Chapter 34
SHOW ME THY WAYS, O LORD.
(From 30 September 1977 to
1 August 1978, the day I rent a house to live in, in
the town of Matsuida. During that time, I make another
most blessed and fruitful trip to Guam.)
During my last 6 months or so at Iwakuni, I looked forward to
moving back to that area after finishing language study, to keep up my
relationships with my many Japanese friends there to preach Christ to them,
and to all other Japanese souls I possibly could. But
passing thru my time of language study, that desire faded, till I came to know
that it was not God’s Will for me to return to the Iwakuni, Hiroshima,
and Kure area to serve Him. Coming to that realization didn’t upset me at all.
I was willing to go anywhere and everywhere in
Japan the Lord chose to guide me. Just
please guide me, Lord. Show me Thy Ways, O Lord. I prayed thus wise regularly from
late 1976 on, but I got no Guidance from Above. No answer
from my Lord on High frustrated me somewhat, because I needed to know
where to go.
I knew of a certainty that it was not God’s Will for
me to stay in Karuizawa, because missionaries and churches already abound
here. I want to go to a more needy area. Also, being a summer resort
town, Karuizawa is a crowded, turbulent beehive during the hot and warm
half of the year. It is not typical Japanese life. I want to go to a remote
rural town to preach to settled country folks. I firmly believe that
is God’s Will. Lord, just please
show me the exact place that is Thy Will for me, and I will gladly
go there.
But because no Clear Voice from Heaven entered my ears or
my heart, I start making plans to do what seems best
to my natural mind. I have no car, so I want to live within walking
distance of a train station. On past Karuizawa Station is Komoro Station. From Komoro Station a separate, smaller branch
line, Koumi Line, meanders lazily thru ancient, rural
“laid back” central Japan with small train stations close together,
ideal for me to do evangelistic work in those quaint, old
neighborhoods, traveling back and forth on trains along that line. I would like
that lifestyle. So, I plan to start making frequent one-day trips out there by
train from Karuizawa, alighting from various Koumi
Line stations, walking many neighborhoods, giving out tracts and talking to
people. And when a neighborhood seems to be the place perfectly
suitable for me, I’ll start looking for a house to rent there, within walking
distance of one of the small train stations on Koumi Train Line. This seems
like the perfect plan.
But it was not God’s
Will that I go to that area, so He steered me in the opposite direction. I marvel
at the method God used to steer me aright. You can glance back at Sunday 12 September 1976 in the
previous chapter to see veteran Missionary Dick in the Union Church business
meeting, decreeing that I could not decline from being nominated
to a position on the church board. Regretfully, that wasn’t the only thing adamant
Dick decreed to me. He started urging me to work under him, and
that steady urging became more like a decree. I well
knew it wasn’t God’s Will for me to work under Dick. So, I kept
giving him a plenty cold shoulder, hoping he would take the hint and leave me
alone. But He did not.
For months, Dick had been going by car to 2 or more areas in the
vicinity of the Koumi Train Line to do “start up” (pioneer) evangelistic work
in each place. “I want you to help me out there.” When Dick said that to me in
a plenty pushy manner, I knew I could not go to the same area on my own
(as I was considering doing), because then Dick would really push me to
join him to work under him. So, God used Dick to run me in the opposite
direction. I wish God had simply led me in the opposite direction from the
start. But…“my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the Lord.”
Saturday 1 October 1977: By today, I have fairly
well caught up with my personal affairs of correspondence and such. I
have already gotten a somewhat thick envelope from Truk Island. Gary’s 3
children each wrote me a letter and included a few small flat seashells (that
got somewhat broken on the way, making more smaller
shells). They urged me to come visit them again. Would that I could visit
the entire earth in Jesus’ Name.
I’m in somewhat of a quandary because I hear no Voice from Heaven
telling me where to move to in Japan from Karuizawa. Shew me, my Lord, I plead.
Sunday 2 October: Late afternoon, I put on my Marine utility shirt
and trousers (field uniform), dress warmly and walk up Mt. Hanare praying. I
get into the cave and pray all night (except for short naps), and most of
Monday. Then I descend the mount to my house. I fast 2 whole days seeking
Guidance. I get None.
