Tokyo ChristianVOLUME 79

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

FIRST QUARTER, 1980 NUMBER 1

BUTTRAY NEWS

la I.1 *!

The new Shinshu Bible Camp building which wasfinished December 20th, 1979. A five inch snow onDecember 24th made possible this winter view of theCamp. Pray for a 100% usage of these facilities byboth missionaries and Japanese preachers . .. and a100% conversion of all non-Christians that attendfrom itsopening this year, 1980, untiiJesus returns forHis Own!

Rejoice with us in the Lord that FaithLand Bible Camp has been completed,except for a few minor things. Theconstruction company declared their workwas completed on December 20th, 1979.The building passed official inspection onJanuary 12th. And a simple celebrationwas held on January 15th, which was aJapanese holiday to honor all who became20 years of age this past year. In spite ofanunexpected eight-inch snow storm on the14th, 29 persons were present for thecelebration and fourteen people stayedovernight.

Bill Turner and three members from theKamiochiai Church in Tokyo came twodays early to help clean the building andget things ready. Three of the formerCamp Land owner farmers were presentand along with the Construction Companyand Architect were given specialrecognition and presents.

Long time friends of ours, Peter andChizuru Kaneko came the greatestdistance, driving five hours in unusualsnowy weather. He was our M.C. for theday and his wife helped in other ways.From the beginning, seven and a halfyears ago when searching for land untilnow, in every phase of searching,negotiation, buying, and planning, hewillingly gave of his time.

Harold Sims was the main speaker, andhis wife Lois supervised the kitchen workand serving refreshments after the

meeting. Others that took part in theservice that came from the Tokyo areawere Mr. Kanamura, the Aoki family fromthe Kamiochiai Church and Mr. Yoshidafrom the Yokosuka Church, and BillTurner from the Sayama Church.

The Camp building is winterized, but itwas finished too late for the year end oiearly New Year plans, much to my regret.The next available time is during theschool break which is March 15th to April15th. By that time we must purchase allcooking utensils, more dishes, andcurtains if possible.

The building will sleep about 80campers, seat 100 in the dining room andabout 125 in the assembly room. Thedownstairs Japanese rooms can be usedfor various group meetings. And weatherpermitting, an outdoor recreation area canbe used over the Japanese ofuro(bathroom). The tennis and volleyballcourts, and softball field must be workedon as soon as spring weather permits, inorder to have a full sports program forsummer.

We are still in need of single bed fittedand flat sheets, pillow cases and blankets.Also in making plans for a needed staffbuilding we have discovered a minimum of$20,000 is necessary.

Thank you for your concern and prayersthrough the years. Now that God hasblessed in providing land, building andfacilities - join us in faith and prayer andhold on to the promises of God for amultitude of souls to enter the Kingdomthrough this God-given Camp.

The Open House celebration at the new ShinshuBible Camp building assembly room. Twenty-ninewere present, including five missionaries. PeterKaneko is M.C., Harold Sims is on the front row, andLois Sims and Mabel Buttray are on the back row.Beside Mabel is the architect, Matsutaka San and theConstruction Company representative, IchikawaSan.

The Billand Betty Turnerfamlly visiting Stanley andMabel Buttray at Christmas. They are standing infront of the kitchen-dining pass-through, and had justfinished unpacking and distributing the new table andchairs.

SIMS NEWS

Harold and Lois Sims at homo.

THE YEAROF THE MONKEY

This is the year of the monkey in theOrient. It is said that people born in thisyear are full of wit and high spirits andkind to other people. The cycle is 12 years,so people born in 1968, 56, 44 etc. wouldshare this "luck". Almost everyone hasseen the 3 monkeys who see no evil, hear noevil and speak no evil. The negative formused in these prohibitions or resolutions isthe same sound as the word "monkey" inthe Japanese language, so this is a play onwords and explains the origin of thefamous carving found in the shrine atNikko.

MONTH OF EVANGELISTIC EMPHASIS

In Medjirodai church, at the suggestionof one of our members, we had a month onevangelism during November 25-December 25. We had special music,sermons and emphasis on attendance foreach of the 5 Sundays. Also 10 of themembers cooperated in distributing over2300 little booklets and a handbill invitingpeople to services to every house andapartment in our neighborhood. TheSundays were titled THANKSGIVING(FAMILY DAY), MEN'S DAY. LADIES'DAY. YOUNG PEOPLES' DAY ANDCHRISTMAS. We set a goal of 200 (40 perSunday) for the morning worshipattendance. (Our average for the year of1979 was 32). We came within 3 of thatgoal...counting only people over 12 yearsold. Another goal was to get 20 new peopleto attend. We got only 5, but are thankfulfor that. We are sorry there were nobaptisms during that time, but there aresome prospects.

The church Christmas meeting this yearwas one of the best planned and bestattended ever. It was held on Dec. 22 (Sat.night) from 7 to 9 p.m. We had thetraditional candle service and giftexchange and also a sort of farewell forJonathan. But the highlight of theprogram was a 1 hour pageant of variousChristmas carols and Bible readings inwhich everyone participated. We set up amanger scene on the pulpit, and theaudience sat on both sides of the church

The "angel" side of the church at the Christmaspageant, December 22.

Jonathan Sims (Joseph) and Mrs. Ito and her babyin the Manger Scene. They sang "Away in a Manger",and "What Child is This?" with audience respondingin the chorus as the concluding number of thepageant.

Primary girts singing a Christmas song withgestures as part of their program, December 25.

Children jumping up with joy at the announcementof attendance awards.

facing the center aisle. One side was calledangels and the other shepherds.Sometimes, as in "Angels we have heardon High" and others, the shepherds sangthe verse and the angels sang the chorus.The church was packed with 67 people ofall ages, and everyone felt truly joyful atthe meaningful memory of the birth ofChrist.

The Christmas worship service was alsoone of the highlights of the season. We hadchairs in the aisles as 55 adults and 7children joined in the worship.

On Christmas Eve from 5-6 p.m. we sangcarols in the parking lot next to our localPost Office across the street from thestation. It was cold, but a good number ofpeople turned out and some passers-byjoined in or watched.

The last event of the "month ofevangelism" was the 3 Sunday Schoolprograms on Christmas Day. Perhaps thebest way would be to make a chart of theattendance on that day, which was the bestever. The children at this time receiveprizes if they have attended over 'A- theSundays of the year. In the Primarydepartment we had 21 children (average of35 each Sunday) who attended over 40Sundays of the year, which was the bestrecord so far.

The Beginner program was at 2 p.m., thePrimary at 4 p.m. and the Junior at 7 p.m.Each program was very well performed bythe students and appreciated. One mothercame to all 3, and several of them came to 2.

ClassBeginnersPrimaryJunior

S.S. Students14

36

50100

Mothers

13

2012

45

Bro. and Sisters9

129

30

Teachers3429 Total 184

CARDSCHRISTMASAND NEW YEAR

We can't know for sure whether thegood old American custom of sendingChristmas cards has been decliningduring the 70's or not, but somehow wehave that feeling. Now wait, we are nottrying to sell any, and we know all aboutthe increasing costs of paper and postage.In fact, we received during the season 36cards from the U.S., 1 from England and 47from people in Japan; and appreciated thebeautiful cards and the personal notes inalmost all of them very much. But inaddition to these we also received, mainlyon New Year's Day, 87 Japanese New YearGreeting Cards. I think you might beinterested in that custom for comparisonwith the American way.

THE PHILOSOPHY - The Orientalthinks of each new year as a newbeginning and a time of reflection on hisfuture activities. The end of the year is avery busy time as they all try to finishconstruction projects, clean up the house,clear up debts and unsolved problems, andeven straighten up and reaffirm familyand friend relationships. Also one's age iscounted by the calendar year, so in a senseNew Years is everybody's birthday.Actual birth dates are recorded but notcelebrated. Y{)u are born in the year of oneof 12 animals in a cycle.

THE CUSTOM - The stationery is verystandardized and requires no selectionprocess. It is a post-card (the minimumamount of postage...just under 10 cents)obtainable at any Post Office, and ofcourse already stamped.

To sweeten the cost of buying a largenumber to send to your friends, the P.(j.prints lottery numbers on all the millionsof cards specially printed each time. Thewinning numbers are drawn every Jan. 15.You can win a couple of free stamps, as Idid last year, if the last digits in yournumber are winners. So there arethousands of people who feel happy atwinning something.

The P.O. hires an army of temporaryworkers, and sorts all of these cards fordelivery in 1 pack to each house beforenoon on New Year's Day, Of course theyalso make a mint of money on the entireproject.

THE MESSAGE -- The message isalways short, sometimes thanking you forspecial favors during the past year andalways wishing you a healthful, happyand prosperous new year. But there areinfinite expressions of individualism suchas hand-drawn pictures, humor, brushwriting, printed family pictures, etc.Everyone in Japan enjoys reading thegreetings from various friends andbusiness contacts and seldom seenrelatives on New Year's Day.

THE EXTENT Here are some factsfrom the Japanese newspaper. On NewYear's Day postmen throughout Japan delivered 2,159,000,000 cards...an average of19 for every Japanese. The peak numberdelivered by 1 post office was IV-z million.The average for every P.O. in Japan was2.8 million. And this was just an averageyear. Next year will be about the same.

JONATHAN SIMS

BACK IN U.S.

LOOKING TO FUTURE

MISSIONARY WORK

Jonathan Sims returned to the UnitedStates on December 28 after 7 monthsservice as a missionary intern in JapanTwenty-one weeks of this time were spentin full-time Japanese language study,covering about 2/3 of a normal beginner'sfirst year material. He also preached atMejirodai church 7 times3 through aninterpreter and 4 in Japaneseand helpedin 2 Vacation Bible Schools during August.

