Tokyo

VOLUME 80

Christian
FIRST QUARTER
festival time. Mr. Taninari from Shin

'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
NUMBER 1

YOKOSUKA NEWS
The summer months rolled by with everyone cooperating to help with special scheduled events that would bring glory to the Lord as His Word was taught. A favorably cool summer helped us physically to accomplish these goals. Daily Vacation Bible School was only 3 days with only 10 attending due to "regimented school vacation hours and activities" set by school
authorities.

Shu Bible camp gave the message. Thirty-one enjoyed Christian fellowship from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On December 21 the adult Christmas

laborers. However, 1981 will bring Mr. and Mrs. David Cole to Japan for their
first term as missionaries. David will

fellowship was held in the Pattons' apartment followed by evening worship. The birth of Christ and its purpose highlighted the candlelight
service on Christmas Eve.

be studying the Japanese langauge in Tokyo. Stephen Fleenor and family are also expected back this month to
continue their work in a new area

where they have recently built a place for teaching and their residence. The Dale Mings family is to come to Japan
for their first term as soon as funds are available. The Warren Christianson

Mr. Yokomizo worked many hours with the S.S. children to produce a play for the annual children's meeting on
December 28th. Fifty-seven children and 8 parents were our guests. Some
heard of Christ for the first time.

The Shinshu Bible camp had its first

season and we were able to attend 3

family is due back in March if funds are available. They will continue their work near the camp site. The Dale Wilkinson family is expected back in

different camps. The 3 churches we have worked with during the past years had a joint camp August 5-7.
Seventeen from Yokosuka were

Nightly scripture reading from December 25 to January 4 was held in the Pattons' apartment. The books of
Genesis and Revelation were read

June after a 2 year furlough. The

Hinson family is already in Tanabe starting their first term. Johnnie Sims

aloud, each one reading one verse at a

time while seated around the table.

present. Andrew was vesper speaker for English-Music camp and speaker for the University camp. We are looking forward to the camps scheduled for this year praying that they will be full each week.
The Yokosuka church held its

annual "Megumi" (grace) meeting September 13-15. Mark 8:27-30 was used for the theme. Mr. Yoshida, a student at Osaka Bible Seminary and
member of Yokosuka church led in the

New Year's day, Mr. Yoshida's message encouraged us all to remain faithful and to encourage one another to be Christ-like all through the year and years to come. This New Year's holidays found one million more people than last year worshipping at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.

All famous shrines recorded a great increase of worshippers. This is very

significant in that we have an over whelming task before us and so few

is due back in the Spring to begin his first term as a missionary. He will also be in language study. God is blessing us with a greater task force. Therefore the need for prayer, spiritual strength and wisdom and our physical needs grow as we bring the message of Christ to this yet pagan nation. We pray that you will want to be a co-laborer to help this need by praying fervently and giving of your tithes and offerings for the evangeliza tion of Japan.
"Betty Patton

meetings. The contact with the U.S. Navy personnel has been very rewarding. Last year, 1980, we baptized 8 here at the church. The navy men on board

their ships have been responsible for the additions as they faithfully taught God's Word to others. Andrew, too, has been able to teach them personally when they are in port. Two were baptized in March because Mr. Winkler taught them on the USS Blue Ridge. Two more were baptized in June because Bill Owens taught them on the USS Parsons. Rick Bremseth, who was won to Christ by Bill, taught two more and they were baptized in
November. Two children of the

10 WEEK CAMPAIGN FOR 10th ANNIVERSARY AT MEJIRODAI

In the last issue we promised to give you the results of this special fall campaign in which we were engaged at the time. The goals were: 1. An increase of 10 over our average Sunday morning worship attendance, 2. 10 baptisms, 3. 10 people coming to a worship service here for the first time. The attendance goal was 400. We had 320 adults present for the 10 Sunday services, and there were also 67 children here during those weeks.

Winkler family were baptized October 19 following a special program that day for the Japanese Sunday School
children.

November 24 was a special day here at the Yokosuka church inviting all the
churches of Christ as November 23 is

On the tenth anniversary Sunday, November 2, Terry Reyes who

Our first day of Sunday School. Novemberl. 1970.

the Japanese harvest or thanksgiving

continued on page 2

10 WEEK CAMPAIGN FOR 10th

ANNIVERSARY AT MEJIRODAI

CHRISTMAS AT MEJIRODAI
On Saturday evening Dec. 20 we had
our annual church "Christmas

cor tinued from page 1

ministers in downtown New York City, was visitir g here on his way home from a visit to his native Philippines and several other countries, and he brought th; sermon in the morning. Then in the afternoon we had a special
commemoration service which was

attended by 51 people, including preachers a nd members of a number of

area churcies. Bro. Itagaki, who is now in his twentieth year of ministry
with the >fakano church where we

celebration", with candle-service, musical program and gift exchange. There were 61 present. The theme this year was "The Way", and between the many well-prepared musical numbers by various individuals and groups different "characters" (Joseph and Mary, Shepherds, Wise-men, Roman soldiers, Tourists, P.L.O.) came into the church asking the way to Bethlehem. They were all asked why

Son of one of our members playing the violin.

they were going there. Finally Santa

Claus (Penny Boggs) came asking for directions to Mejirodai church, and that started the gift exchange. On Sunday Dec. 21 we had 41 present for morning worship and 1 baptism. On Dec. 25 we had 3 different Sunday School programs; for Pre-schoolers at 2 PM, for Primaries at 4 PM and for
Juniors at 7 PM. There were a total of

formerly li ^ed and worked, and who helped in riany ways with the move here, brougit a challenging message. Some of oui members thought it would be legitimate to count the afternoon
attendance also and that would enable

us to go over the goal. This at least

indicates the interest that had been

built up ove the weeks of looking at the big chart in the front of the church.
Although we could list 10 prospects,

193 students, parents, teachers and visitors present. Over 60 attendance prizes were awarded and about 120 treats were given to the children.

Children's Chorus.

we had on y 2 baptisms during the campaign. Nevertheless these two brought oui active membership roll to exactly 30 on the anniversary Sunday. All of us were both surprised and pleased thgt we went well over the _third goal oi'new people, with a to^l of 16 coming during those weeks and
some of the n continuing.

Harold and Lois Sims singing "O Holy Night" Primary Sunday School program.
Tinsel on the Christmas tree says "The Way".

Tokyo Vhristian (No. 77fi-370)

Publishe \ four times a year in Jan

uary, April July and November for the

missionariirs of the Church of Christ

Cunninfjhtm Mission, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services, Box 177, Kempton, Indiana 46049. Second Class

COMMEMORATIVE BOOK-"OUR TEN YEAR WALK"

members and visitors on the

postafje pa d at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and virs. Stanley Buttray. 571-8 Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,

Nagano Ktn, Japan .'584-22. Forward ing Agent: Mrs. Garvdon Hessler, 760
Garden St. Meadville, PA 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8

anniversary day. Many people worked very hard to get this work done on time,
and most of the members contributed

Higashinal ano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164 Japan. F>rwarding Agent: Mr.

and Mrs. C. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 15, Rushville, IN 46173. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7

articles, cuts, etc. The young people's group composed a questionnaire of 27 questions about

things related to the church and the Christian life, and gave them out to 57 different people who attended the
church services during the month of June. Forty-two people turned in their questionnaire fully answered, and the young people spent some time compiling the information into interesting charts and graphs that show pretty objectively the situation in continued on page 3

Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193 Japan. Forwarding Agent: First Church of Clirist, Orange at Center St.,

Ku.stis, FI> 132726.

