SIM NEWSLETTER January 1977

Dear Friends,
"Chance and change are busy ever
Man decays and ages move
But His mercy waneth never
God is wisdom, God is love." - Sir John Bowring
As the 30th pf our marriage and first arrival in Japan come in
March anS""'SoveSI^'^^we can say Amen to the words of this great hymn. Thanks
and praise to the faithful God who has led, fed and kept usj and to those
faithful Christians in a few good congregations who have continued through
all these days to pray for and support our-work for Christ. We. look backward
and forward with happiness, and at this point in our journey, conclude that
the best thing we can do is just to "be hot weary in well-doing, for in due
season we shall reap if we faint not."
We acknowledge that there have been many mistakes, failures and short-comings
on our part, but we believe sincerely that the basic decisions to come and
to stay and many of the ones connected with mission policies and people's
lives have been under God's guidance and in accordance with His holy will and
plans,. Through His grace we are at peace with God and man and ourselves.
Having we feel at home in the
Japanese society and value many iriendshipsBut we are still foreigners.
And so is Christ, for we can never lose sight of the fact that the good news
of salvation and life in Christ has been received by only a small minority of
this great people. Our prayer and heart's desire is to be used of Christ in
the good work of building His church here.
MEJIRODAI CHURCH
On the first Sunday of 1976 as I was giving the customary New Year Greetings
in Japanese it occurred to me that one syllable has the same^ sound as the
number 10, and on an impulse I punned that to mean that we should set a goal
of 10 additions to the church. The folks, laughed, but they remembered it and
mentioned it at different times during the year. I think some were praying
,too. We didn't-attain that goal, but during the year the Lordour
number--3 by transfer (a.^Jady; from a Mennonite church in Yokohama, and^ Bap
tist couple from Kyoto who had moved 'into our area) and 5 by baptism (2 hous
ewives, one kindergarten, music teacher and 2 Jr. High School students.) We
now .haf^i lY^ag^ive members. The average attendance at Sunday morning was 23,
and the average'*^6"r holiday School was 61.
Preparations for our Christmas programs occupied much time, thought and en
ergy during November and December, but as usual we enjoyed it and the resr-
ponse of the people helped us to close the old and open the new year on a
high note of joy and encouragement. We had parties for our English classes,
programs at Danny's school and other places, but I will just tell briefly
about the church-related activities. There is some more detail in the Tokyo
Christian, which I hope all of you receive.
On Saturday aight.Dec. 25 we had our Christmas program. We urged whole fam
ilies to attend and were gl.ad to see 7 husbands present. One lady who had
been sick in bed for 2 months was out for the first time on that occasion.
There was a total of 71 people presen-t, and the program was very interesting
and edifying with participation by all ages and levels of musical ability--
begining with a candle service and ending with a gift exchange. After every
one had gone home and the place was straightened up and quiet we placed a
call to Bellville Ohio where it was now Christmas morning and talked with our
9 children, grandchildren and sons-in-law who had gathered at Sylvia's for
their first Christmas together in several years, for 14 minutes. It was worth
more than the phone comp.any billed me.
On Sunday afternoon Dec. 26 we had Beginners Sunday School program. In add
ition to the decorations that had been done by some of the young people the
previous Sunday, the children put up pictures on the walls that depicted what
Christmas, meant to them. They had a nice program of songs, memory verses,
etc. about the Christmas story and were given attendance awards and treats.
There were 25 children and 31 parents or older brothers and sisters present.
Then that evening from 9 o'clock we had the elementary Sunday School program.
That is always the big crowd of the year, and this time we counted 106 people
packed into our.little chapel. The children did exceptionally well on their
memory work and music. The 1-3 graders practiced hard on their harmonicas
and recorders which they are learning in school, and they made an "orchestfa"
accompaniment for their mothers to sing Joy to the World as a grand and happy
finale for the program. The 4-6 graders produced a play of the Christmas
story using silhouette figures held up against a sheet with a back light.
The majiy hand-made figures had moveable parts and holes filled with colored
paper that made it attractive.
In this age group competition for the attendance awards is more intense.
Nineteen of the children attended more than 40 Sundays of the year. Everybody
filed out into the cold night ready for the New Year Vacation and resolved to
attend more next year.
The special offering at the church program was over $300. and most of the
parents who came to the S.S. programs brought offerings, although over 90% of
the homes are non-Christian. The total offerings at the two Sunday School
programs was over $200., which is ah indication of how the church has been
received in the community.
