Tokyo m Christian

"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 77
First Quarter, 1978 Number 1
KAMIOCHIAI PROPERTY SOLD
The Yotsuya Mission property at
Kamiochiai on which the Stanley
Buttray family has lived since 1950 has
been purchased by the Tokyo City
Government. We know that many of our
supporters will be thankful and happy to
hear this news, because the struggles and
disappointments in previous efforts to
sell it over the past 2 or 3 years have been
briefly mentioned in this paper. Now the
funds are available to begin construction
and development of the Shinshu Bible
Camp for which the Buttrays have long
been dreaming, and also other building
repairs and projects of the Mission that
have been held back for lack offunds will
be undertaken. A building loan fund will
be established to assist all of our
Japanese churches and missionaries
throughout Japan in obtaining more
adequate housing for the body of Christ
in this land where real estate is so costly.
So we go into the new year with thankful
hearts for God's guidance and help and
bright hopes and visions for the future.
THE STORY BEHIND THE SALE
It would take too long to recount even
briefly all of the meetings among
ourselves, with our lawyer, with various
real estate men and many other people
over the past several years. I have not
kept records of all this, anyway. But it
has been an educational experience in
many ways. That doesn't mean that I
now understand anyone's actions or
motives completely or that I have become
an expert in law, finance, human
relations and how to do business in
Japan. But I am thankful because I
believe I have attained through these
experiences a little more and deep
understanding of and trust in God and
man (even while discovering a few men
unworthy of trust) and some patience and
experience that may be of use in the
Lord's service in the future.
We leam from the record of Paul's
journey in Acts 16:6-10 that one of the
ways God guides us and works out His
purposes is by closing doors to what we
think are opportunities and leading us on
to something better. At such times it is
important both to be able and willing to
accept the fact that the door is closedeven
though we are disappointed and can't see
the reasons, and to be ready to go in
another direction rather thanjust wait on
some "sign" that we may tend to set up in
our minds by which God is expected to
reveal His will ahead of events. We have
been having experiences and thinking
thoughts in these directions through
these past months and I will try to outline
the process by which I believe God has led
us to the present outcome.
1. The First Sale
After several months of negotiations,
we thought we had sold the property to a
rather large construction company
which planned to build an apartment
building when we signed a contract with
them in January 1976. But one of the
conditions in the contract was that they
would have to receive the consent of the
neighbors before they paid any money.
(The Japanese "right to sunshine" law
requires anyone building over 3 stories
high to get the written consent of all
surrounding land-owners who would be
affected by the shadow cast by the
building between 9 AM and 2 PM on
December 21 before the city will issue a
building permit.) This escape clause is
practically unavoidable in any sale of
land where the buyer plans to erect a
multi-story building, and it seemed that
was the only type of buyer in the market
for our property. The company did not
make any approach to the neighbors
until they had completed negotiations
with us about the price. We waited, and
rather expected to hear some protests and
reaction from the neighbors, but abo.ut a
month after signing the contract the
company called and said that with
regrets they would withdraw from the
agreement. So we were back where we
started, with the added difficulty that the
property might get a reputation as
unsalable.
2. The Second Sale
There was a sort of lull for several
months, and then in the late spring of
1976 a rush of real-estate men began.
This was largely because of a new
element entering the situation.
A. History of the Kamiochiai Church
The property at Kamiochiai was
bought by Mr. Cunningham just over 50
years ago, and for some years before the
Second World War there was a church
and kindergarten there, which used to be
called Fifth Church. OneofourJapanese
preachers, Stephen lijima, was baptized
in that church in 1940. During the last
year of the war that whole area ofthe city
was burned out and most of the members
were scattered. The minister went out of
the ministry and into business.
A house was built on the empty lot in
1948 for the Sam Saunders family. After
they returned to the U.S., the Stanley
Buttray family moved into the house
upon their arrival on the field in April
1950 and have continued to live there
since then. The Buttrays began meetings
for children in their home and the garage
converted into a classroom, and finally in
1961 a church building was erected beside
the house in approximately the same
place where the former one stood. Some
of the materials for this building were
obtained free when a former U.S. Air
Force Base was being torn down. Later
on a nice upstairs parsonage was added,
and Mr. Fumio Sato, a former soldier and
school teacher and also a graduate of
Osaka Bible Seminary has been the
minister for over 10 years. Thereare 30 to
40 active members.
B. The Church's Part of the Land
Before we started positive efforts to sell
the Mission property we had after long
negotiations with the preacher and the
church members agreed that 2/3 of the
land would be sold and 1/3 given to the
local church which has already
completed most of the required process of
incorporation and recognition as a tax-
free "religious juridical person" by the
Tokyo City government. The straight
dividing line was drawn, and markers
put in. Because the lot is rather large for
Japan this gives the church a larger land
area than any of our other Tokyo
churches except one, so there is some
room for parking and expansion.
C. The Mission's Part
The proceeds of the 2/3 that are sold
will be divided into halves. One halfis to
be used for the buildings ofShinshu Bible
Camp, including a home for the Buttrays
who have been planning this project for
some years. This will be on land already
Continued on page 2
PROPERTY SOLD
Continued from page 1
purchased in 1974 for this purpose in
Nagano prefecture, which is a little over
100 miles inland from Tokyo. The
other one-half (1/3 of the total property
value) will go into the Yotsuya Mission
for 1. a capital fund with yearly interest
being used to pay taxes, insurance and
other routine costs connected with the
remaining Mission-owned properties, 2.
a Building Loan Fund for both
missionaries and Japanese churches and
3. some rebuilding and repair on existing
buildings that has been long-delayed for
lack of funds.
D. The New Element
The newelement mentioned above was
the Mr. Sato, the Kamiochiai preacher,
after long consultations with one of the
real-estate men, began to take an active
interest in the sale. A new and larger
plan was being proposed. The church
would let the apartment developer use
their land also, but the company would
not have to lay out the cash to buy it. In
exchange for use of the church land (the
increased frontage-the street being on
the choice south side of the property-
making a larger number of condomin
iums possible) the buyer and builder
would give the church a fully furnished
large auditorium and several classrooms
etc.. on the first floor and a nice apart-
ment for the preacher and family on the
top floor of the new building and some
parking space around it-approximately
equal in value to the purchase price of
land used. When this word got around to
the other real estate men various large
companies began drawing plans and
bidding against each other and
everything became more lively and
interesting.
After several months of intense
negotiations we and the church signed a
contract with the company we were sure
gave the church and us the best deal and
had the experience and financial
strength to carry it through on Oct. 16,
1976. The contract called for 45 days to
work on getting the consent of the
neighbors-signatures of about 40 people.
We attended the first explanation
meeting at the church a few days later
when the neighbors were officially
informed of the plans, and I was
surprised at the vehemence of the
objections and the language used. But
the men from the company seemed undis
turbed and confident. Soon the neighbors
organized, and large signs expressing
opposition to the planned sale, erection of
a 9 story building and criticism of the
church appeared all over the
neighborhood. Petitions were delivered
to the government offices that would be
involved in approving. Furthermore an
influential elderly man in the area and a
ward politician visited us and expressed
an interest in working out matters so the
city government would buy it. But since
we had signed a contract they didn't
proceed any further at that time.
About the end of the 45 day period the
company asked for an extension of the
time, which we gave. The busy end-of-
year season made a lull in all activity. We
gave a couple more extensions until by
the end of April 1977 it had become
evident to us that the city would never
give permission for the building planned.
Four out of the 40 neighbors were die
hard holdouts. So we refused any more
extensions oftime to that company. They
themselves had said they would give up
by the end of April, if permission didn't
come through, but they asked for more
time when it came.
A little before this time, much to our
surprise, the city government came
actively into the picture. They revealed
plans to make a small "park" there, with
the idea that it could serve as a refuge in
cases of earthquake, fire, war, etc. They
will store water, food and fire-fighting
supplies and equipment there, but it will
appear just as a small park, and there is
no other in that crowded area. This is one
of the first such refuge places in the
city.
3. The Final Sale
Of course in dealing with the
government things are somewhat
different, and everything takes time, but
through the summer and after much talk
about price and other details we finally
signed the contract with the city in
November for the same price as we had
set with the other company a year before.
Sixty percent of the money has already
been received. Buttrays house has been
torn down and the property cleared off as
we agreed. The rest of the money will be
received and the deeds delivered to the
city before the end of January,
completing this deal.
Through all of this we have prayed
daily that God's will be done. I believe He
has answered our prayers, and in a way
we did not foresee when we started. The
neighbors are now very happy with the
outcome. The church will own its
property free and clear and not just be
part of a building nor in the shadow of
one. The Mission will have long-needed
funds for various projects. From now on
we will be dealing with builders instead
of buyers. To God be the glory, great
things He has done.
-Harold Sims
Days lengthened into months, and
months into years as I endeavored to find
ways to fulfill the dream of having our
own Christian Camp. Now, after a time
of endless frustration in not being able to
realize this dream, 1978 holds the
promise of seeing this dream become a
reality!
Final negotiations for the sale of a
portion of the "Mission Property" at the
Kamiochiai (where we were permitted to
live 27^2 years) were finalized in mid-
November. With a multiple purpose in
mind the city of Tokyo bought the land.
Thanks to the help of most of the
missionaries in the Tokyo area and Mr.
Sato, the preacher next door, the
accumulations of 27^2 years were loaded
in two small trucks and taken to the
Camp Land and put in the unfinished
basement of our future home.
Our temporary address until the house
is built on the Shinshu Bible Camp land
will be: #597 Karuizawa, Nagano - Ken
389-01, Japan. Responsibility for
removal of our home and the clean-up
afterwards caused Mabel and myself to
spend most of December in Tokyo. When
in Tokyo we stayed in a room over the
Sakurayama Church which the Patton
family had prepared. It was convenient
for taking care of final business, as it was
just ten minutes from the Kamiochiai
property.
With the advent of 1978 there begins a
new chapter in our lives. Though it may
well be the last, we are expecting it to be
the most rewarding in our service to God,
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ
and the building of His Kingdom in
Japan.
We are hoping the new Shinshu (Faith
Land) Bible Camp to become a reality
and operational by August of this year.
And from that time it will become an "All
-year around Camp to-bring
multitudes of Japanese young and old to
Jesus Christ.
In order to attain the August 1st
opening date, we must solve as quickly as
possible three major problems:
1. Buy additional adjoining, strategic
one and a half acres ofland for the
Main Building.
2. Architect, and his plans await the
above solution.
