Christian

VOLUME 80
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
FIRST QUARTER NUMBER 1
YOKOSUKA NEWS
The summer months rolled by with
everyone cooperating to help with
special scheduled events that would
bring glory to the Lord as His Word
was taught. A favorably cool summer
helped us physically to accomplish
these goals.
Daily Vacation Bible School was
only 3 days with only 10 attending due
to "regimented school vacation hours
and activities" set by school
authorities.
The Shinshu Bible camp had its first
season and we were able to attend 3
different camps. The 3 churches we
have worked with during the past
years had a joint camp August 5-7.
Seventeen from Yokosuka were
present. Andrew was vesper speaker
for English-Music camp and speaker
for the University camp. We are
looking forward to the camps
scheduled for this year praying that
they will be full each week.
The Yokosuka church held its
annual "Megumi" (grace) meeting
September 13-15. Mark 8:27-30 was
used for the theme. Mr. Yoshida, a
student at Osaka Bible Seminary and
member of Yokosuka church led in the
meetings.
The contact with the U.S. Navy
personnel has been very rewarding.
Last year, 1980, we baptized 8 here at
the church. The navy men on board
their ships have been responsible for
the additions as they faithfully taught
God's Word to others. Andrew, too, has
been able to teach them personally
when they are in port. Two were
baptized in March because Mr. Winkler
taught them on the USS Blue Ridge.
Two more were baptized in June
because Bill Owens taught them on the
USS Parsons. Rick Bremseth, who
was won to Christ by Bill, taught two
more and they were baptized in
November. Two children of the
Winkler family were baptized October
19 following a special program that
day for the Japanese Sunday School
children.
November 24 was a special day here
at the Yokosuka church inviting all the
churches of Christ as November 23 is
the Japanese harvest or thanksgiving
festival time. Mr. Taninari from Shin
Shu Bible camp gave the message.
Thirty-one enjoyed Christian
fellowship from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On December 21 the adult Christmas
fellowship was held in the Pattons'
apartment followed by evening
worship. The birth of Christ and its
purpose highlighted the candlelight
service on Christmas Eve.
Mr. Yokomizo worked many hours
with the S.S. children to produce a play
for the annual children's meeting on
December 28th. Fifty-seven children
and 8 parents were our guests. Some
heard of Christ for the first time.
Nightly scripture reading from
December 25 to January 4 was held in
the Pattons' apartment. The books of
Genesis and Revelation were read
aloud, each one reading one verse at a
time while seated around the table.
New Year's day, Mr. Yoshida's
message encouraged us all to remain
faithful and to encourage one another
to be Christ-iike all through the year
and years to come.
This New Year's holidays found one
million more people than last year
worshipping at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.
All famous shrines recorded a great
increase of worshippers. This is very
significant in that we have an over
whelming task before us and so few
laborers. However, 1981 will bring Mr.
and Mrs. David Cole to Japan for their
first term as missionaries. David will
be studying the Japanese langauge in
Tokyo. Stephen Fleenor and family
are also expected back this month to
continue their work in a new area
where they have recently built a place
for teaching and their residence. The
Dale Mings family is to come to Japan
for their first term as soon as funds are
available. The Warren Christiansen
family is due back in March if funds
are available. They will continue their
work near the camp site. The Dale
Wilkinson family is expected back in
June after a 2 year furlough. The
Hinson family is already in Tanabe
starting their first term. Johnnie Sims
is due back in the Spring to begin his
first term as a missionary. He will also
be in language study.
God is blessing us with a greater task
force. Therefore the need for prayer,
spiritual strength and wisdom and our
physical needs grow as we bring the
message of Christ to this yet pagan
nation. We pray that you will want to
be a co-laborer to help this need by
praying fervently and giving of your
tithes and offerings for the evangeliza
tion of Japan.
"Betty Patton
10 WEEK CAMPAIGN FOR 10th
ANNIVERSARY AT MEJIRODAI
Our first day of Sunday School. November 1.1970.
In the last issue we promised to give
you the results of this special fall
campaign in which we were engaged at
the time. The goals were: 1. An
increase of 10 over our average Sunday
morning worship attendance, 2. 10
baptisms, 3. 10 people coming to a
worship service here for the first time.
The attendance goal was 400. We
had 320 adults present for the 10
Sunday services, and there were also
67 children here during those weeks.
On the tenth anniversary Sunday,
November 2, Terry Reyes who
continued on page 2
10 WEEK CAMPAIGN FOR 10th
ANNIVERSARY AT MEJIRODAI
continued from page 1
ministers in downtown NewYork City,
was visiting here on his way home
from a visit to his native Philippines
and several other countries, and he
brought the sermon in the morning.
Then in the afternoon we had a special
commemoration service which was
attended by 51 people, including
preachers and memWs ofa numberof
area churches. Bro. Itagaki, who is
now in his twentieth year of ministry
with the Nakano church where we
formerly lived and worked, and who
helped in many ways with the move
here, brought a challenging message.
Some of our members thought it would
be legitimate to count the afternoon
attendance also and that would enable
us to go over the goal. This at least
indicates the interest that had been
built up over the weeks oflooking at the
big chart in the front of the church.
Although we could list 10 prospects,
we had only 2 baptisms during the
campaign. Nevertheless these two
brought our active membership roll to
exactly 30 on the anniversary Sunday.
All of us were both surprised and
pleased that we went well over the
third goal of new people, with a total of
16 coming during those weeks and
some of them continuing.
Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)
PublLshed four times a year in Jan
uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ
Cunninfjham Mission, Tokyo, Japan
by Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-
ton, Indiana Second Class
postatje paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-8
Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,
Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forward
ing Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760
Garden St., Meadville, FA 16335.
Mr. and Mr.s. Andrew Patton, 3-7-8
Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
164 Japan. Forwarding Agent: Mr.
and Mrs. G. Wade Fletcher, R. 6, Box
15, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center St..
Ku.stis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Suliscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
CHRISTMAS AT MEJIRODAI
On Saturday evening Dec. 20 we had
our annual church "Christmas
celebration", with candle-service,
musical program and gift exchange.
There were 61 present. The theme this
year was "The Way", and between the
many well-prepared musical numbers
by various individuals and groups
different "characters" (Joseph and
Mary, Shepherds, Wise-men, Roman
soldiers. Tourists, P.L.O.) came into
the church asking the way to
Bethlehem. They were all asked why
they were going there. Finally Santa
Claus (Penny Boggs) came asking for
directions to Mejirodai church, and
that started the gift exchange.
On Sunday Dec. 21 we had 41 present
for morning worship and 1 baptism.
On Dec. 25 we had 3 different Sunday
School programs; for Pre-schoolers at
2 PM, for Primaries at 4 PM and for
Juniors at 7 PM. There were a total of
193 students, parents, teachers and
visitors present. Over 60 attendance
prizes were awarded and about 120
treats were given to the children.
Primary Sunday School program.
Son of one of our members playing the violin.
Children's Chorus.
Harold and Lois Sims singing "O Holy Night"
Tinsel on the Christmas tree says "The Way".
COMMEMORATIVE BOOK-
"OUR TEN YEAR WALK"
One of the main projects of the
church in the 10th year was making a
46 page book which was given out to all
members and visitors on the
anniversary day. Many people worked
very hard to get this work done on time,
and most of the members contributed
articles, cuts, etc.
The young people's group composed
a questionnaire of 27 questions about
things related to the church and the
Christian life, and gave them out to 57
different people who attended the
church services during the month of
June. Forty-two people turned in their
questionnaire fully answered, and the
young people spent some time
compiling the information into
interesting charts and graphs that
show pretty objectively the situation in
continued on page 3
COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
"OUR TEN YEAR WALK"
continued from page 2
our church at this point in time. I
thought you would be interested in
some of this, so I have clipped several
of the charts out of the book and have
written into some of the charts a
minimum of English explanation so
you can understand it.
There were some questions for which
a chart could not easily be made, and
there is no need to list all of the
questions and replies here. But
perhaps you would be interested to
know that the average time it took one
to decide to be baptized after starting to
come to church regularly was about 1
and 1/2 years. Twenty-three people
said they thought they had changed
since their baptism, and only 2 said
they had not changed. Eighteen had
not read all through the Old
Testament, and 9 had not read the
entire New Testament, but 6 had read
through the O.T. more than 3 times and
13 for the N.T. Thirty-eight thought
Jesus had a beard and only 3 not, 32
thought He had opened His mouth and
laughed, and 8 not, and 19 thought He
had been in love and 20 not.
