Judy, Janet and Irene Ageiitfl MR. AND MRS. CLYDE BIRNEY Sublette. Kansas Nagoya Christian Mission Dear Christien ..Eriends: Box 19, Chikusa NAGOYA,JAPAN Jamary G, 195iV Greetings in our Lord Jesus Clirist from the Cliristians of Nagoya, I7e ar.o writing this special nev;s letter to all you who are su^^xjrt ing the work of Christ in Nagoya through us, V/e in-ite it onlj'- after much prayer and after oil other possibilities have been esdiausted and the only door left operi to us is to return to J^ierica as soon as possible. In previous issues of the Nagoya Christian Nei/s your prayers have been requested for Ho\;ard's health. The first severe attack nf what we at first thought w^ appendicitis came about a year and a ha"*. !? ago and lasted for about fifteen hours, Tlie doctors tried several prescript;:on& iricluding narcotics but nothing had any effect. The second attadc some t:lne leter, lasted about tv/enty-four hours and as before no medicine would relieve the pain or nouseation. Since the beginning of his illness until noi-f, Hoi/ard has gone three times to the U,S, i'dr Tbrce hospital for emergency examinations and has gone to-two Ji^anese hospitsls. He has been cxai,lined by five JE^janese doctors and four Anerican doctors and surgeons, Tlie examinations includod yjra^'-s^ flue- roscopes, stomacli pumping and every other conceivable ched-:^ Thvre w.as much difference of opinion as to ifnat is causing the trouble and -some of blie doctors frcnl:ly stated they did not know. One said it was ulcers, another stated it could not be, \Ai1q another e::pressod his opinion that if it isn*t.. cleared up soon it will cause cancer. Because the illness has grovm steadily worse v consulted another Aaer- ican surgeon stationed in Japan lath the military. He said the trouble was probably peptic ulcers but before anj'one could be sure, or effect a cure some time would have to be spent in a hospital, He are not allowed admit tance to the Air Jbrco hospital, and his advice to us was that undor rr) THAT THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE RISEN SON. O & e 9 X Missionaries HOWARD AND KATHRYN DAVIS Judy, Janet and Irene Box 19, Chikusa NAGOYA, JAPAN Agents MR. AND MRS. CLYDE BIRNEY Sublette. Kansas cirounstances should we consider goin^ to a Japanese hospital* He ad vised us to return to Anerica as soon as possible. He could not deter mine the stages reached but surgery will probably be necessary.. He and the other doctors warned us several times^ for our ova safety aiid the sal:e of our v/orU here, of the seriousness of the illnesss This has been the subject of much pra^^r and thought, and wo feel it is God' s v/ill that v/e must come to the United States soon for medi cal trsatirent; so v/e can return to Japan unliampers'i in preaching the gospel to the JapcnevOe# If ft all possible \ie must refcu::n jn bho summer of this year* This will mean our term vdll be shortened c.bouu a year, . but the uopanese vri.ll be able to carry on most of their ovrn work in our absence, Vfe earnestly seelc your praj'-ers in this matter that v/e may be led of God in all actions and decisions# Yours in Christ's service, THAT THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE RISEN SON. Tli =r- s EB m & =i- fc ta I o Each Adult missionary should complete one of these forms and send by regular seamail to: Mission Services - Box 968 - Joliet, Illinois PERSONAL FILE GGT 6 October 5, 195^ Name in full- Hr)w.q.rf^ Kenneth Davia Complete address on 3o-y 19 Ohlkuaa. Ha3:ova. Japan Complete home (for forwarding) ^Qlyde &Virginia Blmey-Sublette, Kansas Name and address of hometown n^wapappr Oklahoma Qlty Times Names and addresses of other newspapers which might carry stories of your work... Place of Rirth ^ampa, Texas Day. 7 Month, 11 .1920 Year Capitol Hill Wliere hapfigpH? Paspa Christian Chruch What age? li. On back of page please describe any special circumstances regarding conversion. Marital status: Married-_iL. Single Divorced, Widowed. List children by full name giving place, day, month, and year of birth; Name Judith Sathrvn Janet Ann Deloras Irene Sdna Rae Place Oklahoma City, Okla Oklahoma ^ity, Okla Oklahoma City, Okla Nagoya, Japan Married at what age, 18 Day Month Year Aug. 8, 19^ Aug. 5, 19^2 April 24, 1947 March 20, 1953 Schooling (High School and on): Name and Location of School Caoitol Hill H.S.