The Evangel University choir came to minister this year at the International Church of Rome. When Pastor Bob Rose of AGWM thanked the choir, for some reason he also asked his wife, Lynne, to thank the group in Japanese. Afterward, an Italian university student asked if Lynne could meet with his Japanese teacher, Akiko, whom he sensed was unhappy. This would just be an introduction that could possibly develop into a friendship and at some point, Lynne might be able to witness to this lady of Christ’s love and offer of salvation. At first, the meeting was a little stilted, but then Bob began to tell the story of Lynne’s mother, the daughter of a Japanese Buddhist priest and how she became a Christian. Akiko began to ask questions so Lynne shared how her mother had grown up in the temple but had not found peace. When her mother left home to go to the university, she began to search for truth. One day, she met an American (Lynne’s father) who led her to the Lord. Lynne told Akiko that later she herself went to Japan as a missionary and visited her Buddhist priest grandfather many times and that her uncle, who was also a Buddhist priest, was almost persuaded to come to Christ. He would weep under the conviction of the Holy Spirit but felt he could not convert in order to protect his son’s future in Buddhism. When Lynne’s grandfather died, her uncle asked her to give a speech in Japanese at the funeral and then pray in English.

Akiko was very surprised because this request was very unusual in Japan. Lynne had given the speech and prayed in front of 500 Buddhist adherents and priests. As she prayed, she heard movement in the crowd; thinking she had made an error in her speech and people were laughing, she simply continued to pray. When she finished, she discovered that the Japanese congregation was openly weeping and her uncle was sobbing. That evening at dinner, her uncle said to her, “The funeral was recorded and I have watched it 3 times today; every time you begin to pray, I weep…why?” She told her uncle that it was not her but the Holy Spirit who had touched his heart.

When Lynne said these words, Akiko became fidgety. The Roses soon realized she was struggling not to cry. Finally tears began to flow down her cheeks. Lynne continued to tell the story of how the Holy Spirit dealt with her uncle and many of the people temple that day. As Akiko listened, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit came down in such a powerful yet gentle way! Lynne asked Akiko if she would like to invite Jesus into her heart. There in the largest and busiest train station in Italy, Akiko immediately agreed and as they prayed together, the Holy Spirit touched her heart over and over again. What started out as a casual meeting became a divine appointment as God’s truth became a reality and His great plan for Akiko’s life unfolded!

The Evangel University choir came to minister this year at the International Church of Rome.   When Pastor Bob Rose of AGWM thanked the choir, for some reason he also asked his wife, Lynne, to thank the group in Japanese. Afterward, an Italian university student asked if Lynne could meet with his Japanese teacher, Akiko, whom he sensed was unhappy. This would just be an introduction that could possibly develop into a friendship and at some point, Lynne might be able to witness to this lady of Christ’s love and offer of salvation.  

At first, the meeting was a little stilted, but then Bob began to tell the story of Lynne’s mother, the daughter of a Japanese Buddhist priest and how she became a Christian. Akiko began to ask questions so Lynne shared how her mother had grown up in the temple but had not found peace. When her mother left home to go to the university, she began to search for truth. One day, she met an American (Lynne’s father) who led her to the Lord. Lynne told Akiko that later she herself went to Japan as a missionary and visited her Buddhist priest grandfather many times and that her uncle, who was also a Buddhist priest, was almost persuaded to come to Christ. He would weep under the conviction of the Holy Spirit but felt he could not convert in order to protect his son’s future in Buddhism. When Lynne’s grandfather died, her uncle asked her to give a speech in Japanese at the funeral and then pray in English.  

Akiko was very surprised because this request was very unusual in Japan. Lynne had given the speech and prayed in front of 500 Buddhist adherents and priests. As she prayed, she heard movement in the crowd; thinking she had made an error in her speech and people were laughing, she simply continued to pray. When she finished, she discovered that the Japanese congregation was openly weeping and her uncle was sobbing. That evening at dinner, her uncle said to her, “The funeral was recorded and I have watched it 3 times today; every time you begin to pray, I weep…why?” She told her uncle that it was not her but the Holy Spirit who had touched his heart.  

When Lynne said these words, Akiko became fidgety.  The Roses soon realized she was struggling not to cry. Finally tears began to flow down her cheeks. Lynne continued to tell the story of how the Holy Spirit dealt with her uncle and many of the people temple that day. As Akiko listened, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit came down in such a powerful yet gentle way! Lynne asked Akiko if she would like to invite Jesus into her heart. There in the largest and busiest train station in Italy, Akiko immediately agreed and as they prayed together, the Holy Spirit touched her heart over and over again.  What started out as a casual meeting became a divine appointment as God’s truth became a reality and His great plan for Akiko’s life unfolded!