Two-year sjib.scription
Subacriptio A and Flaming rt)rch

$.50

One of the main projects of the

church in the 10th year was making a

46 page book which was given out to all

COMMEMORATIVE BOOK "OUR TEN YEAR WALK"

continued from page 2

UR

CHURCH

our church at this point in time.

thought you would be interested in some of this, so I have cHpped several

of the charts out of the book and have written into some of the charts a

minimum of English explanation so you can understand it. There were some questions for which a chart could not easily be made, and
there is no need to list all of the

questions and replies here. But perhaps you would be interested to

know that the average time it took one to decide to be baptized after starting to come to church regularly was about 1 and 1/2 years. Twenty-three people

said they thought they had changed since their baptism, and only 2 said they had not changed. Eighteen had not read all through the Old Testament, and 9 had not read the
entire New Testament, but 6 had read

g ?
Xii mi ki/ |o^'
CHART 1

through the O.T. more than 3 times and

13 for the N.T. Thirty-eight thought Jesus had a beard and only 3 not, 32 thought He had opened His mouth and laughed, and 8 not, and 19 thought He
had been in love and 20 not.

The 42 people who answered the survey. Christians {73.8%} have black hair, others white. Male and female, student and adult are distinguishable.
The number of wrinkles in forehead and beside mouth indicate 10

years above 20 years of age, or adult. Upper left block are housewives.
Lower left are students.

How does your church compare with

this?
-Harold Siras

Right hand block are employed. Lower right hand corner is retired.

MALE
grandmother

UN5PttFll=^

grandfather
mother father uncle
aunt

brother
sister

child

mate

E3I

nephew
niece

TZX

CHART 2

cousin

Are there Christians among your relatives? Specify.

y-^
^\2 klND^iR&flRTeK

'4- eLEMENTi^ft Y
7
-6

Ffefpiig-

9a

M l^DUE
HI^H
Aside from

-G CCULE&fc ^ uwiv.
tjavifiFU
CHART 3 Did you go to a Christian school?

x^i
123 No
Sunday, how much time do you spend reading the Bible through the week?
xrpEOPt-e
CHART 9

26 A

PE:l?PLE

CHART 4
How take you you lO to walk to church? nuw long loiiy does uues it ii iBKe

How much of

fering do you
give in an aver
age month?

%III -n II
15^iiA'^di 45i60,'
7 7

OVGK

\coc yN
A BOUT s

VE/^RS

1 2 3 4 5 (A)
'

People

REoPi-sVi

rims/ 23 yS6 7e
CHART 6 How many times do you pray every day?

7\/
Pei3pL&

iV\(7RC> ^0 ^tLt
th/m
CHART 5
baptized into Christ?

How many years since you were

CHART 7

How many

minutes do you pray each time?

TA P

Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 80

SECOND QUARTER, 1981

NUMBER 2

JONATHAN SIMS RETURNS

TUESDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

Last fall when one of our members

he received the Master of Religious Education Degree from the Cincinnati

Christian Seminary, and for most of

invited some neighbors to our series of 10 special Sundays for our lOth anniversary, they told her that they would be interested in hearing the Bible teachings but found it difficult to leave home on Sundays when the
children and husband were at home

the past year he has been raising support. He was ordained on January
18 at the Laurel Avenue Church of

Christ in Chesapeake, Virginia, and that church will be his sponsoring and forwarding agent "board".

Perhaps it is not realized widely enough that there are a good number of second-generation missionaries now settling into the work here in Japan.
Jonathan is the seventh-after Lonnie

and expecting mother's company and service. We already have 3 home Bible Study Groups each month, so she told them about those, but they said they would rather go to the church and have singing and prayers in the atmosphere of a worship service. So this lady told
me about this conversation and

Mings, Walter Maxey, Mark Pratt, Stephen Fleenor, Jenann Beckman

and David Cole. There are also others

suggested that we try having such a meeting once a month. We decided to do this on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and held the first such meeting on the last Tuesday of October. The response has been gratifying. The attendance usually runs around 10 people, and more than half of them do not usually attend the Sunday morning worship service. A young couple who have asked me to marry
them but who work in a store and never

very likely to come when things work

out. About half of the missionaries

who have been in Japan for 30 years

now have a son also involved in the

work here, which is a record that might not be equaled on any other field or in any other Mission here in Japan.

Jonathan Sims, who spent 7 months on an internship here in 1979, plans to

begin his service as a missionary to

Japan on May 29,1981. In May of 1980

We request your prayers for this younger set as they take up the torch for another generation going into the 21st Century.
Harold Sims

get Sunday off have attended 2 times, for instance. Another older lady has
not missed one time.

So we keep on trying to by all means

s a v e some.

---Harold Sims

MEJIRODAI CHURCH RECOGNIZED AS TAX-FREE

RELIGIOUS JURIDICAL PERSON
As part of our 10th anniversary projects, we began last April the rather long and complicated process of applying to the Tokyo City Government for incorporation. First we had to draw-up and approve by
laws and elect officers. Then we had to submit more than 20 different

things we had stated in the various documents. It took much longer than we had at first expected, but on March
24 we received the official seal of

permission.
This makes ours the twelfth Church of

documents giving precise descriptions of our properties, financial reports, membership list, etc. Also, 2 men from the city came out to visit and verify the

Christ in the Tokyo area to finish this process, and the government authorities have accepted the fact that we practice the independence and autonomy of the local church. In

general we have found that this process is good for the local church as (!) an incentive to get and keep their financial and organizational affairs in order, (2) giving each member a feeling of responsibility and concern for the church and its business. Ofcourse.itis a relatively minor matter when compared with spiritual things.

Harold Sims

YOKOSUKA-PATTON NEWS

MR. YOKOMIZO

PROMISING OUTLOOK
The first few months of the year looked rather bleak for a strong church work
to continue at the Yokosuka church.

ENGLISH SERVICES
English services are definitely a necessity here near the Naval Base.
Christians can receive communion at

But we praise the Lord for new "seekers", for Christians who have
moved into the area and find a church home here, for a Christian family, for a Christian home to come about by a

future marriage of two of its members, for those who have recently been bom into the Kingdom of God and for the renewal of the 4 p.m. English services on the Lord's Day.
The church will hold an evangelistic

meeting April 17 and 18. Notices of the

meetings are being placed in over 2,000 homes in the area. April, five members

the base chapel ONLY on the first Sunday of the month. Also personal teaching and close fellowship are needed for growth in Christ and leading the lost to Him. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." We have witnessed these that are doing just that! So as God gives Andrew strength to do so, we will minister to the navy men and their families. The Christians on board the ships are ministering to the lost and bringing
them in!

passed out notices for 2 and one-half hours, door to door. Mr. Stephen Fleenor will preach the Word in Japanese. Our prayers are that those
Mr. Yokomizo, Preaching "Timothy"

If you know of any one stationed at the

Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, please

give them this telephone number:

(0468) 53-8224.

who are Christian will be filled and

those seeking will find eternal life in

Christ Jesus.