How does your church compare with
this?
-Harold Sims
O O O

CHART 1
UR CHURC
B3*3 iSto ^ 8S
lo^" 3o.40lprt
The 42 people who answered the survey.
Christians (73.8%) have black hair, others white.
Male and female, student and adult are distinguishable.
The number of wrinkles in forehead and beside mouth indicate 10
years above 20 years of age, or adult.
Upper left block are housewives.
Lower left are students.
Right hand block are employed.
Lower right hand corner is retired.
7
grandmother
grandfather
mother
father
uncle
aunt
brother
sister
child
EM
F39
mate
nephew
niece
ivk:i
cousin
CHRKti/ims
xxxxxx
T XX
CHART 2
Are there Christians among
your relatives? Specify.
0^^
^
tia^tSFU
y5
^\2 klNDi;RGflRrN
'4- ^LSMENTflR Y
Y M loouE
-6 HI^H
-6 CCUL 6-^ , uwi V.
123 No
CHART 3 Did you go to a Christian school?
26
A PEOPLE
^Sm Ssr
CHART 4
How long does it take you to walk to church?
Cl n
'i'i lli-
MINUTES -r- ^
15-^ka oOv 45i 60^
7 7
YEARS
j_E 1 2 3 4 5cA)
than
1^ C
2 _
3 SH

6 ^hi
3 li^^B
L-
10 11
iv\(7Rc 20
th/im
CHART 5 How many years since you were
baptized Into Christ?
People. peoplsI^
TIM&S/ 33 7g
CHART 6 How many times do you
pray every day?
g /Nj^dpLa
Aside from
Sunday, how much time do you spend
reading the Bible through the week?
Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 80 SECOND QUARTER, 1981
JONATHAN SIMS RETURNS
Jonathan Sims, who spent 7 months
on an internship here in 1979, plans to
begin his service as a missionary to
Japan on May 29,1981. In May of 1980
he received the Master of Religious
Education Degree from the Cincinnati
Christian Seminary, and for most of
the past year he has been raising
support. He was ordained on January
18 at the Laurel Avenue Church of
Christ in Chesapeake, Virginia, and
that church will be his sponsoring and
forwarding agent "board".
Perhaps it is not realized widely
enough that there are a good number of
second-generation missionaries now
settling into the work here in Japan.
Jonathan is the seventh-after Lonnie
Mings, Walter Maxey, Mark Pratt,
Stephen Fleenor, Jenann Beckman
and David Cole. There are also others
very likely to come when things work
out. About half of the missionaries
who have been in Japan for 30 years
now have a son also involved in the
work here, which is a record that might
not be equaled on any other field or in
any other Mission here in Japan.
We request your prayers for this
younger set as they take up the torch
for another generation going into the
21st Century.
Harold Sims
NUMBER 2
TUESDAY MORNING
WORSHIP SERVICE
Last fall when one of our members
invited some neighbors to our series of
10 special Sundays for our 10th
anniversary, they told her that they
would be interested in hearing the
Bible teachings but found it difficult to
leave home on Sundays when the
children and husband were at home
and expecting mother's company and
service. We already have 3 home Bible
Study Groups each month, so she told
them about those, but they said they
would rather go to the church and have
singing and prayers in the atmosphere
of a worship service. So this lady told
me about this conversation and
suggested that we try having such a
meeting once a month. We decided to
do this on the fourth Tuesday of each
month, and held the first such meeting
on the last Tuesday of October.
The response has been gratifying. The
attendance usually runs around 10
people, and more than half of them do
not usually attend the Sunday
morning worship service. A young
couple who have asked me to marry
them but who work in a store and never
get Sunday off have attended 2 times,
for instance. Another older lady has
not missed one time.
So we keep on trying to by all means
save some.
-Harold Sims
MEJIRODAI CHURCH RECOGNIZED AS TAX-FREE
RELIGIOUS JURIDICAL PERSON
As part of our 10th anniversary
projects, we began last April the rather
long and complicated process of
applying to the Tokyo City
Government for incorporation. First
we had to draw-up and approve by
laws and elect officers. Then we had to
submit more than 20 different
documents giving precise descriptions
of our properties, financial reports,
membership list, etc. Also, 2 men from
the city came out to visit and verify the
things we had stated in the various
documents. It took much longer than
we had at first expected, but on March
24 we received the official seal of
permission.
This makes ours the twelfth Church of
Christ in the Tokyo area to finish this
process, and the government
authorities have accepted the fact that
we practice the independence and
autonomy of the local church. In
general we have found that this
process is good for the local church as
(1) an incentive to get and keep their
financial and organizational affairs in
order, (2) giving each member a feeling
of responsibility and concern for the
church and its business. Ofcour8e,iti8
a relatively minor matter when
compared with spiritual things.
Harold Sims
MR. YOKOMIZO
Mr. Yokomizo, Preaching "Timothy"
Kensei Yokomizo, having attended
Yokosuka church since his boyhood,
graduated from Nihon University in
March. All through these years he
faithfully attended each service, led in
the Sunday School work, assisted in all
phases of evangelism and was a
preaching "Timothy". He never lost
sight of his goal-training for the
ministry and ministering to the lost.
We were proud and overjoyed to lose
one of our few members this month
when Kensei enrolled in Osaka Bible
Seminary. Two people in the church
gave him 50,000 yen ($250) for his first
month's expenses. This will help him
until he can establish himselfin school
and in the neighborhood and tutor
school children as part-time work to
help himself financially. We will help
pay his tuition and the church will
send small offerings from time to time.
Mr. Yokomizo and Mr. Yoshida, a
second year student from the
Yokosuka church, too, are the only two
young men studying for the ministry at
the Osaka Bible Seminary this year.
So pray that God will use them
mightily in His work.
YOKOSUKA-PATTON
NEWS
PROMISING OUTLOOK
The first few months of the year looked
rather bleak for a strong church work
to continue at the Yokosuka church.
But we praise the Lord for new
"seekers", for Christians who have
moved into the area and find a church
home here, for a Christian family, for a
Christian home to come about by a
future marriage of two of its members,
for those who have recently been bom
into the Kingdom of God and for the
renewal of the 4 p.m. English services
on the Lord's Day.
The church will hold an evangelistic
meeting April 17and 18. Notices of the
meetings are being placed in over 2,000
homes in the area. April, five members
passed out notices for 2 and one-half
hours, door to door. Mr. Stephen
Fleenor will preach the Word in
Japanese. Our prayers are that those
who are Christian will be filled and
those seeking will find eternal life in
Christ Jesus.
TWO BAPTISMS
Miss Akemi Sakaguchi was baptized
Febraury 14. She had become a friend
of the Winkler family at the navy base
and was introduced to Christ in their
home. After studying diligently for
about one year, she became the Lord's.
Her family was upset by her decision.
But since, the younger sister has
attended church several times. So we
pray that she, too, will know Christ.
Bill Shafer stationed on the USS Blue
Ridge was baptized after work on April
6 by Andrew. Bill was taught by Mr.
Winkler on board ship about truly
being bom again in the act of baptism,
God's one and only way.
GOOD NEWS
In March the doctors at the Kansas
City, Kans. University Hospital
"released" Noel's wife as they found no
more cancer cells in her body.
However, they will keep close check for
the next five years. Thank you one and
all for praying for her to receive her
health again. Please continue to pray
that she will become His and know
Him personally.
ENGLISH SERVICES
English services are definitely a
necessity here near the Naval Base.
Christians can receive communion at
the base chapel ONLY on the first
Sunday of the month. Also personal
teaching and close fellowship are
needed for growth in Christ and
leading the lost to Him. "Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled."
We have witnessed these that are doing
just that! So as God gives Andrew
strength to do so, we will minister to
the navy men and their families. The
Christians on board the ships are
ministering to the lost and bringing
them in!
If you know of any one stationed at the
Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, please
give them this telephone number:
(0468) 53-8224.
Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)
Published four times a year in Jan
uary, April, July and November for the
missionaries of the Church of Christ
Cunninfjham Mission, Tokyo, Japan
by Mission Services, Box 177, Kemp-
ton, Indiana 46049. Second Class
postage paid at Kempton, Indiana.
Mr. and Mr.s. Stanley Buttray, 571-8
Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,
Nagano Ken, Japan 884-22. Forward
ing Agent: Mrs. Garydon Hessler, 760
Garden St., Meadville, PA 16:135.
