Finding a place to live in Japan became a journey of prayer, patience and surrender. For two weeks, my family and I searched tirelessly—north, south, east and west of the city. We prayed for a home where we could plant roots, welcome neighbors, and share Christ’s love. One house in particular drew our attention. The living room was large enough to host gatherings and Bible studies. Outside, children played joyfully, their laughter echoing down the quiet street. As we stood outside, two neighborhood families approached us. They smiled and said, “Please wait a moment,” then disappeared.
A few minutes later, they returned—carrying a cat. But not just any cat—a hairless cat, unlike anything we had ever seen. Its appearance startled us. The neighbors held it out proudly and said, “We hope you will come to live here.” Then they turned and left, cat in hand, as suddenly as they had come.
We stood in silence, struck by the strangeness and beauty of the moment. It felt as though God had given us a sign through something so unexpected. That hairless cat—so unusual, so different—reflected exactly how we felt: out of place, foreign, yet seen, chosen by God and placed here with divine purpose.
That evening, we spread out a map of the area. The house was surrounded by temples—and even a fortress. Not small shrines, but major temples that spoke of deep spiritual history and tradition. As we looked, the truth settled in our hearts: God had placed us amidst strongholds—physical and spiritual.
God does not always call us to the comfortable or familiar. Sometimes, He leads us straight into the center of spiritual fortresses, where His light can shine the brightest.
So we prayed: “Lord, You have placed us here—surrounded by temples and walls of tradition. Help us to stand firm. Protect us, anoint us and use us for Your glory.”
That night, peace filled our hearts. We may have been strangers, but we were not alone. The same God who sent us across the ocean was already at work, preparing hearts and making a way.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
