I live in Kawanaka Hon Machi, Shimonoseki, with my wife, my son and his wife, and my mother-in-law.  I was born on September 8th, 1944 in Mine City, which is famous for being created from volcanic lava from the now inactive volcano, Toyota Mae.  

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Upon graduation from high school, I worked for 11 years at the neighborhood post office.  However, every since I was a student I had a desire to become a bus driver.  Therefore, I made the drastic decision to change vocations and received training to receive a commercial driver’s license.  In November of 1973, I went to work for the Sanden Transportation Company and began driving for them in April of the next year. 

 

I met my wife at the orientation for new employees at this transportation company.  After our marriage, we were blessed with two sons, Takayuki and Hiroyuki.  Since I worked on a charter bus, I was not at home for many days at a time.  For 30 years I left my household for my wife to run.  Many things happened during that time, but one thing of great significance was when Hiroyuki stopped going to school.  This was of deep concern to us.  Every day I worried about what I could do to resolve this problem as his father.  One day, my wife returned from Mrs.  Kanaoka’s house and shared with me something that she had just learned.  It was from Isaiah 43:4.  “You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.”  When I heard this verse, I shed tears.  Hiroyuki was a precious child to me, but he not only was loved by us, his parents, but the fact the God loved him too left me speechless. 

 

Eventually, Hiroyuki began going to Sunday school and returned to elementary school.  Soon afterwards, my wife became a Christian and six months later, my two sons became Christians also.  God`s word became prominent in our home and my family began to change.  I felt that I also needed to follow Christ, but I come from a large family and knew that I would have funerals and other Buddhist ceremonies that I would have to participate in in the future.  I worried about what they would think.  I also was concerned about my relationships at work.  I just couldn't bring myself to follow Christ.  As I reflect on it now, I realize that I still desired to do something to help my child,

 

I actually let my fears hold precedence over my family.  I was wrong.  I am so thankful for the true God, Jesus Christ, who not only resolved this problem, but continually protected my family and guided us.   My heart is full of thanksgiving.  I am also thankful for my wife, who has sacrificed for my family.  I am thankful for Mrs. Kanaoka and Pastor Tony who shared with my family about God and for the many church members who have helped my family.   It is because of all of you that we are fellowshipping with you here today.

 

Three years ago we took in my mother-in-law in to live with us and then my second son and his wife also came to live in our home.  Since our family has changed, I have tried to increase my time at home in order to help my wife.  Because my hours at work were increased from 8 in the morning to 12 at night, I decided to leave that company and go to work where I am now.

 

Since becoming a commercial bus driver, I did not have Saturdays, Sundays or holidays off, therefore I was not able to attend church.  I was not able to hear teaching from the Bible very frequently.  I often heard from my wife and kids say, “Won’t you quickly make a profession of faith?”  In spite of their pleading, I was not willing to take that step.

 

On January 11th of this year, Hiroshi Harada, a husband of one of our church members, was urgently hospitalized.  We received a phone call concerning this emergency, and I felt impressed to pray for him.  As I got into the bathtub and thought about praying for his healing, I was struck with how incongruous it was that I was wanting to pray for Mr. Harada's salvation when I wasn`t even saved myself.

 

On the evening of January 31, as I was sitting in front of the heater in the kitchen, my wife asked me, “Do you realize that you are a sinner?”  For some reason, I answered honestly, “Yes.”    Was this the Holy Spirit working in me?  As a result of this, my wife and I began studying the Bible together.  I decided that I wanted to study with my wife the Bible Study "13 Steps to Salvation" which Takayuki and I had studied once before.

 

On February 9th, on the third day of our study, we were on the lesson, “What is Sin?”  I realized that the idol worship I had partaken in for many years as well as getting drunk were actions that made me a sinner.  I made a decision to believe that day that Jesus took my sin upon the cross and died for me.  He rose again on the third day.  I want to walk with him.  I prayed the sinner’s prayer with my wife.  I told Takayuki about my decision and he also prayed with me.  I thought, “Now I can go to heaven.”

 

Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are from I Cor. 13: 4-7.  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil, by rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

 

I heard these verses at Hiroyuki’s wedding, but my desire is to share them with my family, and to walk closely with them.  As I continue to study the Bible and to put its Words into practice, I am looking forward to walking with God and with my brothers and sisters in Christ.