•SIM« NEWSLETTER January 1977

Dear Friends,

"Chance and change are busy everMan decays and ages moveBut His mercy waneth neverGod is wisdom, God is love." - Sir John Bowring

As the 30th pf our marriage and first arrival in Japan come inMarch anS""'SoveSI '̂̂ ^we can say Amen to the words of this great hymn. Thanksand praise to the faithful God who has led, fed and kept usj •and to thosefaithful Christians in a few good congregations who have continued throughall these days to pray for and support our-work for Christ. We. look backwardand forward with happiness, and at this point in our journey, conclude thatthe best thing we can do is just to "be hot weary in well-doing, for in dueseason we shall reap if we faint not."

We acknowledge that there have been many mistakes, failures and short-comingson our part, but we believe sincerely that the basic decisions to come andto stay and many of the ones connected with mission policies and people'slives have been under God's guidance and in accordance with His holy will andplans,. Through His grace we are at peace with God and man and ourselves.

Having we feel at home in theJapanese society and value many iriendshipsBut we are still foreigners.And so is Christ, for we can never lose sight of the fact that the good newsof salvation and life in Christ has been received by only a small minority ofthis great people. Our prayer and heart's desire is to be used of Christ inthe good work of building His church here.

MEJIRODAI CHURCH

On the first Sunday of 1976 as I was giving the customary New Year Greetingsin Japanese it occurred to me that one syllable has the same^ sound as thenumber 10, and on an impulse I punned that to mean that we should set a goalof 10 additions to the church. The folks, laughed, but they remembered it andmentioned it at different times during the year. I think some were praying•,too. We didn't-attain that goal, but during the year the Lordournumber--3 by transfer (a.^Jady; from a Mennonite church in Yokohama, and^ Baptist couple from Kyoto who had moved 'into our area) and 5 by baptism (2 housewives, one kindergarten, music teacher and 2 Jr. High School students.) Wenow .haf^i lY^ag^ive members. The average attendance at Sunday morning was 23,and the average'*^6"r holiday School was 61.

Preparations for our Christmas programs occupied much time, thought and energy during November and December, but as usual we enjoyed it and the resr-ponse of the people helped us to close the old and open the new year on ahigh note of joy and encouragement. We had parties for our English classes,programs at Danny's school and other places, but I will just tell brieflyabout the church-related activities. There is some more detail in the TokyoChristian, which I hope all of you receive.

On Saturday aight.Dec. 25 we had our Christmas program. We urged whole families to attend and were gl.ad to see 7 husbands present. One lady who hadbeen sick in bed for 2 months was out for the first time on that occasion.There was a total of 71 people presen-t, and the program was very interestingand edifying with participation by all ages and levels of musical ability--begining with a candle service and ending with a gift exchange. After everyone had gone home and the place was straightened up and quiet we placed acall to Bellville Ohio where it was now Christmas morning and talked with our9 children, grandchildren and sons-in-law who had gathered at Sylvia's fortheir first Christmas together in several years, for 14 minutes. It was worthmore than the phone comp.any billed me.

On Sunday afternoon Dec. 26 we had Beginners Sunday School program. In addition to the decorations that had been done by some of the young people theprevious Sunday, the children put up pictures on the walls that depicted whatChristmas, meant to them. They had a nice program of songs, memory verses,etc. about the Christmas story and were given attendance awards and treats.There were 25 children and 31 parents or older brothers and sisters present.

Then that evening from 9 o'clock we had the elementary Sunday School program.That is always the big crowd of the year, and this time we counted 106 peoplepacked into our.little chapel. The children did exceptionally well on theirmemory work and music. The 1-3 graders practiced hard on their harmonicas

and recorders which they are learning in school, and they made an "orchestfa"accompaniment for their mothers to sing Joy to the World as a grand and happyfinale for the program. The 4-6 graders produced a play of the Christmasstory using silhouette figures held up against a sheet with a back light.The majiy hand-made figures had moveable parts and holes filled with coloredpaper that made it attractive.

In this age group competition for the attendance awards is more intense.Nineteen of the children attended more than 40 Sundays of the year. Everybodyfiled out into the cold night ready for the New Year Vacation and resolved toattend more next year.

The special offering at the church program was over $300. and most of theparents who came to the S.S. programs brought offerings, although over 90% ofthe homes are non-Christian. The total offerings at the two Sunday Schoolprograms was over $200., which is ah indication of how the church has beenreceived in the community.

