U37

^
P o

r u

(T)
^
no T e-gami

(Paul's Epistle)
CENTRAL JAPAN

^ V MAR 1

CHRISTIAN MISSION

"..declare His praise in the islands." Isa. h2:12

verseas/ftddress

Mark and Lynn Pratt

Forwarding Address

c/o Mr. Hubert Lusby

R.R, # I,

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

Paul & Kathleen Pratt

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City,

Kanagawa Ken, 259-lli Japan.

2910 East 9Sth St.,

Indianapolis, Ind., 46280

Williamstown, Ky., 41097

Ph. 317-844-3659

Phone 606-824-552

Ph. 0463-95-1019

Vol. XXIII, Winter, 1979

Dear friends.

Happy New Year to you alii

In the Oriental calendar this is the year of the sheep.

thankful to God that He sent the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world".
task is to tell that world about sin in order that they can look for His

We are
Now our

atonement.

My father, John S. Pratt, passed on to his reward on Sept. 12, 1978 (my birthday)at the age
of 89- As a carpenter he never had much of this world's goods, but he and mom both knew what we
needed in order to find that 'abundant life'. For this we are grateful. Mom passed away
just
ten years ago. Two of her nine children preceeded her in death. All the remaining seven child
ren are following the Lord, one of them is a minister, six grandsons are preaching, three grand
daughters have married preachers and still another is in a full time Christian service. By the
way, dad died within one day of the l6th anniversary of Kathleen's father's passing.
IN MEMORIUM

JOHN SNYDER PRATT

Shepherd, Michigan, Westlawn Church Women's Miss. Council

&

Mr. & Mrs. Leo Cohoon

Thanks to the generosity of the Sannobara Church and it's S1500 condolence gift it was pos
sible for me to go back for the funeral, have a wonderful reunion with our children & my broth
ers and sisters and to visit four of our churches. I was back by Sept. 27th.

Five days after my return, Mark, Lynn and the kiddies left for a nine month furlough taking
the Hiromichi Kara family for their one month sight-seeing tour. Many of you in Indiana & Ken
tucky met these fine Christian people who operate the Kentucky House Restaurant in Isehara. You

may have read the story in Horizons about Michitaro, their son. In addition to visiting living
link churches Mark is concentrating on his Master's thesis at Cincinnati.

In Mark and Lynn's absence, Sara Bumey, the daughter of Don and Norma Burney, Shikoku, who

with our children. Stateside

Rick, Shara, Lydia, Paul D, Paul S, Mary

brothers, Ralph, Paul, George, Eraojry

sisters, Lillian, Catherine, Wiletta

graduated from George Pepperdine U. last June has come to take over their classes and to live in
their rented house* We, too, appreciate her teaching S.S, for us, playing the piamo and assist
ing with Tiny Tots Worship at the Sannobara Church.

Many thanks to you who have taken away part of the loneliness for us at Christmas with your
love gifts, edible and wearable gifts and lovely cards. As we have said before, the growth of
our family in Christ here is great reward. Five adults were baptized in 1978, one is the
hus
band of our treasurer and two others were a couple united in Christ. 'Tom* Takahashi spoke his
thanks on his Christmas card. "I don't forget your kindness to me, forever. I'm always happy to
know Jesus. God bless you." These dedicated Christians are yours and our fruit.
Did you know that ... "The Little House on the Prairie" is pointing up Christian princi
ples to Japan's Saturday P.M. audiences? ... a Christian documentary (testimonies) television
program is shown weekly on Thursday at 9^00 A.M. in addition to the "Hope For Tomorrow" series
shown each Saturday at 7iOO A.M?. . the Sannobara Church is in the process of becoming a Non
profit Corporation?. .. if a driver is shown by the balloon test to have alcohol on his breath
the Japanese police may revoke his driver's license?. .. while American children look for Santa

on Christmas, the Japanese children head for grandma & grandpa's house on New Years hoping for
a New Year's Treasure, and they are getting $50 to S500 each, depending on the status or wealth
of the grandparents?. .. Darrel 8e Peggy Worley and little Tracy from the North Liberty Church,
Indianapolis, are now worshipping with us? Darrel is a Marine Guard working at both the Atsugi
and the Kamiseya Naval Stations about kO minutes away by car.
Harold Akers was installed as a Trustee of the Central Japan Christian Mission at our Sep
tember meeting. He and Neomia have been busy traveling to churches as our representatives. They
have slides and display materials and are awaiting your call. Dial 219-288-0098.
Believe it or not, Japan's new prime minister is a Christian. However, before Ohira
was
elected he publically visited what is called The New Victor's Buddhist Temple in Chiba. Since he
became the Premier Christian groups have been speaking out. When he announced plans to
visit
the Ise Shrines they petitioned against it. They stated that the Premier's visit to Shinto-type
Shrines "contravened article 20 of the Constitution, which bans all religious activities of the
State". Likewise they stated that Mr. Ohira as a Christian, "should not do such a thing, if he
had any religious conscience". Maybe the Christians can help keep Ohira's shoes polished.

