Internship Support Letter

2024/3/3

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you are aware, last year God provided me an amazing opportunity to spend my summer as a short-term missionary, serving in Nagoya, Japan. While I was there, I spent time not only learning about Japanese culture and working on my language skills, but I was able to experience first-hand, the apathy and ignorance of the Gospel in my many interactions with the Japanese people. I also had the opportunity to utilize my teaching gifts and education to teach missionary children as well as form bonds with both Christians and non-Christians. In short, if you've been following my blog, you will know that I fell in love with the language, beauty, culture, and most importantly, the people of Japan. Since my return to the States to finish my education, God has not let this burden abate.

The reason for this specific letter is to let you know that God has answered my prayers, and the prayers of many of you who have been praying and encouraging me. The Lord has opened a door for me to step out in faith and serve Him for an 11-month period in Japan. In addition to learning what it takes to be a longer-term missionary and continuing to pursue relationships with non-Christian friends in the hopes that God will work in their hearts, I will be able to serve missionaries during this time by teaching English to their children. I will also be mentored as I deepen my faith and prayerfully consider whether God is calling me to career missions, among many other opportunities.

The longer I walk down this road, the more the Lord reminds me of my complete dependence on Him. We are ill-equipped to carry out His purposes. But the Lord shows His provision through His people. As we always say in missions, God calls some to send, some to go, and all to pray. As my long-term supporters, friends, and my dear family, I am asking you to continue your partnership with me for the sake of the Gospel in Japan. If you will send me with your prayers and support, we will go together in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for the mission field in Japan, that God would work mightily to spread His Good News throughout the nation, that God would send laborers in the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38), for me as I work through this process, that I will trust in God’s timing, and that God will give me direction for the future and confidence to share God’s Word boldly. 

Additionally, I would ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with me financially through a one-time gift or a monthly pledge. The Lord showed Himself in a mighty way last year by so many of you willing to support the work of missions in Japan by sending me the first time. I trust that if God has opened this door again, that He will provide the means once again through many partnerships of prayer and financial support. The cost for this extended, almost one-year journey, will be around $25,000. This covers not only my travel but also my living and ministry expenses during my time there. It is critical that I build a strong team of supporters for this ministry. I will not go alone but only through partnerships in the Gospel for the sake of Christ.

If you would like to partner with me as a part of MTW's ministry to Japan, please complete the attached support card and return it to the address included. All tax-deductible donations should be made payable to Mission to the World and should include my MTW ministry account number (400215) in the memo line of the check. You can also give online by making a donation at https://www.mtw.org/missionaries. 

Thank you for being a part of my ministry team and thank you for sending me once again. I am looking expectantly to what God will do through His people.

If you are not yet connected to my prayer team updates, please subscribe to this blog to receive frequent updates. Lastly, as each of you has been so gracious to partner with me, please send me a note on how I can pray for you. I want our partnership to be truly one of mutual encouragement and support.

Thank you so much for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers and supporting me financially. God is working mightily through you. 

Grace and Peace,

Olivia Cunningham

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”” (Isaiah 6:8)