ChristianVOLUME 80

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

FIRST QUARTER NUMBER 1

YOKOSUKA NEWS

The summer months rolled by witheveryone cooperating to help withspecial scheduled events that wouldbring glory to the Lord as His Wordwas taught. A favorably cool summerhelped us physically to accomplishthese goals.

Daily Vacation Bible School wasonly 3 days with only 10 attending dueto "regimented school vacation hoursand activities" set by schoolauthorities.

The Shinshu Bible camp had its firstseason and we were able to attend 3different camps. The 3 churches wehave worked with during the pastyears had a joint camp August 5-7.Seventeen from Yokosuka werepresent. Andrew was vesper speakerfor English-Music camp and speakerfor the University camp. We arelooking forward to the campsscheduled for this year praying thatthey will be full each week.

The Yokosuka church held its

annual "Megumi" (grace) meetingSeptember 13-15. Mark 8:27-30 wasused for the theme. Mr. Yoshida, astudent at Osaka Bible Seminary andmember of Yokosuka church led in themeetings.

The contact with the U.S. Navypersonnel has been very rewarding.Last year, 1980, we baptized 8 here atthe church. The navy men on boardtheir ships have been responsible forthe additions as they faithfully taughtGod's Word to others. Andrew, too, hasbeen able to teach them personallywhen they are in port. Two werebaptized in March because Mr. Winklertaught them on the USS Blue Ridge.Two more were baptized in Junebecause Bill Owens taught them on theUSS Parsons. Rick Bremseth, whowas won to Christ by Bill, taught twomore and they were baptized inNovember. Two children of the

Winkler family were baptized October19 following a special program thatday for the Japanese Sunday Schoolchildren.

November 24 was a special day hereat the Yokosuka church inviting all thechurches of Christ as November 23 isthe Japanese harvest or thanksgiving

festival time. Mr. Taninari from Shin

Shu Bible camp gave the message.Thirty-one enjoyed Christianfellowship from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On December 21 the adult Christmasfellowship was held in the Pattons'apartment followed by eveningworship. The birth of Christ and itspurpose highlighted the candlelightservice on Christmas Eve.

Mr. Yokomizo worked many hourswith the S.S. children to produce a playfor the annual children's meeting onDecember 28th. Fifty-seven childrenand 8 parents were our guests. Someheard of Christ for the first time.

Nightly scripture reading fromDecember 25 to January 4 was held inthe Pattons' apartment. The books ofGenesis and Revelation were read

aloud, each one reading one verse at atime while seated around the table.

New Year's day, Mr. Yoshida'smessage encouraged us all to remainfaithful and to encourage one anotherto be Christ-iike all through the yearand years to come.

This New Year's holidays found onemillion more people than last yearworshipping at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.All famous shrines recorded a greatincrease of worshippers. This is verysignificant in that we have an overwhelming task before us and so few

laborers. However, 1981 will bring Mr.and Mrs. David Cole to Japan for theirfirst term as missionaries. David willbe studying the Japanese langauge inTokyo. Stephen Fleenor and familyare also expected back this month tocontinue their work in a new areawhere they have recently built a placefor teaching and their residence. TheDale Mings family is to come to Japanfor their first term as soon as funds areavailable. The Warren Christiansenfamily is due back in March if fundsare available. They will continue theirwork near the camp site. The DaleWilkinson family is expected back inJune after a 2 year furlough. TheHinson family is already in Tanabestarting their first term. Johnnie Simsis due back in the Spring to begin hisfirst term as a missionary. He will alsobe in language study.

God is blessing us with a greater taskforce. Therefore the need for prayer,spiritual strength and wisdom and ourphysical needs grow as we bring themessage of Christ to this yet pagannation. We pray that you will want tobe a co-laborer to help this need bypraying fervently and giving of yourtithes and offerings for the evangelization of Japan.

"Betty Patton

10 WEEK CAMPAIGN FOR 10th

ANNIVERSARY AT MEJIRODAI

Our first day of Sunday School. November 1.1970.

In the last issue we promised to giveyou the results of this special fallcampaign in which we were engaged atthe time. The goals were: 1. Anincrease of 10 over our average Sundaymorning worship attendance, 2. 10baptisms, 3. 10 people coming to aworship service here for the first time.

The attendance goal was 400. Wehad 320 adults present for the 10Sunday services, and there were also67 children here during those weeks.On the tenth anniversary Sunday,November 2, Terry Reyes who

continued on page 2

10 WEEK CAMPAIGN FOR 10th

ANNIVERSARY AT MEJIRODAI

continued from page 1

ministers in downtown New York City,was visiting here on his way homefrom a visit to his native Philippinesand several other countries, and hebrought the sermon in the morning.Then in the afternoon we had a specialcommemoration service which wasattended by 51 people, includingpreachers and memWs ofa numberofarea churches. Bro. Itagaki, who isnow in his twentieth year of ministrywith the Nakano church where weformerly lived and worked, and whohelped in many ways with the movehere, brought a challenging message.Some of our members thought it wouldbe legitimate to count the afternoonattendance also and that would enableus to go over the goal. This at leastindicates the interest that had beenbuilt up over the weeks oflooking at thebig chart in the front of the church.

Although we could list 10 prospects,we had only 2 baptisms during thecampaign. Nevertheless these twobrought our active membership roll toexactly 30 on the anniversary Sunday.

All of us were both surprised andpleased that we went well over thethird goal of new people, with a total of16 coming during those weeks andsome of them continuing.

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

PublLshed four times a year in January, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunninfjham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-ton, Indiana Second Classpostatje paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760Garden St., Meadville, FA 16335.

Mr. and Mr.s. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box15, Rushville, IN 46173.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch of Christ, Orange at Center St..Ku.stis, FL 32726.

Two-year subscription $.50Suliscription and

Flaming Torch $1.00

CHRISTMAS AT MEJIRODAI

On Saturday evening Dec. 20 we hadour annual church "Christmascelebration", with candle-service,musical program and gift exchange.There were 61 present. The theme thisyear was "The Way", and between themany well-prepared musical numbersby various individuals and groupsdifferent "characters" (Joseph andMary, Shepherds, Wise-men, Romansoldiers. Tourists, P.L.O.) came intothe church asking the way toBethlehem. They were all asked whythey were going there. Finally SantaClaus (Penny Boggs) came asking fordirections to Mejirodai church, andthat started the gift exchange.

On Sunday Dec. 21 we had 41 presentfor morning worship and 1 baptism.On Dec. 25 we had 3 different SundaySchool programs; for Pre-schoolers at2 PM, for Primaries at 4 PM and forJuniors at 7 PM. There were a total of193 students, parents, teachers andvisitors present. Over 60 attendanceprizes were awarded and about 120treats were given to the children.

Primary Sunday School program.

Son of one of our members playing the violin.

Children's Chorus.

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

COMMEMORATIVE BOOK-

•"OUR TEN YEAR WALK"

One of the main projects of thechurch in the 10th year was making a46 page book which was given out to all

members and visitors on theanniversary day. Many people workedvery hard to get this work done on time,and most of the members contributedarticles, cuts, etc.

The young people's group composeda questionnaire of 27 questions aboutthings related to the church and theChristian life, and gave them out to 57different people who attended thechurch services during the month ofJune. Forty-two people turned in theirquestionnaire fully answered, and theyoung people spent some timecompiling the information intointeresting charts and graphs thatshow pretty objectively the situation in

continued on page 3

COMMEMORATIVE BOOK —

"OUR TEN YEAR WALK"

continued from page 2

our church at this point in time. Ithought you would be interested insome of this, so I have clipped severalof the charts out of the book and havewritten into some of the charts aminimum of English explanation soyou can understand it.

There were some questions for whicha chart could not easily be made, andthere is no need to list all of thequestions and replies here. Butperhaps you would be interested toknow that the average time it took oneto decide to be baptized after starting tocome to church regularly was about 1and 1/2 years. Twenty-three peoplesaid they thought they had changedsince their baptism, and only 2 saidthey had not changed. Eighteen hadnot read all through the OldTestament, and 9 had not read theentire New Testament, but 6 had readthrough the O.T. more than 3 times and13 for the N.T. Thirty-eight thoughtJesus had a beard and only 3 not, 32thought He had opened His mouth andlaughed, and 8 not, and 19 thought Hehad been in love and 20 not.

