EXIE FULTZ

CORDS-OF-LOVE-BIBLE-PLACE

I have always liked my name, which in full is Exie Jane Walters Fultz. I was pleas^Wwhen I learned that my father, when he heard the name Exie, came home and told ray mother, "If we have another daughter her name is Exie." Four years later I arrived to claim my name. I was also pleased when I learned that it was my maternal grandfatherthe only

grandparent I ever sawwho said, "Make it Exie Jane." My maiden name, Walters, tells
me a bit about my lineage and-my married name, Fultz, is my love-namethe one I wear because the person who could bestow it loved me.

Yet, there is a greater love-name that I wear.

because the one who bestowed it so loved me.

It is "Christian".

I chose it too

It is not a name that was idly given.

It's a Biblical name that is packed with meaning. We read of other Biblical names that were chosen and given with regard to meaning. H^^e in Japan, too, we note the care taken with regard to the meSning of the Kanji characters when a newborn is to be named. The sound of the spoken name is also considered. So it was with the name of

the place where I work on the Island of Awaji in the land of Japan. What name would give meaning as to the nature of the work to be done here? What name would define the
nature of God to the people? And what name would sound pleasing in both English and Japanese. I like the name chosen* CORDSOFLOVEBIBLEPLACE or in Japanese:
AI-NO-TSUNA-SEISHO-JO (as ee - no - tsu nah - sS ee shC - jo). See Hosea 11:4.

When I was on furlough in 1979, I spoke and showed plans for a building designed to become "Cords-of-Love-Bible-Place-Chapel." Audiences were interested but, as yet, few dollars have come in. Returning to Japan, I opened again ray girls' classes, both junior

and senior high in my home and added a Junior-High boy's class and two special classes
with two fourth-graders and their parents. I contracted to have a garage unit put up

for classroom-office space that would be a permanent part of the overall chapel complex. Work was to begin May 15, 1980 but .'as of now, August 20, 1980 no work has been started. There is also a problemone not fully explained to mebetween the contractor and the
I think it best if I wait with a measure of patience.

plumbers. However, the contractor assured me the other day that they can do the build ing and since I have used them before and since they made the blueprints for the chapel,
Two new, hard-topped roads coming up from the coastal-residential areas to Cords-OfLove-Bible-Place opened just this summer. They have brought much encouragement to the

work as the site is now easily accessible to almost all who want to come. Increased requests for classes (which may begin in September) have also brought encouragement.

Though Cords-of-Love-Blble-Place Chapel site still stands bare, I am not despairing.

As I came from non-existence into existence to receive a name already prepared for rae, so I believe that a building can rise on the chapel site bearing the name that has been chosen for it. I also believe that the love-name of 'Christian' will be given to

those who study there and who choose to accept the One who can bestow itbecause He so

loves them. Pray for this work; I follow always as God dirftcts. [Field address:
for the chapel should be raarked 'Chapel Fund'.]
******

2709 Kururaa, Higashi Uracho, Tsuna Gun, Hyogo-Ken 656-23 Japan; Forwarding Agent: Frank and Hazel Conner, 67 Lanaghan Dr., Fairview Heights, IL 62208Designated funds

Write to Mission Services' Resource Department for a complete listing of SLIDE PROGRAMS from missionaries serving in Japan.

Also available is a map showing the locations of the missionaries in Japan.

Cost: $2.

DSc
FULTZ MISSION FOR THE MASTER

Awaji Island, JapanOverseas Address: Stateside Address:

2709 Kuruma

Franl^. and Hazel Conner

Higashiura cho, Tsuna Gun Hyogo Ken 656-23, Japan

67 Lanaghan Drive Fairview Heights, 111.

62208

"If you win the one next to you.

And I win the one next to me.

So win them, win them one by one."

(Hymns of Praise, Wo. 2, Page I85. C. Austin Miles)

So goes the chorus of an old hymn that I Joined in singing in church and Sunday school years ago. Then I was predisposed to believe it in its entirety but now realize that it is but a half-truth. Evangelism does rest upon the concern of the

Christian for the one (or ones; with whom he has close contact, but the line, "In no
time at all, we'll have them all," is not valid --at least not in Japan.
During early furloughs, when Christians in U.S.A. asked me what I believed was the greatest reason for the slow acceptance of the gospel by the Japanese, my answer

was, "Ancestral worship*." Veneration of the ancestors is a stumbling block and may hold some to old religions and old ways, but I now believe that the majority of those
who remain in old religions do so because they have no real faith in Christ -- and no

basis for such a faith.

Why no basis?

Because Japanese culture, from ancient times,

This lack leaves the hearer of the

has been devoid of a Biblical nomenclature.

gospel unprepared to accept it.

