Confirmations

Shortly after God called our family to Japan, He began confirming His calling in remarkable ways. One day, while cleaning out my closet, I stumbled upon two sweatshirts my brother gifted me years ago, featuring Japanese writing on the back. It was unexpected, but it felt like a gentle nudge from above. Later that week, during an internship for my master’s program, I overheard a group of teachers excitedly discussing a former student who had decided to take a gap year to teach English in Japan. About a month later, a mentor shared that her daughter was planning a mission trip to Japan that summer. These are just a few of the many confirmations we have received, but the most profound moment came as a song.

One day, the lyrics of a Japanese folk song I learned in first grade came rushing back. Our class had sung it to celebrate the 1998 Winter Olympic Games held in Nagano, Japan. The song beautifully captures the essence of the cherry blossoms for which Japan is famous. It had been nearly 30 years since I had thought about that song, yet I found myself able to sing it again:

Sakura, Sakura
Noyama mo sato mo
Mi-watasu kagiri
Kasumi ka kumo ka
Asahi ni niou
Sakura, sakura
Hana zakari

_Cherry blossoms, Cherry blossoms
In fields, mountains and villages
As far as the eye can see.
Is it mist or clouds?
Fragrant in the rising sun.
Cherry blossoms, Cherry blossoms
Flowers in full bloom._

I’m not the only one in our family who has felt this divine confirmation. Kwan has started encountering Japanese people everywhere he goes, which is remarkable given that we live in a small rural town in Minnesota. Our oldest daughter, Nicolle, has also experienced a confirmation. While praying before bed one night, she heard a voice say, “You’ll be a missionary one day in Japan.”

God has called we Kitchings to Japan, and we are sure of this because He has confirmed it in multiple ways. As we prepare to move to Nihon (Japan), we ask that you prayerfully consider joining our support team.

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