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Tokyo
VOLUME 83

Christian
JANUARY 1984 NUMBER 1

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

PATTONS' NEWS
CAMP
The New Year's holiday, January 15, is the most beloved of any on the! Japanese calendar. The whole land of Japan lies idle during New Year's and the latter half of December is spent in special preparation for these few days; a thorough house cleaning, business transactions completed, debts paid, and special foods prepared for the festivity. Buying gifts for those who have befriended them during the year or past years is all a part of the yearly planned program of a family. During the strenuous days of preparation for New Year's, Christmas, emptied of content, doesn't go by unnoticed especially by the retailers and supermarkets and office parties. Therefore, we find very few persons who have enough leisure time on their
hands to attend our annual Christmas
baked cookies to the homes in the local

area. A written invitation was given for them to come to the camp's candlelight service on the 24th at 8 p.m. From our visitation, 4 mothers and 7 school-aged children joined in the service led by Mr. Taninari. The weather during this camp was indeed wintry. Special precautions were taken to keep water pipes from freezing. In spite of extra heat one toilet bowl froze and had to be replaced. There was no snow for the campers to enjoy but we had had some previous to camp time. Now in January there is plenty and more to look forward to,
we're sure.

Children, youth, the middle-aged, < and the aged were all represented at I their camp. Some of the older ladies 'who came have been members of the Nakano church over 30 years and still attend the services regularly. Eleven i from i the church attended. It was an excellent i opportunity for them to grow in i the nurture of the Lord. We hope that many more of our 'churches use the camp facilities to hold their "Shuyokai". The Moriguchi 1 church of Osaka, to whom Martin i Clark ministers, had their "Shuyokai" ' at i the camp in September. Two van loads made the 7-hour trip to enjoy a { spiritual retreat. . ,
"Andrew Patten

camp. Schools in the Tokyo area were


not dismissed until noon on the 24th.

Mr. Taninari's fiancee came up from Tokyo 2 days before the camp and decorated the tables and camp building. She has a degree in artificial flower arranging and decorating. Red
poinsettias with green branches from the camp trees and pine cones made a

So those who came to the camp scampered to catch a train and make it to the camp evening meal by 6:30 p.m.
The schools in the local area of the

beautiful decor throughout the


building. In spite of the difficulties involved in having a winter camp, we believe our Christmas camp was a success and that the campers, all of whom had been to camp previously, learned a great deal that will be a great profit to them in coming to Christ or living for Him. The Nakano church of Tokyo, Mr. Itagaki minister, held their "Shuyokai" in October, using the facilities of Shinshu Bible camp. This

camp remained in session until the 28th. However, 14 were in attendance at the 2-day camp and enjoyed the special program honoring our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Mr. Taninari was dean of the camp. He and Andrew brought the messages. Mr. Bill Turner was in charge of the music and Leone Cole and Betty were
the cooks.

^ A retaining; wall and guard beauty u> camp buiiding. l

rail adds safety and

One week before camp opened, the


Pattons and Mr. Taninari took home-

was the last camp of the seasoh,


excluding the Christmas camp.

^ Christmas Camp (Mr. Turner and Mr. Taninari


> WLTi* absenll

MR. SATORU TANINARI


Mr. Satoru Taninari has worked

Miss Fukuyama on November 20,1983


at his home church at Akashi. The

with the Shinshu Bible Camp almost from the time when the first camp meeting was held. He is now the Japanese manager of the camp and helps in the kitchen as well. After graduating from Osaka Bible Seminary he ministered to a church in
Osaka and then came to the Bible

Mr. Satoru Taninari and Miss Kaoruko

wedding date has been set for April 20, 1984. Miss Fukuyama is a native of Okinawa. At present she is teaching in a kindergarten on the outskirts of Tokyo. We wish them much happiness and joy in their Christian marriage. They will be living in the camp area as
Mr. Taninari continues his duties as

Camp.

He also ministered to the

Yokosuka church for seven months

co-manager with the Pattons.


Fukuyama flnKagement Ceremony Nov. 20,198;). "Andrew Patton

while the Pattons were on furlough. Mr. Taninari became engaged to

ANDREW PATTON'S FATHER PASSES


On October 31, 1983 (Japan time)
Andrew Patton received word from

The

death

of Andrew's

father,

Island for 3 weeks, and tjiey are now


helping Warren Christianson finish

however, and his 35-day trip to the


U.S.A. for the funeral and as executor

Atlanta that his father had passed away. Plans were made immediately
for Andrew to leave for the U.S. the very next day.

of the will to settle his father's estate, necessitated a postponement of that work. We intend to get busy on that
project just as soon as weather and other circumstances permit. We will keep you informed of the progress of
that work. -Andrew Patton

their home at Asahina (near our camp). Later the Nixes are scheduled to go to
Tanabe to help the Hinsons finish more of their home and meeting
quarters. We have learned to love the Nixes for

Holt K. Patton was 101 years, 1


month and 5 days old on the day of his
death. His funeral was held at his

their Christian character, friend liness, and for their works' sake. They also serve who come and help!
"Andrew Patton

home town of Hayesville, N. Car.


Andrew and his brother Lawrence of Atlanta reached the funeral home in Hayesville shortly before the funeral.

SURGERY FOR FORWARDING AGENT


Mr. and Mrs. Wade Fletcher of

NEW

MISSIONARIES TO
JAPAN
During our ministry at the Yokosuka
church we learned to know and love

All 9 of Daddy Patton's children (six


sons and 3 daughters) survive him and
were present at the funeral. His wife

Rushville, Ind. have served as forwarding agents for Andrew and

preceded him in death by 7 years. When Andrew, his second son, decided to be a preacher, his father said to him, "Son, if you are going to be a preacher, be a good one." That was his motto-being a "good one"--whatever
he did.

Betty Patton since 1965.

They have

been of invaluable service to the Pattons and their mission work since
that time.

On December 11 Mrs. Fletcher went

His whole life was spent in sacrificial service to others with very little
material remuneration to show for it.

to Indianapolis hospital to have new hip joints put into both hips-a period of 3 weeks in the hospital. She was home

He was very well known not only in his own but in the surrounding two
counties of North Carolina and on into

for the New Year and we pray for her complete, quick recovery. A card or telephone call to encourage her would be appreciated.
"Andrew Patton

Georgia, because of the service he rendered as a self-taught veterinarian.


--Andrew Patton

CAME TO SERVE
We have been blessed recently by
meeting a fme Christian American couple-Joe and Lora Nix of Arizona and Colorado. They are former school teachers and are now in Japan briefly to help in church and missionary home construction and repair. Mr. Nix is a carpenter and cabinet maker. After arriving in Japan the Nixes

Bill and Akemi Belew, members of the church. Bill, a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary and an officer in the Navy at that time, is from Cincinnati Ohio. Akemi, who was baptized at Yokosuka, comes from Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Bill resigned his commission with the Navy and they began their preparation to do mission work in Akemi's native place. To secure supporters they returned to the U.S.A. for 2 years. Akemi is now back in Japan with her parents preparing for the return of her husband for the new work they plan to
launch soon. Bill will arrive back in

PROPOSED NEW WORK


We have previously publicized the
fact that we intend to start a new

Japan on January 31 and their work will begin shortly afterward. We are not directly responsible for
the Belews' decision to serve Christ in

Japan as missionaries, but we do rejoice in any influence we might have


had toward their decision to do that.

church work in a community near Shinshu Bible Camp as soon as time

and circumstances permit. We had planned to do so after the 1983 camp


season ended.

helped Exie Fultz of Awaji Island,


Martin Clark at Osaka Bible

We also rejoice that our heavenly Father has raised up and prepared another fine couple to preach His Word to the Japanese.
-Andrew Patton

Seminary, Don Burney on Shikoku

= = SIMS' NEWS = = ^ = =
100 YEARS OF MISSIONARY WORK COMMEMORATED
Mention was made in the last issue of the TC that Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Garst

Sunday afternoon we met at the

and Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Smith, sent out by the old Foreign Christian Missionary Society arrived to begin our evangelistic work in Japan on October 19, 1883. On Nov 6, 7 some special meetings were held in Tokyo to commemorate this. LeRoy Garrett, of
Denton, Texas, and the author of a

Garst tombstone in the foreigners' section of the famous Aoyama


14 I :I

Cemetery in downtown Tokyo. It was raining lightly and unseasonably cold. Mark Maxey brought a fine message
about the life and work of Bro. Garst.

The essence of this is to appear in the


Christian Standard soon. Then all

of us sang "Faith is the Victory" (the


words on the tombstone) as the chimes

tolled the time for closing the cemetery


that day. From there we walked to a

popular history of our Stone-Campbell Movement was passing through Japan at that time on his way to 3 weeks of special lectures in Thailand, and served as the special speaker for the
occasion.

Participants in planning the 100 year Commemoration Program at the Sims' home.L. to R. Mark Muxey, I^Roy Garrett, Motoyuki
Numura and Harold Sims.

large hall for a Japanese-style dinner. LeRoy Garrett spoke there on "Our Heritage and Destiny" to 57 people from 8 of our churches, emphasizing
some of the slogans of our movement

and the meaning for us today.

