Christian

'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 71 January 1972
NEWS AROUND THE CHURCHES
Mejirodai Sunday School
house in background.
MEJIRODA
On November 3 (a Japanese
holiday) the Mejirodai Church and
Sunday School had a picnic on a
large empty lot across the street
from the church which had been
designated for a Kindergarten in
the future. Between 50 and 60 peo
ple were present on a lovely fall
day, and all had a good time par
ticipating in different and funny
relay races which were planned and
directed by Walter and Mary Maxey.
Everyone brought his own lunch, and
the church furnished drink and
cookies. After lunch they played
volleyball, dodge ball and had a
big tug-of-war. A number of people
in the neighborhood dropped by to
watch.
Harold Sims had a bad and long-
lasting cold during most of October,
and it eventually became acute
asthma. He was hospitalized on
October 31. So it was up to the
church folks to make all of the final
preparations for the picnic. The
doctor released him from the hos
pital on the morning of November 3,
Picnic. The church and Sims
and he drove up to the picnic just
as they were finishing lunch. All
were thankful and happy about his
recovery and return home.
On November 21 we had a
special Thanksgiving offering for
the people suffering from war,
cyclones etc., in eastern India.
The Sunday School children gave
over$10.00 and the morning worship
offering that day was added to it,
making a total of $40.00 which was
sent to Ralph Harter in Kanpur,
India and forwarded by him to the
relief work being done by the Evan
gelical Fellowship of India.
On December 5 we had a special
Youth Sunday. The majority of those
attending the worship services are
middle-aged people, and we would
like to have more young people
coming regularly. Walter Maxey,
who is now in the one-year inten
sive Japanese language course at
International Christian University,
preached in Japanese. The daughter
of one of the ladies who comes reg
ularly played the organ, and Goto-
san, a sophomore in college and
helper in Sunday School presided.
We had more than the usual number
present, and a very good service.
The Sunday School presented a
special Christmas program on Satur
day evening, December 25. The
Beginner, Primary and Junior
classes each performed a little play
and the "Angel Chorus" sangbefore
a good sized audience of parents.
Then we gave awards for attend
ance. The winner was a first grade
girl named Kimiko Hibi, who at
tended 48 Sundays out of a possible
52. She was also one of those who
came on die very first Sunday we
had services. In counting up the
records we were pleased to notice
that over half of our students have
attended more than 26 Sundays
during the year.
The church "Christmas" was
on Sunday evening December 26,
and included a Candle Service,
Japanese-style light buffet supper,
exchange of presents and some
games. One of the farmers nearby,
whose son is one of our English
students donated a nice tree.
Mikawashima church young peo
ple singing carols on Christmas
Eve on the steps leading up to
Ueno Park in Tokyo.
MIKAWASHIMA
We have mentioned the special,
large Thanksgiving offerings that
(Continued on page 2)
Tokyo Christian
Vol.71 Jan. 1972 No. I
Published four times a year In
January, April, July and November for
the missionaries of the Church of
Christ Cunningham Mission, Tokyo,
Japan by Mission Services, Box 177,
Kempton, Indiana 46049. Second class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray,
2-26-4 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
161 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs.
Homer Anderson, 622 Cullum Street,
Meadville, Pa. 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs.
G. Wade Fletcher, R.R. 1, Rushville,
Ind. 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachloji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch
of Christ, Orange at Center St., Eustis,
Fla. 32726.
Two-year subscription $ .50
Subscription and Flaming TorcA$1.00
Buttrays Travel to Nagano City
From right Co left is, Mabel
Buttray, Oishi San, and Machi
San. The occasion of this picture r a toM
was when the Buttrays and Oishi -
San made atrip to Nagano city ^
day night prayer meeting at the Kamiochiai Church, Mr. Buttray's eyes
suddenly returned from the end of the Psalm and finally focused on verse
four! And he read: "May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all
your plans!" Thank you foryour prayers in behalfof this "camp evangelism
vision," but please don't stop praying! Oishi San is the young man living
with us until he can finish his thesis. And Machi San worked for us the
first nine years that we were in Japan, but is nowliving near Nagano city.
Pray for both of these persons also!
Stanley Buttray
Brother Maiji Sudo, a Christian
for many years, and now over eighty
years of age. He graduated from
Tokyo Bible Seminary when he was
63 years of age.
NEWS AROUND THE CHURCHES
(Continued from poge 1)
are traditional in our Mikawashima
church in previous years, but again
this year they reached a new peak.
Mr. Cho, the minister, called me a
few days after Thanksgiving to
announce that for the special day
they had an unusually good attend
ance of 130 people and the offer
ing was 3,600,000 yen. In the
former exchange rate this would
equal 10,000 U.S. dollars, but with
the dollar falling in value daily in
the local banks it amounts to II or
12 percent more. It was almost
$100 for every person present. We
rejoice with them, and thank God
LET'S ALL PULL TOGETHER!
for the spiritual and material pros
perity which God has given to this
congregation of Korean people
living in Tokyo.
NAKANO
Professor Akira Oda from Osaka
Bible Seminary came and preached
a three-day evangelistic meeting
over the week-end of October 31.
The meeting was very well attended
by non-Christian people from the
area, and everyone was edified and
encouraged. On November 28 two
high school girls were baptized.
One is the daughter of one of the
Nakano members, and a champion
ship level tennis player.
Harold S ims
PLANTING AND REAPING
During the month of November
most of our church work was related
to two revival meetings, one at the
Arakawa Church and the other at
the Sakurayama Church. The atten
dance was fairly good at the meet
ings, the preaching was good, and
both churches were given a great
spiritual boost as a result. One
young man accepted Christ as
Savior during the Arakawa meeting
and was baptized. A young girl also
reached a decision but has not yet
been baptized. Several new people
are continuing to attend the serv
ices of both churches as a result
of the meetings. The church mem
bers were encouraged in their work
for the Lord during these revivals.
Mr. Yamagata making the "good
eonfession" before his baptism at
the Arakawa Church after the
revival there.
One middle-aged man who lives
in the vicinity of the church attended
the revival at Sakurayama one night
and then left before the service
ended. Since that time he has
attended every meeting of the
church, he has bought himself a
Bible, and is reading it with great
interest. A like interest is being
shown by other people who had
never darkened the door of any
Christian church before the revivals.
In our travels among the
churches in America last year we
showed a picture of a young men-
ber of the Sakurayama Church who,
we explained, wished to enter Bible
college to study for the ministry.