3. Water Problems.
Of the three problems, the first is the
most difficult! But first, let me say I
believe it was, and is, the Lord's will for
this land to be used for the Main Camp
Building. Because unsolicited on my part
the former owner came to me two years
ago saying his land was thebest placefor
the Main Building, and that he would sell
it to me. But at that time there was no
money to buy. However now, for a
number of reasons the farmer is against
selling! But God is able to change his
heart. You can have a part insolvingthis
problem by praying.
This adjoining land to the camp is
important and essential because three-
fourths of it is flat, our boundry would
become cultivated land, therefore no one
could build up against us and it is cheaper
to build on level land.
Since there is a limited amount of
money allotted for the Camp Building
Program, pray that we will have wisdom
to stretch it in completing the total
envisioned Camp Plans.
-Stanley Buttray
MEJIRODAI CHURCH NEWS
WITH PICTURES
Mrs. Nakayama. left in picture, was baptized on
Nov. 9. She started coming to Lois' Ladies English
Conversation Class every Friday morning a couple
of years ago, and began attending church pretty
regularly about a year ago. Mrs. Ichijo (center) was
baptized on April 10. 1977. Mrs. Okada (right)
celebrated the fifth anniversary of her baptism on
Jan. 10. She ls77yearsoldthlsyear,and hasbeen
saying she doesn't have much longer to live and
feeling somewhat badly. But at the Home Bible
Study which she attended that day they all prayed
for her and she became so happy and encouraged
and thankful that last Sunday she told the folks she
was resolved to live another year and sew some
more kimono and donate the profits to our church
building fund.
Each year we have a carry-In dinner for
Thanksgiving. This is what part of the table looked
9
Miss EmI Nakazato. one of our members, playing
the marimba at a large Christian Ladles Luncheon
held In downtown Tokyo on Dec. 8 and attended by
300.
-J1 O
The Ladies Chorus singing Go Tell It on the
Mountain at the church Christmas program Dec.
24. attendance 58. This group practices every
Monday morning.
The pre-schoolers In their Christmas program
Sunday afternoon Dec. 25.
1-3 Graders seated and others coming in
processional opening the Christmas program on
Dec. 26 at 7 PM.
PATTON
NEWS
THANKSGIVING
The missionaries in the Tokyo area are
now so remote from each other that we
are not able to gather together as much as
we formerly did. But meetings at one
another's home are cherished as much as
ever. Among these gatherings our
Thanksgiving and Christmas meetings
are annual affairs. At these times we
expect to be fed both physically and
spiritually. And one of the most
enjoyable features of these events is the
rich fellowship.
Our Thanksgiving meeting in
November was held on the 23rd, the
Japanese holiday rather than the
American. The reason for this was that
our children were allowed a holiday at
that time from school. The meeting was
held at the home of the Stephen Fleenors
who reside and work at Sayama in
Saitama Prefecture. Our guests at that
time included Mrs. Kathleen Bills Harter,
Chaplain and Mrs. George Kendall and
other military personnel from Yokota Air
Base.
CHRISTMAS
MEETINGS
The Christmas meetings at both the
Sakurayama and Arakawa Churches
were well done and well attended. On
Christmas Eve a candlelight service was
held at the Sakurayama Church and over
30 people attended. Carols were sung and
the Christmas story read from the
Scriptures by candlelight. Then the
group went to the railway station and on
the narrow streets to sing carols. It was a
very enjoyable evening.
The candlelight service was planned
and led by Mugai Fukumoto, a young
man who has been a member of the
Sakurayama Church for many years. He
Continued on page 4
Tokyo Christian
Published four times a year in Jan
uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ
Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan
by Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-
ton, Indiana 46049. Second Class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, #597
Karuizawa, Nagano Ken 389-01,
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Gary-
don Hessler, 760 Garden St., Meadville,
PA 16335.
I
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakann-ku, Tokyo
164 Japan. P^orwarding Agent: Mr.
and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 14
B, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: PTrst
Church of Christ, Orange atCenterSt.,
Eustis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
Continued from page 3
and his bride were married on November
20tb by Andrew. Mrs. Fukumoto has
moved ber membership to the
Sakurayama church from the
Kamiochiai church where she became a
Christian just before her marriage.
On Christmas morning the Yuletide
Worship Service was held at the
Sakurayama Church and in the
afternoon at the Arakawa Church. New
persons attended both meetings. One of
the Sunday School students was baptized
during the morning meeting which gives
us great cause for rejoicing.
Then in the evening, a joint fellowship
meeting was held for bothchurches at the
Sakurayama church. "Osushi" (cold rice
topped with raw fish) was served and
cake and mandarin oranges were the
dessert.
The missionaries met at the home of
the Harold Simses on December 28th for
their Christmas celebration. Carols were
sung and each family shared with the
group recent blessings from God which
they had experience. After luncheon
special songs were sung, some by the
younger couples, which contributed to
the occasion, all edifying.
Special New Year's meetings were held
at Sakurayama and Arakawa on
January first. Andrew preached at
Sakurayama worship service.
br EA MEETTnG
The Tokyo area preachers' and
missionaries' monthly meeting is called
the Berea Kai. The January meeting of
this group convened at the home of
Harold and Lois Sims. The wives were
all invited to the meeting. Professor
Harvey Beard brought an instructive
message based on Genesis 49. Professor
and Mrs. Beard were guests ofthe Simses
and were on their way to Australia where
Prof. Beard will teach in a Bible College
for 6 months. He is on Sabbatical leave
from Pacific Christian College at
Fullerton, California.
ANDREW'S
HEALTH
Many of our supporters and
correspondents have expressed concern
for Andrew's health since he has not felt
well over the past several months. After
taking antibiotics to rid the infection, he
has found that using lukewarm salt
solution for his sinusitis has been very
helpful. Since he has improved he will
start his regular English classes again
beginning on February 6th.
FAMILY
All of the Patton family are in good
health at present and we are thankful to
the Lord for this blessing. Before
Christmas Betty set herself the task of
typing a personal letter to each of our
supporters who sent offerings during the
year (January 1977 to October 31,1977).
She could be heard pounding the
typewriter in our home from morning to
night, but she finally got the job done.
Most of Stephen's time is spent at
school, both in class and in sports. He
joined the school wrestling team and is
enjoying the sport very much. He is taller
than his father and is muscular besides.
He is trying to keep his weight down to
wrestle at 180. The training program is
becoming quite strenuous for him. He
leaves the house at 7:10 a.m. and gets
home a little before 8:00 p.m.
A few days ago we received a newsy
tape recording from Sharon and her
family, Noel and Philip. That gave us a
big lift, ofcourse. All of themare well and
are doing well at their respective jobs.
Our three year old granddaughter sang
and chattered a lot and that truly thrilled
us. They all go to the Iron Gates church
in Joplin, MO.
VISITORS
We have been blessed by having
numerous visitors recently. Though we
here classify them as visitors, we feel like
Stanley and Mabel Buttray are a part of
our family since we have lived near them
and worked with them and had
Finally, we have been able to sell the land
where they have lived since coming to
Japan and their house has been
demolished. The Buttrays stayed with us
for a few days and then moved next door
to the second floor of the Sakurayama
church. Now they divide their time
between Tokyo and their rented house in
Karuizawa. They will be busy hereafter
in building their new home on the camp
property in Nagano and in constructing a
building to house the camp.
Delmar Debault spent a night with the
POSTMASTER
FORM 3579 REQUESTED
BOX 177, KEMPTON, IN 46049
Pattons in December. He was on his way
to India to help out in the teaching
program there. His wife will join him
later and they will be back through
Japan in March.
LaVerne Morse dropped through
Tokyo on his way back home from
Thailand in January. Dale Wilkinson,
Milton Jones and Andrew visited with
him at his hotel before he caught the next
plane out for U.S.
Milton Jones, whose son Eric has
leukemia, causing the Joneses to return
to the U.S., flew back to Japan on
January first. He is taking care of
business and his belongings and will
return to their home in Oklahoma on
January 20th. He has been our guest
several days and has spent-the rest of the
time with the Wilkinsons in Yokosuka
where they were living and working
before returning home. Because of Eric's
illness their future is uncertain but they
hope to resume their missionary work.
Please pray for Milton and Barbara, Eric
and their other children.
THANKS
The Pattons thank all of you who
remembered us by sending Christmas
cards, anniversary cards and gifts
during December. We are grateful that
most of the cards were accompanied by
newsy personal letters and notes.
Because of that we felt much nearer
fellowship with thom-for so-many-years. home,-Wecoveredand decoratedour-five-
foot mirror in our living room with the
cards. It looked beautiful! Thank you for
the wonderful packages filled with
delightful gifts which several of you sent
to us. A letter of thanks has been sent to
each donor but we wish to thank you
again here. Special offerings were sent
by some of you too and for these we offer
our thanks. God is always good to us,
filling our hearts with gladness and
providing for our every need. Thanks to
Him for His unspeakable Gift.
-Andrew Patton
SIMS NEWSLETTER JANUARY 1978
Dear Friends: .
Christmas preparations begin in October at our house. Not that we drop anything from our
regular schedules, of church activitiesMission business or English classes, but that we have
to ;begin planning,, purchasing and preparing in spare (Note: that word means .lean., scanty, fru
gal) time for the newsletters, and gifts .both to the family in the U.S. and Japanese friends;
and, arranging, for the church, Sunday School and various English class programs. . This has al
ways been our happiest and busiest time of the year, mainly because of the increased oppor
tunities to get the .Gospel heard. This year several unuaual opportunities Came our way. For
example: . : ,
1. The local Lions Club asked me to speak for 10 minutes at their annual Family: Christmas
party pn "the. TRUE meaning of Christmas" (their emphasis). Their plan called for me to dress
up in a Santa Claus outfit which they provided, and greet the children and then speak to the
whole group. So, on the.night of December 15, with red pants several sizes, too small binding
a spotlight blinding me, and stiff curly hairs from the false white beard tickling my
mouth and nose, I talked about the purpose of Christ!.s coming and "peace on earth and good
wilrl/to men" to-an audience-pfrlOG, including trhe^mayor of^the^cityt^iss~Hacfaio^ATS07
a. Buddist priest from the local 12.00 year -old temple, was there. He had seldom, if ever, had
seen the inside of a church, or heard the gospel story.
2. The next day Lois had the annual Christmas dinner for 20 ladies of her Friday morning
English Conversation class. They paid for a 15 pound turkey; which Lois dressed and roasted
in our oyen-y . The ladies brought countless dishes of vegetables, rice-balls, desserts, etc.
to go with it... Most of them have miniature ovens or none at all, and it is a special treat
to both see and eat a roast turkey, so they had a wonderful party, ending with a gift exchan-
ge. Again,at their request I wiped off my greasy hands after carving up the bird and told
them the "true meaning of Christmas".
3. Our local postmaster asked me to speak on exactly the same subject to one of the child
ren's clubs in the neighboring section of the .city when I had a convenient.itimex SOj on Dec.
