ANNIE RICHARDSON

I am a work in progress as I have not "yet arrived" and when I consider my life I wonder that He has called me at all - to serve in Japan at such a time as this?

Leaving my city of Philadelphia has taken 11 years and in that time my dear husband went on to glory, my daughter and son married and I now have two sweet grandsons. I've bought and sold 2 homes; I've worked several jobs, graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University and was very involved in the life of my church and community. Nevertheless, leaving the familiar comforts for the unfamiliar had been my quest - I can thank God for compelling me and thank Him for giving me the gumption to "GO". "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28. This is a promise that God keeps and even though I've left my beautiful grandchild, my darling daughter and my truly filial son - and the sweet fellowship of so many like-minded believers back in Philadelphia - I have come with gladness. "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" Acts 26:19

Ever since I can remember, even as a little child, I had a deep longing to know the purpose for my life. I would stay awake at night with such desperate thoughts and was intensely lonely. I had no one to talk to about this as my parents were unbelievers (and still are - please pray). This thought frightened me but I learned to shove it in the back of my mind and continued growing up lost and confused and becoming rather worldly.

My husband and I were young parents when I responded to God's call and heard answers that I had longed for all my life; and so it is that the great hand of God compelled me to hear his word: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). A house painter was making the rounds in our neighborhood and came to our house and as we needed the house painted we hired him. He came with his paint brush in one hand and the Bible in the other preaching the message of salvation in Jesus alone, the true Christ. Even though I was raised to laugh at Christians, I was stunned and transformed by this message. I had run with the world for a long time and had a very dramatic change of heart - I had never been in a church before but I know, without a shadow of doubt, that it was God who called me and I am so grateful that I responded! Christ "who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3) He has given me a life worth living. I will continue on this great adventure and attempt to share this joy with those I meet here in Japan. I am currently working in the Japan Mission office as an Administrative Assitant. Please pray that I would be effective in helping to further the cause of Christ here.


Annie Richardson

Contact Annie Richardson by e-mail at: jm@japanmission.org (please insert her name in the subject line to ensure they receive the e-mail)