How does your church compare withthis?

-Harold Sims

O © O O ©

©©©©©©

CHART 1

UR CHURC

B3*3 iSto ^ 8S»lo»^" 3o.40lprt

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

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

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

7

grandmother

grandfather

mother

father

uncle

aunt

brother

sister

child

EMF39

mate

nephew

niece

ivk:i cousin

CHRKti/ims

xxxxxxT XX

CHART 2

Are there Christians amongyour relatives? Specify.

0^^

© ^

tia^tSFU

y£5

^\2 klNDi;RGflRr£N

'•4- ^LSMENTflR Y—• Y M loouE

-•6 HI^H

-•6 CCUL £6-^ , uwi V.

123 No

CHART 3 Did you go to a Christian school?

26 A PEOPLE

^Sm Ssr

CHART 4

How long does it take you to walk to church?

Cl n'i'i lli-MINUTES -r- ^

15-^ka oOv 45i 60^7 7

YEARSj_E 1 2 3 4 5cA)than

1^ C2 ••_3 SH

£6 ^hi

3 li^^BL-

10 11iv\(7Rc 20th/im —

CHART 5 How many years since you werebaptized Into Christ?

People. peoplsI^

TIM&S/ 33 7g

CHART 6 How many times do youpray every day?

g /Nj^dpLa

Aside fromSunday, how much time do you spendreading the Bible through the week?

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

VOLUME 80 SECOND QUARTER, 1981

JONATHAN SIMS RETURNS

Jonathan Sims, who spent 7 monthson an internship here in 1979, plans tobegin his service as a missionary toJapan on May 29,1981. In May of 1980

he received the Master of ReligiousEducation Degree from the CincinnatiChristian Seminary, and for most ofthe past year he has been raisingsupport. He was ordained on January18 at the Laurel Avenue Church ofChrist in Chesapeake, Virginia, andthat church will be his sponsoring andforwarding agent "board".

Perhaps it is not realized widelyenough that there are a good number ofsecond-generation missionaries nowsettling into the work here in Japan.Jonathan is the seventh-after LonnieMings, Walter Maxey, Mark Pratt,Stephen Fleenor, Jenann Beckmanand David Cole. There are also othersvery likely to come when things workout. About half of the missionarieswho have been in Japan for 30 yearsnow have a son also involved in thework here, which is a record that mightnot be equaled on any other field or inany other Mission here in Japan.

We request your prayers for thisyounger set as they take up the torchfor another generation going into the21st Century.

—Harold Sims

NUMBER 2

TUESDAY MORNING

WORSHIP SERVICELast fall when one of our membersinvited some neighbors to our series of10 special Sundays for our 10thanniversary, they told her that theywould be interested in hearing theBible teachings but found it difficult toleave home on Sundays when thechildren and husband were at homeand expecting mother's company andservice. We already have 3 home BibleStudy Groups each month, so she toldthem about those, but they said theywould rather go to the church and havesinging and prayers in the atmosphereof a worship service. So this lady toldme about this conversation andsuggested that we try having such ameeting once a month. We decided todo this on the fourth Tuesday of eachmonth, and held the first such meetingon the last Tuesday of October.

The response has been gratifying. Theattendance usually runs around 10people, and more than half of them donot usually attend the Sundaymorning worship service. A youngcouple who have asked me to marrythem but who work in a store and neverget Sunday off have attended 2 times,for instance. Another older lady hasnot missed one time.

So we keep on trying to by all meanssave some.

-Harold Sims

MEJIRODAI CHURCH RECOGNIZED AS TAX-FREE

RELIGIOUS JURIDICAL PERSONAs part of our 10th anniversaryprojects, we began last April the ratherlong and complicated process ofapplying to the Tokyo CityGovernment for incorporation. Firstwe had to draw-up and approve bylaws and elect officers. Then we had tosubmit more than 20 different

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

things we had stated in the variousdocuments. It took much longer thanwe had at first expected, but on March24 we received the official seal ofpermission.

This makes ours the twelfth Church ofChrist in the Tokyo area to finish thisprocess, and the governmentauthorities have accepted the fact thatwe practice the independence andautonomy of the local church. In

general we have found that thisprocess is good for the local church as(1) an incentive to get and keep theirfinancial and organizational affairs inorder, (2) giving each member a feelingof responsibility and concern for thechurch and its business. Ofcour8e,iti8a relatively minor matter whencompared with spiritual things.

—Harold Sims

MR. YOKOMIZO

Mr. Yokomizo, Preaching "Timothy"

Kensei Yokomizo, having attendedYokosuka church since his boyhood,graduated from Nihon University inMarch. All through these years hefaithfully attended each service, led inthe Sunday School work, assisted in allphases of evangelism and was apreaching "Timothy". He never lostsight of his goal-training for theministry and ministering to the lost.

We were proud and overjoyed to loseone of our few members this monthwhen Kensei enrolled in Osaka BibleSeminary. Two people in the churchgave him 50,000 yen ($250) for his firstmonth's expenses. This will help himuntil he can establish himselfin schooland in the neighborhood and tutorschool children as part-time work tohelp himself financially. We will helppay his tuition and the church willsend small offerings from time to time.

Mr. Yokomizo and Mr. Yoshida, asecond year student from theYokosuka church, too, are the only twoyoung men studying for the ministry atthe Osaka Bible Seminary this year.So pray that God will use themmightily in His work.

YOKOSUKA-PATTON

NEWS

PROMISING OUTLOOK

The first few months of the year lookedrather bleak for a strong church workto continue at the Yokosuka church.But we praise the Lord for new"seekers", for Christians who havemoved into the area and find a churchhome here, for a Christian family, for aChristian home to come about by afuture marriage of two of its members,for those who have recently been bominto the Kingdom of God and for therenewal of the 4 p.m. English serviceson the Lord's Day.

The church will hold an evangelisticmeeting April 17 and 18. Notices of themeetings are being placed in over 2,000homes in the area. April, five memberspassed out notices for 2 and one-halfhours, door to door. Mr. StephenFleenor will preach the Word inJapanese. Our prayers are that thosewho are Christian will be filled andthose seeking will find eternal life inChrist Jesus.

TWO BAPTISMS

Miss Akemi Sakaguchi was baptizedFebraury 14. She had become a friendof the Winkler family at the navy baseand was introduced to Christ in theirhome. After studying diligently forabout one year, she became the Lord's.Her family was upset by her decision.But since, the younger sister hasattended church several times. So wepray that she, too, will know Christ.

Bill Shafer stationed on the USS BlueRidge was baptized after work on April6 by Andrew. Bill was taught by Mr.Winkler on board ship about trulybeing bom again in the act of baptism,God's one and only way.

GOOD NEWS

In March the doctors at the KansasCity, Kans. University Hospital"released" Noel's wife as they found nomore cancer cells in her body.However, they will keep close check forthe next five years. Thank you one andall for praying for her to receive herhealth again. Please continue to praythat she will become His and knowHim personally.

ENGLISH SERVICES

English services are definitely anecessity here near the Naval Base.Christians can receive communion atthe base chapel ONLY on the firstSunday of the month. Also personalteaching and close fellowship areneeded for growth in Christ andleading the lost to Him. "Blessed arethose who hunger and thirst afterrighteousness: for they shall be filled."We have witnessed these that are doingjust that! So as God gives Andrewstrength to do so, we will minister tothe navy men and their families. TheChristians on board the ships areministering to the lost and bringingthem in!

If you know of any one stationed at theYokosuka Naval Base, Japan, pleasegive them this telephone number:(0468) 53-8224.

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

Published four times a year in January, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunninfjham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-ton, Indiana 46049. Second Classpostage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

Mr. and Mr.s. Stanley Buttray, 571-8Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,Nagano Ken, Japan 884-22. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760Garden St., Meadville, PA 16:135.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6. Box1.5, Rushville, IN 46173.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch of Christ, Orange at Center St.,Kustis. KL 32726.