27, I went to their one room community hall.; and spoke to 40 children packed .wall to wall. In
beginning I asked the children if they knew ..what Christmas meant, and only one answered that
it was the birthday of Jesus. Each of these three requests for 10 minute speeches came from .
non-Christians, and in each case they said they really wanted to know the true meaning. We
thank the Lord for opening these doors, and know this is in answer to many of your prayers for
God's blessing and guidance upon the work of His kingdom here.
Our own family Christmas was on Friday night, D(^. 23rd, after a full day of preparing
treats and attendance prizes for our Sunday.School children (helped by 4 of the Church women)
completed almost all of the long list of "things to do". The outstanding gift this year was
sketches of the faces of each member of our family taken from old photographs of our 30 year
old wedding picture and each of the children when they were small. These were well done by
Daniel who is a promising artist and photographer along with being on the wrestling team. We
also called to the U.S. on Christmas day and talked to our four children and thre?grandchild
ren there.
The Mejirodai church Christmas fellowship was on Christmas eve from 7-9 PM. There were
58 people present, and almost everyone had some part on the program which was planned that
way by one of the teachers. All of the men participated in a spontaneous short play about
the three wise men which was much enjoyed by all. There were several good musical numbers by
different families and groups, as usual. Some of both the older and younger folk who never
play a musical instrument were asked to play triangles, tamborines, whistles, etc. in a high
ly applauded rendition of the Toy Symphony. The program for the evening included a candle
service and gift exchange. After this, 3 carloads of young people went caroling at a number
of houses under a full moon until about 11:30 PM.
Christmas Day, Sunday, we had 56 people in the worship service^ a new high. Wejiad 1
baptism and 1 transfer of membership. This brings our membership to 25, although TTfe" in^
active and 1 has moved too far away to attend regularly. That afternoon at 2 PM we had the
pre-schoolers program, and that evening at 7 we had the elementary S.S. program with a total
of 115. The church was packed like a Japanese train, but the people are used to crowded con
ditions. The theme of the program was "Light". We began with the first^words of Genesis
and darkness except for a large sign Danny had made with the Japanese character for "light"
cut out of cardboard and a light shining through red cellophane paper showing it brilliantly.
The children marched in carrying small penlights and wearing towels on their heads singing
"0 Come All Ye Faithful". Over 60 children were in the beautiful procession. The children
also memorized the old hymn "The Light Of The World Is Jesus" which is not Translated into
Japanese, and sang it in English.
piis past year we had 4 baptisms and 1 transfer. The average attendance at morning wor
ship increased from 23.6 in 1976 to 31 in 1977. Sunday School went up from 61 to 69. So, it
was another good year of steady growth, for which we are most thankful to Christ the Builder
of the church.
We had 3 Home Bible Studies going for much of the year, but one of them is inactive for
a while until the hostess has her baby. Lois began a regular Monday morning prayer meeting
and singing practice for about 10 ladies from the church and her English classes who like to
sing. This ladies chorus furnishes good 3 or 4 part music for most of our special occasions
now.
The largdst''attendance at our little church so far was at a funeral on Nov. 14. We don't
know exactly how many people were there, but there were more outside than inside. When the
time came for for what Americans call "viewing the remains" (Japanese call it "the honorable
separation"), the funeral director lined the people up 3 abreast all the way down the steps
and lip the street.:' Mr. Obata was a white-haired gentleman who had smarted coming to our ser
vices in March. The first day he told me that he had been an active Christian in his early
years but had gotten far away from God for a long time. Now he was retired, and living with
his only surviving son in Mejirodai and he felt.that he would like to return to the Lord.
From that time on he attended church very regularly and added dignity by his quiet presence
near the back. When his daughter in law found him dead in bed they immediately called here
and asked if I would conduct a Christian funeral which they knew he would have wished. His
wife, who died some time ago was also a Christian as were many of the relatives who came up
from Kyushu for the funeral. .They were happy to leam about the old man!s "return" to.God.
It was a good testimony also to many men from where he had worked, and many from the commun
ity who had niever attended a Christian funeral. (JjMieinbers served very well in various cap
acities at that time, and the daughter-in-law ^ a granddaughter were at church for the
Christmas Day worship service, and promised to.artend tiiis year,,
, After a long time and many disappointments and difficulties we were finally able in the
fail to sell the Yotsuya Mission property where the Buttrays have lived for 27 years to the
Tolcyo government. The. income from that will open the way to develop the camp for which land
was purchased in mountainous Nagano prefecture 3 years ago. Much time this past year was
spent in negotiations connected with this property sale, and we believe that God has helped
and guided us through this.
The various economic news you read in the paperis has some effect on our work. We- hope
that the delicate and rough.negotiations about steel prices, beef, orange-juice, Japanese
cars, television sets,, etc. between the two governments will not mean, that bad feelings and
emotions will filter down to the people whom we know and love on both sides of the Pacific.
Needless to say, the 22% weakening of the dollar in relation to the yen during the fall of
1977 hit us pretty hard in the pocket. But, we have every intention of riding over the waves
and continuing the work here in which we feel we are doing something needed, appreciated and
which we can do and like to do. We continue to ask your support in prayer and financial gifts.
We pray that we may be - ' - ...
SIMS TOkYO MISSION
First Church of Christ
315 Orange Avenue
Eustis, Florida 32726
ADDRESS CORRECTION
REQUESTED
Harold and Lois Sims
NonrPrpfit Orgn.
U.S. Postage Pd.
Permit No. 57
E.ustis, FL. 32726
liGsior.G Ser'jices Asso cicc iai
Bo:: 177
Ind. -16049
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 12/31/77
BALANCE ON HAND 12/31/76
RECEIPTS:
General Fund 7,628.08
Living Link 10,770.28
Interest 1,055.00
Designated 55.00
Total
DISBURSEMENTS:
Harold Sims, General Expense 3,600.00
Harold Sims, Living Link 10,200.00
Insurance 593.00
Mission Services 333:23
Office Supplies 61.15
Post^^e ^90.72_
Tuition 1,050.00
Designated Funds 55.00
Miscellaneous (new van) 4,000.00
Certificate of Deposit 3,000.00
Total
BALANCE ON HAND, 12/31/77
STEWARDSHIP REPORT FOR 1977
LIVING LINK:
CALIFORNIA:
First Christian Church, Napa
FLORIDA:
First Church of Christ, Eustis
INDIANA:
Church of Christ, Markle
OHIO
Buckeye Christian Church, Columbus
Clovemook Christian Church, Cincinnati
PENNSYLVANIA
Monroeville Christian Church, Monroeville
TENNESSEE
First Christian Churchj Johnson City
VIRGINIA
First Christian Church, Charlottesvilie
Northside Church of Christ, Newport News
TOTAL LIVING LINK
DESIGNATED FUNDS AND INTEREST
FLORIDA:
Atlantic Bank, Eustis
OHIO
Church of Christ, Westlake
VIRGINIA
First Christian Church, Charlottesvilie
Nellie Leigh Brown, Charlottesville
TOTAL DESIGNATED FUNDS AND INTEREST
GENERAL FUNDS
ARIZONA
First Christian Church, Yuma
FLORIDA
Central Christian Church, St. Petersburg
Ruth Fogle, St. Petersburg
Englewood Missionary Fund, Jacksonville
GEORGIA
Christian Church, Bainbridge
ILLINOIS
First Christian Church, Chicago
INDIANA
Southside Christian Church, Munster
Kenneth Eade
First Christian Church, Columbus
12,655.79
19,508.36
32,164.15
22,983.10
9,181.05
2,716.00
300.00
744.55
366.47
660.00
495.00
1,650.00
2,213.26
1,625.00
10,770:28
1,055.00
25.00
15.00
15.00
-1,110.00
800.00
600.00
10.00
900.00
420.00
50.00
76.00
60.00
200.00
KMSAS _ ..!(
Ellen Lawrence '
KENTUCKY
.Church of Christ, Alexandria
M/M Ed Royal, Philpot
MISSOURI
Island City Christian Church
NEBRASKA
Wymore Church of Christ, Wymore
OHia
. Church of Christ, Hamersville
Western Hills Church of Christ, Cincinnati
New Somerset Church of Christ, Richmond
Christian Restoration Association, Cincinnati
White Oak Christian Church
PENNSYLVANIA
First Christian Church,
First Christian Church,
First Christian Church,
First Christian Church,
Shenango Christian Church, New Castle . '
Christian Church Missions, Confluence
Missionary Circle, New Castle
TENNESSEE
Women's Council, First Christian, Johnson City
"Win A Kuple" Class, First Christian, Johnson City
Grace and Ralph Sims, Johnson City
TEXAS ' ,
Barstow Christian Church, Barstow
Virginia G. Tempieton. Fort Worth
VIRGINIA
Bethany Church Mission Fund, Bumpass
Northside Church of Christ, Hampton
WEST VIRGINIA
Warwood Christian Church, Wheeling
NEW BRUNSWISK. CANADA
Church of Christ, Lord's Cove
TOTAL GENERAL FUNDS
Homestead
Fayette City
New Salem
Turtle Creek
REPORT OF FUNDS HANDLED FOR SIMS MISSION IN TOKYO DURING 1977
BALANCE ON HAND 12/31/76
INCOME
1. From Eustis Account: 300 monthly, general Expense
"For purchase of 8 passenger van
For Danny's tuitition at CAJ
Specially designated personal
2. From churches Individuals sent directly
Mrs. Chas. Meadows, Charlottesville, VA
Mr. Harry Hobbs, Chester, WVA
First Christian, Chester, WVA
Primary Dept; Westwood-Cheviot, Cincinnati
HyattstowA Christian Church, Clarksburg, MD
.;Miss Mary Harding, Turner, Oregon
M/M L. Sims, Louisa, VA
M/M E.R. Powell, Hampton, VA
Middlers, Englewood, Jacksonville, FL
. Polly Vincent Circle "
. M/M R.J. Lucas. Eustis. FL :
3. From Japanese in yen
Sale of Bibles and song books in local church
Riders in van (toll and gasoline on trip)
Preaching evangelistic meetings, other churches
TOTAL
3,600.00
4,000.00
1,050.00
25.00
50.00
10.00
25.00
10.00
25.00
10.00
25.00
25.00
30.00
9.68
348.48
87.66
129.42
9,465.24
EXPENDITURES: ' "
Automobile travel
purchase of new Toyoto 8 passenger van (inc.insurance)4,609.79
inspection and tune-up on old car 78.63
gasoline (at $1.88 per Canadian gallon) 420.94
toll and parking (increased because of new x-pressway) 152.37
other travel (train, subway, bus, etc) 227.88
Tuition for Danny, one year at Christian Academy 1,095.15
Purchase of books (for resale, and library) 493.90
Purchase of movie film, tracts (with other missionaries) 204.66
Subscription to 4 mission magazines memberships 97.44
Travel hotel for Japanese missionary conventions 502.29
j..