The J apanese congregation at Mejirodaigave him much help and encouragement.Many of them invited him to their homes,and different people gave him over $100toward his return trip expenses as well aslittle written notes and spoken words ofencouragement. As he left Jonathan saidthat all the experiences he had added up toconfirm his decision to make this field hisplace of life-time service.

He will be available from now on forspeaking at churches, rallies, camps andother meetings about the evangelistic workin Japan, and trusts that God and Hispeople will provide the financial supportenabling him to return to Japan about theend of 1981. He can be contacted c/oCincinnati Christian Seminary, 2700Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45204.

Jonathan Sims preaching at Mejirodai ChurchYoung Peopie's Day. December 16.

Jonathan Sims departing Japan.

THE SILVER INDUSTRYOne of the new and booming businesses

in Japan is called "the silver industry"... the care for, amusement of andemployment of people over 65 years of age.The Japanese longevity rate has been on asteady rise since World War II, and now thelife span of men averages 72.8 years andwomen 78.3 years. This is one of thehighests levels in the world. It is projectedthat 18.8 percent ofthe entire population ofJapan will be aged 65 years or older by theyear 2000. This is a major social changefrom just a few years ago when the fewfolks who lived past 70 spent the timequietly in 1 room of the older son's houseand walked around with one of theyoungest grandchildren on their back towatch the world go by.

Small wooded Shinto Shrines for god-sheives inhomes on sale in a store.

PATTON NEWS

HOLIDAYS IN JAPANHolidays are very special for everyone

regardless of where he might be residing inthe world. Here in Japan most of theholidays that appear on the calendar arerelated to Shinto or Buddhist festivals. Soit is very natural for us Christians to takeadvantage of the "free" day that comes soinfrequently to gather at the church andfellowship together and praise the Lord.The Japanese harvest festival isNovember 23 each year. The churches inTokyo and outlying areas had planned tohave an athletic meeting together as hadbeen set up by Paul Pratt and the Iseharachurch group. However, a cold rain fell onthat day and the meeting was cancelled.Therefore, the Yokosuka church membersmet at their own church and played tabletennis, had a hymn sing until they weresummoned to the second floor, where wereside, to an American turkeydinner -turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce andpumpkin pie. A family in the States hadsent a gift of money with which wepurchased a 22 pound turkey at just lessthan $1.50 a pound which is about thesame price for 4 Oz. of hamburger! I'm surethey all enjoyed the experience of eatingthis new type of food, however, I'm alsosure that they missed the rice!

"Let us come before His presence withthanksgiving, and make a joyful noiseunto Him with psalms." Psalms 95:2

PREACHERPROSPECTS

In Japan prospects for the preachingministry are scarce. Bible colleges in thiscountry have difficulty enlisting enoughstudents to satisfy the demand forpreachers and to justify the effort, time andexpense involved in training them.

Reasons for this lack of success inenlisting preachers are many. Amongthese are the absence of any desire on thepart of unbelieving parents for theirchildren to enter the Christian ministry,and a like reluctance by young people toenter the ministry which offers manyhardships but little material remuneration.The good life offered by other professionsand a failure of the local churches tomotivate youth to become preachers ofthegospel are other reasons.

This condition is deplorable but it has anadvantage attached to it: namely, facingthose difficulties, generally those whoenter the Bible colleges are sincere in theirdesire to preach the gospel. There are suchsincere young Christians in Japan and wehave been blessed by having two youngmen graduate from Osaka Bible Seminaryand now in full time ministries.

At Yokosuka two more such young menand one man from the Arakawa church areplanning to prepare themselves to preachthe gospel.

Mr. Ishii of the Arakawa church is fromNagano Prefecture. Following hisgraduation from high school, he came toTokyo, secured a position, and shortlyfound a place to live in the Arakawachurch building which is near his place ofwork. Since then he has accepted the Lordand has become a zealous Christian. Nowhe is attending a technical school and will

continued on page 4

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)Published four times a year in Jan

uary, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-ton, Indiana 46049. Second Classpostage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760Garden St.. Meadville, PA 16335.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo16-1 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box15, 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

PREACHER PROSPECTS

continued from page 3

graduate this March. On December 16thhe and Miss Fujita, also a member of theArakawa church, were united in marriage.Hopefully he will start his Bible collegework in April.

Kazuhisa Yoshida, a member of theYokosuka church is a young manaccustomed to suffering and disappointment. Both his parents passed away lastyear leaving him an orphan. He himselfhas had serious physical problems thatcaused much suffering and resulted in twomajor surgeries. We praise the Lord thatthe last operation has given him healthand strength again.

All these things have not deterred him.He decided, following his baptism, to be apreacher and set about preparing himselffor it during his lengthy illness studyingGod's Word. He now has a good basicknowledge of the Bible and is studyingGreek on his own with the aid of books.Now he has a part-time job and plans toattend a Bible college from this April.

Mr. Yoshida tried to arrange a Christianfuneral for his father and his mother when

they passed away. But relatives carriedthrough with the traditional Buddhistceremonies. As a Christian he could notparticipate in the pagan funeral rites andexplained to the relatives why. His stepmother's sister now has made known herdesire to attend church and we pray thatshe can be won to the Lord.

Kensei Yokomizo is a native ofYokosuka. Attending a church from hischildhood, he accepted Christ when he wasa junior in high school. He has used his giftof leadership with the young people of thechurch and is Bible School superintendent.

He and Mr. Yoshida, mentioned above,preach once a month each. A sermonpreparation class is held on Saturdays,twice a month, encouraging them andhelping them to build sermons. The churchmembers meet with them and praise andcriticize the sermons along with commentsfrom Andrew.

Kensei will be a senior at a universityfrom April. Upon his graduation he plansto enter Osaka Bible Seminary to furtherprepare himself to preach.

We believe that one of the mostimportant aspects of missionary work isthe enlisting and training of youngpreachers like these.

YEAR END AND NEW YEARS

CHRISTMASAT YOKOSUKA

Preparation for Christmas started inSeptember with singing various carolseach week to help each one to becomefamiliar with the songs. For many,December 1979 was their first attendanceat a Christmas program. The 12th and13th found Betty in the kitchen baking cutout cookies which all the church membersenjoyed decorating the afternoon of the16th and storing in containers. Also teacookies were made using jello for flavoringand coloring. However, one package ofJapanese jello was used and hardened thedough inside the cookie press! A knife hadto be used to slice them for baking. On the21st the cupcakes were baked and iced.That night 3 members of the churchworked very hard getting all things inorder for the children's program on the22nd.

Sixty-two children registered for theafternoon program along with 16 adulthelpers and guests. The highlight was the"moppets" and their Christmas story doneby the Turner family. A short candlelightservice completed the program. Punch andcupcakes were served and bagged cookies,mandarin oranges and a Christmas tractwere given to each one at the door as theyreturned home. For many it was the firsttime they had heard about Jesus' birthdayas Andrew unfolded the message to them.Their love offering was about $40 that day.A rice curry supper was served to the adultsthat assisted and helped to make it asuccess.

Worship service on the 23rd brought thechurch members and their friends toworship Christ the Lord. Early in theafternoon beautiful tables were set for thebanquet together. Preparation for thecandlelight service in the evening followedimmediately. Again Andrew brought themessage from the Scriptures. At theconclusion, the story of the song "SilentNight" was read to soft guitaraccompaniment. The congregation joinedin singing it at the close of the reading. Wewere all a little weary in body, but jubilantin spirit after the meetings.

Japanese businesses and households arehustling and bustling all during^December. Bonuses are paid, all debts arepaid in full, no new business is contractedfor or begun until the next year,finalhousecleaning and buying of new broomsand utensils is done, all cooking for thefirst 5 days ofthe New Year is planned andcarried out as most businesses are closedfor the first 3 or 5 days ofthe New Year, andthere is a grand exodus out of the city ofTokyo. Schools finally come to a close forthe holidays on the 25th.

So again we took advantage of "free"time and started a nightly one hour Biblereading program around our dining roomtable from 8-9 p.m. from Dec. 28th to Jan.6th. A printed program for this purposehad been secured from the Japan BibleSociety and instituted at the church inJuly. But many had not followed throughfaithfully and so we thought this a goodway to get started again. Each memberpresent read aloud one verse at a timewhile Andrew and I followed along withour English translation. The good resultsexceeded our expectations.

Most of the minor prophets were readwith Andrew giving the background andgist of each one. It was the first time theyhad read many of these books which pointto Christ and His church. Also the Psalmsand Genesis and Matthew were partiallyread.

Generally, a Bible reading church is awell-informed and faithful one. We havehopes that this experience in these Biblereading sessions will create interestamong the members of the Yokosukachurch in the reading of the Word of Godfor themselves.

December 31st brought the memberstogether to clean^hechurch. In theevening we read the Bible as scheduled andat midnight slurped the traditionalnoodles served at this time while thetemple gong rang 108 times for the 108 sinsof those that worship Buddha.

On January 1st we all met again at 2p.m. for worship service at the church. Mr.Yoshida, a member of the church, broughtthe message. That evening we gatheredagain for the continuation of our readingprogram together. We were happy that wecould have time off from our duties inTokyo and spend each day with the churchpeople refreshing our souls with the Wordof God.

Form 3579. BOX 177. KEMPTON. INDIANA 46049

SIMS NEWSLEHER January 1980imR i 0 igsoDear Friends,

As our little congregation made plans for the year at the annual meeting last April, onelady suggested that since Mr. and Mrs. Sims would not be getting back to Japan until Octoberand the church would have extra expenses for visiting preachers etc. during their 14 Sundayabsence it might be all right to have a month of special evangelistic emphasis in our regularservices with our local people instead of the usual 3-day evangelistic meeting with an outside speaker this fall. Everyone thought this was a good idea, so this was the first thingwe got started on after returning from our U.S. trip. The plan was carried out, and I willdescribe the 5 different goals or emphasis and the results.

