Chapter 33
HE LEADETH ME.
(From Thursday 2 September 1976, to Thursday 29 September 1977. I
travel to the States and back to Japan, mainly to attend a funeral in the U.S.
Then I soon fly to Guam again to preach there, and to take a missionary journey
to Truk and Ponape islands.)
Thursday 2 September 1976: Thank God for a safe flight to Haneda Airport, Tokyo. I rejoice greatly to enter Japan on a missionary visa for the first time. The Hersey family is still in the States. Son (Philip) is at their house here. I call him to ask to come out and spend the night. “Come on.” I arrive late and crash into bed, plenty tired, but even happier than tired.
3 September: I run many errands in Tokyo, and again sleep at the Herseys’ house.
Saturday 4 September: I ride the trains to Karuizawa, and rejoice to see a large stack of mail awaiting me at Bethel House. I soon walk to the PO, and take more kind letters from my PO box. It was nice to leave Karuizawa, and to return. I launch into Japanese language study with zeal and vigor, tropically refreshed.
Sunday 12 September: During the Union Church evening English church service held in the language school chapel, they elect new officers for the year. (I was stuck on Guam during this election 1 year ago.) Now, someone nominates me for Secretary and Treasurer. Much that goes on in this church grieves my spirit. I kindly say I want to decline the nomination. Veteran missionary Dick says that I cannot decline. Outspoken missionary wife Carol says that I ought to be allowed to decline, if I desire to. Thanks, Carol. Apparently, Carol believes that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Dick reluctantly gives in. Thank God that was my only debut into the governing realm of Union Church.
25 September: Back in late June and early July before leaving for Guam, I had to pack up all of my belongings and haul them from Bethel House to Bill Cook’s house, to store the boxes in his attic and my scarce furniture in his house, to make room for summer guests at Bethel House. On returning to Japan, I take a few necessary items from Bill’s house while in limbo in Bethel House, as I search far and wide for a different abode. Today I enter into an agreement to rent a house in Christian Center (a camp and convention center). I praise God for this relief.
Thursday 30 September: I borrow
Bill’s truck to start moving my belongings from his house to my new room in
Christian Center.
Friday 1 October 1976: Bill and 2 other guys help me finish moving
all my stuff today. I work till 2 AM the following morning arranging my room, and then rejoice to fall asleep in it. The next few
days, I set up my large wooden desk exactly as I want it, and thus feel nicely
settled in, to this new abode.
At Bethel House, I often borrowed one of their bicycles. I
drove them on errands in the little car usually parked there, and rarely even
borrowed it to run my own errand. They extended much such
kindness. Still, it was much trouble to move out of Bethel House each summer,
to have Mary show up early on a Friday morn to ask me if I can move into
another room today, and for her to forget (for days) that she has
a stack of my mail.
I rejoice to be much more on my own here in
Christian Center. Here, I have my own bathroom to take a shower anytime.
The times I was welcome to the bathroom in Bethel House were too infrequent.
Upon renting the PO Box, I immediately began informing
all corresponding friends
of that address. It is a joy to go to the PO for my mail. No need to inform any
writing friend of the Christian Center address. I drop in to Bethel House occasionally,
checking for the occasional letter someone still sends to me there.
Saturday 9 October: I ride the trains to the Hersey house to
attend the annual gathering of the Free Will Baptist missionaries in Japan.
This year, they are having it in the Tokyo area. I am blessed to fellowship
with them till Monday afternoon the 11th, and
then return to Karuizawa.
Wednesday 27 October: I drop into the
local bank to change a few dollars into yen. After that transaction, the teller
hands me a letter, asking me in Japanese to tell him in Japanese what the
letter says. He thinks it is written in English. I see that it is German
writing. I tell him I’ll soon return with help. I walk
to the language school nearby to ask a Swedish missionary lady if she can
handle German. “Yes.” I bring her with me to the bank.
She has just started language study and can’t speak much
Japanese. The Swede takes the German letter, tells this American guy its
content in English. I convey that in Japanese to the bank teller.
The letter is from an elderly German widow in Germany, saying her
deceased husband lived in Karuizawa before World War II, and she recently
discovered that he had a savings account in this bank. She requests that his
savings be sent to her. The teller thanks us, saying the bank will do what they
can for the widow. We 2 missionaries go on our way. “All in a day’s work!”
Sunday 31 October: I preach this morning in Ueda Bible Church.
Five Japanese Christian ladies and one child attend.
Christian Center is near the base of Mt. Hanare. Bill Cook’s house
is “on around, up a short way” on Mt. Hanare, a pleasant 15 min. dirt
trail walk thru the woods from my house. I occasionally walk the trail to the top
of the mount to pray there. “There’s a cave near the top.” After Bill told me
that, I searched out & found the cave. As the leaves fall this autumn, I
rake a big pile of them, and carry them into the cave
to make a bed for me.
Tuesday 9 November 1976: After supper last night, I pray in my
room till 2:30 AM this morn, dress warmly, and slowly walk for an hour
up Mt. Hanare, praying. I go into the dark cave to
pray till dawn, then go outside and pray 2 hours, go
back into the cave to sleep on my bed of leaves a
couple hours, and then walk outside and past the cave to pray in early
afternoon. I hear voices coming down the narrow steep path to the cave. Five
Japanese hi school kids (3 boys, 2 girls) appear, and
go into the cave. (They didn’t see me.) I hear their surprised voices as they
discover my pack inside. They soon come out with their “find”, talking
excitedly as they head away back up the steep trail with my gear.
‘Hey,’ I call out loudly. They turn; surprised to
see a foreigner, thinking no one was around, that the owner forgot the bag days
ago. ‘That’s my bag!’ They walk back to me to hand it over to me with much
apology. It was an honest mistake.
When twilight falls, I walk home and pray till 11:40 PM. Lord, give me much perseverance to fast and intercede
in prayer for the multitude of precious lost Japanese souls
around me.
I relish the much lovely autumn
weather, several days of prayer and fasting (often on the mountain top), and
frequent times of prayer, fellowship and delicious meals at Bill Cook’s house,
walking to and from there in this lovely nature. Bill’s wife Rose Mary is a
good cook and they look out for this bachelor’s
nourishment, feeding me at their table and giving me food to take home. I am most
thankful for their abundant generosity to me.
Monday 29 November: I awaken to lovely white
winter scenery. The first serious snow of the season came in the night.
Tuesday 21 December 1976: I climb Mt. Hanare with a quite heavy
pack of drinking water, planning to fast and pray there
a few days. Nights, I sleep on the bed of leaves
inside the cave. Days when weather permits, I sit atop
the white mountain praying. When it snows during the day, I stay just inside
the cave’s mouth, looking out on the white world as I pray.
“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears…” (Hebrews 5:7) By God’s Grace,
I do similarly on the mountaintop and in this cave, hoping no human is in range
of hearing. Perchance they are, they will wonder what kind of maniac abides in this
cave. At night inside the pitch-black cave, I see the bats flying in and out
the cave’s entrance, and hear the rustle of mice in
the cave. “He went up into a
mountain apart to pray.” (Matthew 14:23) Thank Thee, Precious Lord Jesus, for such a rich
life on this mission field, striving to be Christ-like.
Saturday 25 December: Praise God for a solid white Christmas, the
5th day of fasting, spending the day inside the dark cave in
rich fellowship with God my Saviour Who was born as man to save me.
This is a most blessed Christmas Day!
Monday 27 December: I descend the mount in ankle deep snow, plenty
chilled, but filled with the Joy of My Lord Jesus.
Wednesday 29 December: Upon arising, I thank God for 10 days of
fasting (alone with God, in prayer most of that time, in a cold, dark
mountain cave), and start back eating this
morning.
Friday 31 December 1976: This year passes into the history books.
I praise God for much Spiritual growth and strengthening
of my faith during this 30th year of my life.
Saturday 1 January 1977: I ride the trains to Fred Hersey’s house.
They are somewhat relaxing after days of many Christmas activities at church
and at home. There is much holiday food. Their
house is warm, bright and cheerful. Several days of soaking in this atmosphere
is most refreshing to me, after days of fasting and interceding
alone in the dark, cold cave with bats and mice.
Friday 7 January: I go to Bob and Sachiko’s house on Yokota Air
Force Base to spend this night with them. We have much to talk about (life on
Guam, missionary life in Japan, and such). And I enjoy playing with son Billy
and daughter Tamiko.