Two-year subscription $.50Subscription and

Flaming Torch $1.00

PENNY BOGGSLEAVES MEJIRODAIFOR OTHER PLACES

IN JAPAN

Penny Boggs, the missionary internfrom Chester, W. Va., who has beenliving and working with us here for thepast seven months, was given a send-off by the Mejirodai Church on March29. She has had a lot of experiences inaddition to her study of Japaneselanguage 2 days a week, and we feelshe has adapted very well to thedifferent culture and situation here.The people here have been interested inher, have invited her into their homesfor meals, etc., and have been mostencouraging and helpful. The youngpeople gave her a piece of cloth withvarious sized colored pockets sewn onit and their personal messages to herwritten in both Japanese and English,which she can hang on any wall withhappy memories. Lois baked a cakedecorated like a "penny" which allshared after the morning worshipservice during which Penny brought amessage to the people with HaroldSims translating. Also, the ladiesgroup of the church gave her a gift ofmoney to help with her travel expensesin Japan.

Last year's Spring Jr. High Campwas quite successful with 58 campersattending and four of them makingdecisions to become Christians. So itwas decided to try it again this year.But this time we included both Jr. andSenior High students. And as last yearthere were 4 decisions. This is thepurpose for which Shinshu Bible Campcame into being. And I trust it alwayswill remain the same.

The staff this year consisted of tenmissionaries and two Japanese. BothTaninari San and Yokomizo San were

stunt night found this group with Paul Pratt as itsleader portraying Jesus as He instituted "The Lord'sSupper" with the Apostles.

HoR.: Penny Boggs, Mrs.Okada (an 80 year-old member of our church who made

the kimonos for the 2 Americans standing beside her),Lois Sims.

The Penny Cake.

BUTTRAY NEWS

invaluable in their aid. StephenFleenor was the Dean, and Paul Pratt,Harold Sims, Julius and VirginiaFleenor, and David Cole were teachersand speakers. Carol Fleenor andPenny Boggs took care of the music.

Penny Boggs at the Spring 1981 Jr. and SeniorHigh Camp which was her first visit to Shinshu BibleCamp. She is a young woman with much musicaltalent, and was well liked by the campers. Havinghad much camping experience while In BibleCollege, she was a real asset in many ways.

Carol also headed the cookingdepartment and had two Japanesewomen assistants. At that time Pennyhad only been in Japan seven months.While studying the Japanese language

Penny went from here to Naganoprefecture to help in the Shinshu BibleCamp. From there she will go to Osakaand points further south, visitingparticularly the work of single ladymissionaries in the different areas. Wewill see her again in July at theConvention, and bring her back toTokyo from where she plans to returnto the United States in August.

—Harold Sims

in Tokyo, Penny had been living withthe Harold Sims family. Herremaining three months in Japan willbe spent visiting other missionariesbetween here and Kyushu. Her desireis to return to Japan as a full timemissionary!

Since returning, I have learned thatof the 4 campers that made decisionslast year, two have been baptized...forwhich we give Praise to God! Pray withus that not only these 4 who madedecisions, but that all that were taughtwill eventually be bom of water andthe Spirit!

The Summer Camp Schedule thisyear may not be quite as ambitious aslast year. But I hope that it will be evenmore successful! This year's schedulehas been printed and sent out. And Iam looking for a greater cooperation byall missionaries and Japanesepreachers...so that the 1981 CampingSeason will even be more successful!And the years remaining...till Jesuscomes will even be greater!

—Stanley Buttray

PROMOTION SUNDAY

The students going into the fourth grade.

Every year about spring vacation timewe have our Sunday School PromotionDay, with certificates and gifts forthose graduating from one departmentinto another. This year we had thelargest classes ever in third and sixthgrades, so we had a large crowdattending and one of our young

teachers who is a college studentworked all one day making out thecertificates and making otherpreparations. We sent 25 up to theJunior Department, and thatdepartment sent, also, 25 sixth gradersup to the Jr. High Class.The third graders all wrote a short

CAMP SEASON BEGINS

Ready to leave for camp In Sims' light van.

The Japanese school year begins inApril, so every year there are about 2weeks in early spring when allstudents are free from the usual verybusy round of school studies andactivities. This year the Shinshu BibleCamp Committee decided to have a 3night and 4 day camp for Junior andHigh School students March 31 - April3.

It is still cold up there in mountainousNagano prefecture at that time of year,and when we arrived, there wereseveral inches of fresh snow coveringeverything in a beautiful winter scene.But the camp building is heatedcomfortably, and the 40 students and12 teachers, helpers and cooks allseemed to have a good time. Eightyoung people went from Mejirodaichurch, and it was the first time for anyof them to attend such a gathering. Infact all but one ofthem will just become7th graders in April. But we are hopingthat the new songs and Bible teachingsand ideas they learned there will bearfruit later on.

There will be other camps to follow

through the season. May 3 - 5 we areplanning a Family Camp. That is oneof the favorite Japanese holidayseasons, and the weather is generallygood. Then, of course, there is the busysummer season approaching.

It is good to have the Buttrays back atthe camp now after a 4 month trip tothe United States. Also, the youngJapanese preacher who worked in thecamp last summer and took care of theplace during the long cold wintermonths in Buttrays' absence is a verygood asset to the program and workedin many ways during the above camp.He will be there at least through thesummer season this year.

It was our joy and privilege to meetboth the Buttrays who arrived March 7and the Warren Christiansens whoreturned to Japan March 11. TheChristiansens are temporarily rentinghousing until they can get theirpartially-built house into liveablecondition. So the work in Naganoprefecture has now come out ofhibernation.

—Harold Sims

The Beginners,

essay about what the Sunday Schoolhas meant to them. Almost 100% of thesixth graders who planned their wholeprogram, including prayers, havealready bought their own Bibles,although they are all from non-Christian homes.

IJ.J}

AUG 41981 ,SIMS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 1981

Dear Friends,

Postal rates, all prices and various problems continue to rise, but we feel

there is a continuing need to send you faithful supporters some news of the work in

which we are all involved and we also feel a continuing need for vital, unceasing

prayer. With a rather full weekly schedule of sermons, home Bible:studies, English

Conversation Classes etc, and prepara.tions for these the weeks go clicking by and

we find ourselves at mid-year already. The Japanese have a nice custom of sending

a post-card to friends with a word of greeting and encouragement at this time of year,

so we heartily wish for all of you God's richest blessings at the "honorable middle.

MEJIRODAI CHURCH

Since early this- year we have been having a slump in worship attendance. There

has been some sickness and moving away and too many "something has come up" "too busy"

phone calls early Sunday mornings. We have also gone 6 months with no baptisms,

BUT, we have had an encouraging increase in Sunday School attendance during this same

time. Over 100 4 times, with a record 110 on Jan. 18. The Jr. High Class has in

creased to an average in the high teens, compared with about 4 last year, after a

large class of 6th graders graduated from Sunday School on March 29 and moved up to

that group. We have also completed the 9 month long process of incorporating the

local church. The deacons are meeting regularly and functioning well and we had a

happy yearly congregational business meeting April 12..

For the 7 Sundays from Easter to Pentecost we asked 7 of the members to give a

testimony or exhortation for 5 minutes before the Lord's Supper. Some are very re

ticent, but we had some good messages and want to encourage such participation.

For several years we have had a special week-day Mother's Day, with our church

ladies inviting their neighbors and Sunday School children inviting their mothers to

a special program. This year we had a new high of 37 people present on Thurs. morn

ing May 14, which included several people who were in church for the first time.

PENNY BOGGS

Penny, a 1981 graduate of Kentucky Christian College from Chester, W. Va. lived

with us as a missionary intern for 7 months, helped in various ways with church and

house work and studied Japanese language 2 afternoons every week. Her last Sunday

here was March 29. Since then she has visited missionaries in 4 different areas of

Japan. She will return to the U.S. in August for a time of reporting and raising

support, but definitely hopes and plans to give her life in service to Christ as a

missionary in Japan.

2• ' . i

JONATHAN RETURNS

May 29, just 2 years after he came to Japan as an intern and fill-in for us

during our last trip to the U.S. and 17 months after returning to finish his

Master*s Thesis and campaign for support, our oldest son Jonathan stepped off the

airplane to begin his career as a second-generation missionary. He will be living

with us for the time being, and has already started 3 days a week of study at Japan

ese language school for the summer session. He v/ill help regularly in our Sunday

School and the summer activities.

CAI'IPS

From Mar. 31 - April 3 there was a camp for about 40 Jr. High and H.S. students

at the Shinshu Bible Camp in Nagano Prefecture. Penny Boggs and Harold were on the

staff, and we took 6 of the 8 young people who wnt from Mejirodai in our light van.

