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"The night is for spent, the day is at hand" . . . SEND THEM THE LIGHT NOW!
DONALD N. RICKERSON AND FAY RICKERSON, MISSIONARIES

Azo Higoshinakasone 95, Hirarc City, Miyako Shimo, Ryukyu Islands Financial Secretory: Mrs. Warhom Cox, 1709 West 71st, Los Angeles 47, California
VOLUME 3 SPRING 1955 NUMBER 2

HOT TEARS OF JOY

MY SICK BED IS A BIBLE SCHOOL

First of all, I am very glad to write you my testimony. I am full of a thanking mind by the baptism into
the name of the Father, and of the

MY WAY OF THINKING AND DAILY LIFE AFTER I HAVE BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Three years have passed since I started to attend every Sunday's church service in Miyako. It is a year and a half since 1 was baptized. I
believed that Jesus Christ is the Son

Son, and of the Holy Spirit, accept ing the love of merciful and mighty God, my true heavenly Father. It is due to be led and taught by teachers of the Miyako Christian Mission, that I could understand my heavenly Father, accept His love and obey the words of Jesus Chri.st, and that 1 was able to wait the day, being impatient,

of God and was born by Virgin Mary and also his true love to us by His cross, after I read books titled, "An Introduction of Christianity" and "My way of thinking to Life" by Mr. Toyochiko Kagawa and "Book for Christianity" by Mr. Antei Hyogen, an instructor of Aoyama Gakuen in Tokyo, Japan, and I determined to be baptized. The happiest day on which 1 was baptized, came to me when Mr. Yoichi Muto, minister of Mabashi Church, visited Miyako Is
land.

KEIKO

CHINENE

I am very glad to write you my testimony to tell my joyful heart in Christ, being promised my eternal life in heaven by God, my heavenly Father through the Christian baptism. Baptism! This word had been heard often by me before long ago. but when I myself was baptized, 1 am nothing else my heart wa.s full of thanking God and I was full of peace ful. hopeful, and happy heart in spiritual believing my gladness that 1 was born again into Holy Spirit and my joyful life that 1 would be able to live with God, my heavenly Father anytime and anywhere, i was so plea sant and peaceful that I could not explain my heart when I was bap tized into the name of the Father, and of the Son. and of the Holy Spirit, through the pure water typical
of Jesus' blood, in order to be washed

As we had been praying us the good missionary to Island, for years, the God Missionary Rickersons from

to send Miyako sent us the Uni-

EIKO UEHARA

for I wanted to be baptized. Lately 1 thank God, thinking it was the providencc of God who loved me so much, that I got T. B. and I could understand the Holy
varse. "And we know that to them

all my sins away. !n such a way we were born again and given a solution lo the purpose of human life. I believe that first of all, the purpose in human
life is to know and love and serve

that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according lo His purpose." (Rom. 8:28) God showed mo His great love through the way of being a T. B. palienl, because I received His many many merciful love which I could

HIROAKI TAKAMINE

not understand and get in any other ted States and we thank very much God, because He is our Heavenly way. so I felt that His grace and love for sending them lo Miyako. The Father. I believe deeply that any is loo great to complain about my membership of the church is increasContinued on page 2

Conlinued on page 2

Continued on page 2

HOT TEARS OF JOY

ContInud from page 1

Jesus Chtrist. Please pray for me.

Eiko Uehara.

man will not be able to do anything Note: Eiko was baptized in a drum in the human race without he will can, because she could not leave love God. the Hospital to go to the China When I was baptized according to Sea. She is recovering from T. B. believe, all my whole heart it, the and now she is up and around. above mentioned, my heart was so She is permitted to leave the Hos joyful and happy that HOT TEARS pital for short periods of time. OF JOY were shed again and again. One day when she and two other It was that 1 might have my pure, T. B. patients came to our home