Saturday 8 January: I ride with Bob, Sachiko and Tamiko to the
Herseys’ house, and these 2 families meet for the first time. Sachiko gives the
Herseys beefsteaks from the base commissary. They all chat briefly, getting
acquainted before Bob’s family soon returns home. We eat their delicious steaks
for supper. No one has any inkling that Bob will go to Heaven in April, and
Brother and Sister Hersey and I will attend his memorial service in the chapel
on Yokota Air Force Base.
Sunday 9 January: I attend the Herseys’ church; spend this day and
most of tomorrow with them before leaving for Karuizawa. I soon
turn 31 years old.
4 February 1977: I start a 22-day fast during which time I pray
much and memorize Scripture in English and Japanese. During this fast, there
are many snowy, cold days when I bundle up in my cold room, because I have no
money for heat or food.
Saturday 26 February: I arise and eat, thanking God for the
longest fast in my life (thus far, 2024).
Sunday 27 February: I am scheduled to preach the sermon in the
Union Church’s evening joint service (foreign souls and Japanese souls
together). I will preach in English one or 2 sentences at a time. Mrs.
Takahashi will stand beside me and interpret into Japanese. I invite Mr. Boren.
(I have mentioned him.) Praise God he comes. He is Catholic. This is my only
time to see him attend a non-Catholic church service. Thank Thee; Lord, for drawing him here.
I invite 2 young Buddhist men (Mr. Hayakawa and Mr. Nishizawa),
supervisors in the cram school in Nagano City where I teach occasionally. That
is about an hour and half drive away. Thank
Thee, Lord Jesus, for drawing those 2 men (together) to church tonight. I
praise Thee for pouring out much Holy Ghost Power upon the sermon, a reward of
fasting, I believe.
When the service ends, most hearts are aglow (many somewhat
puzzled, having never seen it on this wise). I thank Mr. Boren for
coming, as he is making a quite speedy exit. The 2 young men from Nagano
City tell me they will drive me to my house. So, we 3 soon head out in their 1
car. Shortly ahead, a car runs a “Stop” sign and shoots out of a side road
across our path, dangerously close in front of us. “What!?” The 2
Japanese men in this car exclaim in shock. I recognize
the 2 young ladies in that car. Both are my language teachers and are leaving
the same church service. The 2 Japanese men come into my house, we chat
briefly, and they leave for their long drive to Nagano City.
That reckless lady driver lives next door to me. “Come to my house
and let’s sing praise a while,” she had said to her “passenger” at the end of
the church service. I soon bed down, but am kept awake while they sing loud
praise next door for more than an hour. Thank
Thee, Lord Jesus, that Heaven came down and Glory filled our souls
tonight. Please make all us Christians always
willing to pay the price for such Holy Ghost Power.
The next day, I go into young Miss
Hagiwara’s classroom for my lesson. “Last night, Miss Suzuki and I were so
blessed in the service that she asked me to come home with her and sing praise.
We were so excited as we drove away that she ran a ‘Stop’ sign and almost
collided with another car!”
‘I know. I was in that other car!’ My answer
surprised her.
Soon after, I go into elderly Mrs. Sasaki’s class for my lesson
and she says; “Last night, your face and head glowed ever so brightly as you
preached!” Dayspring from on High,
visit us again and again, we plead! Help
us to pay the necessary price!
On this same day (Monday 28 February), I receive a letter from
Mrs. Sparks on Guam. “We plan to leave for the States on July 15th.
Please come house sit for us.”
‘Ready! Set! GO!’ (not hardly yet)
Sunday 20 March 1977: Up to my alarm clock at 2:30 AM to catch a
4:19 AM express train to Ueno in Tokyo. Expecting to see plenty of vacant seats
at such an early hour, I am shocked to have to stand up in a packed
train. I ride 2 more trains to arrive at Haijima Station where Bob’s family of
4 meets me, and I ride with them to their church near Yokota Base. We have a blessed
morning service, and Pastor Willet asks me to preach tonight.
His invitation thrilled me. Then God richly
blessed the night service, joyful testimonies popping up spontaneously
after the sermon. No one wanted to leave the lingering afterglow,
praise God. I spend the night with Bob’s family. Bob just returned
yesterday from a few weeks of Navy schooling in the States, and today all 4 of
his family are delighted to be together again.
Monday 21 March: Bob has today off, having just flown back from
the States. After Billy and Tamiko walk to their grammar
school nearby on Yokota Base, Bob joyfully tells how he got to visit his mother
and all 5 of his brothers and sisters while in the States, tho they live scattered far apart (some he had not seen for
several years). He had such a blessed trip, and now he, wife and 2
children are unusually glad to be back together again.
In a few weeks I will meet his mother and all his siblings for the
first time, to stand before them all to preach at Bob’s funeral in Mississippi.
At that time, I think back on how gracious God was to Bob near the end of his
life on earth, allowing him these memorial times with all members of his
immediate family. I speak to them of his joy upon returning to Japan after visiting
with each of them. Today I part from him and Sachiko
at their house on Yokota Air Force Base, and soon return to my house.
Saturday 9 April 1977: As when I lived in Bethel House, I have no
phone of my own here in Christian Center. I am eating a late breakfast this
morn when Bill Cook shows up unexpectedly. “Mrs. Hersey called my house.
Sachiko had called her wanting to know if she could get an urgent message
to you. Bob has been seriously injured
(yesterday). Sachiko is with him in Yokosuka Naval Hospital. She wants you to
come keep their two children at home.” Today, I set my affairs in order at
home.
Bob was riding his motorcycle quite slowly on a stretch of street
under construction. Uneven pavement (due to construction) at the edge of the street, caused Bob to lose control and hit a utility pole
right at the edge of the street. The motorcycle’s handlebar (or something)
struck Bob hard enough to badly bruise a sizable portion of his
liver. He was taken to Yokosuka Naval Hospital where he was in surgery for 12
hours as doctors removed that bruised liver portion (more than half).
His condition was most grave and guarded. Family and friends were
notified. All us Christians set in praying fervently for Bob.
Easter Sunday 10 April: I ride trains to Yokota Base and start
making phone calls till I locate Billy and Tamiko at Larry’s house (a church
friend of Bob and Sachiko). I eat supper at Larry’s, attend church with them in
the evening, and they bring Billy, Tamiko and me to Bob’s house where this bachelor
starts housekeeping with 2 children. Help
us, Lord!
Daily, Billy and Tamiko walk the short
distance from their house to Yokota Elementary School; walk back home for lunch, and then walk home in mid afternoon when school lets
out.
Monday 11 April 1977: I begin the routine of fixing
breakfast for us three, seeing those two off to school, fixing their lunch, and
later their supper. While Billy and Tamiko are away from the house at school, I
do laundry, clean house, and talk quite a bit on the phone (and to friends and acquaintances
who drop in to Bob’s house), about Bob and about the many things I must
do.
I strive to get all chores done before Billy and Tamiko
return from school in mid afternoon, and then spend time with them, helping
with homework, playing together and such, being as cheerful as possible. Their
mother calls from the hospital most every day to talks
to each of them. At bedtime, I read the Bible and pray with them, especially
praying for their Dad’s healing and for their Mother. Local friends bring us nice casseroles and such good
food, and help in any way they can.
On Wednesday night, we 3 attend their church service.
Friday 15 April: I previously called the Herseys to ask if I may
bring Billy and Tamiko out for supper tonight. “Come on.” So, I drive Bob’s car to the Hersey
house. Their son, Paul, is just a little older than Billy. Paul went all out to
make it a fun time for his 2 guests, and he succeeded well. I rejoice to
see that.
Sunday 17 April: We three attend their church. Then Pastor Willet
and wife have us 3 to their house for lunch. Returning home, Sachiko’s sister
and family (living in the area) come visit, and all the children play much. I welcome all “fun” that Billy and Tamiko can have
now. Pastor Willet asks me to preach at church tonight, and it is an honor to
do so. Returning home, Sachiko calls, for her and Bob to talk to each child on
the phone.
Monday 18 April: I ride trains to the hospital to visit with Bob
and Sachiko 2 hours or so, and
then return to their house to be with Billy and Tamiko. Bob is
able to talk to me, and I do all I can to encourage him in the Lord.