-Otela Number of Years City. 3 Major Degrees with date Midwest Christian College AB \ Personal File - Page 2 - Name. HPi/ard DaVlS What things influenced you to become a missionary? Your own story in some detail might be influential in leading others into fulltime service (use a separate sheetdf you need more space)? Association with other missionaries and being in Japan with the Armed forces Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties. Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status: Evangelist X Bible College teacher Public School teacher Home maker, Doctor. Nurse Social worker Office worker nthe^r Father's name andhome address (if living); Raymond H. Davis His occuaption, ^ Is he a Christian? What positions of leadership has he held in the local church? Mother's full maiden name Baura V7allace jg living?ilR. Is she a Christian?, Her occupation if employed outside of hnm(^ What leadership positions has she held in the local church? Name of forwarding Qlyde & /irgjinia Bimey- Sublette. Kansas Telephone What are his or her duties: Funds and Correspondence Should money be sent to forwarding agent only?_S^ In what fnrm? 33^7 if it can be mailed to you please indicate how inwhat form? only International i.-'ioney Order Does your forwarding agent serve without salary?, What problems do you need help with, that Mission Services might provide? Each Adult missionary should complete one of these forms and send by regular seamail to; Mission Services - Box 968 - Joliet, Illinois PERSONAL FILE nai-A October 5. 1954 Name in fnii Anna Kathryn Davis Sex. Complete address on fipiH Box 19 -lilicusa, ?lagoya, Japan Complete home (for forwarding) aHHrpaa %Qt-yde &Virginia Blmey, Subletta, Kansas Name and address of hometown npwRpaj^r Qlty. Times- Qkla. Qlty, Okla. Names and addresses of other newspapers which might carry stories of your work... Place of Rirfh Qklahoipa Oity,- Ok'a Day. 25 Month, o Year 1922 Where Hill Chrisulaji Jta.urch-0.G. what age7__^^ On back of page please describe any special circumstances regarding conversion. Marital status: Married-^JL. Single. Divorced, Widowed. Married at what age. 16 List children by full name giving place, day, month, and year of birth; Name Place Day Month Year Janet Ann Oklaho.na 3ity, Ok a. August 5, 19^2 Delonas Irene Oklaboma City, Ok'' a, April 24, 1947 Edna Rae Nas;ova, Janan yiarch 2Q, 1953 Schooling (High School and on): Name and Location of School Number of Years Major Degrees with date Gaoltol Hill H.3- O.G. Kidwest Christian Col''eTe Soecial coUrse Personal File - Page 2 - PavlS What things influenced you to become a missionary? Your own story in some detail might be influential in leading others into fulltime service (use a separate sheetdf^you need more space)? Describe briefly in outline form the nature of your daily duties. Which of the following terms most nearly describes your missionary status: Evangelist Bible College teacher Public School teacher Home maker. 7 Doctor Nurse _ Social worker Office worker Other Father's name and home address (if living): "/lllla:]:] G-llas, 7*54 "50 ^ Oklahoma City His occuaption.^ Gablneh Is he a Christian? What positions of leadership has he held in the local p>nrrh7 Mother's full maiden Anna Kathrvn kllford Is she living?Z2L Is she a Christian? 7^8 Her occupation if employed outside of v>nmp What leadership positions has she held in the local church? Name of forwarding Olvde & Virginia Bimev. SubTette. Kansas Address,... . Tpipphnnp none What are his or her duties: Funds and correspondence Should money be sent to forwarding agent nniy7 70S _ jn what fnrm7 any if it can be mailed to you please indicate how in what only by International Money Order Does your forwarding agent serve without salary? . What problems do you need help with, that Mission Services might provide? Agents MR. AND MRS. CLYDE BIRNEY Sublette, Kansas Nagoya Christian Mission NAGOYA, JAPAN HOWARD KENNETH DAVIS, vas born Nov. 7, 1920, in Pampas, Texas, He is the son of Raymond Harry, and Virginia Laura(Wallace) Dav&s (dece ased), nov of Rt.S, Box 444, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, His father works as a carpenter and a cabinet makfr, and it was from him that Howard learned much of his woodworking skill, and was able to work his wa y through school by this work. He ha two brothers and one sister. Howard received his college educc^tion at Midwest Christian College, and Oklahoma City University, During this time he ministered to the church at Carney, Okla, He is able to play the french