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
1.5, 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.,
Kustis. KL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
PENNY BOGGS
LEAVES MEJIRODAI
FOR OTHER PLACES
IN JAPAN
Penny Boggs, the missionary intern
from Chester, W. Va., who has been
living and working with us here for the
past seven months, was given a send-
off by the Mejirodai Church on March
29. She has had a lot of experiences in
addition to her study of Japanese
language 2 days a week, and we feel
she has adapted very well to the
different culture and situation here.
The people here have been interested in
her, have invited her into their homes
for meals, etc., and have been most
encouraging and helpful. The young
people gave her a piece of cloth with
various sized colored pockets sewn on
it and their personal messages to her
written in both Japanese and English,
which she can hang on any wall with
happy memories. Lois baked a cake
decorated like a "penny" which all
shared after the morning worship
service during which Penny brought a
message to the people with Harold
Sims translating. Also, the ladies
group of the church gave her a gift of
money to help with her travel expenses
in Japan.
Last year's Spring Jr. High Camp
was quite successful with 58 campers
attending and four of them making
decisions to become Christians. So it
was decided to try it again this year.
But this time we included both Jr. and
Senior High students. And as last year
there were 4 decisions. This is the
purpose for which Shinshu Bible Camp
came into being. And I trust it always
will remain the same.
The staff this year consisted of ten
missionaries and two Japanese. Both
Taninari San and Yokomizo San were
stunt night found this group with Paul Pratt as its
leader portraying Jesus as He instituted "The Lord's
Supper" with the Apostles.
HoR.: Penny Boggs, Mrs.
Okada (an 80 year-old mem
ber of our church who made
the kimonos for the 2 Ameri
cans standing beside her),
Lois Sims.
The Penny Cake.
BUTTRAY NEWS
invaluable in their aid. Stephen
Fleenor was the Dean, and Paul Pratt,
Harold Sims, Julius and Virginia
Fleenor, and David Cole were teachers
and speakers. Carol Fleenor and
Penny Boggs took care of the music.
Penny Boggs at the Spring 1981 Jr. and Senior
High Camp which was her first visit to Shinshu Bible
Camp. She is a young woman with much musical
talent, and was well liked by the campers. Having
had much camping experience while In Bible
College, she was a real asset in many ways.
Carol also headed the cooking
department and had two Japanese
women assistants. At that time Penny
had only been in Japan seven months.
While studying the Japanese language
Penny went from here to Nagano
prefecture to help in the Shinshu Bible
Camp. From there she will go to Osaka
and points further south, visiting
particularly the work of single lady
missionaries in the different areas. We
will see her again in July at the
Convention, and bring her back to
Tokyo from where she plans to return
to the United States in August.
Harold Sims
in Tokyo, Penny had been living with
the Harold Sims family. Her
remaining three months in Japan will
be spent visiting other missionaries
between here and Kyushu. Her desire
is to return to Japan as a full time
missionary!
Since returning, I have learned that
of the 4 campers that made decisions
last year, two have been baptized...for
which we give Praise to God! Pray with
us that not only these 4 who made
decisions, but that all that were taught
will eventually be bom of water and
the Spirit!
The Summer Camp Schedule this
year may not be quite as ambitious as
last year. But I hope that it will be even
more successful! This year's schedule
has been printed and sent out. And I
am looking for a greater cooperation by
all missionaries and Japanese
preachers...so that the 1981 Camping
Season will even be more successful!
And the years remaining...till Jesus
comes will even be greater!
Stanley Buttray
PROMOTION SUNDAY
The students going into the fourth grade.
Every year about spring vacation time
we have our Sunday School Promotion
Day, with certificates and gifts for
those graduating from one department
into another. This year we had the
largest classes ever in third and sixth
grades, so we had a large crowd
attending and one of our young
teachers who is a college student
worked all one day making out the
certificates and making other
preparations. We sent 25 up to the
Junior Department, and that
department sent, also, 25 sixth graders
up to the Jr. High Class.
The third graders all wrote a short
CAMP SEASON BEGINS
Ready to leave for camp In Sims' light van.
The Japanese school year begins in
April, so every year there are about 2
weeks in early spring when all
students are free from the usual very
busy round of school studies and
activities. This year the Shinshu Bible
Camp Committee decided to have a 3
night and 4 day camp for Junior and
High School students March 31 - April
3.
It is still cold up there in mountainous
Nagano prefecture at that time of year,
and when we arrived, there were
several inches of fresh snow covering
everything in a beautiful winter scene.
But the camp building is heated
comfortably, and the 40 students and
12 teachers, helpers and cooks all
seemed to have a good time. Eight
young people went from Mejirodai
church, and it was the first time for any
of them to attend such a gathering. In
fact all but one ofthem will just become
7th graders in April. But we are hoping
that the newsongs and Bible teachings
and ideas they learned there will bear
fruit later on.
There will be other camps to follow
through the season. May 3 - 5 we are
planning a Family Camp. That is one
of the favorite Japanese holiday
seasons, and the weather is generally
good. Then, of course, there is the busy
summer season approaching.
It is good to have the Buttrays back at
the camp now after a 4 month trip to
the United States. Also, the young
Japanese preacher who worked in the
camp last summer and took care of the
place during the long cold winter
months in Buttrays' absence is a very
good asset to the program and worked
in many ways during the above camp.
He will be there at least through the
summer season this year.
It was our joy and privilege to meet
both the Buttrays who arrived March 7
and the Warren Christiansens who
returned to Japan March 11. The
Christiansens are temporarily renting
housing until they can get their
partially-built house into liveable
condition. So the work in Nagano
prefecture has now come out of
hibernation.
Harold Sims
The Beginners,
essay about what the Sunday School
has meant to them. Almost 100% of the
sixth graders who planned their whole
program, including prayers, have
already bought their own Bibles,
although they are all from non-
Christian homes.
IJ.J}
AUG 41981 ,
SIMS NEWSLETTER SUMMER 1981
Dear Friends,
Postal rates, all prices and various problems continue to rise, but we feel
there is a continuing need to send you faithful supporters some news of the work in
which we are all involved and we also feel a continuing need for vital, unceasing
prayer. With a rather full weekly schedule of sermons, home Bible:studies, English
Conversation Classes etc, and prepara.tions for these the weeks go clicking by and
we find ourselves at mid-year already. The Japanese have a nice custom of sending
a post-card to friends with a word of greeting and encouragement at this time of year,
so we heartily wish for all of you God's richest blessings at the "honorable middle.
MEJIRODAI CHURCH
Since early this- year we have been having a slump in worship attendance. There
has been some sickness and moving away and too many "something has come up" "too busy"
phone calls early Sunday mornings. We have also gone 6 months with no baptisms,
BUT, we have had an encouraging increase in Sunday School attendance during this same
time. Over 100 4 times, with a record 110 on Jan. 18. The Jr. High Class has in
creased to an average in the high teens, compared with about 4 last year, after a
large class of 6th graders graduated from Sunday School on March 29 and moved up to
that group. We have also completed the 9 month long process of incorporating the
local church. The deacons are meeting regularly and functioning well and we had a
happy yearly congregational business meeting April 12..
For the 7 Sundays from Easter to Pentecost we asked 7 of the members to give a
testimony or exhortation for 5 minutes before the Lord's Supper. Some are very re
ticent, but we had some good messages and want to encourage such participation.
For several years we have had a special week-day Mother's Day, with our church
ladies inviting their neighbors and Sunday School children inviting their mothers to
a special program. This year we had a new high of 37 people present on Thurs. morn
ing May 14, which included several people who were in church for the first time.
PENNY BOGGS
Penny, a 1981 graduate of Kentucky Christian College from Chester, W. Va. lived
with us as a missionary intern for 7 months, helped in various ways with church and
house work and studied Japanese language 2 afternoons every week. Her last Sunday
here was March 29. Since then she has visited missionaries in 4 different areas of
Japan. She will return to the U.S. in August for a time of reporting and raising
support, but definitely hopes and plans to give her life in service to Christ as a
missionary in Japan.
2
' . i
JONATHAN RETURNS
May 29, just 2 years after he came to Japan as an intern and fill-in for us
during our last trip to the U.S. and 17 months after returning to finish his
Master*s Thesis and campaign for support, our oldest son Jonathan stepped off the
airplane to begin his career as a second-generation missionary. He will be living
with us for the time being, and has already started 3 days a week of study at Japan
ese language school for the summer session. He v/ill help regularly in our Sunday
School and the summer activities.