His father owns a successful bakery
business. When we returned to J apan
in September this young man told
Mr. Hirose, who plans to enter Osaka Bible Seminary,
giving his testimony during the revival at Sakurayama.
me that he was not fully convinced
then that he should enter the min
istry. But we never gave up hope
and continued to pray that God
would turn his heart toward the
ministry of the Word.
Now this young man has just
visited in our home and told us that
he had made a decision on the pre
vious day to enter Osaka Bible
Seminary. When he told his father
of that decision he told him that he
would have to leave home. For
various reasons that is a more
serious thing for a young Japanese
man than for an American. But for
him it will mean a greater loss from
the standpoint of this world than
for an ordinary Japanese youth. His
father planned to turn his bakery
business over to his son upon his
own retirement. The son has for
saken this life of ease in order to
preach and suffer for Christ. Though
his mother is not a Christian she
understands the strong convictions
of her son and wishes him to stay
true to those convictions.
This young Christian can only
look forward to a thorny path to
tread for Christ. God has won a
victory in his heart but he needs
encouragement and prayer. Join us
in prayer for him and especially for
his father.
Young Mr. Saito of the Arakawa
Church still remains true to his
(Continued on page 4)
lU'
Stephen lijima, minister of the Minato Church, preaching
during a revival at the Sakurayama Church.
Q>iti
An engagement ceremony was
held on November 7 for Hiroaki
Sato, minister of the Sakurayama
and Arakawa Churches, and Miss
Kobayashi, a member of the
Sakurayama Church.
Brother]im Banta, Forest Lake,
Minnesota, again paid us a visit
on December 5. He was on another
business trip, this time to the
Philippines and Taiwan.
Stephen and Carol Fleenor are
now proud parents again. Their
latest baby was a son, bom on
December 14. They also have a
daughter named Becky.
The Tokyo missionaries enjoyed
a Thanksgiving dinner together at
the home of the Bob Warricks on
Friday evening, November 26. For
Christmas dinner they will meet at
the home of the Paul Pratts on
December 24.
Andrew Patton
H
Miss Grace Farnham (center)
as she looked two weeks before
Christmas 1971. On the left is Mrs.
Kitajima one of Miss Farnham's
many friends which she has enjoyed
since returning to Japan on Septem
ber 1. Mrs. Mabel Buttray is on the
right, and it is at the Buttrays home
that she is making her extended
stay in Japan. She is planning on
returning to the States sometime
in May 1972.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MISSION SERVICES
We would like to add our word of congratulations to those of
many others who use and appreciate Mission Services on the occasion
of the 25th Anniversary of the organization. We have been reading
Horizons since it started (our missionary endeavors began about die
same time) and are thankful for the many years of devoted work these
folks have done in promoting the work of missions in our brotherhood.
This has been a period of very rapid and also substantial growth in
many different areas, but Mission Services has consistently tried to
keep all of us informed of the progress without attempting to control
it. This is good service to Christ and His Church.
We pray that the new facilities in Kempton, Ind. will enable our
brethren there to do more and better Mission services, for we know
that is their principal desire and purpose. We also hope that a "silver
offering" will be forthcoming to help them continue the work.
Every issue of the Tokyo Christian is the result of hours of hard
work done in a second-mile spirit by the M.S. staff. They not only
print and mail this paper, but keep up the address list, do all the
editing, proof-reading and related tasks. For us folks out in the field
untrained and inexperienced in writing and publicity this is a
valuable and welcome service indeed.
Harold Sims
PLANTING AND REAPING
(Continued from page 3)
resolve to enter Osaka Bible Semi
nary in April. A great deal of the
progress which has been realized
in the Arakawa Church recently can
be traced to his influence and faith
fulness in Christ. Please pray for
him also.
We are now making plans and
praying concerning the opening of
a new preaching and teaching point.
It takes a great deal of time and
effort to find a place to rent for the
meetings and sometimes such a
place simply cannot be found. We
BOX 177, KEMPTON, INDIANA 46049
would appreciate your prayers for
that project too.
Plans for the Christmas pro
grams for the Sakurayama and
Arakawa Churches are now com
plete. We expect several new people
to visit these churches for the pro
grams and have chosen counselors
to witness to them at that time.
At this writing Philip is out of
school due to a cold. Sharon and
Stephen have just recovered from
colds and have returned to school.
Betty continues to recover from
hepatitis. We are indeed grateful
to the Lord for his healing power.
SBIS rffiWSLETTER JANUARY 1972
Sunday morning January 2 we liad mixed rain and snow falling in Mejirodai,
and as I was lining up the slippers and thinking about how this dismal
weather would affect our already low holiday attendance, I saw a little
red \mibrella bobbing along the deserted street toward the chiATch, Under
it were the bright eyes and shiny red cheeks of the little Tanaka girl,
starting the new year with resolve to get another attendance award next
year. Thus began this leap year over here.
HAROLD'S SICKNESS? About the end of September I began to feel a cold
coming on. After spending a couple of days in bed taking ordinary med
icines I thought I was about over it. But it continued to hantf on thru
the month of October, and got worse and worse. I went to 3 different doc^
tors and spent a total of about 10 days in bed, and still had a badly con
gested chest and persistent cough. I badr^ severe attack of diff
iculy-in'breathing on the-afternoonC^'^Qctober 31 ^d spent thenext 3
days in th^^J^i^^tp^feBSF^^^e^^s^ving oxygenan^^^^cd^herj^eatments. The doctor
said I-^iF^cuie asthma^j^^Recovery was slow but steady during all of Nov
ember, tely over the worst sickness I have had in 24
years of living in Japan.
SPECIAL EVENTS DURING THE PALL? On Nov. 3> a Japanese holiday, we had a
Sunday School and church picnic on the empty lot next door to our house.
The weather was fine, and about 60 people had a very good time particip
ating in interesting races and games planned by Walter and Mary Maxey who
are now studying language at International Christian University in Tokyo,
and frequently attend worship services here.
Nov. 21 we had a special Thanksgiving offering in both Simday School and
Church, and were pleased at the response by both children and adults. A
total of $40 was sent to Ralph Barter in India for relief work there.
Dec. 5 we had a special Youth Sunday. Walter Maxey preached in excellent
Japanese, I(Iary played her trumpet for special music, the daughter of a lady
who attends faithfully played the organ, and the college student who tea-
-ehes one-nfTrouap-S.S-.Glaa&es- presi.de<l.^--Xt^was^_a^eal .blesa5ng>--iasd-j?e^
a good attendance. Dec 19th we hit a new record S.S. attendance of 4o.