2.
3.
4.
5.
35.00
. 315.00
20.00
25.00
100.00
375.00
61.00
169.08
26.65
1,161.85
.. 60.00
414.00
100.00
214.50
550.00
130.00
5.00
150.00
100.00
200.00
25.00
15.00
35.00
30.00
150.00
25.00
7.,628;08
202.69
FUNDS HANDLED BY SIMS IN TOKYO, CONTINUED:
Postage 446.96
Telephone (including 2 business calls to US) 389.80
Office supplies and some duplicating and printing 71.56
Pictures for publicity 16.68
Visas, including pictures 46.65
Sammer camp 95.91
V.B.S. 17.19
Christmas (including letters printing, gift cal=
endars, tracts, treats, etc) 410.70
Fire insurance on house 127,91
Painting (iron fence and roof of pre-fab buliding) 76.69
Bank transfers 4.14
Entertainment of US visitors at restaurants 72.61
9,659.85
Balance, Dec. 31, 1976 202.69 202.69
Income for 1977 9,465.24
9,667.93
Total expenditures for 1977 9,655.85
Balance, December 31, 1977 8.18
MOTE: About half of an amount sent to Sims in 1976 for a printing project has been
transfered to Osaka Bible Seminary for a copying machine, which is being put to a good
use. Prof. Oda is publishing a commentary on Romans, copying them and sending them to
Harold. They will later be bound into a book. The other half of the printing fund is
being held for another project later.
NOPE: Mrs. Lillian Wray has been taking care of the books, and caring for the business of
che mission in Eustis for several years. Mrs. Lilah has been doing all of the corres
ponding and many other duties for the same length of time. Both of these faithful lad
ies are having to "retire" as of now because of health reasons. We felt like you might
like to know this, because they have been most faithful and efficient in their volunteer
work for this good project. However, someone else will be doing this and there will
oe no break in the procedure, nor any changes in the way it has been done.
ihank you for your continued support.
Kenneth R. Bain, Minister
First Church of Christ
Eustis, Florida
Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 77 Second Quarter, 1978 Number 2
OF DOLLARS AND YEN
If you go down to the Pacific shore and
listen very carefully you will hear a
muffled roar coming in waves from far,
far away. You may safely identify that in
1978 as the voices of American
missionaries and businessmen talking
every time they get together about howto
cope with the problems of falling
exchange rates in the midst of rising
prices, and debating about how far down
the dollar will go.
One of the regular activities of every
missionary is the trip to the downtown
foreign-exchange bank to "convert" his
dollar checks into yen the currency of
the realm in which all of your bills must
be paid. An old sarcastic missionary joke
is about the fellow who left the field in
utter discouragement with the final
comment, "The only thing I converted
was dollars into yen." For almost 20
years beginning in the early 50's we could
go to the bank and get 360 yen for each
dollar. And in those days hamburger cost
about a dollar a pound. Several years
ago, beginning in 1971, the dollar was
devalued to 308 yen. Then it was allowed
to "float" to its real market value. Last
year we could still get 270 yen or so. But
at the date of this writing (April 10,1978)
one dollar will bring only 218 yen, and at
this rate hamburger is now $3.60 per
pound.
I am sure you have all read about the
defacto devaluation of the dollar and
"appreciation" of the yen in your
newspapers and magazines, and I
recognize that the Tokyo Christian is not
the best source of economic news,
forecasts or comment. But I imagine
everyone expects us to say something
about this question so I will give just a
few brief comments reflecting my
personal feelings.
1. The dollar is no longer "sound" solid
and strong. I grew up when there was a
well-known and accepted saying, "as
sound as a dollar." Those days are gone
"forever" or until the American
government and people can bring
themselves to quit spending more than
their income. Woe to those who continue
to spend their lives serving and
accumulating this unstable, deceitful
Mammon.
2. But the dollar is still very important
to us all. Our visas allowing us to be in
Japan doing missionary work are based
on documents proving that we are
supported by funds from the United
States and will not become dependent on
the Japanese economy. The money
necessary to pay our growing bills and
maintain the modest life-style we all
practice as well as the large sums for
children's education is dependent on our
receiving enough additional dollars to
keep up with a loss in dollar value of
about 20% this year.
3. We have been hesitant to write much
about this problem heretofore partly
because we thought some of our
supporting church boards might think it
made better business sense for us to give
up and come back to the U.S. We don't
want to do that. In recent weeks we have
been encouraged to hear of several
churches that were alert enough to do
their own research into the situation and
the need and voluntarily increase the
amount of support even before the
missionary made a request. Most of the
large Missionary Boards and
denominational organizations have cost-
of-living adjustments and allowances
that enable them to carry on without too
much difficulty. We believe that in the
long run our direct-support system will
work just as well or better, if people are
given the information.
4. Most of the missionaries are already
supplementing their living-link income
from churches in the U.S.A. by some
English teaching. English Conversation
Classes taught by foreigners continue to
be in demand here, and this gives us
openings and contacts with people and
groups in our communities in addition to
some spending money which the
students are happy to pay. I think it is
very right for us to bear a part of the
financial burden in this way as long as it
does not interfere with or obscure our
main purpose for being in Japan.
5. Generally speaking great strides
toward total self-support by the Japanese
churches have been made during the past
25 years, so relatively few Japanese
preachers' salaries have been affected by
this dollar problem. They are living and
working in the Japanese economy and
not dependent on us. At the time of the
great depression in 1929 and the early
thirties there were many Japanese
workers dependent on the Mission for
their livelihood. When the American
financial situation and fall-off in support
forced a drastic retrenchment of the
Mission program and personnel it caused
a lot of suffering and inconvenience and
embarrassment to many individuals as
well as a set-back in the work of the
churches they were connected with. This
has not happened this time.
6. Some good that may come out of the
current weakness ofthe dollar is a further
confirmation of the wisdom of and move
toward self-supporting Japanese
churches and also a move toward moving
out into rural areas where land and rental
prices are much more reasonable than in
the large urban centers.
7. The most necessary thing is that we
all stick faithfully to our commitment to
the importance and necessity of
evangelizing Japan and that we continue
to trust in God to supply our needs
according to His riches in Christ and to
trust in each other.
- Harold Sims
Cherry Blossoms In the Sakurayama church area.
Sakurayama means "cherry mountain".
K.E.A. GROUP EVANGELISM
In previous issues of Tokyo Christian
we have mentioned the activities of the
Kanto Evangelistic Association (K.E.A.).
The members of this group are some of
our missionaries in the Kanto Area
(Tokyo and the surrounding districts),
but it is not the intention of the group to
confine its membership only to
missionaries. There are no by-laws, no
membership fees as such, and free and
open discussions are held before any
decision is made on the policies and
activities of the group. The only officers
are a secretary who takes notes of
meetings and corresponds and a
treasurer. There is no membership card
to be signed and affiliation or non-
affiliation with the group is determined
by the free choice of each individual.
KEA came into being during the
summer of 1976. It had its beginning
because of the need felt by its founders for
a united evangelistic effort among
Christians in Japan. They felt that they
could accomplish far more in a
cooperative effort than they could by
working individually. This has proved to
be true. Each member contributes what
he can financially to K.E.A. and to date
this has been sufficient to meet expenses
and keep the group out of debt. The
members are a mutual encouragement to
one another and the various talents ofthe
members are shared and used in the most
advantageous way. Two days a week
have been set aside by each member of
the group for this evangelistic effort.
The emphasis of K.E.A. evangelistic
work is on house-to-house distribution of
tracts stuffed with inserts giving
information about the local church
program in the area being worked, the
distribution of literature to school
students, the showing of picture rolls
about the Gospel to these students, the
distribution of tracts and street
preaching at railroad stations, and the
presentation of short gospel messages
throughout the area by means of a small
vehicle equipped with a sound system
which is now owned by the group. Milton
Jones donated the vehicle and K.E.A.
purchased the sound system from him.
To assure a better means of establishing
contact with the people receiving
literature from K.E.A., the group has had
questionaires printed on postcards which
are now stuffed in the literature. So far 3
or 4 replies on the average have been
received from each area worked. They
often ask for a free correspondence course
offered by Paul Pratt, a Bible, or for
fellowship with a local church group.
Contacts gained through these reply
cards are visited by the local church
people and encouraged to attend the
church service. This presents an open
door for evangelism.
This year's evangelistic campaign by
K.E.A. was opened in March and it is
planned for it to continue until cold
weather in the late Fall. Since March the
group has worked at the Arakawa
church, the Yokosuka church atMachida
where the Mark Pratts live, at the Sanno-
bara Church at Isehara, and again at
Machida. It is planned to coordinate the
Coffee House Evangelism Program in the
summer in Karuizawa with the work of
K.E.A. Village evangelism in the day
time and the Coffee House work at night
should give all K.E.A. members plenty to
do during the summer. Cold weather
prevents this outside work during the
four coldest months of the year, but other
avenues of evangelism are found for that
time.
The present members of K.E.A. are the
following: Warren Christianson,
Stephen Fleenor, Julius Fleenor, Stanley
Buttray, Dale Wilkinson, Paul Pratt,
Mark Pratt and Andrew Patton. Brother
Harold Akers of the Mishawaka Church
in Indiana, who with his wife are visiting
the Pratts, is helping in the work of
K.E.A. and some of the members of the
Yokosuka church are too.
K.E.A. is in need of funds to finance its
program and to expand its outreach. Be
cause of the low exchange rate for their
dollars, missionaries in Japan are hard-
pressed financially. If you are interested
in the work K.E.A. is doing and want to
share in it, please send your offering to
the K.E.A. Treasurer: Andrew Patton, 3-
7-8 Higashinakano, Nakano Ku, Tokyo,
Japan 164. Please designate your gifts
"K.E.A. Evangelism."
- Andrew Patton
JONATHAN SIMS
GOING TO TOKYO ON
MISSIONARY
INTERNSHIP
Plans have progressed far enough to
announce at this time that Jonathan
Sims who graduated from Cincinnati
Bible College with a BA in Missions in
1977 expects to get his Masters Degree
from the Cincinnati Christian Seminary
in May of 1979 and go to Japan that same
month to serve a 6-month missionary
internship helping in the work his
mother and father have been doing and
get a start in Japanese language study.
Those who might be interested in having
him visit your church and tell about his
plans should contact him directly at 824
Matson Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45204.
