I had my furlough back in Japan this year, during which time I have been trying to meet as many people as I can, sharing about my work as a missionary in Mongolia.
I have been involved with the WEC churches in Japan for 33 years. My home church is in Rakusei, Kyoto. Before I went to Mongolia, I was a Sunday school teacher there, a
deacon, and a leader of a women's group.
I decided to become a missionary while I was at Bible seminary in the U.S. During a mission conference, Genesis 12:1-3 spoke to me: The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you…"
Becoming a missionary was a big practical transition from my previous lifestyle, but spiritually I just fol-lowed God's calling obediently, so it wasn’t such a dramatic change.
I have been in Mongolia now for 3 years, including 2 years of language study. Mongolia is four times big-ger than Japan, but the population density is low: almost the same as Kyoto! It was the second country to become socialist, from 1921-1990. My church in Ulanbataatar, the capi-tal city, was established in 1994.
There are now over 260 churches in the city, and another 250 all around the country. Korean church-planting missionaries have played a large role.
I have noticed many differences between Mongolian people and the Japanese! For example, whereas Japanese people tend to be very or-ganized and punctual, Mongolians are the opposite! The climate is also harsher here. So far my work has included helping the house church ministry, training the members of house church, helping with kids in the church school, and teaching Japanese at the university.
God willing, I plan to work in Mongolia for four more years.
To read Keiko’s testimony, see http://www.wec-japan.org/en/content/it-was-first-time-me-listen-gospel