Two of our new Christians helped capable and joyfully with music and other
parts of the Christmas programs, and one older member spent a day preparing
the little candy boxes for the children.
One of the highlights of the year was planning for and carrying out our Vac
ation Bible School, which involved taking 72 people up to a small inn by a
lake in the Fuji area for 2 days of recreation and fellowship. Everyone wo
rked hard and harmoniously and it turned out happily for all. Details were
in an earlier letter.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In addition to our work as preacher and leader in the local church we, of
course, cooperate with the other missionaries and the Japanese ministers.
We have a monthly meeting, fifth Sunday rallies and other special get-toge
thers. We also had another camp in the Fuji Lale area early in August with
over 100 attending. A few of our other responsibilities and Activities are:
1. Chairman of the Yotsuya or Cunningham Mission. This job is mainly con-
nected with administering the remaining property owned by the mission, and
this past year many hours were spent in negotiations with various real estate
oomp^ny represonr arti-ves-jJ-apairesepreacher ^rexr <ioorja laivyeretc
about possible ^ale of the prop^erty where have -14v
is not final because of objections by the neighbors to ere-
""'^lon of a multistoried apartment building which the buyer plans. We continue
to pray for God's guidance in these and other difficult decisions and would
ask you to pray for us.
2. Treasurer of the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, of which a large
number of the 1200 protestant missionaries in Japan are menbers. This takes
at least 1 day a month and more time during the yearly meeting in February
and the summer conference in July.
3. Board member of Japan Missionary Language Institute, a school of 60 or 70
students who are studying this difficult language in preparation for their
life work. Last year a new text was published by the school.
4. 1 was invited to join the local Hachioji Central Lion's Club, which gives
me some contact with people otherwise totally unreached. I have also served
this year on the neighborhood community committee for children's activities.
This helped us to plan our V.B.S. etc. last summer so that church and commun
ity activities didn't conflict.
5. English classes. We teach the children of our neighborhood at the church
on Wednesday afternoons, and 1 have classes at the local High School on
Tuesdays. Lois has a very lively class of local housewives every Friday mo
rning, out of which several have starred coming to church regularly. They
sang as a special choir at the Christmas program. We also teach a good num
ber of the English classes for younger children.
Vie are very thankful that Lois has completely recovered from gall bladder
si^gery last August 31.
'(KM
' TRIP TO THE U.S.
This year we are planning another short trip to the United States to visit
our children, mothers and as many of you friends and supporting churches as
time and opportunity permit. We hope that things can be worked out here so
we can leave in the be in Cincinnati for the North
American Christian Convention. We plan to return Sept ember for
the begining of Danny's 11th year of school. If you would like for us to
visit your church let us know as soon as possible and we will try to work it
into our schedule.
HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS
S:.MS NEWSLETTER . . ^ ^ June 1977
Dear Friends: A-i n . A % 9^JAldt
April and May have been very busy months for us. Now the rainy season is beginning and our
actiyities are somewhat limit.ed, so I will take the opportunity to send a long over-due lett
er. We are all in good health, thankful to the Lord for the opportunities to serve and wor
ship Him in our current situation, and trusting Him fbi^ guidance and strength. We hope all of
you v/ill have a joyful and fruitful summer and be spiritually refreshed.
TRIP TO U.S.A. GIVEN UP
When we wrote in January we were planning a trip to our homeland this summer, believing that
arrangements could be made for someone to take diir plate as preacher and teachers at Mejiro-
dai church for ten weeks or so. But for various reasons all of the people we contacted (both
Japanese and missionaries) were unable to do this. Furthermore we noticed that while the lo
cal church folk imderstood our desire to visit children, grandchildren, parents and friends,
and expressed not one word of criticism or anxiety, there was a little uneasiness and espec
ially hesitancy in planning another Vacation Bible School^ I^began to fear that there might
be a letdown in the enthusiasm and growth that has been building up slowly and steadily for
the past 18 months. So, I began to question whether we should continue to plan for this fur
lough.