Two of our new Christians helped capable and joyfully with music and otherparts of the Christmas programs, and one older member spent a day preparingthe little candy boxes for the children.

One of the highlights of the year was planning for and carrying out our Vacation Bible School, which involved taking 72 people up to a small inn by alake in the Fuji area for 2 days of recreation and fellowship. Everyone worked hard and harmoniously and it turned out happily for all. Details werein an earlier letter.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

In addition to our work as preacher and leader in the local church we, ofcourse, cooperate with the other missionaries and the Japanese ministers.We have a monthly meeting, fifth Sunday rallies and other special get-togethers. We also had another camp in the Fuji Lale area early in August withover 100 attending. A few of our other responsibilities and Activities are:1. Chairman of the Yotsuya or Cunningham Mission. This job is mainly con-nected with administering the remaining property owned by the mission, andthis past year many hours were spent in negotiations with various real estate

oomp^ny represonr arti-ves-j—J-apairese—preacher ^rexr —<ioorj—a laivyer—etcabout possible ^ale of the prop^erty where have -14v

is not final because of objections by the neighbors to ere-""'^lon of a multistoried apartment building which the buyer plans. We continue

to pray for God's guidance in these and other difficult decisions and wouldask you to pray for us.2. Treasurer of the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, of which a largenumber of the 1200 protestant missionaries in Japan are menbers. This takesat least 1 day a month and more time during the yearly meeting in Februaryand the summer conference in July.3. Board member of Japan Missionary Language Institute, a school of 60 or 70students who are studying this difficult language in preparation for theirlife work. Last year a new text was published by the school.4. 1 was invited to join the local Hachioji Central Lion's Club, which givesme some contact with people otherwise totally unreached. I have also servedthis year on the neighborhood community committee for children's activities.This helped us to plan our V.B.S. etc. last summer so that church and community activities didn't conflict.5. English classes. We teach the children of our neighborhood at the churchon Wednesday afternoons, and 1 have classes at the local High School onTuesdays. Lois has a very lively class of local housewives every Friday morning, out of which several have starred coming to church regularly. Theysang as a special choir at the Christmas program. We also teach a good number of the English classes for younger children.

Vie are very thankful that Lois has completely recovered from gall bladdersi^gery last August 31.

'(KM

' TRIP TO THE U.S.

This year we are planning another short trip to the United States to visitour children, mothers and as many of you friends and supporting churches astime and opportunity permit. We hope that things can be worked out here sowe can leave in the be in Cincinnati for the NorthAmerican Christian Convention. We plan to return September forthe begining of Danny's 11th year of school. If you would like for us tovisit your church let us know as soon as possible and we will try to work itinto our schedule.

HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS

S:.MS NEWSLETTER . . ^ ^ June 1977

Dear Friends: A-i n . A % 9^JAldt

April and May have been very busy months for us. Now the rainy season is beginning and ouractiyities are somewhat limit.ed, so I will take the opportunity to send a long over-due letter. We are all in good health, thankful to the Lord for the opportunities to serve and worship Him in our current situation, and trusting Him fbi^ guidance and strength. We hope all ofyou v/ill have a joyful and fruitful summer and be spiritually refreshed.

TRIP TO U.S.A. GIVEN UP

When we wrote in January we were planning a trip to our homeland this summer, believing thatarrangements could be made for someone to take diir plate as preacher and teachers at Mejiro-dai church for ten weeks or so. But for various reasons all of the people we contacted (bothJapanese and missionaries) were unable to do this. Furthermore we noticed that while the local church folk imderstood our desire to visit children, grandchildren, parents and friends,and expressed not one word of criticism or anxiety, there was a little uneasiness and especially hesitancy in planning another Vacation Bible School^ I^began to fear that there mightbe a letdown in the enthusiasm and growth that has been building up slowly and steadily forthe past 18 months. So, I began to question whether we should continue to plan for this furlough.

After thinking it over for some days I talked to Lois about it. She understood well, and ad*mitted she too had been feeling some of the same things. Then we talked with Danny, who immediately said, "if it is for the sake of the church, that is a good reason." And that is thelast word he has.said about it. Next, we wrote to our four children living in the U.S., andtried to explain. Hope, our oldest daughter, summed it up with "we're disappointed, but notcrushed'.' Finally, We fold some of the members of the Mejirodai church who had gathered atour house for a Sunday School teacher's meeting. There was a period of silence. One said,"won't your children be disappointed?" Another said, "well, then we had better proceed withplans for Vacation Bible School this year." All of these things helped to confirm the decision in our minds, and we are sure it was right. ~ "

SUMMER PLANS

V/e are already well along with plans for another VBS up at Lake Saiko, near Mt. Fuji. We planto stay 3 days and 2 nights (Aug. 17-19) in the same People's Resort Village that we used lastyear. Also we will have a few days at-^e-church for pre-schoolers and others who can't goon the trip.

