Written by Shannon Little, IM Missionary to Japan
“I’m not ready to raise my hand all the way, but I can raise it halfway,” was the response from the “Rose Lady” after she heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. She had studied English with me for years and had heard the Gospel several times, but after hosting a high school student in her home, she attended her first worship service to hear the students sing their songs and perform their mime. At the end of the message, Heath Hubbard, another IM missionary in Japan, asked the audience to raise their hand if they wanted to follow Jesus. While she wasn’t ready to raise her hand all the way, the Rose Lady raised her hand halfway.
From that time on, she not only studied English with me, but she also previously studied the Bible with Ruth McDonald, a former IM missionary in Japan. As a botanist, the Rose Lady had many questions about creation and struggled to accept the truth that was so very different from what she had been taught her entire life. As the years passed, her countenance and attitudes started to change. She became more gracious and smiled more often but still wasn’t ready to take the final step.
After returning from a year of furlough, I looked forward to seeing the Rose Lady again. As I got off the elevator at the church, she met me with a huge smile on her face. “I’m able to raise my hand all the way!” I can’t imagine a better welcome than that! The Rose Lady had accepted Christ as her Savior and was preparing for baptism!
Because the Rose Lady’s family had concerns about her new faith in Christ, she delayed her baptism. But this didn’t stop her from studying God’s Word and growing in her faith. She attended worship services, Bible studies, and English classes.
Finally, after several years, her family noticed the changes in her and realized that being a Christian was having a positive impact on the Rose Lady! She was baptized with the blessing (but not the attendance) of her family.
Fast forward several years and the Rose Lady is flourishing! Her faith is strong, and she is quick to share her faith with anyone who will listen.
This past summer, on a hot July day, I stood in approximately the same place that the Rose Lady stood when she raised her hand halfway. The room was dark as a group of kids settled down to watch the video introducing the VBS theme of the day. As the screen lit up, I immediately recognized the Rose Lady’s beautiful garden. Then her beautiful face appeared as she cut flowers from her garden and expertly arranged them while explaining that “Each flower, while different, was created by God. They may bloom at different times and are different colors and shapes, but they are all individually created by God. Just like all of us!” The children had no idea why tears were filling my eyes, but witnessing this full-circle moment is a memory I will never forget.