Guest post by Carolyn Brannen

In our ministry with International Students, Inc. I sometimes traveled with Dan as he visited returnees whom we had served during their student years in Seattle. Several years ago we learned Japan was recruiting international students to study in Japanese universities. 

When the possibility arose of our moving to Tokyo for two years to train and encourage Japanese Christians to befriend these students, Dan—a missionary kid who grew up in Japan— was ready to go! I, however, had a few questions:

  1. Is this God’s will? How can I know?
  2. What will I do?  I was 65 years old and didn’t speak the language.
  3. I was willing to go but I didn’t want to. 
  4. How could we afford to live in Tokyo, the most expensive city in the world?
  5. What about our house? What would happen to it and the students who lived there with us?

In 2010 we took a scouting trip to Japan. We stayed at the guest house run by The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM), the mission agency that Dan’s family had been with. We were very encouraged by our meetings, seminars, and conversations with Christians in Tokyo, but I still wondered if it was God’s will for us to move to Japan. 

On our last day in Tokyo one of our colleagues asked the hostess about her job. I didn’t think anything of her answer as I listened to her. We were asked to take our linens to the 3rd floor laundry room, and as I was on my way upstairs, loaded down, I felt a “Presence” come over me and a very strong thought came into my mind: “This is your job.”  I saw myself being hostess at the guest house. Aloud I said, “I can do that!” Was that God? I hurried to tell Dan.

 We met later with TEAM’s leaders.  We didn’t tell them my experience on the stairs, but we did ask about the host position. They said it was filled for the next three months, after which a couple would come for one year. Perhaps I hadn’t understood what happened. We returned home, waiting and praying.

 Two weeks later we received an email from TEAM. Their hosts for the one-year stay had dropped out. Were we interested? 

From that moment on my heart and desires began to change, and excitement began to grow. I knew this was God’s will. He had given me work for which I had gifts and experience. And I didn’t need to learn Japanese!  Through friends and our support team, he provided all our finances within six months. One day our daughter and son-in-law came over. They had been thinking about our future retirement and need for a smaller place.  Would we be interested in trading houses with them?  One by one God took care of each of my concerns.

In April 2011, God sent us off on one of the best experiences of my life. What started out as a two-year assignment extended to just short of six years. What an amazing God we have. He knew my fears and heard my prayers, reminding me once again that he is able to do far more than I could ask or think. Whenever I remember that amazing time in Japan, I can’t help but give the Lord my thanks and praise. All glory, honor and praise belong to Him!

I am delighted to present today’s guest blogger,  my friend Carolyn Brannen. She and her husband Dan have been ministering to international students for nearly 40 years, and I was privileged to serve alongside them for five years. They are some of the most authentic, gracious people I know. Scores of people around the world have heard of Jesus’ love through the Brannen’s ministry.