Kensei Yokomizo, having attended Yokosuka church since his boyhood, graduated from Nihon University in March. All through these years he faithfully attended each service, led in the Sunday School work, assisted in all phases of evangelism and was a preaching "Timothy". He never lost sight of his goal-training for the ministry and ministering to the lost. We were proud and overjoyed to lose
one of our few members this month when Kensei enrolled in Osaka Bible

TWO BAPTISMS
Miss Akemi Sakaguchi was baptized Febraury 14. She had become a friend of the Winkler family at the navy base
and was introduced to Christ in their

home. After studying diligently for about one year, she became the Lord's. Her family was upset by her decision. But since, the younger sister has
attended church several times. So we

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

Published four times a year in Jan uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ

pray that she, too, will know Christ.

Bill Shafer stationed on the USS Blue

Seminary. Two people in the church gave him 50,000 yen ($250) for his first month's expenses. This will help him
until he can establish himself in school

Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services, Box 177, Kempton. Indiana 46049. Second Class

postage paid at Kempton. Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8 Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forward ing Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760 Garden St., Meadville, PA 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8

and in the neighborhood and tutor school children as part-time work to help himself financially. We will help pay his tuition and the church will send small offerings from time to time.
Mr. Yokomizo and Mr. Yoshida, a second year student from the

Ridge was baptized after work on April 6 by Andrew. Bill was taught by Mr.
Winkler on board ship about truly being bom again in the act of baptism, God's one and only way.

GOOD NEWS
In March the doctors at the Kansas

Higashinakano. Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164 Japan. Forwarding Agent; Mr.

and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 15. Rushville, IN 46173. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7

Yokosuka church, too, are the only two young men studying for the ministry at

the Osaka Bible Seminary this year.

So pray that God will use them mightily in His work.

City, Kans. University Hospital "released" Noel's wife as they found no more cancer cells in her body. However, they will keep close check for the next five years. Thank you one and all for praying for her to receive her health again. Please continue to pray
that she will become His and know

Mojirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193 Japan, Forwarding Agent: First Church ofChrist, Orange atCenterSt.,
Kustis, FL 32726.

Two-year subscription Subscription and Flaming Torch

$.50
$1.00

Him personally.

PENNY BOGGS LEAVES MEJIRODAI FOR OTHER PLACES

IN JAPAN
Penny Boggs, the missionary intern from Chester, W. Va., who has been living and working with us here for the
LtoR.: Penny Boggs, Mrs. Okada (an 80 year-old mem
ber of our church who made the kimonos for the 2 Ameri

past seven months, was given a sendoff by the Mejirodai Church on March
29. She has had a lot of experiences in addition to her study of Japanese

it

cans standing beside her).

Lois Sims.

language 2 days a week, and we feel she has adapted very well to the
different culture and situation here.

The people here have been interested in her, have invited her into their homes for meals, etc., and have been most encouraging and helpful. The young people gave her a piece of cloth with
various sized colored pockets sewn on it and their personal messages to her written in both Japanese and English, which she can hang on any wall with happy memories. Lois baked a cake decorated like a "penny" which all shared after the morning worship service during which Penny brought a message to the people with Harold Sims translating. Also, the ladies group of the church gave her a gift of money to help with her travel expenses in Japan.

Penny went from here to Nagano prefecture to help in the Shinshu Bible Camp. From there she will go to Osaka and points further south, visiting

particularly the work of single lady

missionaries in the different areas. We

will see her again in July at the Convention, and bring her back to Tokyo from where she plans to return
to the United States in August.
The Penny Cake.

Harold Sims

BUTTRAY NEWS
Last year's Spring Jr. High Camp was quite successful with 58 campers attending and four of them making
decisions to become Christians. So it

invaluable in their aid.

Stephen

in Tokyo, Penny had been living with

the Harold Sims family. Her

Fleenor was the Dean, and Paul Pratt, Harold Sims, Julius and Virginia

was decided to try it again this year.

But this time we included both Jr. and

Fleenor, and David Cole were teachers and speakers. Carol Fleenor and Penny Boggs took care of the music.

remaining three months in Japan will be spent visiting other missionaries

between here and Kyushu. Her desire is to return to Japan as a full time missionary! Since returning, I have learned that of the 4 campers that made decisions last year, two have been baptized...for which we give Praise to God! Pray with us that not only these 4 who made decisions, but that all that were taught will eventually be bom of water and the Spirit! The Summer Camp Schedule this year may not be quite as ambitious as last year. But I hope that it will be even more successful! This year's schedule has been printed and sent out. And I am looking for a greater cooperation by all missionaries and Japanese preachers...so that the 1981 Camping
Season will even be more successful!

Senior High students. And as last year

there were 4 decisions. This is the

purpose for which Shinshu Bible Camp came into being. And I trust it always
will remain the same.

The staff this year consisted of ten missionaries and two Japanese. Both
Taninari San and Yokomizo San were

Penny Boggs at the Spring 1981 Jr. and Senior

High Camp which was herfirst visit to Shinshu Bible

Camp. She is a young woman with much musical

talent, and was well liked by the campers. Having

had much camping experience while in Bible

College, she was a real asset in many ways.

stunt night found this group with Paul Pratt as its leader portraying Jesus as He instituted "The Lord's Supper" with the Apostles.

Carol also headed the cooking department and had two Japanese women assistants. At that time Penny had only been in Japan seven months. While studying the Japanese language

And the years remaining...till Jesus comes will even be greater!

Stanley Buttray

PROMOTION

SUNDAY

The students going into the fourth grade.

The Beginners.

Every year about spring vacation time we have our Sunday School Promotion Day, with certificates and gifts for those graduating from one department into another. This year we had the largest classes ever in third and sixth grades, so we had a large crowd attending and one of our young

teachers who is a college student worked all one day making out the certificates and making other preparations. We sent 25 up to the Junior Department, and that department sent, also, 25 sixth graders up to the Jr. High Class.

essay about what the Sunday School

has meant to them. Almost 100% of the sixth graders who planned their whole program, including prayers, have

already bought their own Bibles, although they are all from nonChristian homes.

The third graders all wrote a short

CAMP SEASON BEGINS

Ready to leave for camp in Sims' light van.

The Japanese school year begins in April, 80 every year there are about 2 weeks in early spring when all students are free from the usual very
busy round of school studies and activities. This year the Shinshu Bible

through the season. May 3 5 we are planning a Family Camp. That is one of the favorite Japanese holiday seasons, and the weather is generally good. Then, of course, there is the busy summer season approaching. It is good to have the Buttrays back at the camp now after a 4 month trip to the United States. Also, the young Japanese preacher who worked in the camp last summer and took care of the place during the long cold winter months in Buttrays' absence is a very good asset to the program and worked in many ways during the above camp. He will be there at least through the summer season this year. It was our joy and privilege to meet
both the Buttrays who arrived March 7
and the Warren Christiansens who

Camp Committee decided to have a 3 night and 4 day camp for Junior and High School students March 31 April
3.

