Alissionaries

HOWARD AND KATHRYN DAVIS

Judy, Janet and Irene
Ageiitfl
MR. AND MRS. CLYDE BIRNEY
Sublette. Kansas
Nagoya Christian Mission
Dear Christien ..Eriends:
Box 19, Chikusa
NAGOYA,JAPAN
Jamary G, 195iV
Greetings in our Lord Jesus Clirist from the Cliristians of Nagoya,
I7e ar.o writing this special nev;s letter to all you who are su^^xjrt
ing the work of Christ in Nagoya through us, V/e in-ite it onlj'- after much
prayer and after oil other possibilities have been esdiausted and the only
door left operi to us is to return to J^ierica as soon as possible.
In previous issues of the Nagoya Christian Nei/s your prayers have
been requested for Ho\;ard's health. The first severe attack nf what we at
first thought w^ appendicitis came about a year and a ha"*. !? ago and lasted
for about fifteen hours, Tlie doctors tried several prescript;:on& iricluding
narcotics but nothing had any effect. The second attadc some t:lne leter,
lasted about tv/enty-four hours and as before no medicine would relieve the
pain or nouseation.
Since the beginning of his illness until noi-f, Hoi/ard has gone three
times to the U,S, i'dr Tbrce hospital for emergency examinations and has
gone to-two Ji^anese hospitsls. He has been cxai,lined by five JE^janese doctors
and four Anerican doctors and surgeons, Tlie examinations includod yjra^'-s^ flue-
roscopes, stomacli pumping and every other conceivable ched-:^ Thvre w.as much
difference of opinion as to ifnat is causing the trouble and -some of blie
doctors frcnl:ly stated they did not know. One said it was ulcers, another
stated it could not be, \Ai1q another e::pressod his opinion that if it isn*t..
cleared up soon it will cause cancer.
Because the illness has grovm steadily worse v consulted another Aaer-
ican surgeon stationed in Japan lath the military. He said the trouble was
probably peptic ulcers but before anj'one could be sure, or effect a cure
some time would have to be spent in a hospital, He are not allowed admit
tance to the Air Jbrco hospital, and his advice to us was that undor rr)
THAT THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE RISEN SON.
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Missionaries
HOWARD AND KATHRYN DAVIS
Judy, Janet and Irene
Box 19, Chikusa
NAGOYA, JAPAN
Agents
MR. AND MRS. CLYDE BIRNEY
Sublette. Kansas
cirounstances should we consider goin^ to a Japanese hospital* He ad
vised us to return to Anerica as soon as possible. He could not deter
mine the stages reached but surgery will probably be necessary.. He and
the other doctors warned us several times^ for our ova safety aiid the
sal:e of our v/orU here, of the seriousness of the illnesss
This has been the subject of much pra^^r and thought, and wo feel
it is God' s v/ill that v/e must come to the United States soon for medi
cal trsatirent; so v/e can return to Japan unliampers'i in preaching the
gospel to the JapcnevOe# If ft all possible \ie must refcu::n jn bho summer
of this year* This will mean our term vdll be shortened c.bouu a year, .
but the uopanese vri.ll be able to carry on most of their ovrn work in our
absence,
Vfe earnestly seelc your praj'-ers in this matter that v/e may be led
of God in all actions and decisions#
Yours in Christ's service,
THAT THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE RISEN SON.
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Each Adult missionary should complete one of these forms and send by regular seamail to:
Mission Services - Box 968 - Joliet, Illinois
PERSONAL FILE GGT 6
October 5, 195^
Name in full- Hr)w.q.rf^ Kenneth Davia
Complete address on 3o-y 19 Ohlkuaa. Ha3:ova. Japan
Complete home (for forwarding) ^Qlyde &Virginia Blmey-Sublette, Kansas
Name and address of hometown n^wapappr Oklahoma Qlty Times
Names and addresses of other newspapers which might carry stories of your work...
Place of Rirth ^ampa, Texas
Day.
7
Month,
11 .1920
Year
Capitol Hill
Wliere hapfigpH? Paspa Christian Chruch
What age? li.
On back of page please describe any special circumstances regarding conversion.
Marital status: Married-_iL. Single
Divorced,
Widowed.
