Megumi, Japan

Megumi is a Salvationist living in Japan. She is retired, but she works in retirement as a support officer at a childhood development centre, helping children and families who are living with disability.

‘Our son, Seiva, was born in a state of fetal distress. We were told that he would be severely disabled. We were in deep despair about what was happening to us. 

‘Not long after, I saw a man in the street wearing a Salvation Army uniform. He reminded me of my father, who was a soldier of a corps (church) in my hometown, and I asked the man where I could find the nearest corps. The next Sunday, I took my son to attend a worship service there. In that moment, I realised I could leave myself in God’s hands, a feeling I had not experienced in a long time. God promised me that he would help me whenever I was in need, because he was the one who gave my son, my gift, to me. 

‘We moved back to my hometown to start a new rehabilitation therapy for Seiva, and I decided to stop comparing him to other children. I knew that God was in control. This helped us to enjoy every little skill that my son learned. We found hope, and so did our son. 

‘Seiva grew to be positive and cheerful. He won a medal at the Japan Karate Competition, and he was a candidate for Japan’s national Cerebral Palsy Football team. He graduated from college and now earns his living working at a public office. When my husband died seven years ago, our son prayed out loud at his bedside. I felt great peace in my sorrow because I saw God’s presence in our son. Every life has meaning.’