After thinking it over for some days I talked to Lois about it. She understood well, and ad*
mitted she too had been feeling some of the same things. Then we talked with Danny, who imm
ediately said, "if it is for the sake of the church, that is a good reason." And that is the
last word he has.said about it. Next, we wrote to our four children living in the U.S., and
tried to explain. Hope, our oldest daughter, summed it up with "we're disappointed, but not
crushed'.' Finally, We fold some of the members of the Mejirodai church who had gathered at
our house for a Sunday School teacher's meeting. There was a period of silence. One said,
"won't your children be disappointed?" Another said, "well, then we had better proceed with
plans for Vacation Bible School this year." All of these things helped to confirm the decis
ion in our minds, and we are sure it was right. ~ "
SUMMER PLANS
V/e are already well along with plans for another VBS up at Lake Saiko, near Mt. Fuji. We plan
to stay 3 days and 2 nights (Aug. 17-19) in the same People's Resort Village that we used last
year. Also we will have a few days at-^e-church for pre-schoolers and others who can't go
on the trip.
There will also be a young people's camp Aug. 1-4, and we are hoping some of our local youth
will be joining again this year. The Japanese preachers are taking all of the leadership in
this project now, with missionaries helping. Also, we will be attending the summer conferen
ce of the Evangelical Missionary Association, of which I am treasurer. This is always held in
the town of Karuizawa up in the mountains about 100 miles from Tokyo, and attended by 300 or
more missionaries from various groups.
Our English classes will continue until the school vacation begins here, which is sometime af-
tor July 20, so we will be busy with our regular schedule except for 6 weeks in late July S
August. Danny hopes to get a job for the summer at McDonalds hamburger place again.
MEJIRODAI CHURCH OUTREACH
Attcr/>.nce here has been running well above last year's, and though still small in comparis-
cr. with most American churches, it is going in the right direction. At our Easter and Pente
cost worship services we had very few empty chairs (there are 50). It really looks good to
see the front rows filled, as all preachers know. On Resurrection Sunday there were 2 bap
tisms. Both of these were middle-aged housewives. One of them began coming to Lois's Eng
lish class about 3 years ago and had been coming to church regularly. The other was her
"ric-nd v/hc first came to one of our home meetings for several months before ever coming to a
worship service. Neither husband was happy about the decisions, but we hope and pray they
will come later.
On Pentecost Sunday the Junior High class sang for us. There were 14 of this age group pre
sent (a new record). But there are some of them every Sunday, which accounts for a large
part of the increase in our average attendance. After church we barbequed hotdogs in our
yard. For some people it was the first time to eat them that way, but 37 people stayed and
had a good time of fellowship on the last nice day before the start of the rainy season.
Lois wanted to have something special for Mother's Day in order to get some people to church
for the first time, but several people said the non-Christian mothers find it impossible to
come on Sunday because it is the only day of the week that husband and children are at home.
So a tea party was planned for Monday morning. May 9. Several of the church ladies spent a
lot of time and effort getting everything ready and all were very happy when 30 people came,
including 5 or 6 who had never been to any church meeting before.
J
In June another of our members will begin a monthly home Bible study, making a total of 3
of our homes in which this is done. The meetings are all led by the Christian housewives on
weekdays. Lois goes to many of them, but I seldom attend. I just rejoice in it.
NEW VAN
In April we bought a hew 8 passenger Toyoto V^, and have used it for taking people to and
from church, etc7~sevemt'times already.Those for Sale on used car lots have been delivery
vehicles mostly, and are too used to be a wofthwhile investment, so we bought a new one. The
old Toyoto Corona car bbught in 1971 when 2 years old gave us 6 years of good service, but
inspection was coming due and we thought the time had come to change cars, and that the lar
ger one would be of more use in our work.
CONVENTIONS
The first trip in the new van was to the 2 conventions which we attend every year. The Jap
anese Convention, held in a nice place beside Lake Biwa down hear Kyoto was attended by over
200 people April 29-May 1. I had one of the messages. Immediately following this the miss
ionaries went to Osaka for 2 days of fellowship and some good messages. We took 2 of our lo
cal members aiid one of the missionary children who attends the Christian^ Academy along with
us and had a good time going and coming back. Oh the way back we stopped briefly at the
home "df one of the former members fromNakano who now lives in Nagoya and has 3 children.
'We would have indeed have been happy to visit our loved ones and friends, attend the NACC,
Lake James and other meetings this summer. But we can also be happy staying here, and all the
more as we believe that this is in accordance with God's will and guidance. We are thankful
that we do not have, to go back to the States to raise money, maintain our phychological or
emotional equilibrium, physical health and strength or report to any head office. We think
those who support us value more highly our staying on the job than being able to see us often
face to face. We trust you will continue to pray for us. We believe that growth in the lo
cal church, our decision to stay and all things mentioned above are answers to the prayers
of many, and are gifts of God who freely and graciously gives above what we ask or think.