OUR CHRISTMAS? Quite a few of our Japanese friends commented about how
this Christmas might be lonely with only four of us in Japan. Well, each
year is different and changes do come, but we always try to make the best
of the opportunities this season offers to give and express joy to others
and for ourselves. This year our Christmas was memorable for its length,
we had five days of sustained activity and joy, not to mention allthe fun
and hard work over several weeks of preparation.
1. On Wed, Dec. 22 we had parties for all of our English Class boys
girls. Prom 2 PM we had about 45 of the small ones (through 3rd grade),
from 4 PM we had 32 4th, 5th and 6th graders, and from 7 PM we had 11
middle school students here. All of them enjoyed games, home-made cook
ies, sang some carols, saw a movie about the birth and early life of Jesus
and received a small book of Bible stories and pictures in English to en
courage them in language study and contact with the church where classes
are held each Wednesday afternoon.
2. Thursday was the Christmas party for Lois' Ladies Bible Class at Nak-
ano. While she went to town for that I went to Christian Academy to hear
the Christmas program and bring the boys home for vacation. After stopp
ing by Nakano to pick up Lois and a special steak supper, we had our fam
ily Christmas. Bobby and Danny had been preparing well ahead of time and
made and bi-ought interesting gifts for us, which we appreciated.
3. Friday morning Lois had a pizza party, gift exchaiige, etc., for her 11
member ladies English class at Mejirodai. As soon as we had cleaned up
the dishes from that we left for the Paul Pratt house in Ise^ra where
the missionaries had a get-together for the rest of the evening.
4. Christmas Day was a whirl of varied activity in preparation for the SS
and church programs. That evening at 6s30 the children presented their
program to the largest attendance yet to assemble in our little building,
111. We have only 50 chairs, so all the children not in the program sat on
the floor in front. First on the program was an "angel chorus" of 8
first-grade girls who were not in the plays. They wore their mothers*
white under kimonas and white socks ^ and had made white cardboard wings j,
lined with silver tinsel and tinsel halos. When the curtain opened on this
group in shining white a wave of applause arose from the audience. Each
class (beginnerj primary, junior) presented a play. Bobby and Danny both
took parts in them. Then attendance awards were given to all who had att
ended half or more of the Sundays of the year or more, a total of 22. Our
record attendance last Christmas was 20. The winner had come 48 times,
5. Sunday morning, Dec. 26, we had our Christmas worship service, with a
little over average attendance. Then in the evening we had a special pro
gram. We began with a 25 minute candle.service, and then had an interest
ing smorgasbord-type meal. Various kinds of Japanese food was spread out
on tables luider signs indicating a shop specializing in that item. Sever
al of the ladies worked very hard on Sat, and Sun. afternoons getting that
ready. Then we exchanged gifts, and closed with some carol singing. There
were 32 present, including two new families who had been invited by their
friends. A wonderful spirit was evident,
6. On Monday morning, Dec. 27 (Sunday evening in Cincinnati, Ohio) we call
ed our 3 children who had gathered in Hope and Tom*s apartment for a suk-
iyaki supper together, and visited briefly with each one of them. This
brought our Christmas activities to a very satisfying and happy end.
MONEY EXCHANGES Some people have written to ask about the effects on us
and our work of the recent headlines about monetary changes...devaluation
of the dollar, and upward revaluation of the yen from 360 to 1 dollar to
308 to 1. Of course this means a cut of almost 20^ of our income, because
we change all dollars into yen. However, we receive yen income of about
$100 per month from our English classes mentioned above, and this is about
enough to tide us over the *'Nixon Shock" as the Japanese call it, for the
present.
Yours in His serive,
Harold Sims
/
Slf-IS TOKYO MISSION Non-Profit Org.
Forwarding Agents U.S. Postage
First Church of Christ Paid
315 Orange Avenue FEB 10 1979 Eustis, Pla.
Eustis, Florida 32726 Permit #57'
It 1 ' j
Address Correction
Requested /77
Tokyo Christian
"Go ye into all the tvorld and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 71 April 1972 Number 2
DEDICATION AT KUMEGAWA
The Kumegawa Church of Christ,
Shigeru Akada minister, dedicated
their enlarged and renovated church
building on February 6. In spite of
bad weather there was a large crowd
representing most of our churches
in the Tokyo area present for the
afternoon service.
The A1 Hammond family bought
a house frame from a U.S. military
base, that was being dismantled,
for a very low price about 10 years
ago, and with the help of the Kyushu
Christian Mission carpenter they
erected a building on alot they had
bought in this growing area north
west of Tokyo's center. The rather
long building served for both their
living quarters and Bible classes
and other church activities for
some years.
The Hammonds returned to the
United States in 1970, and at that
time they sold the back part of the
lot and also the part of the build
ing that stood on that land to Mr.
and Mrs. Takekawa, who are mem
bers of the church there and were
looking for a place to buy. The
money received from this sale was
The Kumegawa Church
remodeled and was dedicated
to be used for improvements on the
church part of the building.
After the young minister was
married last year planning for a
small upstairs parsonage and
enlargement of the entrance and
auditorium began. A Christian con
tractor did a very commendable
job. So now they' have a meeting
room twice the size of the former
one, walled with new plywood
l?ro. Akada, iniriisier ol' ihe Kumegawa Church pre-
setiliiig a cerlilicaJe ol appreciation to the architect
lor his work on the remodeling ol the church building.
building which has been
recently.
paneling, a cry-room, and two
Japanese-styled rooms upstairs for
living quarters for the preacher and
his bride. The increased height of
the building with the white cross
on top makes it stand out so it can
be seen from a distance also.
RECENT VISITORS
TO TOKYO
Mr. E. A. Piquard, who works
for the Caterpillar Tractor Co. in
Peoria, 111. and is a member of the
church in Creve Coeur, was in J apan
for several weeks during February
and early March on business with
tjieir related company in Japan.
During this time he visited several
of our churches and missionary
families.
* * * *
Miss PatKenney, who has com
pleted a term of service as a mis
sionary nurse at the Chidamoyo
Hospital in Rhodesia spent a week
in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan on her
way home to the U.S. for furlough.
Tokyo Christian
Vol.71 April 1972 No. 2
Published four times a year in
January, April, July and November for
the missionaries of the Church of
Christ Cunningham Mission, Tokyo,
Japan by Mission Services, Box 177,
Kempton, Indiana 46049. Second class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray,
2-26-4 Kamiochiai,Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo
161 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs.
Homer Anderson, 622 Cullum Street,
Meadville, Pa. 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs.
G. Wade Fletcher, R.R. 7, Rushville,
Ind. 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch
of Christ, Orange at Center St., Eustis,
Fla. 32726.