I was baptized. Mr. Rickerson taught that Col. 10:16, 2:25 means that we are purified by the Spirit of the Lord at the Lord's Supper. I regularly
attend the Lord's Supper even though I have important business
to do at that time. And also it is

honest, faithful and godly life, and

that I might be given my eternal life by God, 1 believe. I was baptized, having a great and eternal hope in God. It will be not forgetting by my

fourteen

to call on us, we took them for a mile drive out to their village home. The next week Eiko

self, through all my life that I baptized during the time that I sick in the T. B. Hospital. I, could receive richly the great

was was who and

came to call on us again and brought her two sisters and her
father, who is a school teacher.

holy grace of God, decided to serve God, to look unto Jesus Christ, at all times, who is the author and perfector of my faith, and who endured the cross, despising shame instead of me. We feel that Eiko would make a Even if I meet many troubles, hard fine Christian worker when she ships. painful things and persecutions, fully regains her health. because of the baptism into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, He sanctified me MY WAY OF THINKING
from sin. Keiko Chinene Continued from page 1

The following week she came again and brought two of her High School friends to meet us. We were happy that we had a very beautiful red coat to give her, as she had none. (Thanks to the Sawyers of Springfield, Oregon).

the great pleasure for me. Mission ary Rickerson taught that the Bible is never changed, and it is the constitution for the people of the world. 1 am determined to study the Bible forever and will try lo lead the people of Miyako lo be baptized wiih helping Missionary Rickerson. I always try to read and memorize the following verses: I Cor. 7:5-17; Col. 3:9,10 Romans 6:4,5

ALL IN A WEEK
Although our Bible classes and meetings follow the same schedule each week, and we endeavor to keep the same hours for study, there are many incidents which make each week different from the previous one. I

thought it might be interesting if I just jotted down for you the incidents

iVlY SICK BED IS A BIBLE Continued from page 1

ing day by day and also our faith of one weekthis one for instance: has been deepened since they came Sunday: Bible school, morning lo Miyako. From nine to ten, every Church in Hirara. Afternoon service
Sunday morning, 1 lake a lecture on Bible by Mr. Rickerson. attend church service and the Lord's Supper. I am thankful to God that He gave me the opportunity to study Bible with
Mr. Rickerson.

at Air Base. Often, after this we take a much needed rest before the even

troubles and pains of T. B. If I had my good health. I suppose that I would go down into the valley of sin and sinful life, without I would know the love of God. When I think of it, I make my hair stand on end.
MY SICK BED IS A

ing Church service. Today was dif

ferent. We learned that one of our

men was being transferred to another post of duty, this would be our last After I read the Bible, I believe time to be with him. So, we invited BIBLE the following items: him to go home with us for an after

SCHOOL

to

me

in order to learn

1. The faith, and deed in way of noon of fellowship, also that we mighl
living for Christian is shown in the talk to him about his soul's salvation. Bible. - He had been attending our services 2. True Christian is only the person regularly, had listened to the Word who can believe the Bible as well preached, but had not given his heart as do it in his daily life as what to the Lord. He did not come to a
Bible has told him.

the teaching of Jesus Christ and the

Word of God. When I consider that God made me welcome as one of

His sons, cleansing, redeeming me, by Jesus Christ on the cross on Cal
vary Hill, in spite of I am foolish and

decision, but we know the Word wijl

return unto Him void, so we

sinful, I am not able to stop my tears which I shed when I am deeply moved by the love of my Savior and
Heavenly Father.

Christians are these: those who not

I am a Christian just after being born again like a baby in God, but I am to study steadily the Holy words of God, believing that I may be a good and honest Christian by means of tru.sting in the love of Jesus Christ, my Lord. I, who was born in newness of life spiritually, am full of my hap py, joyful and hopeful mind. I have made up my mind to live strongly and clearly all my life in my mind and thoughts, as well as did my Lord

were bought by his life, were re deemed from their sin, and were led their life lo a brighter one. I have changed a lot in the way of my life to a different way of life since I was baptized. I used lo read books in order to get new ideas as well as to get the new things before I was baptized. The Bible is the only book which I can get the ideas of way of living properly and wide knowledge. So,

pray that it will accomplish its work. We had the evening meal together
and bid our friend farewell.

Monday: rest (?) day. Usually wash daycould we postpone it a week? Yes, we did. and got some necessary mission correspondence done. Then I spent the rest of the day and up until bedtime on Kindergarten,
and Bible class lessons and hand work.

