Aika Nagata, 2014, Japan
In 2014, I left my job as a nurse and enrolled in the School of Theology. The seven months at SOT were one of the best seasons of my life, when I had my first personal encounter with God, when the Lord answered many of my prayers, and when I saw God’s richness and miracles in a very vivid manner.
After returning to Japan, I went back to nursing while serving in the church in praise and worship, and as well a youth leader. With many young people getting saved, the church was full of life. However, after a while, the ministry got into a rut and there was not much fruit. I felt like we were stuck, doing the same evangelism and pastoral ministry. For several reasons, the number of workers decreased, the ministry burden increased.
Although I was working as nurse, I have always wanted to dedicate my life totally for God’s work. My desire to know God grew even more. In 2021, the Lord opened a door for me to study in a Bible school in Japan for one year. I quit my hospital job, put everything aside, and just focused on wanting to know God’s call for my life. I felt that God was opening this new door to pour out a new blessing, and my heart was filled with anticipation and joy. In December 2021, towards the end of my Bible school, I went to work part-time as a nurse during the winter vacation. By this time, there was still no indication from the Lord about my future path. My heart was becoming impatient, but I tried not to think about it.
One day, as I was helping to bathe an old lady at the hospital, I realised that she was expressionless and could not move at all. I was massaging her hands when suddenly, she looked at me and smiled for the first time! I felt a tremendous joy that welled up from inside. It was an indescribable sense of fulfillment knowing the privilege I had as a licensed nurse, to be able to care for this old lady. During the pandemic, I was also in charge of the nursing team at my Bible School to help the students infected with COVID-19. One of them had a bad malaise due to the after-effects of COVID-19. She would suddenly faint and was not able to speak well. I took care of her as much as I could. Once, I laid hands on her and prayed for her. Even though she was not able to speak well, she held my hands and with tears in her eyes, she said “Thank you so much, Aika, you’ve helped me a lot. You have really saved me. Nurse Aika, who knows God, is needed by many people, and many people are waiting.” I was so touched by those words that I couldn’t stop crying.
To be honest, I was in a state of discouragement due to the uncertainty of my future; and at the same time, I was doubting my self-worth. I have always felt a sense of mission and joy in nursing. Without a doubt, I knew this was not by my own strength, but by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. I remembered what Pastor Bobby once said during an SOT class: “The calling is calling you.” I was reminded that I am first a Christian and then a nurse. I want to use my skills and gifts to serve people. I want to use my entire being to convey the love of Jesus by singing, sharing and sometimes just being there to cry with those who are experiencing sadness and anxiety. I want to live my life daily reflecting His character, as if Jesus Himself is living on this earth. I want to share about Jesus, not only in the medical field, but also to children and young people who are feeling lonely. I want them to know that they are loved by God. I hold fast to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23:
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
After graduating from Bible school, I decided to stay in Fukuoka, where I was born and raised, to continue serving my beloved church while working as a nurse. To be able to respond to any mission the Lord prepares for me, I am now working in the cardiac surgery department at an emergency hospital to improve my skills as a nurse..
Aika with her nursing colleagues
Looking at the outward circumstances, nothing seems to have changed. But undeniably, my heart has been renewed and ignited by God’s intervention and the fire of the Holy Spirit. New praise and worship songs have come out of my church and our worship services are overflowing with the Lord’s presence. Young people are getting saved and we even held a baptism ceremony! I pray that my church will be filled with more people and that each soul will be touched by the God’s love and experience healing and rest. For this, I will continue to do my best to serve the Lord.