Your's in His service,
HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS
SIMS TOKYO MISSION Non-Profit Orgn.
First Church of Christ U.S. Postage Pd.
315 Orange Avenue Permit No 57
Eustis, Florida 32726 Eustis, FL. 32726
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
/^7 _ :
JVh\
Tokyo
Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 76
Fourth Quarter, 1977
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS
V.B.S. group in front of Sims' house.
On August 17-19 the Mejirodai church
had another Vacation Bible School at the
same inn on Lake Saiko where we had our
first and popular excursion-type one in
1976. After a couple of last minute can
cellations because of sickness, 60 first
through seventh grade children and 11
teachers and helpers left the church on
Wednesday morning in 3 chartered
micro-buses. Before we returned Friday
afternoon we had completed a 5 lesson
course prepared by the Japan Sunday
School Union on OUR GOD - 1. The
one God (Moses), 2. The living God
(David and goliath), 3. The righteous
God (Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah) 4. The
loving God (Naaman) 5. The saving God
(Noah), including all the answers in the
workbooks. We also did supplementary
handwork for each class, learned new
songs (the most popular being a
translation of"God is my Father, Jesus is
my brother ..."), got to know each other
better and had a lot of fun. Perhaps the
highlight was an impromptu dramatiza
tion of the story of David and Goliath by
the teachers. Our son Daniel drew
pictures of warriors from the neck down
on large sheets of paper, so the lady
teachers could hold them up and play the
parts of Saul, David's older brothers, etc.
The plumpish lady picked up the tall thin
soldier, and the littlest thin one got the
burly fat one, of course. For humor,
Danny drew them with exposed
stomachs. One mother told the the next
Sunday that her boys came back home
and told their father that soldiers in the
Bible had "their honorable navels"
showing, and drew exact copies of what
they had seen at VBS to prove it. Guess
who was Goliath?
The weather this summer was very
unusual. Beginning on the 5th of August
we had some if not mostly rain every day
for 22 straight days. We hoped and
believed the rain would stop just in time
for our VBS, but it was not to be. Because
of the continuous rain we had to cancel
almost everything planned for outdoors-
hiking, barbecue, games. But Lois had
prepared hand-work for each class from
left-over Standard VBS materials which
we had used several years ago, thinking
something like this might happen. It
really helped us to pass the time usefully.
One father said to one of our teachers,
"We can go sightseeing and picnicing as
a family almost anytime, but this is the
only opportunity for our children to be
with others of the same age in this kind of
activity and surroundings." So in spite of
weather everyone was very happy.
All of our Sunday School teachers and
one of the church ladies who had never
done anything like this before made up
our staff, and they all put in a lot of good
and hard work. We met about one night a
week most of the summer planning
everything, and some of them even made
Number 4
a trip to the lake and the inn and walked
over the hiking course to check on time,
safety, etc. It seemed that we hit upon the
right teacher for each class, although
most of them taught different age levels
than their usual Sunday classes, so
everything went very smoothly. Each
teacher ate, slept, bathed, played and
studied with his or her own class. For
example, a lady who has 2 sons but no
daughters was with the 4th grade girls
and said it was the joy and experience ofa
life-time.
Everyone was supposed to write a post
card home. But there are some smart-
alecs in the group, so several addressed
theirs to God in heaven. The owner of the
inn culled these out when he took them to
the P.O. and returned them to us. Here
are translations of 2 of them: "God, this
year's VBS was fun. I amgoing to believe
in you and study with all my might.
Please guard me. Sayonara." "God, are
you all right? How about Jesus? Thank
you for always hearing my selfish
prayers. I made a very pretty basket.
Also I was able to make friends with
various people and to see an old thatched
roof house. Also I learned how to lay
down sleeping mats and many other
things. Please guard me from now on.
Amen."
All of us who participated in VBS are
very thankful and happy, believing that
God was with us, leading and blessing all
the way.
We had decided to eliminate pre
schoolers from the VBS, but Lois who
helps in that department all the time
thought there should be something for
them during the summer weeks also. So
she began planning for a small 3-day
VBS for the little folks here in the church
building the week following Saiko-Aug.
24-26. One lady who went to Saiko was
free and willing to help, and 2 ladies who
didn't go the previous week volunteered.
Also 3 Junior High girls came at least I
day.