No rest this daybut the satisfaction of many things accomplished. Usually now I read all books with critical I do some baking on Monday. A good eyes except Bible. The way of Japanese will serve cookies and tea life for me is understood since to her visitorsthe cookie jar was

empty but I thought"Oh well, who would be coming this week?" Tuesday: I resolved to spend the entire morning in language study. Deep in study, 1 looked up to see a
man and woman at ihe door. It was

Yamanouchi home. With him

went

Higa San, from Okinawa. We had never met him before, but we had
met all the other members of his

family. His brother, Mitsu, now in

the batch of cookies, there would be many people in the home all day, and they would have to be served tea. . . . . Afternoon, Mr. Yamanouchi was still living but they said he had not long for this world. Mr. Rickerson spent most of the afternoon going to the Leper Colony to make arrange ments for the cremation of the body.

It had been a busy week, but there was great joy in my heart as I felt that I had really made a friend. I began to pray very earnestly for her
salvation.

The next day-SundayMrs. Yam anouchi and her two daughters

came to church. The Mrs. Yamanouchi first time for Weeks later.

Mrs. Yamanouchi has not missed a

San Jose Bible College, was our sonAt five o'clock when the mission Sunday. We are becoming good friends. in-law's first interpreter. We were workers left I refilled my cookie jar Please join us in prayer for her sal very happy to meet this fine young while preparing our evening meal. vation. Christian man. He is a teacher in the Evening report on Mr. Yamanouchi University of Okinawa, and speaks was: he had a restful sleep and was English very well. The lady with him feeling better. The doctor said he MY TESTIMONY AND THOUGHTS was Mrs. Yamanouchi, wife of a very might live another week. He even
faithful Christian in our Hirara ate four of the cookies I sent and

Church. Their daughter is a college enjoyed them. Prayer meeting was student on Okinawa, so Mr. Higa half an hour later than usual this wanted to meet her parents. We were Wed. night. After the service closed, happy to have Mrs. Yamanouchi in they practiced three hymns to be
our home for the first time. She is sung at Mr. Yamanouchi's funeral. not a Christian, and this is hard to We don't do things quite that way understand when her husband is such in America, do we? But here, with a devoted Christian. out mortuaries, funerals are held the While Mr. Rickerson visited with same day the person dies.

the guests, I hurriedly slipped to the Thursday: After breakfast, I made kitchen and prepared tea. How I a nice bowl full of jello with apples wished that I had made cookies the and tangerines inand sent to Mr. day before. 1 ought never to let that Yamanouchi, thinking that a little cookie jar get empty! What would I taste of American food would bring do? Then, I remembered that little a little joy to him as he waited for box of cheese wafers someone had the death angel. He sent word that sent me from the States. They saved he was better and thanked me for the dayor "saved my face"to be the good jello. At the close of the Japanese. evening service at Nishibe, we re Noon came as we visited. Mrs. ceived word of the passing of Mr.

MR.

KANSHO

KUNINAKA

Yamanouchi had to go home, but

Mr. Higa accepted our invitation for

Yamanouchi.

Friday: The entire afternoon was

for the funeral. At 1:30 we

dinner. He told us that this was his taken

first visit to Miyako, and he wished very much that he might see the Island. Mr. Sickerson gladly offered to take him in the pick-up, so from

took the pick-up to the home to take the body to the church for the funeral
service. Then to the Leper colony (5 miles) for a second service and
cremation.

