/

7 1980
(Paul & Mark's Epistle)
CENTRAL
JAPAN

CHRISTIAN
MISSION

Forwarding Address

"Declare

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

2910 E. 98th St..

it In

the

isles..."

Indianapolis, Ind., 46280

Jer.

31:10

Tel. (317) 844 3659

Japan Address
Campus Ministry Address
Paul & Kathleen Pratt
Mark & Lynn Pratt
1210 Kamikasuya,
3182 Toklwa,
Isehara City, Kanagawa, 259-11
Machlda City, Tokyo, 194-02
Tel. (0463) 95 1019
Tel. (0427) 97 1914

Vol. XXIII, No. 2, Summer, 1980

Dear friends.

They say, "All good things must come to an end". Furlough is a time of re
union and reminiscence. I have my mother's last letter. Had she made any last
requests of us we would fulfill them by all means. Our Lord Jesus said, "Go,
teach all nations..". Therefore, we must go. Our flight leaves San Francisco on
July 25th.

We hope to attend church at Sannobara on the 27th.

Most of you know that the Sannobara Church has been contributing to a Japan
ese missionary to Thailand.

In November he told us about the need of the Cambo

dian refugees for summer clothing. By December the church had gathered and sent
four boxes. Mr. Hara of the Kentucky House Restaurant saw a big opportunity. He
urged the Rotary Club to join in the project. Then, all the clubs in Kanagawa Ken
were enlisted and a T.V, interview was held. Recently 10,000 pairs of slacks
came in. Rotary is paying for and shipping them to the church group in Thailand.
We had ^ busy April in Pa. We visited my home church in Vanderbilt, then
others at Grindstone, Hopwood, Pittsburgh (Central), Belle Vernon, Conneautv j.lle,
New Salem, Meadville, Carpenter's Corner, and Scottdale. We also slipped into
Ohio to participate in the Missions Rally at Round Lake, and for programs at the
Utica and Woodsfield churches. We spoke at the chapel service at Eastern Chris
tian College at Bel Air, Md. We started May in Iowa at Pleasantville, spoke at
Iowa Christian College and at the Clinton Church.
On the way back we kept a date
with the Mollne, 111. church. We spent Mother's Day with daughter, Lydia and her
family and showed slides at the Highview Church. We were in Fairfield, Ohio that
evening. We then had fiv6 dates in Indiana at Mooreland, Indianapolis (Seerley

Kofu, Japan-Des Moines, Sister Cities

Kofu's gift bell in Des Moines park

First Missions Retreat, Round

Group picture

Lake, Ohio

Creek), South Bend (West Side and Northway) and Odon.

Two dates in Kentucky at

Lexington, and Morning View (Goshen) and one at the Central Church Newton, Illi
nois completed the month.

All the Japanese missionaries know Velma Held. She set up dates for us in
Iowa. She teaches now at Davenport, but has spent many years in Japan. Likewise,
we enjoyed visiting Bill (U.S.A.F, Retired) and Margaret Miller at Springboro, 0.
Bill is a preaching elder and these are missionaries in their own right.
June will witness two special weddings, one in Japan and the other at Indian

apolis.

Sarah (daughter of Don and Norma) Burney will be married n the 15th to

Goeff Ackers at the Sannobara Church, Isehara, Harold Sims will do the honors.
Sarah has been caring for our house in our absence and working with the church.

Jackie Bauer, daughter of Mary Lou and Harry Bauer, our forwarding agents, will be
married to Robert Stevens at the Central Christian Church, Carmel, Ind. n June
27th. I've been asked to perform the ceremony. Congratulations! to both coup Ies.
DID YOU KNOW...that Mark and Lynn have plans to start construction of their

all-purpose campus building in March, 1981?...that the first camp week at Shinshu
Bible Camp in early April was a great success with 59 teenagers enrolled?... that
Yoshie and Mieko Yamamoto from Japan joined the Coyle and the Pratt family for a
two day visit to Williamsburg, Va.?...that Mark and Lynn have begun, not one, but
two Fellowship Nights a week with Obirin Students in their home?