Two-year subscription $ .50
Subscription and Flaming Torch$\.00
William Ellis in Tokyo
Following the missionary con
vention, Bro. William Ellis spoke
a number of times at different
places in the Tokyo area, and we
enjoyed very much the good fellow
ship with him. He was also an
attraction for the Japanese
churches. His speaking schedule
in Tokyo was as follows:
April 2 a.m. Mejirodai
April 2 p.m. Kamiochiai, with sev
eral other churches cooperating.
April 3 (All day and over
night) Retreat with preachers
and missionaries.
April 5-6 Sakurayama (Evangel
istic meeting.)
April 7 Shimochiai
April 8 Isehara
April 9 a.m. Minato
April 9 p.m. Nakano
Pledding ^ells
-.1 j
Mr. and Mrs. Hiroaki Sato on the occasion of the
marriage at the Kamiochiai Church on March 20, 1972.
One of the most joyous experi
ences we have had in recent months
was the wedding of our co-workers
in the gospel. Hiroaki Sato and
Mitsuko Kobayashi took their mar
riage vows on March 20 at the
Kamiochiai Church. Andrew offi
ciated at the ceremony and brought
a short gospel message on the
occasion. The church building was
filled with guests and well-wishers.
The reception was held at the
church immediately after the cere
mony with Brother Akada, minister
of the Kumegawa Church, as the
M.C. A lot of prayer and work went
into the wedding. The members of
the Kamiochiai, Arakawa, and
Sakurayama Churches and some of
the missionary wives cooperated
in the preparation and service. As
B E-
The Harold Sims family enjoying dinner with their neighbors
on New Year's Day.
a result it was a wedding in which
many brothers and sisters in the
Lord had a great part. We are grate
ful for this fine cooperation.
Unfortunately, in Japan a wed
ding where both groom and bride
are Christians is still a fairly rare
occurance. We are thankful to the
Lord that this wedding was not
only an occasion for the exchange
of vows but also one in which a
testimony to God's goodness and
power was given to the unbeliev
ing members of the audience.
We believe that Hiroaki and
Mitsuko will form a good team and
can serve the Lord more effectively
now. They will continue to minis
ter to the Sakurayama and Arakawa
Churches. Mitsuko has been teach
ing music in a public school but
her teaching career will be termi
nated at the end of the school year
in March.
The father of the groom and
minister of the Kamiochiai Church,
Brother Fumio Sato, lost his wife
in July of last year, but now has
gained a daughter-in-law. We join
him in praying that the marriage of
Hiroaki and Mitsuko will result in
God's glory and in the salvation
of many souls.
Andrew Patton
PATTON NEWS
Miss Kasabe who was baptized on March 12 at the
Sakurayama Church.
Our hearts were gladdened
again in March when two young
ladies were baptized into Christ at
the Sakurayama Church. First a
lady named Miss Oikawa was led
to Christ by her friend, Miss
Yokooka, who attends the Sakaur-
yama Church. They are fellow-
students in a beauty school in
Tokyo. A few days later a former
English Conversation student of
mine attended the worship service
of the Sakurayama Church and made
her decision to accept Christ known.
She was baptized on the following
Sunday. She had been attending
another church for several months
but had finally made her decision
to follow Christ. Both of the young
persons accepted the Lord from
strong convictions and they show
promise of a fruitful life for Christ.
We rejoice that Brother Saito of
the Arakawa Church passed the
entrance examination of the Osaka
Bible Seminary and will begin his
studies for the ministry in April.
We praise the Lord for this great
victory for him and we look forward
to a fruitful ministry by Brother
Saito. We are sure he will be a
diligent student of the Word. Brother
Hirose whom we wrote about in the
Tokyo Christian, has compromised
with his father and plans to post
pone his entrance into Osaka Semi
nary until April 1973. He then will
have graduated from his university
and will already have received a
good general education in prepara
tion for beginning his ministerial
training. We believe that his deci
sion to delay his entering the Semi
nary was a wise one. Later he can
enter the Seminary both with his
father's blessing and with a general
preparatory education as well.
The Sakuaryama Church held a
four-night evangelistic meeting in
the first week of April. Brother
William Ellis, minister in Orlando,
Florida was in Japan at that time
as the special speaker for the Mis
sionary Convention which was held
in Okayama Prefecture at the end
of March. He was the evangelist
for half of the Sakurayama meetings
and another minister spoke during
the remaining two nights.
Our daughter, Sharon, will be
graduated from high school in June
and immediately following that
plans to return to the States to enter
Cincinnati Bible Seminary. 1 will
accompany her to Ohio to help her
get settled in school and then plan
to spend eleven weeks in traveling
among the churches. Our flight date
is set for June 12 and I have reser
vations on a flight back to Japan
on August 29. Betty and our three
sons will remain in Japan. Sharon
and I will need about $600 for our
plane tickets to the States and we
would appreciate your help on this.
Please send your checks for that
purpose to our forwarding agent
and designate the gifts for our
travel. We will also need a car in
which to travel during the summer.
Loss on an investment in an auto
mobile would be too great for use
only through the summer. Therefore,
if you have a car that you can lend
us from the middle of June to the
end of August we would be most
grateful. Would those who can help
in this please contact our forward
ing agent about it. If your church or
group can use me as a missionary
speaker during my short sojourn in
the States, please contact me.
Even though the official dollar-
yen exchange rate has been pegged
at 308 yen to the dollar, the dollar
continues to decline in value in
transactions in Japan. No one seems
to possess enough optimism to pre
dict a change for the better. Right
now the actual amount of yen
received from the bank for our
dollars hovers around 300 yen to
the dollar, with the exchange rate
constantly changing. In general,
the rate tends to decrease with the
passage of time. This results in a
continuing decrease in the purchas
ing power of our dollars and in a
further squeeze on our bank
accounts.
Betty continues to progress in
her recovery from the attack of
hepatitis. The other members of
our family are in good health. We
thank the Lord for His providential
blessings and protection.
We are grateful to you for your
prayers and your gifts. May our
God continue to bless all of you
and give you victory in every area
of your lives.
Andrew Patton
cMoAold CUlA ^Ufui
QelelnAcde 25tk AH4iMji-eAAx2A4f'
^ ^AanwuT
Harold and Lois Sims
Harold and Lois Sims had a
modest open house reception for
members of the local church and
other friends who were able to
come to their home in Mejirodai to
celebrate their twenty-fifth wed
ding anniversary onMarch 21. Many
thanks to friends in the United
States who sent cards and best
wishes for the occasion.
