To those who wish to apply for JLMM missionary

Miss Yuka Kobayashi (1998 Russia)

Where did you hear JLMM's calling you?

The declaration of Samui Island, "Japan Lay Missionary Movement (JLMM) is a movement to pursue and practice the Christian spirit by people who feel being called by God through the activities at the place where they are sent making use of their personal quality and talent, living and praying together with the people there" well expresses the spirit of JLMM.

What kind of feeling did you have when you wanted to be a candidate of JLMM missionary?

I myself got to know about JLMM through the advertisement on The Catholic Week. Though I was attracted by JLMM, I thought that it was a different world to me at that time. After that, I met Sister Arita, an OG of JLMM, in Philippines and I thought of challenging the mission. I wanted to live trusting others in the country where I am a stranger and I do not know the culture and language, and to experience "to live together", the JLMM spirit. These are my main reasons to challenge.

When I had the idea of becoming a candidate, questions and anxieties started to come out; Will I be able to get a new job after having returned to Japan? Can I manage without any particular knowledge of international cooperation and a foreign language? Because of no income maybe I cannot buy expensive clothing and cosmetics; I cannot go to nice restaurant with my friends. I am already 27 years old, but may be I won't have chance to marry, etc. , What's more, senior male staff in my office and male relatives said "After all volunteer is just easy on. Women will sooner or later get marry and settle down." A friend of mine pointed "Is it just for your curiosity to go abroad while there are people in need here in Japan? Besides the fears, I realized that my motive was not hundred percent pure, so I dwelt on for some time before applying.

Through my training and mission of JLMM I experienced that fears and anxieties are the key for change of one's life. It means that God starts to take action for you when you leave your little power and status which you have insisted on. It does not mean that you do no have to make an effort or just sit down to wait. It means that God cannot work when you are trying to cope depending on yourself. I experienced many times that when I stopped insisting on myself and offered to get involved with others, I received a power beyond my knowledge. And I had a faith in God helping me for sure when I need it though I cannot choose the time and means of it.

Through the experience in JLMM I got aware of that the world that I had known, where I could only go out with fashionable clothing, I felt uncomfortable if I did not have the information which everyone had and I used only certain type of cosmetics for my skin, was not so important. With such awareness, my fears disappeared, I enjoy being simple and I can see what to really cherish. This is indeed wonderful experience.

After all God duly knows my motive which is not very pure such as I was tired of my work and want to do something sounds fancy, it may look better than helping people in Japan and I want to live abroad. And God leads such a lousy person to a world of higher hope.

Even though you think you are not suitable for JLMM, you have fears and your motive may not be pure enough to disclose, I should say that you are well qualified as long as you are attracted by the activities of JLMM. You will have better understanding if you visit JLMM office or participate the study tour organized by JLMM. When you say, "Give it a try," why not contact the office? The experience with much more blessing than you have imagined will be waiting for you.