For the last half of the trip we drove through snow, but arrived safely though there

i^jere about 4 inches on the camp grounds. That was spring vacation in Japan, as school

begins here in April.

Again on May 3 - 5 at the same place we made our first try at a Family Camp.

It was a rare 3 day holiday in Japan, and we hoped more whole families would attend.

We only had 14 people, but we did have a good time and enjoyed a hike On a beautiful

spring afternoon which was longer than planned because we got lost in the woods.WEDDINGS

Harold performed a wedding on April 25, with Lois playing the organ, and we

attended another big one on April 29. The first one of our church girls. She

married a non-Christian young man from the Japan Electrical Company where they both

work. They are living in an apartment not too far from here and have attended ser

vices together several times since the ivedding, so we are hopeful. The other was the

marriage of preacher Stephen lijima's son, who is a school teacher. His mother has

been in and out of the hospital with a bad case of Btype hepatitis for a year, but

was able to attend the wedding, which made all of us happy.

KENTUCKY SONSHINE

Agroup of High School young people from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville

who sing under the above name are now touring Japan, and came to Mejirodai for a pro

gram on Pentecost Sunday evening. Our very small group of young people did most of

the advertising and preparation for this, including a welcome sp-eech in English.Some of our very capable church ladies came on Sat. and helped Lois for several hours

to prepare the food for the barbecue meal which we served to the 14 visitors and 40

local people plus 8 small children in our yard at 5 PM that evening before the program.

3

Eight more came to hear the program, so we were very pleased at the turnout. Therewere at least 4 young people present who had never been in a church before, and many

others had not been for months. We feel the youth activities here have been revived

and strengthened by this recent event, and are thankful and hopeful about that as

summer comes.

OTHER PLACES

Harold is now one of the Councilors of Osaka Bible Seminary, and went to Osaka

in March and May for meetings. With the fast train he can go 330 miles down there,

attend the afternoon meeting and get back the same day. He also serves on the

advisory board of the Japan Missionary Language Institute, which takes 1 or 2 days

of most months. Our responsibilities as trustees of the former Yotsuya Mission

properties continue.

We keep in touch with other churches, missionaries and Japanese preachers in

the area, and are particularly glad to see a fifth-Sunday Rally gaining in popularity

and attendance. We were happy to attend the dedication of the Mark Pratt*s new home

and Fellowship Center on May 10 and rejoice with them in the remarkably rapid and

debt-free completion of that project.

SmiER SCHEDULE

July 24-26 All-Japan Convention Churches of Christ 32nd one

July 26-28 Missionary Convention " "

August 3-7 Jr. High and High School Camp in Nagano

" 9-11 Vacation Bible School at Lake Saiko

" 19-21 Vacation Bible School at Mejirodai (small children)

" 25-28 Eng. and f^usic Camp in Nagano

Yours in His service,

HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS

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

VOLUME 80

"KENTUCKY

SONSHINE

SINGERS"

A group of young Christian singersfrom a church in Louisville visitedJapan and the churches. Mark andLynn Pratt were their hosts as Lynn'ssister was among the group.

Through the efforts of OfficerWinkler, the group was invited aboardthe USS Blue Ridge for a day's cruiseJune 12. Also through Mr. Winkler wewere able to have the group presenttheir program at the off-base"Christian Seamen's Center" laterthat same day.

Dinner was served at 6 p.m. at theCenter and was followed by theprogram of the "Kentucky SonshineSingers". About 40 guests enjoyed themusic and evening of fellowship.

We had an interesting experience atthe center following the program. AJapanese girl who had come to thecenter with a navy friend needed to betaught in her native language thetruths of God. Andrew was asked toteach her as no one present spokeJapanese. Andrew gladly obliged.Soon the host missionary came on thescene and requested that Andrew notteach the girl as Andrew taught thatbaptism is ESSENTIAL to salvationand that that teaching could not beuttered at the Center. Also Andrewwas told that he could not invite the

girl to church services where he couldfurther teach her. The host did not

speak Japanese nor are there churchservices on the Lord's Day at theCenter in Japanese or English.

It is unfortunate that denomination

al loyalty and affiliation and notfaithfulness to God's Word is thecriteria for rejecting or receiving aChristian.

SERVICEMEN'SRETREAT

A navy men's retreat was held at theYokosuka church on May 24-25, with27 registering. Overnight sleepingaccommodations were Japanese style

THIRD QUARTER, 1981

on the floor with baths at a localJapanese style bath house. Delicioushome-cooked meals were enjoyed byall.

Paul Pratt and Andrew served asteachers using the themes; "Growingin Christ", "Developing One'sPotentials", "Risen With Christ", and"A Christian Home". Kathleen Pratt

helped with the music. The men whoattended said this retreat was the

highlight of their recent experiences.A young man requested baptism at

the meeting. He had been taught wellby one who had recently become aChristian and who was a close buddy.Because we knew many of the menneeded instruction on biblical baptism,we scheduled a full discussion of thesubject on the final afternoon. As thesun went down, Dave Dolan wasbaptized into Christ and all went homerejoicing!

A few of the USS Blue Ridge Crew andmissionaries.

BITS OF NEWSWe received in June a report that

Noel's wife's check-up again was freeof cancer cells! We thank God for hismercy shown to her. Noel and hisfamily now live in Jones, Oklahomawhere he is working.

"Pop" Belew, Bill's father, spent 2months in Yokosuka visiting his son.While here he attended the serviceshere at the church. He returned toCincinnati July 5.

Sharon Lee {our daughter) andhusband Chris and Sandy(6) will visitTokyo August 22 -September 4. Betty'sAunt Gladys from Fontana, Californiawill accompany them. It has beenexactly 5 years since we have seen orvisited with our loved ones!

NUMBER 3

YOKOSUKA

CHURCH

The Yokosuka church has alwaysused Easter time as a special occasionto evangelize since the Resurrection isthe heart of the Christian message.Posters were made and over 2200handbills were distributed to the area

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

Ten Sunday school students and onemother were guests of the church onMay 10 for a Mother's Day tea. Therelationship of Samuel and his motherto God was the theme of the meeting.

"Climb A Tall Mountain" ("Heidiand Her Grandfather" ~ Japanesetitle) was shown to a group of 43 onFamily Day at the church in theafternoon of June 14. We made 2200handbills and many posters for theoccasion. Since that time our Sundayschool attendance has increased.

Kensei Yokomizo and KazuhisaYoshida have returned from OsakaBible Seminary to the Yokosuka areafor the summer. Kensei is spendingpart of his time working and teachingat the Shinshu Bible Camp andassisting with the work here. Mr.Yoshida also will be doing much thesame while living here with us.

Our purchase of a Japanesetypewriter has enabled us to make avery attractive handbill andregistration form for our DVBS to beheld on July 25-27. Miss Ichinose,Kensei and I will be teaching the 3 daycourse on Daniel.

Kanto Churches ofChrist will have a2 day family camp August 7-9 atShinshu Bible Camp. About 10 fromhere will be going to enjoy the spiritualfellowship.

July 8 the American Embassy inTokyo was the scene ofthe registrationof the marriage of Akemi Sakaguchiand Officer Bill Belew of the U.S.Navy. Both have faithfully attendedall the Japanese services of the churchfor over a year.

-Andrew Patton

ANOTHER ONE OF THE TOKYOCHRISTIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Mr. Minoru Homma has been amember ofMinato Church ofChrist forover 20 years, and an elder for someyears now. A very modest, polite, soft-spoken and early balding man, he hasworked for the Hitachi Electric Co. inthe field of video recording for most ofhis professional life. He is now in thelate 40's, and he lives with his fineChristian wife and 3 daughters in thebed-town of Nagareyama which isabout an hour from his office bycommuter train.

One day about 2 years ago he calledme to say he would be making anotherbusiness trip overseas and wanted meto give him addresses of our churchesin New York, Toronto, and Clevelandso he would be able to meet andworship with fellow Christians on theSundays he was away with nothing todo. (IT IS DISTRESSING THAT WEHAVE SO FEW CHURCHES IN OURLARGEST CITIES WHERE OURJAPANESE CHRISTIANS GO.) Igave him the address of Terry Reyes'Love Mission in downtown New York,and he attended a Sunday worshipthere and called me up as soon as he gotback to Japan to report on it. His friendfrom Hitachi, Inc" who accompanied*him experienced his first direct contactwith Christianity and was impressedthat "they were a different kind ofpeople" than he usually met in theUnited States.