1. Tract Distribution

Shortly before we left for the U.S. in June a representative of the Every Home Crusade visited us and asked if we would cooperate in distributing their tracts in our area as part of acampatgrrijo-put oneHir-every^iome" i n greater Tokoyo. They woiH^i-f^rni^h-id^hout-costto~usthe necessary number of copies of a nicely printed 20 page Japanese booklet entitled "Invitation to Happiness", containing short testimonies, articles and pictures for all ages in ahousehold. There would also be a place for our church name and address to be stamped in.When I suggested we do the project as part of a "month of evangelism" from Nov. 25 to Dec.25they were very pleased.

Ond day late in October I went downtown to the Word of Life Press office and picked up thebooklets and maps of our area which they had prepared for us. We also had another handbillprinted locally; giving the name, address, phone number, schedule of services, map showingour location and an invitation to our church to give out with the booklets. Six young peoplespent a whole evening at our house stamping, folding, counting and stacking this pile ofliterature.

Many of our members volunteered to pass the tracts out in the area near their homes, whichgave the best chance of being able to speak a few words to many and not just drop literatureinto their mail boxes. Each one's selected territory was marked on a large map to avoidoverlapping, and with about 10 of our members working enthusiastically we placed these invitations in every one of over 2300 homes in the area assigned to us, including three 11story apartment buildings with about 300 families in each. '

So far we have received 5 replies asking for more information, and we believe much good v/asaccomplished in making people aware of Christand His Church.

2. Special Services

Meanwhile at church we planned special music, sermons and emphasis for each of the 5 Sundays,as follows:

Nov. 25. THANKSGIVING. From several years back everyone has stayed for a carry-in, sharingdinner on this day. Then after we eat each one shares with the group what he is speciallythankful for this year. We also have an offering for others. This year the $175.00 wassent to one of our missionaries in Thailand, to help with relief work for Cambodians and othersuffering people in Southeast Asia.

Dec. 2. MEN'S DAY. As in most churches in Japan we have only a few men. Most of the womeninvited their husbands to come, although many refused. There v/ere 9 men present. Not asgood as hoped for, but better than usual. Two in the planned quartet couldn't come, soJonathan and I sang a duet.

Dec.9. LADIES DAY. Lois has a "chorus" that gathers every Monday AM to sing. Some of theladies are not Christians. But this day they brought the special music and all of them werepresent.

Dec.16. YOUNG PEOPLE'S DAY. There were 8 of the High School and College age group present,and they sang the special. Jonathan preached in Japanesea sort of farewell sermon. Theyoung people stayed after the service for a lunch together and then decorated the church forChristmas.

Dec. 23. CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE. A wonderful attendance, with chairs in the aisles, anda wonderful spirit of joy and worship.3. Attendance

We set a goal of 200 adults (40 per Sunday) for the 5 weeks. This would be well above ouraverage (31 in 1978 and 32 in 1979), but not impossible. The attendance on the 5 Sundayswas 31,39, 31, 41, and 55; so we came just 3 short of the goal. Small chiMren who aretaken to another room after the song service were not counted. If we had counted them wewould have been 35 over the goal.

4. New Contacts .2

The goal was to have 20 people in church for the first time during that:month. We fell farshort, but did have 5 new people come. We also had some come whohad been absent for a longtime. Of the new ones, 1 man and 1 woman have been attending regularly and showing an interest that is encouraging.

5. Decisions

We didn't set a numerical goal (maybe a mistake), but were hoping for some. But we didn'thave anyone come forward during the 5 invitations. In April we had 2 baptisms and in October1 added by transfer, which is about 10% growith for our small group.

cHPJsims

This year we had the usual busy weeks of Christmas preparations and meetings. Jonathan washere with us, and helped in various ways with most of the activities. There was somethingdifferent every day from the end of the fall term at the Missionary Language Institute on^Dec. 14 until he left for the U.S. on Dec. 28. Some of the things that you would be interested in: On Tuesday and Wed. Dec. 18 and 19 we had parties and gave out gifts (mostly Biblestory cartoon books in English which we bought on sale at the North American-ConventionStandard booth last July) to over 120 English Conversation Class Students. On Dec. 21Lois' Ladies English Class had a big party, with, a delicious carry-in lunch, a Christmasmessage, program and gifts exchange. That night we had a farewell meeting for missionaryLarry Lambdin who is leaving the field because of the weak physical condition of their littleboy.

On Saturday Dec. 22 we had our church Christmas meeting and gift exchange, with a full houseof f7 people. Everyone took part in a completely unrehearsed but well planned pageant of theChristmas events in songs and readings. The audience was divided into 2 groups sitting on -each side of the churchone side were shepherds and the others were angels. Sometimes allsang together, sometimes antiphonally and sometimes separately. The candle-light servicewith all singing "Silent Night" was very beautiful and impressive. Jonathan took the partof losGph, and Mrs. Ito was Mary, with her 6 month old baby playing Jesus and laid in a realiiangor borrowed from a farmer over the hill from here. This "Manger scene" was on the pulpit,complete with a cardboard cow and donkey. Three young husbands came from the back of thechurch toward the end of the program singing "We Three Kings..." and after presenting theirdfts took up the special Christmas offering. The concluding sono was Creonsloeve?;^-with-Joseph and Mary asking the question "What child is this?" and the audience singing theanswering chorus in full voice and conviction, "This, this is Christ the Lord."

The v/orship service on Christmas morning has already been mentioned.

On Christmas Eye. we sang Carols from 5:00 to 5:45 PM in the parking lot next to our PostOffice and across the street from the station* It was very cold, but a good group turnedout and everyone sang.

On Christmas Day, as usual, we had the Sunday School programs. We had a record attendance,which I will put in a chart, as follows:

S2 PM Beginners Dept.

4 Pn Primary Dept.

7 PM Junior Dept.

Students Mothers Bro. & Sisters Teachers14 13 9 3

36 20 12 4

50 12 9 2loo 45 30 9

On Oec. 26 (Christmas night in the U.S.) we called all of our children and talked 10 minuteson t;;Q phone to each household.

Pec. 27 we had 30 missionaries, including their children, here for a carry-in meal together.F.acli family presented something to make an interesting and varied program. The C.Y. Kim family from Korea were in Japan visiting the Warricks. They also were here and he told abouthis work and some about the political and religious situation there.

Several of these meetings we have mentioned included special recognition of Jonathan for his7 months of work with the church here, and were sort of farewells to him. We were happy toSGO how the people here in their own way spoke and wrote words of encouragement to him andalso gave him over $100 in monetary gifts. The Japanese know better than we do about thediscouraging and difficult aspects of evangelising Japan, and they appreciate the d^dicaticnof any young person, Japanese or American, of his life to that task.

Wq took Jonathan to the airport in the afternoon of Dec. 28 after taking down the Christmasdecorations in the church earlier in the day. He will be living in the dormitory at theCincinnati Christian Seminary as he finishes his Thesis for the M.R.E. degree, and will beavailable for speaking appointments in that part of the country from now on.

For this year our Sims Tokoyo Mission is going to be underwriting his living-link temporarilyat the minimum amount of $300. monthly. The Eustis church will also act as his forwardingagent until he establishes his own. We hope and trust that God and His people will providethe necessary support for him to take up the work here within a reasonable time. We especially ask your prayers for him at this important time in his life when there are many importantdecisions to make and lessons to be learned in the school of life and faith.

After Jonathan left Lois and I realized that for the first time in almost 33 years ofmarried life we are "just the two." When we were first married we lived with the OwenStill family in Hawaii and Japan, and then the children started coming. When we enteredmarriage and missionary work we were not "qualified" by any objective criterion. But Godhas been true, and Christ has been with us, and the Holy Spirit has been our guide. It hasbeen a wonderful walk so far. So we trust and look forward to the new phase in life andwork vjith joy and thanksgiving.

^ In His service, - -

HAROLD AMD LOIS SIMS

REPORT OF FUNDS HANDLED BY HAROLD SIMS in Japan and the U.S. during 1979

Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1978 $ 72.30IMCOME

1. From Eustis (not recording living link of $900. per month or designated personal giftcheckse.g. Christmas from Napa Also not listing thfe.$500-.. sent to pay'Jonathans returntrip fare to the U.S. which was given to him) This is because these are not riaported inExpenditures here.General expense $300. monthly, sent to Japan 9 months 2700.For plane tickets for 3 to the U.S. 2000.General expense sent to me in Cin. Ohio July 11 300.

" " given to me in Eustis August 26 300.For plane ticket for 3 returning to Japan 1300.

