Rie

In case you haven’t been following my blog, I’ve been doing a series of “coffee mug” posts—each cup representing a friend (or even a daughter). The cup in the above picture was a gift from our “Japanese daughter,” Rie. Rie came into our home about twelve years ago as an exchange student, just for a summer. But it was a summer we would never forget. She immediately endeared herself to our family. 

Rie knew she was coming into a home as a guest, and she was not in the least presumptuous—she asked permission for everything in the beginning. We kept telling her she didn’t have to ask. We wanted her to feel like a part of the family with all the rights and privileges thereof. Though we didn’t have any teenagers in the house at that time, we tried to treat her as we hoped we would treat our kids once they reached their teen years—with respect and fairness. And she was one of the most respectful individuals I’ve ever met.

Rie is very gentle. She loved playing with our children and would always smile her gorgeous friendly smile and say “So cute”—especially in reference to Josiah, who at the time was a busy eight-month-old. Rie appreciated Kalina’s humor and laughed a lot at her silly shenanigans. Kristiana was her roommate, so the two of them became pretty close. And one night during her stay, Kristiana led Rie in a prayer to accept Jesus as her Savior. 

Rie loved going to the church we attended at the time, Salem City Church. She found the people to be very friendly and adored our worship music. We were thrilled that she enjoyed it so much and loved introducing her to our friends there. Rie possesses a servant’s heart and always wanted to be involved in whatever we were doing, helping out in any way she could.

There is a sweet spirit about Rie—you meet her, and you simply love her—as our extended families did when they met her as well. And she is compassionate to the core. When our kids would do something naughty and get in trouble, Rie was always concerned about them—she wanted to see them happy again and restored to good standing. :)

It’s not surprising—with her interest in children and her compassionate heart—that Rie is now teaching in the States. I am proud of her for always seeking to learn and grow—and being willing to try new things. Before teaching, she spent some time learning the travel agent business.

I think Rie will always be an avid traveler. She has a childlike curiosity and wonder about new places and people that makes each trip she takes a true adventure. I love that about her, and when I was with her I came to appreciate my surroundings and culture even more because of her contagious enthusiasm and inquisitiveness.

We’ve only seen Rie twice in the past twelve years—once just before she went back to Japan in 2002 and once a few years later, when she came for a visit (2007). Even though she wasn’t a long-term part of our home, she made a life-long impression in our hearts. We will always count ourselves blessed and favored to have been her summer host family. We discovered a rare gem that we will always love and treasure.