Monday raorning over 20 preachers, missionaries and a few "laymen" who


could attend met at the non-

member

of one

of the

Disciples

Churches who wrote a book about the

instrumental Ochanomizu Church of Christ downtown for a day of fellowshipandstudy. All3"branches"

history of their work in Japan some years ago. This was followed by a 2hour discussion period on the general
subject of the "Next 100 Years." We all

ate supper together in an upstairs room of the church, and enjoyed good fellowship together. Then Bro. Garrett brought the concluding message of the day.
I translated all 3 of Bro. Garrett's

of the Church, will be with us as we strive for more unity, growth and evangelistic zeal. We are thankful for the prayers and contributions of faithful Christians during a long century of work for Christ and His Church in Japan.
"Harold Sims

messages, which was tiring but enjoyable. Also the Japanese preachers helped me with some of the
Part of the audience at the Japanese-style dinner listeninjf to LeRoy Garrett'a measatje.
of the Restoration Movement were

difficult words, such as "essentially, intentionally and constitutionally


one," which made it educational as
well.

represented. The first message was "My personal experience of the Church of Christ" by Stephen lijima. This was followed by a one-hour talk by Bro.
Garrett After lunch there was a talk

Having these meetings was meaningful in itself, but perhaps more


significant was a good measure of

fellowship, contact and understanding


between some of the people there. We
trust that Christ, the Head and Builder

Harold Sims translating for Dr. Garrett at the Monday meetings.

by Mr. Akiyama, a journalist and

OUR CHRISTMAS MEETINGS


At Mejirodai this year we had our Sunday School programs on Christmas Eve afternoon. (The
children got out of school for the winter vacation at noon that day.) Present were 60 children, 16 mothers and 8
teachers. We had one of the best

program of music, humorous talks and gift-exchange. Everyone seemed to have a good time. The Theme for the Day was "Go tell it on the Mountain". Lois and one of the church ladies

neighborhood.

None of the children

had ever been in a church before or

programs ever-mostly various kinds of

worked hard and long on a globe of the world hanging high up in the church. The Japanese translation of the song
says tell the "world".

music, vocal and instrumental by different age levels. Forty-six children received prizes for attending over half of the Sundays of the year, with the top
ones receiving small medals.

heard the Christmas story. We gave each of them a Bible portion with colored pictures in it and a tract on the meaning of Christmas. They listened very well to my hour-long talk also. Almost ICQ percent of the churches in Japan celebrated Christmas this
year on the same day with a similartype of worship-lunch-party format and with one of the largest attendances of the year. The Japanese all like festivals, and of course "Christmas" is

something like one. Also this year the timing was right-on Sunday. It helped thousands of Japanese preachers to end the year on an encouraging note, at
least.

The Ladies Choru.s .singing during the program at Mejirodai on Christmas Day aCternoon,;) children ciiuld not l>e separated from their mothers. The
Part of the audience at the Sunday School Christmas Program in Mejirodai Church on
Christmas Kve.

The Mark Pratts and Penny Boggs did a live nativity scene in a parking lot
next door to their home in our

Theme "Go Tell the World" is on the banner; the glohe can he seen at right, and faces of various tribes and races drawn by Lois Sims can he seen at the top of the picture.

neighboring city of Machida, which we

went down to se*e.

They had a nice

At 7 PM Christmas Eve we had 35 present for the annual candle service. Ten of the Jr. High students remained

after that for a party at our house, and I took them all home in our van through the quiet streets of the city without
running into Santa.

In addition to these meetings we had 4 large English Class parties and 2 other meetings for Home Bible Study groups, which kept us very busy throughout the season, Finally, on
Dec. 27 about 30 children from an area Children's Club came to the church to

manger scene background made of wood, cardboard and straw and elaborate spot-lights and narration

Sunday we had a capacity crowd of


57 adults and
lunch of rice

18 children for our


balls and a 2-hour

hear the true meaning of Christmas. The idea and request came from the
non-Christian leader of the club for

and music on large loud-speakers. 1 particularly enjoyed watching the reactions of drivers on the majortraffic artery as they passed by and did a double-take. Some stopped until traffic behind started horn-hlowing when the light turned green. May the gospel become more of a traffic-stopper in this
land.

worship service, followed by a light

this

year,

who

lives

in

our

-Harold Sims

EVANGELISTIC MEETING AT
MEJIRODAI
Cultures and customs are constantly changing all over the world. I get the
impression that the traditional one or two-week evangelistic meeting which was one of the "musts" every year
Nakano church, and later went to Osaka Bible Seminary. We printed 3000 hand-bills, and several of our young people helped distribute them to every house in the area. With a membership of 33 we had attendance at the 3 meetings of 25, 32 and 27. This included 3 totally new people from this area and 3 other firsttime visitors from another part of Tokyo, 2 of whom were Christians and
friends of one of our members who

when I was growing up in the United States is becoming less common. And it also seems that the 3-day

evangelistic meeting every Fall-a


long-standing tradition in most Japanese churches-is going out of style. In general attendance is small, very few new people come as a result of
door-to-door distribution of hand-bills

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray (retired) Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Lois Hessler, PC Box 287, Meadville, PA 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 571-1

or advertisements handed to people getting off at the local railroad station,


and responses to the invitation are very rare. But so far we keep on.

invited them. Ten people attended all 3 meetings, and 6 others attended 2 times. There were no responses to the invitations, but the people who came
for the first time have been several

Innaihara, Mochizuki Shi, Kitasaku Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, Rt.
6. Box 15. Rushville. IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims. 3-33-7

Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193 Japan. Forwarding Agent: First Church ofChrist, Orange at Center St., Eustis, FL 32726.

Last fall we had our meeting Oct. 810 with Bro. Akada preaching. His wife came with him all 3 times, which
our ladies appreciated. He became a Christian about 25 years ago in the

times since. In general we were encouraged by the results and hope to try again next fall.

Two year subscription


Subscription and Flaming Torch Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

$.50
$1.00

-Harold Sims
April,

Published four times a year in January,


July, and November for the
missionaries f the Church of Christ.

Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services, 7525 Hodges Ferry Road. KnoxvilleTN 37920. Secimd Class postage paid at Knoxville, TN 37901. POST MASTER: Send address changes to

WORSHIP ON NEW YEAR'S DAY? YES! EVEN IF AT NO


OTHER TIME!
The Japanese people place great importance on the beginning of a New Year, and are especially religious at this time. On Jan. 4 the newspapers reported that 81.6 million people (over 70% of the population) visited one or more of 1,147 temples and shrines during Jan. 1-3 -3.7 million attheMeiji Shrine in Tokyo alone. Many of our regular members who are housewives had told me they would be unable to come that day because of
entertaining visitors at their home or

Tokyo Christian, c/o MISSION SERVICES, PO Box 2427, Knoxville, TN


37901.

commitments to go visit parents, inlaws etc. But their places were taken by people who rarely come to regular worship services, so we had. a total
attendance of 30 adults and 12 children

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here. We were especially happy to have 5 complete families in the service. And
we felt those few had a more

vO

meaningful experience in worshipping


here than the hordes at the shrines.

We hope to continue to have New Year's Day worship service even when
it is not on Sunday.
Harold Sims

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TOKYO MISSIONARIES MEET


The Tokyo area missionaries got together on November 24 for a Thanksgiving dinner, fellowship and praise at the Stephen Fleenor home in Sayama. Guests were Mr. and Mrs. Fenn from Oregon, who are helping the
Fleenors build their new home.

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the home of Mark and Lynn Pratt for a delicious carry-in meal and relaxing
afternoon of talk. Present at that time were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nix of Phoenix

3 cr (V

Again on Dec. 29, after all had finished their busy season of Christmas-related activities, we met at

and Colorado who are helping several missionaries with small building projects for a period of3 months. We all appreciate the inspiration given by these visitors and their spirit of service.
-Harold Sims

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Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 83
APRIL 1984 NUMBER 2

SIMS' NEWS
FIFTH SUNDAY RALLY AT MEJIRODAI
For the past several years here in the Tokyo area we have sought to increase the fellowship between our brethren and to encourage evangelism and growth in every place by having gatherings at the different churches when there are fifth Sundays -- about 4 times a year. Perhaps a majority of all churches in Japan have a custom of eating lunch together after the morning worship service. Not everyone stays, but usually over half of
the people stay over for the informal time of visiting with each other, and many pastors say it is the best time both for evangelism and pastoring and finding sermon material from hearing the expressions of what the people are feeling and struggling with. Also many of the young people come

comes, so all are more free to go to some


other church for the afternoon. The

idea has caught on, and we can generally count on representatives of several churches being present
wherever the Rally is being held. On January 29, 1984 it was Mejirodai's turn to play the host. It is usually decided where the next one will be during each Rally, but lately some
churches have looked ahead at calendars and asked for some of the

during the past year or of their goals for the new year, and then to sing a song. This was all spontaneous and unrehearsed, but it was very good. When everyone came in the door they had been asked to pay 600 yen for their supper =$2.57. We had ordered 70 boxes of Kentucky Fried Chicken lunches (2 pieces) and a can of drink for each one, which at first planning we agreed
would be sufficient and would cost a

choice dates, so we have this year fully scheduled already, which is a good sign. (Sometimes one is skipped if it conflicts with a Camp or Convention or holiday or something like that). The host church often gets a lot of stimulus and benefit from the work of planning and carrying out a Rally, and we did
this time.

