2'

IXTHUS MTSSION TO JAPAN

JAPAN ADDRESS:

IXGTI

X T H U S

is a Tax Exempt CoTp.U.S. for funds address:

y^fM^ Rochester, Rochester, MN MN 55904 55904

Tel: (507)288-6554

FLEENORS r % /o T. I . Grice oiii-c715 14th St. 715 14th St. S.E. S.E.

4-25-8 Trumagawa P.O. Box 13 oayaiiid v^j.Ly, Saitama ocij. Lctiiict Sayama City,

Tel. Tel. 0429-53-7262 0429-53-7262

JAPAN 350-13

March 1985 Dear Faithful Friends:

NEWSLETTER

WHO IS PRAYING OUT THERE?

WE CAN SEE THE EFFECTS!

MUCH GOOD NEWSi KAMO CHURCH was completely paid for as of December 31, 1984. rived on December 25th making this possible. PRAISE GOD!

A check ar

There is another new complete family in the church there. Two new home Bible study groups have been opened - one in a Christian home and one in a non-Christian home. A new mission ary, Chris Bonesteel, is due to arrive to be self-supporing by teaching in two high schools
and also her home church will give her a monthly amount plus her travel expenses. bring new young people into the church. This will

SAYAMA CHURCH GROWS SPIRITUALLY AND IN NUMBER. A new University student was baptized. HAGA HOUSE CHURCH is growing in number. Mrs. Haga has given Virginia her round trip fare to the Philippines for evangelism. Mr. and Mrs. Kaide are in negotiations to buy a building 30 minutes by car to the north of Sayama to start a "Juku" Tuition School and upstairs house a missionary who can be self-supporting by teaching English and to begin a Sunday School and evangelistic outreach in this town where there is no church. We are in the prayerprovision stage of this. Pray we get a new couple to come to work with them. They are already soul-winners and have home meetings in their home near Sayama, Dr. Tanaka, a medical doctor, has already volunteered his summer vacation of two weeks to help in a jungle clinic in the Philippines this year. Dr. Yamamoto, a dentist, has volun teered to go in the future to do dental work in the jungle areas where some people have never seen a dentist in their lives and need teeth pulled as well as medication.
VIRGINIA IS IN THE PHILIPPINES WITH ALL FLIGHTS COVERED BY SAYAMA CHURCH for one month -

Feb. 23 to March 23. Julius will teach her 6 classes a week besides his preaching and teaching schedule. Laurie will go for two weeks of this time. Ladies in the churches and English Bible classes have given money for food as well as good

used clothing (3 large suitcases full) for Virginia to take to villages in the Philippines
where the typhoons destroyed many homes.
MISSIONS COME ALIVE IN 1985

JOHN AND JOE will return to Japan from California for three months of evangelism in June, July and August. We shall need $1,500 for each which will cover their airfares from the U.S., their travel in Japan and expenses, and start them back for their third year in Pacific Christian College in California by September 1st. They both feel called to Japan. They need to brush up their Japanese, help in camp and calling and witnessing.
Southeast Christian Church in Salt Lake City has supported our work on a monthy basis for 15 years. The Wright sisters there are wonderfully gifted musicians. We are asking the church to give them each $1,000 for two months of evangelism in Japan to speak and sing

in high schools, churches, conventions, and our camp work.

Pray about this possibility.

We are planning a tour of Japan for American Christians in mid-October. Two weeks plus meeting with missionaries in four main areas. Cost is $2,500 staying in hotels and travelling the bullet train to Kyoto, Tokyo, Karuizawa, Osaka, etc. There is an optional stop-over in Hawaii. Write to us if you want the information. If we have over 20 people we can then reduce the cost. If you get 10 people to travel with you, your cost is only
$500. for the two weeks.
We have asked God for
VIRGINIA AND JULIUS FLEENOR

PRAY FOR US.

