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Kumiko Shimajiri, a Japanese Woman

Kumiko Shimajiri, Japanese Woman

Northeast Asia is a land humming with action. China, Japan and South Korea have economies that are growing at rates that almost st defy imagination The 21 century could easily be the time when Korean and Chinese missionaries take the lead in reaching the world for Christ. Presently Korea is the second largest sending base in the world and is preparing to celebrate the 100 th anniversary of the great Korean revival of the early 1900’s when Pyongyang (A) was known as the “Jerusalem of Asia.” But China may soon catch up and surpass them because of their “Back to Jerusalem” vision to send Chinese missionaries back along the old Silk Roads carrying the gospel back to Jerusalem. Also, this is the first time when Mongolia has had a lasting church and they too are already sending missionaries to other nations. Yet, over 450 people groups in Northeast Asia remain Least-Reached. God’s time for Northeast Asia is now! My name is Kumiko Shimajiri. (B) I was born and raised in an ancestor worshipping family in Okinawa, Japan. None of my family members or relatives was Christian. According to our

customs, I was taught to respect elders and worship ancestor spirits certain times of the year. We all came together and worshiped our ancestors in front of the family alter. We all believed that our ancestors would protect and give us happiness and prosperity. At that time, my father had his own successful business, but as the business expanded he became addicted to alcohol. My family suffered from his drinking problem. Because of the domestic violence, we were living in fear. My mother often went to Yuta, (C) who is a spiritual medium and tried to solve our problems by praying at different locations. However, our family situation did not get better; in fact, it just got worse. I had been told to believe in ancestors, but I experienced that belief did not bring any solutions. We were helpless and hopeless. I often thought about committing suicide. After graduating from High School, I went to Tokyo for further education and to learn English. Because it was my first time being away from home, I expected a total change in my life. That change did not satisfy me and I felt empty and that something was missing. One day, a lady came to my apartment and shared about the bible. I was searching for something to believe in so I did not hesitate to follow her. I attended some seminars and joined their group which was the Unification Church. They teach that Rev. Moon is the savior because Christ failed to bring salvation. Not having any bible knowledge, I thought this teaching was the truth. A few months later, I departed from Japan to England to study English. I left the church also. In London, for three months I went to an English school for foreigners. There I met a Japanese Christian girl who shared that my “religion” was a false teaching. I was shocked, confused, angry and then went through a heavy depression. I started to pray to God every night for six months. “God, are you there? Do you exist? If you really do exist, show me.” This was my simple prayer repeated every day. After six months, I met another Christian lady who was a retired missionary from my same home town, Okinawa. October 13, 1980, the old lady took us to Open House Day at the Bible School where she had graduated. On the way to the Bible School, the lady asked me to read the bible verse John 3:16. At the School, one Japanese missionary lady was waiting for us to show us around. She shared about Jesus immediately when she met us, and told me that He is the only answer for my all problems and if I believe in Him, I would receive eternal life and He would set me free. I opened my heart and accepted Him as my personal Savior. Then she started to pray against the power of Satan for my deliverance. I fainted on the bench

and started to roar several times which was not my voice. My conscious was clear and she rebuked the devil in the name of Jesus. About an hour later, I came back to myself. I was crying and felt I had come back to my real home. Indescribable peace came into my heart and it was overwhelming. That night, I read the bible and found the verse John 8:32, “You will know the truth; the truth will set you free.” Since that day my life totally changed. I was set free from the power of darkness; I found the purpose in my life, my destiny, unconditional love from the Lord and overflowing joy. One year later, the Lord spoke to me from Luke 8:39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” It was hard to make the decision to go home because I knew my home would be full of idol worship and it would be difficult to live as a Christian. The Lord kept speaking about returning to Japan. I obeyed him and made the decision to go home. He promised from the bible “Believe in Jesus Christ. You and your household will be saved.” I went back home and shared the gospel with my family. Two of my sisters accepted Christ, some years later my father, who was an alcoholic, accepted Jesus, as well as my grandparents and aunt.

March 2000 my father passed away. My father’s funeral was the first Christian funeral in my family. It turned out to be almost like a crusade meeting in the church. The small Baptist Church was packed full of people who had never heard about the good news before. A few days later, I saw the vision of my father walking with a new healthy body ― seeing Jesus I shared this vision with my mother who was still worshipping the idol gods. She finally made up her mind to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior because she wanted to go to same destination as my father. All the bible verses which God had given me were fulfilled in my life. He has been faithful to me. His love has never failed. Pray for many other Japanese, as well as all the other more than 450 people groups of Northeast Asia, to experience God’s grace and goodness and to become His followers. Pray as follows: FULFILLMENT Pray for God to show peoples of Northeast Asia that true fulfillment and prosperity in life is found only in Jesus Christ who gives us Life and that more abundantly. FREEDOM FROM FEAR Pray that these peoples, living in fear of spirits and of the future, experience peace, joy and freedom from oppression in Jesus. FALSE TEACHERS Pray for discernment to recognize false teachers and through the Holy Spirit to know the Truth that sets them free. FATHER’S HEART Pray that the Father’s heart of love, acceptance and forgiveness be experienced by every person among these Least-Reached Peoples of Northeast Asia. FAITHFULNESS Pray for new believers to daily experience God’s faithfulness And to be faithful in their walk with Him, letting their light shine before men so they glorify God in heaven.

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