little more than 600 each, the church paying the deficit. But then one of our members donated 2 liters of ice cream, and another one came bringing jello enough for everyone. Meanwhile the
ladies had decided we needed some

dessert, so had bought a box of over 100 mandarin oranges and some cookies. So we ended up having a feast and a

from non-Christian and unsympathet ic homes, and this provides them with the needed caring, loving and family atmosphere. So in these churches it becomes a pattern, and when people leave home for church early in the morning they are prepared to serve in the Sunday School, worship and then
stay for lunch and the afternoon

real pile of garbage to be hastily


cleaned up before the evening service which closed the program for the day. We decided on a Theme for the Day of "Growing More in '84", and as the people left that night they were saying those English words and truly feeling like they would do that. A total of 68 people attended from 11 different

meetings. In the average church this might be Deacons' meeting every first Sunday, Ladies' every second Sunday, Youth groups every third Sunday, etc. But there is nothing scheduled for the fifth Sunday when a month like that

The afternoon program began at 3 PM, with one of our men presiding. He had prepared some sheets with Japanese ideographs on them which could be read in a sort of different way to become names of various places in the world - London, Washington, etc. The people had a lot of fun trying to guess the meanings. Also during this time we had some singing by the whole group and then the group representing
each church was asked to come to the

front, introduce themselves and give a short report either of their progress

churches in the area. Three people from some distance stayed overnight with us before starting home the next morning. It was a good day, and the people who worked the hardest were the happiest. -Harold Sims

A
S'tl'
Grciuj) from Sannohara Church in Isohara, including Mr.s. lyConeCole
in llu' niiddli'

Group from Onta Church at Fifth Sunday Rally

BOKKA -- THE PASTORAL SONG


Over 30 years ago Stephen Masahisa lijima, the preacher at the Minato Church of Christ, started printing a monthly paper. At first it was sold mainly to the members of the local
church and a few friends. The main

SEVERE WINTER

^
^
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80KKA

This is not
o" prmciples to
be gleaned from

life of Samuel.

a v e r s e by verse,

504

dwelling

purpose was to encourage the people to study the Bible on their own -- to make the Japanese a people of "the Book". It also served as a means of keeping in
contact with members who could not

i:':'

.... M-" i '


V
i

thoseevents.lt IS interesting tometoseethe


familiar

I 'L-This past winter was the snowiest and coldest we have ever experienced in Tokyo, and we have lived here for 36 of them, except for a few when we were on furlough in the U.S. The first snow was on January 19, and some of that original snow was still unmelted on the shady northside of our house and the
street in front of the church when the

ries

as

storead

attend the services often, with various sick ones, shut-ins and old people, and also as a tool of evangelism. There was a period of time in the late 1950's when he ceased publishing for several years,
and he has missed a month now and

through

the

' * "

eyes of an old
Asian culture

then through the years because of sickness, travel, etc. But finally last November the little magazine reached number 300, and many of the readers sent in letters of congratulation and thanks. Not very many Christian papers in Japan last this long. The circulation has grown to about 650 monthly now, mainly by one reader telling another. It is read by people in most of our churches in Japan (in Mejirodai we take a dozen copies a month) and many other people scattered all over Japan and even in Korea, U.S.A. and perhaps other
countries.

that also has various sagas and heroes. This is usually 4 pages. 5. This is followed by 2 pages of interesting comment on various subjects --often on one word commonly used by the Japanese. This is very beneficial for all of us, as he uses good humor and

last one fell on April 1. The weather


bureau said that we had at least some

snow flakes in the air on 29 days

All of the writing is done by Stephen, except for ah "occasional article by a guest or a digest of a sermon by a Japanese preacher that he has requested. All of the typing is normally done by his wife, Rhoda. She has not been very well for the past several years, so during some of that time it was done by a disabled man who was a reader. Then it is printed by Stephen on an offset press in their basement and the 2 of them prepare for mailing. The content is fairly standard: I.
On the front there is a short inspi

wide reading and personal examples as he examines Christianity and Japanese Culture in depth. 6. Always the final 6 pages are taken up with a diary of the previous month. Day by day he comments on TV news, letters received, conversations with the neighbors, something his wife said, etc. Some of the people read this part first, as it is so interesting and "down to earth". The back cover always announces things such as books for sale. He has books on Luke, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, etc., which have previously appeared month by month in the magazine, as well as other
collections of his sermons and short articles.

during that period of time. Almost everyone, including us, suffered various problems with frozen pipes in addition to the high fuel bills. We even
had ice freeze inside of the oil line between the tank and our house and

finally thawed it by using hot rags which Lois brought from the kitchen.
But we survived and the work went on.

The old dog got sick with a bad cough, and we brought her inside and got her well by giving her leftover cold
medicine from our medicine cabinet

upstairs.

-Harold-Sims

NEW WORK AT KOTESASHI


About a year ago we reported the be ginning of a new effort in evangelism by
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Turner and Mr. and

Stephen is now 62 years old, so we


don't know whether there will be a

Bokka 500 or not, but we congratulate


him on what has been done so far. "Harold Sims

rational message. Bro. lijima is a very talented and powerful writer, and
recently a member of the Minato Church who is a pianist and music teacher wrote music to go with the words on the cover which has already been sung in a number of churches. 2. Then there is the main Bible Study. Right now he is going through Acts verse by verse, and in April will appear the 60th article or chapter, which will be the first part of Chapter 17. The comments are not so deep in Theology
or Greek as to be over the heads of the

ISABEL DITTEMORE
VISITS
Veteran missionary Isabel Dittemore, who served Christ a number of years in China, and then in Japan and finally in Taiwan, passed through Japan in March on the way
back from an extended visit with her

daughter

Janet

Bemo

and

other

missionaries in Thailand and then in

common people, but are very practical and applied to everyday life, and modern-day culture, news events, etc. This usually occupies 6 pages. 3. Next
comes one of the sermons he has

others parts of Asia. We had a Prayer Meeting and Fellowship with her on the evening of March 20 at the Turner home in Kotesashi, and enjoyed very much hearing the thrilling stories of
how the work is done and going forward not only in Thailand but also
in Burma where there have been no

Mrs. Akira Ishii. Bro. Ishii is a young man who had just graduated from a Christian College. They started services last April in a small empty store near the Kotesashi station. Through the year a few people started coming regularly, but a Porno Shop opened right next to the place they were renting, so they gave it up. For the month of March they rented a room in a building which had been used as a restaurant. (The restau rant went bankrupt.) During that month they tried to have as many spe cial meetings as possible, because they couldn't afford to pay the rent for more than one month. They had movies, spe cial music groups, etc. and for the last 3 days of the month they had a special evangelistic meeting with Bro. lijima

preached at the Minato church - the


sermon of the month. This usually

preaching. During that time they had about 3U people attend, which is a high for their first year and a big encouragement to all. Now they have a pretty big and serious problem about a place in which
to have meetings as they continue. We

"missionaries" for many years but


where over 4000 attended a convention. recent

takes 6 to 10 pages. 4. Then we have an Old Testament study, presently the

ask all who will to join us in prayer


about this. -Harold Sims

PATTONS' NEWS
BAPTISM AT CAMP
A young man, Shingo Tsuda of Mejirodai, where Harold and Lois Sims minister, attended our Christmas camp at Shinshu Bible Camp lastyear. After returning home he informed his parents and Harold that he intended to be present at the Spring Camp in 1984 and be baptized in the river that is near the camp at that time. His intentions were fulfilled on March 29,1984, when he was baptized in Chikuma River by
Harold Sims.

CAMP MANAGER'S HOUSE


Soon after the camp building for Shinshu Bible Camp was completed,
Satoru Taninari was asked to come to

CAMP LEADERS'
MEETINGS
The Shinshu Bible Camp has been
in need of guidelines and rules for a more efficient operation of the camp for some time. These are not only necessary for the campers who visit the

the camp to help manage its affairs. Until now Mr. Taninari, being single, has lived in the camp house
during the winter, first with the Buttrays and now with the Pattons. In the summer he stayed in the camp building to be near the business and overlook the camp sessions.

camp but for the camp staff and leaders as well so that all may know their duties and responsibilities. After a rough draft had been made of

proposed rules and guidelines by


Andrew Patton, Mr. Satoru Taninari
and the Pattons met with Harold and

On April 14 Mr. Taninari will be married to Miss Fukuyama. Therefore, the Zaidan has made plans and has signed a contract with Sekisui House construction company to construct a
house for the Taninaris. The work on

Lois Sims in Tokyo in January to


discuss the articles of the draft. At the

the house is scheduled to be finished by July 10. The house will be built on a slope near the Pattons' house. Both homes and the camp grounds are owned by our property-holding corporation, Zaidan Hojin Yotsuya Mission Kirisutokyokai Iji Zaidan. The marriage of Mr. Taninari and the building of a house in which he and
his wife will live are both matters for

meeting thirteen counsellors, including missionaries and Japanese Christian leaders, were chosen to offer advice to the camp. The counsellors which were chosen are: Harold Sims, Lois Sims, Andrew Patton, Betty Patton, Jonathan Sims, Satoru Taninari, Paul Pratt, Mark Pratt, Masihisa lijima, Mr. Kobayashi, Mr. Kanamura, Betty or Bill Turner, and
Leone Cole. These advisers met at the Sims"

home in Mejirodai Tokyo on February


10 to discuss matters related to the

rejoicing. We believe that both will be very beneficial to the camp and will serve to give Mr. Taninari a more permanent status at the camp.
"Andrew Patton

camp, including the rules and guidelines. The camp is very fortunate
to be able to benefit from the collective wisdom of these counsellors and the

WINTER
Shingo Tsuda entering the waters <if baptism during the Spring Camp at Shinshu Bible Camp,
March 29, 198-1.