List children by full name giving place, day, month, and year of birth;
Name
Judith Sathrvn
Janet Ann
Deloras Irene
Sdna Rae
Place
Oklahoma City, Okla
Oklahoma ^ity, Okla
Oklahoma City, Okla
Nagoya, Japan
Married at what age,
18
Day Month Year
Aug. 8, 19^
Aug. 5, 19^2
April 24, 1947
March 20, 1953
Schooling (High School and on):
Name and Location of School
Caoitol Hill H.S.-Otela
Number of Years
City. 3
Major Degrees with date
Midwest Christian College AB
\
Personal File - Page 2 - Name. HPi/ard DaVlS
What things influenced you to become a missionary? Your own story in some detail might be
influential in leading others into fulltime service (use a separate sheetdf you need more space)?
Association with other missionaries and being in Japan
with the Armed forces
Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties.
Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status:
Evangelist X Bible College teacher Public School teacher Home maker,
Doctor. Nurse Social worker Office worker nthe^r
Father's name andhome address (if living); Raymond H. Davis
His occuaption, ^ Is he a Christian?
What positions of leadership has he held in the local church?
Mother's full maiden name Baura V7allace jg living?ilR.
Is she a Christian?, Her occupation if employed outside of hnm(^
What leadership positions has she held in the local church?
Name of forwarding Qlyde & /irgjinia Bimey-
Sublette. Kansas Telephone
What are his or her duties:
Funds and Correspondence
Should money be sent to forwarding agent only?_S^ In what fnrm? 33^7 if it can be mailed to
you please indicate how inwhat form? only International i.-'ioney Order
Does your forwarding agent serve without salary?,
What problems do you need help with, that Mission Services might provide?
Each Adult missionary should complete one of these forms and send by regular seamail to;
Mission Services - Box 968 - Joliet, Illinois
PERSONAL FILE
nai-A October 5. 1954
Name in fnii Anna Kathryn Davis
Sex.
Complete address on fipiH Box 19 -lilicusa, ?lagoya, Japan
Complete home (for forwarding) aHHrpaa %Qt-yde &Virginia Blmey, Subletta, Kansas
Name and address of hometown npwRpaj^r Qlty. Times- Qkla. Qlty, Okla.
Names and addresses of other newspapers which might carry stories of your work...
Place of Rirfh Qklahoipa Oity,- Ok'a
Day.
25
Month,
o
Year
1922
Where Hill Chrisulaji Jta.urch-0.G. what age7__^^
On back of page please describe any special circumstances regarding conversion.
Marital status: Married-^JL. Single. Divorced,
Widowed. Married at what age.
16
List children by full name giving place, day, month, and year of birth;
Name Place
Day Month Year
Janet Ann Oklaho.na 3ity, Ok a. August 5, 19^2
Delonas Irene Oklaboma City, Ok'' a, April 24, 1947
Edna Rae Nas;ova, Janan yiarch 2Q, 1953
Schooling (High School and on):
Name and Location of School
Number of Years
Major Degrees with date
Gaoltol Hill H.3- O.G.
Kidwest Christian Col''eTe Soecial coUrse
Personal File - Page 2 - PavlS
What things influenced you to become a missionary? Your own story in some detail might be
influential in leading others into fulltime service (use a separate sheetdf^you need more space)?
Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties.
Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status:
Evangelist Bible College teacher Public School teacher Home maker. 7
Doctor Nurse _ Social worker Office worker Other
Father's name and home address (if living): "/lllla:]:] G-llas, 7*54 "50 ^ Oklahoma City
His occuaption.^ Gablneh Is he a Christian?
What positions of leadership has he held in the local p>nrrh7
Mother's full maiden Anna Kathrvn kllford Is she living?Z2L
Is she a Christian? 7^8 Her occupation if employed outside of v>nmp
What leadership positions has she held in the local church?
Name of forwarding Olvde & Virginia Bimev. SubTette. Kansas
Address,... . Tpipphnnp none
What are his or her duties:
Funds and correspondence
Should money be sent to forwarding agent nniy7 70S _ jn what fnrm7 any if it can be mailed to
you please indicate how in what only by International Money Order
Does your forwarding agent serve without salary? .
What problems do you need help with, that Mission Services might provide?
