I met Matumoto-Kun two years ago at a high school where I teach. He was in my 10th grade English conversation class, but he was definitely different from the others. He stayed after class nearly every week asking questions ranging from Bible doctrine to quantum physics to the possibility of alien life. He was hungry for knowledge, and fascinated by the supernatural and unexplained. Both very rare qualities in a society where young men tend to be compacent and uninterested in anything but pleasure. I gave him a Bible one week, and two weeks later he came to me bursting with questions - he had read it all!
We lost touch after the class ended, but a few weeks ago he showed up in a private English class I teach on campus. He was ready to attend church.
I was worried that he might feel uncomfortable at church, but Mr. Yoshida took him on as a project immediately. He hadn't been sitting there alone for more than 10 seconds before this happened. Now they sit together every week.
Matumoto-Kun told me his story recently. His parents were divorced when he was in Jr. High, and neither of them wanted him. His art teacher was just planning a move to Hokkaido, and offered to take him along. He lived with his teacher for a year, studying art, and then moved with him to Bali, where his teacher had volunteered at an orphanage. The orphanage was filled with children even less fortunate than himself, and he developed a determination to make something of his life whether anyone cared or not. He also met a Catholic priest who told him a little about God. Now he lives with his grandmother in a town about 20 min. away by train. His grandmother has a house, but lives on her social security check, so he works part time to put himself through school and buy clothes.
Recently one of the professors at school heard that he was attending church, and asked him if he was a Christian. He answered that he was currently thinking about it. Please pray that his "thinking" will be directed by the Holy Spirit.