Shingo has attended the services of the Mejirodai church for some time; his
mother is a member of a Holiness church and his father is a member of a church affiliated with Nihon Kirisuto

Kyodan, Japan.

the

federated

church

of

The river Chikuma flows between

Shinshu Bible Camp and the City of Komoro. Everyone at the camp witnessed the baptism at the river. We thank God for his testimony to his
friends.

Having lived in mild winter weather in Tokyo for 32 years and in a yet milder climate in Yokosuka for 3 years, we were awed by the beauty of God's winter wonderland here at the camp during the past winter. But after being "snowed-in" from the main road every weekend for several months, we began to wonder when we'd be free of digging our way out. However, Tokyo had a record of 29 snowfalls this year! Andrew dug one tire track to the end of the camp road and dug one more tire track back to camp. With a few pushes and slips, we got through to get needy things. A four
wheel drive vehicle could have made it

first meeting after the group was chosen gave ample proof of this. The next scheduled meeting of these
advisers will be held on November 23,
1984. We believe our churches and their

leaders will feel more like participating in Shinshu Bible Camp and its program, now that camp advisers have been chosen to represent them in helping to formulate plans and programs for the camp.
--Andrew Patton

SPRING CAMP
The first camp of the 1984 season at Shinshu Bible Camp was that for high school and college students held on March 27-30. Nineteen campers plus
staff members were able to attend the

Mrs. Tsuda, Shingo's mother, and Shingo's two younger sisters travelled all the way from Tokyo by train to see him baptized. His mother prepared and brought with them enough
"sekihan" and home-baked fruit cake

easily. Perhaps we may have to invest


in one later on.

for all the campers. "Sekihan" is a rice and bean dish which is prepared and eaten in Japan on festive occasions. In spite of the cold weather and the snow on the ground, Shingo obeyed his Lord in being baptized and he joyfully
walks in newness of life. "Andrew Patton

We were not able to worship at Asashina regularly as it always snowed Saturdays and/or Sundays. Betty has written to Sherman Nichols at Colorado Springs, Colorado for taped messages of his Lord's Day services at the church. At the February camp meeting in Tokyo we received some of those tapes that had been sent by Sherman and enjoyed a full worship service on those snowed-in Sundays. Thanks, Sherman. --Betty Patton

camp. Harold Sims and Andrew Patton along with Satoru Taninari, Dean for the week, brought messages

from God's Word. Betty Patton and Penny Boggs served as camp cooks. Mr. Kishimoto from Wakayama
Prefecture served as recreational director and devotional leader.

Snow still deeply blanketed the camp area during the camp but enough had melted to make the ground visible in places (for the first time since about

November) and the camp road was passable. Most of those attending this camp
were "old-timers". But several of the

the group of campers was found a cellist, four pianists and organists, three young men with excellent tenor voices that read music readily along
with the known talent of those who had

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Butlray (retired) Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Lois Hessler, PO Box 287, Meadville,
PA 16;}35.

new campers had waited eagerly for their March graduation ceremony which qualified them to attend camp
for the first time. It was a new

attended camp before. The praises to the Lord rang loud and clear at this
time.

experience for them in that it was a camp that was Christ-centered. The teaching program of this camp consisted of messages, discussions as
usual. Mr. Taninari added an hour of

Mr. Kishimoto said that this camp


was the best one he had attended. We

were happy to hear that and we hope that the other camps which will be held this season will be just as enjoyable
and beneficial. "Andrew Patton

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 571-1 Innaihara, Mochizuki Shi, Kitasaku Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan ;W4-22. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs. G. Wade I'^letcher, Rt. 6, Box 15, Rushvilte, IN 461715. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, ;i-M;}-7 Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193

religious music to the program this year just before every noon meal. In

Japan. Forwarding Agent: First Church of Christ, Orange at Center St., Eustis, FL 32726.

Two year subscription

$.50
$1.00

1984 CAMP SCHEDULE


The following schedule has been made for the 1984 camp season for Shinsu Bible Camp:
March 27-30

Subscription and Flaming Torch Tokyo Christian


(No. 776-370)

Students' Spring Camp


Taninari san, Dean Golden Week Camp lijima san, Dean

Published four times a year in January, April, July, and November


for the missionaries of the Church of

May 3-5

July 16-20
July 20-22 July 25-28

Work Camp Andrew Patton, Director University Week Paul Pratt, Dean Hosts to the All-Japan Missionary Convention
Warren Christiansen, Chairman

Christ. Cunningham Missit)n, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services, 7525 Hodges I-'erry Road. Knoxville, TN 37920. Second Class postage paid at Knoxville. TN 37901. POST MASTER: Send address changes to Tokyo Christian, c o MISSION SERVICKS, PO Box 2427, Knoxville,
TN 37901.

August 1-3
August 6-10 August 20-23

Sakurayama Church Camp Sato san, minister-director


Students' Study Camp Harold Sims, Dean

English-Music Camp
Mark Pratt, Dean

Sept. 22-24
Dec. 24-27

Moriguchi Church Camp Martin Clark, Co-ordinator


Christmas Camp
Spring Camp - Shinshu Bible Camp

These dates have been set aside for the use of Church of Christ/Christian

churches. The camp facilities are rented to other groups at times that do not
conflict with dates set aside for our own churches. Proceeds from these rental

camps help to subsidize our camps which generally have a smaller number of
campers.

The term "Golden Week" is used by the Japanese to refer to the time from the

Emperor's birthday on April 29 to May 5 because of the large number of national holidays at that time. Since the people have more leisure time from work and school at that time, we try to schedule camps and other church related events then.
"Work Week" refers to a week of work that is donated to thecamp by anyone who

can participate. Food and lodging are furnished gratis by the camp. This camp
will end with the noon meal on the 20th of July and the University Camp will begin

with the evening meal that same day. We are looking forward to having 2 Japanese ministerial students from Bible Colleges in the U.S. and 2 American
ministerial students sharing God's message in message and song.

"Study Camp" is a new addition to our camp this year. It is designed for school students who have a great amount of daily homework assigned to them which is done during the summer holidays. Time lor them to do their homework in is worked into their schedule each day along with the messages, classes, sports and social portions of a regular camp schedule. The Shinshu Bible Camp is looking forward to a busy and fruitful season in 1984.
"Andrew Patton

ll b

Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 83

July 1984

Number 3

PATTONS' NEWS
SHINSHU BIBLE CAMP
Spring in Nagano Ken, Japan brings life to all living things, some after dormant months of hibernation, es pecially the snakes. With Spring come work and responsibilities at the camp for making a better camp than even last year's.
Much outside work had to be done

NEW WORK OPENED


The Pattons and the Taninaris have

m
This is the new camp maniiner's home bcinff built on tho cam|) ()ropfrly. It will be oci-upied liy Mr. and Mrs. Taiiinari just belbrc the camp season
opens.

this year but with only our hands and not machinery as last year. Thinning out trees was one of the main projects along with clearing the undergrowth.
Tim Turner from Atlanta Christian

talked about and prayed about starting a church work here at the camp building. We felt that it would be good stewardship of the use of the property and would bring Christ into this area meeting the spiritual needs of all. There were many things to take into consideration: (1) how to prepare and meet a schedule during camp season (2) what to do about winter
time when the water must be cut off at

College came back this June again to help Andrew with the work and to work in the camps. He will return to school in August. The ball field, volley ball court, 2 tennis courts and the vespers area are
readied for the season. Andrew

the camp building. Fortunately we have more week-day

camps scheduled this year. But on July


28 we will have a movie as Mr. and Mrs.

Taninari will travel to the Japanese


annual convention of the churches of

finished digging a 100 ft. ditch, 4 feet deep at the beginning, in back of the camp building. He filled it with a "rock bridge" for the water-shed water to run through and away from the camp building. Hopefully this will eliminate dampness from the straw mat rooms this year. The painting and rustproofing at the camp building will be one project of the Work Week camp July 1620. A few university students have
volunteered to come and then remain

Christ at Yokohama, Japan. During the winter months we will make changes according to the
weather. Our home and the Taninari

home can be used. Hopefully a snow

plow and a 4 wheel-drive vehicle can be purchased by that time.


Mr. and Mrs. Taninari. Mr. Taninari isShinshu

Hible camp manager.

High School Week


This year a special high school camp
will be held. Time for students' summer vacation home work will be

Saturdays and the hours of 2:30-4:00 p.m. were chosen as prime time for children's programs. School is in session until noon on Saturdays.
Children in the rural area have NO school bus service. Nor do their

parents drive them to school!

The

for the university camp starting the night of the 20th. We have no work
crews from the churches as there is a

long work week here in Japan with only 3 to 5 days of vacation a year.

University Week
Mr. Yoshii and Mr. Chida, Japanese
students at Cincinnati Bible

worked into the regular camp schedule. Hopefully this will permit more students to attend the camp. Qualified tutors in English and Math will be on hand to help the students. Harold Sims will be dean for the 5 days.

school desires healthy children and encourages them to walk up and down the mountains to school. So many
students must walk 30 to 90 minutes

Sakurayama Church Camp


August 1-3 is camp time for the members of the Sakurayama Church that we started in 1960 while working in Tokyo. At the same time we plan for our 3-6 graders of our Saturday Bible school to have their camp program. English-Music Camp will be led by Mark and Lynn Pratt. Penny Boggs will help with both parts of the program. (Penny willgraduateJuly20 from Japanese language school. Con gratulations, Penny!)

