Dear Friends and Family,
I am excited to share an incredible opportunity that the Lord has opened up for me this fall. From September 2 through November 30, 2026, I will be serving in Hirosaki, a small rural city in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Surrounded by mountains and renowned for its tranquil countryside, Hirosaki is a beautiful yet spiritually underserved region. I will be interning under Martin and Ruth Ghent, missionaries who have faithfully served with Overseas Missionary Fellowship for over 40 years. Their experience and heart for the Japanese people make this a unique opportunity for growth, learning, and ministry. I am excited to be interning with and learning from the Ghents. I will be helping out in the local church, participating in English and hobby classes, working on the church’s garden, and taking Japanese language classes twice a week.
Over the past two years, I have developed a deep interest in Japanese culture and the people of Japan. Through my classes at Hobe Sound Bible College, I have continued to explore this interest in classes like Cultural Anthropology and World Religions. In Cultural Anthropology, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with four young Japanese Christians, most of whom are first-generation Christians. Hearing their stories furthered my interest and desire to visit Japan and explore ministry opportunities there. Of the 123 million people in the country, less than 2% identify as Christian. In the Tohoku region, that percentage is even lower due to rural demographics and fewer churches. This internship will allow me to explore what ministry and daily life look like in northern Japan while discerning how God may continue to lead in the future.
As I begin this journey and take this new step, I ask for your prayers. God has opened many doors for this opportunity, and while He has been working in my life over the past two years, I know this is only the beginning. I am stepping into a region and culture that are entirely new to me, and I covet your prayers as I navigate a new language, culture, and country.
Sincerely, Kaylee Peterson