You can save us money! If you receive Paul's Epistle by direct mail, please
send us ^ change of address notice when you move. Each returned 'Epistle' costs
us 25c extra and we still are not informed of your new address.

1f you receive the 'Epistles' in bundles: (1) Please post a copy on the bul
letin board at the church (2) Hand the other copies to interested persons per
sonally (seldom do people pick up these items from a table) (3) Put one copy in
the church 'missions file'.
When you receive your copy (1) Read it prayerfully.
(2) Make a note of matters for special prayer. (3) Share it with your friends.
(4) Suggest any short pertinant items to the preacher for publication in the bul
letin or in the church news sheet. (5) Set up an orderly file for future use.
PRAY!...f or Mark and Lynn's
Vision Campaign to raise the needed funds
for their Campus House Building...for Mrs. Iizuka, who is ill and has come to
know the Lord through that illness...for Paul and Kathleen as they leave July 25th
for their fifth term of service in Japan...for planned Summer Camp sessions in
Japan...for the Cambodian refugees and for our hostages in Iran.

Have you been contacted about the

Vision Program? If not, please write
to Mary Lou Bauer, 2910 E. 98th St., Indianapolis, Ind, 46280. _f_o_r._j3e_t_ails.
HAROLD AND NEOMIA AKERS WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THE CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN
MISSION BOOTH AT THE NATIONAL MISSIONARY CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD.
MEET THEM
AND ROGER AND BETTY BURNHAM AT BOOTH //113.

CENTRAL JAPAN

CHRISTIAN MISSION

A Non-profit Organization
BULK

19194 Helen St.

South Bend, Ind., 46637

Address Correction Requested

U.S.

RATE

POSTAGE

PAID

South Bend, Ind.

Permit No. 316

33rd National Missionary Convention

Prairie Capital Conv. Center

Springfield, 111.
October 28-31, 1980

/77

CAMPUS MINISTRY Central Japan Christian Mission

CAMPUS MDJISTHY ADDRESS

P o

Mark & Lynn Pratt

^ u

no

T > M

(Paul 8t Mark's Epistle)

3182 Tokiwa, Machida City

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

CJCM address

Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

Paul & Kathleen Pratt

2910 E. 98th St.

1210 Kamikasuya, Isehara City

Indianapolis, IN 46200
Ph. 317-844-3659

Kanagawa ken 259-lli Japan

Ph. 046>95-1019

Vol. 24, August, 1980

As we prepared the address labels to send this newsletter to you, just seeing your names
reminded us of your continued interest in the work in Japan. Thank you all so much.
There is much to tell you, as always:
campAND OTHER HECTIC MOMENTS

The leaders for the Obirin English Seminar asked me again this year to be on their camp
program. This camp was strictly for English practice, but it gave me a chance to get to
know 22 students a little better.

The material I prepared was Bible-centered. I taught

some Christian songs, and one guy commented, "These songs are much better than today's
popular songs, because they're about things that will last." I wasn't able to remain for
the whole camp. After getting home on Saturday night, I unloaded camp bags; then we loaded
other bags and the family and headed for Isehara. To make a long story shortsome lost
keys, the lateness of the hour, the heat all spelled frustration. We finally had to break
into the house and got to bed about 11:30.

Then up at S:00 Sunday morning to pick up ray folks at the airport. We're glad to have
them back from America. The church people are, tooespecially Mr. Kato, who when he saw
Dad, jumped up and gave him a good ol' American-style hugi

On Monday we picked up the Walter Maxey family who had come from Kagoshima by car ferry.
And on Tuesday Walter and I left by motorcycle for the Japan Christian Convention in
Sapporo. Mary Maxey and their two kids stayed and visited with Lynn and our kids for the
10 days. We had all looked forward to this for a long time. Actually, though, the motor

cycle trip turned out to be very tiring. And Mary and Lynn's visit turned out to be a lot of
refereeing for the kids. Still, as the folks back home used to say, "A good time was had
by all:"

I returned from the convention to some good news. High school week of camp had been
held; and three of my Obirin girls had made the decision to study the Bible more seriously
toward becoming Christians.