Seminary, along with Jim Green and Chris Crosgrove will be camp leaders for the 2 days, July 20-22. Mr. Paul Pratt will be the dean for the camp. Also the group will have charge of the Saturday Bible school class from 2:30 4:00 and parents of the children will be invited to attend. The group will remain for the English-speaking missionary convention that follows July 25-28. We are happy to have these young men with us.

one way. After returning home on Saturdays they walk 15 to 30 minutes more to get to Bible study. Some come pushing their bicycles up to the camp and then enjoy the downhill ride home. On June 10 seventy homes were visited and given announcements of the first meeting of the Saturday Bible school, June 16. We were blessed with 30 children and one grandmother on the first day. Kindergarten through the first 6 grades are enrolled. Mrs.
Taninari teaches the little ones;

Andrew teaches 1-3 graders and Mr. Taninari teaches the 4-6 graders. Attendance has been 25, 32 and 28. Some parents are gathering up

children in their cars and driving them to the camp so they can be here on time. At least 3 adults are present each
Saturday with the children. We have found that we are only reaching one-third of the area as 3
schools are involved. The other 2

mission field when starting a new


work. We pray that the Word will be entering into the homes from the little ones studying on Saturdays. In the Fall we will plan for adult Bible studies. Here in the rural area January and February are the best months to reach the farm residents. So pray for us and with us as we labor for Him. We encourage you to have a part of the blessings too as you pray and give
to the work.

witnessed to several members of his

family and has seen them born again.


Bill will need financial help to come and help. About $2,000 will be needed for travel expenses. We recommend Bill to you and pray that you can help him arrive in Japan May 1985. He can be reached at Ozark Bible College, 1111 N. Main St., Joplin, MO or at 2203 N. Ohio St., Kokomo, IN 46901 this
summer at his mother's home.

schools cannot come on Saturdays. So we are already making plans for a Sunday Bible school starting in the Fall. Just now the camp season makes it impossible for the second meeting. Where did we begin teaching? Genesis 1:1 through chapter 3 is very essential when reaching a pagan culture so that's where we began -- with God. We will eventually lead to His Son and His plan for each of their lives.

SPRING 1985
Bill Owens, a former Navy man
stationed at Yokosuka while we

NEW PURCHASES
To aid us in the camp, the new work and other means of evangelism, we have leased a copier on a five year plan at about $55 a month. It will aid us in getting out announcements about the work, copy necessary Bible school lessons, help with all phases of publicity, and also other missionaries
in the area can use it at about half the

ministered there, is now a 3rd year

WORSHIP SERVICES
In June we also began worship services at 10:30 each Sunday. As yet

student at Ozark Bible College. Bill plans to spend next Spring and part of the summer with us here in Japan. We know of Bill's ability to personally witness to others and bring them to the
Lord. Bill became a Christian while

stationed at Yokosuka, Japan.

He

only the 4 of us are present. Andrew


and Mr. Taninari bring the messages

attended the services at the church

cost of their present copy prices. Also 4


new sets of bunk beds have been

in Japanese. The offerings are used to help fmance the Bible school work. It's not unusual to worship alone on the

where we ministered -- Japanese and English. He won a shipmate to Christ


and that started a chain reaction on

purchased for the camp increasing the camp sleeping capacity.

board the Parsons ship. Also Bill has

SIMS' NEWS
SUMMER SCHEDULE
As these articles are being written we

expected to be at this meeting, which is being hosted by the Minato Church of


Christ. They are using most of the rooms in two adjoining hotels, and the Prefectural Public Hall by special permission for the main meetings, because it is the only room large enough to accommodate that expected
crowd.

Vacation Bible Schools

are in the last days of Japan's "Rainy season". But plans are shaping up for
a full and varied series of activities

during the 40 day summer vacation which all schools have during the hottest part of the year. We will be in the middle of this period when you receive this paper, and we ask you to join us in prayer for God's blessings upon each one who attends the various functions, those who teach and plan and serve in various other ways and the whole work of Christ; that souls may be saved and it may be a season of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord.

Camps
July 16-20 Work Camp. Volunteers come to help prepare the buildings and grounds for the season in return for
free food.

Japanese children do not get out of school until July 20, so almost every Japanese church has a Vacation Bible School of some sort during the first half of August. At Mejirodai we plan a two day one, including overnight stay for upper-classes in the Sunday School, and then a 3-day one the next week for the smaller children who will just come to the church in the mornings.

Conventions

July 20-22 College and Young People's Camp. This year the Ohio Singers III will be the main attraction for this group. Aug. 6-10 Study Camp. This is for Middle and High School young people. In the morning they will be given help
with their school summer assignments and special studies in Mathematics and English. In the afternoons we will do outdoor recreation, and in the evenings we will have worship and indoor games. Aug. 20-23 English-Music Camp. Mark and Lynn Pratt will be leading this week, whose purpose is obvious
from the name.

OHIO SINGERS III IN JAPAN


On June 23,4 students of the Cincin nati Christian Seminary arrived in Japan to spend 2 months singing as a quartet, preaching and testifying about Christ and gaining some experiences as evangelists in the Japanese situa tion. Two of them are Japanese citi zens who are doing graduate study in the U.S. - Makoto Yoshii, the oldest son of our minister in Kanoya, Kyushu;
and Toshiaki Chida from our church in Sendai. The other two are Jim Green

Our missionaries get together every year just before or after the Japanese Convention for a couple of days of singing, preaching and fellowship in the English language. This year, including some visitors, and of course the children, we expect about 75 people to meet at the Shinshu Camp from July 25 PM until July 28 AM. This will crowd the facilities, but we are looking forward to a good fellowship. Immediately following this gather ing, the Japanese brethren will be meeting in Yokohama over the weekend of July 28-30. Over 300 are

and Chris Crosgrove. They have a very full schedule, and will travel all over Japan before returning to their studies
in Cincinnati late in August.
The reason for the III is that in 1970

There are other camps already reserved by several local churches and other groups that pretty well fill in the times not listed here, so it will be a busy time at the camp.

and 1972 groups of young people came from Cincinnati Bible Seminary and
first used this name. "Ohio" means

"Good Morning" in Japanese.

One of the veterans of the Japanese missionary work was called by her Lord to His eternal reward on May 27.
Grace Farnham was born on July 31, 1890, so she would have been 94 years of age if she had lived 2 more months. I don't know exactly where she was born, but remember hearing her tell several times of traveling "The Oregon

and offered suggestions. One of the early students of that school became the preacher at Mabashi church, and for some years it was a growing and
influential church in that area of the

city.
Grace also recruited Mr. and Mrs.

Trail" in a covered wagon when she was a little girl. She came from hardy pioneer stock, and as a young girl worked in logging camps, etc. She was a life-long booster of the State of Oregon - its scenery, climate, people
and churches were the best in the

Julius Fleenor for the work in Japan, and for their first few years in Japan they lived in two rooms at the Mabashi church building. They are still working in Japan. During the 16 years we lived and worked at Nakano, Grace was a frequent visitor in our home. We were
the nearest fellow-missionaries to her

world; and it is fitting that she spent her rather long retirement years in those surroundings. She was at the Turner Home for some years, but the final months were in a nursing home after having suffered a broken hip.
She was never married. Occasional

geographically (less than 1 mile from Mabashi), and when she felt lonely or wanted to talk some English for a

change she would "bring her pajamas"


and come over to our house. All of our children knew her as "Aunt Grace".

reference was made to some disappoint ment in love early in life, but it did not have any bad effect on her personality. Her beloved sisters all preceded her in
death.

Also there was a good deal of reconcili ation with Mrs. Cunningham, and she always attended the missionary

students

arranged get-togethers.

prayer meetings on Friday evenings.


Grace left Mabashi in 1961, at age 70
for retirement. We took her in our car

Among those was a man named Aoyama, who had been a student in
her Bible Class at the old Kamiochiai Church in the 1920s. At that time he was active in the church youth group

Grace was recruited by the Cunninghams as a missionary during one of their furloughs and arrived in Japan in the fall of 1925. Sheserved2 terms with the Yotsuya Mission, and resigned along with several others during a time of trouble and contro versy in 1934. She and Ruth
Schoonover formed the "Mabashi

and saw her off -- typically, without tears. She had served long and well. We enjoyed occasional letters from her

and as a Sunday School teacher, etc. and his family ran a dish store in the

telling about her work taking care of "these old people". Then in 1971 she returned to Japan for a visit of some weeks, which she seemed to enjoy a great deal. We are glad she had that
second visit.

neighborhood. She discovered that he


now lived in Hachioji, so she gave him my name and address, and gave me his. I went to visit him, and discovered
that one reason he had been an

inactive Christian a long time was that


his wife was uninterested. But anyway he came to the church here 2 or 3 times

Mission" in another part of Tokyo and


continued their Bible Classes and other activities almost without

In looking back on Grace's life and work, and in conclusion of this article
there are 2 short stories I need to tell. One is "too bad" and the other "as the

interruption, until the outbreak of


World War II. At that time Grace was interned in a former school that was

Scripture says."
1. About 1958 or 59 there was some trouble in the Mabashi church. Since I

turned into "camp" for foreigners for a number of months before being
returned to the United States on a

a year after that, and always at Christmas - sometimes accompanied by his daughter. On Christmas Eve 1980 the daughter came with an offering and news that he was in the

lived nearby I heard both the Japanese

hospital. In mid-January he died, and


the wife asked me to have a Christian

preacher's and the missionary's


"side" of the problems, and tried to
work with all to achieve some satisfac

Swedish prisoner-exchange ship. She returned to Japan as soon as arrangements could be made and permission obtained (1947 or 8) and soon bought a piece of property in a good location in the same "Mabashi" district where they had formerly worked and built a simple home for herself and a church building on it. A Mrs. Hongo, what the older Japanese
Christians called a "Bible Woman"

tory understanding and settlement.