A few days later (when I go to my house in Karuizawa to attend to
my affairs there), friends take Billy and Tamiko to the hospital to see their Dad. Bob is most happy to see his children.
Sadly, Bob’s condition deteriorates and
he goes into a coma.
Tuesday 3 May 1977: Sachiko’s sister comes to their house to keep
Billy and Tamiko. I ride trains to Yokosuka to go be with Sachiko in the
hospital. Several of their friends visit. “Bob told me that if he dies, he
wants to be buried back home in Mississippi,” Sachiko tells me when she and I
are alone.
‘If it comes to that, I’ll be glad to accompany you and the
children back there, if you want me to do so.’
“Thank you.”
I stay at the hospital till Bob’s death 2 days later, trying to be
a comfort, and a help with much paperwork and such. A
Navy friend of Bob and Sachiko takes Sachiko and me in his van to their Yokota
house where Sachiko’s sister is, looking after Billy and Tamiko. Sachiko soon
takes the 2 children into Billy’s bedroom to tell them of their Dad. “The God of all
comfort.” Thank Thee, Precious Lord
Jesus, for comforting us.
Sachiko’s brother and sisters come with their families. American
friends drop in to pay their respects.
Monday 9 May: I walk to school with Billy (age 10) and Tamiko (age
9), going with each to his and her homeroom to pick up personal things from his
and her desk, and to bid a final Farewell to their classmates and teachers. I
go to the school office with them to get their school records to take to
Mississippi.
Bob’s memorial service in Yokota Base Chapel is held
this afternoon. Many souls attend, including Brother and Sister Hersey. A
Japanese preacher is among the speakers, preaching in Japanese to Sachiko’s
family and some Japanese friends.
Everything is sort of a hurried blur; much to be done as Sachiko
packs suitcases for her family of 3 to take to the States,
and gives instructions to military friends and authorities regarding
packing up and shipping all their family’s household goods back to
Mississippi.
Thursday 12 May: We four walk out of their house with our
suitcases and bags, amidst many Farewells there and at
Haneda Airport. I fly to the States with Sachiko,
Billy and Tamiko. We go all way to Bob’s home place in rural Mississippi, where
his Mother, siblings, and their families await us.
Saturday 14 May: At Bob’s funeral, after his sister’s pastor
preaches, I preach on eternal life in Christ, and tell
how that Bob had spoken to me clearly of his Faith in Jesus Christ. I look out
on his many family members as I tell them of being in Bob’s home in Japan upon
his return from the States, and Bob telling how good it was visiting his Mother and all his siblings Stateside.
My Dad and stepmother drive here for the funeral, and drive back
to their house near Vernon, Alabama today. I remain here.
Sunday 15 May: I am honored to preach at the evening church
service in Bob’s sister’s church with most of Bob’s family attending. I stay here with Bob’s family a few
days.
Wednesday 18 May: A different pastor asks me to preach at his
church tonight, a few miles away, another rich blessing. Each day, I
endeavor to say everything I can in the way of godly encouragement to Sachiko,
Billy and Tamiko.
Thursday 19 May: This is my last complete day with this dear
family. We do much together
today. Approaching bedtime, I pray aloud with these three. Billy announces that
he will pray aloud. As he does, that 10-year-old “man of the house” thanks God
for all I have done for his family. Touching. He and
Tamiko soon drift off to sleep on a quilt pallet in the living room where
Sachiko and I talk till late. As I leave to walk to Bob’s sister’s house nearby
to sleep there, I kneel down on the pallet on the
floor where both Billy and Tamiko are sound asleep, my heart crumbling
all to pieces. These 2 kids have become most dear to my heart since
10 April. I linger, plant a kiss on Tamiko’s cheek, pat Billy on the
head, and walk away with difficulty.
Friday 20 May: I take Billy and Tamiko fishing and row boat riding on their Uncle Charlie’s small pond
(savoring each minute), soon bid them all Farewell, and their Uncle Marty
drives me to the bus station in Meridian. I catch a bus to Columbus,
Mississippi where my brother Sidney meets me, takes me to his house briefly,
and soon on to Daddy’s house. My sister and small son Tommy,
arrive tonight from Illinois where they now live.
Saturday and Sunday are like a whirlwind as I visit with many
relatives. Sunday morning at 10 AM, I teach Daddy’s adult Sunday School class.
At 11 AM, I preach the sermon. My immediate family all attend church here
today, along with several relatives and friends. My family has Sunday lunch and
a blessed afternoon at Daddy’s house, with relatives and others dropping in to
visit. It was hard to get away in time to go preach at the Nazarene church at 6
PM. Then rush on to Daddy’s church to preach at the 7 PM service, when several
different friends (visitors) come hear me preach tonight. So blessed!
Daily I visit many people and preach at Freewill Chapel on Wednesday
night 25 May. The next day, I drive Charles’ car to
Uncle Kilby Yerby’s house in Birmingham. After visiting him and Aunt Olivia
briefly, I drive to Mrs. Mars’ house. It’s a joy to see my adopted
Mother. Her daughter happened to be here now. I visit with their neighbors also, and get away at 11 PM. It’s all I can do to stay awake
an hour and half, driving to Tuscaloosa where I get a motel room, and collapse
into bed after 1 AM. I return to Vernon the next day, Friday the 27th.
Saturday 28 May 1977: I arise at 5 AM at
Daddy’s house to eat breakfast with him and Ina (my stepmother), get into their
car with them to leave at 6 AM. They drive me to
Tuscaloosa Airport. Dad weeps as we say our Farewells. “I’m proud of you.” That
is the 1st time Daddy said that to me, tho I am past my 31st
birthday. I so wish he could have said such to a little son,
when time and again (from 7th thru 12th grade of school)
I handed him a Straight A’s report card for him to sign, and he did so with no
comment. Parents, are you awake and paying attention??
I fly to Atlanta, change planes, and fly on to New Bern, North
Carolina where Brother Beau is waiting at the airport. He drives me straight to
Pleasant Acres Church where Hubert and Jodie’s wedding is just starting.
They are both dear friends of mine. As I quietly enter the foyer, there
stands beautifully arrayed bride Jodie with her attendant maids, and other such
folks. I can see awe on her face behind the veil as I smile broadly at
her, and ease on in to a pew near the rear because
the ceremony has already started. After the wedding Jody tells me; “I had made
up my mind that I would not cry at my wedding. But when I saw you
show up unexpectedly, I cried.” Sorry to ruin your wedding, sweet
Jody, but so glad for this perfect timing of our Lord.
Two days with my Pleasant Acres church friends are a blur of activity till 2 AM or so each night (morning).
Sunday 29 May: At church I speak to the young adult Sunday School
class I used to teach. I cut that short to go talk to Evelyn’s primary girls’
class. At the 6 PM service, I preach, and the Lord fills the altar with young
souls after the sermon. Heaven came down and glory filled our souls, praise
God! Again, it is 2 AM before I get to bed.
Monday 30 May: When I was previously at Pleasant Acres, Brother
Gene Outland was pastor. He now pastors in the Raleigh-Durham area. I fly there late this afternoon. He meets me at the airport to
take me to High School Graduation service at the church school his daughter
attends. I spend the night with them, retiring at 2 AM.
Tuesday 31 May: I fly thru Chicago and on to Tulsa, Oklahoma where
Gerry (from Owasso) meets me at the airport. He drives me to see several old
Owasso friends. His wife asks me to speak at church
ladies’ auxiliary meeting tonight. ‘Sure.’ After it, back
to their house with several folks to chat till June.
Wednesday 1 June 1977: I fly from Tulsa to Dallas, Texas where Bob’s
brother, Glen, is waiting for me. He takes me to his house to visit with his family and we all have supper together. Then Glen takes me
for a drive, showing me the office building where he works. Also, we drive thru
the location in Dallas where President Kennedy was shot.
Back at Glen’s house before bedtime, we are surprised to get a
call from Sachiko in Mississippi. Glen is a lawyer and is handling Bob’s will
and such legal matters after Bob’s death. Sachiko asks Glen something about
those matters, and then asks to speak to me. She knew
I planned to be at Glen’s house tonight. She and I talk. “I just pretended I
needed to ask Glen something, so I could talk to you again before you return to
Japan.” So, after we 2 talk, I also talk to Billy and
Tamiko in turn. Precious!