Next we had a busy week rounding up kids for college week of camp which Dad will lead
the first of September. And we prepared for junior high week which I led. Our good friend
Hideto Yoshii came up from Kitakyushu to be our main speaker. We had a great week even
though we only had 8 campers. In class, the kids asked questions like: "What is the dif
ference between Buddhism and Christianity?" and "How do you know Jesus really resurrected
from the dead?" Even going home in the car, the campers were trying to quote the Bible
verses they had learned.

The Obirin Christian Club has asked me to have a part in their camp the first of Sep

tember. Soon after that we'll be in full swing with our really busy schedule as school

Before the next newsletter is printed, Robin Randall

will be here.

We're thankful for her willingness to

come and work with us for one year.

She will be

helping with Karis's school, some of our English jobs,

preparation for classes and meetings, etc. She still
needs regular monthly support. Anyone who wants to
provide for this 1-YEAR INTERNSHIP should contact our

secretary.

ft'''

"V'^Bie

NQy^ WHY WOULD ANYONE WITH 20/20 VISION NEED NEW CONTACTS?

You may have noticed that our last several newsletters did not appeal to you for money
for the new building. It had been our experience that general appeals just did not bring the
desired results. So we zeroed in on a direct appeal. "20/20 Vision" asked 20 people to
each enlist 20 others and for all of them to give a specific amount toward the building. It
was hoped that this campaign would bring in the total funds.

To date around $15*000 has come in. However* several people couldn't give the requested
amount. Others felt they could not give at all. This means that there is still quite a bit
needed, although more is expected to come in.

Until now, whenever you received a general appeal, you may have been tempted to think one
of two things:

1. "My gift is too small." It is often said that "no gift is too small." This is cer
tainly true. If each person receiving the letter gave even a few dollars* the building
worries would virtually be over.

2. "My gift is too big." Now that sounds like a new onei

But isn't it true that we

wonder: "Oh, someone else probably already gave." Or "What will they do if they go over
the goal?" That's a legitimate question. And here's the answer: IF we receive more than

the $80*000 estimated for the building* there's still about S80,000 left to pay on the land
loan.

You can be assured that YOUR GIFT whether "too small" or "too big"
will be used for
the land/building project. It will compensate for original "20/20 Vision" contacts who were
unable to help.

We don't feel it's wise to wait. The value of our land has doubled in two years. What
if we had waited to buy? Wowl Building costs, too, are soaring. This building is very
simple by American standards; but it's a most important and necessary facility for the
churches of Christ in the Tokyo area. At present all of metropolitan Tokyo (population:

12,000,000) only has 9 churches of Christ. You can imagine what this means if you consider
what it'd be like to have only 9 churches for the combined population of the states of
Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky! Our campus building will house the first church of Christ
in Machida, Tokyo our city of over a quarter of a million people. THE NEED IS NOW!
The campus house/residence can't become a reality through
our own efforts.

We know that.

But it is possible "as

you help us by your prayers" (2 Cor. 1:11, NIV). If you

as our partners will join us in daily prayer, together we
can claim Proverbs 16:3? "Commit to the Lord whatever
you do and your plans will succeed."

Lynn's
Mom and
Aunt
Norm a

working
hard on

putting together

i'"'

Walter and I

take a few

minutes to

rest on the
^
^ way to Sapporo

and sending out

info for "20/20"

Sincerely yoursand His,

'^3

V)

^
p 0 - r-^1/
u CO
no ^
T e-gami

37

^ 8^^0
fa

(Paul 8: Mark's Epistle)

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

"The people that walked in darkness have
seen a great light:"
Forwarding & Furlough Add

^ ^
^

Isaiah 9'2
Caiapus Ministry Add*

\ 1/

c/o Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

Mark & Lynn Pratt

W/

2910 E. 98th St.,

3182

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46280

Machida City, Tokyo, 194-02

Tokiwa,
Vol. XXIII, No. J,, Winter 1980

Dear friends.

As of this writing just one month has passed since we arrived Stateside.
be back!