By no stretch of the imagination could a Christian reasoning be given to the recent tragedy
of more than 900 suicides. Suicides are common in Japan. Just a few days before that Guyana
happening reached our news wires we read of a family of nine persons in rural Japan dying in a
suicide pact. Very keenly aware of the Christian commitment is Masami Sugimoto who is
serving
in an orphan home. He observed that, "In a real sense when we give ourselves to Christ we com
mit suicide. The old man of sin dies and we begin a new life in Him."
He is giving no apolo
getic for physically taking one's life. But Masami has caught Jesus challenge that, "Unless a
grain of wheat falls into the earth aind dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it di^s, it
bears much fruit." (John 12:24 NASV) Are we bearing much fruit? rr j:
^^
^
P.S. If you have moved and wish to continue receiving the 'Epistle' just drop a post card to our

South Bend address.

home.

Or if a shut-in would like, we want to sent the 'Epistle' directly to the

This is Betty Burnham's address and she will be glad to send it to anyone who wishes.

Central Japan Christian Mission

19194 Helen St-

South Bend, Indiana, 46637

A Non-profit Organization
BULK

Address Correction Requested

U.S.

RATE

POSTAGE

PAID

South Bend, Ind.

Permit No. 318

year

sheep

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

25 m
P o

Overseas Address

Forwarding Address

Mrs, Mary Lou Bauer

Paul & Kathleen Pratt

2910 E. 98th Sto

Indianapolis, IN 46280
Ph. 317-844-3659

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City

Kanagawa ken 259-11* Japan

r u

no

(Paul & Mark's Epistle)

Ph. 046>95-1019

NEW CAMPUS MINISTRY ADDRESS

Temporary Furlough Address

Mark & Lynn Pratt

Mark & Lynn Pratt

3182 Tokiwa, Machida City

Tokyo 194-02, Japan
Ph. 0427-97-191^

c/o Hubert Lusby, Rt. 1,

Williamstown, KY 41097
Ph. 606-824-5552

Vol. 23, February, 1979

Dear friends,

PROM JAPAN

We were feeling a little guilty about being all comfortable here in

central heating while Sarah was sticking it out in the drafty house we'd rented in Japan.
But she wrote that it's been a rather mild winter. In addition, she baked so much for

the students around Christmas time that the oven heat warmed the house quite nicelyi
Sarah continues to handle our work in an outstanding and responsible way. Workers are
badly needed all over Japan. So Sarah has had several ask her to come and work with
them after she finishes her work at Obirin.

Mom and Dad Pratt reported an unusually large crowd for New Year's Sunday. Often
even the Christians will go to participate in all the Shinto activities at the shrines

on New Year's Daythat can be very discouraging. So we rejoice with them in this victory.
Dad and some of the other missionaries united to distribute 7,000 pieces of literature
in a nearby town. They were to pass out just that many the next day, also. Mom said
she was amazed that they just didn't pass out, period!

FROM THE U.S.

In December, we enjoyed sharing about our work with: The Church

of Christ at Nicholson, Independence, KY; Christ's Church at Eastside Park, Butler,

KY; Erlanger Church of Christ, Erlanger, KY. We spent four days in St. Louis, Michigan,
visiting with the people of the Church of Christ there. During the long weekend, Lynn
spoke to the ladies' group; and the ladies surprised her with a shower of personal gifts.
I spoke at the retirees' luncheon. We also presented our slide program and answered
CALENDAR

MAR 18

p.m.

River Drive Christian Church, Irvine, KY

25

a.m.

Westlawn Church of Christ, Shepherd, MI

p.m.

Church of Christ, Bangor, MI

a.m.

Church of Christ at Delhi, Cincinnati, OH

p.m.

Montgomery Road Church of Christ, Cincinnati, OH

p.m.

Goshen Christian Church, Morning View, KY

AIR

15

20-22
a.m.

Plum Creek Christian Church, Butler, KY

p.m.

Elsmere Church of Christ, Elsmere, KY

p.m.

Mars Hill Church of Christ, Indianapolis, IN

13

a.m.

Hi Point Church of Christ, Beliefontaine, OH

29

MAY

Western Hills Church of Christ, Cincinnati, OH

questions, spoke to the combined adult Sunday-school classes and to the children's wor
ship session. The children presented us with an offering they had been saving.
After three Christmases in Japan, it was a special treat to celebrate Christmas in
the States.

We had memorable visits with relatives from both the Pratt side and the

Lusby side of the family. And, of course, we made sure we were here at home on Christmas
morning so Santa Claus could find us. Several of you remembered us with cards and gifts

as always, we appreciate this thoughtfulness.

January travels took us to the Dean Ave. Christian Church in Terre Haute, IN.