CAI'IPS
From Mar. 31 - April 3 there was a camp for about 40 Jr. High and H.S. students
at the Shinshu Bible Camp in Nagano Prefecture. Penny Boggs and Harold were on the
staff, and we took 6 of the 8 young people who wnt from Mejirodai in our light van.
For the last half of the trip we drove through snow, but arrived safely though there
i^jere about 4 inches on the camp grounds. That was spring vacation in Japan, as school
begins here in April.
Again on May 3 - 5 at the same place we made our first try at a Family Camp.
It was a rare 3 day holiday in Japan, and we hoped more whole families would attend.
We only had 14 people, but we did have a good time and enjoyed a hike On a beautiful
spring afternoon which was longer than planned because we got lost in the woods.
WEDDINGS
Harold performed a wedding on April 25, with Lois playing the organ, and we
attended another big one on April 29. The first one of our church girls. She
married a non-Christian young man from the Japan Electrical Company where they both
work. They are living in an apartment not too far from here and have attended ser
vices together several times since the ivedding, so we are hopeful. The other was the
marriage of preacher Stephen lijima's son, who is a school teacher. His mother has
been in and out of the hospital with a bad case of Btype hepatitis for a year, but
was able to attend the wedding, which made all of us happy.
KENTUCKY SONSHINE
Agroup of High School young people from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville
who sing under the above name are now touring Japan, and came to Mejirodai for a pro
gram on Pentecost Sunday evening. Our very small group of young people did most of
the advertising and preparation for this, including a welcome sp-eech in English.
Some of our very capable church ladies came on Sat. and helped Lois for several hours
to prepare the food for the barbecue meal which we served to the 14 visitors and 40
local people plus 8 small children in our yard at 5 PM that evening before the program.
3
Eight more came to hear the program, so we were very pleased at the turnout. There
were at least 4 young people present who had never been in a church before, and many
others had not been for months. We feel the youth activities here have been revived
and strengthened by this recent event, and are thankful and hopeful about that as
summer comes.
OTHER PLACES
Harold is now one of the Councilors of Osaka Bible Seminary, and went to Osaka
in March and May for meetings. With the fast train he can go 330 miles down there,
attend the afternoon meeting and get back the same day. He also serves on the
advisory board of the Japan Missionary Language Institute, which takes 1 or 2 days
of most months. Our responsibilities as trustees of the former Yotsuya Mission
properties continue.
We keep in touch with other churches, missionaries and Japanese preachers in
the area, and are particularly glad to see a fifth-Sunday Rally gaining in popularity
and attendance. We were happy to attend the dedication of the Mark Pratt*s new home
and Fellowship Center on May 10 and rejoice with them in the remarkably rapid and
debt-free completion of that project.
SmiER SCHEDULE
July 24-26 All-Japan Convention Churches of Christ 32nd one
July 26-28 Missionary Convention " "
August 3-7 Jr. High and High School Camp in Nagano
" 9-11 Vacation Bible School at Lake Saiko
" 19-21 Vacation Bible School at Mejirodai (small children)
" 25-28 Eng. and f^usic Camp in Nagano
Yours in His service,
HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS
Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 80
"KENTUCKY
SONSHINE
SINGERS"
A group of young Christian singers
from a church in Louisville visited
Japan and the churches. Mark and
Lynn Pratt were their hosts as Lynn's
sister was among the group.
Through the efforts of Officer
Winkler, the group was invited aboard
the USS Blue Ridge for a day's cruise
June 12. Also through Mr. Winkler we
were able to have the group present
their program at the off-base
"Christian Seamen's Center" later
that same day.
Dinner was served at 6 p.m. at the
Center and was followed by the
program of the "Kentucky Sonshine
Singers". About 40 guests enjoyed the
music and evening of fellowship.
We had an interesting experience at
the center following the program. A
Japanese girl who had come to the
center with a navy friend needed to be
taught in her native language the
truths of God. Andrew was asked to
teach her as no one present spoke
Japanese. Andrew gladly obliged.
Soon the host missionary came on the
scene and requested that Andrew not
teach the girl as Andrew taught that
baptism is ESSENTIAL to salvation
and that that teaching could not be
uttered at the Center. Also Andrew
was told that he could not invite the
girl to church services where he could
further teach her. The host did not
speak Japanese nor are there church
services on the Lord's Day at the
Center in Japanese or English.
It is unfortunate that denomination
al loyalty and affiliation and not
faithfulness to God's Word is the
criteria for rejecting or receiving a
Christian.
SERVICEMEN'S
RETREAT
A navy men's retreat was held at the
Yokosuka church on May 24-25, with
27 registering. Overnight sleeping
accommodations were Japanese style
THIRD QUARTER, 1981
on the floor with baths at a local
Japanese style bath house. Delicious
home-cooked meals were enjoyed by
all.
Paul Pratt and Andrew served as
teachers using the themes; "Growing
in Christ", "Developing One's
Potentials", "Risen With Christ", and
"A Christian Home". Kathleen Pratt
helped with the music. The men who
attended said this retreat was the
highlight of their recent experiences.
A young man requested baptism at
the meeting. He had been taught well
by one who had recently become a
Christian and who was a close buddy.
Because we knew many of the men
needed instruction on biblical baptism,
we scheduled a full discussion of the
subject on the final afternoon. As the
sun went down, Dave Dolan was
baptized into Christ and all went home
rejoicing!
A few of the USS Blue Ridge Crew and
missionaries.
BITS OF NEWS
We received in June a report that
Noel's wife's check-up again was free
of cancer cells! We thank God for his
mercy shown to her. Noel and his
family now live in Jones, Oklahoma
where he is working.
"Pop" Belew, Bill's father, spent 2
months in Yokosuka visiting his son.
While here he attended the services
here at the church. He returned to
Cincinnati July 5.
Sharon Lee {our daughter) and
husband Chris and Sandy(6) will visit
Tokyo August 22 - September 4. Betty's
Aunt Gladys from Fontana, California
will accompany them. It has been
exactly 5 years since we have seen or
visited with our loved ones!
NUMBER 3
YOKOSUKA
CHURCH
The Yokosuka church has always
used Easter time as a special occasion
to evangelize since the Resurrection is
the heart of the Christian message.
Posters were made and over 2200
handbills were distributed to the area
homes. However, no new persons were
present to hear the message by
Stephen Fleenor on April 17 and 18.
But those present were filled and
renewed with God's Word.
Ten Sunday school students and one
mother were guests of the church on
May 10 for a Mother's Day tea. The
relationship of Samuel and his mother
to God was the theme of the meeting.
"Climb A Tall Mountain" ("Heidi
and Her Grandfather" ~ Japanese
title) was shown to a group of 43 on
Family Day at the church in the
afternoon of June 14. We made 2200
handbills and many posters for the
occasion. Since that time our Sunday
school attendance has increased.
Kensei Yokomizo and Kazuhisa
Yoshida have returned from Osaka
Bible Seminary to the Yokosuka area
for the summer. Kensei is spending
part of his time working and teaching
at the Shinshu Bible Camp and
assisting with the work here. Mr.
Yoshida also will be doing much the
same while living here with us.
Our purchase of a Japanese
typewriter has enabled us to make a
very attractive handbill and
registration form for our DVBS to be
held on July 25-27. Miss Ichinose,
Kensei and I will be teaching the 3 day
course on Daniel.
Kanto Churches of Christ will have a
2 day family camp August 7-9 at
Shinshu Bible Camp. About 10 from
here will be going to enjoy the spiritual
fellowship.
July 8 the American Embassy in
Tokyo was the scene ofthe registration
of the marriage of Akemi Sakaguchi
and Officer Bill Belew of the U.S.
Navy. Both have faithfully attended
all the Japanese services of the church
for over a year.
-Andrew Patton
ANOTHER ONE OF THE TOKYO
CHRISTIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Mr. Minoru Homma has been a
member of Minato Church ofChrist for
over 20 years, and an elder for some
years now. A very modest, polite, soft-
spoken and early balding man, he has
worked for the Hitachi Electric Co. in
the field of video recording for most of
his professional life. He is now in the
late 40's, and he lives with his fine
Christian wife and 3 daughters in the
bed-town of Nagareyama which is
about an hour from his office by
commuter train.