100 new missionaries, 100 new places to be opened, 100 new Japanese soul winners and home meetings or churches opened by them before our lives are over in Japan. We have been here 35 years and asked God for 50. Virginia will be President Reagan's age at
that time. Then we ask God to use

us for a world-wide ministry if He

tarries.

We need daily, continual prayer. We

have more invitations to teach than

we can handle. are wide open.

The doors of Japan The Japanese govern

ment is kindly and helpful to us.

PRAY THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND FORTH LABOURERS INTO HIS FIELD WHITE UNTO HARVEST.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL AND THE LABOURERS FEW.

BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU, WHO PRAY, give volunteer typing and mailing time, and work with your
tearts and bodies and send money for our work here that God has called us to do.

We hope the Japanese Church will become a great missionary nation.

Faithfully yours, sSAYAMA Church Building
live on second floor

Fleenors

JOE AND JOHN - Second year students Pacific Christian College. Plan on service to Japan

1984 -

Karuizawa Summer Camp

Haga House Home Church Meeting

Bill Belew lives 15 miles from

Kamo and Recruited Chris Bonestetter

IXTHUS MISSION TO JAPAN

JAPAN ADDRESS:

IXGTZ

X T H U S

is a Tax Exempt Corp.U.S. for funds address:

4-25-8 Trumagawa
P.O. Box 13

(^Ani4tceui 7Hia49k

FLEENORS % I. Grice 715 14th St. S.E.

Sayama City, Saitama

JAPAN 350-13

Kochester, MN

55904

Tel. 0429-53-7262

JULY 1985 NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends:

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS

AS NEVER BEFORE!

Ix

111

i t

Doing the Mission work we are called

to do and also writing the details to

you are difficult so this will be the

news in brief.

In April Julius and Virginia made an evangelistic trip to KAMO (northern Japan) work. That trip resulted in
two being baptized. We went over to

Sanjo (biggest town in area) and used

the heated baptistry of Bill Bellews of the Niigata Christian Mission so that many of his English and American
club students might have a chance to

witness a baptism for the first time

in their lives.
cut decisions.

It was a hard trip,

but i t is always a joy to see clear-

Julius with KAMO CHURCH FAMILIES the day two

more were baptized into Christ in late April.

News that Mr. & Mrs. Joel Likins (he is the son of former missionaries to Japan) plan to

missionary couple to live in the town to attract young people.

church.

arrive in September to teach English in the schools and homes and live in Kamo town and help in the KAMO CHURCH was a great encouragement to that church. They have wanted a
Joel can speak some

Japanese so he can help do teaching in the church and encourage the young men of the
Bill Bellews* mission board and the Lexington, Ohio, Church have recommended

them for this year of English-and Bible-teaching in Japan.

young couple's coming.
PRAY FOR JULIUS

PRAY FOR GOD's WILL in this

These last six months have been the heaviest in many years.

First, he accepted English

jobs in a high school and college for contacts with students and for funds to enable us
to secure a used 9-passenger van.
cheaper.

This loan must be paid off.

There are high road taxes,

insurances, inspection fees, etc. We have used Stephen's car for the past year and paid the two year inspection fee, insurances, etc. This was like renting a car only much During these last months Julius has been in contact with 700 students and teachers in
Bible and English classes in the schools and here at the church. His hours have been

long and hard.

GOOD NEWS

Stephen will take over the preaching at Sayama for July and August when
Also,

he returns July 15th from his furlough.

In June one more person was baptized into Christ here at Sayama,

another Home Bible study was opened for youth at the Haga House Church.

It seemed wise for our adopted Japanese sons to be here for the summer to get back into the

ppi^^ 'plumbing on the camp building and all^ of us

^ mission funds.

the provision for the extra this is taking from

John will do some necessary

PRAY FOR THEM THAT THIS BE A FRUITFUL SUMMER

Using Japanese and getting the feel of the

language and culture is very important.

