CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION INC.

"The people which sat in darkness saw great light;.

Japan Address
Mr. 8e Mrs. Paul S. Pratt

Address

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

2^0

West Elbert St.

Indianapolis, Indiana,
k^217

" Matt. 4:16

Church Planting

1210 Kamikasuya,

Student Evangelism

Isehara City, Kanagawa Ken,

Literature Distribution

259-11

Bible Correspondence Course

Tel. (0463) 96-1192

Tel. (317) 787-6753

Vol, XXXIII, No.l, Spring, 1989

Dear friends,

The missionary men's Hayama Seminar closed on January 7th with the pre-scheduled message,
"The Church, X-Day and Beyond". All are aware that the Emperor passed away that very morning, X~
Day. You cannot forget, either, that following World War II he had been forced to renounce his
claim to being a god. Many still believe that he is. Others think of him as a symbol of unity in
the same way that the British do their Queen. Still others cannot wait for the day they can abo
lish the emperor system entirely. Through the years Japan's emperors have been aloof from govern
ment, untainted by the nitty gritty of politics. Shogun and prime ministers have undertaken this
task throughout her history.

The popular Prince Akihito becomes the new emperor of the Heisei Period. In 1959 be broke
tradition to marry Michiko Shoda, a commoner, daughter of the owner of Nisshin Milling Co. Though
not having been baptized, she received her education at Catholic schools. Recently Prince Hironomiya, heir to the throne, was interviewed. He revealed that he would like to marry a practical
girl and one who would read the Bible with him as his parents have done. So, our God and His word
have influence in high places as they did in Caeser's household. Pray for them and for Japan.
Miss Akiko lizuka was baptized into Christ on February
1989 After studying for five
years, she too, believes it to be a kind of miracle. Can you imagine the barriers that had to be
broken down? The word 'God' summons up images of stone or bronze, all the ancestors who were made
gods (hotoke) and thousands of animals or aged trees or sacred mountains. Then we challenge her
to believe in The One whom 'eye has not seen'. So, she truly meant it when she declared, "I be
lieve that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God and my Savior".
This 'invisible God* is showing His existence and power.

Each of us at Sannobara was down

hearted at Christmas time. Yusuke Koizumi (1^) was losing the sight of his right eye because of
a lesion in his brain. He faced serious surgery on January 13th. All were praying, including
many of you. Many fasted and prayed on the 13th. As a result, the obstruction was removed and
the doctor declared, "its a near miracle". His eyesight is normal and he has no apparent abnor
malities.

He is scheduled to be back in school next week (Feb. 20th).

Praise be to God!

Just one year ago ^ introduced two-year old Taketora to you. He was the little boy with a
smiling face and lymphatic leukemia. You, too, prayed with us. Radium treatments and therapy
have resulted in the doctor's verdict of 'cured'. Of course he must go for tests once a month.

Paul & Bill Turner & a replica of Perry's black ships

Kathleen, Hidenori, Akiko, Paul

Both Yusuke and Taketora's mothers are devout believers.

But these were special trials.

As is

often the casef superstitious relatives believe that acute illnesses, or handicaps, or accidents
are sent by the 'gods' angered by someone accepting a * foreign religion'. So both mothers have

special reason for rejoicing at God's answer. Just as the people on Mt. Carmel did back in Eli
jah's time, they are shouting with us, "The Lord, He is God; The Lord, He is God".
It is difficult to summarize the effects of our outreach at Qbirin College.

The Machida

Church will send a couple of Christians into the work force who are graduating. The Christian
Club has been having its trials but individuals continue to witness. Kathleen, while teaching
her Bible class students asked them to write down their personal beliefs. K.T. wrote as follows;
"We studied bible class of Mrs. Pratt, and I became to be able to believe in Jesus...Be

fore I study this class, I thought that bible isn't fun.

But after lesson, I thought

bible is one of best books in the world... I want to read bible now and forever."

Kathleen sees the need for emphasis on English but rejoices at seeing this spark of faith.

We were impressed by the ingenuity of Conneautville (PA.) Church's Minister, Bill

Geiger.

He interviewed me at my desk one day last December by phone in order to give his people an up-todate report and to hear prayer requests. Following that a letter from Dan Monahan on January
23th assured us of the prayers of the Antioch Church at Rossville, 111. Without knowing we were
having special trials as a church family, they had set aside Jan. 25th as 'Fasting and Prayer Day
for the Pratt's work'. Our special thanks to Bill and Dan and their fine people.

Central Japan Christian Mission still has a debt of approximately $50,000 on the land loan
at Machida. Thanks to a^ recent sizable gift we were able to make five extra payments on the
principal.