6600.2. From churches and individuals sent direct tp Tokyo address.

Mrs. Chas. Meadows Charlottesvilie, Va. 35.First Christian Church Chester, IJ. Va. 5.Westwood-Cheviot Church of Christ Primary Department

Cincinnati, Ohio 10.Mr. and Mrs> R.J, Lucas Leesburg, Fla. 10-

60.3. In Japanese yen

Sales of Bibles, songbooks etc. in the local church 160.74Travel reimbursement from Osaka Bible SEm. etc. 180-37

$350.11

4. From churches and Individuals during U.S. trip(only offerings given directly to mepot those sent to Euatisi(in order in which they were received)First Christian Church Napa, California 75.00

" " (for Halley^s Hanttoooks In Oap. brought over) 36.00White Oak Christian Church Cincinnati, Ohio 100.00Mrs. Ethel A. Lutton Turtle Cre^, Penna 120-,00Christian Church Fayette City, Penna. 94.00First Christian Church Turtle Creek, Penna* _ 50.00Junior Church (C. of C.) Garrett, Ind. 30.00First Church of Christ Angola, Ind. 50.00Norton Church of Christ Columbus, Ohio 50.00Mountain View Christian Church Evergreen, Colorado 100.00Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Havelicsek Stevensville, MD. 200.00First Christian Church Charlottesville, Va. 100.00Mrs. Chas. Meadows Charlottesville, Va. 40.00Bethany Christian Church Bumpass, Va. 100.00Loyal Ladies Class Newport News, Va. 50.00Colonial Place Church of Christ Hampton, Va. 20.12Christian Church Bainbridge, Ga. 50.00Englewood Christian Church Jacksonville, Fla. 75.00

" " " Middlers " " 19.00Christian Church Eau Gallie, Fla. 50.00First Christian Church Orlando, Fla. 50.00First Church of Christ Eustis, Fla. 255.00Pirst Christian Church Mt. Dora, Fla. 30.00

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Salyer

4

Mt. Dora, Ela. 1.6.00Church of Christ Hamerville, Ohio 25.00Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Pulliam Hamersville, Ohio 20.00Kentucky Christian College Grayson, Ky. ,250.00First Chrdstian Church Chester, W. Va. 25.00

" " " Miss. Benev. Fund T It 50.00" " " United Workers Class II II 25.00

Mrs. Margaret Shaw II II 20.00Mrs. Elizabeth Tuttle II II 20.00Warwood Christian Church Wheeling W. Va. 159.00Church of Christ Garrett, Ind. 50.00

$2,398.12

Income totals #1 6600.#2 60.#3 350.11#4 2398.12

$9408.23 9408.23

Note that I sent a total of $963.00 to Eustis while in the U.S. Many of these werechecks made payable to Sims Tokyo Mission. I will put a pencil mark by the ones I sentfor deposit in Eustis.I am not listing those in the expenditures below.

EXPENDITURES1. In Japan

Office supplies, stationery etc. $ 108.93Church suppliestapes for recording sermons etc. 142.97Teaching materials and books for church library / income)

(including some books to take to the U.S. See Napa 118.15Books for sale at church (see item in income) 178.06Pictures and publicity materials 79.80Postage (incl. sending Danny's stuff) . - 928.08Telephone 408.17Automobile travel

a. Repair, insurance, tax, inspection. 932.42b. Toll and parking " 140.78c. Gasoline and oil 349.33

Train, taxi, bus, subway 605.40Re-entry permits. Travelers Check charges etc. 60.06Plane tickets for 3 to Cincinnati, Ohio 2029.56Okayama Convention--hotel and tremsportation 392.05NACC registration 6.00Membership in missionary association in Japan ^.09House repair 1258.47

(This was a recent and unexpected but necessary expensea newf. Katerpump, pressure tank and garbage disposal and some plumbing repair)

Fire insurance 156.12Christmasgifts to Japanese preaches and materials for our

church and S.S. programs 224.15Missionary language study for Jonathan. Full-time

summer and fall term. Seems expensive, but about $3.00per class hour which is standard for Japan 1658.19

$9799.78

2. In the United States -Car - Rental and repair and insurance on Jonathan's 575.88

Gasoline, oil and 1 tire 440.19U-Haul trailer 41.87

Postage, including sending books and other things back to Japan 354.99Telephone 23.76North American Convention hotel - 210.72Motel 1 other time 29.44Books purchased at North American for Japan 196.89PrintingMission Services for publicity folder 148.68Stationery, including wrapping paper for boxes sent to Japan 25.53Pictures taken in the U.S.mainly slide film cost. 78.42Return trip tickets for 2; Minneapolis to Tokyo 1323.06Excess baggage charge 86.37

3535.80+ # 1 9799.78

$ 13335.58

List of 1979 Contributors

Sims Tokyo Mission

..riz. First Christian Church YumaCalf. First Christian Church NapaColo. Mt. View EvergreenFla. Ms.W.C. Garrett, Blountstown

First Church of Christ EustisAtlantic Bk of EustisMs. Betty Martin, DeLandEnglewood Miss. Fd. Jacksonville

' EaiPGaTriie C..C StPetersburgFt. C, C. OrlandoCentral C.C., St. Petersburg

Ga. C.C. BainbridgeInd. Angola C.C., Angola

Ft. C.C., ColumbusKenneth W. Eade, EnglishFt. C of C., Garrett DVBSC. of C. MarkleSouth Side C C, I^lunsterC.of C. of AlexandriaEd Betty Royal, PhilpotC.W.F. of Hyattstown C C, FredrickLoyal Women's Class, King CityVJymore C. of C., WymoreThe Chr. Restor. Ass'n, Cinti.Ethel M. Uhrich, Cinti.White Oak C.C., Cinti,Forest Dale C.of C., Cinti.V/estem Hills C. of C., Cinti.C1overap^k C^C., Cinti.Hamersville C. of C, GeorgetownBuckeye C.C. OrientNew Somerset C.C., RichmondNorton C. ofC., Whitehall

Okln. Parkview C.C, ChichaskaPa. C.C. Miss, Confluence

Ft. C C of Fayette CityFt. C.C. HomesteadMonroeville CC, MonroevilleFt. CC Miss. Socty, New Salena

Pa Norwin CC, PittsburghFt. CC of Turtle Creek

Tenn. Ft. C.C. Johnson CityGrace or Ralph Sims, Johnson Ci^Frances Atkins, Milligan Clg.

Tax. Barstow CC, i'-arstowVirginia G. Templeton, Ft. Worth

Va. Bethany CC, BumpassFt. CC, CharlottesvilieTues. AM Bible Study Gp., HamptonEleanor W. Plank, HamptonMorthside C of C. Newport News

V'.Va. Penny Boggs, ChesterWarwood CC, VJheeling

Misc. Onalaska Cof C, OnalaskaSylyi^ J. Smith, Onalaska

Balance Forward Jan. 1, 1979

Ky.

Hd.Mo.Neb.Ohio

650.00

100.0025.00

20.001104.57

50.0050.00

600.00470.00

50.00250.00140.00

'211.83

3229.00 150.00

400.00

..'9.79.00 10.00239.75287.2950.0025.0030.00

100.0025.35

100.001500.00

50.0050.00

200.00 720.00200.00104.43 -152.40

50.0050.0065.00

490.0080.00

1399.33200.0050.00

467.00502.31231.00300.00

30.0025.008.00

297.00140.00 2657.22

30.0032.0050.00 1950.0015.00

309.0060.00

: 650.003379.00100.00

25.0025.00 425.00

1745.46 1745.4620.00

25.00 1129.575Q QQ50.00

600.00470.00

50.00250.00140.00211.83989.00239.75287.29

90.00 140.0025.0030.00

lOOvOO25.35

100.001500.00

5o;oo50.00

100.00 1020.00200^00104.43152.40

50.0050.0065.00

490.0080.00

1399.33200.0050.00

467.002812". 31

300.0030.0025.008.00

297.002797.22

80.00 110.00, . . _ 32 .00_

2000.0015.00

309.0060.0015.00

10085.93 13644.55 185.00 310.00^1745.46 25970.9413753.43

Expenditures 1979Balance 12/31/79

Harold Sims L.L. 11,700.00Harold Sims G/E 3,600.00Harold Sims Travel 3,300.00Jonathan Sims 300.00Jonathan Sims travel 500.00Harold Sims Gifts 210.00Jonathan Sims Des. Fd310.00Insurance 593.00

Disbursements

39726.3736093.93

3632.44

Mission Services, Inc.Office SuppliesTel. Tel PostMisc. Exp.Savings C.D.

408.6228.97

132.6410.70

15,000.00Total Exp. $36,093.93

Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1979Total income

Less checks sent to Eustis

Total expenditures

deficit

72.309408.239480.53963.00

8517.5315335.58

(4818.05)

This deficit is much larger than I anticipated, and will probably be a shock toyou. In the first place I want to say "Don't worry about us starving to death.IVe were able to absorb it with living-link and Eng. class income etc. and I didn'trealize the amoui:.t of it until today when I finisned making up these totals, Iwill just comment briefly on my reaction to it.REASONS 1. Last year we had $1120 sent to Japan from churches and individuals.Uiis year only $60. 2. The large expense for the plumbing work was somewhat ofa blow that was unexpected, but it had to be done and quickly. 3. The cost ofJohnie's tuituion at JIvILI was very high, but we felt his full-time language studyv/as the best use of his time, and he made good progress. 4. The short furloughto the U.S. was a financial loss over-all, as it was in 1975. However in the longrun we need to keep in contact with our supporting churches. 5. With the fact ofinflation and dollar devaluation the cost of things like automobile, postage etc.have gone up a little, but not so much.

i.TiAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT IT? 1. I doubt that our financial situation will permitthe sending of a check right now to cover the whole amount of the deficit, and itis really not that urgent or necessary. 2. I had hoped to hold the living-linkand general expense to the same amount this year since we are sending JonathanRSCTO. monthly. But I think it would be good to begin sending $400. per month forgeneral expenses from next month if the income would justify it, because we willprobably not receive too much direct and the expenses monthly do go up with inflation etc. 3. If we have enough in the general account (not having to get intoany of the Certificates of Deposit that bear good interest) for you to send meabout $2000. to make up something around ?a_of this deficit then I_could depositt.nat in our Sims Tokyo Mission Account here and we would have that on hand foremergencies such as the water problem -etc-, jand we can see how things go this year.He won't have any iaajor airplane ticket, language school or other bills such asthe 4 that were over $1000. this year as far as I can see- row, so we should beable to recover some financially, with expenses do.m between 5 and 6 thousanddollars. If I receive $400. per month for General Expenses for the remaining 11"icnths that will bring income to $4700. for the year before the yen income anddirect contributions. That should about co'.er vhat I anticipate as expenses, as wewill continue living conservatively to match these times of oil shortages etc.