But it was not to be, and the preacher left. When Grace left Japan, she left

things in charge of an American-born Japanese missionary, which seemed to be the best thing to do at the time. But he didn't stay in Japan long, and
turned it over to an aggressive young man who was unacquainted with our

(personal evangelist, teacher, helper), lived with her and helped in transla tion, Sunday School, serving tea to visitors, etc. They were life-long and very close friends and prayer partners. Mrs. Hongo passed away a number of
years ago.

doctrinal position and unsympathetic to several points. He is still the minister there, and it is a sizeable church, but is interdenominational in
outlook and charismatic in some

funeral, which I did. After the funeral the wife changed her attitude, and said she would like to gowhereherhusband went. She began attending church services regularly, and was baptized during the fall evangelistic meeting in 1981. Now her grand-daughter, who was raised in Hokkaido where one of the daughters and her family lives, is living with her as she goes to preparatory school for University Entrance Examination in Tokyo and is coming to our worship
services once or twice a month. We

hope she will make her decision for Christ during her time here. So "as the
Scripture says", "so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not re turn to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose
for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 Harold Sims

Grace was always a supporter of our Tokyo Bible Seminary. She sent a
number of students to the school, attended all of the special functions.

practices. They don't have the Lord's Supper every Sunday, but as far as I know they still practice immersion.
"Too bad."

2. When Grace returned to Japan for the 1971 visit, many old Bible Class

MEJIRODAI

CHURCH NEWS
We have had a lot of good things happening since I wrote last, and are very thankful and happy. I will just make a brief listing of important events, and may those who pray for us continue to do so, and also rejoice and praise God with us. April 22. Resurrection Day worship
attendance of 52 adults and 13

Mr. and Mrs.


PA 163;35.

Stanley Bultray

(retired) Forwarding Agent; Mrs. Lois Hessler, PO Box 287, Meadville,


Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 571-1 Innaihara, Mochizuki Shi, Kitasaku Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mr. and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, Rt. 6, Box 15, Rushville, IN 46173. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7 Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193 Japan. Forwarding Agent: First Church of Christ, Orange at Center St., Eustis, FL 32726.

children. Twice our average, and most since Christmas. Following the worship most of the members remained for our annual congregation al business meeting which went on all
afternoon. We all ate a lunch of rice

Two year subscription


Subscription and

$.50 $1.00

Flaming Torch
Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

balls together. April 29. Six from our church joined about 80 others for a very inspirational Fifth-Sunday Rally at Machida
Church.

May 3-5. Four from Mejirodai attended the Family Camp. One of these was the husband of a lady who is
one of our most faithful. It was the first

Published four times a year in January. April, July, and Novemljcr


for the missionaries of the Church of Harold Sims preaching at camp.

Christ. Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services,


7525 Hodges I'Vrry Road. Knoxviile,

time for him to go to such a gathering. Many were both happy and surprised.

TN 37920. Second Class postage paid


at Knoxviile, TN 37901.
c-o

POSTMISSION

PENNY BOGGS GRADUATES FROM LANGUAGE SCHOOL


Penny Boggs, a native of Chester,
W^!st Virginir" gradi'ate of Kentucky Christian College,

MASTKR: Send address changes to


Tokvo
TN

Christian,

SERVICKS, PO Box 2427, Knoxviile,


37901.

graduated from the Japan Missionary Language Institution on July 24. She
studied at this school for several

Family Camp May ;5-5

May 6. The first meeting of the newly elected deacons. May 17. A special Mother's Day gathering. 31 adults and 7 children attended, including 3 who were in church for the first time. The speaker
was Mrs. Kishi from Hiroshima. Her

months during an internship in Japan from the fall of 1980 to the spring of 1981, and then has studied full-time most of the time since returning to Japan as a regular missionary in
October 1982.

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She will continue to live in the city of Machida and help with the work of the
church there and teach some classes in the Obirin Christian School there for

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husband, who was in Tokyo for a meeting connected with his University Teaching profession, spoke at our service the following Sunday.
June 10. Pentecost. We had 3

baptisms, the most in any one day so far. All 3 were boys, and sons of our members, and everyone was much en couraged by the evidence of a second generation coming up. After the service we all gathered in the yard for
the annual barbecue. Just as we

the present. We are glad to see most of the younger missionaries getting the language ability, which we feel is the way to enjoy living in a foreign country and be effective workers among the people.

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finished eating, it began to rain, and


that was the start of our rainy season. June 17. Dedication of a new organ.

DANIEL SIMS GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI


In June, Daniel completed his course of study in the College of Industrial Design, and he and Jeanne will be moving in July to the Detroit area where he has been employed in the Automobile Design Division of Chrysler Corporation.

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amount that had been contributed

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ladies. Harold Sims

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Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16; 15
Volume 83

October 1984

Number 4

SIMS' NEWS'
THE 35TH ALL-JAPAN CONVENTION OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST
The 35th Annual Convention of our Jap
anese brethren was held July 28-30,1984 in

exhortations

were by

Bro.

Nomura,

preacher at the Hachimanyama Church of


Christ (non-instrumental) in Tokyo on

Yokohama, the famous seaport which is now the second largest city in Japan. The
Prefectural Hall and the 2 hotels which were

used are located in the center of the city, just

across a beautiful park from the busy harbor and just around the corner from the site of
the first Protestant church established in

Sunday morning early; Bro. Takahashi, preacher at the Kawasaki Church (Independent) the industrial suburb between Tokyo and Yokohama on Monday morning early; and Bro. lijima, preacher of
Minath Church at the closing session. The "events" were: 1. A lavish buffet banquet in the beautiful main room of the Hotel Yokohama previous to the opening session on Saturday PM. 2. A boat trip on a large

Japan in 1872. The attendance (406 registered) taxed the capacity of the facilities available, but everyone enjoyed the good program and fellowship during those summer days. The Minato Church, which was host and planner of this meeting, is well-known to readers of this paper. Stephen lijima is the
minister. I believe this is the third convention this church has hosted, and each

ferry for 2 hours around the harbor on Sunday afternoon. Great time of fellowship and rarely seen views. 3. A real feast atone of the largest Chinese restaurants in the world 5:30 6:30 PM Sunday evening. It was
some of the most delicious of all Chinese foods I have ever eaten. The entire building

wonderfully inspiring evening of music. None of our Mejirodai members wanted to pay the high hotel bills to go down and stay at the neighboring city for the convention. So some months ago, I began promoting an idea of just going for the middle day (Sunday) and participating in the morning service, the boat ride and the musical evening. This caught on, and one of our members was able to get the use of the bus her company has for carrying people between the factory and the railroad station for that day. Some couldn't go at the last minute, but we took 12 people from

Mejirodai down to Yokohama for the day of July 29. I was the only one who had a license for driving a vehicle of that size, so I was the
driver. All had a wonderful time. Lois and I

one has been in a different place in the same

also attended Saturday PM and Monday. The emphasis on the final day of the
convention was that our churches are now

general area. The chairman, Mr. Iguma, is


one of the elders and a High School English teacher. The man who managed most of the
details and business is an executive in one of

was closed for the day to prepare for our


convention's meal. 4. A service of worship

entering the second century of evangelism


in this nation. Naturally the main

through music on Sunday evening at the


Prefectural Hall. This was planned by 2
One is a members of the Minato church.

Japan's
deacon.

automobile

companies

and

leadership and responsibility must be borne by the Japanese Christians. But in


connection with that all of the missionaries

One of the early problems was getting

permission to use the government-owned


Hall for the main sessions. The hotels didn't

salaried man who is an amateur organist and lover of classical music, and the other is a concert pianist and teacher of piano at

present were asked to come to the platform


to be introduced. This was event no. 5. Each

have any rooms with even half as many seats as would be needed, and the government officials were reluctant to agree to rent the Hall for a purely religious

Tokyo's University of Fine Arts. We had some good congregational singing of wellliked hymns, including "Wonderful Grace of
Jesus" which has become traditional to

of us was given a cloth bookcover specially designed and dyed by one of the Minato church ladies as a token of appreciation.
MSB

gathering. A hint was dropped that if the meeting were"International in character it


would be different, so I wrote a letter stating
that it would indeed be international, as

there would be many missionaries in attendance. That proved to be enough to get the necessary permission, and at the
convention we had missionaries Daniel Kalnin and Toshio Morimote from Thailand

sing at least once at all our conventions. There is a rather well-known poet in Japan who became a Christian and died early this year. He was so badly crippled that the only thing he could move voluntarily was his eyelids. His sister and other family
members would recite the 50 sound

Japanese alphabet to him over and over and when they came to the sound he wanted he
would blink. There are several collections of

and 3 preachers from our churches in Korea as visitors, so in fact there were 4 nations represented there, and any picture would
have verified it as an international

his simple and moving poems that were all


written in this laborious way. Bro.

