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What a beautiful start to this adventure! God has been so good in the first few months of my time as an appointed missionary. These months have been a whirlwind of training, meetings, preparation, and so many conversations of excitement for the future.
After becoming officially appointed at the end of 2025, I had so much fun sharing this incredible news with friends and family. My parents are so excited for me to be on my way living out God’s will for my life. In November, I told my church with teary eyes that I would be leaving in 2027. They offered so many words of love, excitement, and support to me. God has truly blessed me with the best community! Shortly after my appointment was announced, I bumped into my friends Hannah and Yutaro (who I hadn’t seen in months). They told me that they will be moving back to Japan with their new baby boy around the same time I will be leaving for Japan. It seems God is already providing me with good community in Japan.
The preparation process is already well under way. Everyday there is something I do to prepare for the mission field in Japan. My language learning is still at the very beginner level. I’ve found multiple apps to help me learn the multiple forms of written Japanese, as well as some basic vocabulary words. My favourite form of preparation has been studying all things Japan and missions through books! I love reading, and having a subject of study to direct my reading has been really fun to explore. Books about Japan, classic Japanese fiction, Japanese history, and general missions books have all been on my reading list. The image above is of some of my recent and planned reads.
As fun as books are, the most helpful form of study has come in the form of Shan Reed and Yuri Nakano. I have begun meeting with Shan Reed once a month to discuss Japanese culture and life as a missionary. She has been a huge help in answering my many questions.
I only recently had the opportunity to meet Yuri Nakano these last few months while she is on her home assignment. She was so generous with her stories. She shared with me how she entered the mission field in Japan, which was such an encouragement of God’s good planning. She also shared examples of cultural differences in Japan that I found particularly enlightening. Conversations like these are a huge help to me in understanding the undertaking of moving across the world.
Ministry Workers and Family Retreat at Camp Caroline.
At the end of January, I had the privilege of attending this year’s Ministry Workers and Family Retreat at Camp Caroline. We filled out the camp with Alberta Baptist Association pastors from all over the province. We spent time in worship and the Word, and many hours in fellowship. I almost lost my voice on the second day from chatting with so many wonderful people. It was such a pleasure to share my story and my calling with so many people.
Lunch with Yuri Nakano and Carol Potratz at the ABA Ministry Workers and Family Retreat.
The process of preparation has been a learning curve for me, but God has been so faithful in these early stages.
Thank you all so much for partnering with me in this journey and supporting me in my obedience to God.