Later I heard about this visit fromTerry Reyes himself, who was in ourhome for a few days in November, 1980while on the way home from a visit tothe Philippines. Bro. Reyes told me hehad ask^ if he were a relative of the

notoroious General Homma who wasa leading Japanese military figure inWorld War II, and he had said a simpleYES. I hadn't known this, and hadnever asked him about it through allour years of acquaintance.

Last August Mr. Homma wasoperated on for stomach ulcers. I heardabout it quite a while after he was out ofthe hospital, and wrote him a get-wellnote. He replied right away that he hadsome complications after that and hadbeen taken back to the companyhospital in an ambulance. That didn'tsound good. We exchanged Christmasletters as usual, and he was hopeful ofgetting back into full activity soonafter the turn of the year.

In February the doctors finally toldhis wife that he had cancer. They hadknown since August. They wereinsistent that he not be told because theshock would shorten his life. I receivedthis news from Stephen lijima, hispreacher, and a request for prayer.After several weeks I went to visit himin the hospital. He was thin, but allsmiles and full of hope. He wasparticularly happy about theapproaching return of our sonJdnatharT as Tnissionaiy;"'ancLenthusiastic about helping if Jonniewished to start a new work in his area.

After much prayer, consultation andthought,his \^e decided togoagainstthe advice of the doctors and tell him.At that time the doctors had given himonly a few more weeks and had decidedto send him back home because therewas nothing more they could do.

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

STARTING MY TERMS

I have arrived in Japan to begin myfirst term as a missionary. In spite ofprevious experiences in Japan, therewere several immediate shocks atcultural differences . between theUnited States and the land where I wasreared. Adjustment to time changeand types of food was quick, butgetting used to differences in languageand ways of thinking will continue fora long while.

From the outset, I have begun aschedule of language study andChurch work. Three days a week I amin school learning Japanese at a paceslightly faster than the normalclasses. Homework demands muchtime and there is much study material

to absorb and apply. After the sevenweek session during the summer, I willassume the normal pace ofstudy as thelessons become progressively difficult.

Every Sunday, working with thefifth grade Sunday school classprovides experience in communicatingwith children which supplements thematerial studied in language schoolwhich is aimed at communication withadults. Practical application oflanguage study is proving to be veryworthwhile. I am looking forward toincreasing responsibilities andchallenges in time as I learn to preachin Japanese and prepare for beginninga new work in a new location.

-Jonathan Sims

family in their car and drove 2 hoursacross Tokyo to the site of the newcemetery plot the Minato Church hadbeen developing. This was Sunday,May 31, and on that day they hadplanned an outdoor service to dedicateit and to bury the ashes of an elder ofthe church who had died the previousyear.

At that time Mr. Homma gave a verymoving testimony to the peoplegathered there, acknowledging that hehad been shocked to hear the truthabout his condition although he hadsuspected it and that he might well bethe next to be put in that ground. Buthe had looked death in the face, and itwas nothing compared to the hope oflife in Christ and the fellowship andlove of family and Christian brethrenwhich he had enjoyed and continued tofeel. Their family (1 girl in HighSchool, 1 in Jr. High, and 1 inElementary) had been drawn muchcloser to the Lord and to each otherthrough this experience, and each dayof life was exceedingly beautiful,precious and happy.

What a legacy of real faith he willleave to his family and brethren! As of

^his moment-(July4^)-he is still livingat 2 months past the limit the medicalprofessionals set for him. Jesus said,"Be ofgood cheer. I have overcome the.world."

-Harold Sims

Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

Published four times a year in January, April, July and November for themissionaries of the Church of ChristCunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japanby Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-ton, Indiana 46049. Second Classpostage paid at Kempton, Indiana.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box15, Rushville, IN 46173.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch of Christ, Orange at Center St.,Kustis, FI, 32726.

Two-year subscription $.50SubscriptM)n and

Flaming T»)rch $1.00

FAMILY CAMP

Shinshu Family Week campers.

May 3-5 was a rare 3 day holiday inJapan, because they have adopted thesystem of having Monday off when aholiday comes on Sunday. It was theideal time to try our first family camp.We were hoping that many wholefamilies would attend, but some people

had previous engagements and ofcourse many husbands are notChristians and didn't feel inclined toattend such a camp. However, we didhave a nice fellowship among the 14people who spent those hours together,and hope to try again.

KENTUCKY SONSHINE

that night has composed severalpopular modern songs, and hasappeared at different times on TV. Shehas been back to services several timessince, saying she is interested inChristian music. One of her hits isentitled "Gentiles". So we are glad welet the Sonshine in.

"Harold Sims

-

Penny Boggs leading singing at camp.

MOTHER'S DAY CAN

BE ON THURSDAY

We have a problem here in that manynon-Chyistian housewives cannot getto church on Sundays becausehusbands and children are at home forthe day. They can come much moreeasily at about 10:30 on week-daymornings, after finishing up the housekeeping chores. So for the past severalyears our church ladies have plannedspecial Mother's Day programs towhich they invite their neighbors andfriends. They spend a lot of timepreparing printed programs,decorations, refreshments, etc. andusually we send out invitations with allthe Sunday School children and byother means. This year we had a newhigh of 37 people in attendance onThurs. morning May 14, and a verygood program. Several people were inchurch that day for the first time intheir lives, but they all enjoyed both thespeeches and talking with each otherabout various things.

"Harold Sims

About a dozen High Schoolers fromSblilKeast' Christian Church inLouisville, using the rather originalname above, presented musicalprograms at a number of places inJapan during the month of June. Theleaders of the group were the sister andbrother-in-law of Mrs. Mark Pratt, whois a missionary in Japan and recentlymoved into a new Fellowship Centerthat will upgrade the work withstudents, as well as being youthworkers with the church in the U.S. Weinvited the group to come to Mejirodaion Pentecost Sunday evening.

Our very small group of youngpeople did most of the advertising andother preparations for this specialmeeting, including a welcome speechin English. Also some of the churchladies came on Saturday and spentmost of the day helping Lois to preparefood for the barbecue meal which weserved to the 14 visitors, 40 local peopleand 8 small children in our yard at 5p.m. that evening. Eight more peoplecame just in time for the program, sowe had the best crowd since Christmas

in church, which was a thrill foreverybody.

This project has served to revive thespirits of our young people, and we arethankful for that. Many came who hadnot been to church for months, and atleast 4 of the young people present hadnever been in church before. Oneyoung lady who came to the church

NEW FELLOWSHIP CENTER

DEDICATED IN MACHIDA

On Sunday afternoon May 10th Loisand 1 and 5 of the Japanese Christiansfrom Mejirodai Church drove about 30minutes down to Machida, ourneighboring suburban city, to join alarge group of people from severalother churches and a host of localfriends of Mark and Lynn Pratt for thededication of their new FellowshipCenter home. Partly because thisnewest outpost of evangelism amongour churches of Christ in Japan is alsothe closest to us geographically, thechurch here has had a deep interest inthis project and contributed severaltimes toward the new building. For thepast year, and especially the past 3months, it has been thrilling to watchthe Lord's leading and providing andthe faith and hard work of the manypeople directly involved in this

building. The high tone of joy, praiseand glorifying of God at the dedicationwas indeed real and true.

The location is right. The modest-sized, square building lotis just off themain street of this growing city, andjust 2 short bus stops from the mainentrance of Obirin. This is a privateChristian-oriented school for childrenfrom kindergarten through collegeages. Mark Pratt has taught Englishlanguage and Bible there for severalyears, and has planned from the first toconcentrate on student work. The well-known President of this school (it wasnamed for Oberlin University in Ohiowhich he attended years ago) was alsopresent for the occasion.

The building plan and furnishingsare right. It gives the impression ofmodesty, simplicity, efficiency, and

comfort. The family lives on the firstfloor. The second floor has a good-sizedmeeting room that is suitable forvarious sized groups, an office-study,and a small kitchen for fixing "tea""inother words, a fellowship center.