RESURRECTION
SUNDAY
March 26 dawned bright and warm for
early spring. Ten of the Mejirodai church
women gathered in the small
neighborhood park at 6 AM for a sunrise
service in which it seemed that the birds
were also joining us in worship.
There were 78 children here for Sunday
School at 9 AM. That day we had a
special program of music and memory
verses, because it was the annual
promotion day. The Japanese school
year begins in April, so all the children
moved up to a higher class, and a few
"graduated" from the regular Sunday
School into the middle school class where
they are encouraged to attend the adult
worship.
We had 44 present for morning
worship. Almost 100% of our
membership were here and some others,
but we were a little disappointed that
there were no first-time visitors and no
baptisms as there were the last 2 years.
In the afternoon about 30 churches in
the Hachioji area joined in a rally on the
roof of our town's largest department
store. The speaker was a rather well-
known Japanese radio evangelist who is
heard every morning on the radio
throughout Japan. There was a large
choir which sang beautifully. The total
attendance was over 1000 people.
- Harold Sims.
Mr. and Mrs. Sato with Stanley and
Mabel Buttray, were on their way to
Nagano Prefecture and the Shinshu
Bible Camp to continue negotiating for a
strategic adjoining piece of land. They
stopped at a famous restaurant at the
bottom of the mountain to eat their
(meibutsu) famous cooking . . . called
kamameshi. Mabel was the exception,
she chose the buckwheat noodles. This
was just two days of the many months of
negotiations. Of going back and forth
and the suspense of not knowing the final
result, increased the tension which
became a heavy burden. Only after the
third refusal by the farmer owner did I
temporarily give up buying this
important piece of land. Therefore, plans
for the Main Camp Building (which have
been delayed until now) will begin to take
shape this month.
YOKOSUKA BIBLE
STUDY GROUP
Many of the missionaries and
ministers in the Kanto Area (Tokyo) have
long been interested in conducting
training classes for church leaders and
any other Christians interested in
studying the Bible.
In January of this year this plan
passed the discussion stage and entered
that of planning and implementation. We
were faced with a particular need in one
local congregation and this spurred us to
definite action.
The occasion for the starting of these
Bible Study classes was presented by
some young people in the church at
Yokosuka. These youth wanted to study
the Bible in order to prepare themselves
to be helpers and church leaders in the
local church. They were also interested in
Bible Study for their own spiritual
growth and advancement.
Faced with this practical challenge
which coincided with their own
aspirations for Bible Training Classes,
the members of the Kanto Evangelizing
Association began discussing and
formulating plans for Bible Study
classes. Though these classes were
begun by them, they do not wish to
confine it only to members of this group.
They agreed to begin such classes first at
the Yokosuka church. Classes were to be
held there twice a week, two hours per
session, from February 2, 1978. Later
they hope to expand by offering the same
type of Biblical training at other
churches in the Tokyo area. Other
churches need only request the training
and gather the students to benefit from
this training program.
Stephen Fleenor, Paul Pratt and
ATidrew Patton served as pilot
instructors in the classes at Yokosuka,
Stephen teaching on Saturdays and
Andrew and Paul alternately teaching on
Thursdays.
Stephen's first class consisted oftwelve
lessons on Christian Doctrine and that
series is not completed. Another course
will be taught at the same time in the near
future. Paul is presenting an exegetical
study of the Book of Acts. Andrew is
teaching a class in Bible Survey
beginning with a survey of the New
Testament. Since this course deals with
the whole of the Scriptures it will take
much time to develop. For a breather,
other courses may be taught temporarily
in its place.
The classes began with six studentsbut
one who is not yet a Christian has since
dropped the course. The members of the
class are earnest students of the
Scriptures attending the various classes
with interest.
It is not the aim of this training
program to train a professional ministry.
The classes are open to all and there is
practically no cost involved. Though the
program is offered to Christians
PATTON NEWS
ENGLISH CLASSES
Last year because of illness, Andrew
had to cut back on his work until such a
time as his condition improved. He is still
troubled with a sinus condition and
complications from it especially in the
winter and in changing weather
conditions.
In February of this year he felt that his
health was good enough to warrant the
starting of his English classes again,
which he did. Because classes were
dimissed for a year he lost some of his
students he had taught for many months,
but at the beginning of April the number
of his students increased markedly.
Through these classes he gains contact
with a number of people and the tuition
fees help to finance evangelistic and
church work.
OKINAWA
CONVENTION
The Patton family had decided not to
attend the All-Japan convention on
Okinawa this year because ofthe expense
involved. But after Stephen decided that
he would like to go we reconsidered the
trip. He and Andrew now plan to attend
the convention since we are able to
finance it through our teaching of
English. We are looking forward to the
fellowship with the Christians from
Mainland Japan and Okinawa.
VISITORS
On two different occasions in the recent
months, Dr. and Mrs. Delmar Debault
were the Pattons' guests. Dr. Debault
spent several weeks in India visiting a
mission project he helps to promote. He
stopped at the Pattons for a night in
Tokyo and then resumed his trip to India.
Later Mrs. Debault joined him in
Thailand and she too spent a night with
us on her way. Then on their return they
primarily, non-Christians interested in
studying the Bible are welcomed to the
classes.
The results of the teaching of these
classes have been most gratifying so far
and the initiators of this program hope
that other churches in the Tokyo area will
avail themselves of the opportunity to
thus study the Bible.
This training program is dedicated to
Christ and His church and our fondest
dreams for it will be fulfilled if it
contributes to the happiness, growth and
fruitfulness of the members of the
churches that take advantage of this
Bible Study Program. Please pray for
these classes, the students, and the
instructors.
- Andrew Patton
again spent a few days with the Pattons
and journeyed on to visit the Ray and
Lonnie Mings families.
Other visitors who stayed overnight
with us were the members of Kanto
Evangelizing Association who were
working in this area and Mr. Donald
Burney from Shikoku Island who came to
meet his mother at the International
airport. Mrs. Bumey will visit with her
family until August. Mrs. Una Smith
from Yorkshire, England was Betty's
guest for five days as they attended the
Japan Recognition Day annual event of
TOPS' organization on April 14th.
I .Vt
Younger Sunday School children participating In
the Easter Worship at Sakurayama. Mike and Eriko
Sato are on the left.
FAMILY
Stephen's wrestling season is finished
now. He received his letter award at the
annual sport's banquet held at the
Yokota Air Base. He hopes to be able to
Continued on page 4
Tokyo Christian
Published four times a year in Jan-
uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ
Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan
by Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-
ton. Indiana 46049. Second Class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, #597
Karuizawa, Nagano - Ken 389-0.1,
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Gary-
don Hessler, 760 Garden St., Mead ville,
PA 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.
and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 14
B, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-;l3-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent; First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.,
Eustis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $..50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
29th CONVENTION
IN OKINAWA
One of the stabilizing and edifying
elements in our work in Japan during the
past 30 years has been a yearly
convention of the Japanese Christians
and the missionaries. Because of the
many spiritual benefits of this fellowship
we all make a special effort to attend as
often as possible.
This year it will be in Okinawa for the
first time. The dates are April 28 - May 1
for the Japanese and May 1 and 2 for the
missionaries. This week-end which
includes the Emperor's 77th birthday
should give us ideal weather as well as
give the widest possible opportunity for
businessmen, students and others to take
those days off from regular duties. The
distance from Tokyo makes it an
expensive trip, but almost 30 from our
various churches are planning to go
together on a cheap air-fare and hotel
package plan that has been arranged by
the Okinawa brethren. For most of us it
will be the first visit to this famous island
which was a battlefield in World War II
and the focus of some trouble between
Japan and the U.S. before it reverted to
Japan several years ago. We understand
a number of long-time supporters of the
Okinawa Christian Mission will be
coming out firom the United States to join
us. It is a sort of celebration of the 30th
anniversary of the work of the Mission
and the Harland Woodruffs there.
As a part of the missionary convention
program I have been asked to give a brief
summary of the work of our missionaries
in Japan over the past 95 years. I have
lived through 1/3 of this period, but have
been surprised how many details I
cannot remember accurately and how
difficult it is to check up on old facts. But
I have discovered several things which I
think will be of interest to you and will
just list them here:
* 89 different people (men and
women) have served for some time
as missionaries representing our
churches in Japan during the past
30 years.
* 47 of these are now in Japan -- not
counting those on furlough.
* 18 of these have served 25 years or
more.
* There are 5 second-generation
missionaries now in Japan, and
there are 2 others who are definite
recruits.
" Harold Sims
RATION NEWS
Continued from page 3
participate in the sport again next year.
None of the missionary wives live
inside of Tokyo now. So Betty has
enjoyed very much visits from Peggy
Wilkinson and Mabel Buttray recently.
Family chores and entertaining guests
have kept her busy. Also she has been re-
elected TOPS leader for the Tokyo club
which is very international in
membership.
Andrew has a full schedule teaching
English and Bible classes, serving as
treasurer for three different organiza
tions besides keeping his own accounts,
teaching the Bible Study Group at
Yokosuka, doing supply preachig at
Sakurayama and Arakawa churches and
participating in the evangelistic work of
Kanto Evangelizing Association on
Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
We ask that you pray for the work in
Japan and for us that we might always be
found faithful in His sight.
- Andrew Patton
POSTMASTER
FORM 3579 REQUESTED
BOX 177. KEMPTON. IN 46049
P A tPTf'
Older Sunday School group singing at Easter
Worship service at Sakurayama.
Six months out of the year (as the
weather permits) this is part of the view
as seen from the Shinshu Bible Camp
Site. The snow covered Japan Alps in the
background makes it a breathtaking
panoramic view.
Tokyo K Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 77
Third Quarter, 1978
Number 3
ALL-JAPAN CHRISTIAN CONVENTION
IN OKINAWA
None of our family had ever been to
Okinawa, so we saved up our money and
all 3 of us attended the All-Japan
Convention which was held on that
balmy island this spring -- the Japanese
section April 28 30 and the missionary
section May 1 and 2. Because of the
group rates and package plan the cost of
airplane tickets and hotel rooms both
was much less than if we had gone at
some other time, and anyway it was
much more enjoyable with so many other
friends there.
This convention was special in a
number of different ways which I will just
mention.
1. It was the largest in attendance and
had the nicest hotel accomodations of the
29 that have been held thus far. On the
final day it was reported that 468 people
had registered, and it is known that a few
attended on Sunday morning who didn't
register.
2. It was the farthest away from the
geographical center of Japan, and when
the idea first came up it was expected that
because of the expense involved the
attendance would be smaller than usual.
But a total of 172 people went from the
mainland ofJapan by plane and ship. We
were on a group flight of 27 folks from
Tokyo airport.
