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A Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

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To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kagoshima 893 Japan - Box 417, N. Vernon IN 47265
Dear Christian friends.

MARCH 1989 - LINKLETTER #289

By the time you receive this, another Easter will have passed. The
first Nicene Council which met in A.D. 325 fixed Easter as the first day after
the first full moon on or after March 21. The earliest possible date is March 22.
The latest possible date is April 25. So Easter this year on March 26 is an early
one. Next year it will occur on April 15, three weeks later than this year.

The King James version of the Bible used the word "Easter" in Acts 12:4.
Actually, the word shouldn't be there. "Passover" is the way the Greek word is trans
lated every place else and that is the word that should be used here.
Keeping in mind that the King James Bible was translated in England by English
men and that the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring or light was named Eostre, it is not sur
prising that the word crept into the text. The date of the Jewish Passover falls at almost
the same time as Easter and that was the time that our Lord was crucified, buried and rose

again. These three events are the most important events in both the Bible and history. Thus
the day of Resurrection is entirely worthy of our deepest interest, devotion and joy.

We spent the day preaching at the leper church at 8.30 A.M.; at Kushira church at 10.30

A.M.; at Tarumizu church in the opposite direction at 3.00 P.M.and showing a film on the Resurection to the childen at the Osumi Gakkusha (orphanage) at 6.30 P.M. Needless to say, the joy of
Easter prevailed throughout the day but tiredness overtook us at eventide.
The first cherry bloosoms are out and the rest of the trees will be in full bloom shortly.
Their beautiful blossoms last but a few days and are gone. So they have become a symbol of life
to the Japanese. It is short. Enjoy it while you can. The Christian agrees with that, of course,
but also thinks of this short life as the preparation for an eternal one. That's what Easter is
really all about.

In a heart-warming act of generosity, the Tanegashima church installed a satellite dish

and tuner for us. I'm not much of a TV watcher but we have enjoyed the world news in English once
a day. The U.S. morning news becomes our evening news.
The 28th convention of Kagoshima churches was held,as it is every year, on November 21, a
national holiday. The Yoshino church of Christ, Walter Maxey, minister, was the host this year
and Harold Sims of Tokyo the special speaker. It was a first class gathering in every respect. It

is a time when we may see fellow Christians only once a year. It is also a time to note again that
a sizeable Christian community has come about in Kagoshima.

Toshiaki Chida was speaker for Walter's English Bible Camp in early November. Bro. Chida's
topic was, "The Person You Dislike the Most." That person turned out to be one's own self.He told
us what we could do about it.

Christmas, as you well now, fell on Sunday this year. That day as well as the preceding
days were completely full of joyous activity. Family Christmas was held on Monday, the 26th, with
18 present for Christmas dinner. These were family and friends. It was a wonderful and happy time.
Pauline and I celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary on December 29 with family around to make it
memorable. Then it was New Years.
In Oriental countries this was the Year of the Snake. Most of us don't think of the snake

as a creature worthy of admiration but he does have his good points. Since I was born in the year
of the snake I was asked to say something good about the snake for 15 minutes at Rotary Club.
I was able to do that and in return received quite nice ceramic flower vase with a snake coiled
about it.

Emperor Hirohito had been

dying with cancer of the pancreas for several months.

The

nature of his illness, howfever, was never ever mentioned. Cancer is the unmentionable

illness in Japan. If your loved one is in the hospital dying of cancer, you will know it but the
patient will not. It is an unwritten medical law - and a heartless one at that. Emperor Hirohito
was the third longest reigning monarch in history, 62 years. He died on January 7. His funeral,
however, was not held until February 24. No doubt you already saw some of it at least on TV since
Pres. Bush came to Tokyo for the funeral.
The deceased Emporer's reign was known as "Showa".
The new Emperor has ushered in the "Heisei" era. It began January 11. I have an envelope from
that day with the stamp cancelled by four ones: 1st year of Heisei, 1st month of the year and
the 11th day
of the year.