SIMS TOKYO MISSIONFIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST^15 Orange AveueFiistis, Florida 52726

ADDRESS CORRECTIONREQUESTED

Non-Profit Orgn.U.S. Postage PaidPermit No. 57Eustis, Fl. 32726

' /

^ c> ^

/; V

MAY 2 1 1980

ChristianVOLUME 79

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

SECOND QUARTER, 1980 NUMBER 2

RESURRECTION

SUNDAY6:00 A.M. Weather cloudy, windy

and threatening. Eight of us met in thelocal park for a hymn, reading ofMatthew 28 and a circle of prayers.

9:00 A.M. Sunday School. Fewerthan usual. Partly because of springvacation at schools and partly theweather. Had the Easter story and allreceived a tract to take home.

10:30 A.M. Worship service.Attendance of 50 inside and 10children playing outside. 28 of thesetook the Lord's Supper. Ten of thesewere in a worship service for the firsttime -- they had graduated fromSunday School the previous Sundayand heeded the invitation to startattending church. Other non-Christians included 5 ladies who werethere to sing special music with thechorus, 1 other lady and 4 single girlsand 2 boys. There was 1 baptism.

2:30 P.M. Community EasterGathering on the roof of the DaimaruDepartment Story in DowntownHachioji. About 10 of our church wereamong the several hundred whoattended. We could see rain falling inother parts of the city from the roof, butonly a few drops fell up there until afterthe meeting ended at 4 P.M.

-Harold Sims

SIMS NEWS

Part of audience on Resurrection Sunday atMejirodai.

Baptism on Resurrection Sunday at Mejirodai.

Community gathering on roof of DaimaruDepartment Store.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION,TAX REVENUES RISE IN 1979

ffrom the Japan Times, March28.1980)

People consumed 6,868,000 kilolitersof beer, whisky, sake and otheralcoholic beverages, and paid aboutY 1.4 trillion ($5.6 billion) in taxes on itlast year, the National TaxAdministration said. The consumption increased by 1.9 percent andtax revenues by 9.2 percent over theprevious year, an agency spokesmansaid. The relatively big rise in taxrevenues was attributable to a growing

consumption of high-priced liquors. Hesaid beer accounted for 65.6 percent ofthe total consumption in terms ofvolume, followed by sake (rice wine)and whisky with a share of 23 and 5percent respectively. It meant anaverage Japanese adult drank about90 bottles of beer, 11 bottles ofsake andsix bottles of whisky. Japanese adultseach paid Y17,716 ($73.80) in liquortaxes last year.

PROMOTION SUNDAY

IN JAPANIn Japan the school year ends in

March, and the new year begins inApril. Those who become 6 years oldby March 31 of a calendar year enterelementary school that April, and theothers wait until the next year. In linewith that, the Sunday Schools inJapan always have their promotionday on the last Sunday in March. I willgive you the program at Mejirodai asan example. This is the only Sunday inthe year that all of our classes meettogether in the small chapel building.We had over 80 present, including 4mothers and 1 father of children beingpromoted.

Introduction: All singing together1. Hallelu, Hallelu2. Bring Them InPrayer: 6th graders

I Pre-school: Memory Verses and amemorized prayer saidin unison

Songs: Jesus Knocks,Knocks, Knocks;The B-I-B-L-E(In both Englishand Japanese);The 12 Apostles

Receiving certificates ofpromotion to PrimaryDept.

II Primary: 1-3 graders Songs:Children of JerusalemI Don't Understand

Many Things, but . . .3rd graders: Memory

verses from winterquarter lessons. Eachof them wrote an original essay in Japanese about SundaySchool. (1 will insert afew lines from some ofthem.)

"Every time I go into the church thefirst thing that meets my eyes is theCross. It is way up at the peak of the

continued on page 2

PROMOTION SUNDAYIN JAPAN

continued from page I

roof, but somehow I notice it. I willnever forget the church." AraiKanae

"The Sunday School stories werevery interesting, and I enjoyed themevery week. I waited on Jesus or God tocome in at any time, because it seemedthat everytime Jesus or God appearedsome strange thing happened .... Inthe third grade we heard variousstories. When Jesus was nailed to theCross I felt it was very pitiful. It wassaid Jesus was nailed to the Cross forus. I thought. Why do such a thing?"Mitsui Saori

"The happiest thing about SundaySchool is the singing. I have learnedmost of the songs, but want tomemorize more." Yanagizawa Ayako

"I have attended Sunday School for 5years and have saved very manypapers with memory verses on them."Kannari Yuko

"When I was in first grade, early oneSunday morning the front door chimewent pin-pon. When I went to the doormy older sister's friends were there andsaid, 'We are going to church, do youwant to go with us?' My older sisterand I decided to go. When we got thereI thought, is church this kind ofplace?Gradually as I went each week itbecame more fun . . . Before, when Ididn't go to church, I thoughtsometimes. What is Jesus? But now Iunderstand that Jesus is the Saviorand believe things about Him. So fromnow on I am going to go to SundaySchool every week and become aperson of gentle heart and pure likeJesus. And even if I die I want to go toHeaven and see Jesus." MatsugiMidori

"I have been coming to this churchsince I was 5 years old. Now in thisclass I am learning some songs inEnglish and hearing stories aboutGod. But to me more important thanthese has been receiving the prizes forattendance at Christmas. From nextmonth we will go to the higher class.From now on I want to properly listento stories about God." Shiota Izumi

"I told my friends about SundaySchool on the way home from school.Among them was a girl whoworshipped a god madeofstone. I said.'A god made ofstone has no power andcan't do anything...' When I said. 'Butthe God I am talking about is real,' thefriends who believed in a god of stonebelieved the real heavenly God. "MiuraYoke

Third-graders in Promotion Day program.

Middle-school class, including class of 20 whowere graduating from Sunday School and goinginto Middle School.

Those finishing 3rd grade receivedcertificates of promotion to JuniorDept.

Ill Junior DepartmentSongs: by 4th, 5th, and 6th grade

classesSpeech: several 6th gradersSpeech: several 5th gradersSpeech: by 2 Jr. High students in

viting the "graduates" ofSunday School to startattending the MiddleSchool class

Presentation of certificates andgifts to the S.S. graduates

Speech: Urging the graduates tostart attending church worshipservices.

Closing prayer: 6th gradersSayonara Song: Everybody

In the following worship service theemphasis on our Sunday Schoolcontinued with all of the 9 teachers andhelpers, except 1 who was absentbecause of illness, giving a shortspeech about the experiences ofteaching children and how hard it wasfor them to get started. One teacher inthe pre-school class said that some ofthose who had received certificates as6th graders that day were in her classwhen she first began teaching.

We are indeed thankful for theservice of these people in our SundaySchool and for the influence it ishaving on the homes in ourneighborhood.

"Harold Sims

Mejfrodal Ladles Chorus singing special music inchurch.

WHAT IS P.S.?Signs posing this question appeared

on the doors of Mejirodai church onSunday, February 24, and in at least 2other Tokyo area churches of Christthe next Lord's Day. We overheardseveral guesses: Peace and Safety?Public Schools? Protect Seals? Afterone week of many questions fromchildren who came to English classesand others we explained that it was away of announcing a Palm SundayPraise Service to be held on theafternoon and evening of the fifthSunday of March, to which our sistercongregations were being invited. Inthe afternoon we planned 2 hours ofsinging praises to God, interspersedwith Popular Specials from eachchurch group attending. (People werehere from 9 different churches.) Weenjoyed choruses, quartets, trios,duets and solos. Box lunches ofKentucky Phried Schiken wereordered for supper, with each one paying for his own. The day was concludedwith a message on the TriumphalEntry by Shigeru Akada, the preacherat Onta Church in Kumegawa at theevening service. We had Fifth SundayRallies for some time several years ago,but it had been about 2 years since thelast one.

Since the food had to be orderedahead of time, we asked everyone tophone in the number planning to come.Responses were slow in coming, but bySaturday, March 29, we had a list of 78.Then Sunday turned out to be adelightfully warm spring day, and thepeople came from all directions in spiteof the Petroleum Shortage. We had 8U.S. Army & Air Force connectedpeople, 20 missionaries (counting thechildren) and about 70 JapaneseChristians here. The church only has50 chairs and a small room, but wemanaged to get all of them in thebuilding. About V-i went out into theyard to eat supper, though.

It was a joy and encouragement to usto see how our local church peopleworked so hard and cooperated so

continued on page 3

WHAT IS P.S.?continued from page 2

smoothly to handle all the details,including the cleaning up. And thehighlight of the day was when 1 younglady made the decision to accept Christas Savior.

"Harold Sims

P.S. It was a Pretty Special day.

YOKOSUKA CHURCHMonday, February 11th, was a

national Buddhist holiday in Japan.The Yokosuka church group used theoccasion to glorify the Lord. A specialchildren's program was planned forthat day at the church. Forty-fivechildren and 8 adults were present.Later in the evening the adults enjoyedan hour of Bible reading and dinnertogether.

EASTERPlans for a 2 day special meeting

before Easter had been made withAndrew preaching. On the 4th ofAprilseveral members were ill with the fluand attendance was small. On the 5thjust before time for the evening service,Andrew became ill with a veryirregular heart beat. A naval medic,who had married one of Andrew'sEnglish students and who was livingnearby, was summoned.

Two medics came and checkedAndrew and called the informationinto the naval base hospital. Themedics then drove our car to the baseand at 1 a.m. Easter morning Andrew'sillness was diagnosed as mildcongestive heart failure with atrialfibrillation. We thank the Lord that hewas accepted as a patient even thoughthe flat rate per day was $298.00.Andrew was released on April 8 with 45days of medicine. Hopefully hiscondition will improve by then somedication won't be needed. Please bein prayer for him.

Easter Sunday Mr. KenseiYokomizo, a university senior andSunday School teacher, preached fromI Corinthians 15. Two new faces wereamong those present.

In the afternoon the children viewed

Just after Yukari Takada said she wanted tobecome a Christian.