Wednesday 5 October 1977: A monumental day in my life.
I pack a small bag, walk to Karuizawa Station to take a train in the opposite
direction from Komoro, Koumi Train Line, and from where Dick is pushing me
to work under him. I head down the mountain thru the many tunnels back
toward Tokyo. The first stop is Yokokawa (not Yokohama, Reader
Friend), right at the base of the rugged mountain range, too close to suit me.
I know roughly that Isobe is about 3 stops ahead. Isobe doesn’t suit me because
Brother Mogi (member of the Gospel Church in Karuizawa) lives there. He has also
been pushy to me. I have visited his house (at his pushy invitations),
and I like that area. But I must avoid him.
Therefore Isobe is out of the question.
When my train pulls out of Yokokawa Station, I am standing up
looking at the surrounding area as I pray hard for Guidance as to where to
alight. I don’t think I should go past Isobe. I see the name of the next
station is Nishi (West) Matsuida. I am praying about alighting there, but I
observe it’s on the edge of town where housing areas play out and fields begin.
I want to be in a more populated area. I ride on to
the next station just a third of a mile ahead, and
read the station’s name for the 1st time. Matsuida. Train
station signs always list the name of the next station also. Isobe
is next ahead. I do not want to go to Brother Mogi’s town.
Thus, these various factors (written thus far in this
chapter) combined, lead to my on-the-spot decision
to alight at Matsuida, stepping into my future, led perfectly
by my Creator God Who
Hideth Himself, and Who ordained this future for me before He created the worlds. Previously, I’ve ridden
trains thru here plenty times, but never took
note of the name of this town till today.
I see that Matsuida Station is across Usui River from town.
Praying for Guidance, I walk downhill, cross the bridge over that pleasantly
gurgling river, and up a narrow street that brings me to a traffic light on the
main street of Matsuida. Lord, do I turn left
or right? Looking left and right, further ahead on the right I
can see that the buildings thin out. That leads me to turn left to walk
west on the main street. A town this small is not likely to have a
hotel. I’m praying that there is a Japanese style inn in Matsuida, because I
want to lodge in this town tonight. Thus, I’m relieved when I soon spot an inn
ahead. I walk on past it to check out more of Matsuida. I doubt there’s
a 2nd inn, and located on a quieter
street (which I prefer). When I come to the next traffic light I turn left onto
that quieter street. Walking ahead, I spot an inn sign on the right. This small
“inn” is a family residence. They rent 3 upstairs rooms to overnight & short term guests.
I step into the foyer and call out. Mrs. Saito is most
surprised to see a Caucasian man at her door. (Weeks later, she tells me I am
the first foreigner to come to her inn, that she was shocked when she
saw me, and didn’t know what to do. Well, just treat me as a fellow human,
please.) I politely ask if she has a room available tonight. She is most
hesitant to answer. After pondering a while, she
speaks. “We only have Japanese food.” (It’s the custom of these inns to serve
supper and breakfast to overnight guests, all included in their fee.)
‘I would like a room only. No meals.’ Still somewhat reluctantly,
she gives me a room for the night. I follow her upstairs in this old wooden 2-story
house, leave my bag in the small “straw mat floor room” she shows me, and tell
her I’m going out. I stroll in town, greet folks, give a tract, eat supper in a
café, and return for a bath and pillow my head. My diary entry for this day
ends with “Save this town, Lord. I love You, Jesus.”
Thursday 6 October: I leave the inn after 8 AM to walk around
town, desirous to get acquainted with local folks. I
give tracts to a few, buy a little food in a store and eat it sitting in a
small playground. Here, elementary school children walk to and from school. In
mid afternoon, I just happen (in God’s Perfect Way and in His Perfect
Timing), to be walking past the local grammar school when 2 girl classmates
(about 8 years old) coming out from the school, hail me. (In this rural town,
in 1977, most children under 12 had never seen a Caucasian in person.
That has greatly changed.) These 2 girls start asking me questions.