There will also be a young people's camp Aug. 1-4, and we are hoping some of our local youthwill be joining again this year. The Japanese preachers are taking all of the leadership inthis project now, with missionaries helping. Also, we will be attending the summer conference of the Evangelical Missionary Association, of which I am treasurer. This is always held inthe town of Karuizawa up in the mountains about 100 miles from Tokyo, and attended by 300 ormore missionaries from various groups.

Our English classes will continue until the school vacation begins here, which is sometime af-tor July 20, so we will be busy with our regular schedule except for 6 weeks in late July SAugust. Danny hopes to get a job for the summer at McDonalds hamburger place again.

MEJIRODAI CHURCH OUTREACH

Attcr/>.nce here has been running well above last year's, and though still small in comparis-cr. with most American churches, it is going in the right direction. At our Easter and Pentecost worship services we had very few empty chairs (there are 50). It really looks good tosee the front rows filled, as all preachers know. On Resurrection Sunday there were 2 baptisms. Both of these were middle-aged housewives. One of them began coming to Lois's English class about 3 years ago and had been coming to church regularly. The other was her"ric-nd v/hc first came to one of our home meetings for several months before ever coming to aworship service. Neither husband was happy about the decisions, but we hope and pray theywill come later.

On Pentecost Sunday the Junior High class sang for us. There were 14 of this age group present (a new record). But there are some of them every Sunday, which accounts for a largepart of the increase in our average attendance. After church we barbequed hotdogs in ouryard. For some people it was the first time to eat them that way, but 37 people stayed andhad a good time of fellowship on the last nice day before the start of the rainy season.

Lois wanted to have something special for Mother's Day in order to get some people to churchfor the first time, but several people said the non-Christian mothers find it impossible tocome on Sunday because it is the only day of the week that husband and children are at home.So a tea party was planned for Monday morning. May 9. Several of the church ladies spent alot of time and effort getting everything ready and all were very happy when 30 people came,including 5 or 6 who had never been to any church meeting before.

J

In June another of our members will begin a monthly home Bible study, making a total of 3of our homes in which this is done. The meetings are all led by the Christian housewives onweekdays. Lois goes to many of them, but I seldom attend. I just rejoice in it.

NEW VAN

In April we bought a hew 8 passenger Toyoto V^, and have used it for taking people to andfrom church, etc7~sevemt'times already.Those for Sale on used car lots have been deliveryvehicles mostly, and are too used to be a wofthwhile investment, so we bought a new one. Theold Toyoto Corona car bbught in 1971 when 2 years old gave us 6 years of good service, butinspection was coming due and we thought the time had come to change cars, and that the larger one would be of more use in our work.

CONVENTIONS

The first trip in the new van was to the 2 conventions which we attend every year. The Japanese Convention, held in a nice place beside Lake Biwa down hear Kyoto was attended by over200 people April 29-May 1. I had one of the messages. Immediately following this the missionaries went to Osaka for 2 days of fellowship and some good messages. We took 2 of our local members aiid one of the missionary children who attends the Christian^ Academy along withus and had a good time going and coming back. Oh the way back we stopped briefly at thehome "df one of the former members fromNakano who now lives in Nagoya and has 3 children.

'We would have indeed have been happy to visit our loved ones and friends, attend the NACC,Lake James and other meetings this summer. But we can also be happy staying here, and all themore as we believe that this is in accordance with God's will and guidance. We are thankfulthat we do not have, to go back to the States to raise money, maintain our phychological oremotional equilibrium, physical health and strength or report to any head office. We thinkthose who support us value more highly our staying on the job than being able to see us oftenface to face. We trust you will continue to pray for us. We believe that growth in the local church, our decision to stay and all things mentioned above are answers to the prayersof many, and are gifts of God who freely and graciously gives above what we ask or think.