The timing was right. Theopportunity to buy the land came about3 years ago, and with a substantialloan from the Yotsuya Mission LoanFund this was accomplished. It wouldcost much more to purchase the sameplace now, even though the originalprice was a surprise to manyAmericans -• over $100,000 dollars.Mark and Lynn have been renting athigh prices all these months, but theydidn't want to add another big debt totheir already substantial one eventhough they wanted to make use of theland they were paying for monthly.Finally about a year ago they made acommitment to go ahead with thebuilding plans and a plan to raisefunds for the building in faith.Herculean efforts were made to raisefunds, and equally every effort wasmade to save building costs. Thematerials were all purchased inCanada and shipped to Japan in 2large containers-a saving of hundredsif not thousands of dollars. Then Ed

Thomas and a small group of men andwomen came from the United Statesand donated 3 weeks of hard work inMarch to erect the basic structure. The

local architect who drew the plans inJapanese measurements and wentthrough the long and difficult processof getting a building permit from thecity for the first 2x4 type structurethere spoke at the dedication, showingsome of the slides he had taken as the

construction progressed. He found ithard to believe that such a buildingcould be built at such a low cost, that somany people would donate so muchtime and hard work, and gave adramatic and moving description of"building by faith" from hisprofessional viewpoint. The same wastrue of some of the neighbors. All ofthem are now good prospects becauseof what they have seen happen.

Mark's father and mother are longtime missionaries, and several yearsago did much of the labor on a churchbuilding in Isehara city. They alsohelped a lot on this building. Lynn'sfather, a cabinet-maker from centralKentucky, and mother came andworked for several weeks on thefinishing. So on this Mother's Day itwas very good that the 4 parents couldrejoice together with their childrenwho are located in a nice new home,ready to begin a new phase of their lifework, including regular Sundayservices. We pray the continuedblessings of God upon this new work.

The new work brings the number ofour churches or places where regularservices and evangelistic efforts arecarried on to a total of 21, which is thehighest number in the history of thework here in the greater Tokyo areawhich was begun with the arrival ofMr. and Mrs. W.D. Cunningham onOct. i, 1901-80 years ago. (The totalnumber of churches in all Japan isbetween 60 and 70). Of these 21churches in the greater Tokyo area, 6are ministered to by missionaries andthe rest by Japanese.

"Harold Sims

New Fellowship Center In Machida

/J2/3

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

VOLUME 80 FOURTH QUARTER, 1981

SIMS NEWSKYUSHU CONVENTION TRIP

peoples the centuries, thisThe 32nd Annual Japanese Convention in something worthy of remark and

Kagoshima. thanksgiving.

This year the Japanese and Mission- „ O" Sjtnday evening the Missionaryary Conventions were in Kagoshima, in P"' a T"" rsouthern Japan - July 24-28. Lois, Jona- attended, which was agood percentage ofthan and I went in our light van, taking 3 Japan. About halfare thirtyladies from the Nakano church with us. ^^ar veterans, and about half are a

On Thursday afternoon July 23 we f natation younger. The Mark Maxeydrove down to Tokyo bay and on board f"'" ^1

j c , c. . c on r>*if vears, and the convcntions Were 3 Dart ofthe daily canferry which left at 6|30 PM_ commemoration of that. All but 2ofWe enjoyed seeing the lights ofYokohama and Yokosuka cities and a • rpi; i? i- u ilong and large fireworks display along The English language singing

1 j j *1. u j sessions, Bible studies, reminiscences,the shore as we sailed down the bay and fun times were all deeplyinto the Pacific for the first time in some • , ^

years. The next afternoon about 4 PM ,• j j .7 , X o V 1 X L The missionary convention ended at(almost 2 hours late because we were noon on Tuesday, and wespentthenext2running against the strong Japan days sightseeing for the first time in theCurrent - the one in the o«an -- no Nagasaki area, which has many castles,reference to economic and political ^ j xu 1 r xi.. 1 , j rr-.i V- xxL X t museums and other monuments of thetrends) we drove offthe ship at the port of i v x j x- cHyuga on the eastern side of Kyushu p"''Island. We drove across the island Christians in Japan a most 400 yearsthrough some nice mountain scenery, were also delighted with theincluding a wonderful glimpse of smal island and inland sea scenery. WeKagoshima Bay inthe lingering twilight, 5?" Charles andand arrived at the Convention Hotel Drnna on TV in a Japanese hotel thewhile the first eveningsession was going °*-"u I'u i u

® e o jrjp back home was also by car

Over 300 people had gathered at a The aftereffects of a typhoon mademodern hotel on topof-CastleHill",with ^ and 3 meter

fx. - c x c waves, and almost everyone on boarda magnificent view of the city of . ' • i d » x j urr ?. J xi. X- 1 became seasick. But we returned homeKagoshima and the active volcano r , j x- j xu' jSakurajima in the background. everything in orderSaturday was spent in convention - Harold Simssessions, with time out for a tour to thesite where Francis Xavier stepped ashoreon August 15, 1549 as the first Christianmissionary to Japan and some otherinteresting historical sites in the city.

The final session on Sunday morningwas addressed by Bro. S.M. Chang, formany years one of our preachers andeducators across the strait in Pusan, Missionary Convention.

NUMBER 4

EVANGELISTICMEETING ATMEJIRODAI

Mejirodai Church Sunday Morning August 2.There were 2 visitors: Back, right, Mr. RaymondShetton of Wichita, Kansas, a nephew of thefamous missionary to Tibet of an earlier day.Fourth from left of first row standing was a musicteacher from Ohio visiting one of our membersbriefly.

From September 24-27 an evangelisticmeeting was held in Mejirodai church,resulting in a revival and increase in ourunity and joy that is very encouraging.

Many of our local people prayed dailyfor a month, and there were 3 earlymorning special prayer meetings. Wefound out later that the Christians inKanoya in far-off southern Japan hadbeen specifically praying, and we knowsome of you in the United States werealso praying for us.

We printed 5,000 handbills, anddistributed them to every house in ourarea, including apartment buildings. Infact we printed 1,000 especially for anewly developed housing area thatpeople began moving into earlier thisyear. Most of our members participatedin this street-pounding work, dividing upareas of labor on a small map kept at thechurch. Also 2 of the members made 10posters which were put up in variousconspicuous places. Three of our ladieswrote personal letters to people on our list

Hideo Yoshii

preaching Evangelistic Meeting atMejirodai.

who have been lax in their attendance.

We all knew that it is hard to getordinary Japanese to attend a Christianmeeting. In addition we had heavy rainsfor 2 nights and there had been a recentinstance of a young lady being molestedon the street between the station and ourchurch. But we went ahead with a goal ofhaving each member invite 4 people. Iam happy to report that the totalattendance at 6 meetings (4 nights andFriday and Sunday mornings) was 159--an average of 26.5. This average is 4above our Sunday morning attendanceon September 20. Our total membershipis 31. The best thing about theattendance was the ice-breaking cases --two non-Christians, and at least 4 ladiesin church for the first time.

Three people came forward at theinvitations. Two of them were baptizedon October 11. The other was one of the

first-timers who didn't fully understandbut is very sincere and a good prospect.

The preacher was Bro. Hideo Yoshii,who has been preaching for 23 years atthe Kanoya church in southern Japan.He was very effective and muchappreciated. One of our members heardhim speak at a convention several yearsago and had wanted him to come verymuch. - Harold Sims

A VISIT TOTHE IIJIMAS

On Tuesday, September 15 (JapaneseOld People's Day, a holiday) sevenJapanese preachers, eight missionariesand four of their wives drove in 4 cars upto Yamanashi prefecture to visit Stephenand Rhoda lijima. She has been in andout of the hospital for the past year withserious liver trouble, and he is not toowell. Furthermore, it was a few days afterhis 60th birthday, which is alwayscelebrated in the Orient. We all took ourlunch, to save them trouble.

After lunch we sat out in the yard of Mr.Kobayashi's house and enjoyed a goodtime of fellowship and devotion. (Mr.Kobayashi is an elder of Minato churchand long time close friend of the lijimaswho has a summer house nearby andgladly served as host to the meeting.) Allof us enjoyed the visiting together,including time in the cars. But the bestnews was that Rhoda has recently beento a specialist in Tokyo and the prospectsfor her getting completely well soon arenow very encouraging. One of the manyblessings in the work here is good co-workers who are also good friends.

" Harold Sims

The group that visited lijimas. Kobayashi's porch.