At first it looked like there would be
only 10 or 12 students, but on Sunday,
Aug. 21, there was a rush ofregistrations
and a total of 30 children attended. This
forced us into some busyhours during the
next few days drawing and mimeo
graphing pictures to color and gathering
up other supplies. But we managed to
have a very enjoyable school those 3
mornings from 9:30 AM until noon in
spite of the continuing rain.
-Harold Sims
SAIKO CHRISTIAN CAMP
Contrary to the usual weather pattern,
August in Japan this year was a fairly
cool and very rainy month. Our annual
Christian camp for the Kanto area
churches was held at Lake Saiko during
the first four days of August which was
the beginning of this wet season.
However, we were fortunate in having
very good camp weather, having rain
only on two afternoons.
Attendance this year was very good
with slightly over 80 persons registered.
However, this marked a decrease in the
number of campers from last year.
Camp group at Lake Saiko.
A small hotel on the shore of Lake
Saiko was rented for the camp. Even
though it was not designed primarily for
a camp, it serves-our purposes very well.
The straw-mat floored rooms not only
served as places to sleep at night, but
doubled as classrooms during the day.
Because the lake water is polluted and
deep and the shore consists of huge,
rough, volcanic stones, a nearby
swimming pool was also rented. A ball
park nearby served as the sport center for
the camp.
Excellent Japanese style meals were
served at the hotel, with food both
plentiful and delicious. The most
enjoyable and memorable meal was
cooked outside on Wednesday evening by
the campers. Large platters of pork and
chicken and plenty of vegetables were
cooked on large steel plates heated by red
hot charcoal underneath them.
Classes were held soon after breakfast
and followed by chapel and swimming.
The afternoons were devoted to out-door
Campers gathered in the dining room of hotel at
Lake Saiko.
games and swimming and the evenings
to indoor games and Bible dramas. One
afternoon most of the campers went
hiking. Some explored frigid, deep caves
in the area and climbed a small
mountain. Both were interesting and
exhaustive experiences.
Lake Saiko campers preparing their meal of
"Teppan-yaki".
The speakers and teachers who were
present four days of camp were Hiroaki
Sato, who served as camp manager, Mr.
Takamura, Paul and Mark Pratt,
Stephen Fleenor, Warren Christianson,
and Andrew Patton. Mr. lijima and Mr.
Morohashi served as guest chapel
speakers, bringing one message each.
Two ladies from the state of Iowa, one a
teacher and the other a nurse, were
visiting Japan and were our guests
during the whole camp.
We are thankful that there were no
serious illnesses nor injuries to the
campers during the week. The wonderful
fellowship and great opportunities to
teach the gospel to such a large group of
people during the camp made all the hard
labor in making the week there possible
well worth while.
The "Echo Meeting" or post-camp
rally, was held on September 15th at the
Sannobara Church in Isehara where
Paul Pratt ministers. Songs of joy, a
gospel message, a delicious lunch and
interesting games characterized the
meeting. Snapshots were exchanged by
the campers and experiences
recapitulated. Such remarks as "I have
wonderful memories of camp", "Let us go
again next year." were overheard. We
hope that next year's camp too can be an
avenue to bring the Gospel message to
these and other new campers.
-Andrew Patton
SPECIAL MEETINGS
A series of special meetings were held
at Mejirodai church September 23-26.
Sept. 23 is a holiday in Japan-a left-over
custom of visiting the graves of the
ancestors to announce family news and
changes, now called equinox day. We
showed the rather well-known film
produced by Christians in Japan called
"Yoneko." This is the story of a High
School girl who in grief over her mother's
death sought comfort and meaning in
various things including worldly
amusements and then finally attempted
suicide by jumping in front ofa train. She
lost 1 arm and both legs, but lived to find
Christ, salvation and abundant life. This
happened almost 18 years ago. We were
able to get Yoneko to come in person and
speak to us after the end of the film, and
she left a very deep impression on many
with her fine testimony. We were happy
to see 76 in attendance, which was the
best response we have ever had to our
leaving handbills in every mail-box in
our area.
On the following 2 nights (Saturday
and Sunday) we had Yukio Itagaki, the
preacher at Nakano church come and
give good messages. But the attendance
those nights was only 17 and 12, which
was discouraging. We had planned to
give the invitation Sunday night, for
instance, but there were only Christians
in the audience. So there were no
additions during the meeting, but we do
not give up hope or effort.
We also had a meeting for ladies on
Monday from 10 AM. Many say they are
interested but can't come at night
because of husband getting home late
from work or putting the children to bed,
etc. This was for those people. Some
ladies from Lois' Bible Class at Nakano
church came out for that meeting and
altogether there were 25 present.