Your's in His service,

HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS

SIMS TOKYO MISSION Non-Profit Orgn.First Church of Christ U.S. Postage Pd.315 Orange Avenue Permit No 57Eustis, Florida 32726 Eustis, FL. 32726

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

/^7 _ : •• •

JVh\

Tokyo Christian'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15

Volume 76 Fourth Quarter, 1977

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS

V.B.S. group in front of Sims' house.

On August 17-19 the Mejirodai churchhad another Vacation Bible School at thesame inn on Lake Saiko where we had ourfirst and popular excursion-type one in1976. After a couple of last minute cancellations because of sickness, 60 firstthrough seventh grade children and 11teachers and helpers left the church onWednesday morning in 3 charteredmicro-buses. Before we returned Fridayafternoon we had completed a 5 lessoncourse prepared by the Japan SundaySchool Union on OUR GOD - 1. Theone God (Moses), 2. The living God(David and goliath), 3. The righteousGod (Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah) 4. Theloving God (Naaman) 5. The saving God(Noah), including all the answers in theworkbooks. We also did supplementaryhandwork for each class, learned newsongs (the most popular being atranslation of"God is my Father, Jesus ismy brother ..."), got to know each otherbetter and had a lot of fun. Perhaps thehighlight was an impromptu dramatization of the story of David and Goliath bythe teachers. Our son Daniel drewpictures of warriors from the neck downon large sheets of paper, so the ladyteachers could hold them up and play theparts of Saul, David's older brothers, etc.The plumpish lady picked up the tall thinsoldier, and the littlest thin one got theburly fat one, of course. For humor,Danny drew them with exposed

stomachs. One mother told the the nextSunday that her boys came back homeand told their father that soldiers in theBible had "their honorable navels"showing, and drew exact copies of whatthey had seen at VBS to prove it. Guesswho was Goliath?

The weather this summer was veryunusual. Beginning on the 5th ofAugustwe had some if not mostly rain every dayfor 22 straight days. We hoped andbelieved the rain would stop just in timefor our VBS, but it was not to be. Becauseof the continuous rain we had to cancelalmost everything planned for outdoors-hiking, barbecue, games. But Lois hadprepared hand-work for each class fromleft-over Standard VBS materials whichwe had used several years ago, thinkingsomething like this might happen. Itreally helped us to pass the time usefully.One father said to one of our teachers,"We can go sightseeing and picnicing asa family almost anytime, but this is theonly opportunity for our children to bewith others of the same age in this kind ofactivity and surroundings." So in spite ofweather everyone was very happy.

All of our Sunday School teachers andone of the church ladies who had neverdone anything like this before made upour staff, and they all put in a lot of goodand hard work. We met about one night aweek most of the summer planningeverything, and some of them even made

Number 4

a trip to the lake and the inn and walkedover the hiking course to check on time,safety, etc. It seemed that we hit upon theright teacher for each class, althoughmost of them taught different age levelsthan their usual Sunday classes, soeverything went very smoothly. Eachteacher ate, slept, bathed, played andstudied with his or her own class. Forexample, a lady who has 2 sons but nodaughters was with the 4th grade girlsand said it was the joy and experience ofalife-time.

Everyone was supposed to write a postcard home. But there are some smart-alecs in the group, so several addressedtheirs to God in heaven. The owner of theinn culled these out when he took them tothe P.O. and returned them to us. Hereare translations of 2 of them: "God, thisyear's VBS was fun. I am going to believein you and study with all my might.Please guard me. Sayonara." "God, areyou all right? How about Jesus? Thankyou for always hearing my selfishprayers. I made a very pretty basket.Also I was able to make friends withvarious people and to see an old thatchedroof house. Also I learned how to laydown sleeping mats and many otherthings. Please guard me from now on.Amen."

All of us who participated in VBS arevery thankful and happy, believing thatGod was with us, leading and blessing allthe way.

We had decided to eliminate preschoolers from the VBS, but Lois whohelps in that department all the timethought there should be something forthem during the summer weeks also. Soshe began planning for a small 3-dayVBS for the little folks here in the churchbuilding the week following Saiko-Aug.24-26. One lady who went to Saiko wasfree and willing to help, and 2 ladies whodidn't go the previous week volunteered.Also 3 Junior High girls came at least Iday.

At first it looked like there would beonly 10 or 12 students, but on Sunday,Aug. 21, there was a rush ofregistrationsand a total of 30 children attended. Thisforced us into some busy hours during thenext few days drawing and mimeographing pictures to color and gatheringup other supplies. But we managed tohave a very enjoyable school those 3mornings from 9:30 AM until noon inspite of the continuing rain.