3. It was the 30th year since Mr. and
Mrs. Harlan Woodruff began their
missionary work on that island after his
service as an army chaplain. His 2
brothers and their wives and about 20
other long-time supporters from their
living-link churches in Washington and
Oregon came from the United States to
honor their missionaries and see the
work and attend the 2 conventions.
4. The greatest blessing and joy
seemed to come to the Okinawan
Christians who had given so much time
and effort in planning and preparation.
About half of the registrations were from
Okinawa prefecture, which is probably a
significant percentage of the total
membership of our churches on the
island.
The week before the convention there
was a strike by employees of the airline
on which all reservations had been made.
and it was serious enough that the
possibility of having to cancel the entire
convention was considered. All of the
Christians met and'prayed long and
earnestly, and at the last minute a
settlement of the strike was achieved.
This is just 1 small illustration of how the
responsibilities of the convention served
to bring greater joy and a sense of unity
and cooperation to the Christians there.
We visitors could all see and rejoice in
this.
5. On Sunday afternoon in a light rain
both Japanese and Americans rode in
several large buses to the site of the
famous and fierce battles which had been
fought between the armies of our 2
countries on those cave-riddled hills
overlooking the blue Pacific just 33 years
before.
It is good to see the seed of the Word of
God taking root and growing in that soil
in this generation. In every way it was a
good convention, and we are thankful we
were able to be there.
"Harold Sims
PATTON NEWS
LOOK
N SEE
To Nagano
This summer we are spending the
months of July and August in Nagano
Prefecture, about 100 miles from Tokyo in
the mountains and about 4,000 feet
elevation. The air is very clean and pure
here compared to Tokyo. During July
Andrew will be commuting back and
forth to Tokyo on weekends for church
work and to teach his English classes.
The change of the atmosphere and
temperature is good for the health and for
comfort. But there is a better and more
important reason for the Fattens being in
Nagano this summer. They will be
engaged in evangelism most of the time
they are there.
ASASHINA
EVANGELISM
From July 12 the Kanto Evangelizing
Association members (of which Andrew
is one) will again do school and house to
house evangelism in the town of
Asashina and the surrounding towns for
3 weeks. Warren Christianson and his
family are in the Asashina area
establishing a new church.
COFFEE HOUSE
EVANGELISM
During the first three weeks of August
the Pattons plan to participate again in
what is called "Coffee House
Evangelism". Several others have made
plans to take part in this work, Japanese
Christians and missionaries. The camp
in Karuizawa owned by Julius and
Virginia Fleenor (now on furlough) will
again be used as a meeting place to which
to gather people in order to try to lead
them to (ilhrist. Many thousands of
people converge on this resort town
especially during August. Please pray
with us that this evangelistic effort-will
result in the salvation of souls this year.
EVANGELISTIC
MEETINGS
The Sakurayama church held an
evangelistic meeting on June 1 - 3. The
attendance was fairly good but the
number of persons coming to the church
for the first time was only six. Mr. Fumio
Sato, father of the Sakurayama minister,
served as evangelist.
The Arakawa Church is planning a
revival meeting in November. Prepara
tions for that meeting are already being
made.
CAMP
The Sakurayama, Arakawa, and
Yokosuka churches are planning a four-
day camp thesecond week in August. The
camp will be held at Lake Motosu. Due to
previous commitments for evangelistic
work in Nagano Prefecture, Andrew will
not be able to attend this camp. Mr. Sato
and som#of the older members of the
participating churches will serve as
teachers at the camp.
VISITORS
Howard Davis, president of Artesia
Christian College, spent a few days with
the Pattons in Tokyo in June. He was a
delegate to the Lions' International
Convention which was heldin Tokyo this
year.
Members of the KEA evangelistic
group and other missionary personnel
often stay at the Pattons because theyare
centrally located in the city.
LADIES' MEETINGS
Two Ladies' meetings will be held at
the Fleenor camp in Nagano this
summer. Some ladies living in the
Sayama area have been taught by Carol
Fleenor for one year using the English
Bible and in the English language. When
they come to the Fleenor camp for 3 days
in June, the missionary men will teach
them in the Japanese language. We pray
that there will be much firuit from the
year's teaching.
The second group will be made up of
missionary wives, daughters, and single
missionary ladies. The purpose of this
meeting will be to offer encouragement
and spiritual help to the group. Fathers
of small children will take care of them
during this time so that the mothers can
study the Word of God together.
" Andrew Patton
This was the moving day for Stanley and Mabel
Buttray. Including Mr. Sato, the preacher at
Kamiochiai, who took this picture, these are the
missionaries who helped on this memorable day.
From left to right, Betty Patton, Mabel and Stanley
Buttray, Stephen and Julius Fleenor. Backs to
camera, Paul Pratt, Andrew Patton and Harold Sims.
A young Bible School student being baptized by
Mr. Sato at the Sakurayama Church on Christmas
Day.
Mabel Buttray and Suzuki San at Sunset Point
with the volcanic Mt. Asama in the background- This
is just above the town of Karuizawa. Suzuki San has
been a member of Mrs. Buttray's English Bible class
for about three years. From September he will be
studying at a college in Michigan for one year.
Here are the Tokyo and surrounding area missionaries as they gathered at the Stanley Buttray home
in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
YASUO
On Sunday June 18 Yasuo Itagaki, the
19 year old son ofthe preacher at Nakano
Church and a first-year student in the
Government Fisheries College in
Shimonoseki was participating in an
inter-varsity boxing match sponsored by
several schools in that area of southern
Japan. After finishing his 3 rounds and
losing on points he said he felt weak in
the legs and complained of a severe
headache; so he was taken to a nearby
hospital and soon lost consciousness and
died the next day.
This was a great shock to everyone in
our Christian community here, and a
specially sad experience for the mother
and father. Over 20 years ago their first
son died suddenly of diarrhea at the age
of 6 months. Now the second son has
been swiftly taken from them when in the
full freshness, strength and promise of
youth. God surely has His reasons, but
often we cannot understand them at
times like this.
As soon as the news came from the
school that he was in the hospital on
Sunday afternoon his mother left to be
with him. The father left a few hours
later after hearing how serious his
condition was. A chain of telephone calls
covered the Tokyo area with the news
and requests for prayer. Then only hours
later came the news of his death. Stephen
lijima, a close personal friend and fellow
minister, went down from Tokyo to be
with them in their hours of grief. Both the
parents and friends encountered
numerous difficulties in getting to the
hospital on that particular week-end
because of an airplane strike and also a
typhoon in the area.
A funeral service was held at the
school, with all the faculty and students
attending. It was a good opportunity to
present the good news of salvation and
eternal life to that audience, for under
ordinary circumstances an evangelistic
service would never have been allowed at
a government university.
The body was cremated down there
after an autopsy was done at the hospital.
Then the parents and friends made the
long journey back to Tokyo carrying the
urn of ashes. Most of the students and
teachers at the college came to the train
station to send them off in a gracious and
fitting farewell gesture.
A memorial service was held in
Nakano church on Sunday afternoon
June 25 attended by a large crowd that
couldn't get in the building neighbors,
classmates, and preachers and people
from most of our churches in the Tokyo
area. Ministers and friends from as far
away as Okinawa were also there to weep
with those that weep. Of course as many
of their relatives as could come were also
present. I will just give a few brief quotes
from that very long, sad and yet truly
Christian service.
"Yasuo was born on Mother's Day in
1959, and died on Father's Day 1978.
"He only sat for an entrance
examination for 1 college, and only for
this particular course in that college,
(usually in Japan the students take
examinations at about 3 different schools
in hopes they will pass at least one or if
they pass 2 they can take their choice)
because he was clear in his purpose and
determined. He passed with a high score,
though almost 20 times the actual
number admitted sat for the examina
tion."
"He didn't want his mother to
accompany him on the trip to the school
to get him settled in the dormitory and
attend the entrance ceremony. (In Japan
these days this is customary. Many
Japanese women are called "education
mamas"). He wanted to go on his own,
the manly way."
"His parents didn't even know he had
chosen the sport of boxing until the
telephone call came from the school."
His father: "There are 2 courses one
could take about this incident. 1.1 could
shout at the school, 'give me back my son'
and threaten lawsuits, etc. In fact some
newspaper reporters have been here and
suggested I do that. 2. I can forgive. I
have chosen that latter course. I cannot
live the rest of my life bearing hatred and
a grudge."
And elder of the church; "He never
knew how much he was loved."
Stephen lijima: "And we cannot know
how much God loves us, but even in times
like these we know and believe that God
is love. He loves us with a Father's love."
-Harold Sims
M
Mrs. Stanley Buttray with Mrs, Sumida whom we
have known for these 27 years. She was assisting
Mrs. Cunningham when we arrived in Japan in 1950.
She is a member of the Yotsuya Church where the
Cunninghams began their work in Tokyo in 1901.
We were out viewing the cherry and apple blossoms
in Nagano Prefecture near the future Shinshu Bible
camp.
Yokosuka Church... .Since arriving in
February the Milton Jones family and
Dale Wilkinsons family have been
sharing responsibility for evangelizing
at Yokosuka. Their first job was to clean
up the Church yard and make some
minor repairs. Recently they launched
an Knglish and English Bible classes,
and started a Wednesday night Bible
study. And for a while had Sunday night
services (English) for their families and
American Navy Service personnel who
are based in Yokosuka. Because of the
English classes five or six new students
have started attending morningservices.
Also, Yoshida San returned from the
hospital Sunday morning, July 10th, for
which we thank God! He most likely will
soon be baptized. My only regret during
these transition months is that four out of
five of the young women who have been
the backbone of the Church these past
few years, left, and went to another
Church.
Kamiochiai Church. . . .Occasionally
some new people make their way into the
Church services. Most of them for the
first time, and with very little or no
knowledge of the Bible. But on the other
hand, some are introduced by the
members, and a few bring one of their
family. Such was the case of Mrs.
Shiraiishi. Her son and his wife and her
sister all became Christians during last
year at Kamiochiai. And now forseveral
months the son has brought his mother,
Mrs. Shiraiishi. Late in June she made
her decision and was just baptized on
July 17th, as her husband attended for
the first time! This is one of those rare
occasions, which we like to see. Praise
the Lord!
Tokyo Christian
Published four times a year in Jan
uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ
Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan
by Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-
ton. Indiana 46049. Second Class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, #597
Karuizawa, Nagano - Ken 389-01,
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Gary-
don Hessler, 760 Garden St., Meadville,
PA 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, 'Tokyo
164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.
and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 14
B, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.,
Eustis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
Singing praises to God
f
9*
i
Happy faces!
>'<
Tohosuka Church
Form 3579, BOX 177, KEMPTON, INDIANA 46049
SI

i
Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16; 15
Voiume 77 Fourth Quarter, 1978
n
Arriving at V.B.S. in 3 buses.
