At the holy convocation in Myoko, those of us from Paraguay and Mexico held a separate prayer meeting in Spanish. All the participants were very happy. In Paraguay we had conducted Sunday meetings in Japanese until then; so when I testified, I was surprised that the Spanish poured out of me. I believe God wants us to spread the gospel in Spanish from now on. I felt that He was urging us to open a new era.

From Sorrow to Joy

My mother tongue is Japanese. Our family emigrated from Japan to Paraguay when I was nine years old. Almost sixty years have passed since then. When I was twelve years old, I started to enter the mountains and cut the trees to make wood, which was my family's lumber business. I had no opportunities to study. At times, I held a grudge against my parents, wondering why we had come to this country.

After marrying my wife, we were blessed with a baby girl; but when she was seven years old, she died of pneumonia. While I held our dying daughter in my arms, she said three times, "Papa, I'm sorry." I felt she wanted to apologize to us for dying so young.

Even after forty years, I still cannot forget the sorrow and pain I felt when she died. My wife could not live even a single day without visiting her grave and I became addicted to gambling. But it did not fill the emptiness in my heart.

In the same year, our second daughter was born. When she was two years old, she suffered a severe burn and was in critical condition. It was unbearable to think that I could lose my second daughter too. Back then, my sister went to the Makuya gathering and started praying with her friends for our daughter, where my wife soon joined them.

My job was not going well at that time. I was at a dead end. I thought I had to solve the problem on my own. So I kept working hard without relying on anything or anyone, let alone prayer. At those times, my sister took me to Makuya prayer meetings.

 

I eventually attended the Original Gospel holy convocation in Brazil, where I was unexpectedly overwhelmed by the power of Christ. I cried, "Thank you, God," throughout the entire three-day convocation.
I realized that it was God who had protected and saved me! Since then, I have not gambled.

My Deepest Repentance

Two years after my encounter with Christ, my wife and I decided to move to Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, where the Makuya minister Rev. Isao Numata and his family lived. He spread the gospel fervently while traveling across the vast South American continent. Although we were with the Numatas for five years in Asunción, we did not fully understand their ardent faith.

One day Rev. Numata said,"We are ready to live the rest of our lives in this land." It was around this time that his wife developed breast cancer. I could not understand how he could devote his life to spreading the Original Gospel, in such hardship. I suggested, "Wouldn't it be better for you and your wife to return to Japan so that she can receive treatment there?" Towards the end of their stay in Paraguay, his health deteriorated as well, so they finally returned to Japan.

 

My deepest regret is that I was not able to assist Rev. Numata in his ministry. Now, I wonder what visions and prayers he had for his ministry in South America. I want to carry out Rev. Numata's wishes by following Christ, just as he had devotedly.

At the Forefront of Battle

My family did not achieve great material success as immigrants; however, we are thankful that our immigration to Paraguay led us to encounter Christ. We love this land all the more, because we have gone through many difficulties here. Just thinking of Paraguay, I cannot sit still. It must be the Heavenly will of the Holy Spirit that awakens this passion within me.

During last year's holy convocation, I heard the voice of God: "Tomizo, now you are at the forefront of My battle!" Up until then, I thought it would be difficult to convey in Spanish the Original Gospel that Prof. Teshima had taught. So, I had not talked about my faith with Paraguayans. Now, even with my limited Spanish, I believe God wants me to convey the Original Gospel to them.

Yet I ask myself, will the true Gospel be conveyed to others just because I speak Spanish? The Makuya brothers in South America had learned the faith of the Original Gospel more from Rev. Numata's faithful attitude ― silently bearing all responsibility for the sake of Christ ー rather than by his words.

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Paraguayans are traditionally compassionate people and welcome others with warm hearts. There used to be no quarrels or fights at work; they would help one  another despite their poverty because their mutual bonds were very strong.

 

Recently, however, as the people of Paraguay become prosperous, they seem to have given up their spiritual quality and instead tend to value tangible wealth. However, I believe that Paraguay will be a more blessed country when her people receive the pouring in of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Since the aim of the Original Gospel is to fill people with the Holy Spirit, I want to be used for this mission. This is my sincere prayer.

(August 2014)

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