I was only six years old when our family of four arrived in Japan, in February 1952. Before coming to Japan, my father had worked in China as a missionary in Xyanwei, a city in the province of Yunnan. Because of war and the transfer of political power in China's Revolution, he was forced by the prospect of persecution to flee back to Finland via south-east Asia and finally arrived in Japan. Of course God was leading in all the circumstances of our lives. I was brought up in the city of Kyoto and often during those years since 1952 I forgot that I was a native of Finland!

Several years ago someone said to me, "Heimonen San, since a child have you always been an 'Amen' person?". (Christians in Japan are sometimes referred to as 'Amen' people.) In one sense I could answer 'Yes' but in another sense, maybe 'No' would have been more correct. For one cannot become a Christian by inheriting faith from his parents or absorbing it just because he is in a Christian home.

As a teenager growing up in Kyoto, I lived with the idea that my parents had their lives and I had mine. I had more interest in the pleasures of the world around me than in the church. One day during that time I walked up to a friend of mine in Kawaramachi Street and tried to bum a cigarette off him. He casually asked, "What does your dad do?" I replied, "He's a missionary." This guy laughed and called me a wicked foreigner. Maybe he was right!

Not far from where we were standing was my dad's book store with the name, 'Gospel House.' Almost every day he stood in front of that little evangelistic center preaching to the crowds passing by. When my friend spoke those words to me, in the honesty of my heart, I felt deep pain. But I didn't dare to show my true heart to anyone. I tried to cover up my pain and emptiness with an interest in rock and other popular music and the movies. I look back over my life when I was in my mid-teens and recall only 'darkness' day after day.

God in many different ways tried to show me my 'prodigal' heart and lead me back to Himself. One day I decided to go to the movies. In those days you could see three movies in an afternoon for less than a dollar! I had just settled down in my seat to enjoy myself when a rather strong earthquake shook the building. I was gripped by fear at the thought of dying, for I knew I would go to hell. I cried out to God, "Help me! If I get out of here alive I promise you I'll repent!" But once I got out onto the street safely, my heart was again hardened against the Lord. I twice had similar experiences, but each time I was out of danger I would forget all about God and my promise to Him.

But one day in that darkness I saw light! I was once again at the movies. God's Holy Spirit very quietly and gently whispered these words to my heart, " Return to God. Return now!" I thought this might be my last chance. I quickly got up from my seat and ran home. There my parents prayed for me. I repented of my sins and received Jesus as Saviour and Lord of my life. Now I had assurance of salvation. I was given assurance of heaven and it is no longer necessary for me to walk in fear of death.

The understanding of the depths of my sin and my acceptance of the existence and mercy of God came about through the continuing prayers of my mother. Every day she would enter an old storage house in our garden and in secret she prayed long and fervently for my salvation. God heard those prayers. I was surely saved because of the prayers of my mother. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for such a mother who would not give up until her prayers were answered!

The Heimonen family photo taken in 1951, just before leaving Finland for Japan.

From left to right:
Eeva-Riitta (my older sister),
Lasse, and our parents,
Lauri and Anna-Liisa.