One day about 2 years ago he called
me to say he would be making another
business trip overseas and wanted me
to give him addresses of our churches
in New York, Toronto, and Cleveland
so he would be able to meet and
worship with fellow Christians on the
Sundays he was away with nothing to
do. (IT IS DISTRESSING THAT WE
HAVE SO FEW CHURCHES INOUR
LARGEST CITIES WHERE OUR
JAPANESE CHRISTIANS GO.) I
gave him the address of Terry Reyes'
Love Mission in downtown New York,
and he attended a Sunday worship
there and called me up as soon as he got
back to Japan to report on it. His friend
from Hitachi, Inc" who accompanied*
himexperienced his first direct contact
with Christianity and was impressed
that "they were a different kind of
people" than he usually met in the
United States.
Later I heard about this visit from
Terry Reyes himself, who was in our
home for a few days in November, 1980
while on the way home from a visit to
the Philippines. Bro. Reyes told me he
had ask^ if he were a relative of the
notoroious General Homma who was
a leading Japanese military figure in
World War II, and he had said a simple
YES. I hadn't known this, and had
never asked him about it through all
our years of acquaintance.
Last August Mr. Homma was
operated on for stomach ulcers. I heard
about it quite a while after he was out of
the hospital, and wrote him a get-well
note. He replied right away that he had
some complications after that and had
been taken back to the company
hospital in an ambulance. That didn't
sound good. We exchanged Christmas
letters as usual, and he was hopeful of
getting back into full activity soon
after the turn of the year.
In February the doctors finally told
his wife that he had cancer. They had
known since August. They were
insistent that he not be told because the
shock would shorten his life. I received
this news from Stephen lijima, his
preacher, and a request for prayer.
After several weeks I went to visit him
in the hospital. He was thin, but all
smiles and full of hope. He was
particularly happy about the
approaching return of our son
JdnatharT as Tnissionaiy;"'ancL
enthusiastic about helping if Jonnie
wished to start a new work in his area.
After much prayer, consultation and
thought, his \^e decided togoagainst
the advice of the doctors and tell him.
At that time the doctors had given him
only a few more weeks and had decided
to send him back home because there
was nothing more they could do.
Soon after Mr. Homma heard the
truth about his condition he put the
STARTING MY TERMS
I have arrived in Japan to begin my
first term as a missionary. In spite of
previous experiences in Japan, there
were several immediate shocks at
cultural differences . between the
United States and the land where I was
reared. Adjustment to time change
and types of food was quick, but
getting used to differences in language
and ways of thinking will continue for
a long while.
From the outset, I have begun a
schedule of language study and
Church work. Three days a week I am
in school learning Japanese at a pace
slightly faster than the normal
classes. Homework demands much
time and there is much study material
to absorb and apply. After the seven
week session during the summer, I will
assume the normal pace ofstudy as the
lessons become progressively difficult.
Every Sunday, working with the
fifth grade Sunday school class
provides experience in communicating
with children which supplements the
material studied in language school
which is aimed at communication with
adults. Practical application of
language study is proving to be very
worthwhile. I am looking forward to
increasing responsibilities and
challenges in time as I learn to preach
in Japanese and prepare for beginning
a new work in a new location.
-Jonathan Sims
family in their car and drove 2 hours
across Tokyo to the site of the new
cemetery plot the Minato Church had
been developing. This was Sunday,
May 31, and on that day they had
planned an outdoor service to dedicate
it and to bury the ashes of an elder of
the church who had died the previous
year.
At that time Mr. Homma gave a very
moving testimony to the people
gathered there, acknowledging that he
had been shocked to hear the truth
about his condition although he had
suspected it and that he might well be
the next to be put in that ground. But
he had looked death in the face, and it
was nothing compared to the hope of
life in Christ and the fellowship and
love of family and Christian brethren
which he had enjoyed and continued to
feel. Their family (1 girl in High
School, 1 in Jr. High, and 1 in
Elementary) had been drawn much
closer to the Lord and to each other
through this experience, and each day
of life was exceedingly beautiful,
precious and happy.
What a legacy of real faith he will
leave to his family and brethren! As of
^his moment-(July4^)-he is still living
at 2 months past the limit the medical
professionals set for him. Jesus said,
"Be ofgood cheer. I have overcome the.
world."
-Harold Sims
Tokyo Christian (No. 776-370)
Published four times a year in 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, 571-8
Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku Gun,
Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22. Forward
ing Agent: Mrs. Garydon 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
15, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center St.,
Kustis, FI, 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
SubscriptM)n and
Flaming T)rch $1.00
FAMILY CAMP
Shinshu Family Week campers.
May 3-5 was a rare 3 day holiday in
Japan, because they have adopted the
system of having Monday off when a
holiday comes on Sunday. It was the
ideal time to try our first family camp.
We were hoping that many whole
families would attend, but some people
had previous engagements and of
course many husbands are not
Christians and didn't feel inclined to
attend such a camp. However, we did
have a nice fellowship among the 14
people who spent those hours together,
and hope to try again.
KENTUCKY SONSHINE
that night has composed several
popular modern songs, and has
appeared at different times on TV. She
has been back to services several times
since, saying she is interested in
Christian music. One of her hits is
entitled "Gentiles". So we are glad we
let the Sonshine in.
"Harold Sims
-
Penny Boggs leading singing at camp.
MOTHER'S DAY CAN
BE ON THURSDAY
We have a problem here in that many
non-Chyistian housewives cannot get
to church on Sundays because
husbands and children are at home for
the day. They can come much more
easily at about 10:30 on week-day
mornings, after finishing up the house
keeping chores. So for the past several
years our church ladies have planned
special Mother's Day programs to
which they invite their neighbors and
friends. They spend a lot of time
preparing printed programs,
decorations, refreshments, etc. and
usually we send out invitations with all
the Sunday School children and by
other means. This year we had a new
high of 37 people in attendance on
Thurs. morning May 14, and a very
good program. Several people were in
church that day for the first time in
their lives, but they all enjoyed both the
speeches and talking with each other
about various things.
"Harold Sims
About a dozen High Schoolers from
SblilKeast' Christian Church in
Louisville, using the rather original
name above, presented musical
programs at a number of places in
Japan during the month of June. The
leaders of the group were the sister and
brother-in-law of Mrs. Mark Pratt, who
is a missionary in Japan and recently
moved into a new Fellowship Center
that will upgrade the work with
students, as well as being youth
workers with the church in the U.S. We
invited the group to come to Mejirodai
on Pentecost Sunday evening.
Our very small group of young
people did most of the advertising and
other preparations for this special
meeting, including a welcome speech
in English. Also some of the church
ladies came on Saturday and spent
most of the day helping Lois to prepare
food for the barbecue meal which we
served to the 14 visitors, 40 local people
and 8 small children in our yard at 5
p.m. that evening. Eight more people
came just in time for the program, so
we had the best crowd since Christmas
in church, which was a thrill for
everybody.
This project has served to revive the
spirits of our young people, and we are
thankful for that. Many came who had
not been to church for months, and at
least 4 of the young people present had
never been in church before. One
young lady who came to the church
NEW FELLOWSHIP CENTER
DEDICATED IN MACHIDA
On Sunday afternoon May 10th Lois
and 1 and 5 of the Japanese Christians
from Mejirodai Church drove about 30
minutes down to Machida, our
neighboring suburban city, to join a
large group of people from several
other churches and a host of local
friends of Mark and Lynn Pratt for the
dedication of their new Fellowship
Center home. Partly because this
newest outpost of evangelism among
our churches of Christ in Japan is also
the closest to us geographically, the
church here has had a deep interest in
this project and contributed several
times toward the new building. For the
past year, and especially the past 3
months, it has been thrilling to watch
the Lord's leading and providing and
the faith and hard work of the many
people directly involved in this
building. The high tone of joy, praise
and glorifying of God at the dedication
was indeed real and true.
The location is right. The modest-
sized, square building lotis just off the
main street of this growing city, and
just 2 short bus stops from the main
entrance of Obirin. This is a private
Christian-oriented school for children
from kindergarten through college
ages. Mark Pratt has taught English
language and Bible there for several
years, and has planned from the first to
concentrate on student work. The well-
known President of this school (it was
named for Oberlin University in Ohio
which he attended years ago) was also
present for the occasion.
The building plan and furnishings
are right. It gives the impression of
modesty, simplicity, efficiency, and
comfort. The family lives on the first
floor. The second floor has a good-sized
meeting room that is suitable for
various sized groups, an office-study,
and a small kitchen for fixing "tea""in
other words, a fellowship center.