Saturday; Morning I got up early places of interest. I remained at home to make a batch of cookies to give with the three mission workers. to the Yamanouchi family. All Sat Wednesday: While 1 prepared break urday afternoon was spent with the fast I made up a nice batch of drop- Yamanouchi family and their rela sugar cookies. How prelty they looked tives. We took them to the Leper with the colored candies, which my Colony again to get the ashes. Here, sister had sent me. for decorations. By again, a service was held. Then we keeping these hid from Mr. Missionary, brought them back to Hirara to the they would last all week for guests tomb down by the China Sea, where dropping in for afternoon tea. . . . the urn was placed. B- I could understand how Jesus Couple hours later a man came to tell As we rode out to the Leper colony. Christ worked for believer in us that Mr. Yamanouchia T. B. I talked with Mrs. Yamanouchi. (In Christ, therefore 1 could make up patientand husband of the woman the morning I had written her a letter my mind to continue my exertion who was here yesterday, was dying. of sympathy and encouragement). in Bible study in order to be able They asked if Mr. Rickerson would She told me that she would begin to fellowship with God in prayer arrange the funeral. Mr. Rickerson attending our services. [ told her that would be the essence in went with the man and spent the that i wanted to be her friend and Christian life, being taken cour remainder of the morning at the that I wanted her to be my friend. age by God's grace.

one to five, they visited the Leper colony, T. B. Hospital, and other

L On Oct. 20, 1949 I went to church by Mr. Nakasone's invitation, in the beginning. 2. On July 29, 1952 I was baptized by Pastor Muto. (Who came to Miyako to hold a meeting). 3. Since Oct. II, 1953 I became to thank God that I got my joyful, hopeful and peaceful life in Christ, being gone into deep place in belief by Mr. Rickerson's preach ing and Worker's Training Class. A- I was known my sinful heart and I felt the following: powerlessness for myself by merci ful and mighty God's grace, then I felt that I must need God's help that I might be saved.

C- I became to know that anything would be done by prayer, and that he who was waiting and trusting Him would be helped by God. "if God is for us, who is against us?" Rom. 8:31 I like to write my experience as a Christian. I was selected as rep resentative to attend a meeting on Nov. 7th in Naha, Okinawa. I was to start by Wakabamaru, which was to leave Miyako on Nov. 3, but this ship could not leave because of ty phoon on Nov. 6ih. In the morning, when the meeting would be held the next day, I heard chat Kasugamaru, which was a small boat, was leaving
for Okinawa at ten o'clock in the

my thankful life today. I thank God for the strong power and pleasing life of prayerful life, by praying in the sight of standing outdoors every morning. 1 pray. "Oh my Heavenly Father, bless me in your merciful mind all day today." Before I take my physical food thrice a day, 1 pray, saying, "My Heavenly Father, I thank you for you give me the good foods." Then when I go out to do something. I pray, "My Heavenly Father, lead me that 1 may do enough and safely my business." 1 am full of a joyful mind which ( will be able to live day by day, getting my good health in
this thankful life. I thank God that

MAILING ADDRESS CHANGE

PLEASE NOTEchange of name and address for sending packages for missionary work. A/2c Richard Crouch AF 19474810 624th AC&W Sqd. Det. #1,A.P.0.235
San Francisco, California.

FINANCIAL REPORT
DECEMBER 1954, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1955

General Fund
RECEIPTS:

$460.34
$ 80.00

Crenshaw Chr. L. A. Calif.

Chr. Chu. W. Seattle, V/n. Chr. of Christ, Irving, Ore. Mr. & Mrs. E. F. Pritchord, Acampo,
Colif, .

12.00 68.64
15.00

G. B. Schmid, Wesiport. Wn. C.W.F. No. Bend, Ore.

99.00 15.00

Ladies Council, Canby, Ore.

James B. Reece ..

100.00
32.00

it is the result of faith in Christ as

Choplains gift to D. Rickerson

Chr. Workers, L. A., Calif.

