With All My Heart, Wherever I Go and Whomever I Meet

When I first heard the words of the Bible through my uncle in Mongolia, I found them intriguing, yet I did not fully understand their value. Busy with university classes and nursing practicums, I felt overwhelmed and declined his invitation to visit the church. Everything changed, however, when I attended a Bible seminar hosted by the Church of God. From that moment on, my thoughts and attitude toward God’s word were completely transformed, and I began studying the Bible in earnest. I came to realize that the Bible is not a collection of myths or fictional stories, but a record of undeniable truth. As soon as I became convinced that Heavenly Mother is the Savior we must receive, I was blessed with new life. My heart overflowed with joy as I returned home, carrying the promise of salvation.

Afterward, I longed to study God’s word freely and observe His regulations without restraint, yet many challenges stood in my way. Around that time, a turning point came into my life, helping me realize how joyful and meaningful it is to follow God under any circumstances. That turning point was the opportunity to move to Japan, complete my studies, and begin working there. At first, I worried whether I could manage working abroad, learning a new language, adapting to an unfamiliar environment, and maintaining my faith all at once. Yet I believed that if I remained firm in my resolve and steadfast in my faith, I would be able to overcome those challenges. With that conviction, I made the decision to move to Japan.

After arriving in Japan, I discovered that there was no Zion in Toyama, where I had settled. The nearest Zion was in Nagoya, six hours away by car. Because of my work at the hospital, I could visit Nagoya only once a month to keep the Sabbath, offering worship at home on the other weeks. Though I was alone, I was grateful simply to be able to keep the worship services fully. With that gratitude, I resolved to observe the new covenant more faithfully and to share it diligently. Whenever I missed Zion and the members, I found comfort in reading Truth Books and praying to Heavenly Father. After about five years, a pre-branch church was finally established in Toyama last year, and now a small group of us gather consistently to keep the regulations together. Though our number is small, I am filled with joy and gratitude knowing that we are laying the foundation for a temple that will one day stand in Toyama.

Even now, I travel to Nagoya Zion once or twice a month. Since I come from such a long distance, the Zion family always welcomes me all the more warmly. They kindly ask, “Aren’t you tired?” and thoughtfully look after me in many ways. Receiving the abundant love and care of the members, who reflect the heart of Heavenly Mother, my fatigue quickly melts away. Although I feel a slight sadness when leaving Zion to return home, their encouragement lifts my spirit: “Sister, you are not alone. Heavenly Father and Mother are with you. Sister, Ánimo!” Their words strengthen me, and I eagerly look forward to the day we will gather again.

Wanting to share the joy I had received and the good news of salvation with more people, I spoke about the truth whenever I had the opportunity, to colleagues and acquaintances alike. However, with all of us occupied by our responsibilities, it was not easy to continue sharing the truth consistently. One day, the overseer and his wife from Nagoya Zion visited my home. I opened my heart to them and confessed the guilt I felt before God for being unable to participate in Zion gatherings or evangelism as much as I wished. The overseer encouraged me, explaining that what matters most is not the circumstances themselves, but wholeheartedly dedicating oneself to God’s work in any situation. His words helped me renew my faith and planted a clear vision in my heart. Whether the timing seemed favorable or not, I should diligently share the truth with neighbors and acquaintances so that a church could be firmly established in Toyama, where many people could gather to study God’s word and observe His regulations. Even if I could not visit Zion often, I realized that as long as my heart was set on the gospel, there was much I could do anytime and anywhere. I came to understand that the reason I had not poured more of my heart and effort into the gospel was that I lacked a clear vision.

“Surely, there must surely be souls here who are to receive salvation. If I find brothers and sisters one by one and help them establish their faith, we will be able to lead even more people to salvation.”

With that resolve to find members of the heavenly family around me, someone I had first met at a gathering of Mongolians living in Toyama came to mind. I remembered hearing that she attended church. Believing that any soul sincerely seeking God would respond to the truth, I sent her a short video message about the Passover. Before long, I received a reply: “I have something I’d like to ask about the Bible. If you have time, could we meet?” As I read her message, I felt certain that this was a soul longing for God’s word.