In the beginning years of my ministry in Japan, I started teaching my classes from the first chapter of the gospel of John. I reasoned that it would be good for them to know, from the beginning, of the pre-existence of Jesus. This established, it wou.ld not be long to chapter 3, when I could teach them of their need to be bom

again. The crux of the teaching problem came in chapter 2 with the proclamation of John the Baptist, "Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world."

(KJV) Hon-existent in the Japanese culture and religions is a blood sacrifice (or
Blood

any other sin-sacrifice for that matter).

individual has sinned and in need of a sacrifice. Wanting, too, is any Biblical

Non-existent also is the belief that the

nomenclature that would give ready imderstanding of New Testament truths. events of the Old Testament, and its nomenclature, were also well known.
ready for the gospel.

sacrifices were Imown in.the Greco-Roman world where Christianity began. Historical
The area-was

God,

From the beginning of the Old Testament we find God building up a nomenclature through early animal sacrifice; His command to Abraham to sacrifice his son; and the institution of the Passover, with the Israelites being saved by the blood of the Lamb. Long years passed until the day when John the Baptist could say, "Behold the Lamb of

this Biblical nomenclature that is the greatest hindrance to the winning of souls for Christ in Japan. Had Japan been colonized by a western (Christian) power, Biblical nomenclative might have entered the culture from that source. Japan, however, was
One of my own young men, who became a Christian and later a church leader, told me that he had no sense, or feeling,, of being a sinner -- until he knew the Bible. Another one, on the evening of his confession of Christ as his Savior, not colonized.

and expect his audience to understand.

I now believe that it is the lack of :

prayed, Lord forgive me of ray sins." He hesitated and then continued in all honesty, I don't really understand what sin is but forgive me and give me understanding." God answered and today that young man is among our soul--winners in Japan.

but we continue to teach for the sake of the one (or ones) who will come early into Christ realizing all the while that part of our ministry is to help build into the
culture a Biblical nomenclature for others who may come later.

Jt may take years and years of teaching before Japan is "white unto the harvest"

With John the Apostle I say, "Even so, come. Lord Jesus." (KJV) When the Father has decreed your coming, so let it be. I don't say, "Come, quickly. Lord Jesus"
for we don't have them all yet.

My teaching week begins on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. when a lovely highschool senior comes to my home to study. We sing hymns. I pray. She quotes her

memory work (NIV). We read the Bible story and then the English Scriptures (NIV)
and discuss word meanings. The delightful hour passes quickly. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. at the little Kariya Church of Christ down by the bay. Sunday afternoon a Bible class of four Junior-High boys meet*in my living room. They usually stay after class and play shogi. They bring their shogi board with them. I don't mind having them. To me they all look like potential preachers.

Monday is my "L" day.

It's for laundry, letters and loafing.

Tuesday evening at about ki'^O p.m. (depending on when they can get away from
school) I have a class of four Jiinior-Hi girls.
standpoint of time of study with me.

They are ray oldest stedents from the

They are a charming group.

Wednesday afternoon is Bible Study at the Kariya Church of Christ.

Thursday is "C" day. It's for cleaning and class preparation. It might be called "catch-all" day since there is a rush to get ready for the week-end. Friday evening, one of ray youngest students, a fourth-grader, studies from

7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

She is brought by car by her mother from the southern end of the

island about an hour's drive each way. She is a little girl who went to a Catholic kindergarten and is now in public school - a somewhat slow learner in school. One who hates sports - and is not good at them. I could very well relate to her on the

last-rensmib6rl,ng the days when I was the youngest and smallest in the classes and
always the last one chosen in a "choose up sides" game. No one wanted me and I wasn't good. But sports is not all there is to life, and I hope this little one learns the more meaningful things. Saturday afternoon a new class is to open for some fifth and sixth grade girls. More about that later. Satuirday evening from TiOO to 8:00 p.m. another fourth grad er is brought for study by her father. This young one sings, "God is so good." in

English and does very well but when she reads, "Mary is looking up."
was doing better.

(in the picture

of the annunciation) her "is" becomes "yis". At the close of the last class session her happy father noted, "Woll, oho'o doing better." I assured Mm that indeed, she
Furlouigh '79 was one of my happiest. I experienced some of the swigetest Christian fellowship I have ever known. To all who helped entertain me, who had me in their homes .and. all those who sent me on my way with financial backing and prayer I want to. say "Thank You I" I have thoiight of each one of you over here as I have relived ray furlough. I love you all and have told the Lord so. Each moment I was with you is a memory-gem. I hope to be in touch with you all by personal letters from here on the field. I can't always seem to make that goal but I will try.

One of my memory-gems from the letters of soldier-husband, I would like to share with you. He wrote, "It seems it's time for me to tell you that I love you but I see that I said that just line before last. I think I'll say it again anyway.
I love You."

So it is with me to you In The Lord,

Exie Fultz

CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

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