It was the phone call Stephen had been waiting for. Pastor Suzuki, a partner in the tsunami relief effort, was on the other end of the line.

Originally from Watanoha, a neighbourhood in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi prefecture, Pastor Suzuki knew that when the tsunami struck, this was where he wanted to focus his relief work. Not only had most of his old friends and neighbours lost their homes, family members and friends, but he also knew there had never been a church in Watanoha.

Since starting the relief effort, the OM team and Pastor Suzuki have dreamed, laboured and prayed for the beginnings of a church in Watanoha.

On the phone that morning, Pastor Suzuki gave Stephen the good news. A woman whom Pastor Suzuki had helped after her home was damaged had made the decision to receive Jesus as her Lord and Saviour.

Stephen, Pastor Suzuki and a group of South African volunteers visited the woman. “What a wonderful joy to see the peace and joy on her face as we read the Bible, shared some testimonies and prayed together,” said Stephen. “She told us how the lives and attitudes of the volunteers working in her house made a big impression on her, and she wanted to have what they had.”

The woman’s daughter has even noticed that her mother is happier since she came to the Lord. Moreover, she has already started sharing her faith with her friends. She told the group that when she was a Buddhist, she did not share her faith, but now that she has peace from God, she cannot keep it to herself.

“We know God has done an amazing work of grace in her life, and that this is only the first fruit of many who will become part of the Watanoha Church,” said Stephen. “Thank you for all your prayers, interest and support with the relief work. We are truly serving a great and wonderful God!”