In

Pennsylvania we spoke to the Church of Christ in Vanderbilt (Dad Pratt's home area)
and to the Norwin Christian Church in Irwina first-time visit.

The very next week

end, we were in Michigan where we stayed with Lynn's aunt. We brought the people up to
date on our work at Macomb Christian Church in Sterling Heights and the Greiner Ave.

Church of Christ in Detroit.

We also had Monday night dinner with the Roger Agler

family in Utica, regular contributors.

All during January and February we worried that bad weather would force us to cancel
our speaking dates; but we only had to postpone one. The first Sunday in February
found us at the Silver Grove Christian Church, Silver Grove, KY, in the morning; then

at Highview Christian Church in Cincinnati, OH, for the evening service. (Anytime we're
in Cincinnati, we try and sneak in a visit with my sisters, Mary Pratt, and Rick and
Lydia Coyle and Shara.) That same week Lynn spoke to the Highview Ladies' Open Circle.
The ladies presented us with some much-needed baby gifts.

Oh, guess we haven't told you yetabout the time you get this, our third child is
due to be born. Consequently, Lynn and the kids have skipped some of the long trips.
But I have been lucky to have a good traveling companion in Yuichi "Nick" Nakagawa.
Nick is a member of the Sannobara Chiirch of Christ in Isehara where Dad works.

He's

here studying English and taking a couple of classes at The Cincinnati Bible College,
It's been kind of fun to show off this fine Christian young man from Japannot to men

tion what a blessing he's been to those who have heard him sing or speak.
These few weeks have been a series of deadlines.

It was receipt-sending time, news

letter-writing time, financial report time, tax-figuring time, and time to turn
first draft of my thesiseverything suddenly due at onceincluding the baby!
been having a pretty hectic time of it recently. Ify thesis topic, "The Concept
Japan," is a difficult one. But research is needed on this subject; and, it is

in
So
of
my

the
we've
Sin in
hope

that other missionaries will be able to use my material for more effective evangelism in
Japan.

CURRENT NEEDS

Pledges for the land (Monthly payments run o"^er

$700)

Baby clothes (any size)

Prayer for Sarah who is working in our absence

Prayer for the Spirit to work in the hearts of
the young people we reached during our first

term
Increase in regular support

|
'

For you to realize how grateful we are for y(^ur

constant support.

Gleanings ( Augo 17? 79 W'EM)

ASIA

Paul and MrSo Kathleen Pratt,

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City,

Kanagav;a Ken 259-11 Japan phone

0465-95-JC19 give an update on their

furlough plans to USA as: four mont?as
from December, 1979 till April, 1980,
The work of Paul, and Kathleen in

Obirin Academy in Japan gives them

contact '"/ith some 400 Japanese

students per week.

Their forwarding

agent is: Central Japan Christian

Mission, Mrs, Mary Lou Bauer,
2910 East 98th Street, Indianapolis,

IN 46280 nhone (517) 844<5659

ta

M37

^
Po

ru

CO^
no

T e-gami

(Paul & Mark's Epistle)

CENTRAL JAPAN

CHRISTIAN MISSION

"..declare His praise in the islands." Isa. ^2:12

^rOverseas/Address

Forwarding Address

Paul 8c Kathleen Pratt

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City,

Kanagawa Ken, 259-11? Japan.

2910 East 98th St.,

Indianapolis, Ind., 46280

Ph. 0463-95-1019

Ph. 317-844-3659

C.J.C.M. - Campus Ministry

Mark and Lynn Pratt

3182 Tokiwa Cho,

Machida Shi, Tokyo 194-02, Japan

Ph. 0427-97-1914
Vol. XXIX, Spring, 1979

Dear friends,

We praise the Lord for your faithfulness in linking arms with us.in this work, "your gifts
administered through us, will mean that many will thank God. For your giving does not end in
meeting the wants of your fellow-Christians. It also results in an overflowing tide of thanks
giving to God." (II Cor. 9:11,12 Phillips)
You can win Japanese in the States to Christ. Sachiko Hashimoto was won to Christ by the
love of a Christian family in Slayton, Minn. She came to the church to pray on a week day last
December. Kathleen invited her into the house and listened to her story. She experienced true
Christian love on a five week home stay program last summer. Our church people responded to her
and after graduating from the nearby Christian horticulture college in March she was baptized on
Easter Sunday. Others of our people have caught the vision of reaching Japanese, Stateside. We
have mailed out literature to several who want Bibles and literature in Japanese, Praise God!
Besides Sachiko's baptism, three others at Isehara have made the decision to follow Christ.

It happened when Mr. Shiraada of Sendai held a three day evangelistic meeting. Though
Kato
is seventy-three he has become like a child before God. Masae is 15 and has been receptive from
the first and already has been faithfully serving with us. Kyoko, 24, wanted so badly to attend
church, even back when she began seeking that she quit her job in order to have Sundays off.
Grandma Fujikawa lives across the street from us. You may remember that years ago we told
of her calling me 'a god'. Last year the doctor gave up trying to heal her ulcer. She asked us
to pray for her health and for the icy cold family situation that caused her ulcer.

