We are the Cash Clan Japan: Keith and Lisa, Claire, Adam, Benjamin, and Samuel. We came from the United States to Japan in August of 2003 with 10 month-old Claire in tow and little Adam in utero, not sure exactly what was going on, but following His mysterious lead. We each knew we wanted to be missionaries from the time we were teenagers (before we met each other), but we really were pretty clueless what that meant. Step by step, we followed His instructions, getting married young (20 & 21!), Lisa working towards her Bachelors in English and then her Masters in TESL, and Keith getting his Bachelors in Special Education. Our golden ticket arrived in the summer of 2003, immediately after Keith had gotten laid off as a new teacher in Oklahoma’s then-struggling education system. Keith quite unexpectedly got a job with the U.S. Department of Defense teaching Special Education to American military children at Atsugi Navy Base, and we took that as our way in. We are still utterly amazed that God would allow little old us to live and minister among the most unreached people group on the planet. It took us a few years to find our place in Japan, but all along the way, we have sought to purposely “live out loud” our lives, our faith, and our love right here among the Japanese people. Keith is a teacher by day, and a spiritual warrior by night. Lisa is an English teacher by trade, and a singer of His praises by heart, with her time being shared between mothering and ministry. Some of the ministry “things” that we do include helping to pioneer a children’s program at our Japanese church, leading a monthly ladies outreach called “Coffee Talk,” and heading up the Atsugi Awana Club. We are crazy, crazy blessed and honored to spend our lives on the Gospel of Christ in Japan.
Hi Lisa,
I work at Awana headquarters and am so happy to hear about your Awana year! It sounds like God really blessed your efforts and answered your prayers. I’d love to hear more about your story and experience with Awana. I write stories for the Awana Web site about how God uses the ministry of Awana in people’s lives and would love to talk with you. Feel free to email me at kima@awana.org and perhaps I can send you some questions. I know you are in Japan so it might be tricky to talk by phone.
Blessings,
Kim Anderson
Hi Keith I think its so awesome that you and your family are missionaries. I am happy to see that you and your family is doing well. I would really like to catch up with you sometime, please friend me on face book I’d love to chat with you and tell you all about my family and life and learn about yours although I see you are pretty much an open book wich is great. You and your family will always be in my prayers and I pray God will reunite us soon old friend.
Hi Lisa and Keith,
Hope you are doing well there. I am home and rested from all the travel. I was very blessed to be there with you all.
Love,
Jan
Lisa, it was wonderful to meet you at the retreat! Blessings!
Hi,
I know it’s been so long since our story. I hope things have been better for your beautiful family. I have a favor to ask… Can you please DELETE my post from before. It has my personal cell in there and I really need to keep that number protected for my safety. Thank you so much! Make sure you keep that number though to yourself and feel free to call me anytime! It would be wonderful to catch up!
XOXO
Danica
Of course, I’ve deleted the post!! I was actually just in Tulsa last week because my grandmother is on her deathbed. I was able to say my goodbyes and relieve her caregivers for a few days at least, but I wish I could have stayed longer…Anyway, I hope you are doing well and loving your job and your life! Things have been more than a little rocky over here trying to kind of refind our place. It’s not been an easy transition, and we’re very much still in transition…But that’s okay.