Jackie Heib shares a mother’s perspective of her son, Jesse, beginning his mission work in Japan.

A Mother’s Perspective February 5, 2012 by Jackie Heib

When I sent the note to my kids with information requesting people to help with relief work in Japan, I did not expect the first reply to come from our middle child, number 4 of 7 and the last one born in the USA. As a child Jesse was more of a “home body”. He wasn’t thrilled about taking long trips. And he always wanted to go home – meaning back to America. So when Jesse showed a strong interest in going to Japan, I was surprised and even a bit skeptical.

However the more I thought about it, the clearer it became that Jesse was the prefect one to take up this challenge. He had grown from the quiet, shy, lost-in-the-middle child to one who loves to try new things, isn’t afraid to talk to people, has a strong desire to help people and loves a new adventure. A summer spent with the Jesus Cares program, countless hours volunteering at Lighthouse, and a job working with inner-city teens gave Jesse skills which he will put to use helping the people of Japan as they slowly recover from the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan March 11, 2011.

Just as the Lord watched over all of our children as they traveled back and forth between Japan and the USA during the twenty years we spent in Japan, I trust he will continue to protect Jesse and give him many opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the Japanese through word and action.

” If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139 9-10

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