The Christian community in Japan is greatly concerned about the Shinto ceremonies being
held over a two year period to mark the new Emporer's enthronement. As the post-war constitution
plainly announced the very distinct seperation of church and state, and all of these ceremonies are
being financed by the state and wholly carried out by Shinto priests , it seems that the constitu
tion is being violated. The new Emperor, however, is modest, speaks in ordinary Japanese and has

a wife who though not a

has

Christian, insisted on taking care of her children herself and, it is said,

Bible studies in her home.

So we will see what the future brings and pray it will be good.

Meanwhile the present government has lost popular support because many members of the cabin
et received large amounts of stock as bribes from a Tokyo-based corporation.. Some members have re

signed. More will need to do so. The same government has introduced a 3%"consumption tax" which

goes into effect April 1.

Many companies are raising their prices in "anticipation" of the tax.

Figure that one out. I am not that well acquainted with other postal systems, but Japan may be
the first to put a sales tax on postage. The 40 postal card will now cost 41 and the 60 stamp
for regular letters will now cost 62. Taxes will not be levied on letters going overseas, however,
so, "In everything give thanks...."
Pauline has had cataracts in both eyes for some time now. She was able to read only with a
strong light, glasses and a magnifying glass. The year end safely passed, we arranged with Dr. Ideta
who repaired my retina five years ago, to put an intro-ocular lense in Pauline's retina on January
25. I was able to watch the operation via television screen in the waiting room. Also Dr. Ideta
gave me a video tape of the operation for us to take home. Pauline is- rejoicing in being able to read
-and-see cleai4y-a9a1fl-4n-th&left^ eye .-She will have similar-surgery in the right eye April 5.
_

Toshiaki Chida, serving the Sueyoshi church this year, was our teacher for the 27th Winter
Training.Course, held January 28 through February 1 in the Christian Center. Each class lasted two
hours, for a total of 8 class hours. Maximum attendance was 25 with 22 getting certificates for
completing the course*. TQPPY was his topic. It is an acrostic for a plan of evangelism he has
worked out called Teaching One Person Per Year. He is willing to accept the idea that that may not
be enough. He asked the question, "Is Sod working?" He answers with what Jesus says in John 5:17,
"My Father is working still, and I am working." Telling other people is something that all of us
must be doing. He cites the example of the Mormons who knock on 1000 doors to make one convert but they are among the fastest growing religious groups in America. After finishing in Kanoya he
held short courses in Yoshino, Kushikino, Kagoshima, Tanegashima anJ Kushira. Bro. Chida and his
wife Sachiko have done an outstanding job at Sueyoshi during the year A1 and Rhonda Juve have been
on furlough.
Pauline has had a particular joy leading her ladies English Bible class which meets twice

a month on Wednesday afternoon for a two hour session followed by a time for tea and cakes. Like
wise my English Bible classes on
Friday night and Saturday afternoon have been a pleasure to
teach. The attendance is good, the interest is good and their interest in the material is good.
For the Friday night class I am re-writing my book. Guide to Christ, the Church and the Christian
Life, one lesson per week. Sometime next summer I will get it republished as a book. It will have
the English material on the left page and the Japanese material on the right page. It's a lot of
work but it is worth it to see the students dig into the material.
Pauline went with me to attend the March 12 board meeting at Osaka Bible Seminary. The air
lines were good to provide her wheel chair service so she wouldn't have the long walks in the termin
als. In Osaka we were able to visit George and Ethel Beckman and daughter Jenann in their newly re1ocated home and^ churcli fad Vft+es -in ^akurazuka, near-Osaka^^^I-a^ttended the board meeting Monday ^
a.m., had a troublesome mole removed in the afternoonm , had amplertime to'.talk to Pres. Martin
Clark (and Pauline with Evelyn Clark); spoke in chapel on Tuesday morning, the 14th, and returned
home that afternoon. The seminary is enjoying renewed interest and new students. Four this year
including one that Walter is sending from Kagoshima.

Well, spring is not officialy here yet but it soon will be and I am glad. jHhe past warm

winter, however, suggests a hot summer-for which I will not be glad. IN HIS SERVICE,'^'^^

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PI7

A Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

m

/LyNi^Lerrefi/
To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya Kagoshima 893 Japan - Box 417, R Vernon IN 472fi5

MEMORIAM

Martin Bailey Clark

January 3,1911 - June 2,1989

PRESIDENT

Osaka Bible Seminary

April 13,1950 - lime 2.1989

LINKLETTER #290

JULY 1989
Dear Christian friends.

