I am thankful for God’s work in and through me during the nineteen years I lived there as he brought people into my life. Please pray for the seeds that have been planted in the past to take root and to grow in the future.
God is faithful. He called NAB missionaries to Japan in 1951 who shared his love with all those they met. The JBC was formed as a sister conference of churches to the NAB. He has built his church and raised up disciples and leaders serving him around Japan. In 1996, God led me to Japan for the first time and has faithfully led me as I have served him, desiring to shine his light brightly. He has worked mightily in the past, beyond what we could ask or think.
God is faithful. In the present, he is teaching me to trust him as I learn to live in North America and serve him here. He brought me safely back to South Dakota, where I have been reconnecting with family and friends. Also, the process of closing the legal entity of the NAB mission in Japan is almost finished. God has been faithfully leading as we enter a new chapter of missions in Japan.
God is faithful. He continues to work in the church in Japan and around the world. We look forward to the stories of his persistence as we hear about all he will do in the future.
Church visits in the next quarter:
| May 4 | First Baptist Church in Emery, South Dakota | |
| May 18 | Temple Baptist Church in Jamestown, North Dakota | |
| June 8 a.m. | The Cross Bible Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan | |
| June 8 p.m. | Bethel Baptist Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan | |
| June 15 | Hope Community Baptist Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan | |
| June 22 | Pilgrim Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
| July 14–18 | The Gathering in Anaheim, California |