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She becomes the second Japanese missionary appointed by MBM/S. The other was Keiko Hamano, who served in Pakistan from 1988-91. In 1989, Hiromi visited Keiko in Pakistan, a pivotal, life-changing event.
"I was so fascinated by her," she recalls, "and I really wanted to dedicate myself to God like her. I prayed that if it was God's will, I would work abroad."
Takeda, 36, converted to Jesus Christ and was baptized in 1985. She first received a Bible in high school from a Christian math teacher who impressed her as a genuine Christian. Later, as a young adult questioning the purpose of life, she sought him out for counsel. He directed her to a Christian church.
She has worked 11 years as a nursery school teacher and taught Sunday school for eight years in her home church in Osaka. While teaching a class in Basic Christianity, she led one male student to Christ.
After attending a missions conference in 1992, Takeda decided to enroll in the Evangelical Biblical Seminary of the Japan MB Conference. During a break in seminary studies, she visited Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt in Thailand, accompanying them on their journeys to many Khmu villages, and felt a strong desire to return as a missionary. She recently graduated from the seminary.
The new appointee graduates from the Asia Cross-Cultural Institute in Singapore on November 27, and will enroll at Lopburi Language Institute in April 1997, after a short time of acclimatization to Thailand. She will be completely supported by the Japan MB conference.
MBM/S General Director Harold Ens, noted that "MBM/S is very grateful for how God has directed Hiromi to the Thailand team and for the mission vision and commitment of the Japan MB Conference in providing her full support."
Gary Hardaway
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