It is still cold up there in mountainous

Nagano prefecture at that time of year,

and when we arrived, there were several inches of fresh snow covering everything in a beautiful winter scene.

But the camp building is heated

comfortably, and the 40 students and

12 teachers, helpers and cooks all seemed to have a good time. Eight young people went from Mejirodai

church, and it was the first time for any

of them to attend such a gathering. In fact all but one of them will just become 7th graders in April. But we are hoping that the new songs and Bible teachings and ideas they learned there will bear
fruit later on.

returned to Japan March 11. The Christiansons are temporarily renting housing until they can get their partially-built house into liveable condition. So the work in Nagano prefecture has now come out of
hibernation. Harold Sims

There will be other camps to follow

Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 80

THIRD QUARTER, 1981

on the floor with baths at a local

NUMBER 3

"KENTUCKY SONSHINE SINGERS"

A group of young Christian singers
from a church in Louisville visited

Japanese style bath house. Delicious home-cooked meals were enjoyed by

all. Paul Pratt and Andrew served as

YOKOSUKA CHURCH
The Yokosuka church has always used Easter time as a special occasion to evangelize since the Resurrection is the heart of the Christian message.
Posters were made and over 2200 handbills were distributed to the area

teachers using the themes: "Growing in Christ", "Developing One's Potentials", "Risen With Christ", and
"A Christian Home". attended said Kathleen Pratt

Japan and the churches. Mark and Lynn Pratt were their hosts as Lynn's sister was among the group. Through the efforts of Officer Winkler, the group was invited aboard the USS Blue Ridge for a day's cruise June 12. Also through Mr. Winkler we were able to have the group present their program at the off-base
"Christian Seamen's Center" later

helped with the music. The men who

this retreat was the

highlight of their recent experiences. A young man requested baptism at the meeting. He had been taught well by one who had recently become a Christian and who was a close buddy. Because we knew many of the men needed instruction on biblical baptism,
we scheduled a full discussion of the

homes. However, no new persons were present to hear the message by Stephen Fleenor on April 17 and 18. But those present were filled and
renewed with God's Word.

that same day. Dinner was served at 6 p.m. at the Center and was followed by the program of the "Kentucky Sonshine Singers". About 40 guests enjoyed the music and evening of fellowship. We had an interesting experience at the center following the program. A Japanese girl who had come to the center with a navy friend needed to be taught in her native language the
truths of God. Andrew was asked to

subject on the final afternoon. As the sun went down, Dave Dolan was baptized into Christ and all went home rejoicing!

Ten Sunday school students and one mother were guests of the church on May 10 for a Mother's Day tea. The relationship of Samuel and his mother

to God was the theme of the meeting.

"Climb A Tall Mountain" ("Heidi

and Her Grandfather" - Japanese title) was shown to a group of 43 on

Family Day at the church in the
afternoon of June 14. We made 2200

handbills and many posters for the occasion. Since that time our Sunday
school attendance has increased. Kensei Yokomizo and Kazuhisa Yoshida have returned from Osaka

teach her as no one present spoke Japanese. Andrew gladly obliged. Soon the host missionary came on the scene and requested that Andrew not teach the girl as Andrew taught that baptism is ESSENTIAL to salvation and that that teaching could not be
uttered at the Center. Also Andrew was told that he could not invite the

Bible Seminary to the Yokosuka area for the summer. Kensei is spending part of his time working and teaching at the Shinshu Bible Camp and
A few of the USS Blue Ridge Crew and
missionaries.

girl to church services where he could

further teach her. The host did not

BITS OF NEWS
We received in June a report that Noel's wife's check-up again was free
of cancer cells! We thank God for his

assisting with the work here. Mr. Yoshida also will be doing much the same while living here with us. Our purchase of a Japanese
typewriter has enabled us to make a very attractive handbill and registration form for our DVBS to be

speak Japanese nor are there church services on the Lord's Day at the Center in Japanese or English.
It is unfortunate that denomination

al loyalty and affiliation and not

faithfulness Christian. to God's Word is the

criteria for rejecting or receiving a

mercy shown to her. Noel and his family now live in Jones, Oklahoma where he is working. "Pop" Belew, Bill's father, spent 2 months in Yokosuka visiting his son.
While here he attended the services here at the church. He returned to

held on July 25-27. Miss Ichinose, Kensei and I will be teaching the 3 day
course on Daniel. Kanto Churches of Christ will have a

SERVICEMEN'S RETREAT
A navy men's retreat was held at the Yokosuka church on May 24-25, with 27 registering. Overnight sleeping accommodations were Japanese style

Cincinnati July 5. Sharon Lee (our daughter) and husband Chris and Sandy(6) will visit Tokyo August22-September4. Betty's Aunt Gladys from Fontana, California will accompany them. It has been

2 day family camp August 7-9 at Shinshu Bible Camp. About 10 from here will be going to enjoy the spiritual fellowship. July 8 the American Embassy in Tokyo was the scene of the registration of the marriage of Akemi Sakaguchi
and Officer Bill Belew of the U.S.

exactly 5 years since we have seen or

visited with our loved ones!

Navy. Both have faithfully attended all the Japanese services of the church for over a year.
-Andrew Patton

ANOTHER ONE OF THE TOKYO CHRISTIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Mr. Minoru Homma has been a member of Minato Church ofChrist for
notoroious General Homma who was

over 20 years, and an elder for some years now. A very modest, polite, softspoken and early balding man, he has
worked for the Hitachi Electric Co. in

a leading Japanese military figure in World War II, and he had said a simple
YES. I hadn't known this, and had never asked him about it through all our years of acquaintance. Last August Mr. Homma was

the field of video recording for most of his professional life. He is now in the

family in their car and drove 2 hours across Tokyo to the site of the new cemetery plot the Minato Church had been developing. This was Sunday, May 31, and on that day they had planned an outdoor service to dedicate it and to bury the ashes of an elder of
the church who had died the previous
year.

operated on for stomach ulcers. I heard

about it quite a while after he was out of the hospital, and wrote him a get-well note. He replied right away that he had some complications after that and had
been taken back to the company

late 40's, and he lives with his fine

Christian wife and 3 daughters in the bed-town of Nagareyama which is
about an hour from his office by
commuter train.