PATTON NEWS

slides of the story of Barabbas and thelast few days of our Lord's life uponearth. Also a slide story of the firstcolored Easter eggs was given withemphasis on the resurrected Christ.Miss Ichinose had covered boiled eggswith colored cellophane paper as a giftto each of the 52 children present. Mr.Yokomizo prepared the programand was assisted by 4 other adults.

PLANS FOR

MOTHER'S DAYNow we are busy planning a

mother's tea for the children and theirmothers on Mother's Day. Each childwill write a Japanese Haiku poemabout their mother. That and a self-silhouette portrait will be presented toeach of their mothers. The story of St.Augustine's mother has been madeinto slides with a taped narrative andwill be shown.

ALTERED PLANSFor over 10 years Andrew has taught

English in Tokyo to help finance thework in the Sakurayama and Arakawachurches and Yokosuka church. Due tohis health he is forced to stop thisteaching and the travelling back andforth to Tokyo each week. Therefore,we will be entirely dependent onStateside funds as we devote our timeand strength to the Yokosuka churchwork only. We pray that God willcontinue to supply all our physicalneeds as we continue to work here withthe help of Mr. Yokomizo. Betty willtravel by train to Tokyo to take care ofany business there.

Again we ask for your ferventprayers for a speedy, full recovery for

Mark Pratt leading the singing at Palm SundayPraise Service.

Andrew at this time.We also would ask that you continue

to pray for our daughter-in-law SharonPatton, who is now taking laetrile tobattle cancer.

NEW ADDRESSBetty will pick up the mail once a

week in Tokyo. However, if you wishyou can write to us at this address:

3-6 Kugo ChoYokosuka ShiKanagawa Ken 238

JAPAN

"Betty Patton

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)Published four times a year in Jan

uary, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services. Box 177, Kemp-ton, Indiana 46049. Second Classpostage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760Garden 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, Box1.5, Rushville, IN 46173.

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

Two-year subscription $.50Subscription and

I'laming Torch $1.00

MR. YOSHIDAOn the mission field a missionary's

goal is to lead men to Christ. Alongwith this comes the instilling of adesire to serve the Lord and to betrained for leadership among their ownpeople. We have been blessed to seethis come about in 3 of the churchesthat we have been connected with.

On April 7th, Mr. Kazuhisa Yoshidaleft Yokosuka for Osaka BibleSeminary to begin his 4 years ofpreparation for the ministry. Mr.Martin Clark, president of the BibleCollege, made special arrangementsfor Mr. Yoshida to take the entranceexam late in March and have aninterview with the faculty. Later aletter of admission was received fromthe school.

Last year Mr. Yoshida lost both ofhis parents and went through majorsurgery himself. Through all of this hekept his eyes upon Christ andcontinued to make plans to study andserve Him faithfully. We hope to beable to help him $100 per month fromour Stateside funds. During schoolvacations he will come back toYokosuka and preach and help out inthe work. He still plans to go toNagano Ken once a month to help inthe work started by the Christiansenfamily.

Before leaving for Bible College, Mr.Yoshida did some preaching at thechurch, led the early morning prayermeetings on Wednesdays, studiedsermon preparation 2 nights a month.Also he had purchased a Greek NewTestament and was studying it on hisown. Please pray for him as heprepares. May God continue to givehim health and strength for this work.

--Betty Fatten

U.S. NAVAL BASESERVICES

The Yokosuka church is just 10minutes by car from the U.S. NavalBase at Yokosuka. From time to timewe receive letters from MILITARYFELLOWSHIP, Fairborn, Ohio givingus names and addresses of navalpersonnel living on base or who are onships whose "home port" is Yokosukawhile in the Pacific area.

Recently Mr. and Mrs. NorbertWinkler and family have beencontacted at the base. Mr. Bill Bilew,graduate of Cincinnati Bible College,was recently transferred here andagain renewed his acquaintance withMr. Winkler. In March Bill asked for aplace to meet at the base chapel. Hesecured the chapel annex from 4-6 p.m.each Lord's day. A weekly Bible studyis held at the Winkler home on base.Some English speaking Japanese havejoined the group. Andrew has beenhelping Bill by interpreting intoJapanese the difficult passages.

Bill Owens led a special Bible studyeach night one week before Easter onboard the ship Parsons. The lastevening session was held at our homeat the Yokosuka church.

Two young men, who had beentaught in the Winkler home and alsoare on the blue Ridge ship with Mr.Winkler, were baptized in March hereat the Yokosuka church. We praise theLord for each of these men who testifyof the Lord wherever they go in thisworld.

If you know of someone stationed atYokosuka base or on a ship that oftenanchors here, write to:

Maj. Fred R. Ragland1232 Adams St.Fairborn, Ohio 45324

Give the complete navy address. Theorganization will notify us of thatperson to contact. Our telephonenumber in Yokosuka, Japan is 0468-538224.

-Betty Patton

n the evening

BUTTRAY NEWS

Mark Pratt giving final words of wisdom to OsawaSan, who clearly showed an interest in God's Word.

The first group of "Campers" to use the newShinshu Bible Camp facilities! A great time was hadby all 58 campers the first four days of April! Manyhave written saying they want to come back inAugust! Most of them heard the Gospel for the firsttime! PRAY the Camp will be a mighty instrument inGod's hand to Glorify Himself in this place!

0861 t I " "/sav

ChristianVOLUME 79

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

THIRD QUARTER, 1980 NUMBER 3

ANOTHER ONE OF THE TOKYO CHRISTIANSYOU SHOULD KNOW

Zenkichi Shibata was born in 1910 inFukushima Prefecture (150 to 200 milesnortheast of Tokyo) and was baptizedinto Christ at the Mabashi Church ofChrist in 1950. In 1954 the familymoved to Kawasaki, the industrial citybetween Tokyo and Yokohama, wherehis wife ran a beauty shop in the street-front, first floor of their house and hecould commute easily to his place ofwork. From this time they transferredmembership to the Minato Church ofChrist, which had relocated to thenorthern part of Yokohama city. Indue time he became one of the elders ofMinato Church.

In 1965 Mr. Shibata reached themandatory retirement age for NipponSteel and Tube Company, and was ableto give more time to the work of Christand His church. Mr. and Mrs. Shibatain those years always attended theyearly conventions of our JapaneseChristians held in various places, andhis grey-haired, soft-spoken presencewas an encouragement and example toall of us who were not able to havefellowship with him at regular weeklyworship services.

He was very active in the Gideons,being one of the founding members ofthe Kawasaki branch of thatorganization and its second chairman.His group received nationalrecognition as the branch that placedmore Bibles than any other in Japanduring the year 1973. In 1972 he wasone of the Japanese delegates to theInternational Gideon's Convention inHouston, Texas.

About 1974 Mr. Shibata began tonotice a lack of muscle power in hisarms when picking up stacks ofBibles,etc. and often felt tired. He went to alocal doctor, and then as his conditionbecame worse went to the first-classTokyo University Hospital. There thedisease was definitely diagnosed asA.L.S. (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)" the fast-spreading kind for whichthere is no cure presently known.

Zenkichi Shibata

I remember that as we sat down tobegin a monthly preachers' meetingone Monday a.m. in 1975, Stephenlijima asked us to pray for Mr. Shibatawho was "on his death bed". On June15,1975 a tracheotomy was performedat the Tokyo University Hospital, andhe spent the rest of his life with a tubein his throat and a respirator beside hisbed. "But prayers were made withoutceasing of the church unto God forhim." And he lived way past all thedoctor's estimates and expectations.

At New Years, 1976, he came back tohis home, where the family had boughta hospital bed, respirator, oxygentanks and all necessary equipment.For 4 years he lived in that second-floorroom surrounded and cared for by aloving family, visited by many friends,listening to tapes of worship servicesand writing letters with a speciallyrigged Japanese typewriter which hecould operate with his toes.

This was one of the few cases in theworld where a person has been caredfor at home when so muchsophisticated medical equiprnent wasnecessary to sustain life, and it becamea precedent-setting and increasinglypublicized case. In March, 1980, the

Kawasaki City Health Center came tothe house and made a movie filmentitled "How ALS Can Be Treated AtHome". Also articles have appearedabout him in medical magazines. Inone of these a writer emphasized thatone reason for the success of this casewas the Christian faith and love ofboth the patient and his family. Theoldest son, who works at an electriccompany and is an active Christianand also lives in the same house, hashad many opportunities to speak tocircles of people with incurablediseases and bear witness to thefamily's Lord Jesus Christ.

On May 3, Mr. Shibata signaled thathe wanted to write a letter. Thetypewriter would not work. The nextday the son fixed a board with theJapanese alphabet on it and the fatherspelled out the message he wanted byblinking his eyes when the son pointedto the letter he wanted next. In thislaborious way he composed the poembelow. Earlier in life (around the timeof World War 11) he had done somewriting of Japanese WAKA poetry, buthad not written any for about 30 years.This beautiful poem was taken toStephen lijima and the brethren atMinato church by Mrs. Shibata, andproved to be his last written message.It was also printed prominently in theinterdenominational weekly ChristianNews in Japan. My translation is farfrom poetry, but I believe it follows themeaning of the original fairly close.

It is the Lord's Day, and thinkingof Minato church, one in heartwith them, I make this morning's prayer.

Thanking our Father God I listento the tape of the sermon bylijima Sensei (a Japanese wordof respect, inadequately translated "teacher").

The hymn that flows from the tapeis so familiar, and it has been so

continued on page 2

CHRISTIANS

YOU SHOULD KNOWcontinued from page 1

long since I sang with the brethren.

Ever since being diagnosed ashaving an incurable disease II have been sustained, (bornealong) by the prayers of thesebrethren.

I entrust everything respecting mybody which bears this burden tothe Lord, and the days ofprayergive peace to my heart.

The joy of living in the light ofsalvation when one is in a bedfastsickness!