Other kids filtering out gather around, each asking a million
questions while becoming a small mob. “Give me your autograph,” one girl asks,
sticking her notebook and pencil in my face. Whereupon each kid whips out his
or her notebook (Fastest draw in Japan), for an autograph. I sit down on a low
rock wall by the narrow street with my 2 feet in the dry gutter,
and get busy autographing. A line forms for autographs. After getting my
autograph, those kids mob around me continuing with their questions. With the
mob hovering over me, I can’t see daylight for over an hour, as I answer
questions while autographing, spreading my roots into Matsuida soil.
Along with signing my name in English, I write it in Japanese so they can read
it. About 200 children go home and excitedly tell family about Sam Yerby. I had
no idea how to best introduce myself to town folks here. Praise God for
doing it for me, right at 24 hours after my arrival.
Friday 7 October: I walk around town giving a tract here and
there, talking, getting acquainted. When time comes
for the children to head home from school, I go sit in that small playground by
this narrow street that runs in front of the school. When kids walking by see
me, several happily run to me, and again want me to write things in English in
their notebooks. I do so, and soon take out my
children’s Bible storybook (in Japanese), and ask them to quietly listen as I
read and explain the stories. Several listen well. This goes on till
twilight beckons the last of them home. My
cup runneth over!! Save them all, Lord!!
Saturday 8 October: In 1977, Japan public schools have classes a
half day each Saturday, till noon. (In a few years, they will eliminate that,
opting to play more.) (Also, all grammar school kids in Matsuida walk to
and from school.) I go to the park today in the early
afternoon, and soon children flock around. A few adults come
and talk to me. I rejoice to be getting acquainted. I read Bible stories and
explain salvation in Jesus Christ. A light gentle rain starts. “Let’s get under
that roof,” says an 8-year-old, pointing to the small Shinto shrine in one
corner of the playground. Only about 12 feet by 14 feet square, the shrine
houses an idol. It has a front porch, which gives my “Sunday School class” a
shelter from the rain.
Along with my Bible storybook, I have children’s (Christian)
songbooks (in Japanese). As rainwater drips from the edge of the porch roof, we
huddle near the wall as four children follow me singing one song after another.
The past 2 days, the children got into an excited uproar when around me. Now
they are settling down more, listening to the Bible stories more attentively,
and singing many songs well, not getting bored by doing so. The Holy Spirit is working
in their souls today, praise God.
Seven-year-old 2nd grade girl Emiko “stands out” as
being brilliant minded, serious minded, and a natural
leader among these kids, even of kids 1 or 2 years older than she.
That has been readily apparent to me the past 2 days I’ve known Emiko.
From the first time I saw her, she particularly caught my attention because
she wasn’t fickle like most of the kids that noisily flocked around
me like I was a circus attraction. She would come close, but stand somewhat
apart, silently and seriously observing me with the
other kids, and listening well to what I said.
She was more seriously
attracted to me than the others were, and even more so attracted
to the Bible stories and singing. Yesterday, she hung onto every
word of the Bible stories and my talk about salvation. The theme of each song
in this book is wonderful. Moreover, I pick the very
best songs of the Cross and Salvation. Between each song, I preach a 1- or
2-minute sermon about Salvation being available now, but
doing no undue urging.
“I want to trust in Jesus.”
7-year-old Emiko’s firm words (totally volunteer) send me to the
Third Heaven and back.
‘Would you like to pray after me?’
“Yes.” No
hesitating. No wavering. Thank Thee, Precious Lord Jesus, for choosing Emiko!!
Presently one other girl and one boy are here. As the rain drops
near us, we 4 kneel on the wood porch of the heathen idol, and all 3 readily
repeat the prayer words for salvation that I pray one sentence at a time. I
believe Emiko trusted in the Saviour of the world. The other 2 may have
simply “gone along with us”.
To rise from the dead the third day
This is my third full day to be in this new
hometown of mine, the name of which I did not even know
4 full days ago. This is my third full day of acquaintance
with these 3 small eternal souls now with me on the porch of this idol god. Thank Thee, Lord Jesus, for raising them up on this day to pray
unto Thee. Please don’t let a one of them perish!!
Little Miss Emiko was born in 1970 (or very close before or after that calendar year). You can easily calculate her age at the time you read this many decades later. Please lift up a prayer for her, for our Lord to perfect her every way, every day.