Also during this meeting a distraught
mother from the neighborhood came to
talk. Her son had gone for a hike in the
mountains in August and disappeared.
She was seeking solace and guidance.
Since that time she has attended every
Sunday morning service.
-Harold Sims
Bible School students and teachers at the
Sakurayama Church.
SCHOOL AND
TRACT EVANGELISM
In the last issue of Tokyo Christian we
reported the plans of missionaries in
Tokyo to cooperate in evangelizing the
areas where our respective churches are
located. This work actually began
toward the end of September and is being
done on two days a week basis.
The missionaries cooperating in this
work are: Stephen Fleenor, Julius
Fleenor, Warren Christianson, Stanley
Buttray, Paul Pratt, Milton Jones, Dale
Wilkinson, and Andrew Patton. To date
we have spent two days in this
evangelistic work at Yokosuka, 2 days at
Sakurayama and 4 days at Sayama.
Plans are to spend 2 days each at
Asashina and Isehara and one day at
Kamiochiai and one more day at
Sakurayama. Milton Jones and Dale
Wilkinson minister to the Yokosuka
church, Julius and Stephen Fleenor to the
Sayama church, Hiroaki Sato and
Andrew Patton to the Sakurayama
church and Warren Christianson to the
Asashina Gospel Center in Nagano
Prefecture, Paul Pratt to the Sannobara
church and Fumio Sato to the
Kamiochiai church.
As a result of the work done at these
various places an increase in attendance,
especially of the children at Bible School,
has been realized. Sayama showed an
increase of eleven in one week, the largest
of any place so far.
Generally in the mornings tracts are
distributed to homes. In the afternoons
evangelism is done near schools, using a
portable speaker and picture rolls to tell
the gospel story. Beautifully colored
booklets containing excerpts from the
Gospels and inserts are distributed. In
the evenings tracts are distributed at
railway stations while a speaker is used
to preach to the people.
As usual, public attitudes shown to the
workers as they visit homes and mingle
with people vary from cold to warm.
Sometimes people politely refuse
literature we offer them, but seldom do we
meet a very rude or unkind person.
Near the Sakurayama church we
distributed in 30 minutes over 500
booklets with inserts and handbills
announcing our church services to the
students of a nearby high school. If we
had had literature two or three times this
quantity, we could have easily
distributed them too because of the large
enrollment in the high school. Following
our work at Sayama, a young person
asked a missionary wife in the
neighborhood where the church was. He
had received a tract from us and wanted
to know the location of the church. While
we were distributing tracts in Yokosuka
we met a mother who said her child had
received tracts from us before the school
and that they were reading them
together.
Such evangelism is hard work but we
are encouraged by the results. We believe
we shall reap souls if we do not faint.
-Andrew Patton
Andrew Patton telling the Gospel story to children
on a street corner. (Julius Fleenor at left).
BUTTRAYS' REPORT
Now, thirty-two years after the Second
World War ended in Japan the dollar has
weakened and slid to its lowest value yet.
The daily newspaper headlines and the
T.V. - Radio news broadcasts frantically
vie with one another in trying to reach
the public first with such devastating
news.
More than any other foreigner in
Japan the missionary is hardest hit by
the falling dollar. The fact is, it is not so
much that the dollar is weakening, as it is
the true value of the Japanese Yen is
being permitted freedom to surface.
Regardless, either way you look at it,
the missionary will increasingly find it
more and more costly and difficult to
accomplish the goal for which he came to
Japan.
A definite retrenchment of
missionaries began as the dollar began to
waver. And it appears the trend is
continuing (according to reports)
unabated. Major Denominational
Missionary Boards are evidently (due to
the Yen-dollar situation) constantly
reviewing (in a relative way) the values of
the missionary in Japan. Consequently,
some missionaries are being called home
with the idea of sending them to other
less costly and more fertile fields of
endeavor.
Doubtless, the decreasing value of the
dollar; the yearly ten to thirteen per cent
increased cost of living; and increased
taxes will eventually decimate the ranks
of missionaries while causing all
remaining to tighten their belts.
Certainly the various advancements
made by this world of humanity during
the last fifty years, coupled with
decreasing morality, increasing crime, a
weakening, liberal, loveless church, and
a multiplication of nature disruptions...
declares to everyone who is looking for
the return of Jesus Christ, that, "It won't
be long now"!