Thursday 2 June: I bid Farewell to Glen’s family; he drives me to
the airport and parts from me. I fly from Dallas to San Francisco to board Pan
AM’s (around the world) Flight 001 non-stop to Tokyo, and
arrive safely in Japan on Friday 3 June. I call
Brother Fred’s house, and they say I may come. I ride
trains to his house. We all talk till late.
Saturday 4 June: I need to touch base with Bob and Sachiko’s
friends and co-workers on Yokota AF Base. So, after breakfast with Fred’s
family, I ride 2 trains to Yokota, walk to Bob and Sachiko’s empty,
silent, still, and ever so forlorn house to
linger outside briefly, just for old time’s sake. I walk to the flight
terminal to eat lunch there, and use the payphone to
call Colonel Ketchum (Bob’s commanding officer). I report to him about our trip
to the States and Bob’s funeral. I call military friends and church friends of
Bob’s family. Soon a church guy comes and takes me to his house for the
afternoon, supper, and then to church for an evangelistic service tonight with
Dave Martin preaching. Pastor Willet asks me to tell everyone about our trip,
Bob’s funeral, and such. A church member drives me to Brother Fred’s house
about 9 PM.
Sunday 5 June: I attend Brother Fred’s church this morning, then
have a delicious lunch at his house with his family. “You didn’t want to stay
longer in the States to visit churches, family, and friends?” Bro. Fred
inquires kindly.
‘That would have been nice. But I had to get back
here to set personal things in order in Karuizawa, to fly to Guam soon.’
For some unknown reason, Brother Fred rolls his eyes toward
heaven and sighs. Missionaries do strange things!
“They certainly do, now don’t they??”
‘Now just which missionary are you referring to?!’
I soon depart, to ride 3 trains to Karuizawa, to walk the half
mile to my house at Christian Center with my heavy bag, after dark,
in the rain, with no umbrella. Brother Nakata (the caretaker) has
cut off all electricity at the breaker box. I know approximately
where it is located, and stumble around in the dark till I feel it and turn on
the lights. I take off wet clothes, hang them out, dry
off with a towel, and soon go to bed. What a reception (void of other
humans)! Welcome home!
Much water has
gone under the bridge since I left my abode 57 days ago on Easter
Morning April the 10th. While in Bob and Sachiko’s house with Billy
and Tamiko, my sleep was insufficient many nights.
That problem worsened in the States, as I made the most of the short time I had
with loved ones each place that I went. One night, I sat talking with Charles
in his house in Vernon. “It’s 3 AM. We might as well just stay up all night,”
Charles mused.
‘No, I’m about to pass out.’ Saying thus, I went to
bed in his house for 5 hours.
“And talked a long while, even to break of day.” (Acts 20:11)
Arriving wet at my house in Karuizawa on 5 June, I am more
physically drained than I have ever been in my life. I have a deep-seated
cold, or walking pneumonia. Dead man walking.
It requires about 4 weeks of taking it plenty easy for me to recover.
Sunday 12 June: I have been back home exactly 1 full week
when Mrs. Nakata unexpectedly comes to my house about 7:30 PM tonight
with a sad face to say to me in formal Japanese. “Pastor Takahashi was summoned
to Heaven.” It takes my slow mind a few seconds to comprehend that polite
Japanese manner of speaking. Pastor Takahashi had died, of a stroke,
less than 2 hours before, (my former landlord at Bethel House and my local
pastor here at the Gospel Church).
Tuesday 14 June: More than 200 Japanese and foreigners attend
Pastor Takahashi’s funeral in the large Union Church, starting at 10 AM and
lasting more than 2 hours. I am among them. He was 71 years old, more than 7
years younger than I am now, as I re-edit this in late 2024). Reader Friend,
the end of your short earthly journey will come sooner than
you think. Where will you end up for all eternity?
Monday 20 June: A letter from the Sparks family on Guam says they
are to fly to the States on 12 July. Today (on the phone) I make
plane reservations with JAL to fly to Guam on 11 July.
On returning to my house in Karuizawa from the States, I vaguely
planned to get back into language study. But there is much else to be done that
prevents me from going back to school. So, my final day of classes
at Karuizawa Language School turned out to be Friday 8 April 1977, the day Bob
was injured.
Thus, I depart the missionary language school with absolutely
no ceremony, no vain speeches, essentially no Farewells; no
fanfare at all. Such suits me well.
Sunday 10 July: Daily I stay plenty occupied in Karuizawa
till this afternoon when I take my large bag, and ride
the trains to Fred’s house to spend the evening in fine fellowship.
Monday 11 July 1977: I arise at 5:30 AM at Brother Fred’s house to
board my plane to Guam on time. Thank God for a safe trip. I like this old
airport terminal building on Guam (that soon gets replaced by a more restricted
one). We deplane on the tarmac to walk a short distance into the terminal
building. Spectators come to an upstairs open balcony.
“Uncle Sam!” Upon deplaning, I soon hear Vo and
Vincent Tung excitedly calling to me from the balcony. As soon as I can get to
them, I happily greet them and a few other precious friends from Villa Verde
Apartments.
Mrs. Sparks is here with 2 sons. While I was in Japan, they moved
from Barrigada Heights to Jonestown in Tamuning. I ride
home with them where all 3 boys talk to me a mile a minute. Mrs. Sparks soon
goes to buy chicken for supper, as it would be hard to cook at home now. I am
surprised when she soon returns with a young Japanese man and wife, tourists.
When she saw them in the chicken store, she invited them home with her because
I can talk with them. They enjoy supper with us, and then I accompany Mr. Sparks
as he drives this couple back to their hotel.
Tuesday 12 July: The Sparks family briefs me on my various duties
as house sitter. After 11 PM tonight, I accompany all five of them to the
airport for their departure scheduled before 1 AM. I stay to watch their
airplane take off, then drive back to their large house to lodge there alone
several weeks with much food in the kitchen, and 2 cars to use. Truly, Lord Jesus, Thou hast made me the most blessed human soul on
the face of this earth. Thank Thee, Precious Lord. Please guard over and
protect the Sparks’ house, property, and possessions while they are away.
Wednesday 13 July: Churches have services tonight. The first time
I came to Guam, my Lord miraculously provided the Miller family to graciously
host me several months. So I naturally attended
church with them at Bay View Baptist. In that church, I heard frequent
talk of Harvest Baptist Church, how that Harvest strongly stood for the
King James 1611 Bible.
“Was that frequent talk for or against
the KJV 1611 Bible?”
‘It most certainly was!’
I occasionally saw Harvest Church vans on the highways and learned
they had a bus ministry, bringing in a good number of souls to church. This
time, I am living alone on Guam (tho in the house of members of Bay View
church). I have a car to drive where I want to go. So tonight, I am blessed by
the service at Harvest. Pastor Wring and family are presently in the States.
Missionary Randall (from the island of Ponape) is here filling in for him.
Thursday 14 July: Tonight, I drive to Harvest for church
visitation. Brother Randall asks me to ride with him on visitation, and it is a
blessing to get acquainted with him.
Friday 15 July: I drive out to Villa Verde just about every day to
visit Vietnamese friends. I read Bible stories to the children. I grew most
fond of Lynn when I was here last summer. Then, the Tung boys were very
open to praying to Jesus, but not this 5-year-old girl. So, I prayed for her much
till now. Today when I ask Lynn (now 6, I think) if she wants to pray to Jesus,
she is not only willing, but also eager. My heart overflows with joy as
she prays after me in earnest (as we sit on the living room floor of her
apartment). Then I walk to the Tungs’ apt., where Mrs. Tung joins her sons and
me in revival, singing and reading. Glory! The following night, I
hold another spontaneous glorious
revival service in the Tungs’ house with Mrs. Tung, sons, and Lynn attending.
(Lynn lives very close by, with her dad and mom.)
Sunday 17 July: I pick up Lynn and Sandy to take them to church at
Harvest. (I have been visiting the Millers at home, but have not yet attended
their church, Bay View. They noticed that.)
“When the Millers had talked of Harvest Baptist in your presence,
were they generally for or against it?”
‘They most certainly were!’