This will enable us to shorten the time for paying it off and cut down considerably

on the interest.

If "it is more blessed to give than to receive" our benefactor is truly happy.

We continue to serve as a link for our Stateside churches with the Onga Christian Church at
Fukuoka. Under Hideto Yoshii's leadership they recently went into debt for their new building.
Those who wish can write to him directly. The address is Hideto Yoshii, 3^-5 Daiya New Town,

Onga Cho, Onga Gun, Fukuoka Ken, 811-^3 Japan.

They need our prayers and support.

Also, don't forget to pray for Tim and Lisa Turner, recruits to this work.

They plan

to

come out soon after their 'little one* arrives in June.

Sannobara's seminary student, Hitoshi Nishiyama was engaged to Miss Yuka Hosokawa at

Kamizono Church, Nishinomiya, January

the

1989* They plan to marry shortly after his graduation

in March of 1990. They will come to Sannobara to serve with us.

Kathleen and ^ will again utilize our college summer vacation to go back Stateside.
We
plan to visit most of our supporting churches that we couldn't get to in 1987. Please write to
us if you would like for us to come.

We look forward to visiting with many of you at the North

American Christiain Convention at Louisville, July 11-l^th. Look for us at C.J.C.M.'s booth.
In His service,

Central Japan Christian Mission Inc.

1919^ Helen Ave.,

South Bend, Indiana, 46637

BULK

U.S.
Address Correction Reouested

RATE

Postage

PAID

Non-Profit Org,
South Bend, Ind,

Permit No. 316

Taketora

MlSSIOk SER'JICES

BOX 2427

KNQXViLlE
LOUISVILLE

JULY 11-14, 1989

(RESEARCH DEPT)

TN

37901

tK jl/(7)^

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION INC.

Matt. 4:15

"The people which sat in darkness saw great light;

Japan Address
Mr. & Mrs. Paul S. Pratt

Address

Church Planting

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

2^*0

1210 Kamikasuya.

Student Evangelism

West Elbert St.

Isehara City, Kanagawa Ken,

Literature Distribution

Indianapolis, Indiana,
^6217

259-11

Bible Correspondence Course

Tel. (0'+63) 96-1192

Tel. (517) 787-6753

North American Christian Convention Edition, Paul's JCpistle, Vol. XXXIII, Summer^ 1989

i(

Members of Machida Church in

Sannobara Church,

Tokyo, Bill & Betty Turner

where the Pratts

Tim & Lisa Turner

will join Campus

Ministry in

fall of 1989.

the

Isehara
minister

Kathleen & Paul teach at

Obirin Christian Club joins in

Obirin Junior College

'Br

/%

wedding of a graduate member

r--

Hitoshi Nishiyama, graduates 1990 to

i**!

nt.

Hideto Yoshii, Onga Groundbreaking

New building, "Nov.

Bulk

CiMTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION ING-

1919^

U.S.

Helen Ave.,

South Bend, Indiana, ^6637

Ml9

Rate

Postage

PAID

A Non-Profit Org
South Bend,

Ambric^ |
Chrisitiah Cbniintllsip
July 11-14

^duiiVUid^kehfiii^^
Meet

mission services

knd^cville
Booth

Ind

Permit # 316

DEPTJ

central japan CHRISTIAN MISSION INC.

"The people which sat in darkness saw great light;..

4:16

Mr. & Mrs. Paul S. Pratt

Church Planting

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

2kO

Matt.

Japan Address

Address

121c Kamikasuya,

Student Evangelism

West Elbert St.

Isehara City, Kanagawa Ken,

Literature Distribution

Indianapolisi Indiana,
^621?

Bible Correspondence Course

Tel. (317) 787-6753

259-11

Tel. (OA63) 96-1192

Vol. mm, Autumn, I989

Dear friends,

Thanks to all of you who provided us with a wonderful

two-month visit this past summer. As usual, Kathleen's sis
ter, Mary Lou and Harry Bauer shared their home with us and
furnished us with a car for our travels. 'Thank you!' is so

very insufficient to repay their kind generosity.

We atten- '

ded the North American Christian Convention with them and

the Harold Akers and Tim Turner. Great!

Spending time with all our children and getting better I

acquainted

our grandchildren held top priority. ^UREN,^

AGE 9, RESPONDED TO THE INVITATION 'WHEN WE WERE PRESENT ON |

JULY 16th, her daddy, HICK COYLE, TOOK HER CONFESSION AND J

BAPTIZED HER. CONGRATULATIONS! lAUREN. We sorrowed also, |

along with Rick and his family as his mother, Irene Coyle,

passed on to her reward after suffering long with leukemia, i

Mark and Lynn and the kids escorted us to scenic spots in |

'/ >

Logan Co., Ohio and the kids gave us a private music recital.'