-Harold Sims

SAIKO CHRISTIAN CAMPContrary to the usual weather pattern,

August in Japan this year was a fairlycool and very rainy month. Our annualChristian camp for the Kanto areachurches was held at Lake Saiko duringthe first four days of August which wasthe beginning of this wet season.However, we were fortunate in havingvery good camp weather, having rainonly on two afternoons.

Attendance this year was very goodwith slightly over 80 persons registered.However, this marked a decrease in thenumber of campers from last year.

Camp group at Lake Saiko.

A small hotel on the shore of LakeSaiko was rented for the camp. Eventhough it was not designed primarily fora camp, it serves-our purposes very well.The straw-mat floored rooms not onlyserved as places to sleep at night, butdoubled as classrooms during the day.Because the lake water is polluted anddeep and the shore consists of huge,rough, volcanic stones, a nearbyswimming pool was also rented. A ballpark nearby served as the sport center forthe camp.

Excellent Japanese style meals wereserved at the hotel, with food bothplentiful and delicious. The mostenjoyable and memorable meal wascooked outside on Wednesday evening bythe campers. Large platters of pork andchicken and plenty of vegetables werecooked on large steel plates heated by redhot charcoal underneath them.

Classes were held soon after breakfastand followed by chapel and swimming.The afternoons were devoted to out-door

Campers gathered in the dining room of hotel atLake Saiko.

games and swimming and the eveningsto indoor games and Bible dramas. Oneafternoon most of the campers wenthiking. Some explored frigid, deep cavesin the area and climbed a smallmountain. Both were interesting andexhaustive experiences.

Lake Saiko campers preparing their meal of"Teppan-yaki".

The speakers and teachers who werepresent four days of camp were HiroakiSato, who served as camp manager, Mr.Takamura, Paul and Mark Pratt,Stephen Fleenor, Warren Christianson,and Andrew Patton. Mr. lijima and Mr.Morohashi served as guest chapelspeakers, bringing one message each.Two ladies from the state of Iowa, one ateacher and the other a nurse, werevisiting Japan and were our guestsduring the whole camp.

We are thankful that there were noserious illnesses nor injuries to thecampers during the week. The wonderfulfellowship and great opportunities toteach the gospel to such a large group ofpeople during the camp made all the hardlabor in making the week there possiblewell worth while.

The "Echo Meeting" or post-camprally, was held on September 15th at theSannobara Church in Isehara wherePaul Pratt ministers. Songs of joy, agospel message, a delicious lunch andinteresting games characterized themeeting. Snapshots were exchanged bythe campers and experiencesrecapitulated. Such remarks as "I havewonderful memories of camp", "Let us goagain next year." were overheard. Wehope that next year's camp too can be anavenue to bring the Gospel message tothese and other new campers.

-Andrew Patton

SPECIAL MEETINGSA series of special meetings were held

at Mejirodai church September 23-26.Sept. 23 is a holiday in Japan-a left-overcustom of visiting the graves of theancestors to announce family news andchanges, now called equinox day. Weshowed the rather well-known filmproduced by Christians in Japan called"Yoneko." This is the story of a HighSchool girl who in grief over her mother'sdeath sought comfort and meaning invarious things including worldlyamusements and then finally attemptedsuicide by jumping in front ofa train. Shelost 1 arm and both legs, but lived to findChrist, salvation and abundant life. Thishappened almost 18 years ago. We wereable to get Yoneko to come in person andspeak to us after the end of the film, andshe left a very deep impression on manywith her fine testimony. We were happyto see 76 in attendance, which was thebest response we have ever had to ourleaving handbills in every mail-box inour area.

On the following 2 nights (Saturdayand Sunday) we had Yukio Itagaki, thepreacher at Nakano church come andgive good messages. But the attendancethose nights was only 17 and 12, whichwas discouraging. We had planned togive the invitation Sunday night, forinstance, but there were only Christiansin the audience. So there were noadditions during the meeting, but we donot give up hope or effort.

We also had a meeting for ladies onMonday from 10 AM. Many say they areinterested but can't come at nightbecause of husband getting home latefrom work or putting the children to bed,etc. This was for those people. Someladies from Lois' Bible Class at Nakanochurch came out for that meeting andaltogether there were 25 present.

Also during this meeting a distraughtmother from the neighborhood came totalk. Her son had gone for a hike in themountains in August and disappeared.She was seeking solace and guidance.Since that time she has attended everySunday morning service.

