Living in a new country for an entire year at the age of 17 sounds like quite the life-changing experience as is, but what about when that life-changing experience turns into a life-defining change of heart? This is the story of Japanese exchange student Mutsumi Nishita. Mutsumi is spending this year in America attending Robinson High School and living with the Perry family, who attends Fellowship. The Perrys encouraged her to attend Echo, Fellowship Student Ministry’s Wednesday night gathering for high school students. Lucky for Mutsumi, Ashley Stricklin, an Echo regular, was there to welcome the newcomer on that first Wednesday night.

Ashley had recently been “praying for the nations” and wondering when she would have the opportunity to reach people worldwide.  Needless to say, she beamed with excitement when Mutsumi walked through the doors of The Garage, viewing her arrival as the Lord answering prayer by bringing the nations right here to Little Rock. An immediate friendship commenced between Ashley and Mutsumi, and Ashley continued to invite Mutsumi back for weeks to come.  By asking Mutsumi specific, deliberate questions about the message before saying their Wednesday-night goodbyes, Ashley quickly recognized Mutusmi’s interest in religious ideas but also her confusion about the truth.

Ashley knew that she had to continue pursuing Mutsumi, so in her desire to take the conversations to the next level she finally gathered the courage to invite Mutsumi to study Explore. The Explore sessions proved to be helpful as Mutsumi more clearly understood ideas presented in this secure, one-on-one setting and Ashley could be more intentional about crossing difficult language barriers. Through the help of Ashley’s friend, she was able to purchase a Japanese American Bible that together Mutsumi and Ashley could understand, discuss, and clearly feel God speaking to each one of them in their native tongue.

Mutsumi had countless questions about the trinity, angels, and heaven. Because of Ashley’s being equipped through time spent in small group preparation, Ashley adequately explained each vital aspect of Christianity. Mutsumi often joked that “Ashley had all the answers” to which Ashley acknowledged, “I learned that the right words will overflow from my heart when I need them.” In preparation for their weekly Explore Q &A, Ashley translated the salvation message into Japanese. Mutsumi was overcome with joy, realizing for the first time that she could speak directly to God and He could speak directly to her! With this new realization, she gave her life to Christ during only the second lesson.

Ashley continues to mentor Mutsumi by leading her now through a study teaching spiritual growth and evangelism. Both Ashley and Mutsumi know the challenge that awaits Mutsumi when she returns to her home this summer. Ashley asserted, “I want Mutusmi to have the tools she needs to go back to Japan and inspire heart change in her friends and family there. I cannot wait to see how God uses her to reach the nations!”

-Tracy Lane