Cindy Charlton serves as a GEO missionary through the Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) program in Japan. Cindy grew up in Reno, Nev., but most recently lived in California. She is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Calif. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Christian ministries from Grove City College, Grove City, Penn. Cindy loves crocheting, reading, long walks, drinking tea, and the color pink. Cindy teaches English-as-a-Foreign-Language classes at a local Japanese congregation while participating in the life and ministry efforts of that church. She is most excited about the opportunity to help encourage, support, and challenge other Christians in Japan into a deeper, more dynamic adventure with the Creator and Lover of their souls. Also high among her priorities is finding ways to personally connect with students in and out of class in order to be a channel of Christ’s love and light into their lives.

Spiritual isolation can be a problem in Japan for both Japanese Christians and missionaries. Many Japanese Christians are the only Christians in their family, job, etc. Missionaries are far away from family and other English speaking Christians. Cindy asks, “Please pray for a true spirit of love and family within the body of Christ in Japan, for me to be daily refreshed and renewed in Christ’s presence so that I might be an encouragement and light to others; for strong relationships and good communication with church members, other missionaries, students, and neighbors; for my protection, health and balance physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally; and that God would open the hearts and minds of the people of Japan to understand and embrace His light.”

Many mission sites have had to close in Japan over the years because of the lack of missionaries. The Japan Lutheran Church is willing to receive many more than the LCMS is able to send. Please join Cindy and LCMS World Mission in praying for many more Christians to heed the call to “go into all the world,” so that Japan too may be set Ablaze! with the love of Christ.