-Harold Sims

Bible School students and teachers at theSakurayama Church.

SCHOOL AND

TRACT EVANGELISMIn the last issue of Tokyo Christian we

reported the plans of missionaries inTokyo to cooperate in evangelizing theareas where our respective churches arelocated. This work actually begantoward the end of September and is beingdone on two days a week basis.

The missionaries cooperating in thiswork are: Stephen Fleenor, JuliusFleenor, Warren Christianson, StanleyButtray, Paul Pratt, Milton Jones, DaleWilkinson, and Andrew Patton. To datewe have spent two days in thisevangelistic work at Yokosuka, 2 days atSakurayama and 4 days at Sayama.Plans are to spend 2 days each atAsashina and Isehara and one day atKamiochiai and one more day atSakurayama. Milton Jones and DaleWilkinson minister to the Yokosukachurch, Julius and Stephen Fleenor to theSayama church, Hiroaki Sato andAndrew Patton to the Sakurayamachurch and Warren Christianson to theAsashina Gospel Center in NaganoPrefecture, Paul Pratt to the Sannobarachurch and Fumio Sato to theKamiochiai church.

As a result of the work done at thesevarious places an increase in attendance,especially of the children at Bible School,has been realized. Sayama showed anincrease of eleven in one week, the largestof any place so far.

Generally in the mornings tracts aredistributed to homes. In the afternoonsevangelism is done near schools, using aportable speaker and picture rolls to tellthe gospel story. Beautifully coloredbooklets containing excerpts from theGospels and inserts are distributed. Inthe evenings tracts are distributed at

railway stations while a speaker is usedto preach to the people.

As usual, public attitudes shown to theworkers as they visit homes and minglewith people vary from cold to warm.Sometimes people politely refuseliterature we offer them, but seldom do wemeet a very rude or unkind person.

Near the Sakurayama church wedistributed in 30 minutes over 500booklets with inserts and handbillsannouncing our church services to thestudents of a nearby high school. If wehad had literature two or three times thisquantity, we could have easilydistributed them too because of the largeenrollment in the high school. Followingour work at Sayama, a young personasked a missionary wife in theneighborhood where the church was. Hehad received a tract from us and wantedto know the location of the church. Whilewe were distributing tracts in Yokosukawe met a mother who said her child hadreceived tracts from us before the schooland that they were reading themtogether.

Such evangelism is hard work but weare encouraged by the results. We believewe shall reap souls if we do not faint.

-Andrew Patton

Andrew Patton telling the Gospel story to childrenon a street corner. (Julius Fleenor at left).

BUTTRAYS' REPORTNow, thirty-two years after the Second

World War ended in Japan the dollar hasweakened and slid to its lowest value yet.The daily newspaper headlines and theT.V. - Radio news broadcasts franticallyvie with one another in trying to reachthe public first with such devastatingnews.

More than any other foreigner inJapan the missionary is hardest hit bythe falling dollar. The fact is, it is not somuch that the dollar is weakening, as it isthe true value of the Japanese Yen isbeing permitted freedom to surface.

Regardless, either way you look at it,the missionary will increasingly find itmore and more costly and difficult toaccomplish the goal for which he came toJapan.

A definite retrenchment ofmissionaries began as the dollar began towaver. And it appears the trend iscontinuing (according to reports)unabated. Major Denominational

Missionary Boards are evidently (due tothe Yen-dollar situation) constantlyreviewing (in a relative way) the values ofthe missionary in Japan. Consequently,some missionaries are being called homewith the idea of sending them to otherless costly and more fertile fields ofendeavor.

Doubtless, the decreasing value of thedollar; the yearly ten to thirteen per centincreased cost of living; and increasedtaxes will eventually decimate the ranksof missionaries while causing allremaining to tighten their belts.

Certainly the various advancementsmade by this world of humanity duringthe last fifty years, coupled withdecreasing morality, increasing crime, aweakening, liberal, loveless church, anda multiplication of nature disruptions...declares to everyone who is looking forthe return of Jesus Christ, that, "It won'tbe long now"!

Stanley Buttray

BIBLE CAMP

Since we have now had six and a halfacres of Camp Land for more than threeyears, it is only reasonable to think thatduring this time Camp facilities wouldhave materialized. But due toinsufficient finances, it still remainswithin a beclouded future entity.