How good

It was our first Christmas with our Stateside family in eleven years.

is to

Yet we do

so

miss Mark and Lynn and our three grandchildren in Japan. We 'can't have our cake, and eat it
too'.
In that month we were able to reach churches at Vermillion, Seerley Creek, Mishawaka,
Mooresville and LaPorte in Indiana; the Bangor, Pleasant View, and Niles Churches in Michigan;
and the Branch Hill and Mulberry Churches in Ohio. How good it was to worship with all of you
and on a few occasions with Mary Joyce, Paul David and with Lydia, Rick and Shara.
"Blest be
the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love".

Indiana has many churches and many Churches of Christ. Yet it has less.population ( some
what over 5,000,000) than Kanagawa Prefecture (6,000,000) where we work in Japan.
There are
only three preachers and three congregations in Kanagawa. Is it any wonder we cry, with Jesus,
"the laborers are few". "Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers..."
Word from Mark in Japan is, "Things are doing well at Isehara.

We had 55 out for the pro

gram at Christmas". (At a recent congregational meeting a head count showed 34 active, adult,
members.)
Sarah Burney, the daughter of Don and Norma Burney, Missionaries in Shikoku is liv
ing at the Isehara house carrying a heavy schedule of teaching there and substituting for Kath
leen at Obirin Junior College. Mark preaches twice a month at the Sannobara Church.
Everywhere we go folks are eager to have their questions answered.

Let me share a few

of

them.

Q.

Is there religious freedom in Japan?

A.

Yes. In some cases we are even more free than in the U.S. On occasion we have had street

meetings without a permit. Hundreds of thousands of pieces of literature are distribut

ed in high rises without opposition. Needless to say, however, family members exert un
told pressure upon those who try to draw near to the One True God.

The sadness of parting

The joy of reunion

Q.
A.

Q.
A.

Are Christians actually cut-off from their family?

In some cases, yes. This makes it necessary that ties with brothers and sisters in the
Lord be strengthened. In most casesi however, family members try to isolate the Chris
tian within the family so that he feels like an 'oddball', an outsider, inside.
Do the Japanese oppose your work because of the two atomic bombs being dropped?
Radicals, yes. And in many cases pacifists do. However, many of the older people who
experienced the war know that all of war is 'hell' and that the bombs came as a part of
that. And they see the tremendous assistance the Americans gave in rebuilding Japan. Of
course the young who know nothing of the war by experience can't relate to it.
the Japanese are anti-war and take for granted that we are too.

Q.

How do the Japanese accept you as an American?

A.

The average person is quite polite to us.

Most

How they feel or act behind our backs

we

of

do

not know. Many being conscious of 'what others think' hesitate to be openly
friendly
unless we have a relationship (teacher-student etc) with them. Christian Japanese are
just like our American brothers and sisters in Christ.
be.

Q.
A.

We share joys and sorrows, problems and victories.

They are colorblind as we should

"Blest be the tie that binds!"

Do churches in Japan become self-supporting?

Yes. We worked with two churches in Kagoshima and one in Tokyo that have

self-supporting.

Sannobara, likewise is paying it's own way.

since

become

Now they are ready to as

sist with the new mission project THE CAMPUS HOUSE. A glance at our financial statement
for 1979 (available on request) will show that the bulk of funds went to pay off a loan
for the land.

FUNDS ARE NEEDED TOWARD CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAMPUS BUILDING,

Two big things made January 13th ^ memorable day. (1) Bill and Lois (Lechlitner) Merritt
their 29th wedding anniversary. I had per
After the same service Mrs. Shirley (Newman)
the Branch Hill Church, Loveland, Ohio just
baptized. She later was baptized, married,
moved to Mishawaka and is teaching music in the public school and directing a church choir.

of Mishawaka met us after the service to celebrate

formed the wedding there on that day in 1951. (2)
Schafer produced a Bible which we had given her at
33 years before.
Her father had forbid her to be

Three of our Sannobara Church members have been or will be in Stateside schools.

Yoshie

Yamamoto has been living with our daughter Mary in Boulder, Colorado and attending an English
language school there. Sachiko Hashimoto is enrolled to study at Dallas Christian College from
the fall semester. Yuichi Nakagawa, who attended one semester at the Cincinnati Bible College
last year will attend the Cincinnati Technical College to study Radio and Television Broadcast-^

ing in the second semester.