They have two more years before graduation from

Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, CA. They say it is hard to study and work on the side, too, but we are limited in what we can send monthly to them. If any church is
interested in helping them at this time it will be much appreciated. NOTE FOR PRAYER In June Virginia had a serious kidney infection - 5 days after recovery
Thus the delay in getting out the newsletter. Pray we stay she had a bad flu attack.
well the rest of this year!

Page 2
VIRGINIA'S JAPAN-TO-PHILIPPINE MISSION TRIP

The trip Virginia made with Laurie to the Philippines

has been fruitful in the increased interest of the

Japanese and involvement in their nearest neighbor with many needs. Chuck and Mickey Richards (friends of many years) met us at the airport. Lorita McKinney of the Aparri Christian Mission used her jeepney. The Carmens, Boudreauxs, Selbys, and the Charles Littells and their son's family all provided special hospitality. Our tribal visit with the Littells from the southern

island city of DAVAO.gave us great insights as to how

Dr. Chuck Richards and wife,

the Japanese could help.

Our main visits were with

Mickey of S.T.E.P, Mission,

Enrile, Phil.

the Richards in Enrile to see t h e i r translation work

and see how they were relating to the community in many ways by translating the Bible and doing various relief projects in the area. Our visit to the Cagayan Christian Children's Home showed us other ways the Japanese could help. J.A.P.A.L. Project was initiated. It stands for Japan America Philippines Agape Line. Thus, Virginia made a 21-day trip to the U.S. for various missionrelated business matters and communicated to our

supporters on this.

RESULTS:

Dr. Kim, our Korean-American ^e doctor in

Dr. Eddie Kim in California

after giving Virginia her eye check-up this year.

California has already sent one large bag of medical journals by mail to the Charles Littells for the Davao Hospital. The Littells bring in the worst cases from the tribes where their teams do evangelism to this government hospital for surgery and treatment. Dr. Kim plans to go next year to lecture in his
specialty. Volunteers were found in California to truck relief

goods for the Philippines to San Diego Naval Base.

CONTACT PERSON FOR PICK UP TIME IS:

CAROLINE HANSTAAD, J.A.P.A.L. U.S. Representative, 2500 E. Nutwood Ave., Fullerton, CA 92631 (714) 879-3901, ext. 211. She will give you the time for taking goods to the pick-up point for trucking to
Evangelist-Pastor Romeo Gorospe of the Aparri
Church of Christ

San Diego for Operation Handclasp to be shipped by the Navy to the S.T.E.P. Mission. Things are to be brought to the Pacific Christian College Parking lot for pick-up on a specific day. Each box must be marked properly, and she has taken the responsibility
for doing this. TWO PHILIPPINE SHORT TERM MISSIONARIES COME They are

business college students, daughters of Pastor Gorospe, With the financial help of the Japanese and our f\inds

we brought Jeanie and Brenda Gorospe for a 60-day Mission to Japan. Their English Bible classes, testi monies, and singing have brought the Philippine Church
Brenda & Jeanie Gorospe,
short term missionaries

closer.

Jeanie has returned home.

Brenda has an

from Philippines to Japan

extended visa until the end of August so she can help in the surtuner camp work.

PRAY THE J.A.P.A.L, Project might be fruitful for the Japanese, American and Philippine Churches in bringing us close to Jesus Christ and His Message.

Some Japanese plan a tour in February to the Philippines to take relief clothing and to
see the Mission Work first hand.

THE SUMMER IS NOW UPON US AND WE GO UP THE MOUNTAIN TO PREPARED THE CAMP BUILDINGS AND TO PREPARE FOR THE CAMPS. Pray this be a fruitful summer.

Thanks to each of you who have helped us in each project. Pray our lives count for Christ. Not only is our work the bringing of people into a relationship of knowing Jesus Christ as
Saviour but also we must continue in a nurturing work.
Mr ^

Again, thank you for holding up our hands.