Recently she came with a smiling face bringing some homemade flowers, saying, "God
your prayers.

Though my family still won't speak to me, my ulser is cured.

So

we did.

has answered

But," she said,

"I

should not only ask God for things. I must walk the straight path. God knows everything I do,
and since I'm getting old, I will die soon. So, I want to please Him." She has not yet under
stood her need to be baptized, but we are amazed at this child-like faith.

It reflects what she

learned in Sunday School nearly seventy years ago.

rfw

[ /rfj

Sachiko Hashimoto

'HU
Grandma Fujikawa giving flowers to Kathleen

At this year's congregational meeting the

Sannobara Church

choose seven leaders besides

the six trustees

of this religious non-profit

Oui
tUNToA/

corporation. The trustees are Michio Inoue,

Mark Pratt, Hiromichi Kara, Yukiya Shimokawa,
Michio Yamada, and

Katsumi Yamazaki.

Paul is

5L.^4.-

Chairman.

More opportunities have come at

Academy.
I am in the chapel speaking

Obirin
sched-

ule, teaching two classes at the junior high

I in Old Testament History (in Japanese), offerling a Study in the Epistle of James

lective in the College.

Viv/y//

.
awd

^
w

as an el-

Now the Christian club

is asking for a bi-monthly Bible study in English and Japanese. These are in addition to the
eight hours of English Conversation I teach in the college. Kathleen is busy, too, with twelve

hours at the junior college.

Thereby we are reaching some 400 students

a week._

Do you know that...as of recent elections, Isehara has one Christian

serving on the City
Council?...in spite of Christian protests Prime Minister Ohira visited the shrines at Yasukuni
and Ise?...elementary students' play time is limited because many of them attend several classes

in abacus, music, English, kendo, judo etc. besides public school?

This is

for the recent increase in children's suicides...Sixteen persons from

probably

one cause

the Sannobara Church were

among the kOO who attended this year's Japan Christian Convention at Wakayama?...you can save us
252 by notifying us of any change of address?...Mark and Lynn are still making plans to return
to Japan sometime in June, this time with three (wonderful) children?...MARY JOYCE is serving at
the Mt, Healthy Christian Home in Cincinnati, Ohio as a recreational director?

Furloughs of various missionaries will cut down our literature distribution

efforts.

How

ever with the coming of Bill and Betty Turner and the return of Julius Fleenor we plan to go out

each week wi th a team of four or five. Several persons have come to church, ev^gelistlx
ia

meet-

ings have been given wide coverage, nearlyia hundred Bibles have been
sent out,

PAUL D
PAUL
D. PRATT

'

ATTORNEY AT
ATTORNEY
AT LAW
LAW

''^ANNOUNCES H,s REsiGNAT,ON FROM

many are enrolled in Bible Correspondence Courses and

score of these have come to decisions for Christ. Needless to

say,
we have ogotten some nasty
cards back in response,
too.
'
j
i'
1

'Epistle' Teaches you probably the Horizons'

ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION FROM

HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY

HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY

To
TO ENTER
ENTER INTO
INTO FULL-TIME
FULL-TIME
PRACTICE OF LAW

will have corrected their statement about our furlough plans. As of

^ow, we are looking forward to taking about four months from Decembcr till April ucxt year.

With deliberation our Lord laid the groundwork and fulfilled

His promise of power upon the Apostles, enabling them to launch His

church some 19^7 (?)years ago. What a good time of year it is for
fl

5 E. MARKET STREET

'SUITE eOO CIRCLE TOWER

INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA 46204

us to appraise ourselves to see how we measure up. Are our eyes on

'all nations'?
our program His? Has our message changed?
Has
our zeal diminished?

Do our methods agree? Do we have His power?

(317) 636-7645

Central Japan Christian Mission

1919^ Helen

St.

South Bend, Indiana, 46637

.:T

A Non-Profit Organization
Address Correction Requested

BULK

U.S.

RATE

POSTAGE

PAID

South Bend, Ind,

Permit No. 316

Ai = L 0 V E

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

NEW CAMPUS MINISTRY ADDRESS

^
P o -

Mark & Lynn Pratt

3182 Tokiwa, Machida City

Tokyo 19^-02, Japan
Ph. 0427-97-191^

^
SBp
no T e-f;aai

(Paul & Mark's Epistle)

Forwarding Address

Overseas Address

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

Paul & Kathleen Pratt

2910 E. 98th St.

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City

Kanagawa ken 259-11> Japan

Indianapolis, IN 46280
Ph. 317-344-3659

r u

Ph. 046>95-1019

Vol. 23, May, 1979

Dear friends

This last hitch of our furlough has gone by fast.