On August 17-19, for the third time, we
took a good number of our Sunday School
students about 80 miles inland to a
Japanese "people's inn" -- low priced
hotel beside Lake Saiko at the foot of Mt.
Fuji for 3 days and nights of Bible study,
fellowship and fun. This year we had 10
teachers and 72 children, and with good
weather, previous experience and the
absence of some of the more riotous boys
everything went very smoothly.
Before we got to our destination the
first day we stopped at a park to eat lunch
and go through a very interesting 20-part
obstacle course and see a large colony of
monkeys etc. During the short time there
we covered a regular 5 day V.B.S. course,
some handwork and went on a hike, ate a
barbecue and had a scary experience.
The small class of middle and high
schoolers stayed in an old thatched farm
LADIES RETREAT
Twelve ladies and throe teenage girls
attended the women's meeting which
was held in Karuizawa from August 22nd
through August 24th. The meeting was
hosted by Carol Fleenor, assisted by
Betty Patton and Eileen Christianson.
Several fathers were present, keeping the
children busy during the ladies' sessions.
Each person shared how she %vasled by
God to Japan and what her present work
is. Several sessions were devoted to
present day problems of the mission field
in Japan. Praise was given to the Lord
for victories and answered prayers
house 10 minutes walk from the rest of us,
and invited us over to visit them and see a
program they had prepared on the second
night. On the narrow, dark road between
high weeds as we approached the old
house there were various "ghosts" and
other strange looking creatures. The
children will never forget the thrill.
Almost all of these children came from
non-Christian homes, and many of the
smaller ones were spending their first
days away from home, but both parents
and children were excited and happy
during all the preparations and later
about the whole thing.
Lois had a room of fourth grade girls,
and I slept on the straw mat floor with 13
first and second grade boys. They were
all asleep by my regular bed-time and we
had no trouble exceeding a bloody nose,
lost tooth brush and a pair of brand new
through various difficulties.
Songs, readings and books were shared
- some serious and some humorous.
Specific problems and requests were
dwelt on during prayer times. Good food
was prepared by Carol and there was
some free time to walk and do a little
shopping on the one main street in
Karuizawa.
Present were: Lynn Pratt, Kathleen
Pratt, Eileen Christianson, Joanie
Lambdin, Betty Patton, Mabel Buttray,
Kathleen Harder, Mary Maxey, Peggy
Wilkinson, Carl Fleenor, Betty Turner,
Sheryl Turner, Beth Wilkinson, Gloria
Tagagi and Miss Hiromi.
Number 4
Harold Sims tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar's
golden image. Boy in background acts as King Neb.
and 3 small boys are 3 Hebrew children.
socks. What boy in the world knows as
his a pair of socks he hasn't broken in
yet?
We don't let pre-schoolers go up to the
lake for V.B.S. But of course they are an
important part of our Sunday School. So
the following week -- August 23-25 - Lois
and 3 ladies in the church who didn't help
in the one described above conducted a
VBS for the beginners department and
other children in grades 1-3 who couldn't
go to the lake. We had an attendance of
exactly the same 23 children all 3 days.
One of the ladies who helped had never
taught any class in her life, but she really
enjoyed it. Her daughter is in her first
year of public school teaching. Each day
the 3 teachers stayed for lunch with us to
talk over plans for the next day etc. For
us these were the lazy, hazy, crazy days of
summer. - Harold Sims
Ladies Retreat for three days at the Fleenor Camp in
Karuizawa held the last week in August. Apologies
to Mary Maxey and Eilene Christianson for taking
the picture after they left.
KAMIOCHIAI CHURCH
BECOMES RELIGIOUS
JURIDICAL PERSON
In September the Kamiochiai Church
of Christ received from the Tokyo City
Government official approval and
recognition of its application to
"incorporate". In Japan the legal
terminology sounds strange to us,
because in Japanese law every "body"
(company, organization etc.) is treated as
a "person". But in effect it means that the
church is tax-free and functions through
a set of registered by-laws with a group of
trustees and congregational government.
This has been planned for quite some
time now, but was delayed because of
delays in the sale of the other 2/3 of the
property there where Buttrays used to
live. Anyway such paper-work always
takes a longer time than first expected.
This is the ninth property which has
been turned over by the Yotsuya Mission
to a self-governing and self-supporting
local church since we began this policy in
1953. In Japan we (including the non-
organ churches) are the only religious
body that has local congregational
autonomy, and the government
recognizes us as such. The Fleenors,
Hammonds and Grace Farnham have
also established churches having the
same kind of independent local
government and governmentrecognition
of it. Baptist, Congregational and other
churches in Japan are registered in the
name of the central governing
organization.
Kamiochiai Church of Christ
We feel this policy has encouraged the
churches to grow in maturity, and is in
line with both Scriptural examples of
church polity, common sense and
efficiency, and cultural and political
realities and the feelings of the people.
The days of domination by the Mission
because of financial power or other
reasons are long past. "The Mission" in
terms of missionary control, or in terms
of a missionary compound where the
"natives" come to be educated and
Christianized, or in terms of a small
denominational type organization with
hired workers and preachers is phasing
out; but "the mission" in terms of
proclaiming the gospel in word and deed
is still very necessary and unfulfilled and
pressing upon us.
History of the Church
The property here (about 1/3 of an acre)
was purchased as a "1000 year lease" by
W. D. Cunningham in December 1921.
Some time later a church and kinder
garten were built, and old residents
of the neighborhood still speak of the
contribution of the kindergarten to the
community. At that time this area was in
the suburbs of the city, and the
Cunningham's called it Sixth Church,
because of the order in which the
churches were established by the
Mission.
The buildings were all burned up
during the Pacific War, and most of the
members were scattered. I have met only
3 of the former members. One of them is
Stephen lijima, who is now one of our
leading preachers and was baptized there
in 194(). The minister who baptized him
seems to have given up his faith during
the various trials of the war and the
immediate post war years, and is now a
business-man.
My first impression of the property was
its size (some playground space is
necessary in order to have a
kindergarten) and good location right on
a busy street. But in those post-war days
we decided not to try to establish another
kindergarten there. A house for the Sam
Saunders family was built on part of the
land, and after they returned to the
United States in 1950 Stanley and Mabel
Buttray moved into that house and lived
there for 27 years, until it was sold last
year. More and more the missionaries
came to appreciate that large back yard
for parking and playing games etc.
The Buttrays started a small Sunday
School and Bible studies in their house
and closed in the garage to use as a
classroom for several years. Then Stan
bought a building from a U.S. military
base that was being dismantled and
using these materials and some others
built the present church building next
door to their house. It was dedicated in
1961. Later an apartment for the
preacher was added upstairs. The
present membership of the church is 78.
The Preacher: Bro. Fumio Sato
Sato-san was born in 1915 in Tanabe
city in Wakayama prefecture. He
graduated from the local middle school
(equal to present High School) in 1933.
That school is rather famous and many
prominent men have studied there,
including Tetsu Katayama the only
Christian prime-minister Japan ever
had. He then attended an Industrial Arts
Mr. and Mrs. Sato in the church building.
(Architecture) Higher School in Tokyo,
graduating in 1936. He was a Japanese
soldier in the war with China during the
years 1938-40, and received 4 wounds in
different parts of his body --2 from bullets
and 2 from shrapnel. From 1940 - 45 he
was in Peiking working in a Japanese
run hydro-electric power project. After
being repatriated at the end of the war he
taught for 1 year in the Oberlin College
near Tokyo and another year in his alma-
mater in Tanabe city. From there he
entered Osaka Bible Seminary, from
which he graduated in 1951. He
ministered to 3 small churches in the
Osaka area for several years and then in
1954 he moved with his wife and small
boys to the island of Tsushima, which is
between Japan and Korea. He was the
only preacher on the island, and during
that time built a yacht in which he sailed
to various villages around the island. The
story of this, with pictures, appeared in
one of the larger magazines in Japan.
Mr. Sato was called to the ministry of
Kamiochiai church in 1965. Several
years later his first wife died of cancer
after months of suffering. He has since
remarried.
He is an interesting personality, and
has many hobbies, abilities and friends.
For instance he is a very good artist,
specializing in painting birds, and is
registered in Japan artists association.
He works in wood, and built a beautiful
book case with glass doors from one of
Buttrays crates in which they had
brought household supplies back from
the U.S. He is also a student of
archaeology and has made 2 trips to
Bible lands, visiting and taking pictures
of many places.
He is the author of a set of 4 pamphlet-
sized books that are widely used by many
Christian groups for introducing people
to Christianity. They are attractively
printed in 2 colors with various drawings
that help to explain the content on each
page. The titles are What Kind ofPlace is
the Church? What Kind of Book is the
Bible? What Kind of Person is Jesus?
What Kind of Person is God? The first
book has sold over 70,000 copies, and the
second over 40,000.
We know you will join us in prayer that
the Kamiochiai Church of Christ will be
built up more and more by our Lord Jesus
Himself and bear a good and faithful
testimony to the gospel in that
neighborhood. Harold Sims
PATTON
NEWS
VIEWPOINT
Looking back on his work in the near
past can be both an encouraging and a
discouraging experience for a
missionary. It depends on one's
standpoint. From one viewpoint he
might wonder just what good he has
accomplished in relation to all that might
have been done. Changing positions, he
sees the actual work done, recognizes the
progress made, and rejoices in it.
The latter describes our way ofviewing
our summer's work (through August).
Though we often wonder about the long-
term results of our labors duringJuly and
August, we do see progress and success
and praise the Lord for it.
SCHOOL EVANGELISM
Thousands of Gospel booklets and
tracts were distributed to school students
in Nagano Prefecture and numerous
questionnaire cards received back. Some
of those cards requested Bibles; others
enlistment of the senders in our
correspondence course; others stated the
senders' desire to become Christians, and
so forth. We believe that is excellent
progress.
\
I
Andrew and David Cole distributing literature
before a schooi.
COFFEE HOUSE
EVANGELISM
Betty and I joined hands with Paul
Pratt, the Stephen Fleenors, Dale
Wilkinson, Warren Christiansen and
some Japanese Christians in conducting
what we call Coffee House Evangelism in
August. The campaign took place-again
this year at the Julius Fleenor camp in
Karuizawa and it lasted for 3 weeks. The
same general plan was used as in
previous years and we think the
campaign was successful.
The team was divided with part doing
the advertisement in the town and the
others serving as counsellors at tables
arranged in the camp yard. Betty and
Carol Fleenor served coffee and cake to
those who came. A copy of the New
Testament in Japanese was also
presented to them.
About 300 people were counselled
during the campaign, most of them
leaving their names and addresses so
that we could contact them later. Most of
those who were counselled listened with
interest and we feel that many will
continue to show interest.