Waiting this long for a letter Is not the way to treat one's friends. On
Che other hand I have known people who never wrote a letter to their family mem
bers In a lifetime, nor went to see them either. So forgive us for our unwritten
messages and accept this one as "better late then never."
The 40th annual convention of Japan churches of Christ was held the last
week In March. Okinawa Is 23 hours south by ship but 21 hours faster by air. Tak
ing grandson, Trent, as my guest, that's the way we went. The Okinawans know how
to host a first class convention and to do it with enthusiasm. Special guests were
Harlan and Emaline Woodruff who started this work over 40 years ago.
Out of courtesy or habit, the "Grandfather's Quartet" sang at one of the ses
sions. It was the last time the four of us will sing together 'till we meet again

"in the land beyond the river."

Jim and Barbara Knickerbocker.

Grandfather's Quartet-Last Song

(P. Pratt,M .Maxey, H. Sims ,M .Clark)

After the convention we enjoyed the hospitality of

They showed us historical and beautiful spots on

the Island.

Pauline had her second lense Implant on April Sth>Thls operation also went
well. No complications. She is now enjoying good sight and the ability to read the
fine print in the recipe books and elsewhere. Thank you for your prayers on her
behalf and the many cards and letters you sent her.

Busan, at the southern tip of Korea Is less than anhour's flight from
northern Kyushu, the Island on which we live. It Is a different world and a differ
ent people, bustling with energy. It also is an Asian country in which the Christ
ian population may soon become the majority.
I was there the week of April 10 at the Invitation of long-time friend and
Christian brother, S.H. Chang. It was a busy 5 days. It began with a fine banquet
with the staff of Kyung Nam Junior College, hosted by Bro. Chang. It was a grand
occasion and a delicious meal. I especially liked an item on the menu listed as
"Calm Soup." I need a lot more of that.

Bill Sutherland-After His Baptism

During the week I spoke to the college faculty; at a morning service of a

new church being started; at a noon luncheon attended by a large number of Busan
City ministers, of various persuasions, on the subject, "The History of Christianity

in Japan";

and for three successive evenings to the 2000 students of the college

with Chaplain Kim Ho Kyu Interpreting. There were 107 committments at the final
session. Bro. Kim is continuing to teach these students. On the final day, Bro.
Chang took me by to see the mayor of Busan who presented me with a key to the city.
It was a pleasure to
get to know the staff of the college, to see again Bro.

Chang's aged mother &his wife who came down from Seoul - but especially to see Bro.
Chang and to have plenty of time to talk together.

Kyung Nam Junior College with

Pres. Kim S

Dr. S.M. Chang

Emerson said, "the ornament of a house Is the friends who frequent It."
We've had a lot of good "ornaments" in our house recently: Klyoto Yanaglmoto, hus
band of our oldest daughter,' Paula. He had not seen Japan In 13 years. It was a
whole new world for him. He visited his aged mother in Hiroshima also; Isabel Dittemore with her grandaughCer, Becky Bemo, as companion and helper. Isabel got to
see again people, places and buildings, the results of her labors here from 1951-56;
Dr.C. Leonard Allen of Abilene (TX) Christian College, and his wife,Holly, the
week-end of Juh* 30. Dr. Allen has co-authored three books, one of which is titled:

Discovering Our Roots. Besides speaking at the Kanoya church and the leper church
he also gave two lectures to our minister's meeting, June 31,recalling our "roots"
and offering hope for future mutual recognition and reconciliation. Afterwards,
Walter and I showed them two sites of early Christian activity in our area; Toshi
and Sachiko Chlda have been a great addition to our Christian witness in this area
while serving the Sueyoshi church while A1 and Rhonda Juve were on furlough. They
have committed themselves to evangelize in his home area northeast of Tokyo. We were
sad to see them go but happy over their committment. Already they have rented a three
room house In the city of

Preaching in Korea w/Chaplain Kim

Sendai, found three believers there and have the land

lord's permission to use the house as a church meeting place.

