Please Help Nate Stay in School and Stay with Me

There is no greater pain than being separated from your only child, knowing they are struggling, and you are powerless to help. For seven years, this was my reality. My son Nathan and I were victims of abuse and violence, forced apart by circumstances beyond our control. Unfortunately, we had no choice but for him to return to Japan, and I was left in the United States, finding my way to survive and for a way to reunite us.

During those years, we endured unimaginable hardships in our separate worlds. Both of us passed through the "shadow of the valley of death." Allow me to spare you details of our dark past. The pain, fear, and struggles we endured were overwhelming, yet by the grace of God, we have come this far.

Despite the darkness, we held onto hope, and now, we are striving to rebuild our lives together. Nathan faced life in Japan without access to education or support, moving from one low-paying job to another, battling prejudice, discrimination, abuse, despair, and struggling with the loss of his family, stability, and protection. Life in Japan is not for the weak. He lived in survival mode—moving from couch to couch, working physically demanding jobs beyond his health, and feeling trapped in an environment with no opportunities for growth. I trained Nate to survive and fight for life at a very young age but at some point when there is no break from one pit to another, the heart grows weary and the will to live faints. At his lowest, he fought the temptation to give up entirely. At that point, it was time for rescue.

I had my own battles to fight one after another. My days were also a fight for survival, holding onto the hope that one day I'd see and hug him again. There wasn’t a day without tears, longing for him, praying for his safety, and grieving for the years we lost. The pain of separation left deep scars in both of us.

Why Nathan’s Education Matters

Through years of sacrifice and prayer, Nathan is finally here in the U.S. pursuing a college education. His education represents more than academics—it’s his lifeline, giving him the chance to heal, grow, and build a meaningful future. His education is not just about a diploma—it’s the foundation for a stable future especially if he has to inevitably go back. If tis ever happens, having an education will at least give him a fair chance to thrive.

Our Current Struggles

I'm working double time. I work full-time, rush my schoolwork, train myself at nights, prep for a license to empower myself and build a stable future for us aiming for a higher paying job soon. However, our situation remains overwhelming due to urgency and deadlines. I realized we need help to bridge this gap. Nathan is also working to obtain a permit to work on campus (acing his courses), but even that won’t be enough to meet the financial demands of tuition and his school expenses.

How You Can Help

I am humbly presenting how you can be part of our journey:

These funds will help contribute towards Nate’s schooling for the coming year and help rebuild his life as I work to stabilize our situation.

Tuition (7,000/semester x3) books, school supplies, and a computer for schoolwork and labs, transportation, his room, and essentials:

E-scooter or e-bicycle for commuting

Higher education may seem like a luxury, but for us, it represents survival and hope. Your kindness and generosity will give Nathan the chance to stay here and heal, grow, and build a future—and help us stay together as a family. Every contribution, whether through prayers, funds, or simply sharing our story, is a great encouragement. May the Lord bless you a hundredfold, and may we someday pay it forward.

Note: The cover picture was taken 7 years ago when we left home with no certainty of what lay ahead. Never could we have anticipated the painful separation and suffering that awaited us. This is the 7th year, and I am claiming it as the year of the Lord’s favor. Nathan has returned, and I pray that this year will end with renewed hope for our future—especially his future.