Back in the inn tonight, I witness to Mrs. Saito, giving her a tract.
Sunday 10 October: Prayer walking in the area today, I come upon a
carp pond where a fishing contest is in progress. I stop to observe, and
soon men start talking to me. One man, dominant in sound, authoritative
speech doesn’t appear to be a local yokel. I soon learn
why. “I’m Matsuida’s Police Chief. My high school daughter is presently an
exchange student in Wisconsin. She recently sent me a newspaper article (from
Wisconsin) about herself, but I can’t read the English. Let me go get it.”
This pond is near the police station, and the chief’s house is
next door to the station. He walks away, returning in about 10 minutes with the
article, which includes a picture of his daughter with her American host
family. It is about his daughter coming all way from Japan to reside a few
months in their small town in Wisconsin. In Japanese, I tell him the content of
the article, thus making friends with my new hometown police chief.
Afterwards, I conduct Sunday School in the park with 8 or so
children. Later I check out of the inn to ride the train back up the mountain
to Karuizawa to thank God in my room till after midnight and then retire. Almighty Lord God, about 200 children excitedly told their families
of me. Three little souls followed me in praying to the Saviour of the world. I
was helpful to the police chief, giving me rapport with him. Truly,
Thou doest work mightily! Glory be to God for it all! Amen.
Thursday 13 October: I ride the train back to Matsuida in the
afternoon, and Mrs. Saito gives me a room. I walk to the playground just before
the children soon start coming. Emiko is happy to see
me. But others, who crowded around me before, now shy away. No doubt
their parents have told them to stay away from me. After I made my initial “big
splash”, the devil soon organizes the opposition. Last week, several
adults looked on our activities here with stern faces. Didn’t take them long to start fighting back, no doubt.
I feel strong demonic presence and its attack upon me. I
pray silently, refraining from boldly launching into my routine of
teaching Jesus. Also, that attack of evil drains all my energy and
motivation. Thus, my Lord raises up a 7-year-old girl Sunday School
Superintendent who prods me to stay on the Firing Line. “Read the
stories,” Emiko calls on me. I do so. “Now let’s sing,” Emiko again calls out.
We do so. “Now let’s pray,” Emiko directs, as she kneels in the dirt.
One other girl tagging along with Emiko also follows me in praying. Thank Thee, Lord, for such miracles!
“And a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6) Hallelujah!
Emiko called on me for the complete Sunday School routine, highly
encouraging me, keeping me on the firing line, when I didn’t have it in
myself to “fire”. Afterwards, I play much with them. A
few others join us who will play, but won’t
partake of Jesus Christ. That division occurs ever so early
after my arrival.
Friday 14 October: On the playground this afternoon, a boy’s
mother talks to me most friendly saying she would like me to come to their
house some time to teach them the Bible. This is a joy to hear, and I
will hear such from a few others from now on. But such words almost never
come to fruition. That “some time” never becomes any
definite time. Such was the case with her.
Saturday 15 October: No children show up in the park this
afternoon because the 2-day heathen festival along the main street is much more
fun to them, and most kids are required to be in it.
I stroll around town and return to the park to see a girl about 11
years old and her 2 younger brothers there. They come to me, talk much, and soon ask me to go with them. I tag along as they
walk around, looking for what is most exciting in town. As darkness falls, I
accompany them as they walk home about a mile out of town, not knowing if they
are afraid of the dark. When we reach their yard, I turn to leave, but the girl insists that I
come in. I feel awkward, but the 2 grandparents and 2 parents don’t appear
startled at all to see their 3 little children return home from an afternoon in
town, with a Caucasian stranger in tow. They invite
me in for supper. I tell them of Jesus. Their dad is a carpenter. Years later, I
will hire him more than once to do carpentry work.
Sunday 15 October: This afternoon, with a heavy heart I watch the heathen festival parade
on the main street, Omikoshi Matsuri. The local elementary school kids are all in
it (enthusiastically), paint on their faces, waving excitedly and
happily to me as they pass by, bearing their idols. A crook nose man who has
been silently sternly watching my Sunday School in the park is
drunk enough now to boldly approach me and preach to me. “This
is Japan’s religion. We don’t need Christianity.”
