I Grew up in an environment that had nothing to do with Christianity. But when I was still a small boy, I read a story about Jesus in a children's book. I was impressed with him, and I wanted to meet this man and become his disciple. After I grew up, I kept wondering. ... If Jesus and his disciples could heal, why Christianity today could not. I also wondered if a Christianity that heals exists today.
Since the Christian Science Society in Kyoto was near the school I attended some years ago, I often took copies of the Herald from the box of free Christian Science literature that the Society maintains. After several weeks of reading the Heralds at home, I began thinking of knocking on the Society's door. I was cautious, because religious groups are often proselytizing, and some appear to be moneymaking schemes. One day, though, I decided to visit the Society, and then I began to attend the Sunday services. I would spend the afternoon in their Reading Room, reading the Heralds. After several weeks, I began to read Science and Health.
I have been a student of Christian Science ever since. I have experienced many healings, including a skin disease. This went on for more than a year and a half and had spread all over my body, including my face. I became quite discouraged, and many times I almost lost hope, wondering if I should go to a hospital. I thought I might stop going to church, thinking I can go back when it is healed. Then a thought came that some people go to hospital when they are sick, and no one goes to a hospital after one is cured. I thought that church services are my hospital, and so I decided to attend church regularly, and I did. One Wednesday, I heard the First Reader read the Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus. That moment I felt a ray of light streaming into my consciousness. I realized that it is really important to live under this Sermon, and I was hit by a feeling of penitence.