Fifty years ago on June 6 (1939) eleven men and two women graduated from
Minnesota Bible College, then located in Minneapolis.I was one of those graduates.
Another was Alvln Glese, who married my sister, Mary Ellen, on the same day of the
graduation. 1 left Japan for the U.S. on June 1 in order to be present for these

two "50th year" events. First stop was Storm Lake, Iowa (In the northwest comer look it upl) where A1 and Mary spent their last 30 years of ministry with the
Church of Christ there and from which they have retired. Al's family came from
Wayne, Nebraska. Son and minister, Brian Glese and family from Rapid City, SD and
other son, Gary, state employee and church elder, with his family from CarrolL lA.
From the Maxey side. Brothers Victor'and Bryan with their wives. Lois and Kathryn,
came from Ohio,
only regret was that Pauline did not feel physically able to make
the long trip from Japan with me.

^^Mrs^Leonard Allen & Walter at

the tomb(s) of Christian Martyrs.

Sunday, June 4, was A1 and Mary's special day. The family sat together at church. The preacher's sermon was
specifically about their life and ministry. Hewereall guests of A1 and Mary for a smorgasbord dinner. (One time around
was sufficent for me.) Then back to the church for the anniversary program MC'd by sons, Brian and Gary. Victor, Bryan
and 1, accompanied by Mary, sang our ancient repertory to our satisfaction, if nobody else's. (Our motto is: "We may
not be good but we're loud." Sons, brothers, sisters, family and friends took their turn in recalling what A1 and Mary
had meant to them combined with prayers and good wishes for their future.(One sad note, the latch on my camera broke.
that ruined all my pictures and kept me from taking any more. Maybe by next time somebody will send me some prints.)

We all went our separate ways on Monday. I was the guest of Victor and Lois. They were on a vacation trip and
included Rochester, Minnesota In their itinerary. On the way we visited the graves of Mrs. Leslie Wolfe and daughter.
Catherine, burled in the hauntingly beautiful cemetery of Horicon church. Next,to Truman, Minnesota where,! was ordain

ed, where we visited a few friends of long standing and had some of Minnie Relneke's apple pie. "1 thought you might come,"
she said.

The Bible college has since moved from Mlnneaplls to Rochester and that is where we gathered exactly SO years
from the day we graduated. There were twelve in the class. One Is deceased and two were unable to come. We graduated
at the worst of the depression. We were poor and we knew it, But we also had a committment to honor - and we did so.
The two women became preacher's wives; three of the men became mlssionaries-^onetoAfrica and two to Japan (I was one of
those.) All of us were In local ministries in the U.S. but eight made
that their life's work in addition to
teaching in both public, schools and colleges. How grateful we were that God gave us long-life, mates equally com
mitted to the Lord's service and a chance to serve wherever He put us. 1 think It would be hard to find a graduating
seminary class today In which everyone continued in their ministerial calling till the end of their careers. Special
thanks is due to Clarence Potter, minister at Sutherland, Iowa, who kept the mails busy as he got us and the program
together.

Some of us had not met each other for years. There wdre moments of non-recognition as grey headsmetbald heads
- but as soon as knew each other again, the reliving of old memories began. Everybody had their picture which were
enhanced . by memories of the past. We enjoyed a banquet together plus a hearty welcome by Pres. Don Lloyd who
saw that our coffee cups were filled and doughnuts were In our hands as we talked. Then we were off again to our far
corners of the world. I appreciated having a long talk with Pres. Lloyd, about the condition of the college and
for an evening with Prof. John Cachlaras and wife. Dot, before heading back to Japan.