SUMMER CAMP

The Mejirodai Jr. High School group gettingready to leave for Camp.

Eleven Junior High School studentswent fi-om Mejirodai to the Shinshu BibleCamp in Nagano Prefecture on August 4.Half of them went in our van, and theothers by train -- a 5 hour trip either way.There were a total of 38 at camp. One ofthe highlights was a climb to the 2,000meter level of the nearby active volcanoMt. Asama •• leaving the camp at 10 PMand returning at 4 AM nearly frozen inmid-summer. All of the campers fromhere were non-Christians, but 3 of themhad been to the spring vacation campand were active in persuading the others.

Mrs. Nishizawa, our Jr. High sponsor,also went with us and helped innumerous ways as a dean of women. Itaught one of the classes, and when I hadto leave a day early Jonathan taught inmy place. He also gave his testimony thenight I preached the evening vespermessage.

One day in August we were happy toreceive a visit from Mrs. TakakoYoshimura Arakawa -- the youngestdaughter of one of the long-time, faithfulmembers of Nakano Church - whom Ihad baptized about 20 years ago. She wasmarried to a young man from a town nearNagoya 13 or 14 years ago. His familyhas had a good business for a long timemaking school uniforms, so they arebusy, prosperous and in the middle yearsof a happy marriage. We keep in touchwith them through occasional letters,and enjoyed an overnight visit in theirhome about 5 years ago. This summershe was in Tokyo to visit her mother andbrought her 2 children out here to meet us.

I went out for a short local errand, andwhen I came back I found her and thechildren sitting on the front seats of thechurch with Lois at the organ. And theywere singing one after another of thechoruses we used to sing at MotosuCamp. She still remembered the wordsand even the numbers of many, and saidher several years at camp were some ofthe high points of her life and she wassorry her children were missing suchexperiences. So we realized anew that theefforts put into camps are not wasted orlost, and that there are many motherslike this in various places in Japan.

- Harold Sims

VACATIONBIBLE SCHOOLOn August 9-11 Mejirodai Sunday

School held our 6th VBS at Lake Saiko.Because of overcrowding last year wedecided to limit this year's attendance to70 students. Over 50 people registered thefirst Sunday after the announcement inorder to be sure of going. Some cancelledbecause of sickness, etc., so we ended upwith a total of 63 students (2-6 grades)and 12 teachers and helpers.

The class sizes were well balanced, andthis year's program was one of the bestwe have had. Two things were a littledifferent: 1. The daughter of the owner ofthe inn there, who had come to help in thebusy summer season, had a son who wasa second grader. After we got there hewanted to join us and was given permission. He took part in all the activities,even sleeping in the room with our boys.It was his first time to hear Bible stories.This year the lessons were about Daniel.He seemed to enjoy every minute of it,and has already asked to do the samething next summer. 2. A popular TV program called "The Masked Rider" wasbeing filmed "on location" on thelakeshore near the camp. This was ofcourse very interesting to all the childrenwho watched it in all their free time. Justafter the lesson about Daniel eatingvegetables and drinking only water thechildren_le.ctured_the.filming crew andactors about the evil effects of theirsmoking and drinking beer.

Also on August 19-21 there was aVacation Bible School at the church forpre-schoolers and first and secondgraders who couldn't go to the Lake. Weaveraged 13 students for the 3 days.Some of the church ladies helped withteaching and refreshments. Jonathanand I had a little puppet show each day.

- Harold Sims

The Vacation Bible School at Lake Saiko.

HAROLD SIMS'MOTHER

PASSES AWAYMrs. Grace Firebaugh Sims, who has

been in the nursing wing of theAppalachian Christian Village inJohnson City, Tennessee for the past fewyears passed away on September 27(Harold's birthday) at 80 years of age.She left 3 sons and 1 daughter, 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grand-children. Thefollowing tribute to her was written byher second son Ralph, and appeared inthe First Christian Chronicle ofJohnson

City, Tennessee for October 4. Itexpresses our feelings well.

"Her name was Grace. But her familycalled her 'Sir'for the last forty-two yearsof her life.

"It began when three adolescent sonswere in the school band. Events werebuilding toward World War II. The bandwas organized along military lines, withthe highest ranking officer being thecaptain. There were first and secondlieutenants, sergeants of different levels,corporals, privates first class and buckprivates. The rule in the band was thatwhen you addressed a superior officeryou had to say, 'Yes, Sir', or 'No, Sir'.

"Our mother thought that was a goodidea. H^e went through the usually-expected protestations, etc. But wefollowed the game plan. To keep inpractice, we came to attention andsaluted our mother with a crisp 'Sir' atalmost every turn. In a short while thesalute was gone, but 'Sir' remained.

"All of the friends of the four children;all of the kids in the church youth group;all of the people •• faculty and studentsalike " on the campus of AtlantaChristian College when we lived there;and many other people ended up callingher 'Sir'.

"It was our finest way of showing howmuch we appreciated the fact that morethan anything else, for her children shewanted them to do what was right, and tofollow instructions.

"She was as good an encourager offledgling people (children) as can beimagined. 'You can do it' were herthoughts, communicated in many ways.

After a rich ministry as wife to apreacher and mother of four children, onSeptember 27, the date of her oldest son'sbirth, she moved on to where she canaddress her Lord as 'Sir' in person.

- Ralph E. Sims"

NEWS NOTESMr. Minoru Homma, whose story was

in the last Tokyo Christian, passedthis life on July 31.

Four students of San Jose Bible Collegewho are very interested in missions andmissionary careers and Bro. Don Byers,formerly a missionary in Thailand andnow ministering with the church inElmira, Oregon, spent about 10 days inJapan in August. They had earlier beenin Hong Kong and briefly into RedChina. On Sunday August 16 they alltook part in the worship service atMejirodai, and that evening they were ata joint rally at Kamiochiai church inTokyo. During the week they went toOkayama prefecture, and the followingweekend they were with Sannobarachurch in Isehara.

Ralph Harter, a missionary in Kanpur,India for 34 years was in Japan for about10 days after visiting several Orientalmission fields on his way home to afurlough in the U.S. He spoke atMejirodai and Sayama church in Tokyoon September 6.

PATTON NEWSSUMMER

DVBS was held the last weekend inJuly with only 8 attending. Due to school-regulated vacation time, it is very hard toset a time when many can come. Afterthe last session, the adults joined thechildren at an outing in a park nearby foran afternoon of fellowship.

Fourteen from the Yokosuka churchwere in attendance at the Family Campheld August 7-9 at Shinshu Bible Camp.We stayed on a few more days beforecoming back to the torrid heat. Also wewith our family from the United Statesenjoyed the English camp later in themonth. Hopefully we can attend morecamps next year.

Kensei Yokomizo cared for theYokosuka work and we were able toworship with the Sakurayama church(opened by us in 1960) with Sharon andher family on August 23. On August 30tha welcome meeting for Sharon and herfamily was held at the Yokosuka church.

We were happy to spend about 7 hourschatting with Ralph Harter (missionaryto India) as he made his way to the Statesfor furlough.

The Dale Wilkinson family and MiltonJones visited us on September 6 at theYokosuka church. We welcomed themback in the Lord's work. Milton, beforeleaving for the States, helped theWilkinsons transfer their belongingsfrom the church to their new residencenear the children's school.

The children and adults all enjoyed abi-annual birthday party on theafternoon of September 6. Thirty-twowere present for the fellowship together.The next day Kensei Yokomizo left forOsaka Bible Seminary to resume hisstudies.

- Andrew Patton

FALLOctober 4th was a full day offellowship

at the church. Following the afternoonEnglish worship with the navy folk, anagape dinner was enjoyed by all groupsworshipping at the church. Andrew washonored as it was his 64th birthday(having spent 33 years of them in Japan)and also 5 others whose birthdays are inOctober.

The group of missionary men haveagain started their joint-effort programof getting the Word out in the differentareas in which there is a work started.Two or three days are spent in differentareas. Recently the church in Niigataprefecture was helped as many homeswere contacted followed by anevangelistic meeting with one baptism.The Hanno area near Tokyo whereStephen Fleenor lives has been visited bythe group. The men also have given of

their time to help the WarrenChristiansen family ready their newliving-church quarters in NaganoPrefecture. They will help in any of theareas when asked. Each one donates tothe general fund to buy literature andtracts to be used in this ministry.

