I have been attending the service at the Center since last May.  I first found out about the Center through the International Café.  My aunt was invited to attend the International Café by Mrs. Kubota and she asked me to go along with her.  My aunt knew how I had been studying English and she thought that this would be a good opportunity for me.  The day of the event, I went to my aunt’s house to wait for her to return home.  She had to work overtime that day and was late returning.  It was already past the 6:30 starting time of the Café when she finally walked in the door.  I said, “Let’s go,” to her, but she said, “It is raining outside, I’m tired, and we are already late, so I don’t think I will go today.”  Since I really wanted to go, I decided to go by myself.  I didn’t know Mrs. Kubota personally, so I went with just her name in hand.  I knew that the location was the former Shinyo Bank.  Every day I drive right in front of the Center on my way to work, but I had never realized that the building housed a church before. 

 

As I entered the Center, I wondered if there was really an International Café here or not or if it was ok for me to go on in.  I was very nervous.  I was relieved when I entered and found Mrs. Kubota.  Sitting at the table to which I was led, was Takayuki and Aki Asada.  When the Café was over Aki said to me, “From 10 o’clock on Sunday morning we have a service here.  Please come.”  I was interested in seeing what type of service they held at the Center so I decided to come.

 

There is also another reason which made me want to come to the service.  When I was in elementary school, there was a church close to my home which I visited frequently.  I attended the special events and have many fond memories from that time.  So when I heard Aki mention the service, I had these nostalgic memories return.

 

I also had a desire to study the Bible.  Occasionally in foreign movies and dramas I would see the actors read verses from the Bible.  However, I did not have any idea what these verses meant.  For these various reasons I had a desire to study what was written in the Bible.

 

I started attending Sunday service from that point on.  I began to study the Bible gradually.  As I heard messages from God’s word I began to slowly learn more about God.  “It is exactly as it says!” I thought more and more in agreement as I heard the Bible preached.  Jesus died for our sins and was put upon the cross.  I learned that He rose again the third day.  In Luke 23:34 it says, “Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  When I heard this verse I felt, “What a wonderful person God is to forgive sinners!”  As I daily heard God’s word and was moved by it, it resulted in a natural transition to belief in Jesus. 

           

I studied with Takaykui leading up to my baptism.  As I studied, I realized there were many things that I didn’t understand about the church and the Bible. I was not able to progress as I wished because of my schedule and some family matters I was dealing with.  Many brothers and sisters in Christ helped me during this time by giving me good advice and words of wisdom.  They were very kind to me.

 

There is still much I do not understand as I begin this walk as a Christian, but I would like to keep my eyes turned toward Jesus. Thank you.