horn and the Cornet, however neither he nor his wife have any medical training. He became a Christian at the age of fourteen, and on Sept, 8,1939 was married to Kathryn Giles. They have three daughters, Judy, Janst, and Irene, Howard served in the armed fcrces from Ja n, 1945 to June 1946, much of which time was spent in Okinawa and Japan. In Dec, 1950 He rj.ncj. his family sailed for Japan, because He felt He could not s-^rve His Lord in any lesser capacity, ANNA kathryn (GILES) DAVIS, was born Sept, 25, 1922 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the Daughter of William J. and Kathie Giles. Her father a Iso works as a cabinet maker. She atten^^ed Sacred Heart, Capitol Hill Jr, and Sr, high, and Midwest Christian College, all of Oklahoma City. She is a ble to play the piano, and becGme a Christian at the age of 21, ADDRESS: Mr, and Mrs, Howard K, Davis, Box 49 Naka, Nagoy|, Japan. THAT THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN MIGHT COME TO KNOW THE RISEN SON. Our several months of searching for a place to live in Nagoya has finally been fruitful and now, such as it is, we have a 'home'. For the past year little Irene has questioned her mother about "when we get a home". She and all the family are happy now and continually thank God for His mercy and blessings. Our small apartment has no running water and no sink but it is a shelter until we can build. We haven't found a plot as yet but the section of town has been chosen and plans are laid to build a concrete block house as soon as \re can get it started. The continual rise in building costs in Japan make it imperative that we build in the immediate future. The brethren have been very generous tov/ard us for v/hich we thank God and we pray that He, through them, will continue to bless us that we might have this building we need so badly in order to serve Him here in Nagoya, Until we have a home to open for a Bible training program we are hoping to be able to find a building in the eastern section of the city where we can hold services. There are no missionaries or churches among the several thousand factory workers and their families that make up almost one third of the city. Thousands there have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel preached even once. In this section of the city is the Atsuta Shrine, one of the most famous and best attended in Japan, Several acres are covered by the grounds of this shrine,with its idolatrous ignor ance and superstition. In this land where every square foot of groimd is very precious it shows forth their fear and devotion to the 'spirits'. As we stood beside the 'tori' gateway watching the people coming to worship, we observed many things in their attitudes. One woman came with a little one strapped to her back and leading another child. She stood before the shrine and clapped her hands to gain the attention of the 'spirits* then she would bow for several seconds. The small child then was made to do likewise, under the close guidance of the parent. Such is the beginning of the training in idol worship. The older people prayed and stayed longer before the altar. They had reached the place when their time was short and they must try harder to please the 'spirits'. One old Buddist lady said she fully expected Buddah to meet her when she died and take her on his white horse across to heaven. Most of these people didn't have an opportunity to accept Christ during their life time, but the story need not be repeated'in this generation if the forces of Christianity in Japan and America will but realize their responsibilityor must we again say it was too little and too late? Truly here is a great opportunity before us, we need but to lift up our eyes to view the already ripened harvest fields,-. I made s short siirvey of the Japanese book stores and inquired about Bibles and New Testaments, Almost every one had a few copies of each. The Japanese have access to God's Word but few will find it until they come to know Jesus as the Savior of the world. No matter how fertile the soil, the seed must be planted and cultivated before it can produce. Please remember us in your prayers that we mi^t receive the strength and wisdom from God to plant the seeds of the gospel in the hearts of men as we set out to establish the Nagoya Christian Mission here in Japan, Our ne\i foreign address is: Box 49 Naka, Nagoya, Japan. In America it is:Mr & Mrs Clyde Birney, Sublette, Kansas,