By Hanna Rose
On New Year’s Eve, I attended a gathering and met new people. During introductions, someone asked me, “What does a missionary do?” I paused, struggling to find the right words. Every day feels so ordinary that it’s hard to explain what I do.
Before coming to Japan, answering “What do you do?” was simple—I had a job title and clear responsibilities. But being a missionary is different. It’s not about a position or a title; it’s about loving God and loving people—living each day clinging to Jesus and reflecting Him in my life.
It’s not about a position or a title; it’s about loving God and loving people.
My life here isn’t as glamorous as I once imagined a missionary’s life would be. There are no grand stages or dramatic moments. Instead, it’s a daily choice: choosing Jesus, choosing to love and serve the people He has placed around me. Nothing fancy—just striving to live a life worthy of the death and resurrection of Christ. And yet, as I reflect on this seemingly ordinary life, I’m amazed at how God works in extraordinary ways through it.
Take Mio-chan, for example. She’s one of the kids in the English class I teach once a week at our church. When we started, there were only three kids—now there are twelve. Mio-chan was very shy; every time I called her name, tears would stream down her face. Her mom sat beside her for comfort during the first month. But as more kids joined and we completed our three-month curriculum, I noticed a remarkable change. Mio-chan stopped crying. She began helping her friends with answers and blossomed into the sweet, fun, and caring child she truly is.
Please pray
- That God continues to use simple, ordinary moments like English classes and daily interactions, to open doors for relationships and Gospel conversations in Japan.
- For children like Mio‑chan and their families, that the love they experience through these ministries would soften hearts and draw them toward Jesus.
- For renewed strength, joy, and perseverance for mission workers living out quiet, unseen faithfulness each day, trusting God to turn ordinary obedience into eternal impact.
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