eminder of who we are and our calling. For our family, our calling is to take the gospel to the people of Japan. Since accepting this call over a year ago, we have been preparing. We have sold our home and consolidated our belongings, and our search for ministry partners has taken us across the country. Meanwhile, God has consistently provided gentle reminders that He will complete what He has started and send us to Japan.

This past Tuesday, while I was buying groceries, the first person I encountered was Japanese. As I was leaving the store after making my purchase, I saw two more Japanese people near the exit. While walking back to my car, I noticed a vehicle with cherry blossom decals parked next to mine. After I got into my car, the person pulling into the parking space in front of me was also Japanese.

One might argue that these instances are merely coincidental, but I live in a small town in Minnesota, where encountering a Japanese person is quite rare—if not nearly unthinkable. Yet God sent four Japanese individuals my way in one hour to say, “Yes, you and your family are still going to Japan.” The car with the cherry blossom decals was the cherry on top. Cherry blossoms are widely recognized as a symbol of Japan. What are the odds of a car with cherry blossoms being parked next to a future missionary to Japan? Still, God orchestrated it anyway to encourage my family and me.

I am encouraged and privileged to serve a God who delights in revealing gentle reminders in miraculous ways. May God bless each of you for your prayers and financial support. If you have not done so, please prayerfully consider becoming a monthly donor and helping the gospel branch throughout Japan.

• Twitter