At that time Mr. Homma gave a very

moving testimony to the people gathered there, acknowledging that he

had been shocked to hear the truth

One day about 2 years ago he called me to say he would be making another business trip overseas and wanted me to give him addresses of our churches in New York, Toronto, and Cleveland
so he would be able to meet and

hospital in an ambulance. That didn't sound good. We exchanged Christmas

letters as usual, and he was hopeful of

about his condition although he had

suspected it and that he might well be

the next to be put in that ground. But
he had looked death in the face, and it

getting back into full activity soon

after the turn of the year.

was nothing compared to the hope of

life in Christ and the fellowship and love of family and Christian brethren which he had enjoyed and continued to feel. Their family (1 girl in High School, 1 in Jr. High, and 1 in

In February the doctors finally told

his wife that he had cancer. They had known since August. They were insistent that he not be told because the shock would shorten his life. I received this news from Stephen lijima, his

worship with fellow Christians on the Sundays he was away with nothing to do. (IT IS DISTRESSING THAT WE
HAVE SO FEW CHURCHES IN OUR LARGEST CITIES WHERE OUR JAPANESE CHRISTIANS GO.) I

Elementary) had been drawn much

closer to the Lord and to each other

preacher, and a request for prayer.

After several weeks I went to visit him

gave him the address of Terry Reyes'

Love Mission in downtown New York, and he attended a Sunday worship

in the hospital. He was thin, but all

smiles and full of hope. He was

there and called me up as soon as he got

particularly happy about the backtoJapan-to report^n it.-His^end approaching-return- of__aur^ son^
from Hitachi, Inc. who accompanied him experienced his first direct contact with Christianity and was impressed that "they were a different kind of
Jonathan as a missionary, and enthusiastic about helping if Jonnie
wished to start a new work in his area.

through this experience, and each day of life was exceedingly beautiful, precious and happy. What a legacy of real faith he will Ifaye.tohis family and brethren! As of
this moment (July 12) he is still living

After much prayer, consultation and

at 2 months past the limit the medical professionals set for him. Jesus said, "Be of good cheer. I have overcome the
world."

people" than he usually met in the

United States.

thought, his wife decided to go against

the advice of the doctors and tell him. At that time the doctors had given him

-Harold Sims

Later I heard about this visit from

Terry Reyes himself, who was in our

home for a few days in November, 1980 while on the way home from a visit to

only a few more weeks and had decided

to send him back home because there

was nothing more they could do.

Soon after Mr. Homma heard the truth about his condition he put the

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

Published four times a year in Jan

the Philippines. Bro. Reyes told me he

had asked if he were a relative of the

uary, 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

STARTING MY TERMS
I have arrived in Japan to begin my first term as a missionary. In spite of

postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8 Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,

previous experiences in Japan, there

were several immediate shocks at

to absorb and apply. After the seven week session during the summer, I will assume the normal pace ofstudy as the lessons become progressively difficult.

Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forward ing Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760
Garden St., Meadville, PA 16335.

cultural differences . between the

United States and the land where I was

reared. Adjustment to time change and types of food was quick, but getting used to differences in language and ways of thinking will continue for a long while. From the outset, I have begun a schedule of language study and Church work. Three days a week I am
in school learning Japanese at a pace

Every Sunday, working with the fifth grade Sunday school class provides experience in communicating
with children which supplements the material studied in language school which is aimed at communication with adults. Practical application of

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8

Higashinakano, Nakano-ku. Tokyo 164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.

and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 15. Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7

language study is proving to be very

worthwhile. I am looking forward to

Mt'jirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193 Japan. Forwarding Agent: First

Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.,
Kustis, FL 32726.

slightly

faster

than

the

normal

increasing responsibilities and challenges in time as I learn to preach in Japanese and prepare for beginning
a new work in a new location.
-Jonathan Sims

Twt)-yi>ar subscription
Subscription and Flaming Torch

$.50
$1.00

classes. Homework demands much time and there is much study material

FAMILY CAMP

Penny Boggs leading singing a( camp.

MOTHERS DAY CAN BE ON THURSDAY

Shinshu Family Week campers.

We have a problem here in that many non-Christian housewives cannot get to church on Sundays because
husbands and children are at home for

May 3-5 was a rare 3 day holiday in Japan, because they have adopted the system of having Monday off when a holiday comes on Sunday. It was the
ideal time to try our first family camp. We were hoping that many whole families would attend, but some people

had previous engagements and of

course many husbands are not
Christians and didn't feel inclined to

attend such a camp. However, we did have a nice fellowship among the 14

people who spent those hours together, and hope to try again.

KENTUCKY SONSHINE
Southeast Christian

About a dozen High Schoolers from Church in

that night has composed several popular modern songs, and has

Louisville, using the rather original name above, presented musical programs at a number of places in Japan during the month of June. The leaders of the group were the sister and
brother-in-law of Mrs. Mark Pratt, who

appeared at different times on TV. She

has been back to services several times

since, saying she is interested in

Christian music. One of her hits is

entitled "Gentiles". So we are glad we

let the Sonshine in.

is a missionary in Japan and recently moved into a new Fellowship Center that will upgrade the work with students, as well as being youth
workers with the church in the U.S. We

"Harold Sims

the day. They can come much more easily at about 10:30 on week-day mornings, after finishing up the house keeping chores. So for the past several years our church ladies have planned special Mother's Day programs to which they invite their neighbors and friends. They spend a lot of time preparing printed programs, decorations, refreshments, etc. and usually we send out invitations with all the Sunday School children and. by. other means. This year we had a new high of 37 people in attendance on Thurs. morning May 14, and a very good program. Several people were in church that day for the first time in their lives, but they all enjoyed both the speeches and talking with each other about various things.
"Harold Sims

invited the group to come to Mejirodai on Pentecost Sunday evening. Our very small group of young people did most of the advertising and other preparations for this special meeting, including a welcome speech in English. Also some of the church ladies came on Saturday and spent
most of the day helping Lois to prepare
food for the barbecue meal which we

NEW FELLOWSHIP CENTER DEDICATED IN MACHIDA

On Sunday afternoon May 10th Lois and I and 5 of the Japanese Christians from Mejirodai Church drove about 30
minutes down to Machida, our

building. The high tone of joy, praise and glorifying of God at the dedication
was indeed real and true.

neighboring suburban city, to join a large group of people from several

other churches and a host of local

served to the 14 visitors, 40 local people and 8 small children in our yard at 5 p.m. that evening. Eight more people came just in time for the program, so
we had the best crowd since Christmas

in church, which was a thrill for everybody. This project has served to revive the spirits of our young people, and we are thankful for that. Many came who had not been to church for months, and at

least 4 of the young people present had

never been in church before. One

young lady who came to the church

friends of Mark and Lynn Pratt for the dedication of their new Fellowship Center home. Partly because this newest outpost of evangelism among our churches of Christ in Japan is also the closest to us geographically, the church here has had a deep interest in this project and contributed several times toward the new building. For the past year, and especially the past 3 months, it has been thrilling to watch the Lord's leading and providing and the faith and hard work of the many people directly involved in this