Jeannie and Paul took us to my old Navy stamping ground (Sanj

Diego) of 46 years ago. ^ry ^yce arid Stevens little Greg-"

ory has a ready smile for everyone. He made progress rehear
sing jabbering and preparing to walk by his first birthday.

Our Grandkids

Several other dear ones pass^'d away this summer. Long- g

time Japan Missionary, and President of Osaka Bible Semi

nary, Martin B. Clark was summoned on June 6th. He and I

had roomed together at this years All-Japan Convention in _
March.

Upon arriving at the N.A.C.C. at Louisville we were

told of Brother Arthur Morris' death.

What tremendous re

sults he and his wife Ruth have seen as long-time Mission

aries in South India. Then on July l6th, shortly after re

ceipting a gift from Brother Richard D^. Evans, we were in- ^
formed of his passing. He and his wife, Martha>are long-

time friends who served with the Attica, Indiana Church.

How shocked we were on Sept. 4th to learn of Brother Don

Baughman's being shot by robbers while on duty in Nigeria.

'

And Gregory

One year old Baptized, July l6th

As Missionaries our paths had not crossed for many years.

In 1987 we were privileged to be on the same program with
him and his wife, Marianne at Lake James. "Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord..that they may rest from their

labors;" (Rev. 14:13)

^ were happy to be back at Sannobara Church. Espe

cially to be able to baptize Miss Yoko Seino, a sincere
25 year old office worker. She has been bringing friends
to church with her.

Then as soon as we arrived, we learn

ed that down South, Hideto Yoshii, and the Onga Christian

Church have also seen results. One young man has been im
mersed into Christ and two others transferred membership

into their fellowship.

Lord.

For all these we truly praise the

He "gave the increase".

Yoko Seino's Baptismal Day

We

to you. He

to introduce Ippei Watanabe and his family

33

serves

Uni-

versity Hospital, Japan's largest. He had been

assignments to
third world countries to help to

upgrade their facilities. Most recently he spent a few

weeks in Indonesia.

His ten-hour night flight brought

him into Narita Airport on Sunday morning. His wife and

children met him and together they came directly to the

Lord's house for services- He attends our Mid-week Service regularly and teaches Sunday School.

- 3|

God is bless-

ing his home, too.

ff

In the States we introduced several of you ^

maker- Missionaries' Paul and Faith (Maxey) Axton Hiey

are establishing American Christian College. It held its

convocation on Sept. 2, 1989 and is utilizing the building formerly occupied by Tokyo Bible Seminary (19^8 to
1958). Paul explains that they will qualify Japanese
students in English for overseas study, cooperating with
Milligan College in Tennessee. -Credits will be accepted
at Milligan College toward degrees.

H. / |
^ ^

, y
iLmC.a-.
^ Tamiko with their two children

Yotsuya Christian

Mission, owner of the property has renovated the building in cooperation with this worthy effortPray for the Axtons and those who will be working with them.

Back in June I was trapped for 'speeding' in a commercial area on a four-lane highway. My

speed was 70 K's (^2 MPH) in a

K (2A MPH) zone. Here are the details:
1. The following day I was asked to write a statement of explanation and apology.

2. My license was suspended until I could receive safe driving instruction, (part of this time
I spent in the U.S.)

3. After returning, I took a day off for the six-hour training course. After passing the test
I received my license back.

k. The next day I was required to report to the traffic court to plead 'guilty' or 'innocent'.

5. I received 6 points on my drivers license. (I8 points in one year means 'license revoked'.)
6. Later I was given a fine to pay of ^0,000 or $285.0O.

No, they were not 'picking on foreigners'. I had hundreds of Japanese in the class with me.
Please mark Nov. 11th, 12th on your calendar and remember to pray for Sannobara Church. That
is our 'Overnight Retreat' to be held at a Y.M.C.A. facility at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Brother
Shiro Obata, Ochanomizu Church Minister will lead us on the theme "The Growth of the Church".
Tim and Lisa Turner and little Sarah arrived in Japan on schedule, August 24th. Both of them
are already involved in Japanese language study. Tim is taking his turn at preaching and is en
thusiastic about every possibility of serving. Pray diligently for theml

Bulk

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION INC.

U.S.

19194 Helen Ave.,

South Bend, Indiana, 46637

Rate

Postage

PAID

A Non-Profit Org.
South Bend,
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

S a m b i

mission services

aw 'X.
Praise

Ind.

Permit # 316

BOX 2427

KNOXVILLE

(RESEARCH DEPT)
TN
37901