Monday 18 July: Vacation Bible School starts at Bay View. I
take the 3 older Tung boys, one other boy, Lynn, and Sandy (6 little eternal
souls) to VBS. We return to Villa Verde at noon where Lynn’s mom feeds me dog
bone soup in her house. Mr. Tung desires that his 4 sons become great.
Life on this small island doesn’t hold much potential for that. So, Mr. Tung is
moving his family to California soon. This evening, the Vietnamese folks in
Villa Verde apartments have a gala Farewell meal for the Tung family. My
cordial Farewell gesture is to eat much of their healthy, delicious
Chinese and Vietnamese food.
“Missionary Boy, you sound like freeloader.”
‘Many souls, “bery” kind to Missionary Boy, thank God!’
Tuesday 19 July: I feel like I am in Heaven as I again haul a
carload of souls (including Minh, a Vietnamese boy about 8) to VBS that ends at
noon each day. Then back in the Tungs’ apt., one spontaneous revival service
follows another on the hard tile floor of the boys’ bedroom as sisters
Marie and Vicky (who live above the Tungs) pray for salvation. At a later
session, Julius says he wants to pray, and he does. These 2 new girls get
permission from their mom to go to VBS tomorrow. I drive to the Miller house
and ask Mrs. Miller to take them, as my car is full, praise God. Upon going to
Harvest, there I met Billy Brunson and his Vietnamese wife, Mai. Tonight, they
have me to supper at their house with their 2 sons. This starts many years
of precious fellowship with this wonderful Christian couple (till
their deaths).
Wednesday 20 July: Most every morning when I arrive at Minh’s
house to take him to VBS, he is still in bed. This morn (as usual), I go into
his bedroom, wake him, prod him to get dressed and get into the full car, and
off we go again. When I bring him back home at noon
today, no one is home. So, I take him on to Villa
Verde and beg Lynn’s mom to also feed him dog bone soup. She does, and I
take him home later. I run
several errands this afternoon, and come
back to the Tungs’ house for supper. “I want to go to church with you tonight
too,” their oldest son (Vo) tells me. His parents give their Catholic son
permission, and he goes to Harvest with me for the 7 PM service, praise God!
Vacation Bible School ends at noon on Friday, a most blessed
week of winning precious little souls to the Saviour of the world. In the midst of that much activity and hauling, one of the 2
cars quits on me. I have a mechanic-minded friend look at it. “Needs sparkplug wires, distributor cap and
rotor.” Salt sea air is hard on such. I buy those parts, change them all
myself, and get the car running again. Life on Guam! Tropical Paradise
Island! Love it!
Sunday 24 July: Four girls ride with me to Harvest church. Tho no soul at Harvest knew of my existence till 12 days
ago, I am most honored that they ask me to teach the
adult Sunday School class this morning. After church, I take the girls home,
then rush to jail. Harvest men preach at the jail at 1 PM. Today,
I am blessed to preach in jail, followed by hospital visitation. Then I catch a
little shuteye in the Sparks’ house before driving to Villa Verde to pack the
car full of little souls to take them to Bay View tonight for the VBS kids to sing
and quote Bible verses at church.
Tuesday 26 July: I start knocking on doors a few days each week,
going from door to door to give a Harvest tract and invite people to come to
church.
Wednesday 27 July: Vo, Vu and Viet (the 3 older Tung boys) ride
with me to Harvest for 7 PM church service. Pastor Wring and family have just
returned from the States, so I meet them.
Thursday 28 July: At church visitation tonight, I pair up with
sailor Jim, U.S. Navy, and we 2 get acquainted.
Saturday 30 July: Daily, I drive to Villa Verde. Today Mr. and
Mrs. Tung go to a wedding. I am left with their boys. Lynn and her friend Chau
(Vietnamese girl about 9), come to the Tungs’ apt. I ask Lynn to go get her
Bible Story Book. As I read Bible stories to those children, Chau prays to ask
Jesus to save her. “Shall reap in joy!”
On this side of the world (Asia and the Pacific Ocean), I go by
the name “Sam”. The children on Guam call me “Uncle Sam”.
Sunday 31 July: Lynn, Chau, and Sandy ride to church with me.
Sandy’s family has moved out of Villa Verde to
Barrigada Heights. “I want to sing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ to Daddy,” Sandy says when
we get to her house after church. So, we all sing to her parents. Glory! I head
on to Villa Verde with Lynn and Chau.
“Uncle Sam, I want some of those papers to give to people.”
“Me too,” Chau pipes up after Lynn. It is Joy Unspeakable And Full Of Glory to give tracts to these 2 new little Christians, that now desire
to sow Gospel seed. Use them, Lord!
I have informed family and friends in the States of my address on
Guam, and of the Sparks’ phone number. After I get home from church tonight,
Sachiko calls from Mississippi. “Glen helped me buy a house near him in Dallas.
In 2 weeks or so, we 3 will be moving there.” I sense this move
is the Lord’s Will. Glen is most desirous to take Sachiko and her children
under his wing.
July 1977 ends. Thank Thee, Precious
Lord Jesus, for greater Heavenly Joy than I have ever
known before (in Thy harvest)!
Tuesday 2 August 1977: When I go to Villa Verde, no one is at home
at the Tungs or at Lynn’s apt. I find Lynn and Chau at Chau’s apt. (Latchkey
kids). We play a while. Sing, “Jesus Loves Me”, one
asks me. After singing, they repeatedly follow me in
short prayers. One says to me; “I want to pray again. It feels so good.” I didn’t
prod her. That bubbled out of her joyful
heart! Thank Thee, Lord, for doing
these 2 little souls so much good!
We 3 go outside onto the apartment grounds (where there are a
couple of tables, chairs, swing, slide, and such), and they want to continue
singing “Jesus Loves Me”. Glory to God, we do so! Several people around us hear
it. It’s like Heaven! My childhood was much hard adult
farm labor and miserable poverty, during which time my fine Christian
Dad never once called on me to sing a Christian song for him.
(Christian Parents, are you listening??)
But now, God is giving me a “latter in the day” fun childhood in this
Tropical Paradise. Thank Thee, Lord, for doing my little soul so
much good this day!
I make several trips to Faith Bookstore, taking some of these kids
each time to buy New Testaments and Bible storybooks for each. On Sunday 7 August,
7 little souls pack my car full, as it happily chugs to and from church.
Tuesday 9 August: I visit the Kenney family often. (Mrs. Kenney is
the Japanese lady working in their consulate.) “Come preach in Japanese to the Palau
church group that has a service in Japanese each Tuesday night,” Mrs. Kenney
invites me. So tonight, I drive to their small church where we sing hymns in Japanese and I preach. These Palau Island folks were forced
to learn Japanese when their island was “occupied” during the war. Now, they
have this weekly night service in Japanese for Mrs. Kenney and other Japanese
Christians (and me), to teach and preach in Japanese. I am most
blessed.
Saturday 13 August: I join Harvest men at church for Work Day and help Air Force Captain Travis (electrical
engineer) replace electrical wiring and such. This drab concrete block building
was built to house a printing shop. Harvest church was
started only about 3 years ago, renting this place soon after. Soon they
will purchase it, remodel it several times before tearing it down to build a
fancy building years later. This brown concrete and block building isn’t
fancy at all. But I see Spiritual Fire burning hottest now, and sadly
watch it steadily cool over the decades, as this
church becomes “great” (a typical, tragic trend).
Pastor Wring’s family and I are invited to a church family’s house
for a blessed suppertime tonight.
Tonight, Mrs. Tung and her 4 sons plan to fly to California. Mr.
Tung plans to go days later when he gets all loose
ends tied up here. Their youngest boy is only 3 or 4
years old, so he has little to do with me. I thank God for the much time He has
given me, teaching the other 3 boys of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, after I stuff my freeloader belly full of Baptist grub
tonight, I later drive to the airport where many Vietnamese have come to see
Mrs. Tung and boys off. When I arrive, the 3 older sons gravitate to me like
I’m a magnet. “Uncle Sam, let’s pray together!” I gladly comply with Vu’s
plea, and I pray aloud. These boys have had somewhat of a stable life on Guam
after the traumatic upheaval of fleeing their war-torn native
land as refugees just over 2 years ago. Now they are being uprooted again,
to go live in a new foreign place. They are plenty apprehensive.
I’m so blessed that they gravitate to me, because I’ve
done more than anyone else to impart eternal stability to their
souls. Christian Friend, what are you doing daily to
impart eternal stability to the multitude of perishing souls
around you??