They took their vows back in
1947 in the First Christian Church
of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania where
Lois' father was an elder and she
had grown up and Harold's father
had become the minister nine
BOX 177. KEMPTON, INDIANA 46049
months earlier. Aftera short honey
moon in Virginia, where they visited
their living-link churches at Char-
lottesville and Newport News, they
returned home for three days of
packing and farewells and then left
for Hawaii on March 31, 1947. Six
months were spent helping in the
work that had been started by the
Owen Stills on the windward side
of Oahu and waiting for military
permits to enter Japan. They went
on to Japan in the fall of that year,
and have lived there since except
for four years spent on furloughs
in the United States.
"We feel that God, who does
all things well, truly gave us a rich
blessing when He gave us each
other."
missiomRy
meetinq
The annual fellowship of our
missionaries in Japan was held
this year in Okayama Prefecture,
south of Osaka, where Audrey West
is located. For some of the meet
ings we used the nice new Youth
Center they have built there, and
as usual we stayed in a moderately
priced Japanese inn. The meetings
began on Monday, March 27, and
ended on Thursday, March 30. Some
of those attending went to Osaka
the next day to attend the gradua
tion service at Osaka Bible Semi
nary. The featured speaker at this
year's meetings was Bro. William
Ellis from Orlando, Florida who
brought a series of messages on
the Church.
These dates coincided widi
pre-Easter vacations in the schools,
so the children and whole families
could attend and get to know each
other better.
MEJIRODAI
NEWS
For the past three months we
have had sermons planned accord
ing to a Theme of the Month. Jan
uary "The Christian and Society,"
February "The Christian and His
Home," March "The Christian
and The Church." One Sunday of
each month we have had one of the
laymen from Minato church come
as a visiting preacher, and they
have given very practical and prof
itable messages. Mr. Hatsushiba,
an official of the Ministry of Agri
culture and Forestry, spoke in Jan
uary; Mr. Hasebe, a high school
teacher, spoke in February and
included personal testimony about
the effect on his traditional Japa
nese home and family when he
became a Christian, Mr. Kobayashi,
part-owner of a brass foundry spoke
in March.
The second wedding in our
church was held on March 5. Neither
one of the couple were Christians,
but they have been attending regu
larly for some weeks, and we are
hopeful that they will continue and
eventually establish Christ as the
head of their house. Her family
much appreciated the helpfulness
and sincere good wishes of the
folks in the church here at the time
of the wedding. Some of the Sunday
school children came and stood
outside to see the bride, and one
little second grader asked to come
inside to see it and behaved him
self like a perfect gentleman in
contrast to his usual behavior in
Sunday school.
Harold Sims
SIMS NEWSLETTER Pall 1972
Dear Friendss
During this summer -we have often brought back happy memories by asking at the
supper table who could remember where we were and what we were doing a year
ago today. Although it was not nearly so rushed and filled with thrills as
our time in the United States last year, we have had a pleasant, varied and
interesting series of activities during the past 3 monthsi V/e even planted a
little garden. Nothing did much good except the tomatoes, but we had enough
delicious ones for our family's daily use without buying any at,the store for
6 weeks during July and August from our 10 thriving plants. Also, Bobby had
his first job. He worked for a month (with pay of $3.30 per day) at the near
by Honda place, repairing and servicing motorcycles and small cars. It was a
good experience for him in many ways, and because he is very interested in
motors and wheels it was also a lot of fun.
During May and-June we spent a lot of thought and time discussing the poss
ibility of starting a kindergarten in our neighborhood. The people of the ar
ea were urging us to do it, and a real opportunity seemed to be opening up.
But because of various financial and legal complications that would be too in
volved to explain here, it is not going to be possible for us to do it. Very
likely the railroad company that developed this area will build and operate a
kindergarten here answering to the needs of the community, and we will prob
ably be able to use the building for additional Sunday School rooms, and we
hope to teach some Bible classes there after it gets started,
VISITORS
In mid-June we enjoyed a 3 uay visit with Dr,
He comes frojn Napa, Calif., but they live-TT5w''l!n"1l^ihH:liicum ,
where he is connected with Johns Hopkins Hospital, They had spent 3 months
at the Mashoko missionary hospital in Rhodesia, and were on their way home.
In early Jime we were pleased to have a visit from Mrs,..Mjld^^d Matj^iews of
Kewport News, Virginia. She was the wife of the late" Carl MSTttheWs, for 21
years the minister of our livinglink churchs Northside Church of Christ, She
was with a group of school teachers on a tour of the Orient, and was able to
worship with our group here and stay in our home,
July 22, M^^.andJ/Irs. J. Russell .Morse. and Eugene and Helen and their six
children arrived in Japan^^mr'tKdfFWy hoffle^^ deported from Burma.
They were here in our little chin^ch in Mejirodai for both services on Sunday
July 23, and all of us were greatly edified by their testimony and exemplary
missionary lives. We had to sleep half of them on the floor, but that is no
problem to all people coming from that direction. They have had many wonder
ful experiences during the past 11 years since they last passed thni Japan,
Stephen and Carol Pleenor invited all of our missionaries to the Pleenor Csimp
House anytime during the week of July 17-22, We could only go for 2 days but
we enjoyed that little trip up into the mountains very much, Thtirsday night
6 of the boys and 6 men went on a camping trip, sleeping out in an open field.
The next day we went for a long ride over rough roads through unspoiled mount
ains, stopping once to go swimming in an icecold mountain stream and sever
al times to look at scenery, including a beautiful waterfall,
CAMP
Our camp air-Lake Motosu, August 7-12 , was another good time away-from Tokyo
in the cool, clean, mountain air. We had a total of 110 campers, including
8 from Mejirodai. Most of these came from our English classes, and had no
contact with the Gospel message until the days at camp. Many others at camp
were first-timers too, so it was a good opportunity for evangelism. We had
no baptisms at camp, but 2 young people were baptised at their home churches
the week following camp, and most who went from here say they plan to go ag
ain next year and stay for the full week if possible. One boy suffered a
broken arm during a softball game one afternoon, but that was the most ser
ious accident we ever had at the camp,
Ron Seacat, a Navy medical corpsman from Ashland, Kansas who is stationed at
Iwakuni, Japan came to visit us during his leave, and went to camp with us.
Also the group of 13 young people from Cincinnati Bible Seminary called the
'New Ohio Singers" who were in Japan for the summer attended the camp and con
tributed a great deal to it by their good attitude of cooperation, and their
musical programs.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Aus. 20-27 we had our Vacation Bible School. Because of the hot weather and
teacher's schedules the hours were 6s30-8;30 in the evening. We divided into
5 classes. Since we have only a oneroom chapel, three of the classes met in
our home and one in a borrowed tent set up in the back yard.