The location is right. The modestsized, square building lot is just off the main street of this growing city, and just 2 short bus stops from the main entrance of Obirin. This is a private
Christian-oriented school for children

from kindergarten through college ages. Mark Pratt has taught English language and Bible there for several years, and has planned from the first to
concentrate on student work. The well-

known President of this school (it was named for Oberlin University in Ohio which he attended years ago) was also present for the occasion. The building plan and furnishings are right. It gives the impression of modesty, simplicity, efficiency, and

comfort. The family lives on the first floor. The second floor has a good-sized meeting room that is suitable for various sized groups, an office-study, and a small kitchen for fixing "tea"-in other words, a fellowship center. The timing was right. The opportunity to buy the land came about 3 years ago, and with a substantial loan from the Yotsuya Mission Loan Fund this was accomplished. It would cost much more to purchase the same place now, even though the original price was a surprise to many Americans - over $100,000 dollars. Mark and Lynn have been renting at high prices all these months, but they didn't want to add another big debt to their already substantial one even though they wanted to make use of the

construction progressed. He found it hard to believe that such a building could be built at such a low cost, that so many people would donate so much time and hard work, and gave a dramatic and moving description of "building by faith" from his professional viewpoint. The same was true of some of the neighbors. All of them are now good prospects because of what they have seen happen. Mark's father and mother are long time missionaries, and several years ago did much of the labor on a church building in Isehara city. They also helped a lot on this building. Lynn's
father, a cabinet-maker from central Kentucky, and mother came and
worked for several weeks on the

land they were paying for monthly. Finally about a year ago they made a commitment to go ahead with the building plans and a plan to raise
funds for the building in faith.
Herculean efforts were made to raise

funds, and equally every effort was made to save building costs. The materials were all purchased in Canada and shipped to Japan in 2 large containers-a saving of hundreds
if not thousands of dollars. Then Ed

Thomas and a small group of men and

women came from the United States
and donated 5 weeks of hard work iii

March to erect the basic structure. The

local architect who drew the plans in Japanese measurements and went through the long and difficult process of getting a building permit from the city for the first 2x4 type structure there spoke at the dedication, showing
some of the slides he had taken as the

finishing. So on this Mother's Day it was very good that the 4 parents could rejoice together with their children who are located in a nice new home, ready to begin a new phase of their life work, including regular Sunday services. We pray the continued blessings of God upon this new work. The new work brings the number of our churches or places where regular services and evangelistic efforts are carried on to a total of 21, which is the highest number in the history of the work here in the greater Tokyo area which was begun with the arrival of Mi. and Mrs. W.D. Cu;^riir-ghara_oaOct. 1, 1901-80 years ago. (The total number of churches in all Japan is between 60 and 70). Of these 21 churches in the greater Tokyo area, 6 are ministered to by missionaries and the rest by Japanese.
"Harold Sims

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Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 80

FOURTH QUARTER, 1981

NUMBER 4

SIMS

NEWS
EVANGELISTIC MEETING AT MEJIRODAI

KYUSHU CONVENTION TRIP

Korea, and earlier this year elected as a memberof the new House of Representa tives in South Korea. His message

The 32nd Annual Japanese Convention in Kagoshima.

This year the Japanese and Mission ary Conventions were in Kagoshima, in southern Japan July 24-28. Lois, Jona than and I went in our light van, taking 3
ladies from the Nakano church with us.

On Thursday afternoon July 23 we

drove down to Tokyo bay and on board

the daily car-ferry which left at 6:30 PM. We enjoyed seeing the lights of
Yokohama and Yokosuka cities and a

emphasized the strong points of the fastgrowing churches in Korea, particularly their prayer life. It was delivered in a good Christian spirit and rather fluent Japanese language and was also wellreceived. Considering the history of relations between these neighboring peoples over the centuries, this is something worthy of remark and thanksgiving. On Sunday evening the Missionary Convention began. A total of 46 people attended, which was a good percentage of our forces in Japan. About half are thirty year veterans, and about half are a generation younger. The Mark Maxey family has been in Japan now for 31 years, and the conventions were a part of
the commemoration of that. All but 2 of

Mejirodai Church Sunday Morning August 2. There were 2 visitors: Back, right, Mr, Raymond Shelton of Wichita, Kansas, a nephew of the famous missionary to Tibet of an earlier day. Fourth from left of first row standing was a music teacher from Ohio visiting one of our members
briefly.

long and large fireworks display along the shore as we sailed down the bay and
into the Pacific for the first time in some

years. The next afternoon about 4 PM (almost 2 hours late, because we were running against the strong Japan
Current -- the one in the ocean -- no

reference to economic and political trends) we drove off the ship at the port of Hyuga on the eastern side of Kyushu
Island. We drove across the island

the Maxey children were back home for this. The English language singing sessions, Bible studies, reminiscences, discussions and fun times were all deeply enjoyed. The missionary convention ended at noon on Tuesday, and we spent the next 2 days sightseeing for the first time in the Nagasaki area, which has many castles,
museums and other monuments of the

From September 24-27 an evangelistic meeting was held in Mejirodai church, resulting in a revival and increase in our unity and joy that is very encouraging. Many of our local people prayed daily for a month, and there were 3 early morning special prayer meetings. We
found out later that the Christians in

through some nice mountain scenery, including a wonderful glimpse of Kagoshima Bay in the lingering twilight,
and arrived at the Convention Hotel

while the first evening session was going

on.

Over 300 people had gathered at a modern hotel on top of"Castle Hill", with a magnificent view of the city of Kagoshima and the active volcano Sakurajima in the background. Saturday was spent in convention sessions, with time out for a tour to the site where Francis Xavier stepped ashore on August 15,1549 as the first Christian missionary to Japan and some other interesting historical sites in the city. The final session on Sunday morning was addressed by Bro. S.M. Chang, for many years one of our preachers and educators across the strait in Pusan,

early history and persecution of Christians in Japan almost 400 years ago. We were also delighted with the small island and inland sea scenery. We saw the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana on TV in a Japanese hotel the night of July 29. The trip back home was also by car ferry. The aftereffects of a typhoon made the sea very rough with 2 and 3 meter waves, and almost everyone on board
became seasick. But we returned home

Kanoya in far-off southern Japan had been specifically praying, and we know some of you in the United States were also praying for us. We printed 5,000 handbills, and distributed them to every house in our area, including apartment buildings. In fact we printed 1,000 especially for a newly developed housing area that people began moving into earlier this year. Most of our members participated in this street-pounding work, dividing up areas of labor on a small map kept at the
church. Also 2 of the members made 10

posters which were put up in various

conspicuous places. Three of our ladies wrote personal letters to people on our list

safely and found everything in order

here. -- Harold Sims

Hideo

Yoshii

preaching Evan gelistic Meeting at Mejirodai.

Missionary Convention.

who have been lax in their attendance.

We all knew that it is hard to get ordinary Japanese to attend a Christian meeting. In addition we had heavy rains
for 2 nights and there had been a recent

SUMMER CAMP

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

On August 9-11 Mejirodai Sunday
School held our 6th VBS at Lake Saiko.

instance of a young lady being molested

on the street between the station and our

church. But we went ahead with a goal of having each member invite 4 people. I am happy to report that the total attendance at 6 meetings (4 nights and Friday and Sunday mornings) was 159an average of 26.5. This average is 4

Because of overcrowding last year we decided to limit this year's attendance to 70 students. Over 50 people registered the first Sunday after the announcement in order to be sure of going. Some cancelled

above our Sunday morning attendance on September 20. Our total membership is 31. The best thing about the attendance was the ice-breaking cases -two non-Christians, and at least 4 ladies
in church for the first time.

because of sickness, etc., so we ended up with a total of 63 students (2-6 grades)

and 12 teachers and helpers. The class sizes were well balanced, and this year's program was one of the best we have had. Two things were a little different: 1. The daughter of the owner of the inn there, who had come to help in the busy summer season, had a son who was a second grader. After we got there he wanted to join us and was given permis sion. He took part in all the activities, even sleeping in the room with our boys.
It was his first time to hear Bible stories.