Gifts and offerings received for theCamp during this past year have not yettotaled $2,000.00. And we still have beenunable to attain a definite time schedulein the sale ofthe Kamiochiai property. Soanother long year passes into history,with our goal ofan evangelistic camp stillin a hopeful future.

In view of the above information, wecontinue to ask for your prayers andfinancial support for the construction ofpermanent Camp buildings on theShinshu Bible Camp grounds.

Gifts and offerings are to be sent to ourforwarding agent:

Mrs. Lois HesslerP.O. Box 287Meadville, PA 16335

designating them (Shinshu Bible Camp).

Stanley Buttray

November 15, 1977 will mark 30 yearssince Harold and Lois Sims first arrivedin Japan. They are not thinking ofretirement yet, but rather ofthe prophet'sprayer, "Lord, revive Thy work in themidst of the years." We are thankful tohave been called and allowed to serve uptill now, and look forward to more yearsand more fruit ahead. We just completedthe renewal of our visas and driver'slicenses for the next 3 years; and plan toride out the stormy waves of sinkingdollars and rising yen and other suchtemporary changes.

Tokyo Christian

Published four times a year in January, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services, Box 177,Kempton, Indiana 46049. Second Classpostage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 2-26-4Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs.Garydon Hessler, 760 Garden St.,Meadville, PA 16335.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R.6, Box 14B, Rushville, IN 46173.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch of Christ, Orange at Center St.,Eustis, FL 32726.

Two-year subscription $.50Subscription and

Flaming Torch $1.00

EXCHANGE RATEFALLS

Uncertainty seems to characterizeeconomic conditions and trendsworldwide today. The exchange ratebetween the U.S. dollar and theJapaneseYen has especially been affected by thiscircumstance. Six years ago we werereceiving 360 Yen per dollar, but inJanuary of this year we were receivingabout 290 Yen per dollar at the banks inJapan. Now in the middle of October theworth ofthe dollar is down to 253 Yen andwe do not know if the bottom has beenstruck or not.

One encouraging note is that the Bankof Japan has promised to intervene toprevent the dolleur from falling below 250Yen, but the pressure is expected tocontinue on the dollar, at leasttemporarily.

What does this 15 percent applicationof the Japanese Yen this year and 30percent appreciation since 1971 mean tothe missionaries and their work? It is theequivalent of having their support cut29.7 percent in six years, while at thesame time commodity prices areconstantly rising. Most missionaries areoperating on a tight budget and they canill afford such financial shocks. Only afew whom we know have receivedadditional funds to compensate forexchange losses and inflation.

Again it seems that what is good forAmerica is bad for the work ofAmericanmissionaries in Japanr~Ainerican~goodff"can be sold more competitively now inJapan, while Japanese goods sold on theAmerican market are priced higher. Ifthis trend does not lose force soon we fearthe American missionary will begradually squeezed out of Japan for lackof funds.

If the price of all American goodsexported to Japan would be reduced onthe Japanese market it would be helpful.But little or no reduction has been madeso far here and the prospective reductionsplanned soon v^l be on selectivecommodities like tobacco, automobiles,whiskey, and other goods which themissionary will not purchase. It seemsthat the more equitable course would beto reduce prices of all American goods,but this seems not to be contemplated.

It would be good for the nervous systemand livelihood of the Americanmissionary in Japan if this uncertaintyand pressure were removed.

-Andrew Patton

NEWS NOTE

On Oct. 8, 9, and 10, Harold and LoisSims helped Exie Fultz to move from herapartment in Tokyo down to her smallhouse on Awaji Island, near Kobe.

PATTON NEWSBIRTHDAYS

On October 4th Andrew observed his60th birthday. He passed the day quietlyby plastering the walls of a room at theSakurayama church that will be used foranother classroom. He is grateful thathis health allows him to do such work atthat age and only a few months after aserious illness. He and Mr. Sato havepainted most of the inside walls of thechurch building recently.

Noel, the oldest Patton son, willobserve his 21st birthday on December22nd. He and Philip continue to live andwork in Joplin, Missouri. Stephen Pattonwill celebrate his 17th birthday onJanuary 5th.

ANNIVERSARIESAndrew and Betty will celebrate their

25th wedding anniversary on December20th. No great celebration is planned butnaturally to them it is an occasion for joyand thanksgiving. Only 18 days later, onJanuary 7rii, Andrew will celebrate his30th anniversary as a missionary toJapan for on that date in 1948 he beganhis work as a Christian evangelist inJapan. In the preceding year (1947) theRushsylvania church in Ohio began tosupport him in his work and they havecontinued to do so until now. They are hisoldestsupporter and he~wishe8~66~thanlr"them for their faithfulness during thesemany years.

