While my husband and I were staying in Omaha, Nebraska, for a Christian conference in October 2021, God gave me the spark that inspired me to write and illustrate my first book. I had connected with a missionary, Kristin Nakamura, whom I met through the "Reaching Japanese for Christ Network's" Facebook page. Kristin was asking if anyone would be able to create some original artwork that they could display in their new church building, located in Hirakawa, Aomori, Japan. I immediately sat down and painted a picture. While Kristin liked the painting, there was concern that some Japanese people may misunderstand the meaning behind the painting. This prompted me to write a story about how a young Japanese girl goes from Shintoism to believing in Jesus as her Savior. I also decided to share part of my own life story through the fictional character of Kiyomi's mom. This story is a testimony of how God shows us the path to Him. It starts off for Kiyomi as a typical Japanese child, who loves her family and her culture. God uses the brokenness of this world and her own faults to show her a new, narrow path, which leads her to the One who truly loves her. It is a story of healing and redemption. I pray that He will reveal Himself to you and your family as you read this story.