Agape,

Julius and VirginLa

/ a ^5
THANKSGIVING TXTHUS MISSION TO JAPAN JAPAN ADDRESS:

ixerz

X T H U S

is a Tax Exempt Corp.-_

U.S. for funds address:

(^^^U^tcOK 'THiAdtOK t& fa^iuut

Dear Faithful Friends,

FIEENORS t 715 14th

I.
St.

Crice S.E.
55904

4-25-8 Trumagawa P.O. Box 13 Sayama City, Saitama

JAPAN 350-13

Rochester. MN

Tel. 0429-53-7262

Please accept this as a personal letter to each most joyous thanksgiving and also with some of

the most difficult of circumstances with great

resources. Often we quoted the WORD "In every-

B.-JbI'

Julius is pictured to the right talking with

professors of one of the schools where he has

been asked to teach English. The funds from

Mik*

which we needed for mission transportation.

1.

English teaching enabled us to buy a used van

\Sl^f

GIVE THANKS WITH US FOR THESE VICTORIES ^ " A Philosophy professor from Josai University where Julius teaches English came

in late August with Dr. Sato sayiing, "I've studied all the philosopies and
religions and only JESUS CHRIST makes sense. Will you baptize me? I live too

far from the Sayama Church to attend regularly, but I desire to open a Bible class and discussion group in my home." Pray he leads his whole family in the same faith and that his home will become a Home Church meeting place. 2. Dr. Sato, professor at Josai University and a faithful Christian at Sayama holds monthly Bible Seminars in his home brought his University secretarial assis
tant and she confessed her faith and was baptized,

3. YURI (means Lily in Japanese) has attended services for over 7 years at Sayama. She also has conducted Bible studies at her University for 4 years. Her parents never allowed her to be baptized. She came last month saying that now she has graduated from University her parents think she is sincere enough to become a Christian. With tears she was baptized and took the Lord's supper.
4. THE HAGA HOUSE CHURCH This Christian home has conducted Bible studies for

many -y-ear-s an-d after Grandfather Haga at age 72 became a Christian, he desired his home be used to the fullest to bring otheig to Jesus Christ. His wife,

daughter, and two grandsons are Christians. Now they have opened two more classes A YOUTH BIBLE STUDY meeting twice a month and a monthly discussion group of nonChristians. They also have concerts and monthly evening services with an evan gelistic message or a testimony by a Christian. Now they come asking Virginia to open a Ladies Weekly EfiJglish class for a new group. After the class a free EnglishJapanese Bible class will be offered for those interested.

5.

THE FUJITA HOME MEN'S BIBLE STUDY was opened in September,

We had the joy

Our son,

of teaching and baptizing this entire family over the past 10 years.

Stephen, (missionary to Japan for 13 years) has taken on this joyous job. Pray we might have more men desiring to open their homes. Friends and neighbors will more likely come into a Japanese home than a church building to hear the gospel
for the first time.

6.

DAITO UNIVERSITY OPPORTUNITIES

Because we had no mission funds to buy a

mission car, Julius accepted an English job at this University, praying that a chance would come where he could evangelize students who might never enter a

church. In October the Advanced English Speaking Society, a group of 60 top English speaking students, asked Julius to speak 30 minutes on the subject "My
Concept of GOD". Then the Gruup of 60 members asked Julius to answer their questions for 90 minutes. Julius said that evening, "I felt a special help

from the Holy Spirit. 7.

I felt God had been preparing me all my life to give the

right answer to each question."

A private high school near Sayama asked Julius to teach English and to write

his life story which they translated into Japanese for the students and teachers. This account, of course, included how and why he had faith in Jesus Christ. 8. We give thanks for over 800 students each month with whom Julius has contact.