Missionaries being recognized at the JapaneseConvention.

gathering.

Kawaguchi, the pianist mentioned above has composed music to go along with a number of these poems, and he got a

In addition, inscribed certificates of thanks

The program consisted of 3 main messages in worship services, 3 short exhortations, and 5 "special events." The messages at the main session were brought by Bro. Kikkawa, preacher at the Ono Church of Christ in Hyogo Pref. of central Japan (near Kobe) on Saturday evening; Bro. Suzuki, preacher at the Moiwashita Church of Christ in Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido on Sunday morning; and Bro. Yoshii, preacher at the Kanoya Church of Christ in Kagoshima Pref. of southern Japan on Monday morning. The

professional mezzo-soprano who also


teaches in his University to come and sing

those original songs for us - some of them for the first time in public. Also, a tenor professional singer came and sang some classical music. Finally they introduced a new hymn with words written by Bro. lijima, the Minato preacher, in his "Pastoral Song" magazine some months ago and music composed by Bro. Kawaguchi. The soprano and tenor professionals sang their first duet together in introducing it, and then the congregation sang it. It was truly a

were given to all those who had served in the cause of Christ in Japan for 30 years. The giving of these formal, frameable "letters" written in classical style is a typical Japanese way of expressing appreciation to someone who has given much of his life to a school, company, etc., but we think it is rare in all missionary history for the receiving side to publicly express appreciation in such a way. Also, according to custom, a small gift accompanied the "certificate." We do not want you to think we are seeking to glorify ourselves, but we feel you should know about this expression of feeling on the part of the Japanese Christians.

translation

of

the

"Certificate

of

Thanks":

"For serving the glory of Christ, you came over to Japan in your early years, and for 30 years and more, continually bearing all kinds of trials and difficulties, you have devoted yourselves to proclaiming the
gospel of Christ. "Now on the occasion of this 35th All-

1984 MISSIONARY CONVENTION


The annual convention of our missionar

ies was held this year at Shinshu Bible

Camp, from Wednesday afternoon, July 25, to Saturday morning, July 28, after which
we all left hurriedly on the 5 to 6 hour drive to

In spite of one girl's getting sick with tonsillitis and having to go to a doctor because of very high fever, my projector's breaking down just after the middle of a movie, and the short time, we had a good time playing with the children in the cold rocky river, on the volleyball court, and in
the straw mat rooms.

Japan Convention of the Churches of Christ, we give you the deepest respect and
gratitude from Japan." July 30, 1984 the Christians all over

Yokohama for the Japanese Convention beginning that afternoon.


The total attendance was 66: 31

The second VBS was here at the church

for kindergarten students and first graders who couldn't go on the overnight trip. This
was for 3 mornings, August 15-17. Because of the Buddhist Obon holiday season we had only 10 students, but had a good time especially playing in the wading pool that Lois bought to give them some relief from
the heat.

35th All-Japan Convention of Churches of Christ. Chairman; Iguma Takashi, Elder


of Minato Church of Christ.

Those receiving certificates:


Vivian Lemmon Leone Cole Harold and Lois Sims

First Arrival in Japan:


1930

1937 1947

missionaries, 22 "missionary children", 4 Ohio Singers III, 1 missionary and 2 English-speaking ministers of the noninstrumental Churches of Christ, 2 missionaries from Thailand, Nancy Olson from Great Lakes Bible College, who was with Pratts this summer, and the 3 preachers from Ono, one of our rapidly growing churches who gave a slide presentation of their church's program on Friday night. The term "missionary

children" this time includes Paula Maxey


Yanagimoto and her 4 children who were back for a month's visit in Japan after 8 years in Canada, Faith Maxey, who with her husband, Paul Axton, have taken jobs from September teaching English in a large private school in the Tsukuba district of Ibaraki Prefecture where a large exhibition will be opened in 1985, and Tim and Sheryl
Turner who were back for summer visits

Andrew and Betty Patton George and Ethel Beckman Martin and Evelyn Clark Mark and Pauline Maxey Julius and Virginia Fleenor Exie Fultz Audrey West Ernest and Neva Faber Don and Norma Burney Paul and Kathleen Pratt

1948 1948 1950 1950 1950 1952 1953 I954 1955 1958

Little VBS in Sims' yard

Note: Stanley and Mabel Buttray, Ray and


Mattie Mings and Harlan and Emeline

Woodruff had served as long as most of the above, but they have already retired to the
United States.

HAROLD SIMS CELEBRATES "KANREKI"


In the Orient this is the year of the Rat -the first of a 12-year cycle of 12 animal species. When a person has lived through 5 of these cycles (over the centuries when these traditions were being formed living this long was a rare accomplishment) he was congratulated by all and entered

from Bible Colleges in the U.S. The program was full, with 5 singspiration hours led by husband and wife teams, 4 panel discussions, 3 main Bible studies, several devotionals, 9 practical messages of varying lengths, ladies' meetings, grandpas' quartet practice, morning prayer walks, etc. There was also afternoon recreation, humorous pictures of animals with comments fitting the facial expressions and the people in the various rooms, a "funny paper" and an interesting contest of guessing which "little

At both VBS's we had a puppet show


about Naaman, which was a little difficult to put on but enjoyed by the pupils.

It was somewhat remarkable and very


encouraging to all that we had first-time

visitors every Sunday in August in spite of the heat and many being away on
vacations.

There has been a lot of sickness in the

known fact" fit which missionary. This part was planned by Mark and Lynn Pratt.
Warren Christianson was overall chairman

church community. One of our older members was operated on for ulcers of the stomach, using laser technology. The older sister of one of our members died of rapidly developing cancer within one month, and
the husband of another member has terminal cancer. Two of our members are

of the meeting.

Harold Sims

obliged to take care of bedfast mothers or


mothers-in-law.

happily into "retirement" and "old age".


This special birthday is called "kanreki", and I passed through it on September 27. That day was also the 50th anniversary of my baptism at Newport News, Virginia. On September 23 the Nakano Church invited me to preach for a special day there, and then all stayed to eat rice curry and my favorite dark blue grapes and enjoy a time of thanksgiving, memories, and fellowship together. They gave me 2 large purple and red cushions and a monetary gift and one member gave us a clock as well as many words of encouragement. A number of
friends here and in the U.S. also sent cards

MEJIRODAI

CHURCH NEWS
This year we had 2 short Vacation Bible

We are developing plans for financing and building an addition to our church building, and it has been thrilling to see God's gui dance and the people committing them
selves. More about this later. Harold Sims

Schools. The first one was an overnight trip


for children in the 2-6 grades of our Sunday
school, with 22 students and 9 teachers and

STUDY CAMP

helpers going. The facility was operated by


a Christian group, and is located in the upper reaches of Tokyo's Tama River, where it flows between steep mountains. We would have liked to stay over 2 nights, but could only get the place for that 1 night between other groups, as it is very popular.

homework, camp
for Middle and

4^^

High School stu-

and small gifts. Jonathan, who has recently begun studying Japanese calligraphy, gave me one of his writings, "Thank you", and another long-time friend and veteran brush writer framed her writing of "every day is a good day" for me.
Such gestures are a source of encouragement, and especially just after

every student of these grade levels is given assignments to complete during their 40 days of summer vacation. Most of

receiving the report from the doctor after my physical check-up telling me I can't eat the things I like best. But I am truly thankful for the life and calling I am in, and it was another happy birthday. Harold Sims

them wait until the last week to open the books, and th en feel a great deal of pressure. On the first night of camp we explained that the mornings would be given to study,
"C: ' Mejirodai VBS

the afternoons to recreation, and the evenings to one hour of worship and one

hour of indoor games. The next morning

they got out their homework for 75 minutes

of intensive Math gtudy led by 2 teachers for


different levels. Then after 15 minutes break

Needless to say, it was a big success with 21 attending plus a qualified staff to tutor the
students. The students went home relieved

they had the same length of English study.


They all worked intensively, and all finished their assigned summer's work in those 4 days, and everyone was happy the students that they had their work done, the teachers that the classes were so eager and cooperative and quiet, and the parents who hadn't believed they would really study at
all.

of pressure of dreaded homework.

They learned how to study and use their free time to the best advantage. We are sure that the parents were relieved of having to nag the

students the rest of the summer.

English-Music camp led by Mark Pratt, assisted by Penny Boggs and Betty Turner,

was livened up by the interest in a bell choir.


The Pattons have purchased a set of bells to be used by the camp and the Saturday Bible School. We are looking forward to a good Christmas camp program using the bell choir to ring out the carols. Also, Betty Turner will be using the puppet stage to

Of course we also enjoyed the other parts of the camp, too, and vve hope to continue this type of camp year after year.
Harold Sims Cookout during camp

portray the spiritual meaning of Christmas.

PATTONS' NEWS
SHINSHU BIBLE CAMP
The Shinshu Bible Camp was the scene of much activity from July 14th to September 26th this year. Two Spring camps had preceded the 17 held during this time. Good weather prevailed throughout the summer -too dry for some vegetable crops to mature well. A total of 409 different campers came to sessions especially prepared to meet their needs -- deeper study of God's Word and fellowship with each other in a Christian environment away from the satanic forces of evil in the world. The quietness on the mountain, the beautified landscape of the camp grounds and the setting in its entirety allowed the dean of the week to run his camp program without interruption --utilizing the 2 or 3 day camp time to its fullest. The camp "crew", Mr. Taninari, Mrs.
Leone Cole and the Pattons were able to

of arranging and producing the music that


was sung.

