After meeting in 2012 in Nagoya, Jamison and I kept in regular contact as they processed the possibility of moving to Japan and also offere encouragement to my family while serving in Japan. This email of his captures what so many have said of his character and faith and was one highlight of our exchanges. We just got done discussing where they could serve in Japan, he wrote (in November 2013):

“All that to say it sounds like CBI could be a better fit for us.

Wherever we end up, we really want to be a part of making Jesus famous in Japan. It’s an awesome thing to proclaim the gospel in a place where it’s little heard or known. I’m reading the biography of Adoniram Judson right now–that guy went through raw suffering for Christ in Burma. But, I am amazed at how he embraced it all as necessary for sharing in Christ-likeness and showing the people he served what Christ is like. It doesn’t make suffering go away, but it does give it purpose to know that our suffering is a visible demonstration of what Christ endured for us. In a small (but still significant) way, you show the Japanese what Jesus did to purchase their salvation when you sacrifice being near friends and family for the holidays. That’s a real sacrifice, and I pray that it shows the Japanese that your message is real. We’ll be praying that fruit comes from it over the holidays this year.

Kathryne says hi to Tara. Ezra says gogi gogi gogi to Charlotte. He also says la la la to you.”

Celebrating the whole families victorious gain of being with Christ.