- Andrew Patton

HOMECOMINGFrom August 22-September 4 there

were many "firsts" in 6 people's lives. Itwas our "first" drive to Narita airport - agruesome 2 hour drive from Tokyo intyphoon winds. There we met ourdaughter, Sharon Lee, husband Chris,daughter Sandra {6V2 years) from CarlJunction, Missouri and Betty's AuntGladys Stackhouse (Fontana, California). It was the "first" time we had seenthem since 1976 and Sharon's "first"time back home since she left in 1972. It

was a "big first" for Chris, Sandra (whowas 1 when we saw her last) and AuntGladys. Sandra got to stay in the homewhere her mother grew up; went tochurch where her mother attended for 18years; visited the camp in Karuizawawhere her mother helped serve coffee, teaand cake for many coffee houseevangelistic programs; visited the rusticsummer church in the area and visitedthe active volcano that her unclesclimbed. We also were at the Englishcamp at the new camp site and Sandravisited with her mother's "aunts" and"uncles" " Pratts, Buttrays, and Sims. Avisit to Tokyo Tower gave us all a thrill toview the large city and realize its need forChrist. At Yokosuka church Sandrashared in the Sunday School program

Sandra (far right) learning from Grandpa in theSunday School in Yokosuka, Japan.

and heard her grandfather preach inJapanese. (Sunday school attendancedoubled on August 30 as Sandra hadfound friends on the 29th!) We were allinvited aboard the USS General Arnoldship (tracking ship for the Columbia) byRandy Mclntire, Tampa, Florida, as theship was in Yokosuka Bay. Randy is thegrandson of Betty's other aunt who isalso a sister to Aunt Gladys. So a familyreunion was held on board ship.

The visit has left us with manybeautiful memories that shall always becherished. We were just sorry that our 3sons couldn't have been with us to makeit more complete.

" Betty Patton

BUTTRAY NEWSAs far as numbers are concerned the

"Camping Season" this year at ShinshuBible Camp was little different than lastyear's"251 campers. The main differencewas 41 persons showed a desire to becomeChristians. And one has already beenbaptized. Let me say again, the purposefor Shinshu Bible Camp becoming areality is to fulfill the command of Jesus:"to go into all the world and preach theGOSPEL to every creature". Jesus alsosaid in John 9:4: "We must work the

works of Him who sent me, while it is day;night comes when no one can work!"With moral conditions rapidlydeteriorating in every corner ofthe world,(even as Jesus described the "End Days")just a spark will ignite the world! Thefollowing explosion will usher in the"Night Time" when no one can work!Christians taken out of the world willpermit a Vacuum of Darkness to coverthe earth, such as the world has everknown!!!

This I believe. But, the burden ofwitnessing to 115,000,000 Japanese is atask far beyond our ability. However, inJohn 14:12 Jesus promised his disciples(us) that greater things would they dobecause He was going to the Father.This is Our Promise! And likeAbraham, by faith God has brought us tothe land of Japan in these last days tobring forth a people chosen of God by theGospel of Jesus Christ! We have not yetreached the peak potential of CampEvangelism in Japan! The Japanesenatural thirst for the beauty of naturemakes Shinshu Bible Camp an idealattraction in these small islands.

Therefore, to take advantage of presentopportunities to reach the 40,000,000youth of Japan, we must increase ourcapacity as well as aim for maximumcampers for every scheduled camp. Ourpresent capacity is 80 persons. Or, about60 campers and 20 faculty. Recognizingthe urgency of the hour, we needanother 80 person capacity building,more missionaries and Japanesepreachers if we are to take advantage ofpresent opportunities.

In our September "News Letter" tosupporting Churches I mentioned theseand other improvement needs. And Iasked if there were 50 churches willing togive $500.00 each to make possible theseand other improvements. But to reachthe above goal it will take 100 churchesgiving $1,000.00 each. As for me, ThePurpose (GOAL) is undeniable andindisputable!!! We cannot, we mustnot, we dare not delegate this task ofreaching every Japanese person forChrist TO THE GENERATION OFTHE FUTURE. I want to see more thananything else the fulfillment of Christ'sPromise of "Greater Works"accomplished now!!! Do you???

- Stanley Buttray

An evening "Camp Fire" scene. There wassinging, music, testimony and message. TimTurner is on the left, the son of Bill and BettyTurner. He was a real help, and a good camper.

Shinshu Bible Camp "game" time after theeveni,ng_message. Hargid__Sims and his sonJonathan on the left. David Cole in center background, and Mark Pratt on the right who wasieader of the group.

Mr. Sasaki in the center had just been baptizedin the river. Warren and Eileen Christiansen whoare missionaries at the smaii town of Asashina,just ten minutes from Camp, were responsibie.Stanley and Mabel Buttray on the left assisted.

Tokyo Christian(No. 776-370}

Published four times a year in January, April, July and November forthe missionaries of the Church ofChrist Cunningham Mission, Tokyo,Japan by Mission Services, Box 177,Kempton, Indiana 46049. SecondClass postage paid at Kempton,Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8 Innaihara, Mochizuki, KitasakuGun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22.Forwarding Agent: Mrs. GarydonHessler, 760 Garden St., Meadville,PA 16335.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo164 Japan, Forwarding Agent: Mr.and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box15, Rushville, IN 46173.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193Japan. Forwarding Agent: FirstChurch of Christ, Orange at CenterSt., Eustis, FL 32726.

Two-year subscription $.50Subscription and

Flaming Torch $1.00

Dear Friends in various places,

Here at Mejirodai we are preparing for a Christmas season whichwe hope will "be a joyful and climactic end to another good year of activityfor the Christ who came down from Heaven to dwell among us long ago and iswith us yet. Two of the three people who have come to Christ so far thisyear were unknown to us in January, and the other was not considered as alikely prospect; hut we are hoth amazed at and thankful for God's guidanceand providences, and for the gospel which is His power unto salvation forall who will helieve. We continue with the conviction that Christ's churchin this local area and in Japan as a whole is slowly growing, and we areglad to he involved in this vital work in these times.

As the twentieth century and all of us grow older we feel liketime moves faster and the glohe gets smaller, although we know that isn'tscientific. A number of people from the U.S. and one from India visitedour home out in the western edge of Tokyo again this year, and two of ourchirrch members and the Toyama family who attend here regularly spent sometime in the U.S. We have also received names and addresses of Japaneseyoung people who have stayed in your homes and visited your churches.That is a very good way for you to hoth learn and witness, and we areappreciative of the efforts you are making in evangelism. We are oftendisappointed when they don't come to church after returning to the strongpulls of Japan's weh-like culture, hut let us keep on trying our best.It is good that the Pacific is peaceful and a busy 2-way route for us.

All through the year we have kept up a rather full daily scheduleof church related activities and English classes, and have been sustainedin good health. In July we enjoyed a trip to the Kyushu Conventions andsome interesting sight-seeing. Three trips were made to Hagano Prefecturefor camps, and one to Lake Saiko for YBS. Otherwise v;e stayed around here.Of course we maintain contact with our Japanese churches and missionariesin the greater Tokyo area, and all is going well with them too.

Penny Boggs, the missionary intern who lived with us until March31 and then traveled through Japan visiting other missionaries,returnedto the U.S. on Aug. 5.

Our eldest son Jonathan arrived on May 29 to begin his missionarycareer. He started studying Japanese part-time in the summer term fromJune 12. Since Sept, 1 he has been going to language school full-time,and will soon complete the second of 5 levels in the 2 year course. Healso helps in the Sunday School, Youth Group and presides at our worshipservices every Sunday.

My mother, Grace Sims, passed from this earthly life on Sept. 27—my 57th birthday. She is buried by my father in Claxton, Tenn., the lastof the eight places they ministered. She had 4 children, 12 grand-children,and 6 great-grand-children.

Hope and Tom Schmidt and Becky (10) Mindy (6) and Heidi (2) inKendallville, Indiana; Sylvia and Dave Smith and Rachel (5) Joshua (3) andSuzanne (1) in Onalaska, Wisconsin; Robert and Helen and Daniel in Cincinnati, Ohio are all doing well. They were all together on Labor Day weekend, and we enjoyed a tape recording of part of that fun time.

We pray that each one reading this will have a richly blessedChristmas, and again in eighty-two may the Lord bless you too.

-N

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