The Mejirodai Jr. High School group getting ready to leave for Camp.

Three people came forward at the invitations. Two of them were baptized
on October 11. The other was one of the

Eleven Junior High School students

went from Mejirodai to the Shinshu Bible

first-timers who didn't fully understand

but is very sincere and a good prospect. The preacher was Bro. Hideo Yoshii, who has been preaching for 23 years at the Kanoya church in southern Japan. He was very effective and much appreciated. One of our members heard him speak at a convention several years ago and had wanted him to come very
much. " Harold Sims

A VISIT TO THE IIJIMAS

On Tuesday, September 15 (Japanese
Old People's Day, a holiday) seven Japanese preachers, eight missionaries

and four of their wives drove in 4 cars up to Yamanashi prefecture to visit Stephen and Rhoda lijima. She has been in and out of the hospital for the past year with serious liver trouble, and he is not too well. Furthermore, it was a few days after his 60th birthday, which is always
celebrated in the Orient. We all took our

Camp in Nagano Prefecture on August 4. Half of them went in our van, and the others by train a 5 hour trip either way. There were a total of 38 at camp. One of the highlights was a climb to the 2,000 meter level of the nearby active volcano Mt. Asama - leaving the camp at 10 PM and returning at 4 AM nearly frozen in mid-summer. All of the campers from here were non-Christians, but 3 of them had been to the spring vacation camp and were active in persuading the others. Mrs. Nishizawa, our Jr. High sponsor, also went with us and helped in numerous ways as a dean of women. I taught one of the classes, and when I had to leave a day early Jonathan taught in my place. He also gave his testimony the night I preached the evening vesper
message.

This year the lessons were about Daniel.

He seemed to enjoy every minute of it,

and has already asked to do the same

thing next summer. 2. A popular TV pro gram called "The Masked Rider" was being filmed "on location" on the lakeshore near the camp. This was of course very interesting to all the children
who watched it in all their free time. Just

after the lesson about Daniel eating vegetables and drinking only water the children lectured the filming crw and
actors about the evil effects of their

smoking and drinking beer.

Also on August 19-21 there was a

Vacation Bible School at the church for

One day in August we were happy to

receive a visit from Mrs. Takako

Yoshimura Arakawa - the youngest daughter of one of the long-time, faithful

members of Nakano Church ~ whom I

pre-schoolers and first and second graders who couldn't go to the Lake. We averaged 13 students for the 3 days. Some of the church ladies helped with teaching and refreshments. Jonathan and I had a little puppet show each day.
Harold Sims

lunch, to save them trouble.

After lunch we sat out in theyard of Mr. Kobayashi's house and enjoyed a good time of fellowship and devotion. (Mr. Kobayashi is an elder of Minato church and long time close friend of the lijimas who has a summer house nearby and gladly served as host to the meeting.) All of us enjoyed the visiting together, including time in the cars. But the best news was that Rhoda has recently been to a specialist in Tokyo and the prospects for her getting completely well soon are now very encouraging. One of the many blessings in the work here is good coworkers who are also good friends.
- Harold Sims

had baptized about 20 years ago. She was married to a young man from a town near Nagoya 13 or 14 years ago. His family has had a good business for a long time making school uniforms, so they are busy, prosperous and in the middle years of a happy marriage. We keep in touch with them through occasional letters, and enjoyed an overnight visit in their home about 5 years ago. This summer she was in Tokyo to visit her mother and brought her 2 children out here to meet us.
I went out for a short local errand, and when I came back I found her and the

The Vacation Bible School at Lake Saiko.

children sitting on the front seats of the church with Lois at the organ. And they

were singing one after another of the

choruses we used to sing at Motosu

HAROLD SIMS' MOTHER PASSES AWAY

Mrs. Grace Firebaugh Sims, who has

Camp. She still remembered the words

and even the numbers of many, and said her several years at camp were some of

the high points of her life and she was sorry her children were missing such experiences. So we realized anew that the efforts put into camps are not wasted or lost, and that there are many mothers like this in various places in Japan.
The group that visited lijimas. Kobayashi's porch. " Harold Sims

been in the nursing wing of the Appalachian Christian Village in Johnson City, Tennessee for the past few years passed away on September 27 (Harold's birthday) at 80 years of age. She left 3 sons and 1 daughter, 12 grand children and 6 great-grand-children. The following tribute to her was written by her second son Ralph, and appeared in
the First Christian Chronicle of Johnson

City, Tennessee for October 4. It expresses our feelings well. "Her name was Grace. But her family called her 'Sir'for the last forty-two years of her life. "It began when three adolescent sons
were in the school band. Events were

PATTON
SUMMER
DVBS was held the last weekend in

NEWS
their time to help the Warren Christiansen family ready their new living-church quarters in Nagano Prefecture. They will help in any of the
areas when asked. Each one donates to

building toward World War II. The band was organized along military lines, with

the highest ranking officer being the captain. There were first and second lieutenants, sergeants of different levels, corporals, privates first class and buck privates. The rule in the band was that when you addressed a superior officer you had to say, 'Yes, Sir', or 'No, Sir'. "Our mother thought that was a good idea. We went through the usuallyexpected protestations, etc. But we followed the game plan. To keep in practice, we came to attention and saluted our mother with a crisp 'Sir' at almost every turn. In a short while the salute was gone, but 'Sir' remained. "All of the friends of the four children; all of the kids in the church youth group; all of the people - faculty and students alike on the campus of Atlanta Christian College when we lived there; and many other people ended up calling
her 'Sir'.

July with only 8 attending. Due to schoolregulated vacation time, it is very hard to set a time when many can come. After the last session, the adults joined the children at an outing in a park nearby for an afternoon of fellowship.
Fourteen from the Yokosuka church

the general fund to buy literature and tracts to be used in this ministry.
- Andrew Patton

were in attendance at the Family Camp held August 7-9 at Shinshu Bible Camp. We stayed on a few more days before coming back to the torrid heat. Also we
with our family from the United States

HOMECOMING
From August 22-September 4 there were many "firsts" in 6 people's lives. It
was our "first" drive to Narita airport - a gruesome 2 hour drive from Tokyo in typhoon winds. There we met our daughter, Sharon Lee, husband Chris, daughter Sandra (6V2 years) from Carl Junction, Missouri and Betty's Aunt Gladys Stackhouse (Fontana, Califor nia). It was the "first" time we had seen
them since 1976 and Sharon's "first" time back home since she left in 1972. It

enjoyed the English camp later in the month. Hopefully we can attend more
camps next year. Kensei Yokomizo cared for the Yokosuka work and we were able to