100.00
15.00

a Christian that 1 became punctual to Icel Dunn, Pasco, Wn. 30.00 Marion Russell, Zillah, Wn. 6.00 keep the time and strict to observe, A. J.-Manley, Eugene.-Ore&on 66J10..Chu. of Christ, Sisters, Ore. 18.00 the promises between others and me. Friends, Lebonon, Ore. 81.12 I forgot to write that when I got Fomilies, Moderia, Col. 300.00 McKinley Prk. Chr. Chu., Tocomo, Wn. 110.00 the seasickness in the voyage men B. S. Jefferson, Ore, 1 20.00 15.00 means to Naha in Okinawa in time tioned above. I had the experience Leia Cox, L. A. Cot. John, Orr. 5.00 to attend the meeting next day. But that the seasickness left me by sing St. Johns Chr. Portland, Ore. 10.00 Mrs. Paul Trocy, Zilloh, Wn. 100.00 ever since the boat was sailing near ing hymns. Paul Weller, Veronio, Ore. 20.00 Mf, Vernon B. S., Springfield, Ore. 14.33 the Yaehise, after passing Ikema Is Chr. Chu. Wopoto, Wn. 34.14 land. angry waves were higher and 1st Chr. Chu. Mill Cily, Ore. 21.13 WE ENTERTAIN GUESTS 5.00 Add-A-Stitch, Zilloh, Wn. . higher and winds were stronger and 5.00 Chozo Ishimine has been to visit C. E. 1st Chr. Chu. Donville, Ind. Kenmore Chu. of Christ, Akron, Ohio . 25.00 stronger. It was the time when most his family on Miyako. We became Church of Christ, Acampo, Colif. 20.00 of the passengers got seasick, crying, 10.00 Jr. Dept. B. S. Amity, Ore. acquainted with him when we visited Chu. of Christ, Zilioh, Wn 56.00 "Go back, go back." morning, surmounting strong winds and angry waves, lust after passins typhoon. Then I decided to get in this boat, trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, that I might reach by all
Then 1 began to pray eagerly, say ing. "Oh Almighty Lord Jesus, please give me and this boat safe sailing as well as you calmed down a stormy sea in Galilee, and I will be able to enter safely in Tomari Port in Oki nawa. by nine o'clock tomorrow morn ing in order to reach the Naha High School where the meeting will be held at ten o'clock, so that I can do my duly as a representative. i liau been praymg all uiglil, in ihe time when the boat was nearing Oki nawa. angry waves were calmed and winds which were blowing from the North were changed to blow from the South, therefore the boat could sail at the speed of twice sailing until
now. I believed that God did these

our daughter and family on Okinawa where Chozo was their interpreter. He is now a student in Tokyo Bible Seminary. We gave a dinner in his honor, and had many good hours of Christian fellowship. He spoke for us
at several services.

Mrs. Hottie Newton, Co!.

TOTAL RECEIPTS

...

5.00

leno Newton, Redondo Beoch, Col. . -

75.00

5st Church. No. Bend, Ore.

EXPENDITURES:

10.00
$1598.36

Mr. ond Mrs. Rickt-rson (L.L.)

S 600.00

Hanashrro ond Shimoji (solory)

159.99

Wayne Rickerson (support) Furlough Freighter Fund

Mrs. Cox (sec. expenses) --

150.00 54.00
24.65

Eclipse Printcry, news-sheets Also Tomoko Kakihana has been Cement Block Wall

Misc. Car., Office supplies

73.90 124.68
352.25

to visit Miyako this week. She works with the same mission, as teacher of the Christian Kindergarten. She visited our Christian Kindergarten, and was greatly impressed with our methods of teaching. Wc spent a day discussing the work, and 1 gave her fifty of our lessons and hand work patterns for
the same.

Accordion (Chopiaifs money gift) Total Receipts Brought Forward

Total

285.00
$1824.47

S1598.36 460.34
-$2058.70

" 'EXpt'.TiilTOrCST--; r"".:

Bolonce
CHURCH BUILDING FUND
Receipts:

"1oi'4T(?
234.23
S2942.67

ladies Council, (^nby. Ore

Receipts
Total

$25.00
25.00
2942.67

Brought Forword

$2967.67

3nnnr!rtt~o"6~o"o"o"bl"d"b"<J~6~o"tt~o~d"o o o o o o o o o 0 O MIYAKO CHRISTIAN MISSION

c/o Mrs. Warham Cox

1709 West 71st

things.
About six o'clock I landed at Oki

Los Angeles 47, California

nawa, then I went to the Naha school by taxi, and I was able to attend the

meeting without any trouble. Thus

I believed that it was God's grace that I could do completely my duty
and I also was able to believe more

and more, the words, "Prayer is heard by God." and Holy verse, "Ask, and it shall be given." Matt. 7:7. I thank God for His great gift and grace that I became to continue

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