“When are you coming home?” The date was March 11, 2011—the day the disastrous earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. Melanie was teaching an English class in Chiba City when the earthquake began as a slow tremble, quickly gaining in intensity. The following months were a whirlwind, but she still remembers this question being asked of her. It was in that moment she truly understood the depth of calling to serve the Lord in Japan. She had no thought of returning to America. Melanie felt strongly that God had called her to be in Japan at that exact moment and there was still work to be done.

Melanie grew up in a Christian home in northern Virginia and—for reasons unknown to her at the time—God placed a love for Japan on her heart at a young age. That led to serving with MTW twice as an intern in an international Christian school in Chiba, which sparked the desire to serve again with the Chiba team. Melanie is excited to continue His work in Japan, where less than 1 percent of the population professes Christianity. Please pray for the Japanese people and for Melanie as she seeks to glorify our Creator in winning hearts for Him.