Allowing Jehovah to Refine Me

Among the many things that caught my attention, the people left the deepest impression on me. Here were young brothers and sisters doing what appeared to be monotonous work. They were not in the limelight. Yet, they were happy and content. Their example taught me what it means to serve God humbly.

Through the years, Jehovah has been refining me to become a better servant of his. But first, let me tell you about my search for the truth when I was a Buddhist.

SEARCHING FOR GOD AS A CHILD

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., the eldest of four children. My parents had emigrated to Chicago from Japan to pursue the so-called American dream. They wanted their children to receive the best education possible and to be successful in life.

My parents were devout Buddhists. My mother had been raised in a home that included a Buddhist temple. Her father and two brothers served as Buddhist monks. Buddhism thus played a significant role in my childhood. The first thing I would do after returning home from school was burn incense and offer rice and water to our Buddhist idol. On Sundays, we would go to a Buddhist temple where we chanted to a similar idol​—only it was bigger and gilded with gold.

When I was about seven, I remember staring at the idol we had in our home and thinking to myself, ‘What will my life be like after I die?’ Buddhism had taught me that I would exist somewhere in the spirit realm after death. It dawned on me that one day my life would end. I might exist as a spirit, but I would no longer enjoy life as a human. How sad! Suddenly, feelings of helplessness overwhelmed me.

As I entered my mid-teens, the Buddhist rituals I engaged in seemed meaningless. Something was missing in my life. (Matt. 5:3) Deep within, I felt that there had to be an all-powerful, living God. I wanted to know him. I thought that perhaps the Bible had the answers. So I bought a used King James Version at a Buddhist festival​—of all places!

When I was 17, a brother named Wilson Bashou approached me on the street while I was walking my dog. He asked, “Do you know what God promises for the future?” That question led to a deep Bible discussion. Wilson read Revelation 17:1 and asked, “What do the ‘many waters’ that the prostitute is sitting on refer to?” I had no idea. He showed me verse 15, which says that the waters refer to people. I was impressed to learn that Jehovah’s Witnesses let the Bible interpret itself. Before parting, Wilson gave me a copy of the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life. That little blue book changed my life.

Ten days later, I attended my first meeting at the Kingdom Hall. I will never forget the warm reception I received. I have attended the meetings ever since. Afterward, Wilson started a Bible study with me. I loved learning about the Bible so much that there were occasions when we would study for up to eight hours at a time. My parents were alarmed, and they strongly opposed my study. But the more I studied, the more I was convinced that this was the truth. I got baptized in 1983.

LEAVING UNIVERSITY TO PIONEER

At the time of my baptism, I was attending a prestigious university and pursuing a career in medicine. My parents had sacrificed so much so that I could receive this education. I could have continued my university studies, but I wanted to give Jehovah my best and serve him full-time.

My father had warned me, “If you quit university, I will kick you out of the house!” I was sad and confused. I loved my parents and did not want to disappoint them. So I would often go out on the campus grounds late at night and pray under the starry skies, “Jehovah, please, help me with this decision.” When I finally decided to quit university, my father told me to get out of the house. I called Wilson to tell him what had happened. And he kindly invited me to live with him. I boarded a bus to his apartment with all my belongings in one bag. I remember feeling an indescribable calm come over me. I knew that I had made the right decision.

I felt like a bird released from a cage! I was finally free to devote myself fully to the ministry. I began pioneering in 1984.

During my years as a regular pioneer, Jehovah taught me valuable qualities, such as persistence. One day, it seemed that I had every reason not to go out in the ministry. I was discouraged because no one could join me for service in the afternoon. I went anyway. After a couple of hours, I made a last call at an apartment building. I was feeling tired and lonely, and it looked as if it would rain. I wondered, ‘Should I quit?’ As I climbed the stairs to the third floor, I saw a young Filipino man standing before me. I thought to myself, ‘Surely, he is not interested.’ How wrong I was! I started a study with that man, and he became my spiritual brother.

REFINED AT BROOKLYN BETHEL

After living with Wilson for two years, I was invited to Brooklyn Bethel in 1985. As I mentioned at the outset, I was assigned to the Bindery. One day while working on the embossing machine, I accidentally ruined hundreds of book covers. The Bindery Office requested that I report the matter. I gave all the reasons for my mistake, but one thing was missing. In a kind tone, the overseer reminded me, “It’s always good to apologize.” In that moment, I learned the importance of acknowledging my mistakes and saying, “I am sorry.”