The timing was right. The
opportunity to buy the land came about
3 years ago, and with a substantial
loan from the Yotsuya Mission Loan
Fund this was accomplished. It would
cost much more to purchase the same
place now, even though the original
price was a surprise to many
Americans - over $100,000 dollars.
Mark and Lynn have been renting at
high prices all these months, but they
didn't want to add another big debt to
their already substantial one even
though they wanted to make use of the
land they were paying for monthly.
Finally about a year ago they made a
commitment to go ahead with the
building plans and a plan to raise
funds for the building in faith.
Herculean efforts were made to raise
funds, and equally every effort was
made to save building costs. The
materials were all purchased in
Canada and shipped to Japan in 2
large containers-a saving of hundreds
if not thousands of dollars. Then Ed
Thomas and a small group of men and
women came from the United States
and donated 3 weeks of hard work in
March to erect the basic structure. The
local architect who drew the plans in
Japanese measurements and went
through the long and difficult process
of getting a building permit from the
city for the first 2x4 type structure
there spoke at the dedication, showing
some of the slides he had taken as the
construction progressed. He found it
hard to believe that such a building
could be built at such a low cost, that so
many people would donate so much
time and hard work, and gave a
dramatic and moving description of
"building by faith" from his
professional viewpoint. The same was
true of some of the neighbors. All of
them are now good prospects because
of what they have seen happen.
Mark's father and mother are long
time missionaries, and several years
ago did much of the labor on a church
building in Isehara city. They also
helped a lot on this building. Lynn's
father, a cabinet-maker from central
Kentucky, and mother came and
worked for several weeks on the
finishing. So on this Mother's Day it
was very good that the 4 parents could
rejoice together with their children
who are located in a nice new home,
ready to begin a new phase of their life
work, including regular Sunday
services. We pray the continued
blessings of God upon this new work.
The new work brings the number of
our churches or places where regular
services and evangelistic efforts are
carried on to a total of 21, which is the
highest number in the history of the
work here in the greater Tokyo area
which was begun with the arrival of
Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Cunningham on
Oct. i, 1901-80 years ago. (The total
number of churches in all Japan is
between 60 and 70). Of these 21
churches in the greater Tokyo area, 6
are ministered to by missionaries and
the rest by Japanese.
"Harold Sims
New Fellowship Center In Machida
/J2/3
Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
VOLUME 80 FOURTH QUARTER, 1981
SIMS NEWS
KYUSHU CONVENTION TRIP
peoples the centuries, this
The 32nd Annual Japanese Convention in something worthy of remark and
Kagoshima. thanksgiving.
This year the Japanese and Mission- O" Sjtnday evening the Missionary
ary Conventions were in Kagoshima, in P"' a T"" r
southern Japan - July 24-28. Lois, Jona- attended, which was agood percentage of
than and I went in our light van, taking3 Japan. About half are thirty
ladies from the Nakano church with us. ^^ar veterans, and about half are a
On Thursday afternoon July 23 we f natation younger. The Mark Maxey
drove down to Tokyo bay and on board f"'" ^1
j c , c. . c on r>*if vears, and the convcntions Were 3 Dart of
the daily canferry which left at 6|30 PM_ commemoration of that. All but 2of
We enjoyed seeing the lights of
Yokohama and Yokosuka cities and a rpi; i? i- u i
long and large fireworks display along The English language singing
1 j j *1. u j sessions, Bible studies, reminiscences,
the shore as we sailed down the bay and fun times were all deeply
into the Pacific for the first time in some , ^
years. The next afternoon about 4 PM , j j .
7 , X o V 1 X L The missionary convention ended at
(almost 2 hours late because we were noon on Tuesday, and wespentthenext2
running against the strong Japan days sightseeing for the first time in the
Current - the one in the oan -- no Nagasaki area, which has many castles,
reference to economic and political ^ j xu 1 r xi.
. 1 , j rr-.i V- xxL X t museums and other monuments of the
trends) we drove offthe ship at the port of i v x j x- c
Hyuga on the eastern side of Kyushu p"''
Island. We drove across the island Christians in Japan a most 400 years
through some nice mountain scenery, were also delighted with the
including a wonderful glimpse of smal island and inland sea scenery. We
Kagoshima Bay inthe lingering twilight, 5?" Charles and
and arrived at the Convention Hotel Drnna on TV in a Japanese hotel the
whilethe first eveningsession was going *-"u I'u i u
e o jrjp back home was also by car
Over 300 people had gathered at a The aftereffects of atyphoon made
modern hotel on topof-CastleHill",with ^ and 3 meter
fx. - c x c waves, and almost everyone on board
a magnificent view of the city of . ' i d x j u
rr ?. J xi. X- 1 became seasick. But we returned home
Kagoshima and the active volcano r , j x- j xu' j
Sakurajima in the background. everything in order
Saturday was spent in convention - Harold Sims
sessions, with time out for a tour to the
site where Francis Xavier stepped ashore
on August 15, 1549 as the first Christian
missionary to Japan and some other
interesting historical sites in the city.
The final session on Sunday morning
was addressed by Bro. S.M. Chang, for
many years one of our preachers and
educators across the strait in Pusan,
Missionary Convention.
NUMBER 4
EVANGELISTIC
MEETING AT
MEJIRODAI
Mejirodai Church Sunday Morning August 2.
There were 2 visitors: Back, right, Mr. Raymond
Shetton of Wichita, Kansas, a nephew of the
famous missionary to Tibet of an earlier day.
Fourth from left of first row standing was a music
teacher from Ohio visiting one of our members
briefly.
From September 24-27 an evangelistic
meeting was held in Mejirodai church,
resulting in a revival and increase in our
unity and joy that is very encouraging.
Many of our local people prayed daily
for a month, and there were 3 early
morning special prayer meetings. We
found out later that the Christians in
Kanoya in far-off southern Japan had
been specifically praying, and we know
some of you in the United States were
also praying for us.
We printed 5,000 handbills, and
distributed them to every house in our
area, including apartment buildings. In
fact we printed 1,000 especially for a
newly developed housing area that
people began moving into earlier this
year. Most of our members participated
in this street-pounding work, dividing up
areas of labor on a small map kept at the
church. Also 2 of the members made 10
posters which were put up in various
conspicuous places. Three of our ladies
wrote personal letters to people on our list
Hideo Yoshii
preaching Evan
gelistic Meeting at
Mejirodai.
who have been lax in their attendance.
We all knew that it is hard to get
ordinary Japanese to attend a Christian
meeting. In addition we had heavy rains
for 2 nights and there had been a recent
instance of a young lady being molested
on the street between the station and our
church. But we went ahead with a goal of
having each member invite 4 people. I
am happy to report that the total
attendance at 6 meetings (4 nights and
Friday and Sunday mornings) was 159--
an average of 26.5. This average is 4
above our Sunday morning attendance
on September 20. Our total membership
is 31. The best thing about the
attendance was the ice-breaking cases --
two non-Christians, and at least 4 ladies
in church for the first time.
Three people came forward at the
invitations. Two of them were baptized
on October 11. The other was one of the
first-timers who didn't fully understand
but is very sincere and a good prospect.
The preacher was Bro. Hideo Yoshii,
who has been preaching for 23 years at
the Kanoya church in southern Japan.
He was very effective and much
appreciated. One of our members heard
him speak at a convention several years
ago and had wanted him to come very
much. - Harold Sims
A VISIT TO
THE IIJIMAS
On Tuesday, September 15 (Japanese
Old People's Day, a holiday) seven
Japanese preachers, eight missionaries
and four of their wives drove in 4 cars up
to Yamanashi prefecture to visit Stephen
and Rhoda lijima. She has been in and
out of the hospital for the past year with
serious liver trouble, and he is not too
well. Furthermore, it was a few days after
his 60th birthday, which is always
celebrated in the Orient. We all took our
lunch, to save them trouble.
After lunch we sat out in the yard of Mr.
Kobayashi's house and enjoyed a good
time of fellowship and devotion. (Mr.
Kobayashi is an elder of Minato church
and long time close friend of the lijimas
who has a summer house nearby and
gladly served as host to the meeting.) All
of us enjoyed the visiting together,
including time in the cars. But the best
news was that Rhoda has recently been
to a specialist in Tokyo and the prospects
for her getting completely well soon are
now very encouraging. One of the many
blessings in the work here is good co-
workers who are also good friends.
" Harold Sims
The group that visited lijimas. Kobayashi's porch.