There is no way to control (govern)this sickness by medical knowledge but our Father God heals.

In the hands of the family whonurse me there is God's love, andI am daily thankful for this loving care.

Even the little grandchildren'shands nurse me.

The child-like heart is true.I, the receiver, reverence the text

read to me and pray that thosewho give may be blessed.

To be saved and then even in themidst of the^ervantls ta&k.to be-come prostrate (bowed down) isalso God's unchanging love.

How happy I am that by God's unchanging love I will enter theeternal kingdom of light.

On Sunday evening, June 1, Mr.Shibata peacefully passed from thislife to a better one.

The funeral sermon by Stephenlijima was a model of simplicity, truthand love. He used 3 common, often-used Japanese idiomatic phrases toexpress the sentiments of the brethrenand friends.

1. "Gokurosama" "Honorablehard work." This is said to be therepairman as he finishes a job, and toone who has performed a service foryou or the public such as a policeman.It was pointed out that Shibata-sanhad been called upon to suffer moreand longer than the average man, andthat he had borne and run his coursewell. Now God was saying, "That isall. You are now released to yourheavenly home."

2. "Arigato" -- "Thank you." Forteaching us all by his example thatGod lives and the blessings offaith andtrust.

3. "Omedeto" - "Congratulations."You are going to a place where there isno sickness, pain and death and youare getting there ahead of us.

The wide street in front of the beauty

E B C ACTIVITIES IN KYUSHU

Harold Sims receiving a gift of appreciation fromEnglish Bible Club students in Kyushu.

From May 1-5 I flew down toKagoshima at the invitation of WalterMaxey, who informed me on the wayhome from the airport that it had been4 years since I had been in that areaand made me feel once more the force ofthe myth that time passes faster as weget older. The main purpose of the tripwas to speak, in English for a change,to a group from several of his EnglishBible Clubs which are organized inseveral of the High Schools andColleges of that prefecture who werehaving a retreat over the holidayweekend to improve their Englishability. The meeting was held at thenewly X)pened campgraund.-which thachurches of that area are developing.

mu

shop and home was filled withneighbors, many hearing their firstChristian funeral message. They weredeeply impressed. One man was heardto remark, "We had wondered whysuch a good man would suffer like that.What kind of God is the Christian God?But now we understand very well."

"Harold Sims

Big rocks in the river near Kyushu Camp.

The Japanese planning committee ofUniversity students asked me to speakon "Why Can't Japanese Believe?" Idivided the subject into 1. CulturalProblems, and 2. Religious Differences;spoke one hour on each subject andthen participated in an hour or so oflively and enlightening discussionfollowing each message. We alsoplayed various games, hiked along arock-filled river, prepared and ateseveral meals and went to see a wholehillside covered with azaleas in fullbloom. Attending were 8 universitystudents, 8 high school students, 2 Jr.-High School students,- 3 employedsingle girls, 1 university and 2 highschool English teachers and WalterMaxey, his daughter and I -- 27 in all.

It was a great pleasure for me to havethis time of fellowship with this groupof serious, frank and open-heartedyoung people. Very few of them wereChristians yet, but there is hope. I alsopreached twice at the Yoshino Churchof Christ which meets in the samebuilding where the Maxeys live.

-Harold Sims

JOHNATHAN SIMSSEEKING SUPPORT

Jonathan H. Sims received theMaster of Religious Education degreefrom the Cincinnati ChristianSeminary on May 9. Since June he hashelped in Vacation Bible Schools andCamps and spoken in a number ofchurches, mostly in the state ofVirginia. He is temporarily located inthe Golden Age Christian Home

506 Dinwiddie St.Portsmouth, VA 23704.

He plans to attend the NationalMissionary Convention in Springfield,Illinois and would be interested inmaking some speaking appointmentson the way there and back.

PATTONNEWS

As I begin this writing, the sound ofexploding fireworks is brought by thewind to our apartment. Such publicdisplays of fireworks in Japan usuallyhave a relation to the "Obon" season(like the Catholic All-Saints' Day)when the spirits of the dead aresupposed to visit the relatives again.This serves as another means ofcausing us to remember that ourpurpose for being in Japan is to bringthe Japanese out of this ignorance andsuperstition to a knowledge of the trueGod.

First, I would like to say again that Iam so very grateful to have good healthagain. With due regard for what I eatand do, I am getting along very wellphysically and my working schedule isfull. Many things are responsible formy return to health, not the least ofwhich were the prayers of our manybrothers and sisters in Christ. Thankyou for remembering me in yourprayers. Many persons both in Japanand in the U.S.A. have informed us oftheir prayers for me during my illness.Thank you for interceding with God forme.

'^ ^iiiaiik you also for your special giftstoo, sent to help with the hospital billand other expenses connected with myillness. That has enabled us to proceedin our work without financial worries.

We are very grateful too, that yourregular offerings have continued to besent to us. We thank you for yourfaithfulness. This has enabled us topurchase a 16 mm movie projector to beused in our work. It has already beendelivered to us and we have made plansto use it twice in the church soon ~ onceduring our youth revival and oncefor afamily program.

We have informed you previouslythat our daughter-in-law, our oldestson Noel's wife, has melanoma cancer.Very many of our friends have writtenus that they are praying for her. Wethank the Lord and are encouraged.Since the last issue ofTokyo Christianwas published she has undergonesurgery again at a hospital in KansasCity and seems to be doing well now.We request your continued prayers forher. She will have to have cancerinjections for five years following herlast surgery and we pray that these willsuccessfully arrest the disease.

We were informed recently that ourforwarding agent. Wade Fletcher ofRushville, Indiana, met with anaccident. He is a fireman in Rushville.While directing one of their trucksduring a fire. Wade stumbled and fell

into a sitting position. At that time hisco-workers dumped a 700 pound steelsafe on to the ground not knowingWade had fallen. The safe fell into hislap, breaking the 4th dorsal vertebraeand tearing muscles and ligaments inhis body. He is in a brace now andexpected to recover with rest. Nopermanent injury is expected from themishap and we thank the Lord for that.

-Andrew Patton

NAVY BASEEVANGELISM

Recently through our friends at theNavy Base at Yokosuka we have beenable to do evangelism among some oftheir friends and acquaintances at theBase.

Before we came to minister to thechurch at Yokosuka, a sailor namedLee Taylor attended services at theYokosuka church. He taught his co-worker, Bill Owens, who acceptedChrist and became a zealousChristian.

It is no easy thing to live a faithfulChristian life while in the military.But Bill not only kept himself cleanmorally but set his heart and hand tothe task of teaching as many aboardhis ship as possible after Lee wastransferred. Bill organized a series ofBible studies and taught them the weekbefore Easter as the ship pulled out onGood Friday to be gone for manyweeks. With the other Christians whomet with him, he observed the Lord'sSupper faithfully each Lord's Day.The chapel on base only has the Lord'sSupper the first Sunday of the month.Bill and his friends always came to thechurch here for Bible study in Englishand the Lord's Supper when in port.Bill sometimes led the English Biblestudy in our living room while we werehaving Japanese service in the church.

Through Bill, we have been able tomeet other sailors who have visited inour home. Among these were RandyWebber and Rick Bremseth, whomBill and we taught and who werebaptized into Christ. Bill began theteaching and we followed up. Randyhad attended church services beforebut had not yet accepted Christ. Rickwas a member of a Lutheran church,but through Bill's teaching becameconvinced that he should be baptized.He too is a zealous Christian and alsohopes to influence his shipmates forChrist.

Bill Owens is now returning to theU.S.A. for leave and re-assignment.Rick will be lonely separated from Billbut will try to carry on the program ofevangelism on the ship Parsons during

the 5 months that they will be at sea.Recently Bill and Rick had 11 days of

leave and spent them with us in ourhome. They invited others over andhad their own Bible studies duringthese days. Bill and Rick climbed Mt.Fuji and had devotions at sunrise atthe peak.

Bill Bilew, stationed on the shipKnox, continues his evangelistic workon board ship and works with Mr.Winkler who is on the Blue Ridge shipwhen in port. Sometimes this Biblestudy and the Lord's day services areheld at the base chapel annex andsometimes here at the Yokosukachurch. Andrew meets with themwhen he can as he helps to interpret forBill to the Japanese who attend also.Mr. and Mrs. Winkler live on the baseand are members of the Chapel RockChristian Church of Indianapolis.They are young in the faith but areeager to learn and grow.

Bill Bilew has also taught three othersailors and they have been baptizedinto Christ. Joe Galia and Tim Brownwere baptized here at the Yokosukachurch.

Kathy Winkler teaches English tosome Japanese people and she bringsthem to Bible study when she can. Onegirl neuned Akemi Sakaguchi, auniversity student spends a lot of herfree time in theiijiome and is studyingthe Scriptures with them. Her friend,Kiyoko, has also come with her andstudied the Scriptures. Kiyoko becameconvicted of her sins and desired to bebaptized, but her family is stronglyopposed.

A short time ago Kiyoko came to the

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)Published four times a year in Jan

uary, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-ton, Indiana 46049. Second Classpostage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent; Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760Garden 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, Box15, 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

ENGAGEMENTAND MARRIAGE

Koichi Sakamoto puts the engagement ring onYoke Shiyama's finger at Mejirodai church.

Japanese couples often have aceremony publicly announcing theirengagement, including promises andcommitments by both. We had the 4thsuch occasion at our little church onMay 18 when Yoko Shiyama, who wasbaptized here on Resurrection Sunday,1973 when a High School girl, becameengaged to marry Koichi Sakamoto.The couple were introduced to eachother by a young Christian businessman who-used-to-attend-church herebut has since moved closer to hisbusiness. Mr. Sakamoto's parentsboth died several years ago, and he hasbeen living in the family home byhimself and looking for a bride for acouple of years. He teaches in a specialschool for retarded children, and is anactive member of a Nazarene churchnear his home in Nakano ward ofTokyo.

