We are Dennis and Laurie King, retirees who raised three children in a small West Michigan community. Little did we know that none of them would remain in the midwest, and our eldest, not even on this continent. While this was not the way we imagined our lives with our adult children, God once again has proven that His ways are higher than our ways. Our oldest son and his family moved to Okinawa, Japan in early 2021, where our daughter-in-law served as a Navy Chaplain. Our first opportunity to visit them came in October, 2022 for the birth of our 3rd granddaughter. We

expected to enjoy being with family and have some new adventures in a new land. We could not have IMAGINED however, all that God had in store for us, and the depth of connection we would experience with the military families serving so far from home, or with the kind and gentle Okinawan and Japanese people.

The second time we visited Okinawa, in April, 2023, God made it abundantly clear to both of us that he was calling us there to serve. We met with elders of Pillar Church of Okinawa where we had been attending and found we could meet a huge need there, by sowing into the lives and marriages of military families serving there. With 45 years of marriage under our belts, God has given us a wonderful story to tell and we have found His love and faithfulness to be beyond

compare. So, even though our family is no longer in Okinawa, we’ve no doubt we’ve been called there.

This year will be our 5th trip to Okinawa, our third as missionaries. Each time God has shown himself strong and we have been walking in the fullness of Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory….”

We are sent out by our home church, Radiant Lakeshore, of Grand Haven, MI and partner with Pillar church of Okinawa offering 7-week marriage mentoring sessions. We share God’s plan for covenant marriage, and living in His fullness.

From our first trip to Okinawa, God also planted a deep love for the Japanese people in our hearts, where less than 1% of the population is Christian. We began relationships with many parents of children attending our granddaughters’ school, as well as the owner and employees of a local coffee shop. We share meals, Fridays in the park, language classes, and our hearts.

God also connected us, in a nearly miraculous way, to many facets of the small, but very vibrant, Japanese Christian community. It has been a joy to come alongside them and “hold their arms up” as they minister to their neighbors.

We would be so honored if you would join us in prayer for this work, both with the military community and the precious people of Okinawa. If you would be willing to partner with us financially to assist in our apartment and car rental and ministry expenses we would be so very thankful.

Dennis and Laurie