At the close of the May first Councillor's meeting of Osaka Bible Seminary, 1 made a motion that a committee
be appointed to select a president-designate vho could be preparing himself for college leadership when the need should
arise. 1 set a time limit of one year in my motion.This was - passed. Also 1 was made a member of the three man committee.
On Monday, May 21, Pres. Clark was admitted to Yodogawa Christian Hospital (in Osaka) with a mild heart attack. After
a very promising and hopeful recovery, he had a second heart attack, a major one, which left him unable to communicate.
I visited him there along with his family at the bedside on June 1 while 1 was en route to the USA. Also present was
the college's head trustee, Norihiko Salto who had prepared a letter to send to all Councillor's asking them if they
would agree to appoint Martin's son. Dr. Paul Clark, to be Acting President of the college. We both agreed on the form
and content of such a letter. It was sent out and received a lOOZ positive response.Meanwhile, Iproceeded on to the U.S.
Upon arrival In Rochester, Pauline phoned me that Martin had died. The cremation would proceed but they would wait until
my return on Friday so 1 could take part In the memorial service as the representative of the missionary commuolty. .1
was grateful for their making this arrangement. Martin has been my very personal friend - and we shall meet again. He
left the college in first class condition. Thanks to the previous arrangements, Paul Clark is Acting President and the
college goes forward.
Last, but not least, it is a joy to report the baptism of Bill Sutherland, 17, of New Market, Ontario on
Wednesday morning, June 29 at Kanoya church. During his year here as a Rotary exchange student, he has stayed in the homes
of four families He asked all of them to be present for his baptism. They were. It was the first time for them to see a

baptism.Bill and I have been studying together for several weeks. Now he goes home as a new Christian,

vowing to return

to Japan and thinking of becoming aminister. One leader has died. Pray that another is in the making^^K^TI^
LrHTTEMf

Isabel Dlitemore (with grandaughter) ToshI SSachiko Chlda Memorial Marks Place where Francis
Revisits Japan where she served:1951 ft
Xavier Landed:1st Miss'y to Japan

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A Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

/uNKLerrefi/

"VoLL coLitd be. a mU-iXonoAu to Japan

You. aOiexidy fenow tkt language.:

Toki/o, O^taka, Kago6kana, yamana,

Sony, Honda, H^Uacki,,." p

i

rasn

To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kagoshiroa 893 Japan > Box 417, N. Vernon IN 472fiS

SEPTEMBER 1989

LINKLETTER #291

Dear Christian friends,

"The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be

I don't know that I would dis
pute that except that I doubt kings and queens are all that happy.

as happy as kings,"said Robert Louis Stevenson.

I was raised in a large family and know what it was like to be very,
very poor. But I treasure the memories of a rich family life with lots of meal
time banter,even if it was often only a one course meal. I remember family
devotions and Sunday sermons. I was fidgety then but eventually these things be
came indelibly fixed in my mind as the very essentials of life. These memories
and many more returned as most of our family (lacking five) gathered for shorter

Hr. Ur#.

or longer stays at the mission homestead in southern Japan - Kanoya, to be specific.

Son Gregory, wife, Beverly, daughter Meredith were here from Cincinnati,
Ohio for five weeks. Likewise, three grandchildren from the Kiyoto and Paula Yanagimoto household in Millet, Alberta, Canada: Megumi, 21, graceful and beautiful
and Takanobu and Tamon - both macho, happy and willing to do anything. I put a
lawnmower and a rake in their hands. I also borrowed bicycles so they could cir
culate. Walter and Mary and their young people, Shelley and Trent were frequent
visitors. We have a pristine bay of water 15-20 minutes from our house so the
young folks got there often to bake, sweat and get water-cooled. Paul and Faith
and daughter Erin were here only a week or so but we made the most of the family
time together.

IK

The big event of the surmier was the annual missionary convention. After

nine years it was our turn to host it again. Walter and Mary were in charge of
local arrangements; Pauline and I worked on the program and A1 and Rhonda Juve,
just back from furlough, in charge of the children and youth. Total attendance
was 47 - not bad for the distance everybody had to travel to get there. We stayed
in the Shiroyama Hotel which overlooks Kagoshima bay and ever-erupting Mt. SakuraJima. One of the convention highlights was an afternoon tour of historical spots,
including a long stop at the memorial erected where Francis Xavier, Japan's first
missionary, arrived in 1549. That was 440 years ago and a "Christian" Japan still
awaits us.

Charles Faber, professor at Boise (Idaho) Bible College) and son of long
time missionaries in Hokkaido (2000 railroad miles north of us), was our speaker.
He gave us five powerful sermons on the convention theme, "I am not ashamed," We
were glad that his wife, Patty, and children could attend

Sr.Campers Sign My Birthday

Card Prepared by Pauline

with him.

