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As her love for Japanese literature grew, so did Postma’s love for the Japanese people.
“I began to pray for Japan every day because I could see through their literature that, even though we had our similarities, they were dying spiritually. They were very moralistic and didn’t see any need for Christ in their life.”
On March 11, 2011, shortly before graduating from Providence, Postma witnessed the devastating news coverage of the earthquake in northeastern Japan that spawned a ravaging tsunami, causing thousands of deaths, as well as unimaginable destruction throughout the greater Tōhoku region.
Overwhelmed with compassion, Postma sought to join a disaster relief team after her graduation in May. In August of the same year, she joined an Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) group and spent 10 days providing aid with their cleanup crews—an experience that had a profound impact not only on the lives of the local residents, but also her own life.
“The devastation of the tsunami opened up doors for witnessing in Japan. There were so many families in the streets that were left alone without anyone to help them. When they saw us offering aid, it provided opportunities to share the love of Christ that wasn’t there before.”
After returning home, Postma felt God calling her to a career that would combine both her love for literature and other cultures: teaching.
“I wanted to return to Japan, but I also wanted to sustain myself,” says Postma. “So, I looked at various possibilities, and one of the
greatest needs they had was for English teachers. That’s when it finally clicked. I thought, ‘Okay, Lord, if going back to Japan means that I need to become a teacher, then I will become a teacher.”
Postma began the exhaustive year-and-a-half long process of becoming an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor. Finally, in August 2014, Postma moved to Tokyo, taught for three months at an international pre- school, and then was offered a teaching position through Interac, a private ESL education program in Yokohama City.
Postma served as an English tutor to over 800 Japanese middle school students, an experience in which God used her to be a light for Him in the lives of countless unsaved children.
After living in Japan for one year, Postma returned to the United States to continue her career in education. Today, she is an ESL Coach at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering writing instruction to foreign students from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
As Postma reflects on her educational journey, she recognizes that she is far removed from the young woman who didn’t want to become a teacher. Yet, she has found fulfillment in using her God-given gifts to edify others and glorify Him.
“Because His sovereign hand is in every culture, I’ve discovered that I love teaching English as a second language,” says Postma. “I’ve reached a point where I am learning to be content with God’s direction, and I know that I will continue to find joy wherever He places me.”
Deeper Learning for Greater Wisdom
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