The Tungs are “flying standby” (cheapest rate). But the plane is
full. No empty seats. False alarm. All of us return to our houses before
2 AM Sunday, to catch a few Z’s.
Sunday the 14th: After Sunday AM church, a different
church family has me for lunch. Soon after, I go knocking on doors in the Name
of Christ. After the evening church service, I drive to the airport at midnight
for the same “gathering of eagles” as 24 hours ago. Bingo! The 5
Tungs get standby seats, and fly away to California.
Mrs. Tung is most emotional, weeping much as she bids Farewell to each
of us (especially emotional with her Vietnamese lady friends). Her sons have forlorn
faces. I encourage them in the Lord. You please do the same to the souls around
you.
Monday the 15th: I am burning the midnight oil most
every night (and the tropical heat drains one’s vigor). So, I am most
blessed to have weekday early
mornings free to catch up on needed rest. Thus, the knocking on
my door before 8 AM awakens me. I hurriedly dress, to
find Mr. Tung at the door. He feels awfully lonely with all
his family gone. Tho he has many Vietnamese friends around him, to whom
does he gravitate? ‘Come on in.’ He brought pictures that he shows,
while he talks for more than 2 hours and then leaves. I drive to Villa Verde in
the afternoon to visit with Lynn and Chau briefly. The Tung boys have vanished.
Michelle’s family is right now moving out of here into Navy housing. Feels
lonely. Pilgrims and strangers on
earth! Tonight, I go to Harvest to join the men’s
Work Night.
Tuesday 16 August: Lynn willingly goes “door knocking” with me.
She holds the tracts and offers one, after I talk to people at their doors. Thursday,
when I take her door knocking in an old housing area, she pitches a small fit
to go knock on nice doors, as we have done thus far. High class,
this 6-year-old Christian lady.
After I left Guam last September 2nd, Ricky and Nu soon
bought a new house in the lovely new housing development (Perez Acres) in Yigo, and moved there from Villa Verde (about 2 miles away).
I have visited his house many times this trip, one main reason being that High-Class
Little Lynn likes to go to that fancy housing area. So, I take
her to Uncle Ricky’s to play, and to knock on fancy doors, that
suit her little proud fancy. “House sit for us
while we go to the States,” Ricky now asks of me.
“And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or
sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s
sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit
everlasting life.” (Matthew 19:29) My Christian Friend, some fellow Christians refuse
Christ’s Calling for their lives, because there are things they do not want to
give up. Rest assured, that makes them big losers while on
this earth, and for all eternity. Don’t you dare be one of them.
Don’t cheat your own self!
Talking this over with Ricky, we arrange for Vietnamese friends to
keep an eye on their house for the next few days till the Sparks return. Then I
will be free to come live in Ricky’s house.
“Busy Missionary Boy!”
‘NO, bless-ed Missionary Boy! Ever so
Most bless-ed!’
Wednesday 17 August: At midnight, I again go to the airport, this
time to bid Farewell to Ricky, Nu and infant Diane.
Friday 19 August: I search for Michelle’s
house in Navy Housing at Navy Comm Station, where Bob was stationed when I
first met his family at Bay View. I find Michelle’s house,
and invite her to ride to church with me. Her mother invites me in at 5
PM and talks non-stop till 10:30. ‘I must go,’ I announce when she pauses for
breath. Michelle has been bored to death the whole time. Both
of them follow me outside. Michelle shuts the door behind her, accidentally
locking them out of their house with no key. Navy hubby is working the mid shift till 11 PM. “He will be home
in an hour with the key.” They have no way to call him, and he goes to the bar
after work. I stay to guard over these 2 ladies in their carport, till Hubby
returns in his truck at 2 AM to find Michelle asleep in their car, and wife and
I waiting in the carport for him. He has downed enough firewater to fly
into a hot rage at wife for getting locked out of the house. I drive to the Sparks’ house to bed down at 3 AM, after another typical
day in Paradise. Sure hope no one comes knocking before 8 AM.
Sat 20 August: I arrive Harvest at 11 AM
for men’s workday, and help them paint till 9 PM, eating supper with some of
them.
Sun 21 August: Several children ride to church with me. “Let’s go
to that other church. It’s nicer.” Just about each time I bring Lynn to drab
brown Harvest blockhouse; she hounds me to take her to more attractive Bay View
Church on the cliff line overlooking the ocean. Today, she is cantankerous, and
when I take her home after church, she proclaims to me that she will not go
to that church (Harvest) again. How blessed I am, to have won such a high-class
little soul to the Lord. Perfect her class,
Lord!
Monday 22 August: I go door knocking at sleazy apartments near
Hotel Row. Driving away from the area, I come upon an
accident site. A pedestrian Japanese lady tourist had been struck by a car and
was killed. So Sad and Tragic! Vacation on Guam!
Wednesday 24 August: Mr. Tung shows up unannounced after I
finish watering Mrs. Sparks’ many flowers, to tell me he is leaving tonight. We
all knew that he would be leaving “any time”, as soon as he ties up all loose
ends. He is plenty apprehensive, and desirous to talk to me. So, I talk with him, and assure him that I will come to the airport tonight. After
church at Harvest, I go to the airport just before midnight,
and find Mr. Tung amongst many Vietnamese friends. Tonight, he is
more apprehensive about starting a new life for his family in
California. He separates from many other close friends (of his own tribe on
earth), to come sit on the bench with me in the tropical hot night air.
“What can you give me from the Bible at this time?”
I silently ask the Lord what to give him. ‘You know of King
Solomon and his wisdom?’ Mr. Tung nods. ‘Listen to his words of wisdom.’ I
quote from memory: “Trust in the Lord
with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Mr. Tung took that in well. We talk more, and I stay till he
boards the plane and flies out of my life. I have not seen any of his family
since (to date, late 2024). Lord, I want to see
them all in Heaven. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tung are highly
educated and highly capable, and thus did much for all
the Vietnamese on Guam (mainly for the many refugees who fled in 1975). His
family was an anchor to them. All of us who knew the Tungs on Guam, now greatly miss them.
Many of these Vietnamese “refugees” steadily filter from
Guam on to the States (especially the more “capable” ones), as the Tungs and
Captain Anh’s family have done. Time and again, we friends come to the airport
to see loved ones depart, likely to never again see them on earth. “I don’t
like this place (the airport). It’s nothing but sad occasions and
sad memories,” Lynn’s Vietnamese mom sadly remarks to me
at the airport, on one of the many times we gather there for such
an occasion.
Thursday 25 August: As previously arranged, I walk over a
mile to a Vietnamese house to pick up Ricky’s car and the keys to it and to his
house. I drive his car back to the Sparks’ house.
Public schools start back today, after summer vacation. For days,
Lynn has been excitedly talking to me about starting first grade. Today is her
1st day of school. I drive to Ville Verde
soon after Lynn returns home on the school bus. She was thrilled with
school, excitedly tells me much about it, and shows me the picture she drew in school. The picture is of drab
brown Harvest church with 1 church bus. Sweet
Jesus, thank You for doing this precious little girl’s high-class heart ever
so much good!
Lynn rides with me out to Ricky’s nice empty house, and I check on
it for the 1st time. I talk with Lynn in the living room and pray
with her.
In increments, the Sparks slide their return time by more
than a week, leaving me in limbo almost daily, knowing they could arrive
any day. It has been a joy to water her many flowers
outside, cut the grass, and look after the 1 chicken and 1 dog. (I think the
chicken had showed up in their yard as a “stray”, and the boys wanted to keep
it.)
Monday 5 September 1977: I drive the Sparks’ car to the airport
after 1 AM. The family of 5 finally returns this morn. I accompany them
home, help them carry their much luggage and boxes into the house, and then I drive
Ricky’s car to his house, arriving about 5 AM to begin house sitting in
this nice new house.
I’ve been sleep deprived for days now, in wearisome tropical heat. I’m worn out
and most sleepy. Now, I no longer have a
dog and chicken to feed, or grass to cut. I lie down
on Ricky and Nu’s large comfortable bed with no set time for arising. I am
surprised that I sleep quite soundly most of the next 12 hours (plus), when the
doorbell rings at 5:45 PM. It is Ricky’s Japanese neighbor, Miss Misako. She
brings me warm curry rice ready to eat. I thank her, eat it, go to bed for the
night to awaken late the next morning, feeling
much better after 28 hours of sleepy recuperation.