We had two lengthy discussion periods. Lee Jones' topic was, "Where is
the next generation of missionaries coming from?" Hy topic was,"Where is the next
generation of Japanese ministers coming from." My response to the first question
is not all clear - unless they come from the sons and daughters of missionaries
on the field. The financial cost of living here, plus the challenging task of
learning Japanese and the very slow rate of church growth here do not make Japan
an attractive place to work - especially for those who come from the success
and church-growth oriented American churches. But in the Lord's timing it may
be different.

Charles Faber Family-Boise ID

*
-

In regards to future prospects for Japanese ministers, a transition

is taking place right now. For one thing, our own Osaka Bible Seminary has

the largest attendance of recent years and a student body which is mature and

comfiitted. Also, up till now, Japanese young people were mostly recruited by

or encouraged to enter Into Christian service by the missionaries. Now, in our

area at least, we are seeing ministerial candidates arising out of the churches

with the encouragement of Japanese ministers. Seeing this happen is very encour-

In regard to the conventton.we are grateful to all who participated

and who attended. It is a long way to here from the population centers in the

north. Bill BeJewicame haKrof he way by bycicle. Donald Burney came from Shi-

koku and camped coming and going. Likewise the Paul Clarks. Following the con-

y
u
^

Ir. ^hLlv

vention, the Burneys spent several hours with us at our home and the bookstore
before going on to the Juves. Bill Belew got rejuvenated and pushed on to Shi-

iSf
Auaust BlrthHave for ne

correspondent, encourager and missionaary in his own right, spent a night with

wtM

bushi to get the night ferry to Osaka. Bro. Motoyuki Nomura, faithful friend,

us before returning to his home in the central highlands of Honshu. One of his
lifetime goals is to see the barriers to fellowship removed between those who do

sndhdo not

musical instrument in worship. Our prayers and assistance are

August 3 was a memorable day. It was departure time for Megumi, Takanobu and Tamon Yanigimoto to return to Canada. We had been talking to Tamon
about baptism without a positive response from him. Late, the last night he was
to be with us, he made his decision. Our family with Bro. Yoshii and wife, gath-

ered at the sea shore the next morning at 7.30 a.m. and I baptized Tamon Leroy
Plr
Yanagimoto, soon to be 16, into Christ. It was a fitting close to his happy summer with us and a challenging beginning of his new life in Christ, Two hours

later we were all loaded into the car and on the way to the airport for their

^
Walter Teaching at Jr. Camp

1^1^^

August 7-11 was time for our 39th summer camp. This year,as the job
responsibilties rotate, it was Walter's turn to be camp manager. I had no

duties this year but attended daily and lent a hand when needed. On my birthday,
Pauline brought a cake wi;th can[dles.and a special card for campers to sign. They

so and their names and words of encouragement will be a treasured keepsake. Paul-SB^^

ine was also born 1n August so she joined me in becoming a year older. The Monday after camp, Mary Maxey brought over a complete birtdhay dinner. Ue had a
wonderful family time, the memories of which will last till next year.
Pauline's health condition remain about the same.
She cheerfully
does what has to be done and rests,with her legs elevated, whenever that is possible. She made the summer a memorable one not only for her grandchildren, but

for her children - and for her husband. I don't think any of us will forget the

wonderful summer we had together and her part in making it so.

m:..

Francis
Xavier, 1st
Missionary to
to
rrancis Aavier,
1st Missionary
Japan Landed Here - Aug.15,1549
Aug. 15, 1549

Typhoon #11 raged through our peninsula and our yard all night August
7. The next day our yard was full of debris. We lost some trees but no major

damage. Nearby villages lost many valuable trees and were without waten^t^ light

for days. In nearby Tarumizu,two died from landslides triggered by to^ential

rain. The same rain roared down the valley where Qur camp is located rolling

wS|

giant rocks like they were pebbles, knocking out bridges, roads and houses as
they went. Thankfully, our camp was spared major damage.
Again, our time and space is up. As Japan is now a country of "things"

they will tire of things and think seriously of their "souls." Pray thrt it will ^

of which every one has the latest, it could be that this is the very time when

/
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Baptism of Grandson Tamon-Aug, 3

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Tamon Reads His

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A Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

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LIWKLETTER #292
t^ECEMBER 7 9S9

To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kag^oshiroa 893 Japan - Box 417, N. Vernon IN 47265

i
iiM

i
If you are a long-time reader of the Linkletter, you may recall seeing this picture before - 33 years |

before, in fact. It shows how the birth of Christ might have been in ancient Japan. The family is
sharing the straw-thatched horse stall with "the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a
manger." We pray that our Savior will be an intimate part or your own family at this Christmas time.