The Ohio Singers stayed in Mejirodai that week and helped in different class
es with handwork as well as presenting.a musical progr^ each night as part
of the opening exercises. They also sang at a hospital and an old foik s hone
nearby. One of their favorite numbers was an arrangement of "Thp Little
Light of Mine", which they closed by cupping their hands around their mouths
and loudly whispering "Shine". The children learned this word the very first
time they heard it, and now when we sing this in Japanese we always have to
end with the whispered "shine".
We kept 5 of the singers in our houpe and had at least a dozen people for ev
ery meal and up to 20 twice that week. We asked some of the church folk to
entertain the singers in their homes and 4 families took 2 each. Some of the
mothers worried about language problems and differences in food, etc., but in
each case it turned out to be a real joy to both sides. It also gave us ^
-opportunity to get acquainted with other members of the families of those mo
are coming to church. We had a total of 36 enrolled, including several new
people who had not been to church before.
For the closing program we had a total of 53, including parents. Each class
presented part of. ,the program. The littlest ones sang "shine" with flash
lights for effect; the Beginners gave a playlet about the Lost Sheep; Prim
ary children showed handwork and explained the connection with the lessons;
j-Q2iiors recited memory work and 2 girls gave an organ number. An older
suimned'it up with her impression-of the relevance of Jesus to today's world,
saying truly'Jesus Speaks To Our World Today" which was our theme.
NEWS
.^.v^ing the summer I bought a Japanese 16mm movie projector, taking advantage
of a low price offer. We hope to make good use of it. I have borrowed the
Moody Science Film "Dust or Destiny" and showed it 3 times to about ICQ folk.
On^Sunday Sept, 10 we hit a new S.S. record attendance with 64.
Tng Sundajr^ girls were oaptised. '~One-f:s aii 0Lh-^xadci Chriot-
ian school, and the other is a working girl who has been attending here tor
several months. She went on a trip to Europe this summer, and various im
pressions of things she saw and thought about seemed to clinch her decision
because she made her confession of faith the first Lord's Day after return-
gring home.
four's in His service,
Harold and Lois Sims
(Some of you may not know that Harold's father, A.E. Sims, passed away at his
home near Powell, Tenn. a short time ago.)
SIMS TOKYO MISSION . Non-Profit O^pgn.
First Church of Christ U.S. Postage Pd.
315 Orange Avenue Permit No. 57
Eustis, Fl. 32726 Eustis, Fl. 32726
ADDRESS CORRECTION
REQUESTED
/ '7 7
Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" S\ark 16:1%
Volume 71 November 1972 Number 4
SHINTO FESTIVALS
September is the month when
festivals and street processions
are held by the Shintoists in Japan.
Generally a booth or room facing a
street is prepared and decorated
with objects related to the Shinto
religion, such as portable shrines
and pieces of white paper cut in a
zig-zag pattern representing pray
ers. Usually older men sit in these
booths sipping rice wine while
fraternizing with the public.
A large drum on wheels is
pulled from the shrine to the booth
and children, often dressed in garb
worn at Festivals, beat the drum
with a set rhythm. Later a long
rope is attached to the drum wagon
and a long string of children pull
the wagon by tugging at the rope
while other children ride on the
wagon beating the drum.
Many strong-bodied youth, car
rying a portable shrine on their
shoulders and chanting sounds to
keep the rhythm of the march,
accompany these children while
marching in a zig-zag pattern. A
festive spirit usually helped by
the marchers, while police officers
guide the traffic to protect them
from accidents.
Usually during these festivals
the people gather around raised
platforms to be entertained by any
one having talent among them. Wine
usually flows freely at that time
also.
Shortly after the street proces
sion priests or other representa
tives of the shrine, using a weird-
looking demon's head with snap
ping jaws as a hood, go door to
door throughout the community col
lecting donations of money for the
shrine and its ministry.
It is difficult to know how many
people involved In these festivals
are really sincere and how many
follow out of custom or to be socia
ble. Many people, however, take
part in the festivities. These fes
tivals enjoy police protection while
street meetings where the Chris
tian gospel is preached are dis
couraged or banned for the sake of
safety. The Shintoists who seem
to have lost their power to hold the
hearts or greatly affect the lives
of people must resort to these fes
tivals to hold the interest of the
people and collect funds.
- Andrew Patton
motosu camp 19/2
This year the Tokyo churches
again cooperated in a camp at Lake
Motosu near Fujiyama the week of
August 7-12. The faculty consisted
of three missionaries and five Japa
nese preachers. Two of the preach
ers' wives and Mrs. Patton took
charge of the big job of cooking
for the group. A total of 110 dif
ferent people attended at least
part of the camp, and we averaged
between seventy and eighty for
every meal. More than one-half of
those attending were non-Chris
tians, and some of them had never
had any real contact with the gos
pel message before the camp. This
presented a good evangelistic
opportunity, of course.
No one was baptized at the
camp, but we have heard of two
campers who made their decisions
and were immersed a week or so
after returning to their homi
churches, and we are thankful for
that. Many people have commented
that this was one of the best
camps ever from the standpoint of
cooperation and good attitude of
the campers in KP duties, games,
studies, keeping the rules and
other ways. We were sorry that one
boy suffered a broken arm during
a Softball game one afternoon - -
the only accident or injury that
serious in more than ten years of
camp there.
One of the features of the pro
gram this year was the Ohio Sing
ers ~ thirteen young people (mostly
(Continued on page 2)
Camp faculty members, Mr. lliroaki Sato, Mr. Kijima, Mr. Sims,
(Mr. Itagaki, and Mr. Akada, Mr. Fumio Sato is not pictured.
Tokyo Christian
Vol.71 Nov. 1972 No. 4
Published four times a year Tn
January, April, July and November for
the missionaries of the Church of
Christ Cunningham Mission, Tokyo,
Japan by Mission Services, Box 177,
Kempton, Indiana 46049. Second class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiarra.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray,
2-26-4 Kamiochiai,Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo
161 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs.
Homer Anderson, 622 Cullum Street,
Meadville, Pa. 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ration, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs.
G. Wade Fletcher, R.R. 7, Rushville,
Ind. 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch
of Christ, Orange at Center St., Eustis,
Fla. 32726.
Two-year subscription $ .50
Subscription and Flaming Torch%\.QO
PROSPECTIVE SITE FOR NEW CHURCH FOUND
We have already mentioned our
past efforts toward finding a site
for a new church work. In spite of
the fact that there are numerous
communities in the Tokyo area
where a Christian witness is not
borne, a suitable place for a new
evangelistic effort is very diffi
cult to find. We spent many hours
in survey work in the spring but
were not successful in finding a
suitable site.