The Mejirodai young people's group with theengaged couple. Six of the young people standingand the couple are Christians.

Since they will live in his home theywill attend that nearby church. We aresorry to lose a good teacher in theBeginner's Class of our Sunday Schooland a leader of our small youngpeople's group, but we are glad she ismarrying a Christian. It was quite aevent for our young people, who

planned a nice party with appropriateand humorous speeches after theceremony.

Her mother and father and his sisterand husband and 2 children (all non-Christians) attended our churchservices that day. At his request, thepromising ceremony was connectedwith the worship service. His preacherwill perform the wedding ceremony ata downtown hall on July 26.

On June 15 at the Sannobara churchin Isehara City, Harold Simsperformed the wedding ceremony forSarah Burney, the eldest daughter ofour co-missionaries Don and NormaBurney who work in the island ofShikoku, and Geoffrey Acker ofNiagara Falls, N.Y. He is from thenon-instrument churches of Christ,and they met while they were studentsat Pepperdine University in LosAngeles. They left Japan the followingday for a week or so of honeymooningand visits to relatives and friendsalong the West Coast. They will beliving near Toronto, Canada for awhile, but hope to eventually bemissionaries in Austria. Mr. Burney's80 year old mother from Oregon andtwo of the sons who are studying in theU.S. returned to Japan to participate inthe wedding. The Sannobara churchpeople went" alUnutto help withdecorations, serving at a reception heldon the lawn of the Pratt house nextdoor to the church and congratulationsand gifts. The ceremony was inEnglish with some Japanese languageexplanation and the programs wereprinted in both languages. ManyJapanese appreciated seeing anAmerican-styled wedding with thebride being given away by the fatherand the familiar old cadences of thetraditional ceremony - "just like in the

"Harold Sims

Sarah Burney and Geoffrey Acker

NAVY BASE EVANGELISM

continued from page 3

worship service with her sister. Withtears in her eyes, she said that shebelieved the Gospel to be true and thatshe desired to follow the Lord, but shecannot do so at the present. The case ofKiyoko is representative of numbers ofyoung people in Japan who wouldfollow Christ except that their parentsstand in the way. The family unit inJapan is very closely knit and oftenone member becoming a Christian issimilar to death and burial in hisrelation to the family. I still have hopethat Kiyoko will become a Christian inspite of the opposition.

It gives us joy and pleasure to be apart of the evangelistic work beingdone by members of the armed forces.It only takes a few zealous Christianslike Bill Owens, Lee Taylor, Bill Bilewand the Winkler family to cause manysouls to turn to the Lord.

"Andrew Patton

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

VOLUME 79 FOURTH QUARTER, 1980

AUGUST, 1980

mrt..

31st Convention in Hokkaido

A recently acquired interest or hobbyof Lois and mine is working the crossword puzzles in The Japan Times. Inone of them a variety of clues -imposing, venerable, Roman Emperor,a month, majestic, grand - in 6different places all had the sameanswer: August. The month named forthe Caesar who ruled the RomanEmpire when Jesus the Savior wasborn, when our calendar marked year 1,when Roman literature and culture issaid to have had its golden age hasalways been meaningful and busy forus. Last year we were traveling in theU.S. from Ohio through Virginia,Tennessee, Florida and back. Fivetimes we have left home to return toJapan for another term of service inAugust. This time I plan to tell yousome highlights of our experiences thispast August in chronological orderinstead of writing several differentnews items. It wasn't a "vacation" butit was fun and filled with blessings.Follow along, if you will.

1st. WelefthomeforHanedaAirportat 9:30 A.M. with 2 large suitcases,brief-case and bags. There we met agroup of folks from several of theTokyo churches and about 50 people

who arrived by plane from Okinawa.The convention really began for us aswe all prepared to board the domestic 1hour 45 minute flight to ChitoseAirport in Hokkaido. We went in agroup on a reduced fare package planwhich included round-trip travel andhotel. As part of the package we gotinto 2 big excursion buses in front ofthe airport and enjoyed a 3 hour drivethrough nice mountain scenery tobeautiful Lake Toya where the 31 st All-Japan Convention (first to be held inHokkaido) was just beginning. All 204people stayed in the beautiful hotelwhich had been reserved months inadvance for this peak-season time. Thesmall group of brethren in that part ofJapan had prepared all details verywell.

2nd. At 7 A.M. I had the morningdevotions out on the lawn by the lake.All the other speakers were Japanese,but several missionaries helped withthe musical part of the program invarious ways. Everyone sat on thestraw mat floor of a large room for allsessions and meals, but we slept inwestern style beds. That afternoonmany of us went by boat to an islandout in the lake and saw the active

NUMBER 4

volcano in the distance.3rd. After the Sunday morning

worship service the Convention ended.Some of the J apanese people went on atour around the island -- a once in a lifetime chance for many from southernJapan. The missionaries all drove toSapporo, about 2 hours north. Weenjoyed riding and visiting withGeorge and Ethel Beckman who haddriven up to the Convention fromOsaka. Our meeting place was in partof one of the buildings that housed theWinter Olympics in 1972.

This annual fellowship for 2 daysfollowing the Japanese Convention isa welcome opportunity for us to sing,visit, compare notes and hearpreaching in English language. Thisyear because of the great distance andexpense the attendance was smallerthan usual, but the 18 who were presenthad a wonderful time. The programfeatured 4 messages on Romans byProf. Dallas Meserve ofSan Jose BibleCollege. The hosts were Ernest andNeva Faber who have worked inHokkaido 25 years and established 3 of4 churches in that large northernisland.

5th. After the missionary convention ended at noon, we took an expresstrain from Sapporo to Obihiro enjoyingPennsylvania-like farm scenery (redbarns, silos, black and white cows inpastures, etc.) all afternoon. Weenjoyed an evening of eating andtalking with the Sugiura family. He isa former Tokyo Bible Seminary graduate and minister in Yokosuka, and hasbeen with the small church there incold Obihiro for 14 years. About 4years ago he underwent a seriousoperation for a brain tumor which hadcost him the loss of vision in 1 eye, buthe looked and talked better than weexpected and has grown spirituallythrough this experience. He was one ofthe speakers at the Convention also.

6th. We rode a bus 3 hours to LakeAkan in the center of Japan's largestnational park and famous for the rareround plant called "marimo". It wasraining lightly and very cold there, butafter a couple of hours the group ofabout 50 Japanese Christians takingthe bus tour around the island arrived

AUGUST, 1980in good humor and things brightenedup. We enjoyed the remaining hours ofthe tour with them. They haddevotions every morning on the busafter they got rolling and entertainedthemselves with a spontaneousmusical program every night.

7th. We rode the bus to Kushiroairport, and after a 2 hour delay had anuneventful flight back to Tokyo. Theson of one of the ladies on the tour wasthere to meet his mother and kindlytook us and our luggage to the trainstation in his car, and from there wegot back home tired but happy.

10th. After the Sunday School andWorship here at Mejirodai (one of ourmembers had preached the previousLord's Day) I left again for the airportand flew to Kyushu on a jumbo jet withnot 1 seat empty. Walter Maxey metme at the airport and drove me directlyto the Prefectural Youth Study Centerwhose nice facilities they have beenusing for their camp for several years.All must follow a strict regimen aboutgetting up, morning exercises, flagraising, meal-times, lights out, quiet,etc. One thing specially interesting tome was a 15 minute period of"meditation time" after breakfast eachmorning. All staff, teachers andstudents sit"dn str^ cu"shibhs on thefloor of a large room as curtains aredrawn and absolute quiet prevails.There was no goofing off or protestingby anyone there.

A few minutes after I arrived I waspreaching the first of 4 messages on"Love". I also taught a class on I Johneach morning. There were 90 inattendance, from age 10 up. At theinvitations following the last 2messages it was thrilling to see 12people respond -11 confessions of faithand 1 life-dedication. It was a joy towork with the Japanese ministers of 6churches in that prefecture and ofcourse Walter Maxey.

17th. Larger than usual crowd forSunday School as we had a specialexplanation meeting for all going toVacation Bible School.

18th. A total of 88 children and 14teachers and helpers leave the churchat 9 A.M. in 3 small busses and my vanfor our 5th Vacation Bible School atLake Saiko. We had a busy 3 days ofteaching, playing and eating, but Ithink this was the smoothest runningand most enjoyed of any we have heldso far. Each class had some hand-workproject ~ most making things to takeback home and keep. The 12 3rd gradeboys made shelves for shoes andslippers to be used in the churchentrance. Tuesday night we had aprogram related to the theme of the

week " Peter. The 5th graders put on aplay about Jesus stilling the tempest.The 12 students drew faces of the 12apostles (reverse side showing thesame face seasick). That was reallygood. The middle-schoolers arranged aversion of a game popular on TV inJapan which all enjoyed andparticipated in.

20th. Returned to church wheremothers were waiting on the children.

21st. Family night at the Lion'sClub. I translated both ways as wecelebrated the birthday of Erin Maib, aHigh School exchange student fromCalifornia. She stayed with us over theweekend to go to church and we weresurprised to know she was a member ofthe Eastside Christian Church inFullerton, California.

24th. Erin here for church. Youngpeople's meeting in the afternoon.

25th. With Erin and some otherLion's Club families and young peopleon a hike to the top of Mt. Takao,visible from our house. We ate lunch(vegetarian) at a Buddhist temple,hosted by the priest who is a Lion'smember.

In the afternoon we went to theairport through terrible traffic to meetDallas Meserve who was coming infrom Okinawa.

26th. Took Prof. Meserve back tothe-airport. He was on stand-by, butmanaged to get a seat on ChinaAirlines for the return trip to the U.S.

27th. We drove out to Narita airpor