NEW CLASSESAndrew has started two new English

Bible classes for high school students,one at the Sakurayama church onSunday morning and the other at theArakawa church on Sunday afternoon.Prospects for members for ^ese classeslook good and each student who comes is

POSTMASTER

FORM 3579 REQUESTED

BOX 177, KEMPTON, IN 46049

encouraged to attend the worship servicealso. These classes should afford manyopportunities for personal evangelism.

FALL WORK

SCHEDULEAndrew and Betty are now working

exclusively with the Sakurayama andArakawa churches. Andrew tried torestart his English classes but had toclose them again because they overtaxedhis energy. He has found other avenuesof service in the two churches and incooperation in evangelism with the othermissionaries and is busy all the time.

Now that he is no longer teachingEnglish, the proceeds from those classesare no longer available for use in thework. This has caused a temporarystrain to their funds but they believe theLord will continue to provide for theseneeds as He has in the past.

THANKSGIVINGAs we approach the Thanksgiving and

Christmas seasons, we becomeoverwhelmed at the number of thingsthat we can actually list and praise theLord for. Even some sorrows, woes andworries were turned into joys andblessings and thankfulness as God was

-allowed to work inrHis way. His time andHis place and through His chosen personor persons. We know too, that God caresand provides for us in many waysunknown to each of us. Because of Hisfaithfulness in all things, may we enjoy aspecial time of praise and thanksgivingat this time of year. For you who havefaithfully given of your tithes andofferings, taken time to pray with us andfor us, our many thanks to the Lord foreach one. We pray that God will give usmany more days to do His will in the landof Japan.

Christmas 1977

Dear Friends,

Another season of greetings comes—ever faster, it seems. We are atthe same place, preaching and practicing the same things, keeping the sameweight and glad of it. We hope that at least in faith, health and happinesseach one of you is also "the same." And we all know and rest our souls in thebelief that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

We first arrived in Japan 30 years ago on Nov. 15, 19^7. Of coursethere have been many changes in the world around us since then, but we haveno regrets about our decision to come here as mSssionarles and to stay. TheLord has blessed His woric in Japan, and wo are thankful to have seen and participated in some of the action and look to Him for guidance in days ahead.

The Mejirodai church which began 7 years ago now has 22 members, ofidiom 19 are active and faithful. Eight of these teach in our Sunday Schoolidiich averages above 60. This year our morning worship attendance has averagedin the high twenties—larger than the membership. 6o children and 11 teachersand helpers went on a 3-dfity carap-VBS trip to the foot of Mt. Fuji, in August,and the following week we had a 3-day VBS for the smaller children here at thechurch, with 30 attending. This year Lois started a Ladies Chorus, and thereare now 3 Bible study groups meeting at least once a month in homes of ourJapanese Christians.

Japan continues to enjoy economic prosperity. A new aparianent buildinghaving ^ condominiums costing $60,000 each sold out within 2 hours in thisneighborhood in September. The dollar continues to lose value relative to theyen. After getting 3^0 yen for a dollar for over 20 years we have seen thedollar shrivel to around 250 yen presently while prl ces have continued upward.But don*t worry about us. We oTirselves are not anxious about what we will eator wear. We are supplementing our income from the U.S. by some English teaching,and from this spring the local church began giving us $100. per month. We thinkthis is good training for them and proper sharing of responsi.bilities.

HOPE and Tom Schmidt and their daughters Becky (6) and Melinda (2) nowlive just outside of Markle, Indiana and are happy and active workers in thechurch there. Tom works for Fruehauf Co.

SYLVIA and Dave Smith and their daughter Rachel (18 months) are stillin Bellville, Ohio. Dave works for Westinghouse Co.

JONATHAN is in his second year of graduate study at Cincinnati Chri stianSeminary, and supports himself working nights at the Federal Reserve Bank.

BOBBY is working at an electri c appliance parts place during the day andstudying at the Ohio College of Applied Science at nights.

DANIEL is in the eleventh grade at Christian Academy in Japan, drawingcartoons for the student newspaper and taking pictures for the yearbook withmy camera. In Japan he can't get a driver's license yet, though he is l6.

Yours in Chri.st's service.