The car has held up well and has carried us many miles.
We enjoyed being with the Pleasant View Church of Christ

in Cassopolis, MI.

They have been regular contributors

to Mom and Dad's work.

The first part of March offered us a little change of

pace from our regular mission presentation.

The First

ANNOUNCING

Clinton James Pratt

Christian Church in Springfield, OH, invited me for

their faith promise rally where I challenged the youth
to get involved in mission work. I was a part of the
annual mission rally at Kentucky Christian College and

also spoke to three churches in that Ashland, KYHuntington, WV, area.

During the last half of March we

spoke at: Southside Church of Christ, Falmouth, KY;

River Drive Christian Church, Irvine, KY; Westlawn Church

of Christ, Shepherd, MI; Church of Christ, Bangor, MI;

and had two sessions during Missions Emphasis Week at
The Cincinnati Bible Seminary.

On April Pool's Day we had a great time in Cincinnati,

OH, at the Church of Christ, Delhi and Montgomery Road
Church of Christ where we used to serve as youth minis
ter. The rest of April was quite busy as we visited:
Sherman Church of Christ, Sherman, KY; Goshen Christian
Church, Morning View,KY; Church of Christ, Buchanan, Ml;
Plum Creek Christian Church, Butler, KY; Elsmere Church
of Christ, Elsmere, KY.

Also in April Lynn spoke to the

ladies' group at the church in Bethel, OH.

And I was the

main speaker for the faith promise rally at the Western

Hills Church of Christ, Cincinnati, OH,

The month of May will bring our travels to a close.

Our thanks to these churches for having us: Mars Hill

Church of Christ, Indianapolis, IN; Hi Point Church of
Christ, Beliefontaine, OH; St. Mary's Church of Christ,
St, Mary's, OH; Elizabeth Christian Church, Berry, KY;
Mt. Pleasant Church of Christ, Williamstown, KY.

Born: March 21, 1979

2:03 P'TiChrist Hospital

Cincinnati, Ohio
Weight: 9 lbs. 7 oz.

Length: 20j inches

I was glad to be able to

meet with the board of
directors of our mission

in April.

Some of you

may not know who is on

the board. The Wilkin
sons and the Burnhams

have been involved in

my family's mission work

ever since we first went

to Japan in 1958.

So

they are quite well

informed.

The Akers

have visited.the field

for a 5-r^onth term of

service.

The Bauers

have also visited, and

Mary Lou currently acts
as our forwarding secre
tary. Paul is able to

offer advice on legal

Pictured left to right are: Harry Bauer Paul D. Pratt,

Ernie and Polly Wilkinson, Roger and Betty Burnham,
Mark Pratt, and Harold and Neomia Akera.

matters.

This group

helps us in planning and

on major decisions. (Mary

Lou and Lynn were not

able to attend.)

Directors' names are underlined.

GRADUATION

o
0 -p

On May 11, 1979* 1 received

the Master of Arts degree in
the field of Apologetics from
The Cincinnati Christian

Seminary. My thesis, "The

Concept of Sin in Japanese
Thought," was written under
the direction of Dr. Jack
Cottrell.

thanks to Mom Lusby for

countless hours of babysit
ting while we worked, to Lynn
for rough draft typing and
proofreading, to my sister
Mary for typing the final

h O
O O

Is
to id
Q 09

copy, and to friends in the

U.S. and Japan for their

helpful suggestions. Special

This picture shows a group from the 1970 Obirin

College English Camp. I hope to participate in
the camp again this sunmer. I am also scheduled
to speak for Obirin chapel services 4 times soon

after we return to Japan. I'm really excited

about a new job I've been offered. The Obirin
Junior High School has asked me to teach two
Bible classes in the curriculum. We feel like

a lot can be accomplished through these classes

since they're strictly Bible, and I'll be
teaching them in Japanese,

SEP2
CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

NEW CAMPUS MINISTRY ADDRESS

P o

Mark & Lynn Pratt

r u

no

T e-i;aBX

(Paul & Mark's Epistle)

3182 Tokiwa, Machida City

Tokyo 19^-02, Japan
Ph. 0427-97-191^
Forwarding Address

Overseas Address

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

Paul &. Kathleen Pratt

2910 E. 98th St.

Indianapolis, IN 46280
Ph. 317-844-3659

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City

Kanagawa ken 259-ll Japan

Vol. 23, August, 1979

Ph. 0463-95-1019

Dear friends,
Ta da i ma.

We're home!

The day after we arrived home, I was scheduled to speak at the Obirin High School

chapel service.

The clock said 8:45 a.m., but my bones told me it was sometime in the

middle of the night. Nevertheless, it was exciting to be back on campus and eat up the
warm welcome I received. During our first three weeks home I spoke in chapel five times.

