Three changed lives in Japan
‘Free prayer’ and freedom in Christ
SEND worker Kevin Cochrane and another missionary stood in downtown Tokyo, holding up a sign that said “free prayer.” They had many conversations and prayed for several people. One man, Ryo, struck up a conversation, and after they talked for a few hours, he prayed to receive Christ! He left asking to know more and to learn how to study the Bible. Kevin’s friend is following up with him.
Kevin and others taken to the streets of Tokyo for this outreach several times now. Recently, they were able to pray for a Muslim man from Indonesia. Also through this ministry, some Japanese people have experienced a hug for the first time, including a 35-year-old man who stopped by the group a few weeks ago.
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Bought with a price
Hui was the second child in her family. In her country, that meant her father had to pay $130 to make her birth legal.
Hui had a sister who became deathly ill. Her parents called the village elder who happened to be a follower of Jesus. The elder prayed, and the sister was healed. As a result, Hui’s mother and grandmother became believers.
But Hui herself was still convinced by evolution, and was not a believer. Then God sent her to Japan, of all places — a country of 127 million people, of which fewer than 1 percent are evangelical Christians.
In Tokyo, which boasts a daytime population of 35 million, she somehow found her way to Carol Suzuki’s English Bible class for Japanese moms. With the help of some friends who speak her language, Hui accepted Jesus as her Savior. She is one who understands what it means to be bought with a price.
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The joy of humble service
Nobumi serves on the staff at Okutama Bible Chalet. The Lord has used his experiences at camp to change his heart. Here’s his story:
“My father led me to Christ when I was 6 years old. I am glad that I came to Christ early in life, but I actually thought I was an ‘elite’ Christian. Then, some of my younger Christian friends decided to serve at camp for a summer. I was shocked because I thought I was more qualified.
“That summer was awful. When I returned home, my father advised me, ‘Serve as if you are washing Jesus’ back.’ (This is a customary way of showing affection and respect to your father in traditional Japanese-style baths.)
“I realized that all I had been aware of during my service was the dirty things and smelly things — like the toilets — at camp.
“So, I served again the next summer. Looking to God and working together with the other summer workers was a joy that summer. It was by God’s strength, not mine.
“I still make lots of mistakes. However, when I humble myself before God, He teaches me what not to do and how to walk in a good way. When I look back, I think of how proud I was, but I also cannot stop giving thanks for the grace of God in my life.”
Get involved: Okutama Bible Chalet is recruiting for open camp worker positions. Click here to explore the opportunities.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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