1 00:00:04,462 --> 00:00:09,634 My parents got divorced before I was old enough to really understand 2 00:00:09,634 --> 00:00:13,513 I guess it was because of my mom's illness 3 00:00:13,763 --> 00:00:15,849 and because she didn't have the strength to raise us 4 00:00:16,891 --> 00:00:21,771 My father tried to raise us but it didn’t work 5 00:00:22,021 --> 00:00:25,233 as he was an alcoholic and often drunk 6 00:00:27,068 --> 00:00:30,572 When I was 10 my sister and I were taken to an orphanage in Naha 7 00:00:31,072 --> 00:00:33,908 We moved to 5 different places as I grew up 8 00:00:35,618 --> 00:00:40,707 Okinawa has its own religion called “To-To-Me" 9 00:00:41,875 --> 00:00:46,337 My house always had a family Buddhist altar 10 00:00:48,256 --> 00:00:51,259 Sometimes relatives came to our house to bow down 11 00:00:51,259 --> 00:00:53,928 but I never thought seriously about religion 12 00:00:55,305 --> 00:00:59,058 After being in an orphanage for 2 years 13 00:00:59,976 --> 00:01:01,686 my teacher told me one day 14 00:01:01,686 --> 00:01:04,397 “Hey, do you want to stay in a foster parent’s house for a week?” 15 00:01:04,647 --> 00:01:05,815 My reaction was "YES!” 16 00:01:05,815 --> 00:01:07,108 It sounded exciting! 17 00:01:07,108 --> 00:01:08,902 I stayed in the foster parent’s house and enjoyed it 18 00:01:09,569 --> 00:01:12,197 One Sunday, the parents asked 19 00:01:12,197 --> 00:01:15,325 “We’re going to Church, do you want to come with us?” 20 00:01:15,617 --> 00:01:18,828 It was my first time in a church and hearing about 21 00:01:18,828 --> 00:01:21,706 God, Jesus and Christianity 22 00:01:24,125 --> 00:01:28,296 But, I didn’t understand that I was a sinner 23 00:01:29,672 --> 00:01:33,343 and that Jesus died for my sins 24 00:01:36,012 --> 00:01:39,432 As I continued to attend church 25 00:01:40,517 --> 00:01:43,561 I discovered that God exists and loves me 26 00:01:44,771 --> 00:01:49,943 Before that, I didn’t feel actual love from my birth parents 27 00:01:49,943 --> 00:01:54,072 I was finally convinced that unconditional love 28 00:01:54,072 --> 00:01:57,534 was what I had been seeking for all my life 29 00:01:59,410 --> 00:02:02,455 After I accepted Jesus 30 00:02:02,455 --> 00:02:05,583 I got a passion for knowing more about God 31 00:02:05,583 --> 00:02:07,585 and started reading the Bible 32 00:02:09,462 --> 00:02:14,175 I discovered that God gave me gifts 33 00:02:14,175 --> 00:02:17,595 to bless others and Him with 34 00:02:19,013 --> 00:02:22,976 I learned to play guitar and can do English interpretation 35 00:02:25,019 --> 00:02:30,150 I now use these gifts very often for His glory! 36 00:02:31,609 --> 00:02:35,029 God has a purpose for each one of us 37 00:02:36,447 --> 00:02:42,036 and life is so meaningful once we realize this and walk with Him 38 00:02:43,454 --> 00:02:47,167 When I was a high school student I was curious to know 39 00:02:47,167 --> 00:02:49,711 how long it would take to ride my bike to church 40 00:02:51,004 --> 00:02:55,216 I went by bike a few times and also on foot one time 41 00:02:55,967 --> 00:02:57,969 It takes 4 hours on foot 42 00:02:57,969 --> 00:03:00,138 but only 1 hour on my bike 43 00:03:02,098 --> 00:03:04,726 Meeting God in my life 44 00:03:04,726 --> 00:03:09,188 I am truly grateful to have received the good news of Jesus 45 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:16,571 Oh good morning! 46 00:03:16,863 --> 00:03:17,780 Good morning! 47 00:03:22,410 --> 00:03:23,453 Come do you part 48 00:03:25,580 --> 00:03:27,707 What! You came by bicycle? 49 00:03:27,790 --> 00:03:29,959 Ah yes, it brings back good memories! 50 00:03:29,959 --> 00:03:31,085 That's good