A God of Miracles

First of all, I want to testify that the Lord always pulls through, in one way or another. His miracles are real!

We set a baptism date with Nakata San last Monday. The following day, we did a joint with Sister Sekiguchi. Nakata San seemed a little blue that day. During the lesson, he showed us a letter he received the day before - the same day we invited him to be baptized. The letter disclosed the information that his daughter has passed away.

He lost contact with his daughter many years ago after his divorce. He was heartbroken and spoke of his future dream of meeting his daughter and catching up on all the lost years. It was interesting becuase we had planned to teach "The Plan of Salvation" that evening. We testified to him that families are eternal and he would see his daughter again someday. He felt at peace and reconfirmed his desire to be baptized.

Then two days later we received a phone call from him saying, "I can`t be baptized anymore." In the midst of planning his daughter's funeral, he mentioned to some family members that he was taking the missionary lessons. They reacted angrily, telling him he needed to respect his Japanese culture and if he were to become a Christian, they would cut off all contact with him. Fearing for his relationship with family members, he told us to not come back ever again.

We were heartbroken. I decided to write him a letter, which we planned to drop off later that day. There was a lot of hesitation on whether to visit him or not, but with the assurance of Sister Sekiguchi, we decided to go.

We visited and surprisingly, he answered the door in his usual friendly manner. He let us inside - not what we were expecting at all. He opened up to us, sharing his fears about losing his family members, especially after losing his daughter. He apologized about not being able to be baptized, but that he still had the desire. Then, with tears in his eyes he asked, "How can I make this hurt go away?" We cried with him. We testified of God's infinite love and that through His son Jesus Christ, we can overcome all things.

The amazing miracle is that he believed us. The spirit testified to him that what we taught was true. He told us he prays to God three times a day and has felt a warm feeling in his heart every time he does.

Right now we are praying for the miracle to soften the hearts of his family.

This is where we are currently at with Nakata San. We still don't know what's going to happen, but I am filled with the assurance that the Lord will work His miracles.

Love you all!

- Matsuura Shimai

Doctrine and Covenants 35:8

 

 Artwork done by our friend Nishiwaki San. She is Buddhist, but created this beautiful piece of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus during a difficult time in her life.