Then the Obirin students were out for the summer. My regular classes of junior hi
English, junior hi Bible, and college English will begin again the first week in Septem
ber. I have resumed teaching my private classes at Sumitomo Construction Research Company,
Kyowa Hakko Laboratories, and the Morino Tutoring School. We have to teach these classes
in order to make ends meet. Although they are strictly English classes, we do try to use
these opportunities as a means of witnessing.

This summer again I had a wonderful experience at Obirin's English Seminar.

the other teachers stayed the full week.

None of

I'm not sure whether that means I have extra

endurance or am just a glutton for punishment. Anyway, the 12 sessions I led went well.
I had prepared material from the Bible, true-life stories about God's leading, and Chris
tian music. The final night three of us stayed up most of the night talking about Japanese
religions, God, and Christ.

Three students from San Jose Bible College arrived to spend a week in the Tokyo area
before visiting other missions in Japan. They helped us in two Sunday services plus a

Saturday night youth cook-in (that's a cookout that got rained on).

We brought the three

students to Machida long enough to show them where we work and fix them a sukiyaki supper.
The San Jose young people.
Dad, and I all went to Yoko-

Obirin

suka to help the Fattens with

English

their first beach evangelism

Seminar

effort (held in conjunction

with their church retreat).

The meeting included distrib

uting literature, talking with

people, giving testimonies
over a loud-speaiker, sind mak

ing announcements about the

church. I spoke once and led
some of the music.

On the second Sunday of the San Jose young people's visit, three more students

Mr.

A1 Hammond arrived. That night we had a Tokyo area youth meeting/cultural exchange.
Nakagawa-san uid Koizumi-san (from Dad's church) and I were in charge of the music.
The month of August usually means several trips to the airport. We picked up Miss
Sheryl Rice from Madras, Oregon, who arrived just in time to help with Dad's VBS. Sheryl

Turner (daughter of missionaries Bill and Betty Turner) also came to work. We all spent
the week at Dad's conducting what we concluded was a successful VBS. One of the good
points was that some of the mothers stayed each day to listen.

Sheryl Rice spent the next week visiting friends and doing some research for my
English/Bible class. Another trip to the airport to welcome Sheryl*s mother, Naomi
Riceand still another trip the next day to send her off to Okinawa where she will be
teaching at the Christian School there.

Our church retreat will be the last weekend in August. Kikkawa-san's (preacher in

Ono City) rich spiritual food, the cool air, and the beautiful scenery at Mt. Fuji will
provide a much-needed refresher.

Mark translating testimony by

Saturday night "cook-in"

Casey Larsen of SJBC at beach

REMEMBER TO PRAY:

OUR THANKS TO EACH OF YOUl

for Yuki Ota, one of my Obirin students, who has

been attending Dad's church regularly for four

Sincerely yoursand His,

months. Also pray with us that we can get three

more students to start attending in the next
three months.

for our land fund/building plans. If you've

been involved in a building program at home,
you know how much trouble and e:q)ense it is.
Double that, and that's what it's like in
Japan. Monthly payments are being made to
repay the loan on the land. At the same time
we must save towLrd the building. We need
your help in this project.


)\/(T)^
- r u no T e-gami

P o

(Paul & Mark's Epistle)

CENTRAL JAPAN

CHRISTIAN MISSION

"..declare His praise in the islands." Isa. ^2:12

uverseas

C.J.C.M. - Campus Ministry

Forwarding Address
Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

ress

Paul & Kathleen Pratt

Mark and Lynn Pratt

1210 Kainikasuya, Isehara City,

2910 East 98th St.,

Kanagawa Ken, 259-111

Indianapolis, Ind., 46280

Japan.

Ph. 317-844-3659

Ph. 0463-95-1019

Dear friends,
"... in the wilderness shall waters break

3182 Tokiwa Cho,

Machida Shi, Tokyo 194-02
Ph. 0427-97-191^
Vol. XXII, No. 3, Autumn, 1979

out

and streams in the desert. And the parched ground

shall become a pool, and the thirsty land wrings

of water:" (Isa. 35*Di7/ Having unprepared hearts
and showing the usual opposition to the gospel,
thirteen years ago Isehara was a desert, thirsty
and unproductive and unaware of this fact. As He
promised, our God has answered your prayers

pro

ducing fruit out of barrenness. On Sept.

1979
twenty 'ight adults voted unanimously to accept
the proposed Constitution and By-laws and to seat
the seven trustees required by Japanese law, (see
photo at right) Our sights are on more harvests.
At the close of this congregational meeting Mr.
Satoru Matsunaga announced his desire to be bap
tized on Sept. 9th. This makes the seventh family
of our church that is united in Christ.

Back: Paul, Shimokawa, Sugimoto, Hara

NOTICE: KATHLEEN AND I ARE MAKING PLANS FOR A
SIX MONTH FURLOUGH IN THE STATES AS OF DECEMBER.

Front: Mark, Yamazaki, Yamada

DURING THAT TIME YOU MAY CONTACT US AT THE INDIANAPOLIS ADDRESS.