Someone has said that faith in Christ is "caught" more than "taught". 9. Sayama Church Bazaar We have never encouraged bazaars for a church support method. However, last year the church decided to have a bazaar for the community and sent all the proceeds to Africa famine areas through a Christian group. This
month they did the same for Mexico earthquake victims and combined it with a two

day evangelistic meeting and gave literature to 4000 homes. This has brought the church closer to the community and is making them feel and understand the
reason for the Church in this world.

THELMA LITTRELL Faithful newsletter

editor and mailer

Mr.

& Mrs.

KAIDE

open new evangelistic work and church plant ing effort in NAGASE
Town.

MORE

THANKSGIVING

Mr. & Mrs. Kaide came out of a strong Buddhist cult and for the past three years have been faithful in the Sayama Church winning her mo-her and tilso a neighbor to
Christ. This year they purchased a building in the town of Nagase, about AO miles north of Sayama City, They have made it into a Tutoring Scool and rent the upstairs apt. to make payments. In October they opened regular 3:00 p.m.

Sunday services.

Our son, Stephen, a missionary for 13 years, has been doing

the preaching and house to house visitation with the Kaides. The Kaides have said that it is their hope to open 10 such schools in their life-time and plant churches within these Tutoring School buildings. Pray that more Japanese

will prayerfully and creatively be used to witness to their people.

JAPAL PROJECT

How thankful Virginia and Laurie(our 17 year old) are to have been able to go to the Philippines last March. The results of our seeking to find how the Japanese Church could do more for the Philippine people has resulted in the Union Church of Tokyo asking Virginia to present the needs. They sent $600 to the Children's Home in Cagayan Valley. Providentially, we have met the son of the mayor of Sayama City who is a Christian. Through Dr. Tanaka, a member of the Sayama Church, we are working on a project to get Japanese
pharmaceuticals to donate needed medicines for the medical clinics conducted

by the Littels,

Christian Church Missionaries,

in the southern island of

the Philippines.

Many tribal areas there have 80% t.b. cases in their group.

Japan had much t.b. at the end of W.W. II but has virtually wiped out this disease by medication, vitamins and education on prevention. Thanks to

Caroline Handstad, the California JAPAL (Japan-America-Philippine Agape Line) representative one large shipment of clothing has been sent through the

US Navy Operation Handclasp method where they ship relief goods free of charge.
The Charles Richards of S.T.E.P. will use these things for flood relief
victims in their area.

SPECIAL

THANKS

TO

THELMA

Pictured to the right above is one of our dear friends of Mission to Japan.
Thelma taught in the Los Angeles City Schools from 1932 to 1970. From 1970 to

1980 she has been a volunteer worker for Children's Hospital and the Braille
Institute. For 60 years she has been a faithful worker in the Christian Church.

For over 12 years she has done the mailing of our newsletter and kept our
mailing list up to date and corrected. In spite of times of serious illness and hospitalizations, THELMA has never missed getting the newsletter out. It

saddens us that her present health problems make it necessary for her to give up this work. Irene Grice, our forwarding secretary, has agreed to take over this very big job from 1986 on. Thelma often sent an offering which covered
the cost of printing and mailing. THANK YOU, THELMA, and may God return 100 fold to you for helping us keep the communications lines open to our American
co-workers and supporters.
OUR NEEDS

Once again the U.S.

dollar to Yen exchange has reduced our mission income.

In

the pastr~two months "tHe exchange dropped" from" 235 yen to $1.00 "down to 201 yen
to a $1.00. WE DO NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT and ALSO INCREASED SUPPORT. If your group or church has any emergency mission reserves this is the time we

need them.

In order to do our evangelistic work, we cannot take on any more

extra English jobs.

If you are not a regular supporter of the work here, please use the enclosed envelope to tell us you want to remain on our mailing list because you want to
pray for us. We try to trim our mailing list from time to time to use our funds for printing and mailing only to interested individuals and churches.
Sin cerely, Julius & Virginia <k,

Please continue sending me your newsletter I I

Please drop me from your mailing list

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