Larissa Ortiz

Larissa had dreamed of becoming a long-term missionary since experiencing her first mission trip in 2003. She often wondered where she would be called to serve. In 2023, 20 years in the making, the Lord put a love and burden in her heart for the people of Japan. Larissa heard about WIM through a fellow WIM missionary and joined in 2024. She has a background in education and social work. In her downtime, she enjoys making friends in random places, bullet journaling, drinking tea, and listening to music. 

In attempting to learn more about Japanese culture, Larissa came across a YouTube video that featured the hikikomori (pronounced HEE-KEY-CO-MO-REE) or shut-ins. Most hikikomori find themselves in a severe form of self-isolation, usually caused by a traumatic event(s) in their lives. Unspoken expectations and pressures are found in Japanese culture. When these expectations are not met, one can often become paralyzed by shame and/or fear, which in turn makes it difficult to integrate into society. Historically, hikikomori are often seen as a burden to their families and society at large. The families are viewed as enablers, which makes it difficult to ask for help. Being called or labeled "hikikomori" is used as a degrading term. 

The Lord has given Larissa a desire to provide the hikikomori and their families with an opportunity to learn English from a native speaker by using the Bible as the material by which they learn. She wants to provide the family with emotional support as well as provide them with practical and sought-after skills. Larissa desires to be the hands and feet of Christ by practically assisting the families, such as making them dinner, helping with cleaning around the home, or taking care of a utility bill. It is Larissa's heart and desire to share the love and compassion of Jesus Christ with the hikikomori and their families by showing them they are loved, valued, and were created with a purpose. To share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to walk with them through life is an honor.

Missionary #1329