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Interview with Pastor Jack and Joyce Holt

Our Testimony

Greetings Friends!

In 2003, Tracy and I began having literal, night time dreams of Japanese people. They were in distress, as in a war scene or battle zone.  We were feeding them, carrying them, caring for them as we would an infant. My wife had dreams of Shinto bridges and red temple gates. None of this had we seen before and on one occasion, we dreamed the very same dream. We journaled our dreams and put them in our back pocket for prayer.

In 2005 during a time of prayer along my bedside, the Lord deposited one word into my spirit: “Japan.” I shared it with Tracy, and told her it was powerful and wonderful. The Lord had really impacted me and it shook my entire being. I believe this was the day of the call to Japan, but we would not receive any further word from the Lord until much later.

The Holy Spirit began doing a deep work, inspiring us to read, research and learn as much about Japan and the Japanese as we could, from ancient history to Christianity in Japan and anything else we could get our hands on.  We felt like the Lord was speaking to us about ministering to the Japanese.  We just knew we had to press in and pray to seek God for answers and direction. In the summer of 2006, during a meeting at the church office (where I work), I was meeting with my good friend Retta. I paused to share a bit with her then was inspired to ask her, “Retta, do you know anyone in Japan?” She responded by saying she didn’t know anyone in Japan, but she had once met a missionary from Japan while he was on furlough in the United States. She had received a small booklet from him on the topic of the Holy Spirit.  She said she would go home and look for it. That afternoon, she found the booklet and emailed me.

The man she saw on furlough was named Nils Olson from Munakata Bethel Christian Center. Nils is married to Andrea Olson, with whom he has served in Japan for 33+ years now. The booklet Retta found included his address and church name. I Googled to find his church’s website but it was in Japanese, so I wasn’t sure what I was reading. I soon found, however, a small text box where I could send a message, so I reeled off the entire story of the dreams and things that led to this point. I asked him about callings, about missionaries and what he thought this all might mean. The next day, I had a voicemail from him on my phone at work. He happened to be in Federal Way (a nearby city) that very week! He was on vacation visiting one of his grown children. He was ecstatic and wanted to meet us as soon as possible. He and Andrea had only a day or two left before returning to Japan, so we met at a nearby restaurant and had a long lunch, discussing all sorts of things, and us asking questions about Japanese life and ministry.

We didn’t see the Olson’s again for almost a year, which is when we made our first trip to Japan. We felt we needed to touch the earth in Japan, to see Japanese people and to experience this strange and wonderful place with our own senses. So, in spring of 2007 we went. It was an amazing trip and the people in the local church were beyond amazing and gracious to us. We fell in love. Upon return, we shared with our church staff and pastors. We showed pictures and gave presentations about the desperate need for Jesus in Japan. Everyone was so supportive of this amazing God-breathed passion, but yet… we were not sure what to do yet because the Lord did not tell us to get up and go.  In fact, He told us to wait.  We found ourselves again praying, seeking, and this time, taking Japanese lessons. Time marches on, and we desired to take another trip immediately, but funding for the next trip took shape in 2010.

Our church family got behind us and we had raised enough money to bring our two girls with us on this trip. Again, God moved and many things had occurred which are too lengthy to mention in this segment. However, my wife and I were now more unified than ever to minister together to the Japanese people we now came to know and love so very much. It was time to seek counsel and blessing from our pastor in a heart-to-heart meeting about going into full time missions work in Japan. This defining moment took place on August 5th, 2010 outside of a local Starbucks. Pastor and Joyce listened as we recalled and shared the entire story and linked all of the amazing pieces together, including desiring to now live and work in Japan. They blessed us, and were decidedly sure in themselves it was the right time to release us into this mission field. We had never felt more centered in the will of God than at that moment.

We arrived in Japan on January 18, 2011.  Every day since has been a wonderful testament of God’s love, goodness, grace and favor.  If you would like more information, keep your eyes here or on our Facebook profiles.

If you would please pray for our safety, health, finances, and wisdom we would greatly appreciate it.

If you feel inclined to give financially, please see the information below, and we thank you in advance for helping to sow seed in a great nation.

–Jim, Tracy, Sophia, Serena Xavier

 

DONATIONS — 2 ways to give:

 

1) Please send your check or money order to:

RIVER OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP

C/O JAPAN MISSIONS/XAVIER FAMILY

10615 SE 216TH STREET

KENT, WA 98031

 

2) Log on to http://give.riveroflifefellowship.org and create an account. �
Select JAPAN MISSIONS from the giving dropdown.