I was thrilled to be able to visit for four days in Kagoshima to help in a retreat with

Koichi

Homori and the Kagoshima Church. I met with old friends we had made in Christ twenty years ago. A
side benefit was a two day visit with another 'Timothy', Hideto Yoshii and his family along my way.

His present address is 5-1-32 Takami Dai, Yahata Nishi, Kita Kyushu, Bo?, Japan. Hideto is serving
as a chaplain in a mission school, holding regular services near the school and at his home.
In addition to our own church retreat this summer we had a D.V.B.S. and Stateside visitors.

Hammond, who proceeded us to Japan years ago brought six students of San Jose Bible College

A1

where

he now serves. Three of them were with us for one week helping with special programs and joining
us in a Beachside Evangelism with the Yokosuka Church. Then the whole group joined together for a
joint rally at the Kamiochiai Church in Tokyo. It helped boost the fellowship of our area. Thanks
A1 and gangl

Kathleen took advantage of her summer vacation from teaching to return to Indianapolis for five
weeks. Mary Lou Bauer (her sister and our forwarding agent) was hospitalized for a gall bladder
operation and Kathleen assisted when she returned home from the hospital. She came back to Japan
on August 16th, happy day! No more batching! I so appreciated Lynn's taking care of my meals on
weekends and leaving prepared foods for me. Our church ladies, too, took pity on me and prepared
many dishes which I enjoyed.

"Lord, we thank you for the chance to attend Sannobara's (Isehara) Retreat and to receive Bro
ther Kikawa's challenge. Help our little church here at Zushi to be revived and to begin this new
year from September to be a greater witness for you." Those are "^he words of Mr. Hiraraoto, elder
of the church who attended our week-end retreat with four other-Zushi members.

From his other re

marks, he is determined to help answer that prayer.

We are sorry that those of you who receive the "Epistle" by direct mail did not receive a
of the Spring letter.

The packet evidently was lost between Cincinnati and South Bend.

copy

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!

You read about Michitaro last fall in the Horizons.

He is the little fella who witnessed to other kifls in the hospital. He is

generally in good health, but all of a sudden on August 1st his temperature

rose until he eventually lost consciousness. Whjlle requesting prayers from

the church his mother called in her family doctor for a second opinion. Two
others had said, "just a summer cold". He was rushed off to emergency with
the conclusion that it was spinal meningitis. He remained unconscious till

the 4th. Another child arrived a Say^ater than he with the same sickness,
and died the next day. That Saturday morning brought the long-awaited call
to the Haras from the doctor. "You can breathe easier, now. In answer to
my question Mit Chan answered, *Yes, you're Keiko Chan's daddy'." Mr. Hara
had the testimony in church the next day. It was a tearful but joyful mo
ment as he said,
were about at our wits end, even ready to give up our

Hichitaro, Age 7

1 faith before the news came. But, ^ know that God answers prayers, as He has done before. We do

I praise our God!" Applause and amens followed. : Again, as before, Michitaro prayed and witnes~
ed to the other kids in the ward. At first they made fun of him when he talked about praying and
about God, Later, they were won over to his side and began praying themselves. They were crying
when he was discharged.
the kids' parents.

Can you imagine the impact this surely had on the doctors, nurses,

This boy is a natural leader.

and

Pray God can use him.

"The-college campus is a mission field." (Horizons, April 15i 1979) This is true in a special
way on this mission field. Mark and I both serve as chaplains at Obirin Academy. Thru the Bible
Classes and the work with the Christian Club, decisions have been made for Christ. With the 360O
sq. ft. lot we have purchased we have plans to erect a campus building which will serve as a cen
ter for teaching the Word and double for Mark and Lynn's home. They are making special
appeals
right now for funds for this important project. "Take it to the Lord in prayer"! Then do as He
leads you.

MARK YOUR CHECK FOR CAMPUS MINISTRY - CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION.

Did you know ... that the Sannobara Church will celebrate the 3th anniversary of the dedica

tion of it*s building on November 24th? At that time Norihiko Saito, Prof, of Osaka Bible Semi
nary will direct an evangelistic meeting. .. that surveys show about 70^ of those who accept the
Lord in Japan are from Christian homes, or spent some time in their youth in Sunday School or in
a mission school? .. . that Mary Joyce Pratt is in Colorado? Her address is 296O E. College St.

Apt.
Boulder, Colorado, 80303. . .that the Japanese desire for status plus their social cus
tom of gift-giving help make real bargains and discounts almost non-existent, thus sending the
cost of commodities sky high.

While composing this letter (Sept. 9th) we got a telephone call from Hideto Yoshii
informing
us that his mother had passed away. Many lives throughout Japan have been blessed by Mr. & Mrs.
Yoshii and their seven children, all of whom have 1 been active Christians.