“Lazy Missionary Boy, doing what he does best, no doubt!”
After Marie and Vicky’s family moved out of Villa Verde, I visit them at their new location, and
get them to ride the bus to Harvest.
Tuesday 6 September: I visit them today, and as I play with them
in their yard, several neighborhood kids join us. I talk of Jesus and soon ask
who wants to ask Christ to become their Saviour. Five souls say they do, and I
lead them in prayer.
Saturday 10 September: Pastor Wring invites me to go on a
missionary trip with him and church member Joe, and
buys my plane ticket. Bless him, Lord. Lynn’s mom agrees to check on
Ricky’s house while I’m gone. Today, we 3 men fly to Ponape Island. Our plane
first lands on Truk Island. We deplane, hoping Missionary Gary will be at the
airport because we are coming thru. Pastor Wring has
several pounds of ground beef on ice for Gary’s family. Gary doesn’t show. We
see the Continental Hotel bus driver, (with the bus) to take arriving guests to
the hotel.
“Can you get this meat to Gary M.?” Pastor asks driver.
“Sure,” the native driver eagerly replied. Did I detect his mouth
watering as he received that meat? (Gary never saw the meat, never even smelled
it.)
We 3 journeymen get back on the plane to
fly on to Ponape. Missionary Randall and others are waiting for us. Girls put
leis of honeysuckle smelling fresh tropical flowers around our necks. The
airport terminal is a simple thatched roof building, tropical atmosphere.
We fellowship with Brother Randall’s family and Brother Futrell’s family,
sleeping at Brother Randall’s house.
Sunday 11 September: Brother Futrell and wife come for me. I ride
with them to the boat docks, where we get into a boat motored by a local native
Christian. We motorboat along the coast about 3 miles, enter a narrow creek,
and slowly motor up the creek with trees and vines hanging overhead. We dock,
get out, and walk on a narrow mud trail uphill thru jungle growth to Lukop
Church, a tin roof on posts (poles), and no walls. A small
thatched roof on poles nearby is the Sunday School room (dirt floors
under each roof). No roads up here for land vehicles.
“The native Pompeian pastor and wife cannot speak English. But
they are fluent in Japanese from war days. So, you lay some Japanese talk on
them,” Missionary Futrell had told me.
I watch the church members arriving on trails on foot, most men
carrying a machete, swinging it at the growth encroaching the
sides of the narrow trails as they walk. Brother Futrell points out pastor and
wife to me. I greet them in Japanese. They are shocked and speechless
a few seconds, before they open up and bombard me
speaking in Japanese. “We always wish to talk freely with
missionaries who are kind enough to come to our isolated jungle church on this
isolated island, but we can’t, not knowing English. It’s wonderful, being
able to converse with you!” Thus, we happily converse together
in Japanese.
I am the guest preacher, preaching in English. A local Christian man
interprets into their language. As I preach, I gaze on the flea-bit, skuzzy
hound dog that flops down on the dirt floor right in front of the pulpit. He
appears to be the most faithful church member. And just like a good faithful
Baptist, he sleeps thru most of my sermon. After the church service, they
spread lunch. All men eat first, and then women and children. I travel back to
Brother Randall’s house in the same fashion as I went to church, to sit outside
with children, chomping sugar cane for its juice, eating bananas and tropical
fruits, as a native boy plucks away on a small guitar (ukulele). Missionary Boy
be most blessed being in Tropical Island Paradise.
Tonight, I attend Calvary Baptist Church in town, packed
quite full with over 100 souls for us 3 white guests from
afar. I give my testimony. Brother Wring, Joe and I sing a special song as
a trio, singing off-key. None of us 3 have a “singing voice”. Bro. Wring sings
off-key the best and loudest. The polite, brown
native Islanders portray a kind face to our off-key singing. But the cultured
American young lady schoolteacher present can’t help but crack up with laughter
as we sing (and I can’t blame her). Brother Wing preaches the sermon here
tonight. Joyful service!
Monday 12 September: We go boat fishing on the ocean. The shallow
tropical ocean floor is lovely as we slowly motor out in 2 boats. The local
Christian in my boat points out a large stingray, resting immobile on the ocean
floor. He prods the stingray’s back with his oar to make it gracefully scoot
away. I am fascinated to see a stingray for the first time,
but not fascinated at all by the stinging sunburn I get sitting
on the ocean a few hours. We catch plenty of fish for
a big supper tonight with several locals.
Tuesday 13 September: Church people boat us 3 around to some
popular sites, ancient rock walls built by hand and such. Then we boat up the
small stream and walk to Lukop Church (as I did Sunday) for a service tonight.
We arrive well before dark. They serve us supper. No
electricity here. No motor vehicles. In the quiet jungle night air, the local
pastor, wife, and I sing “Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
in Japanese. Pastor and wife each have a Japanese hymnbook. I strain my eyes in
the lamplight as I look on with the pastor. The dusty (or muddy)
flea-bit cur dog is faithfully at his spot, lying in the dirt in front of the
pulpit.
Bro. Wring sings a solo, again the best, loud
off-key sounds. Horribly off-key is a non-factor to
these uneducated jungle natives. But we are unaware of how highly
cultured their faithful cur dog is, likely evolved
(or devolved) from a cultured European singer who strongly believed evolution. As Brother Wring sets in singing out
lively to us human souls and surrounding jungle creatures, it
awakens the sleeping dog who elects to walk outside and howl throughout Brother
Wring’s singing, and then return
to sleep in its faithful spot as Brother Wring preaches by lamplight.
Afterward, everyone walks over to the nearby Rest House, the 3rd
of the 3 simple “roofs on poles” that make up Lukop jungle church. No one
walks thru the night jungle. Thus, the Rest House exists. It has a
raised ply board floor, but no walls, no chairs, no furniture. Their poverty
prevents furniture, and it would be stolen from this isolated location.
The women and children gravitate to one area to talk together, while some
mothers openly nurse babies. Sitting apart from the women and children on that
ply board, the local men pick our brains. Brother Wring, Joe, and I, strive to highly encourage them in the
Lord. Satanic power is most strong on
these primitive islands.
With passing time, we evolve from sitting upright on the floor, to
propping on one elbow, to lying down while talking, and finally to drifting off
to sleep by midnight, except for babies that take turns serenading us all night,
crying. Before I turn in at midnight, I make my one necessary business trip a
short ways into the jungle and back. We have no “padding” between our bodies
and the wood floor. That discomfort, plus crying babies, plus the
parrot in the can squawking, make for little sleep. (I think they
captured the parrot as they walked to church last evening, likely hoping to sell it.) Missionary adventure
galore!
Wednesday 14 September: At the break of dawn, all the locals arise
to walk home as we bid them Farewell, and we walk down the trail to the boat to
ride the boat back to “civilization” on this island. We fellowship with the
Randall and Futrell families (and local Christians) till time to go to the
airport. Several of them come “see us off”.
We fly back the way we came, landing at
Truk Island. There, Missionary Ron is waiting for us with Missionary Gary’s worn out jeep. We 3 put our bags into the Continental Hotel
bus, crowd into the jeep with Ronnie to bounce slowly along the pothole, gully
washed jungle road to these 2 missionary families’ houses in the jungle. Travel
on such terrain ages jeeps prematurely.
On Ponape, the Randall and Futrell families live in “town”, such
as it is. I am thrilled to see these 2 simple missionary houses in the jungle,
with no electricity. Soon it is time for Gary’s 4:30 PM Bible Study under the small thatched roof in his yard, mainly for shade. We sit on
coconut tree logs for benches, as Gary teaches the few natives in their
language. None of them speak English. When Gary finishes teaching, we then
fellowship.
I know that likely some of
these Trukese can speak Japanese. So, I ask Gary if any can. “Ask them yourself
in Japanese.”
So, I do so. One man answers me in Japanese. “Sukoshi” (a little).
So, he and I talk “sukoshi” in Japanese.
Soon, we 3 travelers crowd into the jeep with both Gary and Ron to
bounce to the Continental Hotel. Brother Wring and Joe treat us other 3 men to
a delicious hotel supper, after which we 5 fellowship in our hotel room till 10
PM, when Gary and Ron go home.
