Joanna's Story

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6

When Joanna Chapa of Tabor College went to Toyota City, Japan for three-and-a-half months of service with MB Mission’s TREK program, she knew that she would probably be speaking a lot of English. But the last thing that she expected was the opportunity to put her Spanish language skills to use. This unique experience, however, is one that God used to reveal His love and faithfulness.

Things were winding down after worship rehearsal and Joanna was waiting for the service to begin when one of the ladies from the church, Kisuna-san, ran into the sanctuary and started calling for her. Joanna made her way to the back of the church where she was met with a lady and two children who were “clearly not Japanese.”

Kisuna-san determined that the lady spoke Spanish and asked Joanna, who is fluent in the language, to translate for the lady, Karina, who understood neither English nor Japanese. Karina was from Peru and had been in Japan illegally for 14 years. Her husband, Carlos, had been taken by immigration and she had come to the church hoping that the congregation could help her.

After this short introduction Karina and her two children joined Joanna for the church service. Partway through Joanna motioned to Karina for them to step outside and chat – Karina couldn’t understand the sermon anyway! It was during that divine conversation that Joanna learned the depth of the struggles that Karina and her family were facing. She came to church not only seeking help for their situation, but also seeking God in the midst of the storm. Her encounter with Joanna – someone with whom she could pour out her soul – gave Karina the faith to believe that God was in control and He would rescue her if she called out to Him. Though she was not a believer, she was very aware that God orchestrated her meeting with Joanna to show His power and bring her hope.

On Wednesday, three days after Karina and Joanna met at church, Joanna found out that Carlos had been released by the immigration officials! The following week Karina returned to church with her husband, where he shared a testimony with the church about the many twists and turns his life had taken.

Joanna didn’t see the Peruvians the final two Sundays before heading back to North America. Though she wonders what happened to the family, Joanna has learned to surrender them to God and trust that He will continue to carry out what he started in Karina and Carlos’ lives. Join with Joanna in praying that God will transform Karina, her husband, and their two children, finishing the story that He’s been writing in their hearts even before that day.