Two of them are minis

ters of the gospel. "Blessed are the dead who dii in the Lord...for their deeds follow them!"
"Though I have much to write to you,...I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to

face, so that our joy mayibe complete." (borrowed'from t^hn's Third Epistle) If you would

want

us to visit your church or group please write us at our Indianapolis address.

I
^

Central Japan Christian Mission

19194 Helen St.

South Beqd, Indiana, 46637

^ Non-profit Organization
Address Correction Requested

BULK
U.S.

RATE
POSTAGE

PAID

South Bend, Ind.

Permit No. 316

"Thy word is
truth"

'
^ 54
CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

(T)^

new CAl^PUS MINISTRY ADDRESS

Mark & Lynn Pratt

5182 Tokiwa, Machida City

Tokyo 19^-02, Japan
Ph. 0427-97-191^
Forwarding Address
Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

2910 E. 98th St.

Indianapolis, IN 46280
Ph. 317-844-^59

P o

7* 11

no

(Paul 8t Mark's Epistle)

Overseas Address

Paul & Kathleen Pratt

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City

Kanagawa ken 259-11 Japan

Ph. 0463-95-1019

Vol. 23i November, 1979

Dear friends.

All of the classes at Obirin were in full swing in September. This keeps me very busy
especially the junior high Bible class which I teach in Japanese, because it takes con
siderable preparation. I'm taking about fifteen of these junior high kids to see "The Ten
Commandments" downtown.

The students who are members of Obirin's English clubs enlisted ray help for the festival
program. This involves my correcting the skits they have written in English. It's a great
chance to be with the students, yet it is perplexing. For, after spending several hours
going over their strange English, I get to the point where I can't speak it myself1

The private English/Bible class that I teach using popular Christian songs has grown. There
are about twenty different students attending now.

The school has given me kind of an office. Actually it's shared with many teachers- Never
theless, it's a place to work where Karis, Cason, and Clinton can't "help Daddy." Because
I was given this office I determined to be there at certain hours and passed out notes in
my classes to that effect. As a result of this effort, I've been able to do some extra

counselling. We also printed and distributed invitations to the students to go to church

with us. Since the last newsletter seven students have gone with us. Twoof thenrseem really

interested and will be going for the third week straight this Sunday.^
Emily

PRAY WITH USl

The work at Obirin sometimes seems over

whelming.

Pray for our strength.

Pray for our students, particularly

Emily and Puff.

We are in the prayer and planning stages

of a fund-raising campaign for our new
building. We can't take a loan on top
of the one we have for the land. We must

have the funds to begin building.

October got even busier, if that's possible. For Lynn it meant beginning Karis* first grade
teaching using a correspondence course, and doing an assignment for Standard Publishing. On
top of my regular work load, it was exam time at Obirin. The grading was endless. In fact,we
might have labeled the whole month of October "Overwork" if it hadn't been for our wonderful
trip to the Walter Maixeys in Kagoshima. But at first we wondered if we were going to get
knocked out of that. A typhoon hit, stranding us at a hotel near the airport for a night. It
was a sad scene with Karis crying in Tokyo and Shelley crying in Kagoshima over the delay.
But the next several days brought beautiful weather for our visit. I was the speaker for
Walter's English Bible camp, using the theme, "What is true happiness and how do we find it?"
We had a great time at camp with about twenty-five campers. We also stayed over for two days
of fun and talking with the Maxeys. Mary kept us well-fed, except for one batch of gooey
potatoes, which vre'll blame on the Japanese farmers!

The school festival was in early November. I went to watch the English clubs perform. A
booth labeled "Christ Research Group" caught my attention. I was appalled to see a girl plac

ing her hand near the foreheads of willing siJia^nts--za^ping them with some kind of power she
called "the comforter" (not to be confused with the ffoly Spirit, she insisted). On display
were two jars of Japanese noodles. The jar that had been "zapped" had molded; the other jar
remained fresh. Curiosity had drawn many students to this booth. Our good friend, Mr. Taka-

gaki^said there was no way to stop this kind of group. Apparently they are protected by some
school rule, because they use the name "Christ" in their group name. I hope to attend their
regular meetings and confront them with the truth.

Several other rather unsettling things on campus have come to my attention. One of the
teachers is interested in Chri.6tian Science. One of my students studies English at the Mor
mon church. They press him to attend their Bible classes. And the list goes on. Up till now

we had thought it was an advantage to be on a campus that encourages Christian teaching. But
we're beginning to see that many things under the guise of Christianity are possibly going to

^onfuse the students more than ever. The Japanese tend to lump all of Christianity together.
Therefore, they do not realize the danger of joining groups that do not teach the truth.

In spite of some of these things, we are encouraged in our work. Puff brought two junior high
boys to church, because he thought "it would be a good experience for them." Two college boys
asked me: "Do you teach the Bible? We want to study." A teacher said: "Do you have church
services in your home? If you do, I will come."
Thanks to all of you for your concern and help.