Saturday Bible Study Mrs. Taninari

We were delighted to find that Bible study groups from 4 different universities used the camp this year. One group was the protestant Bible study group in a Catholic univer sity. They were here last year also. These groups give us much encouragement and
make it known that Japan isn't "a swamp where the roots of Christianity will not take
hold."

contribute more to each camp as some of the rough edges had been worked out during the
Pattons' first summer at the camp. Also, the
"crew" was able to serve several times on the

Missionary Convention 1984

faculty as well as doing the outdoor and indoor work connected with the camp work. Penny Boggs, missionary in Machida, volunteered her help in many different ways at several of the camps. Also, we appreciated the help of 4 young university students during our full capacity times. Tim Turner, from Atlanta College, helped Andrew to get much of the outside work completed with the help of 3 others during work week, July 14-20. Mrs. Cole "merited" the first floor "red carpeted" room near the
kitchen and was "on duty" most of the

wakening hours at the camp until she returned to U.S. for a short furlough the latter part of August. Mr. Taninari was unable to enjoy his new home on the camp grounds until all camps were finished as he fulfilled his job as camp manager. Due to the time schedule change in some universities, our work week and University week was in need ofmore campers, with only 17 attending. The Ohio Singers III from Cincinnati Bible Seminary graduate school highlighted the program for the 2-day camp,

On July 25-28, we were busy hosting the annual Missionary Convention here at the camp. Sixty-seven were registered at this time. It was a wonderful time of fellowship together with all of our co-workers - some of whom we hadn't seen for many years. Don and Norma Burney's youngest daughter found it amusing that Betty Patton had played a part in the courtship of her parents while the 3 were working on the Yakima Indian Reservation in 1950 at Toppenish, Washington. Needless to say, there were many of us whose hair has silvered and footsteps grown a little slower after 30-40 years of spreading the Gospel herein Japan. Certainly this is nothing to be ashamed of. The desire to serve until the very end is still in the hearts of those who gathered together.
Several of our churches have used the

Due to the advertising in a Christian magazine, there were five other groups that came to use the camp facilities this year. This helps to pay for some of the overhead that is incurred as the camp is maintained all year through. Campers from the age of80 on down to the cradle were in attendance this year. May we
continue to serve Him in many ways at Shinshu Bible Camp. Two more camps are scheduled for this year. On November 3-4, the Sakurayama church will meet again and on December 2427 the annual Christmas camp will be held.
The Pattons

"BREAKING THE ICE"


A little over a year has passed since Betty
and I moved from Yokosuka to Shinshu

camp just for their group to come together and worship and fellowship together. The Sakurayama group from Tokyo and the Moriguchi church from Osaka (7 hours away) found the camp just perfect for the occasion. The Moriguchi church is making it an annual event. The Sakurayama group will be coming again this year to a Fall camp
November 3-4.

Bible Camp to assume our new duties as leaders at the camp. Since our taking up residence at camp, two camp seasons have become history and we feel more settled in
our new work. We also believe we are

July 20-22. Mr. Paul Pratt was the dean for


the camp. Mr. Chida and Mr. Yoshii, two of the singers, are from Japan and were able to relate Christ to the young people in a special way. Mr. Chris Crossgrove and Jim Green, the other two members, did an excellent job

beginning to "break the ice" in our contacts and relationship with the people who dwell in the community surrounding the camp
area.

The idea of a camp for Jr. -Sr. high school and university students to come together for 5 days and get their summer homework assignm.ents done besides studying the

The Bible School we have each Saturday for the children of the community has

Bible was put in effect August 6-10.

enabled us not only to know them but many of their parents. A few parents or relatives

accompany

the

children

to

the Bible

school held in the camp building. They participate in the classes along with the children. Several families represented in the Bible school have brought us fresh pro duce from their gardens. In return Betty sometimes bakes pies or cookies and pre sents them to our closest neighbors and those who have presented vegetables to
us.

SATURDAY BIBLE SCHOOL -WORSHIP


During the summer some special programs were held for the Saturday Bible School held at the camp building. On July
21st the Ohio Singers III gave a concert in music preceding the regular Bible study. On this day we were the "crew" for the university camp but fulfilled both jobs that day. Later on the 29th a movie "Red Gloves" was shown as the Taninaris were present at the annual Japanese Convention in Yokohama. On August 4 an overnight camp for the 3-6 graders was held. The students attended the regular Bible school hour, ate their "obentos" (sack lunches) and enjoyed an evening with an overnight stay at the

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray (retired) Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Lois Hessler, PO Box 287, Meadville,
PA 16335.

From the end of September to the middle


of October is the rice-harvest season in our

community. Andrew tries to help some of the farmers in this work for they are shorthanded and in working with them he gains their friendship and an opportunity to
influence them.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 571-1 Innaihara, Mochizuki Shi, Kitasaku Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forwarding Agent: Mr, and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, Rt. 6, Box 15, Rushville, IN 46173. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7 Mejirodai, Hachioji shi, Tokyo 193 Japan. Forwarding Agent: First Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.. Eustis, FL 32726.

Several days ago, two men who are leaders in our community visited us and asked if we did not wish to join the community association. They cooperate in accomplishing various things for the good of the community. One example of these projects is the cutting of weeds and other vegetation along the roads in the community to help prevent traffic accidents.
Each member of the association contributes

Two year subscription


Subscription and

$.50 $1.00

camp. Early on Sunday morning they were


served Yogurt hot cakes for breakfast and dismissed at 9 a.m. All enjoyed the stay and look forward to it again.
On October 6 the children were out of

Flaming Torch
Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)

a membership fee of about $50 a year to finance the projects. We joined and paid the
fee in order to show them we wished to be

school for rice harvesting. They came to the camp building at 10 a.m. with produce from their gardens to make a pot of rice curry for
the noon lunch. Ten of the older children came and made the meal. The afternoon

Published four times a year in January, April, July, and November


for the missionaries of the Church of

considered members of the community and to gain contact with the people of the association. We also wish to do our part in getting community projects done.
Soon after we became members of the

was devoted to the regular Bible study hour


with dismissal at 4 p.m. On October 13 a

Christ. Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan by Mission Services, 7525 Hodges Ferry Road. Knoxville, TN 37920. Second Class postage paid
at Knoxville, TN 37901. POST

special showing of the movie "Whispering


Mountain" will be held. (Mr. and Mrs. Taninari will be in Tokyo for the evangelistic meeting at Meijirodai Church.) Our Sunday worship hours were varied this summer. Two Sundays we were privileged to attend the English summer church in Karuizawa. Other Sundays we worshipp^ with the camp groups at the camp building. Other times we four met together at the camp building with Mr. Taninari or Mr. Patton preaching in
Japanese. Andrew Patton

MASTER: Send address changes to Tokyo Christian, c/o MISSION SERVICES. PO Box 2427, Knoxville,
TN 37901.

association, Mr. Taninari and Andrew were invited to a meeting of the men of the neighborhood at the community hall. This was a social affair affording all of us an opportunity to get better acquainted. All of

themselves to the group. The area leader


was also introduced and made a short

speech of greeting to the group. At such social occasions in Japan, alcohol is plentiful and is drunk freely. It is thought that alcoholic beverages loosen the tongue and provide a medium for social intercourse. We did not relish that part oftheir gathering and did not wish to participate in it nor condone the practice. Mr. Taninari prepared the way beforehand for us ~ he asked that an orange drink be served us at
this occasion and that we be excused from

WINTER PREPARATION
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In a few days the water at the camp building will have to be turned off and pipes drained. The Japanese bedding all has been
aired and stored away. A dehumidifier was

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the drinking social hour after every business meeting hereafter. (Also he asked them to excuse us from paying the $2.50 annual fee for the upkeep of the local shrine in the area.) They were very kind and hospitable to us and asked us many questions about
ourselves and our work.

purchased to help keep straw mat rooms dry


which was appreciated by the "crew" and which lessened our Fall work immensely. For each camp coming up we will have to

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to

Soon after that meeting, some of our Bible


school students invited us to attend the

athletic meeting which was held at their school. Unfortunately, these meetings cause deep cuts in the attendance of the
children at our Bible school. But we

to turn the water on and then off to prevent damage to the building. It all takes time, but is necessary. The grass cutters, roller for the tennis courts and other machinery will be readied for the winter, leaving the wood cutting yet to be done. The fireplace is quite a comfort at this time of year ~ just enough
heat to take the chill off the house. We will

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soon be meeting in the camp house and


manager's house for all Bible studies until next April. As soon as the rice crop is harvested we

accepted the invitation, returning back to camp at 2:30 for the regular session of Bible school for the younger ones, because we
wished to show an interest in the children's

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are hoping to set up an adult Bible study


program for the immediate area. It will not

activities and have an opportunity to become better acquainted with the parents. Now what are we gaining by these social contacts? We have been accepted as members of the community and have started a close friendship with its members.
Much more time and effort are needed before

be readily received as Buddhism is very strong in each of the households with their god shelves displayed for all to see when entering the home. Now that we have been "received" in the community, may we present to these people the gift of life, the
Lord Jesus Christ for them to receive. Andrew Patton

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we can expect to influence these people with the Gospel of Christ. Andrew Patton

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