My viewpoint of serving others was refined by observing faithful, older ones of the Bethel family. One time, Brother Milton Henschel, a member of the Governing Body, was sitting at our table for lunch. That day the dining room had an overflow of people, and the waiters were frantically working to distribute the food. We, the younger brothers at the table, were quietly complaining about the slow service. Without saying a word, Brother Henschel got up and along with the waiters started serving pitchers of water and plates of bread and butter. That humble act of service is forever etched in my mind. It reminded me of how Jesus served his apostles.​—John 13:3-5.

“YOU SHOULD STUDY JAPANESE!”

In 1987, I made a trip to Japan and was impressed to see the zeal and humility of the publishers there. I wanted to help them, but the problem was that I had not learned Japanese. One sister at Bethel, Michiko Oda, looked me straight in the eye and said, “You should study Japanese!” And that is what I did. Little did I know how her words would change my life.

A few months later, I transferred to a Japanese congregation in New York. Learning Japanese opened up many opportunities for me to serve Jehovah God. In 1989, I attended my first Japanese convention in Los Angeles, California. Miwako Onami, a pioneer sister who played a role in the drama, caught my eye.

Miwako and I got married in 1992, and we were privileged to serve together as a couple at Brooklyn Bethel. Miwako is a thoughtful and caring person, always ready to help others. Her example has helped me to refine how I treat others. She is a gift from Jehovah​—an endless source of happiness and comfort to me.

THE JAPAN BRANCH AND THE FIELD

In time, both of Miwako’s parents, who were living in Japan, became seriously ill. So we were kindly allowed to transfer to the Japan branch so that we could be nearby to care for them. We moved there in 1999.

The Bethel family in Japan soon embraced us, and we adjusted to our new home. I was further refined by imitating the positive qualities of the Japanese brothers and sisters, such as their outstanding generosity and hospitality. When it comes to work, they are serious and focused. They also work well as a group. How so? The Japanese culture emphasizes working with others in a spirit of harmony and cooperation for the good of all instead of working alone for personal achievements. Their fine example encouraged me to work humbly with others and to appreciate how my small share contributes to Jehovah’s overall purpose.

Still, because of cultural differences, there were occasions when it was difficult for me to understand why matters were handled in a certain way. I had to learn patience and not to overreact. In time, I refined my viewpoint and realized that Jehovah can bless any decision as long as we submit to the direction he gives us through his organization. In the end, Jehovah is the one who makes things work.

I often compare the refining I received at Bethel to the refining the prophet Moses received. Jehovah helped Moses cultivate meekness during his 40 years as a shepherd. Like Moses, I came from a background of higher education. I had allowed that education to make me proud and self-reliant. Bethel taught me to be humble and to rely on Jehovah. Just as Jehovah patiently refined Moses, Jehovah has done the same for me over the years.

We cared for both of Miwako’s parents for some 24 years until their death. There were many phone calls, anxious moments, and trips to the hospital. The health of Miwako’s mother, Masako, deteriorated to the point where she could barely get up to walk. It was not easy for Masako to attend congregation meetings and go out in the ministry. In her final weeks, she had to use a wheelchair. Yet, through all of this, her love for Jehovah never waned. Her face beamed with joy whenever she spoke about the truth. Masako’s example of serving God and finding contentment and happiness no matter what the circumstance has been a source of inspiration for me.

In 2024 we experienced a dramatic change in our lives. After serving at Bethel for over 30 years, we were assigned to the field. We currently serve as special pioneers on the island of Okinawa and have the privilege of witnessing to families who are stationed in the nearby military base. The good training we received at Bethel helped make this transition to the field much smoother. We try to maintain a good schedule and to make the best use of our time by remaining focused on our ministry and working hard. Jehovah kindly blessed us with Bible students who have become like family to us. We are learning firsthand the importance of loving people. Miwako and I thank Jehovah every day for this beautiful assignment.

DETERMINED TO BE REFINED EVEN MORE BY JEHOVAH

My family, although no longer opposed, has yet to join me in pure worship. Even so, Jesus promised that those who leave their families to become his disciples would receive 100 times more now in the form of a spiritual family. (Mark 10:29, 30) This has certainly proved true in my case. All the families around the world who have loved and cared for me over the years as their own are just too numerous to recall.

I still have the very same Truth book that Wilson placed with me. That blue book is a powerful reminder of how Jehovah kindly let me find him. (1 Chron. 28:9) I am determined to continue to be refined by him and to help others learn the truth that leads to eternal life.