Stanley Buttray
BIBLE CAMP
Since we have now had six and a half
acres of Camp Land for more than three
years, it is only reasonable to think that
during this time Camp facilities would
have materialized. But due to
insufficient finances, it still remains
within a beclouded future entity.
Gifts and offerings received for the
Camp during this past year have not yet
totaled $2,000.00. And we still have been
unable to attain a definite time schedule
in the saleofthe Kamiochiai property. So
another long year passes into history,
with our goal ofan evangelistic camp still
in a hopeful future.
In view of the above information, we
continue to ask for your prayers and
financial support for the construction of
permanent Camp buildings on the
Shinshu Bible Camp grounds.
Gifts and offerings are to be sent to our
forwarding agent:
Mrs. Lois Hessler
P.O. Box 287
Meadville, PA 16335
designating them (Shinshu Bible Camp).
Stanley Buttray
November 15, 1977 will mark 30 years
since Harold and Lois Sims first arrived
in Japan. They are not thinking of
retirement yet, but rather ofthe prophet's
prayer, "Lord, revive Thy work in the
midst of the years." We are thankful to
have been called and allowed to serve up
till now, and look forward to more years
and more fruit ahead. We just completed
the renewal of our visas and driver's
licenses for the next 3 years; and plan to
ride out the stormy waves of sinking
dollars and rising yen and other such
temporary changes.
Tokyo Christian
Published four times a year in Jan
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
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 2-26-4
Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs.
Garydon Hessler, 760 Garden St.,
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.6, Box 14
B, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.,
Eustis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
EXCHANGE RATE
FALLS
Uncertainty seems to characterize
economic conditions and trends
worldwide today. The exchange rate
between the U.S. dollar andtheJapanese
Yen has especially been affected by this
circumstance. Six years ago we were
receiving 360 Yen per dollar, but in
January of this year we were receiving
about 290 Yen per dollar at the banks in
Japan. Now in the middle of October the
worth ofthe dollar is down to 253 Yen and
we do not know if the bottom has been
struck or not.
One encouraging note is that the Bank
of Japan has promised to intervene to
prevent the dolleur from falling below 250
Yen, but the pressure is expected to
continue on the dollar, at least
temporarily.
What does this 15 percent application
of the Japanese Yen this year and 30
percent appreciation since 1971 mean to
the missionaries and their work? It is the
equivalent of having their support cut
29.7 percent in six years, while at the
same time commodity prices are
constantly rising. Most missionaries are
operating on a tight budget and they can
ill afford such financial shocks. Only a
few whom we know have received
additional funds to compensate for
exchange losses and inflation.
Again it seems that what is good for
America is bad for the work ofAmerican
missionaries in Japanr~Ainerican~goodff"
can be sold more competitively now in
Japan, while Japanese goods sold on the
American market are priced higher. If
this trend does not lose force soon we fear
the American missionary will be
gradually squeezed out of Japan for lack
of funds.
If the price of all American goods
exported to Japan would be reduced on
the Japanese market it would be helpful.
But little or no reduction has been made
so far here and the prospectivereductions
planned soon v^l be on selective
commodities like tobacco, automobiles,
whiskey, and other goods which the
missionary will not purchase. It seems
that the more equitable course would be
to reduce prices of all American goods,
but this seems not to be contemplated.
It would be good for the nervous system
and livelihood of the American
missionary in Japan if this uncertainty
and pressure were removed.
-Andrew Patton
NEWS NOTE
On Oct. 8, 9, and 10, Harold and Lois
Sims helped Exie Fultz to move from her
apartment in Tokyo down to her small
house on Awaji Island, near Kobe.
PATTON NEWS
BIRTHDAYS
On October 4th Andrew observed his
60th birthday. He passed the day quietly
by plastering the walls of a room at the
Sakurayama church that will be used for
another classroom. He is grateful that
his health allows him to do such work at
that age and only a few months after a
serious illness. He and Mr. Sato have
painted most of the inside walls of the
church building recently.
Noel, the oldest Patton son, will
observe his 21st birthday on December
22nd. He and Philip continue to live and
work inJoplin, Missouri. StephenPatton
will celebrate his 17th birthday on
January 5th.
ANNIVERSARIES
Andrew and Betty will celebrate their
25th wedding anniversary on December
20th. No great celebration is plannedbut
naturally to themit is an occasion for joy
and thanksgiving. Only 18 days later, on
January 7rii, Andrew will celebrate his
30th anniversary as a missionary to
Japan for on that date in 1948 he began
his work as a Christian evangelist in
Japan. In the preceding year (1947) the
Rushsylvania church in Ohio began to
support him in his work and they have
continued to doso until now. Theyare his
oldestsupporter and he~wishe8~66~thanlr"
them for their faithfulness during these
many years.
