Deaconess Sasaki Kozue, 39, Tokyo Manmin Church, Japan

I was born into a Christian family and attended church, but I was just a churchgoer. I went to church two to three times a year saying the church was too far. Since the pastor said nothing to me, I did not know it was wrong. I also neither read the Bible nor prayed. But I thought I would go to heaven for sure and even taught the Bible to some kindergarten children.

At this same time my mother, Deaconess Dakagi Hatsue talked about Manmin Central Church and said many works of God occur in the church. And in January 2010, I began to attend Tokyo Manmin Church.

While listening to Dr. Jaerock Lee's sermons, I realized I had been wrong about a believing life. I learned I should keep the Lord's Day and give a proper tithe to receive salvation. After the realization, my Christian life totally changed. I began to go to church every Sunday and pray hard. As I did so, I received many answers and blessings through Dr. Lee's prayer for the sick and the handkerchief prayer.

After I delivered my first daughter I started to have backaches, but after I received the prayer of the handkerchief on which Dr. Lee had prayed, I was healed of it. Also, when I wanted a second child but could not, I received the handkerchief prayer and received the blessing of conception (Acts 19:11-12).

My husband also passed a very difficult test for promotion on his first try, and he was healed of a wrist fracture and arm eczema. My children were also healed of scars and colds. My mother had spiritual thirst though she had attended church for more than 40 years, but she said all her questions on Christian belief were answered in Manmin and her spiritual eyes opened. When she and I talked about faith, she often expressed her happiness and said it was a great blessing for us to come to Manmin.

My mother now monitors the simultaneous Japanese interpretation during worship services and edits other translation work of the church. I play the piano during worship services and this year I became a guidance teacher of Young Adults' Mission. My children grew up well in the truth and now volunteer to sing on a praise team.

I give all thanks and glory to God who guided us to this church that provides spiritual life for us and allowed us to experience His power. I also extend my thanks to Senior Pastor who taught my family and me how to march towards New Jerusalem with hope for heavenly rewards.