God's blessings to each of you.

Jesus promised, "I assure you there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters....
on account of me and the gospel, but will receive a hundred times over now in this life homes."

(Mark 10:29,30) His promise is true. We of all people are blessed. Kathleen's sister and her
husband (our forwarding agents) have opened their home to us and our daughter, Lydia, and her
husband have done the same. Everywhere we go we have found homes for our use and more brothers
and sisters than we can count. Our special thanks to all of you, and Eraiae to the Lord whose
promises are so true.

CT

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

1919^

Helen St.

^ Non-Profit

BULK

Organization

U.S.

South Bend, Indiana, 46637

PAID

Address Correction Requested

South Bend, Ind.

Permit No. 3I6

: Editorial Office
Mission Services
.Box 177
Shara Coyle

Somebody Special

RATE

POSTAGE

Kerapton, Ind.

4-604'9

/SS37
CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION INC.

"The people which sat in darkness saw great light;.," Matt. 4:16
Campus Ministry

Japan Address

U.. Address
Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer
2910 E. 98th St.,

Indianapolis, Ind.
46280

Tel. (317) 844-3659

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pratt

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Pratt

1210 Kamikasuya,
Isehara City, Japan

Machida City, Tokyo

259-11

Tel. (0463) 95-1019

3182

Tokiwa,
194-02

Tel. (0427) 97-1914

Vol. XXIII, No. 5, Autumn, I98O

Dear friends.
C.J.C.M. Staff (U.S.)
Co directors

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pratt

Mr. S Mrs. Mark Pratt

Forwarding Sec'y.
Mrs. Mary Lou Bauer

Recording Sec'y.
Mrs. Polly Wilkinson
Trustees

Harold Akers

Harry Bauer

Roger Burnham
Ernie Wilkinson

Sannobara Ch. of Christ

Isehara,

(Japan)

Representative
Paul S. Pratt

Trustees

Hiromichi Hara
Mark F. Pratt

yukiya Shimokawa

Masami Suginoto
Michio Yamada
Katsumi Yaciazaki

siliM

ko

-Pa i t Ji

After seven and one-half months with you all stateside, we are back in

Japan again. Mark, Karis and Cason met us at the airport early Sunday morn
ing of the 27th of July. Were we glad to see them?
Besides the instantan
eous reception that day, we were given an official one on the 10th of August.
Foodstuffs from our friends at Northway in South Bend and from East Chicago
came early and all of us are enjoying them. Many, many thanks to you all.
Let us retrace our steps for a moment. We had spent the first Sunday
of June in Michigan, at Waldron and with the Fairland Church, in Niles. I
spent one week at Michiana Camp while Kathleen had a D.V.B.S. at Highview in
Cincinnati. Together we spent three weeks in D.V.B.S. at Seerley Creek, in
Indianapolis and at Odon, Indiana. I spoke at three services at the Whetstone
Church at Anderson, at the Rockville Church and the First Church, East Chicago
in Indiana. One more trip into Michigan was to the Three Oaks Church and we
made it to the Old Union Church at Danville, 111. that evening. July was hot

and filled with appointments, packing, travel and the reward of enjoyable
sightseeing. The Wayne Austins and the Harry Bauers gave us our first exper
ience of trailer living. Together we visited old friends at North Liberty,
Indiana and at the Fifth Sunday Rally at the Pleasant View Church, Cassopolis.
We were on our way to the Fourth of July Missions Weekend at Rock Lake where
Kathleen and I together had seven speaking appointments in four days. Just
before we loaded the car for our westward trip, Kathleen visited the ladies
group at the Rockville, Indiana church.
With an appointment to meet Mary at Boulder, Colorado we were happy to
be able to speak for Sherman Nichols in his absence at Colorado Springs. We
visited the Boulder Valley Church that evening and our program was well re
ceived. Tlie three of us thoroughly enjoyed traveling to L.A. stopping along
the way to view those "rocks and rills", "those woods and templed hills" on

the way.

Gasping for breath at Grand Canyon, we said "Only God could do this".

'ray!!! h

'ray!!l Here
comes grandma!