We had one baptism as a result of the
campaign. He was a young man who had
come to Karuizawa all the way from
Sapporo in the northern island of
Hokkaido to find something to fill his
empty life. He found life and satisfaction
when he heard the gospel at the Coffee
House, accepted Christ, and was
baptized. We gave him the name and
address of Ernest Faber in Sapporo and
of the church the Fabers are ministering
to and he went back to Sapporo rejoicing
in his newly found faith. We praise the
Lord for that victory.
Andrew commuted to Tokyo each week
during July to carry on the work there
too.
LADIES MEETINGS
While we were in Karuizawa Betty and
I participated in two ladies' meetings
which Carol Fleenor had planned. The
first meeting was of a group of Japanese
ladies whom Carol has been teaching.
Some of them brought their small
children with them. We preached the
Gospel to them during the three days they
were at the camp and we hope their
interest in the Lord will increase further.
The other meeting was of missionary
ladies and that meeting is written about
elsewhere in this paper.
FALL SCHEDULE
Now we are settled again in Tokyo and
into most of our old schedule. Since we
have been so busy with our classes,
church work and evangelism this year we
have had to neglect many jobs at home
which needed to be done badly. So I have
curtailed my work with the Kanto
Evangelizing Assn. (KEA) in September
in order to get some of these jobs done. In
the meantime Stephen Fleenor and
Warren Christianson have been doing
follow-up work by visiting those people
who have indicated a desire to become
Christians. The results have been very
encouraging. Also Stephen, Warren and
Stan Buttray distributed literature at a
Junior High School the first of October.
Many cards are being received as a result.
I will restart my work with the KEA on
October 18 when we will be working at
Sayama again.
SAKURAYAMA
and ARAKAWA
The Sakurayama and Arakawa
churches jointly sponsored a retreat in
Karuizawa on September 22-24. Andrew
attended the meeting and brought one of
the messages. Mr. Sato, the minister, and
two members of the Arakawa church also
brought messages. The meeting was not
well attended but we felt that those who
did attend were strengthened and
encouraged in their faith.
The Arakawa church has planned an
evangelistic meeting for November 2-4
with preacher Morohashi serving as
speaker. Thousands of tracts and
handbills have been prepared and will be
distributed to advertize the meeting.
KEA members will help with the
distribution.
The Arakawa church building is in
need of repair. The plaster on the ceiling
of the auditorium and the outside wall
need some repair work. A carpenter has
promised to do this work but has not
begun the work yet.
YOKOSUKA BUILDING
The Yokosuka church building is now
in such bad condition that we must now
rebuild it. For several months we have
been negotiating with a contractor on
plans for a new building there. We
decided to use the old foundation and
framework as much as possible with a
small parsonage on second floor. The
plans have been completed, the price
agreed upon, and a contract signed.
Work on that project should begin
shortly. The church is supposed to be
able to have their first meeting in the new
building on Christmas day. But the
parsonage will not be completed at that
time.
Dale Wilkinson is now ministering to
the church at Yokosuka. The Wilkinsons
are planning a furlough next year
leaving the church without a minister. If
no Japanese minister is available at that
time, which seems to be the case, the
Pattons will start ministering to the
Continued on page 4
Tokyo Christian
Published four times a year in Jan
uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ
Cunningham Mission, Tokyo, Japan
by Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-
ton, Indiana 46049. Second Class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, #597
Karuizawa, Nagano - Ken 389-01,
Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Gary-
don Hessler, 760 Garden St.. Meadville,
PA 16335.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, 'Tokyo
164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.
and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box 14
B, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.,
Eustis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
SHINSHU BIBLE CAMP
Progress on the Shinshu Bible Camp
this year has been very slow. At the
beginning of the year I had every
expectation of seeing the Main Camp
Building finished by now. However, due
to the situation which has arisen at this
writing, not only has construction on the
Main Building not yet begun, it is even
impossible to set a time table for its
beginning.
A major difference of opinion with the
young Japanese architect over the design
of the Main Building has already cost us
eight months out of this year. And if this
impasse is not soon settled, the
opportunity of using this Camp Land for
reaching the multitudes during the new
year 1979 may be lost forever!
Because of the urgency of quickly
finding a solution to this problem, I am
asking you to join with me in holding this
problem up before God in prayer. Not
forgetting the young architect whose
salvation is also at stake, as well as all
missionaries involved in the Camp
Project!
However, there are many things for
which we are thankful to God. We moved
into our new home at the Shinshu Bible
Campon AugustSth. During the summer
we were able to get the area designated
for the soft ball field bulldozed, and is
now ready to be grassed. The tennis
courts have been worked on and are now
usable. The Road into the Camp has been
improved. A septic tank has been put in,
and though the instalation is unfinished,
it is usable. Bill and Betty Turner and
family returned to Japan this summer.
They are planning to help in the Bible
Camp, and are presently taking a
refresher course in Japanese language.
There were two baptisms at the Yokosuka
Church this summer. And Ken Yokomizo
though presently majoring in Science,
recently declared his intention to enter
Bible College after graduation. My
prayer is that he will become the future
preacher of the Yokosuka Church. Your
interest and prayers for us increases our
effectiveness as a humble witness for our
Lord in this chosen field of service.
Thank you for your continued prayers for
us . . . that His Will be Done.
- Stanley Buttray
Andrew Patton, missionary at the Sakurayama
Church with the pastor and his wife and two Church
members as they recently visited the new Shinshu
Bible Camp site. Mabel Buttray is in the center and
Stanley on the right.
PATTON NEWS
Continued from page 3
church. If so, they will divide their time
between Yokosuka and Higashinakano
where they now live.
WEDDING BELLS
In September we received a telephone
call from our three children in Missouri
informing us that Noel, our oldest son,
would marry Sharon Mantz of Joplin at
the Iron Gates church. They both are
employed and will continue to live in
Joplin.
VISITORS
In October the Pattons {and other
missionaries) were visited by two elders
from the First Christian church on
Guam, Phil Cook and Jay Harris. Both of
them are in military service in Guam.
They were on leave and had visited our
mission work in Okinawa and Korea
before coming to Japan. It was good to
learn from them oftheestablishmentand
work of the church in Guam which they
serve as elders. It is a monument to the
faith of Filipino Christians who refused
to let their faith and testimony die when
they moved to Guam away from their
home church in the Philippines. About
one half of the membership of the Guam
church is made up of Filipinos.
FUTURE PREACHER
Kenichi Suzuki, a member of the
Arakawa church and student of Osaka
Bible Seminary, visited Tokyo in
September and while here attended our
Tokyo ministers' meeting. Mr. Suzuki
will graduate from O.B.S. next March
and thereafter will serve as minister of
the Arakawa church. Another former
member of the KArakawa church is now
serving as minister of a church on the
island of Shikoku. We praise the Lord for
these two dedicated men. Another young
man in the congregation at Arakawa is
finishing his university training and is
planning to study for the ministry also.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
The missionaries all have been invited
to be guests of the Paul and Kathleen
Harders at the Yokota Air Base on
November 23rd. Each family will
contribute to the dinner that is being
planned.
Paul and Kathleen Pratt have invited
the missionaries to their home in Isehara
for a Christmas meeting which will be
held in the middle of the week following
Christmas day. We all look forward to
these times of fellowship together,
singing and praising the Lord in our
native language, English.
THANKS
We are grateful for the letters, prayers
and gifts of all our supporters. Truly you
are our ropeholders and fellow-laborers
in the Gospel. Andrew celebrated his 6Ist
birthday October 4th and will celebrate
31 years in Japan on January 7, 1979!
Betty celebrated her 25th year in Japan,
September Nth. We praise the Lord for
these supporters who have been with us
all of these years. May God reward you
for your faithfulness.
~ Andrew Patton
Discussing the Scriptures at the Karuizawa Retreat.
Form 3579, BOX 177, KEMPTON, INDIANA 46049
0
Dear Friends,
l^ls
/ C^istmas 1978 _
1%^yi)i Zy
May Christmas mean more to you and everyone this time around, because we
know more deeply that Christ is living and working in our lives and times and
the King*s coming again is one year closer.
For us this might be called a routine year. We follow a full, regular
schedule: Sun. Sunday School and Worship Services at Mejirodai church. Mon.
(Lois) Ladies prayer meeting and chorus practice. (Harold) Preacher's meetings.
Missionary Language Institute board business, Yotsuya Mission business. Tues.
Home Bible Studies, Letter Writing, Adult English Class. Wed. Ehglish classes
for neighborhood children. Thurs. (L.) Ladies Bible Studies at Mej. and Nakano.
(H.) Lion's Club, Calling, study. Fri. (L.) English class for housewives of the
neighborhood. (H.) Sermon preparation. Sat. Preparations for Sunday services.
The weeks just go clicking by. Between vh&t is mentioned above there are of course
lots of reading, cooking, washing, cleaning house and yard, walking dogs, TV
viewing and many other things to fill in the chinks. But we enjoy this life and
work and feel that as we look back we can see some growth in the local church In
both numbers and zeal, some progress in the work of Christ in other parts of Japan
and evidences of the Lord's providential and gracious provision for us in spite
of the erosion in the dollar's value.
Also we are thankful that our children are moving onward as Christians,
citizens and familymakers.
HOPE and Tom Schmidt and daughters Becky (?) and Melinda (3) are living
in northern Indiana. Tom has received a good promotion at his work. The whole
family is in school, as Mindy goes to a nursery while her mother takes some classes
along with Tom at Purdue Univ. in Ft. Wayne.
SYLVIA and Dave Smith and daughte-^ "achel (2) and son Joshua Ben (bom on
Aug. 2.) moved in August to Onalaska, Wisconsin idiere they are happily at work in
various ministries of Christian Chapel there.
JONATHAN is working on his M.A. thesis at Cincinnati Christian Seminary
and continues to support himself by working at the Federal Reserve Bank. He
plans to come to Japan for 7 to 8 months of missionaiy internship beginning in
the latter half of 1979*
BOBBY is working at the electric appliance parts place in Cincinnati where
he was last year, and takes an active part in Christ's Church there. He is also
going very steadily with a girl in the church named Helen.
DANIEL is a senior at Christian Academy in Japan, photographer for the
year-book, treasurer of the student council and pilot of a Honda 125cc motorcycle
and a "Sims" skate-board. He plans to enter the College of Art and Design in the
Univ. of Cincinnati next fall.
We are planning to be in the United States for the 3months of July, August^'=^5^
and September 1979. We know it will be impossible to see all of you or to visit ^
with anyone as long as we would like to, but we "hope to visit you vrfiile passing
through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your
company for a xdiile." Rom.
Yours in His service.