In 1990, Dr.Matt, his wife, and their three children said goodbye to their home country of Japan. God’s call led them to an Asian country where Muslims are in the majority and where Dr. Matt’s skills would be invaluable in medical missions.
But the difficulties were immediate: they struggled with the language, their children refused to eat the local food, and there was no schooling available for them. To his dismay, Dr. Matt found that he needed much broader medical skills than what his training included. Still, they won several people to Christ and began construction on a new church—the first of its kind in their area. But Muslim villagers threw stones at the building, beat up new Christians, and burned down a believer’s home. Only God’s call sustained them in the early years.
But, as Dr. Matt stated, “Even in a difficult place, if it is His will, God’s church is built.” Dr. Matt worked tirelessly treating patients, demonstrating and telling about God’s love through Jesus Christ. The number of believers grew. A Christian school was started, as was a “book house” where hospital patients could watch the Jesus film and receive Bibles and tracts. Two years after the church construction halted, the believers dedicated the building. The tension had lifted so much that some of those who once tried to harm the believers came to the ceremony.
Today, the church is well established. It has sent out two missionaries of its own, and it supports four missions projects. A Bible college trains students who are reaching out to nine additional villages. A correspondence school presents the gospel to unbelievers and trains those who have difficulty going to church because of persecution.
Out of a difficult place hostile to the gospel, God has established a strong testimony for Christ. Dr. Matt’s goal, shared by the believers, is to evangelize a new village each year and eventually reach out into all areas of their country.
(Dr. Matt’s name has been changed from his real name due to the sensitive nature of sharing the gospel in his country.)