Our sweet Japanese exchange student (daughter) arrived Wedsday night. She is as cute as she can be. She’s so tiny you can put her in your pocket. Hitomi has a wonderful personality as well. We love her already. It’s fun to watch her experience America. She gets so excited over EVERYTHING! Yesterday, she rode her first go-cart. With every turn and twist she squeeled with excitement. I hope to have some pictures that I can share with you soon.
When you ask what her opionon of America is so far, she responds, “Big!” Everything is big—the food, the houses, the yards, the stores—everything. It’s definetly a new adventure for her. It is for us too. We are leaning to eat a lot more rice and a lot more fish. Hitomi is learning to eat PB & J sandwhiches and pizza.
Our family is also learning a lot about Japanese culture. Hitomi’s Island, Ishigaki, floats on the southern sea in Japan. While Japan has four season’s like America, Ishigaki is warm all year long. We’re hoping for snow this year in Tennessee. Hitomi has only seen snow twice in her life. She’s never had the opportunity to go sledding or play in the snow.
Ishigaki Island is made up of mostly unbelievers. According to Hitomi, only 10% of the population is Christian. Hitomi is very interested in learning about Christianity. Her Japanese mother met her American father while he was stationed in Japan. They fell in love and married. Hitomi’s father went to church on the military base every Sunday. One day, Hitomi asked her father if she could attend church with him. From that day forward, they began worshiping together. Then, tragedy struck. Her father got cancer and died. Since Hitomi’s mother didn’t have a military ID, she couldn’t take Hitomi to church any longer. Over the past ten years, Hitomi has forgotten her father’s faith. Her desire for coming to America is to learn, again, about her father’s religion.
Humm…. It seems to me that God has a plan.
I find it very interesting that my daughter, Peyton, has a unique love for the Asian people. She is why we have connected with Hitomi. And Hitomi has a unique interest in our faith. Wouldn’t it be awesome if God allowed us to join Him a work, and Hitomi comes to know her father’s God and takes her faith back home to Japan?!!! Can you imagine??!!
As cool as that is God has something way bigger in mind. He always does. I recall Isaiah’s words… “Our thoughts are not His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. For His thoughts and His ways are much higher than ours.”
Micca Campbell–Helping Women Live Carefree in God’s Care
Rachel Olsen says
This is so awesome, Micca!! Yes, I do believe God has a plan. Can't wait to hear more stories!! And pics, I want to see her!
🙂
Misty Cross says
we recently got two foreign students, one from Taiwan, the other from China. Their word for America is 'JUMBO', similar to your Hitomi. Our boys have never attended a church before and both loved our high school program at our church. I too am waiting to see what God has in store…though already they are a great blessing on our family, as I pray we are to them.
Wendy Blight says
Micca,
I too cannot wait for God's plan to unfold. You are going to have incredible stories to tell as you share life with Hitomi. And Peyton…how I wonder what amazing blessings God has in store for her since He is beginning to already use her for His Kingdom purposes at such a young age.
Hitomi is so very blessed to be part of the Campbell family. Praying BIG and POWERFUL things for your family as you journey this road with Hitomi.
Love you,
Wendy