NEW CLASSES
Andrew has started two new English
Bible classes for high school students,
one at the Sakurayama church on
Sunday morning and the other at the
Arakawa church on Sunday afternoon.
Prospects for members for ^ese classes
look good and each student who comes is
POSTMASTER
FORM 3579 REQUESTED
BOX 177, KEMPTON, IN 46049
encouraged to attend the worship service
also. These classes should afford many
opportunities for personal evangelism.
FALL WORK
SCHEDULE
Andrew and Betty are now working
exclusively with the Sakurayama and
Arakawa churches. Andrew tried to
restart his English classes but had to
close them again because they overtaxed
his energy. He has found other avenues
of service in the two churches and in
cooperation in evangelism with the other
missionaries and is busy all the time.
Now that he is no longer teaching
English, the proceeds from those classes
are no longer available for use in the
work. This has caused a temporary
strain to their funds but they believe the
Lord will continue to provide for these
needs as He has in the past.
THANKSGIVING
As we approach the Thanksgiving and
Christmas seasons, we become
overwhelmed at the number of things
that we can actually list and praise the
Lord for. Even some sorrows, woes and
worries were turned into joys and
blessings and thankfulness as God was
-allowed to work inrHis way. His time and
His place and through His chosen person
or persons. We know too, that God cares
and provides for us in many ways
unknown to each of us. Because of His
faithfulness in all things, may we enjoy a
special time of praise and thanksgiving
at this time of year. For you who have
faithfully given of your tithes and
offerings, taken time to pray with us and
for us, our many thanks to the Lord for
each one. We pray that God will give us
many more days to do His will in the land
of Japan.
Christmas 1977
Dear Friends,
Another season of greetings comesever faster, it seems. We are at
the same place, preaching and practicing the same things, keeping the same
weight and glad of it. We hope that at least in faith, health and happiness
each one of you is also "the same." And we all know and rest our souls in the
belief that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
We first arrived in Japan 30 years ago on Nov. 15, 19^7. Of course
there have been many changes in the world around us since then, but we have
no regrets about our decision to come here as mSssionarles and to stay. The
Lord has blessed His woric in Japan, and wo are thankful to have seen and par
ticipated in some of the action and look to Him for guidance in days ahead.
The Mejirodai church which began 7 years ago now has 22 members, of
idiom 19 are active and faithful. Eight of these teach in our Sunday School
idiich averages above 60. This year our morning worship attendance has averaged
in the high twentieslarger than the membership. 6o children and 11 teachers
and helpers went on a 3-dfity carap-VBS trip to the foot of Mt. Fuji, in August,
and the following week we had a 3-day VBS for the smaller children here at the
church, with 30 attending. This year Lois started a Ladies Chorus, and there
are now 3 Bible study groups meeting at least once a month in homes of our
Japanese Christians.
Japan continues to enjoy economic prosperity. A new aparianent building
having ^ condominiums costing $60,000 each sold out within 2 hours in this
neighborhood in September. The dollar continues to lose value relative to the
yen. After getting 3^0 yen for a dollar for over 20 years we have seen the
dollar shrivel to around 250 yen presently while prl ces have continued upward.
But don*t worry about us. We oTirselves are not anxious about what we will eat
or wear. We are supplementing our income from the U.S. by some English teaching,
and from this spring the local church began giving us $100. per month. We think
this is good training for them and proper sharing of responsi.bilities.
HOPE and Tom Schmidt and their daughters Becky (6) and Melinda (2) now
live just outside of Markle, Indiana and are happy and active workers in the
church there. Tom works for Fruehauf Co.
SYLVIA and Dave Smith and their daughter Rachel (18 months) are still
in Bellville, Ohio. Dave works for Westinghouse Co.
JONATHAN is in his second year of graduate study at Cincinnati Chri stian
Seminary, and supports himself working nights at the Federal Reserve Bank.
BOBBY is working at an electri c appliance parts place during the day and
studying at the Ohio College of Applied Science at nights.
DANIEL is in the eleventh grade at Christian Academy in Japan, drawing
cartoons for the student newspaper and taking pictures for the yearbook with
my camera. In Japan he can't get a driver's license yet, though he is l6.
Yours in Chri.st's service.