Humle begening......

Crossing Mississippi by foot

We visited Lake Itasca where mighty Mississippi's head water was located last weekend. Kids were so excited to find out how this river begins . Surrounding by beautiful forest, Lake Itasca looked like ordinary Minnesota lake. Where the river begins, you see rocks lying across the "river" where you can actually cross Mississippi with just few steps. It was impressive . And before I knew it, kids were other side of river!

It was not like seeing Niagara falls or something like that. But I considered this experience was one of the kind you will never forget. Water was so calm and peaceful. It was so refreshing and welcoming. Kids can swim in lake and also Mississippi river which is like little creek. However, everybody there seemed to be touched by the fact they were dipping their feet where the great river just begins.

A humble beginning of mighty river. It is hard to imagine this creek leads to Gulf of Mexico.

Our vision and imagination is so limited compare to what God creates. We might never be able to see where He leads us as far as our ministry in Japan but by God's grace, we would like to be a little creek which gives joy to people and leads to greatness of God.

By the way, kids went far beyond just dipping their feet there, as we leave they were wet from head to toe and very content.

16 years ago, we were just two..

16 years ago, I met a young lady from Japan who just arrived to the States to attend a school in Colorado. I (Asa) was doing internship for my seminary degree at Japanese church in Denver area for the summer.

Miwa and I connected immediately and became good friends through Bible study, student out reach ministry. I sensed that she had very sincere interest in Bible even though that was very new to her. God brought so many Christians on her short time there , the seeds were planted and she returned home couple month later.

A year later I also returned to Japan. We kept in touch even though we lived in different islands of Japan. One day she called me to tell she was going to be baptized at her home town. I was so excited. By God's grace I was able to make a trip to witness her baptism!

Following the year I moved back to MN to marry Greg. Miwa took a trip to U.S. to attend our wedding and she was my personal attendant for the day. I still remember right before I walk down the isle, she prayed for me as I was so nervous.

Couple years later Miwa met a single missionary from Ohio at nursing school in Japan. They fell in love and married. They lived in Japan several years before Mike, Miwa's husband took a position as an associate pastor of CB church in Ohio. Now with their 2 cute boys, they visited us this summer!

It was amazing to see our children and their children created instant bounding with each other .

Just like I and Miwa was that way 16 years ago. They had great great time together .

Strangers must think they were brothers or cousins!

While kids were having fun together , adults shared God's grace and goodness for thier lives, and challenges as a minister or a minister to be or as their wives.

As I write this blog entry, I again see how God coordinated to gave me a very special sister in Christ 16 years ago. I had no idea we would share so many common grounds in future. It was amazing to see how her life was transformed and grow mature as a follower of Christ and now serving for Him.

This is the reason I want to go to mission field! I want to meet people who are looking for the meaning of life and witness their lives will transformed in Christ. I want to meet people like Miwa and watch them grow all over again!