"It was our finest way of showing how much we appreciated the fact that more than anything else, for her children she wanted them to do what was right, and to follow instructions. -- "She was as good an encourager of fledgling people (children) as can be imagined. 'You can do it' were her thoughts, communicated in many ways. After a rich ministry as wife to a preacher and mother of four children, on September 27, the date of her oldest son's birth, she moved on to where she can address her Lord as 'Sir' in person. - Ralph E. Sims"

worship with the Sakurayama church (opened by us in 1960) with Sharon and her family on August 23. On August 30th a welcome meeting for Sharon and her family was held at the Yokosuka church. We were happy to spend about 7 hours chatting with Ralph Harter (missionary to India) as he made his way to the States for furlough. The Dale Wilkinson family and Milton Jones visited us on September 6 at the
Yokosuka church. We welcomed them

was a "big first" for Chris, Sandra (who was 1 when we saw her last) and Aunt Gladys. Sandra got to stay in the home where her mother grew up; went to
church where her mother attended for 18

years; visited the camp in Karuizawa where her mother helped serve coffee, tea and cake for many coffee house evangelistic programs; visited the rustic
summer church in the area and visited the active volcano that her uncles

back in the Lord's work. Milton, before leaving for the States, helped the Wilkinsons transfer their belongings
from the church to their new residence near the children's school.

climbed. We also were at the English camp at the new camp site and Sandra
visited with her mother's "aunts" and

The children and adults all enjoyed a bi-annual birthday party on the afternoon of September 6. Thirty-two were present for the fellowship together.
The next day Kensei Yokomizo left for Osaka Bible Seminary to resume his
studies.

"uncles" " Pratts, Buttrays, and Sims. A visit to Tokyo Tower gave us all a thrill to view the large city and realize its need for
Christ. At Yokosuka church Sandra

shared in the Sunday School program

NEWS

NOTES

Mr. Minoru Homma, whose story was in the last Tokyo Christian, passed
this life on July 31. Four students of San Jose Bible College who are very interested in missions and missionary careers and Bro. Don Byers, formerly a missionary in Thailand and now ministering with the church in Elmira, Oregon, spent about 10 days in Japan in August. They had earlier been in Hong Kong and briefly into Red China. On Sunday August 16 they all took part in the worship service at Mejirodai, and that evening they were at a joint rally at Kamiochiai church in Tokyo. During the week they went to

~ Andrew Patton

FALL
October 4th was a full day of fellowship
at the church. Following the afternoon English worship with the navy folk, an
Sandra (far right) learning from Grandpa in the
Sunday School in Yokosuka, Japan.

agape dinner was enjoyed by all groups worshipping at the church. Andrew was honored as it was his 64th birthday (having spent 33 years of them in Japan) and also 5 others whose birthdays are in
October.

and heard her grandfather preach in (Sunday school attendance doubled on August 30 as Sandra had found friends on the 29th!) We were all
Japanese.
invited aboard the USS General Arnold

The group of missionary men have

ship (tracking ship for the Columbia) by

Randy Mclntire, Tampa, Florida, as the ship was in Yokosuka Bay. Randy is the grandson of Betty's other aunt who is also a sister to Aunt Gladys. So a family reunion was held on board ship. The visit has left us with many beautiful memories that shall always be cherished. We were just sorry that our 3
sons couldn't have been with us to make

Okayama prefecture, and the following

weekend they were with Sannobara
church in Isehara.

again started their joint-effort program of getting the Word out in the different
areas in which there is a work started.

Ralph Harter, a missionary in Kanpur, India for 34 years was in Japan for about
10 days after visiting several Oriental

Two or three days are spent in different

mission fields on his way home to a furlough in the U.S. He spoke at Mejirodai and Sayama church in Tokyo
on September 6.

areas. Recently the church in Niigata prefecture was helped as many homes were contacted followed by an evangelistic meeting with one baptism. The Hanno area near Tokyo where Stephen Fleenor lives has been visited by the group. The men also have given of

it more complete.

" Betty Patton

BUTTRAY NEWS
As far as numbers are concerned the

Tokyo Christian
(No. 776-370)

Published four times a year in Jan uary, April, July and November for

"Camping Season" this year at Shinshu Bible Camp was little different than last year's-251 campers. The main difference was 41 persons showed a desire to become Christians. And one has already been baptized. Let me say again, the purpose for Shinshu Bible Camp becoming a reality is to fulfill the command of Jesus: "to go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to every creature". Jesus also
said in John 9:4: "We must work the

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the missionaries of the Church of

Christ Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services, Box 177,

Kempton, Indiana
Indiana.

46049.

Second

Class postage paid at Kempton,

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 5718 Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku

works of Him who sent me, while it is day; night comes when no one can work!" With moral conditions rapidly deteriorating in every corner of the world, (even as Jesus described the "End Days") just a spark will ignite the world! The following explosion will usher in the "Night Time" when no one can work!
Christians taken out of the world will

An evening "Camp Fire" scene.

There was

Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760 Garden St., Meadville,
PA 16335.

singing, music, testimony and message. Tim Turner is on the left, the son of Bill and Betty Turner. He was a real help, and a good camper.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8 Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box
15, Rushville, IN 46173. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7 Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193 Japan. Forwarding Agent: First

permit a Vacuum of Darkness to cover

the earth, such as the world has ever

known!!!

Church of Christ, Orange at Center

St., Eustis, FL 32726.

This I believe. But, the burden of witnessing to 115,000,000 Japanese is a task far beyond our ability. However, in John 14:12 Jesus promised his disciples (us) that greater things would they do because He was going to the Father.
This is Our Promise! And like

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Abraham, by faith God has brought us to the land of Japan in these last days to bring forth a people chosen of God by the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We have not yet reached the peak potential of Camp Evangelism in Japan! The Japanese natural thirst for the beauty of nature makes Shinshu Bible Camp an ideal
attraction in these small islands.

Shinshu Bible Camp "game" time after the evening message. Harold Sims and his son
Jonathan on the left. David Cole in center back

ground. and Mark Pratt on the right who was

leader of the group.

Therefore, to take advantage of present opportunities to reach the 40,000,000 youth of Japan, we must increase our capacity as well as aim for maximum campers for every scheduled camp. Our present capacity is 80 persons. Or, about 60 campers and 20 faculty. Recognizing the urgency of the hour, we need another 80 person capacity building, more missionaries and Japanese

preachers if we are to take advantage of

present opportunities.

In our September "News Letter" to supporting Churches I mentioned these and other improvement needs. And I asked if there were 50 churches willing to give $500.00 each to make possible these and other improvements. But to reach the above goal it will take 100 churches giving $1,000.00 each. As for me, The Purpose (GOAL) is undeniable and indisputable!!! We cannot, we must not, we dare not delegate this task of reaching every Japanese person for
Christ TO THE GENERATION OF THE FUTURE. I want to see more than anything else the fulfillment of Christ's Promise of "Greater Works"

Mr. Sasaki in the center had just been baptized

in the river. Warren and Eileen Christianson who

are missionaries at the small town of Asashina.

just ten minutes from Camp, were responsible.

Stanley and Mabel Buttray on the left assisted.
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accomplished now!!! Do you??? -- Stanley Buttray