Thursday 15 September: Soon after we 3 travelers have a nice hotel
breakfast, Ron comes for us in the jeep.
“Don’t spend big money for the hotel room. Stay with us,” Gary had
urged us yesterday.
“We’ve already got reservations for tonight. We’ll stay with you
tomorrow night,” Brother Wring replied.
So now, we bring our luggage with us to Gary’s house, leave it,
and change chauffeurs for Gary to give us 3 visitors a guided tour of
interesting places on this primitive Tropical Paradise. As we travel, I’m
constantly jarred with the bouncing on these rough trails, the jeep’s
suspension long ago shot. Its exhaust system is rusted out, resulting in
me breathing carbon monoxide, seemingly equal to (or stronger than) the lethal dose
of gas administered in state prison gas chambers. The clean jungle air dilutes
the poison just barely enough to save my life, I perceive.
Returning to Gary’s jungle house, I lie down under the thatched
roof to recover by sleeping a while. Then I have much
fun playing outside with Gary’s son and 2 daughters. Standing nearby observing us
kids frolic as he talks with Brother Wring and Joe, Gary calls out to me. “How
about staying here to be a playmate for my children?” Those 3 kids have almost
no playmates here in the middle of the jungle. Tho I can’t stay, these 3
greatly enjoy my wholehearted efforts to have fun with them, and we correspond
for months after I soon return to Japan.
Tonight, we 3 travelers lodge in Gary’s house, all souls deep into
intense fellowship, the 2 adult missionary couples here being plenty starved
for Christian fellowship with Americans.
Friday morning 16 September: “Take the key to the henhouse, and go see if there are any eggs.” I burst out
laughing this morning when Gary says that to his son,
resulting in Gary addressing me. “We have to keep the henhouse locked, or else
they would steal the eggs and the chickens.”
‘I believe it, but I feel like I’m in the Snuffy Smith cartoon!’
During our brief visit here, Gary relates to us some of the tragic
sinfulness of life on these primitive islands. “The Trukese have no word in
their language for ‘to own’ or ‘ownership’. ‘I’m using this’ is what
they say. They will steal anything they can. If
and when they are confronted with their thievery, ‘I’m using this’,
is their reply.” (No doubt the bus driver’s family all enjoyed using
the good beef that Pastor Wring handed over to him for him to give to Gary, using
it all up quickly no doubt.)
“Also, there’s no word in
their language for ‘virgin’ because no such person exists among them. Men and
boys go after any girl around them that they can lay hands on. Incest is
rampant.”
I saw that tragic evidence among Gary’s church folks, several
cross-eyed people. Here and on Ponape, children out in public are often
unclothed. “Some of our church men have only 1 shirt and 1 pair of trousers.
Some women have only one dress. (Poverty) They go unclothed at home to keep
from wearing out their 1 and only outfit, and put it
on when they go out in public.”
Two years or so from now, Bob Jones III comes to Guam to visit
Harvest. Harvest’s new pastor (not Brother Wring),
brings Mr. Jones on a tour of these churches on Truk and Ponape. “Seeing the
conditions those natives live in, would break anyone’s heart!” After
returning to Guam, Bob Jones III emotionally proclaimed that. I am most
blessed that I got to visit the local church people here on Ponape and Truk
Islands. And yes, seeing how they live, certainly
broke my heart.
We 3 travelers are to depart Truk today (16 Sept). Gary’s 3
children play with me every minute they can, and are
most sad when they bid Farewell to their new playmate. I’m plenty sad also. I
don’t expect to see them again, this side of Heaven. We 3 travelers crowd
into that death-dealing jeep with Gary and Ron, for our ride to the airport. As
our plane is on its takeout roll, I gaze out my window to see Gary and Ron in
that jeep not far from the side of the runway, waving Bye to us. I certainly
won’t miss that miserable jeep, but I’ll sure
miss all the precious souls it took me to visit on Truk Island,
as I journey to Glory Land.
Arriving Guam, Brother Wring’s family is at the airport to meet
him, and they give me a ride to Ricky’s house. I walk to a nearby neighbor to
get the keys to his house and car, open up, and take a
good shower. I drive to the Sparks’ house to see if I have
any mail from the U.S. or Japan. We talk till 10:30 PM. I drive back to Ricky’s
luxurious house to bed down in luxury, like being on a different
planet from the primitive life I saw on Ponape and Truk islands. Are you
thankful for your good life?
Sunday 18 September: Four souls ride to Harvest with me for church
this morning. After church, I take 2 of them home, and
then go on to Villa Verde where Lynn’s parents and Chau’s parents give me
permission to keep these two girls longer. They are dear to my heart, and I
missed them while I was away those few days. The feeling was plenty
mutual.
I take them out to lunch. Then we drop by another Vietnamese
family’s house, and soon drive on to Gibsons where I
buy ice cream for us three. We stroll around Gibsons (mall) area,
and just finish off our ice creams when we come upon a shopping cart
across our path. ‘Get in.’ Both girls climb in, and I push them around, “hot
rodding” it to the sound of their loud laughter.
All too soon, it’s time to take them home. We 3 fall
somewhat silent in the car as I drive out Marine
Drive, with the lovely Pacific Ocean in view on our left down past Hotel Row.
Chau soon breaks the silence; “We have so much fun when we’re together.”
Lynn voices her agreement.
I decide to test them on Spiritual
Reality. ‘Why do you think that is?’
Chau is ready with the answer. “It’s because we have Jesus.”
‘It certainly is!’
Reader Friend, do you have Jesus? If not, all your vain fun on
your short trip to never-ending Hell Fire is soon to end forever.
At church tonight, Pastor Wring, Joe, and I report on our trip.
A full week of activity follows, and on Sunday the 25th,
I speak at Harvest’s 6:30 PM short service (before the longer 7 PM service).
After I speak, Pastor Wring asks the church if they want to start supporting
me. “Yes!” is the group reply. Thank Thee, Lord Jesus. Richly bless them all, I plead!
Monday 26 September: I drive to Pastor Wring’s house (as planned)
for him to tape 1 interview with me and 2 short sermons of mine (3 separate
recordings), to play on 3 of his daily times on the radio. I run
many errands today. When midnight arrives, I’m still tying up loose ends.
Tuesday 27 September: After sleeping 40 minutes, I shower to wake
myself up, and about 2:45 AM as I approach the airport in Ricky’s car, I see
their plane headed toward me on its final
approach into the airport. We 4 stuff ourselves (and their much
luggage into Ricky’s small car), and he drives us home. As he and Nu get busy
unloading and such, I go upstairs to Ricky’s study, lie down on the carpeted
floor to sleep till about 10 AM.
We eat a late, delicious
steak lunch at Ricky’s house before his family of 3 takes me to the airport
where Lynn and mom, and several friends await me. Pastor Wring’s family and
several other Harvest souls come. Precious sweetheart Lynn is so sad. Each
Farewell to each dear friend is highly emotional. I fly
to Tokyo, ride the trains to Brother Fred’s house, talk a while with him and family, and bed down feeling empty-hearted.
This trip was likely the peak of me experiencing the
Fulness of The Joy of the Lord, during my earthly journey (the wide variety of places
and tribes of peoples, and daily long hours
awake interacting with people). Truk and Ponape were a big
part of that. I felt like a “real missionary” in those
jungles. I do not expect to ever again (during a single year of my earthly
journey) to visit as many varied places on earth,
as I did this calendar year. With this Pacific islands trip, God has graciously
brought me upon a high Fullness Plateau composed of the things
thus far stated in this paragraph. This Fullness Plateau will
continue from now into 1984. Glory!
Wednesday 28 September: I run many errands in Tokyo
to again spend this night with the Herseys.
Thursday 29 September 1977: I travel on to Karuizawa to return to
my house from unbelievable missionary adventures as He leadeth me. It’s
raining when I arrive. This time, I pay for a taxi to my
house, instead of walking in the rain with no umbrella.
Precious Lord Jesus, upon being discharged from military active
duty, for the first time in my life I was fully free
to follow Thee whithersoever Thou doest lead me. This calendar year has been
the richest time in my life thus far; going to the many
varied places Thou didst lead me, and endeavoring
to exalt Thee in each place. Thank Thee, My Sweet Lord. Amen!!
The End of Chapter 33