Not long afterward, we sat down face to face. After watching an introductory video about the Church of God, she shared that although she had long desired to study the Bible, she had felt contradictions in the doctrines of the denomination she was attending. She said she genuinely wanted to hear the truth. When I opened the Bible and explained about Jesus’ new name, she was moved to tears. Seeing a soul who had been thirsting for the water of life encounter the truth and overflow with joy deeply touched my heart as well.

From that day on, I shared the truth with her step by step. Because I was only available after work, our studies often continued late into the night. Yet as she received the word, sweeter than honey, I hardly felt tired while sharing the message. Through this process, I came to realize even more deeply how true God’s word is and how great the love contained within it truly is. About a month later, when I suggested baptism, she gladly agreed without hesitation. Early on the Sabbath morning, I drove her to Nagoya Zion. After receiving the blessing of new life, she kept the Sabbath with reverence, saying, “Heavenly Father and Mother—and every teaching—are so clear.” Like a child, she rejoiced in having found the truth and received the promise of salvation.

The sister continued to study the Bible and faithfully keep God’s regulations, and her faith grew rapidly. Watching her closely, I came to realize that it was God alone who had led me to her so she could receive the truth, and it was God alone who was nurturing her faith.

Yet the blessings did not end there. When she heard that the members in Toyama were zealously preaching to find our heavenly family, she said she also wanted to take part in the work. After praying to God, she put her resolve into action. She contacted her younger sister, who was still in Mongolia and planning to come to Toyama in the future, and encouraged her to visit the Church of God there. Providentially, there was a Zion near her sister’s home where I knew some members, and I planned to connect them. However, when her sister moved to another neighborhood, our plan seemed to fall through. Then we received unexpected news. Members from a nearby Zion had been preaching in the area where her sister had relocated. They met her, shared the word with her, and she received baptism.

Seeing how the members in Toyama, the newly baptized sister here, and the members in Mongolia who preached to her younger sister were each faithfully fulfilling their roles in their respective places, I could not help but believe that God Himself had brought about this beautiful and providential work. As originally planned, the younger sister later came to Japan and is now part of the Toyama Pre-branch Church. Watching the older sister determine to grow even more in her faith and become a good example for her younger sibling, I resolved that I, too, should strive harder so that I could be a good example to her.

With renewed determination, I shared the gospel with my coworkers whenever I had the opportunity. Among them was a colleague from the Philippines who listened attentively and showed sincere interest. After hearing the truth about God Elohim, the Sabbath, and the Passover, this colleague expressed a desire to receive baptism. The challenge, however, was that our days off rarely aligned, making it difficult to find time to travel to Nagoya Zion. Though several obstacles arose along the way, we held firmly to our initial resolve. In God’s perfect timing, when a short-term mission team from Korea visited Toyama, my colleague was finally able to receive baptism and be born again as a child of God.

The time I spent visiting Korea in the first month of the new year with the Mongolian sister, who is my fruit, now feels like a dream. Heavenly Mother warmly encouraged us, urging us to remain united, to preserve our faith in harmony, and to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the gospel. I engraved Her words deeply upon my heart. Touring the Church of God History Museum also left a profound impression on me. As I retraced the footsteps marked by the sacrifices of Heavenly Father and Mother, my heart ached at the realization that those long years of suffering were borne because of our sins. Once again, I came to understand how deeply Father and Mother love each and every one of Their children, enduring unimaginable pain for our sake.

If we are not to let that love be in vain, we cannot remain content with the faith we have now. For this reason, I am all the more grateful to preach the gospel in Toyama, where the first tender shoots are just beginning to take root. Surely, throughout this city, there are souls who are earnestly seeking God. If I continually renew the vision of finding them, then even in the face of adversity, I will not waver but will steadfastly share God’s love. In the place God has entrusted to me, I will always do my best—faithfully preaching the gospel and loving our heavenly family with all my heart—so that I may become a child who brings joy to Heavenly Father and Mother.