We’re the only Adventists—and probably the only Christians—at our school. Our classmates don’t understand our faith, and sometimes it’s hard to explain why we love a God we can’t see.
My name is Ken. My parents come from the Philippines; but my brother and sister, Mark and Kaycee, and I were born and grew up in Japan, where my father works for a bank.
Challenges and Blessings
We live in Tokyo. Since there’s no Adventist school nearby, we attend a public school. All public schools have classes on Sabbath, but we’re allowed to attend Sabbath School instead. Our Sabbath School teacher signs a paper that says we were in Sabbath School and studied our lessons.
But when we enter the seventh grade, we won’t have that permission any longer. The only way we can keep the Sabbath then is to attend an Adventist school. And there isn’t one where we live.
The Faith Challenge
We’re the only Adventists—and probably the only Christians—at our school. Our classmates don’t understand our faith, and sometimes it’s hard to explain why we love a God we can’t see.
We know that God created everything and made us in His image, but our teachers teach evolution. It’s hard to explain what we know as truth.
Our family talked about how we can share our beliefs, and we decided to give our teachers and friends Bibles and other literature. But that’s expensive.
God Provides a Way
Then last summer at our church’s retreat, we received Japanese Bibles to give to our friends. My brother, sister, and I took ten Bibles plus Steps to Christ books to give to our teachers and friends.
My sister gave a Bible to her friend Mayuko. Mayuko said that she had once visited a Christian church and had heard something about Jesus. She was glad to have the Bible and plans to read it.
My brother Mark, who is 8, takes his Bible to school with him and reads it when he finishes his class work. The teacher realized how important his Bible was to him, so when Mark accidentally left his Bible at school, the teacher called to tell him where his Bible was. Mark gave her a Japanese Bible. He wants to be sure his teacher will get to know God.
The Missing Alarm
All students here wear a small electronic alarm around their neck. If we ever feel in danger, we can pull the alarm.
One day Mark lost his alarm, and his teacher was worried about his safety. Mark held out his Bible and said that God would keep him safe! His teacher smiled and told him to keep his Bible close until he received his new alarm.
Every Chance to Share
Sometimes our classmates ask us why we don’t worship their gods or attend school on Saturdays. We use these opportunities to tell them about God and how much He cares for us.
Japan isn’t a Christian nation, and very few Adventists live there. Please pray that God will use our offerings to share His love here in Japan.