The 36th Convention of Kagoshima churches was held November 23. Masatami Kikkawa of Ono, Japan
^ave two powerful messages on the theme: "Stewards of Cod's Grace." Bro Hideo Yoshii and I were
in charge of the program and the small but mighty Kushira church took care of all the local aspects
of the meeting.

SPEAKER:
MASATAMI
KIKKAWA

Our hearty thanks to them. They set a standard of service for others to imitate.

Dear Christian friends,

December, 1989
Greetings from Japan. Here are just a few highlights of the fall activities.

We were able to spend 10 days with our family in Tsukuba, north of Tokyo, Paul and Faith
Axton,and to rejoice with them in the arrival of their new son, Zachary Mark Axton.
Also to participate in the opening ceremony of American Christian College which Paul is
starting in Nakano Ward, Tokyo. Be praying for new student enrollments as this school
begins.

Someone has said that "the ornaments of a house are the people who visit it.

If so, we have been well-ornamented this fall. Nephew, Brian Giese and wife, Sylvia
were here for two weeks in October. They were the special guests of A1 and Rhonda Juve

in Sueyoshi but we all gave them a good workout: With Walter Maxey at Yoshino church and
as teacher at the fall English Bible Camp; with Bro. Yoshii at Kanoya church; at Kushira
church with myself: at the Keiai-en church (whose members are sufferings from Hansen s
disease) and afterward visiting their fall festival with marvelous displays of their
handwork. Sylvia spoke to the ladies at Yoshino church and both of them shared with n\y
Friday night English Bible class. Brian also spoke to our monthly minister's meeting.
Brian is the long-time minister with the First cnristlan Church, Rapid City, S.D.

With Bra Hiroshi Isobe,

Minister at Miyakonojo

Bro. Masatami Kikkawa also had a hard schedule. Following his preaching at

the convention he held a revival at the Kanoya church where Bro. Yoshii ministers;

spoke at Tarumizu, Keai-en and also at the November minister's meeting where he told
of his struggle to create a growing and living church in his town of Ono, near Osaka.
He has been eminently successful in this.
John and Madonna Spratt, long-time missionaries in Honduras, took the longway around the world, visiting mission stations on the way, while returning to their

'-Ad 1

field. We enjoyed their stay with us..

How many of you have seen a persimmon tree breaking its limbs from the weight
of its fruit. This was our pleasure this year. Also the pleasure of sharing its fruit
with friends and neighbors. Another very unusual sight: our cherry trees blooming again
in October. Either the climate is warming or the trees have lost their memories.
Pauline was speaker for the annual joint meeting of the Kanoya church women
and the women of the Keiai-en church. She used Jesus' words to Nicodemus, "You must be

born again as her theme- Makoto Yoshii, now back in Japan having completed seven years

Preaching and Teaching

Brian and Sylvia Giese
of Rapid City, S. Dakota

of study In the U.S., assisted her.

I have had two unusual request this fall. Hiroshi Isobe, minister in Miyakanoji, a city north of us, asked me to speak twice on the theme, "The Japanese Heart of
Faith as I have seen it." I did so on Saturday night, and Sunday morning, November 11
and 12. The warm welcome and fellowship 1 received was great but I was not satisfied
that I dealt with the subject adequately. In 1961, a report from the Japan Evangelistic
project said that the Japanese ministry is "committed to Christ, to poverty, to scholar
ship and to failure." I sincerely hope that is not true. Another special request came
from my long-time friend, Mr. Kohtoku for a 100 minute lecture on "Japan as Seen from
the Inside and Outside." I spent a few 1000 minutes preparing for these talks.
Now it is time to close again. May the inner peace and

with you both now and on into the New Year. IN HIS SERVICE,

^^

Visitors: John and Mad

onna Spratt: Honduras

Harvesting persimmons in our front yard

Pauline speaks for annual ladies meeting :Keai-En

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