Send us a textTW: abuse, s*xual assaultLusu grew up in a Christian household, going to church but didn’t understand her “borrowed faith.”She had a tough relationship with her parents due to verbal and physical abuse growing up. For university, Lusu moved to a different country for school and was sexually assaulted. She was in a very rough mental space. She wasn’t going to church anymore and didn’t want to. Then a random guy invited her to church. She was hesitant at first, but event...

Send us a textHey friends!Thanks for listening! This is part 2 of Drew & Rachel answering your questions. Today’s episode covers Christian community, Bible passages and worship songs that have helped us in our faith journey, and how to practically maintain purity & keep Christ at the center of dating relationships. Let’s dive in together!Christian CommunityYouth Group MemoriesStaying in touch with friends when you graduateHow Christian community benefits your Christian walkSpeaking tr...

Send us a textHey friends! Long time, no see!In this episode, my husband Drew & I talk about how God has been taking care of us through the massive transitions of moving back to the U.S. from Japan and being pregnant!We also answer the first couple of questions that you guys submitted, this time addressing how we saw God moving in Japan and memories we want to take back with us to the United States.We hope you enjoy the episode! Stay tuned for part two where we address how God has worked ...

Send us a textNo matter what your past looks like, you are always just one call away from a new life.Trigger warning: su*cide, drugsKeith felt this hole in his heart from a young age. His parents divorced and Keith struggled with anger and depression. After going to rehab for suicidal thoughts, he attempted to fill the whole and numb the pain with anything and everything - drugs, marijuana, partying, cigarettes, alcohol, prescription pills. Keith dropped out of high school, was financially ir...

Send us a textYoji grew up in a family full of fighting, especially due to his father’s love of women and alcohol. When he was eleven years old, Yoji’s mother died of cancer. In his first year of middle school, his father’s company went bankrupt so he ran away, leaving Yoji and his three siblings to take care of themselves, which was difficult both emotionally and financially. Yoji felt like he had nothing to live for and spent a lot of his time hanging out with friends.One day after hanging ...

Send us a textKaz did not grow up in a Christian home, his family actually did ancestor worship. After getting trapped for 4 hours in the aftermath of an earthquake and being rescued, Kaz’s life was changed. He made some Christian friends who invited him to church. It started out as Kaz’s little secret, but then he finally invited his sister to join at Christmastime.They both ended up giving their lives to Jesus through a Bible study led by a construction worker who shared his testimony. When...

Send us a textI’m so excited for you to hear Mami’s story of how she encountered Jesus.In Japan, only 1% of the population is Christian, so Mami had the rare & miraculous experience of growing up in the church. She knew about God, but it wasn’t until later that she actually felt God’s nearness and knew His love in her heart.With having Jesus in her life, God guides her life and she knows that He is with her.Many Japanese people are seeking happiness - so they work hard and try to bui...

Send us a textI'm so excited to share Julie's story with you! The Lord has been so faithful to her from a young age. Originally, Julie was not interested in going to Japan at all, but God worked in her heart, and she ended up becoming a missionary in Japan! Through being a missionary in Japan, Julie shares some amazing stories of loss & forgiveness, falling in love & getting married, and trusting God's guidance through it all.Julie has known Jesus most of her life, and because of...

Send us a textHello friends! This week, our Bible study leader, Andrew, shares his story of how he encountered Jesus.Although he grew up in a family that attended church, Andrew tried to seek faith on his own and as a teenager, he ended up turning his back on God.He called himself an atheist and really wrestled with some tough questions:Does life have any meaning?What happens when we die?Is love real or just chemical reactions?Did God create the world?How can God be real if there is so much s...

Send us a textZoe is one of the most joyful people you will ever meet, but she wasn't always that way.Zoe first heard about God when her mom was bedridden with a spinal disease, and some Christians came to pray for her and she was healed.She discovered God's power and attended church & Christian activities, but she did not know God's love until she met some very loving Christians. Her relationship with God developed over time - learning how to pray, starting to enjoy reading God's word, h...

Send us a textTaylor grew up knowing about God, but she felt like she had to be a good Christian girl because she was afraid of God and afraid of messing up.When she heard the story of the prodigal son in a new way, God worked in her heart and changed her life. For the first time, she met Jesus. Taylor realized how much Jesus loves her and wants not religious acts, but He wants a relationship with her. Even when going through some dark times, God provided for her in the form of supportiv...

Send us a text2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”Ola found God because she heard His voice. He spoke to her, and her life has never been the same.Through Him, she found freedom, forgiveness, and joy. God has worked through Ola in incredible ways all around the world. The same as He has done for Ola, He does for us: God opens doors and leads us in unexpected ways.It doesn’t matter where you ...

Send us a textTrigger warning: s*xual assault, su*cideMy friend, no matter what you are going through right now, please know that you are not alone and that you are so loved.Even in the face of hardship, God is good. It seems that in the most dark, difficult times, God met Rosie. God protected his life, God gave him friends to encourage him at just the right time, and God helped him find a new home church.Rosie has the biggest heart for people. He invests himself in helping students grow. Bec...

Send us a textHappy Easter! If you are in darkness, if you are stuck, if you feel hopeless - listen to this episode to hear 3 key encouragements for YOU! Spoiler alert: you cannot do it on your own, but you are not alone!We also go through the ABCs of God's attributes, which is a tool we can use to keep our eyes on Jesus.If you like listening to the podcast, please rate, write reviews, and share with your friends!You can follow us on instagram @lifeishardgodisgoodpodcast or join our Facebook ...

Send us a textHey all! Just wanted to share some updates from living in Japan for nearly 6 months now! Check out this episode to hear what I’ve been up to, brief updates from Drew, the hard parts of living in a foreign country, and some encouragement for you!I’ve been asked a lot what I’m doing in Japan. At first I felt like I had to explain or prove myself; it took a while for me to learn that my value is not in working. Thankfully, I've been reminded that my value is in being loved by God a...

Send us a textChurch hurts. Cancer. Family health crisis. Loss of parents. Loss of a friend. How can you find God in the midst of such hardships?Gené wrestled with the logic of Christianity until her world came crumbling with the decline of her mom's health. She gained faith in God and He miraculously healed her mom. With having God by her side, Gené knew she was not alone even when she later lost her dad, her mom, and her friend in a short amount of time.Gené shares: "I realized that God is ...

Send us a textCheck out this episode to hear how Jesus changed Isabelle's life. She grew up in a home with different religious views and was not sure what she believed for herself until a new friend offered to do a Bible study with her... After learning more about Jesus and how He truly died for our sins and rose to life again, Isabelle has been given new life and a fresh perspective through Him.

Send us a textDustin once lived a very different life. But then he encountered Jesus. After walking with the Lord and learning about His love & His word, he is now one of the most servant-hearted people you'll ever meet.Listen to hear how God transformed Dustin's life! Now it is hard to imagine what he was like before knowing Jesus.Thanks for listening!If you like listening to the podcast, please rate, write reviews, and share with your friends!You can follow us on instagram @lifeishardgo...

Send us a textHey friends! Jesus has the power to change lives. Before knowing Him, we were once dead in our sins, but now because of Him, we are alive in Christ. The purpose of this podcast series is sharing stories of people who have been marked and changed by Jesus. They once lived one way, and now they have new life.“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Send us a textTaking some time to reflect on the 2022 year (my word for the year was "peace"), and trusting God with the new 2023 year - step by step."Because of our God’s merciful compassion,the dawn from on high will visit usto shine on those who live in darknessand the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78-79)."Step by step You lead me, and I will follow You all of my days" (Sometimes by Step, Rich Mullins).Thanks for listening!