SUMMER CAMP
The Mejirodai Jr. High School group getting
ready to leave for Camp.
Eleven Junior High School students
went fi-om Mejirodai to the Shinshu Bible
Camp in Nagano Prefecture on August 4.
Half of them went in our van, and the
others by train -- a 5 hour trip either way.
There were a total of 38 at camp. One of
the highlights was a climb to the 2,000
meter level of the nearby active volcano
Mt. Asama leaving the camp at 10 PM
and returning at 4 AM nearly frozen in
mid-summer. All of the campers from
here were non-Christians, but 3 of them
had been to the spring vacation camp
and were active in persuading the others.
Mrs. Nishizawa, our Jr. High sponsor,
also went with us and helped in
numerous ways as a dean of women. I
taught one of the classes, and when I had
to leave a day early Jonathan taught in
my place. He also gave his testimony the
night I preached the evening vesper
message.
One day in August we were happy to
receive a visit from Mrs. Takako
Yoshimura Arakawa -- the youngest
daughter of one of the long-time, faithful
members of Nakano Church - whom I
had baptized about 20 years ago. She was
married to a young man from a town near
Nagoya 13 or 14 years ago. His family
has had a good business for a long time
making school uniforms, so they are
busy, prosperous and in the middle years
of a happy marriage. We keep in touch
with them through occasional letters,
and enjoyed an overnight visit in their
home about 5 years ago. This summer
she was in Tokyo to visit her mother and
brought her 2 children out here to meet us.
I went out for a short local errand, and
when I came back I found her and the
children sitting on the front seats of the
church with Lois at the organ. And they
were singing one after another of the
choruses we used to sing at Motosu
Camp. She still remembered the words
and even the numbers of many, and said
her several years at camp were some of
the high points of her life and she was
sorry her children were missing such
experiences. So we realized anew that the
efforts put into camps are not wasted or
lost, and that there are many mothers
like this in various places in Japan.
- Harold Sims
VACATION
BIBLE SCHOOL
On August 9-11 Mejirodai Sunday
School held our 6th VBS at Lake Saiko.
Because of overcrowding last year we
decided to limit this year's attendance to
70 students. Over 50 people registered the
first Sunday after the announcement in
order to be sure of going. Some cancelled
because of sickness, etc., so we ended up
with a total of 63 students (2-6 grades)
and 12 teachers and helpers.
The class sizes were well balanced, and
this year's program was one of the best
we have had. Two things were a little
different: 1. The daughter of the owner of
the inn there, who had come to help in the
busy summer season, had a son who was
a second grader. After we got there he
wanted to join us and was given permis
sion. He took part in all the activities,
even sleeping in the room with our boys.
It was his first time to hear Bible stories.
This year the lessons were about Daniel.
He seemed to enjoy every minute of it,
and has already asked to do the same
thing next summer. 2. A popular TV pro
gram called "The Masked Rider" was
being filmed "on location" on the
lakeshore near the camp. This was of
course very interesting to all the children
who watched it in all their free time. Just
after the lesson about Daniel eating
vegetables and drinking only water the
children_le.ctured_the.filming crew and
actors about the evil effects of their
smoking and drinking beer.
Also on August 19-21 there was a
Vacation Bible School at the church for
pre-schoolers and first and second
graders who couldn't go to the Lake. We
averaged 13 students for the 3 days.
Some of the church ladies helped with
teaching and refreshments. Jonathan
and I had a little puppet show each day.
- Harold Sims
The Vacation Bible School at Lake Saiko.
HAROLD SIMS'
MOTHER
PASSES AWAY
Mrs. Grace Firebaugh Sims, who has
been in the nursing wing of the
Appalachian Christian Village in
Johnson City, Tennessee for the past few
years passed away on September 27
(Harold's birthday) at 80 years of age.
She left 3 sons and 1 daughter, 12 grand
children and 6 great-grand-children. The
following tribute to her was written by
her second son Ralph, and appeared in
the First Christian Chronicle ofJohnson
City, Tennessee for October 4. It
expresses our feelings well.
"Her name was Grace. But her family
called her 'Sir'for the last forty-two years
of her life.
"It began when three adolescent sons
were in the school band. Events were
building toward World War II. The band
was organized along military lines, with
the highest ranking officer being the
captain. There were first and second
lieutenants, sergeants of different levels,
corporals, privates first class and buck
privates. The rule in the band was that
when you addressed a superior officer
you had to say, 'Yes, Sir', or 'No, Sir'.
"Our mother thought that was a good
idea. H^e went through the usually-
expected protestations, etc. But we
followed the game plan. To keep in
practice, we came to attention and
saluted our mother with a crisp 'Sir' at
almost every turn. In a short while the
salute was gone, but 'Sir' remained.
"All of the friends of the four children;
all of the kids in the church youth group;
all of the people faculty and students
alike " on the campus of Atlanta
Christian College when we lived there;
and many other people ended up calling
her 'Sir'.
"It was our finest way of showing how
much we appreciated the fact that more
than anything else, for her children she
wanted them to do what was right, and to
follow instructions.
"She was as good an encourager of
fledgling people (children) as can be
imagined. 'You can do it' were her
thoughts, communicated in many ways.
After a rich ministry as wife to a
preacher and mother of four children, on
September 27, the date of her oldest son's
birth, she moved on to where she can
address her Lord as 'Sir' in person.
- Ralph E. Sims"
NEWS NOTES
Mr. Minoru Homma, whose story was
in the last Tokyo Christian, passed
this life on July 31.
Four students of San Jose Bible College
who are very interested in missions and
missionary careers and Bro. Don Byers,
formerly a missionary in Thailand and
now ministering with the church in
Elmira, Oregon, spent about 10 days in
Japan in August. They had earlier been
in Hong Kong and briefly into Red
China. On Sunday August 16 they all
took part in the worship service at
Mejirodai, and that evening they were at
a joint rally at Kamiochiai church in
Tokyo. During the week they went to
Okayama prefecture, and the following
weekend they were with Sannobara
church in Isehara.
Ralph Harter, a missionary in Kanpur,
India for 34 years was in Japan for about
10 days after visiting several Oriental
mission fields on his way home to a
furlough in the U.S. He spoke at
Mejirodai and Sayama church in Tokyo
on September 6.
PATTON NEWS
SUMMER
DVBS was held the last weekend in
July with only 8 attending. Due to school-
regulated vacation time, it is very hard to
set a time when many can come. After
the last session, the adults joined the
children at an outing in a park nearby for
an afternoon of fellowship.
Fourteen from the Yokosuka church
were in attendance at the Family Camp
held August 7-9 at Shinshu Bible Camp.
We stayed on a few more days before
coming back to the torrid heat. Also we
with our family from the United States
enjoyed the English camp later in the
month. Hopefully we can attend more
camps next year.
Kensei Yokomizo cared for the
Yokosuka work and we were able to
worship with the Sakurayama church
(opened by us in 1960) with Sharon and
her family on August 23. On August 30th
a welcome meeting for Sharon and her
family was held at the Yokosuka church.
We were happy to spend about 7 hours
chatting with Ralph Harter (missionary
to India) as he made his way to the States
for furlough.
The Dale Wilkinson family and Milton
Jones visited us on September 6 at the
Yokosuka church. We welcomed them
back in the Lord's work. Milton, before
leaving for the States, helped the
Wilkinsons transfer their belongings
from the church to their new residence
near the children's school.
The children and adults all enjoyed a
bi-annual birthday party on the
afternoon of September 6. Thirty-two
were present for the fellowship together.
The next day Kensei Yokomizo left for
Osaka Bible Seminary to resume his
studies.
- Andrew Patton
FALL
October 4th was a full day offellowship
at the church. Following the afternoon
English worship with the navy folk, an
agape dinner was enjoyed by all groups
worshipping at the church. Andrew was
honored as it was his 64th birthday
(having spent 33 years of them in Japan)
and also 5 others whose birthdays are in
October.
The group of missionary men have
again started their joint-effort program
of getting the Word out in the different
areas in which there is a work started.
Two or three days are spent in different
areas. Recently the church in Niigata
prefecture was helped as many homes
were contacted followed by an
evangelistic meeting with one baptism.
The Hanno area near Tokyo where
Stephen Fleenor lives has been visited by
the group. The men also have given of
their time to help the Warren
Christiansen family ready their new
living-church quarters in Nagano
Prefecture. They will help in any of the
areas when asked. Each one donates to
the general fund to buy literature and
tracts to be used in this ministry.