Agents
MR. AND MRS. CLYDE BIRNEY
Sublette, Kansas
Nagoya Christian Mission
NAGOYA, JAPAN
HOWARD KENNETH DAVIS, vas born Nov. 7, 1920, in Pampas, Texas, He
is the son of Raymond Harry, and Virginia Laura(Wallace) Dav&s (dece
ased), nov of Rt.S, Box 444, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, His father works
as a carpenter and a cabinet makfr, and it was from him that Howard
learned much of his woodworking skill, and was able to work his wa y
through school by this work. He ha two brothers and one sister.
Howard received his college educc^tion at Midwest Christian College,
and Oklahoma City University, During this time he ministered to the
church at Carney, Okla, He is able to play the french horn and the
Cornet, however neither he nor his wife have any medical training.
He became a Christian at the age of fourteen, and on Sept, 8,1939
was married to Kathryn Giles. They have three daughters, Judy, Janst,
and Irene, Howard served in the armed fcrces from Ja n, 1945 to June
1946, much of which time was spent in Okinawa and Japan. In Dec, 1950
He rj.ncj. his family sailed for Japan, because He felt He could not s-^rve
His Lord in any lesser capacity,
ANNA kathryn (GILES) DAVIS, was born Sept, 25, 1922 at Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, the Daughter of William J. and Kathie Giles. Her father a Iso
works as a cabinet maker. She atten^^ed Sacred Heart, Capitol Hill Jr,
and Sr, high, and Midwest Christian College, all of Oklahoma City. She
is a ble to play the piano, and becGme a Christian at the age of 21,
ADDRESS: Mr, and Mrs, Howard K, Davis, Box 49 Naka, Nagoy|, Japan.
THAT THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE RISEN SON.
Our several months of searching for a place to live in
Nagoya has finally been fruitful and now, such as it is, we
have a 'home'. For the past year little Irene has questioned
her mother about "when we get a home". She and all the family
are happy now and continually thank God for His mercy and
blessings. Our small apartment has no running water and no
sink but it is a shelter until we can build. We haven't found
a plot as yet but the section of town has been chosen and plans
are laid to build a concrete block house as soon as \re can get
it started. The continual rise in building costs in Japan make
it imperative that we build in the immediate future. The brethren
have been very generous tov/ard us for v/hich we thank God and we
pray that He, through them, will continue to bless us that we
might have this building we need so badly in order to serve Him
here in Nagoya,
Until we have a home to open for a Bible training program
we are hoping to be able to find a building in the eastern
section of the city where we can hold services. There are no
missionaries or churches among the several thousand factory
workers and their families that make up almost one third of the
city. Thousands there have never had an opportunity to hear the
gospel preached even once.
In this section of the city is the Atsuta Shrine, one of
the most famous and best attended in Japan, Several acres are
covered by the grounds of this shrine,with its idolatrous ignor
ance and superstition. In this land where every square foot of
groimd is very precious it shows forth their fear and devotion
to the 'spirits'. As we stood beside the 'tori' gateway watching
the people coming to worship, we observed many things in their
attitudes. One woman came with a little one strapped to her
back and leading another child. She stood before the shrine
and clapped her hands to gain the attention of the 'spirits*
then she would bow for several seconds. The small child then
was made to do likewise, under the close guidance of the parent.
Such is the beginning of the training in idol worship. The older
people prayed and stayed longer before the altar. They had
reached the place when their time was short and they must try
harder to please the 'spirits'. One old Buddist lady said she
fully expected Buddah to meet her when she died and take her
on his white horse across to heaven. Most of these people didn't
have an opportunity to accept Christ during their life time,
but the story need not be repeated'in this generation if the
forces of Christianity in Japan and America will but realize
their responsibilityor must we again say it was too little
and too late?
Truly here is a great opportunity before us, we need but
to lift up our eyes to view the already ripened harvest fields,-.
I made s short siirvey of the Japanese book stores and inquired
about Bibles and New Testaments, Almost every one had a few
copies of each. The Japanese have access to God's Word but
few will find it until they come to know Jesus as the Savior
of the world. No matter how fertile the soil, the seed must
be planted and cultivated before it can produce. Please remember
us in your prayers that we mi^t receive the strength and wisdom
from God to plant the seeds of the gospel in the hearts of men
as we set out to establish the Nagoya Christian Mission here
in Japan,
Our ne\i foreign address is: Box 49 Naka, Nagoya, Japan. In
America it is:Mr & Mrs Clyde Birney, Sublette, Kansas,