My Testimony — Hana Oren My name is Hana. “Hana” means flower in Japanese, and I believe that was God’s first sign to me—a whisper of the calling He had placed on my life. A calling to bloom where few flowers grow: Japan, where only about 2% of the population is Christian. That name was never an accident. It was a seed. Growing up, I didn’t have many friends. My world mostly revolved around my brother—we’d have Nerf battles, explore parks, and get lost in video games together. But with few close connections outside my family, I spent a lot of time in my own head, dreaming up stories. I imagined myself as a famous talk show host, always interviewing someone. My two most frequent guests? My “Buddy”—a creature I made up to cope with loneliness—and myself. I wasn’t a believer at the time. Sure, I went to church, memorized Bible stories, and followed along with whatever my parents were doing. But I didn’t have that raw yearning for God. Not yet. That shift didn’t come until much later—when I left homeschooling after ten years and entered public school. It hit me like a wake-up call. I suddenly realized just how much of life I’d been coasting through, spiritually and emotionally asleep. Seeing how the world moved, what it valued, how it pulled people in... I had to ask myself: Do I want this to be my life? The answer was clear. No. I wasn’t like them. I didn’t want to blend in—I wanted to stand out for something deeper. I wanted more. That season sparked a transformation. I started listening to sermons, building stable friendships, and learning what trust really meant. It was like my heart had been on mute, and God turned the volume all the way up. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been an artist. Whether I was building with Legos, painting, carving wood, or even using just my own hands—I always wanted to create. That same creativity gave life to Buddy, my childhood imaginary friend. Now, I see that God gave me those gifts—animation, storytelling, and a raw, passionate love for Him—for a reason. I want to use them to give others their own wake-up call, just like I had. To create stories that break through the noise and reach into people’s souls. Stories that say, “Hey, you were made for more.” Because that wake-up call? It led me straight to the water. And that’s when I had the courage to get baptized in October 2024 I'm excited to be going with iGo Global to Japan in 2027. iGo Global is an incredible organization that helps young people grow in their faith and gives them real opportunities to share the gospel around the world. One thing I really like about iGo is how they train and prepare students to serve well and make a lasting impact. I chose iGo because I believe young people can be bold in their faith and share the gospel, and iGo gives us the chance to do exactly that.