Soon after my return to Japan,
however, Mr. Sato, our co-worker,
and 1 were invited to lead a group
of people in Nishi-Ichikawa in
Chiba Prefecture that is meeting
for Bible study in a private home.
We are now investigating the pos
sibility of taking up that work.
This looks like the answer to our
prayers concerning a new Church
work. We thank the Lord for this
opportunity and take courage in
our efforts to evangelize the mil
lions in the world's largest city.
Ichikawa is a large city near
the border between Tokyo and
Chiba Prefecture. Having a popu
lation of several thousands of
people, the city has some industry
of its own, but many of its inhabi
tants commute daily to the huge
factories and offices of Tokyo.
Pray for us as we survey the pos
sibility of mission work in this
large city.
- Andrew Patton
MOTOSU CAMP 1972
(Continued from page 1)
students of Cincinnati Bible Semi
nary) who came to Japan for evan
gelism this summer. They partici
pated in all of the team activities,
PATTON NEWS
gelism this summer. They partici- Now that my trip to America is
pated in all of the team activities, over, we have settled down into
including Bible Dramas, and con- our regular routine of work. Noel,
Philip, and Stephen are back in
their school work and studies and
Betty has to spend a great deal of
tributed a lot to the joy and the
spiritual life of the camp. Natur
ally the young people enjoyed their
lively, modem music with a Chris- her time in helping them at home.
A week of camp, a trip or two to
the mountains in Karuizawa, and
other interesting activities helped
to make their summer an enjoyable
tian message, as well as prac
ticing English with them. Besides
the singers there were several
missionary children and one U.S.
Navy man attending who could not one and refreshed them for the work
speak Japanese, so 1 translated ahead.
Andrew has resumed his Eng
lish classes, the proceeds from
which are devoted to the work.
Christian tracts are being handed
to the students and personal invi
tations are given to them to attend
the Church services. He has also
begun his English Bible class on
Saturdays again, with the prospect
all of the chapel and vesper mes
sages into English for them. We
also had classes in English for
these young people while the
Japanese were divided into Middle
School, High School and College
Classes to study the Bible under
the theme: "Learn of Me."
- Harold Sims
Part of the camp group at Motosu Christian Service Camp,
of some new members being added
to the group. Occasionally he is
asked to preach either at the Saku-
rayama or Arakawa churches which
he is glad to do.
Unfortunately the summer
brought a slump in attendance and
spirit at the Arakawa and Sakura-
yama Churches. We are making
plans for increasing the attendance
in our Bible schools and church
services and for reaching the lost
in the two communities. A couple
of young Christians at the Arakawa
Church have been sorely tempted
by the devil and are now shunning
us in our efforts to reclaim them
from his power. They now have no
enjoyment of the blessings of God
nor any desire or power to witness
to others. We are alarmed and dis
appointed at their condition and
are doing all we can to help them.
An evangelistic meeting is
planned at the Arakawa Church for
the first week in November. A film
by the Billy Graham team will be
shown on the opening night of the
meeting. This meeting should help
revive the Church and reach the
lost.
We thank God upon your every
remembrance of us.
- Andrew Patton
3, Ptstts
Late Saturday night July 22
Russell and Gertrude Morse, mis
sionaries for fifty-one years in the
China, Tibet and Burma area, and
their eldest son Eugene, his wife
Helen, and their six children
arrived at Tokyo airport. In two
taxis and our little Toyota Corona
we brought all of them and the
luggage out to Mejirodai for a very
enjoyable week-end visit. (People
coming from that direction don't
mind sleeping on the floor, you
know.)
On Sunday morning the Ameri
cans outnumbered the Japanese in
our worship service, and we had
a good sermon by Eugene on the
Faith of Abraham. During the after
noon the Claude Likins and Robert
Warrick families came to visit
them, and all stayed for a very
inspirational meeting that night
during which Bro. Russell Morse
spoke of their recent experiences
in Burma ~ including prison epi
sodes that compare with those of
Paul and Silas. I interpreted both
of these messages into Japanese,
and the few Japanese who heard
them were deeply impressed by the
faith and accomplishments of this
family.
Several weeks later the English
language "Japan Times" carried an
article entitled, "Shangri-La Mis
sionaries Finally Ousted" about
Vacation Bible School
At Mefirodai
The Daily Vacation Bible School group at the Sakurayama Church.
Last summer when we were in
the United States for a brief visit
we helped for a few days in two
Vacation Bible Schools. Later we
were also offered some unused
materials that were left over after
the 1971 VBS season. So it turned
out that "Jesus Speaks to Our
World Today" in the United States
last year, but from August 20-27,
1972 in Japan. It was hard for
some of our teachers to get much
help from the English language
lesson comments, but they all
quickly understood and appreciated
the interesting hand-work and well-
planned visual aids.
We planned our school for the
summer vacation when most of the
families had already returned from
their trips and the children were
looking for something else to do.
And we chose the evening hours
of 6:30 - 8:30 for physical comfort
and the convenience of some. We
have only a small one-room chapel,
so we used our living, family and
dining rooms for three class rooms
and then borrowed a tent from the
(Continued on page 4)
the "Morse Saga" written by a cor
respondent of the Los Angeles
Times who had contact with them
while traveling^ through S.E. Asia.
As the reporter points out, the
Morses were the last missionaries
to leave Burma. (The first mission
ary there was Adc5niram Judson
who arrived in 1814.)
We do not feel sorry for the
"poor missionaries" being deported
from their primitive and difficult
life in the jungles and mountains
of northern Burma to the homeland
they have not seen for eleven
years, but we do feel that Burma
is poorer without them.
- Harold Sims
Ale^ J^cded^
Mrs. Mildre^ Matthews, wife
of the former minister at Northside
Church of Christ in Newport News,
Virginia, and a High School Coun
selor in that city, was on a tour of
the Orient with a large group of
teachers and visited the Sims
family and Mejirodai church over
the week-end of July 9.
Ron Seacat, a medical corps-
man with the U.S. Navy stationed
at Iwakuni Japan visited us from
August 5-14, and went to camp with
us. His home is in Ashland, Kan7
sas.
Mrs. Hideko Miyashige, a mem
ber of Mejoirodai church, visited
the U.S. for two weeks in August
as one of a group of fifteen ladies
who won the trip as an award for
an essay contest sponsored by the
Johnson Wax Company.
