Alma Bermejo

Hello. My name is Alma Bermejo, I am a Mexican missionary serving in Hokkaido. I teach in a Bible School in Ishikari, and disciple children and youth from different churches in Sapporo. Sometimes I travel to other prefectures to train teachers of children, minister to children, youth and families in camps.

I was born in Mexico City and I am an elementary school teacher and a communicator by profession. I came to know the Lord Jesus in my late twenties, I went to Bible School in Mexico and then I continued my training in The USA. I have been in full-time ministry for 20 years, initially traveling to different nations but recently God instructed me to stay in Japan.

My experience in Japan is difficult to explain, I first came in 2003 and came back once or twice a year. I was then serving in an international church and many people spoke English. A few times I didn’t understand the way things were done but never really experienced the culture. In 2008, I was invited to serve in Hokkaido and it was then when the culture hit me hard. I started studying the language but some physical issues in my body started developing out of the blue and I had no progress. I went to major spiritual warfare and in 2010 God led me to go back home, and after 3 months of my return my mother died.

In 2016, God opened the door again and I came back for a short trip, in 2017 I came back again for 6 months and it was then when a pastor from a local church offered to help me with the visa. I have a religious visa since 2018, and I am convinced that God wants me here. It is only by His grace that I haven’t given up. Most of the time I don’t understand what is going on, we think and act so differently. I love Japanese people but need help to understand them, that’s why I have enrolled in this class.