- Andrew Patton
HOMECOMING
From August 22-September 4 there
were many "firsts" in 6 people's lives. It
was our "first" drive to Narita airport - a
gruesome 2 hour drive from Tokyo in
typhoon winds. There we met our
daughter, Sharon Lee, husband Chris,
daughter Sandra {6V2 years) from Carl
Junction, Missouri and Betty's Aunt
Gladys Stackhouse (Fontana, Califor
nia). It was the "first" time we had seen
them since 1976 and Sharon's "first"
time back home since she left in 1972. It
was a "big first" for Chris, Sandra (who
was 1 when we saw her last) and Aunt
Gladys. Sandra got to stay in the home
where her mother grew up; went to
church where her mother attended for 18
years; visited the camp in Karuizawa
where her mother helped serve coffee, tea
and cake for many coffee house
evangelistic programs; visited the rustic
summer church in the area and visited
the active volcano that her uncles
climbed. We also were at the English
camp at the new camp site and Sandra
visited with her mother's "aunts" and
"uncles" " Pratts, Buttrays, and Sims. A
visit to Tokyo Tower gave us all a thrill to
view the large city and realize its need for
Christ. At Yokosuka church Sandra
shared in the Sunday School program
Sandra (far right) learning from Grandpa in the
Sunday School in Yokosuka, Japan.
and heard her grandfather preach in
Japanese. (Sunday school attendance
doubled on August 30 as Sandra had
found friends on the 29th!) We were all
invited aboard the USS General Arnold
ship (tracking ship for the Columbia) by
Randy Mclntire, Tampa, Florida, as the
ship was in Yokosuka Bay. Randy is the
grandson of Betty's other aunt who is
also a sister to Aunt Gladys. So a family
reunion was held on board ship.
The visit has left us with many
beautiful memories that shall always be
cherished. We were just sorry that our 3
sons couldn't have been with us to make
it more complete.
" Betty Patton
BUTTRAY NEWS
As far as numbers are concerned the
"Camping Season" this year at Shinshu
Bible Camp was little different than last
year's"251 campers. The main difference
was 41 persons showed a desire to become
Christians. And one has already been
baptized. Let me say again, the purpose
for Shinshu Bible Camp becoming a
reality is to fulfill the command of Jesus:
"to go into all the world and preach the
GOSPEL to every creature". Jesus also
said in John 9:4: "We must work the
works of Him who sent me, while it is day;
night comes when no one can work!"
With moral conditions rapidly
deteriorating in every corner ofthe world,
(even as Jesus described the "End Days")
just a spark will ignite the world! The
following explosion will usher in the
"Night Time" when no one can work!
Christians taken out of the world will
permit a Vacuum of Darkness to cover
the earth, such as the world has ever
known!!!
This I believe. But, the burden of
witnessing to 115,000,000 Japanese is a
task far beyond our ability. However, in
John 14:12 Jesus promised his disciples
(us) that greater things would they do
because He was going to the Father.
This is Our Promise! And like
Abraham, by faith God has brought us to
the land of Japan in these last days to
bring forth a people chosen of God by the
Gospel of Jesus Christ! We have not yet
reached the peak potential of Camp
Evangelism in Japan! The Japanese
natural thirst for the beauty of nature
makes Shinshu Bible Camp an ideal
attraction in these small islands.
Therefore, to take advantage of present
opportunities to reach the 40,000,000
youth of Japan, we must increase our
capacity as well as aim for maximum
campers for every scheduled camp. Our
present capacity is 80 persons. Or, about
60 campers and 20 faculty. Recognizing
the urgency of the hour, we need
another 80 person capacity building,
more missionaries and Japanese
preachers if we are to take advantage of
present opportunities.
In our September "News Letter" to
supporting Churches I mentioned these
and other improvement needs. And I
asked if there were 50 churches willing to
give $500.00 each to make possible these
and other improvements. But to reach
the above goal it will take 100 churches
giving $1,000.00 each. As for me, The
Purpose (GOAL) is undeniable and
indisputable!!! We cannot, we must
not, we dare not delegate this task of
reaching every Japanese person for
Christ TO THE GENERATION OF
THE FUTURE. I want to see more than
anything else the fulfillment of Christ's
Promise of "Greater Works"
accomplished now!!! Do you???
- Stanley Buttray
An evening "Camp Fire" scene. There was
singing, music, testimony and message. Tim
Turner is on the left, the son of Bill and Betty
Turner. He was a real help, and a good camper.
Shinshu Bible Camp "game" time after the
eveni,ng_message. Hargid__Sims and his son
Jonathan on the left. David Cole in center back
ground, and Mark Pratt on the right who was
ieader of the group.
Mr. Sasaki in the center had just been baptized
in the river. Warren and Eileen Christiansen who
are missionaries at the smaii town of Asashina,
just ten minutes from Camp, were responsibie.
Stanley and Mabel Buttray on the left assisted.
Tokyo Christian
(No. 776-370}
Published four times a year in Jan
uary, April, July and November for
the missionaries of the Church of
Christ Cunningham Mission, Tokyo,
Japan by Mission Services, Box 177,
Kempton, Indiana 46049. Second
Class postage paid at Kempton,
Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 571-
8 Innaihara, Mochizuki, Kitasaku
Gun, Nagano Ken, Japan 384-22.
Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Garydon
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
15, Rushville, IN 46173.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 3-33-7
Mejirodai, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193
Japan. Forwarding Agent: First
Church of Christ, Orange at Center
St., Eustis, FL 32726.
Two-year subscription $.50
Subscription and
Flaming Torch $1.00
Dear Friends in various places,
Here at Mejirodai we are preparing for a Christmas season which
we hope will "be a joyful and climactic end to another good year of activity
for the Christ who came down from Heaven to dwell among us long ago and is
with us yet. Two of the three people who have come to Christ so far this
year were unknown to us in January, and the other was not considered as a
likely prospect; hut we are hoth amazed at and thankful for God's guidance
and providences, and for the gospel which is His power unto salvation for
all who will helieve. We continue with the conviction that Christ's church
in this local area and in Japan as a whole is slowly growing, and we are
glad to he involved in this vital work in these times.
As the twentieth century and all of us grow older we feel like
time moves faster and the glohe gets smaller, although we know that isn't
scientific. A number of people from the U.S. and one from India visited
our home out in the western edge of Tokyo again this year, and two of our
chirrch members and the Toyama family who attend here regularly spent some
time in the U.S. We have also received names and addresses of Japanese
young people who have stayed in your homes and visited your churches.
That is a very good way for you to hoth learn and witness, and we are
appreciative of the efforts you are making in evangelism. We are often
disappointed when they don't come to church after returning to the strong
pulls of Japan's weh-like culture, hut let us keep on trying our best.
It is good that the Pacific is peaceful and a busy 2-way route for us.
All through the year we have kept up a rather full daily schedule
of church related activities and English classes, and have been sustained
in good health. In July we enjoyed a trip to the Kyushu Conventions and
some interesting sight-seeing. Three trips were made to Hagano Prefecture
for camps, and one to Lake Saiko for YBS. Otherwise v;e stayed around here.
Of course we maintain contact with our Japanese churches and missionaries
in the greater Tokyo area, and all is going well with them too.
Penny Boggs, the missionary intern who lived with us until March
31 and then traveled through Japan visiting other missionaries,returned
to the U.S. on Aug. 5.
Our eldest son Jonathan arrived on May 29 to begin his missionary
career. He started studying Japanese part-time in the summer term from
June 12. Since Sept, 1 he has been going to language school full-time,
and will soon complete the second of 5 levels in the 2 year course. He
also helps in the Sunday School, Youth Group and presides at our worship
services every Sunday.
My mother, Grace Sims, passed from this earthly life on Sept. 27
my 57th birthday. She is buried by my father in Claxton, Tenn., the last
of the eight places they ministered. She had 4 children, 12 grand-children,
and 6 great-grand-children.
Hope and Tom Schmidt and Becky (10) Mindy (6) and Heidi (2) in
Kendallville, Indiana; Sylvia and Dave Smith and Rachel (5) Joshua (3) and
Suzanne (1) in Onalaska, Wisconsin; Robert and Helen and Daniel in Cincin
nati, Ohio are all doing well. They were all together on Labor Day week
end, and we enjoyed a tape recording of part of that fun time.
We pray that each one reading this will have a richly blessed
Christmas, and again in eighty-two may the Lord bless you too.
- N
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