Some of the missionaries in the
Tokyo area got together for a few
days of fellowship during the third
week of July at the Fleenor's Camp
in the mountain resort town of
Karuizawa.
Bobby Sims worked for a month
this summer at the Honda Motor
cycle and Small Car Service Fac
tory near our house.
- Harold Sims
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
AT MEJIRODAI
(Continued from page 3)
local community office (usually
used for funerals) and used that
for our small Junior department,
out in the yard amidst the clouds
of anti-mosquito incense.
The Ohio Singers were with us
for the week, and had a large part
of the openings exercises every
night and then helped various
classes with handwork. During the
week they also sang at the nearby
hospital, an old people's home and
the shopping arcade in the after
noons. Five of them stayed at our
house,--and four homes in the
neighborhood kept two young people
each, which was an enjoyable
experience for both givers and
receivers of this hospitality.
We had only thirty-six enrolled,
bur among those were several who
had not attended Sunday School or
Church previously. We also had a
good many one night guests to hear
the Singers. Both teachers, helpers
and students fully enjoyed our
week of V.B.S. and we look for
ward to a bigger one next year.
- Harold Sims
Ohio Singers Number Two who
toured Japan during the summer.
FORM 3579 REQUESTED
BOX 177, KEMPTON, IN 46049
r..
SHARON PATTON
ENROLLED IN BIBLE COLLEGE
On August 25 Sharon Patton
entered the Cincinnati Bible Sem
inary. On the following day I had
the painful experience of bidding
her farewell. Though we have a
feeling of loneliness at parting,
we do not fear for her well-being.
We have committed her to God and
to our friends and brothers in Amer
ica, and therefore we believe that
she will be cared for. Many of our
friends and relatives have invited
Sharon to their homes when she is
free to leave the school campus.
We appreciate this very much and
it will encourage her and help
cheer her life away from home.
We have told you that Sharon
spent the summer in Marietta,
Georgia with our dear friends, the
Bill Culp family. We shall always
remember and be grateful for the
kindness and helpfulness of the
Culps to her. They helped her
absorb some of the shocks of a
missionary child on entering
society in America after spending
most of her past life in a foreign
country.
We hope that Sharon will be
able to find a part-time job in Cin
cinnati to help with her expenses.
But she will need financial help
above that and we would appreciate
it if you could help her meet this
need. Perhaps there is a Bible
class or some such group who
could help her in a regular way.
Please let her or us hear from you
about that. Her address is: Cin
cinnati Bible Seminary, 2700 Glen-
way Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio
45204.
- Andrew Patton
Patton Returns To Japan
My eleven-week trip to the
United States ended on August 31
when I arrived back in Tokyo. Dur
ing the short trip I traveled almost
8,000 miles by car and more than
that by plane. I spoke to sixteen
churches, speaking to some of them
twice. I also participated in two
Daily Vacation Bible Schools, two
camps, and attended the North
American Christian Convention in
Cincinnati. Two trips were made
to North Carolina to visit my
parents and at the end of August
I was able to get Sharon settled in
Cincinnati Bible Seminary.
The summer spent among the
Churches and with Christian peo
ple was a very enjoyable one.
Wherever I went people were very
hospitable and helpful to me for
which we wish to express our sin
cere thanks. Most of our supporters
have met only a few Japanese and
have never seen any of the people
here to whom we minister the gos
pel of Christ. When we return to
our native land and make a report
to them, it is about as direct a
contact with the Japanese Chris
tians that they have had. Though
they have never been to Japan or
seen the work first hand, yet their
love for Christ, and for the Japa
nese through Him, is so strong that
it prompts them to help support a
missionary sent to them. That fact
both humbles and makes us grate
ful. This kind of motivation and
ministry is the highest form of
service to God and man.
We thank all of you who were
so hospitable, kind, and generous
to me during the summer.
- Andrew Patton
Printed by Mission Services Press.
JAM 1 7 1973
Christmas 1972
Dear Friends,
On November 15, yaara ap;o wfl ttrr^vftd In Japan, and we are
thankful to say we are stTll here enjoying good health In spirit, mind and
body and knowing God's blessings upon our lives and work. We pray that our
faithful and gracious Lord will bless each one of you abundantly throughout
this joyous season and the new year.
The. Mejlrpdal church Is continuing to grow, though slowly.. We finished
an evangelistic meeting on Nov. 5 with the baptisms of 2 fine young people
who have been attending for about a year, bringing the tot.al up to 7 faithful,
active and happy members added to the body of Christ since the beginning here
two years ago. Our. Sunday_Si2bQi^^s.,c^eraglng In the high forties, and had
a record 6k present on September^lO. -
We enjoyed haylng^9 dlffernt^Ji^iiirs from the U.S./\. In our home
during the summer.;, "Lois l^eps a busy schedule of classes In addition to her
domestic chores. She has the Beginners Class In our Sunday School, 2 Ladles
Bible Classes, and 5 English Conversation classes for children and 1 for some
of the women In our growing neighborhood.
<'^"^Hppe and Toni.and their daughter Becky (If) are still living In Cin
cinnati a different address.
with honors, from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary
last May. Davo>%s continuing his studies there, and has recently been called
to minister''0 the church In Shelby, Ohio.
Jonathan Is In his Sophmore year at C.B.S. He worked during the
summer and early fall at Frlsch's Big Boy Resturant.
Bobby)Is a Senior In High School at Christian Academy In Japan. He
worked at a Honda Service Garage during the summer and saved enough money to
buy himself a used 125 cc motorcycle. He also runs on the school cross
country, track team.
Danny)ls In the sixth grade, and Is progressing In his piano lessons
and In many other ways.
My father departed peacefully and easily from this life to his eternal
homo on October 12, after 82f years (over 30,000 days) of good living. I
received the message ).n,.H.lTps.hlmawhere I was preaching a 4-day evangelistic
meeting. There was no real heed *Tor me to go home for the funeral, since my
brothers would be able to take care of everything; and I was sure he would
have wanted me to continue that meeting. So while our family burled my father's
body on a hillside In Tennessee I preached to 7 Japanese people in a little
12 X 18 church building next to a rice paddy full of golden ripe grain on the
outskirts of the famous atom-bombed city In western Japan. 4t both ends of
the earth God was with us=F^mmanuel.
Yours In His service.
BchdlJ. J hin^ pu ^oed iidinp
sj (^fieai jeij which $hall he is
alt ji^sjile.
'Jlnis tjsu is Isfin a Savisufi which
is Chiisi ihc Xsid!
II 2.-/C. //
!'.'/? Japan Sunday School Union No.2392