The last time I wrote, I had just recently arrived in Nagasaki. I shared that I was beginning to make connections, staying at the church, and searching for a place to live.

Since then, so much has happened. God has continued to open doors, deepen relationships, and provide in incredible ways.

Highlights Since April

Welcoming a Team from Canada

In early May, LifeShare welcomed a team of university students from Canada. They stayed with me at the church and spent several days serving alongside the local community.

One thing that stood out was how intentionally they welcomed others into everything they were doing. Whether cleaning the church, sharing meals, or gathering for prayer and worship, there was always room for others to join. It was a beautiful picture of hospitality and community.

*Canada team has a time of fellowship at a bayside park with university students Saya and Shizuki.*

A Place to Call Home

On May 12th, I signed the contract for my new home and moved in just one week later on May 19th.

With the help of a friend, I was able to retrieve all of my belongings from storage from my time living in Tokyo and finally begin settling into life here in Nagasaki.

I'm still surrounded by more cardboard boxes than I would like, but little by little the house is beginning to feel like home.

Welcoming Students from PBA

The very same day I moved into my house, LifeShare welcomed a team from my alma mater, Palm Beach Atlantic University.

For two weeks, the team served throughout the community, meeting people, building relationships, and inviting others to participate in whatever was happening that day. Having them here for an extended period made it possible to connect with many people multiple times, allowing relationships to deepen in a meaningful way.

*PBA team’s last night in Nagasaki - food, games, and fellowship at LifeShare.*

A Week in Yokohama

After their time in Nagasaki, the PBA team spent a week partnering with YWAM in Yokohama through a skate ministry.

Before they left, they surprised me with a plane ticket and invited me to join them.

*PBA team with YWAM staff and some local skaters after meeting at a local skatepark.*

Together with YWAM and another PBA team, we spent time at local skateparks connecting with skaters and building relationships. It was an unexpected gift and a wonderful opportunity to see another expression of ministry taking place here in Japan.

*PBA team’s Daniel, myself, and a couple of Japanese high school students we met at the park, Yasu and Isshin.*

*PBA team and YWAM after a day at the park.*

A Story of God's Work in One Heart

I want to share one particular story with you in further depth.

This story is about Saya.

Saya is a university student studying French in Nagasaki. She is a close friend of Shizuki, who is a part of the LifeShare community. While Shizuki is a Christian, Saya is not.

One day while the Canadian team was visiting, Shizuki invited Saya to spend the day with us.

After everyone introduced themselves, someone mentioned that some of the girls might spend part of the day doing a prayer walk. Immediately, Saya looked panicked.

Embarrassed, she quickly explained that she was not a Christian and asked whether that mattered or if she was still welcome.

Of course, everyone assured her that she was more than welcome.

*Canada team, myself, Saya, and Shizuki walking to a park on the bay.*

The day continued with cleaning the church, sharing meals, conversations, and eventually gathering at a nearby park for worship. As we sang, Saya quietly followed along with the lyrics.

When it was time for her and Shizuki to leave to catch the last bus, the team asked if they could pray for her before she left.

She happily agreed.

*Moments before sitting down for a time of worship.*

As people prayed over her, Saya began to cry.

Noticing this, I offered to walk with her and Shizuki to the bus stop. During the walk, she continued wiping away tears and repeatedly said, "感動したんだ" — "I am so moved" or "I am deeply touched."

She then shared what had been happening in her heart.

She had been afraid to come that day because she assumed people would not welcome her once they learned she wasn't a Christian. She wondered whether she could really belong or be friends with everyone.

Instead, she experienced the exact opposite.

She told me how kind everyone had been, how welcomed she felt, and how grateful she was that people listened to her and gave her space to freely share her heart.

Then, with a huge smile, she proudly announced that she had made many new friends, which was something she never expected would happen.

Over the following weeks, Saya came to church at LifeShare multiple times and continued spending time with the community.

Then the PBA team arrived.

One Sunday morning, Saya and Shizuki met several members of the team and quickly decided they wanted to spend as much time with them as possible.

*Afternoon spent with Saya and Shizuki in Nagasaki’s Chinatown.*

During one dinner, Saya began sharing about her experience with the Canadian team. She explained that because everyone had been so kind, welcoming, and caring toward her, she had become more interested in learning about Jesus.

*Dinner with the team, Saya, and Shizuki.*

As the evening continued, Saya noticed a bracelet on the wrist of one of the students, Kaitlyn.

Pointing directly at it, she said, "That's so pretty. I love it."

What Saya didn't know was that Kaitlyn had been praying about that bracelet.

It was a handmade bracelet from a previous missions trip and the last one she had. She had felt hesitant to give it away and had prayed that God would make it unmistakably clear if there was someone she should give it to.

The bracelet wasn't even prominently displayed. It was buried among many others on her wrist.

Yet somehow Saya noticed that one.

The bracelet simply read:

"Jesus loves you."

Kaitlyn immediately took it off and gave it to her.

The next day, Kaitlyn received a message from Saya thanking her for the gift and sharing that she now had a daily reminder that Jesus loves her.

I am continually amazed by moments like these.

What a beautiful thing it is when someone who has not yet professed faith begins to recognize and long for the love of Jesus.

*PBA team’s final day at LifeShare with Saya right in the center.*

God is moving in hearts here in Japan, and I am so grateful to witness it.

In Him,

Josh

Settling in and Seeing God