Kathleen, enjoying a visit after church

with Keiko who is paralyzed and blind.

Youth from our new Shinshu Bible

Camp, hiking and picking berries

We visited for two days at San Bernardino with Rod and Debbie Crider, relatives whom you
will"remember served here with us while they were in the service.
Shawna and Stacey both are
in kindergarten.

Mary Joyce left by plane from L.A. back to Boulder and her job.

AI and Eleanor Hammond, former Japan missionaries, entended gracious hospitality to us for
three days at San Jose where they serve in the Bible College. They escorted us to our plane
at San Francisco. Having seen our work across the States we must pray for God's total program.
Stan Buttray completed his camp facility last December.

So we entered the first year of

the new camp with apprehensions. I had the responsibility of the University Camp week.
But,
all went well and many of the heretofore unconvinced Japanese preachers were very impressed
with the wonderful camp and it's future prospects. But, students also make up the camp. All
admired the zeal of Asako from Isehara.

six of her friends to attend.

She attended three different weeks this year and led

Mr. Taninari, former preacher at Nakaburi, has come to work as

the Camp Assistant and we have joined other Tokyo missionaries in assisting financially.
The names of C.J.C.M. Trustees are listed on page one.

to discuss business and decide in your behalf.

They meet at least once each year

In May they accomplished the following:

Roger

Burnham was re-elected, Mark and Lynn were installed as co-directors to serve along with the
other Pratt family. Ttiey laid down conditions for the Sannobara Church to meet in receiving

the land and house at 1210 Kamikasuya as a Non-profit Corporation. (l)The church shall budget
a wage for it's minister. (2) The house shall be made available to missionaries of the Church
of Christ and Christian Churches. (3) Having received these properties, the church shall make
every effort to establish other congregations and to assist them financially.
FRUITS OF THE CAMPUS MINISTRY ARE CONSTANTLY APPEARING.

as Eddie,

Hideto Yoshii, known in the U.S.

was our first Obirin College student and assisted us in starting the Sannobara

Church. Recently he has moved to a new housing area in Fukuoka Ken. ^^ opening his home
for services as of October 3th.

Of course he will preach.

that another church is being planted by

Hideto says, "We are considering

your C.J.C. Mission in Onga".

His address is

33-^

Daiya Newtown, Onga Machi, Onga Gun, Fukuoka Ken, 811-^3i Japan.
Also, Reiko (Takenouchi)
Nakainura. of Obirin College was baptized seven years ago. She is living in Isehara and with
her husband is attending our services.

be

Gasoline in Japan has now reached ^2.30 a gallon and up. Florida grapefruit which used to
each are now 70<t and up. Not only imports, but locally grown
produce such as pota

toes are priced at 200 apice for the medium sized ones.
THE CAMPUS MINISTRY IS FACING A DEADLINE!
CANADA.

LUMBER AND SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN ORDERED

FROM

THE TOTAL PAYMENT OF APPROXIM.\TELY 539,000 MtJST BE MADE WHEN THEY ARE SHIPPED IN NO-

VEMBER.
TO DATE 4 TOTAL OF $l6,000 HAS BEEN RAISED THRU THE 20/20 VISION PROGRAM. EVEN IF YOU
HAVE NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY SOMEONE, COULD YOU CONTRIBUTE AT THIS VITAL TIME? PRAY! PRAY!

1980 OClroE\ER 1980

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

1980NOVEMBER 1980

SAT

Sannobara
.

Onga Church

National

Missionary
Convention

9 10 n
14
15
16
17
13
22 2.3 24 25
19 20
27.
28
29 30 31
26

Church

Retreat

CENTRAL JAPAN CHRISTIAN MISSION

1919^

30

MON

TUE

WED

SAT

1 Wedding
5
7 8 Evangelistic
Meeting
10 11 12 13
17 18 19 20 21 22 Literature
24 25 26 27
29 Distribution
3

A Non-Profit

Helen St.

Organization

South Bend, Indiana, 46637

Address Correction Requested

BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID

South Bend, Ind.

Permit No. 316
You haven't

forgotten
to pray for
us, have you?