Joe enjoyed learning languages, and he wanted to be able to support his parents as they grew older. He knew that decent money could be made in the hotel industry, so he decided to major in Hotel & Hospitality. As part of his degree, he went to study in Japan for a year. At first, Joe was excited about living in another country. But shortly after arriving in Japan, everything fell apart.

Joe could not adjust to the lifestyle there. Everything was so ordered, people seemed so uptight, compared to the more carefree, easygoing ways that he was used to. And the workload was so heavy! How could he ever manage to pass all his classes, with so much to learn? He was up late studying, but then had to get up early for class. He had hardly any time for friends. He felt lonelier and lonelier, and he became more and more depressed. Joe forced himself to keep smiling, but his heart was filled with unhappiness and despair.

One day, Joe’s teacher returned a major project, and Joe saw that he had not passed. He would fail this class, and probably some other ones, too.
After class, Joe went to a bench in the school’s common area, where he called a friend, speaking in English as their common language. “I just want to die. I’m failing at everything and wasting my parents’ money. I just can’t do this anymore. I’ve been thinking about killing myself,” he told his friend.
“Joe, please find a counselor,” his friend pleaded.

When Joe ended the call, he looked up and saw a woman with a kind face looking at him with concern. “Did you say ‘counselor’?” the woman asked in English. “I am a counselor. Would you like to meet?”

Joe began meeting with Jean, a Singaporean Christian counselor, who just happened to be in Japan on a short-term missions trip, and who “just happened” to be in the common area when Joe called his friend.

After several counseling sessions, Joe began praying and reading the Bible. One day, he asked God for a sign, and the word “star” was impressed upon him. Later that very day, the counselor brought up the word “star” in their counseling session.

Not long after, Joe put his faith in Jesus Christ. A smile of true joy was put in his heart.

Joe did not finish his studies in Japan, but when he returned to Thailand, he met some student ministry workers at his university, and he now regularly attends cell group, growing in his faith.