‘Everyone needs Christ’s Salvation.’
He laughs scornfully. “See these children. Aren’t they
happy? They are working out their salvation this way.” The devil ever
so cunningly and deceitfully teaches them that the happier one is in this
life, the happier they will be in the afterlife, or when they are
reincarnated and return to earth. Thus wise, the devil entices them to indulge
to the limit, in the lust of the flesh (particularly the firewater this man
is drunken on), the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, in
order to make them happy forever. Lord, help me to proclaim Truth to this whole deceived town!
Long before you read this, the Grim Reaper had taken that middle-age (in 1977) crook nose drunkard into eternity. From then on, he immensely desires that I boldly preach Truth to everyone in his hometown. Tonight, I return to my house in Karuizawa, heartbroken over the steeped (deep seated from ancient days) idolatry in Matsuida. Set them free, Lord!
“Stay away from him! He’s dangerous! He’s a thief! He’s a
kidnapper! Don’t go around him!”
Early this week at school, Emiko’s 2nd grade elderly teacher,
Mrs. Matsumoto, was plenty emphatic as she warned the kids with those lies.
I doubt she thought I could possibly be such a criminal. I think she did
it to keep them away from Christ. As you read this, she has already been
in eternity for a few decades, most desirous that all
souls in Matsuida listen to the Gospel I preach, repent, and be saved.
Thursday 20 October: I go from Karuizawa to Saito’s inn, and then
on to the park to sit waiting as usual. But today, most kids take a back path
walking from school to avoid passing by the playground in sight of me. The few
who come this way, silently march by, eyes straight ahead.
I sense big trouble, not yet knowing about Mrs. Matsumoto’s
warning. About 5 girls (who have been very friendly with me) walk by
together on the street. Finding it impossible to ignore me by marching by, eyes straight ahead, they stop and stare silently at me.
I wave silently. In unison, they silently wave back. Instantly
in precise unison, they turn and flee on foot. (Writing
this exactly 46 years later, I chuckle at their unrehearsed, yet precision
movements, like proficient U. S. Marines moving in precise formation.)
This day, I start looking for a realtor to inquire of a house or building to rent, an important milestone on my pilgrim journey.
Friday 21 October: I talk with a realtor who shows me 2 places for
rent, but neither is suitable at all. Thirty-five years later, I will teach
English conversation to this realtor’s daughter in her home (who by then
has become a grandmother).
I go sit in the playground as usual. A few kids come to the edge
and stand staring. “Don’t go,” one will call out when any kid starts into the
playground. Finally, a few timidly creep up to me. “Mr. Sam,
are you a bad person?” 2nd grade chubby girl (Kiyoko) finally asks
me. (She was the 1st kid who saw me going past her
school back on 6 October, and hailed me.)
‘No, I am not.’ I answer as calmly as possible.
“Teacher said you are.” Then she tells me what Mrs.
Matsumoto said.
‘No, I am not dangerous. I am not a kidnapper.’ I leave it at that. If I rant and rave about
Teacher being a blatant liar, that will scare them more. I pray to my
Advocate on High to intercede for me. Being a stranger in town, it
wouldn’t carry much weight for me to go to the school principal now (or
any such person in authority), to plead for them to right this wrong. I will
bide my time, and do that months later, after I move into my “permanent”
rental house here that my Lord miraculously provides for me.
From the 1st day I played with kids in this playground,
a most cute 5-year-old girl living close by tagged
along with her older sister and quickly became buddy-buddy with me, so
delighted to play with me. She hasn’t started school yet, so she has heard
little or nothing of Teacher’s lies. On one of these days, I’m sitting alone
in the playground on a “rocker swing” as several kids stand guard at the edge
of the street to warn others not to come in, when this Little Princess comes joyfully
bounding in from a side, narrow, dirt path that leads
toward her house. Thus, she bypassed the “guards” nearby. That Cutie
bounds up to me without words, and climbs up onto my
lap (as is her custom).
“Come here!” “Get away from him!” “Come back!” “He’s dangerous!” Amusing
paradox it was, the kid “guards” trying to call out in a voice loud
enough for her to hear, but too low for me to hear. Every word of
warning went into her ears. She calmly looked up into my face,
and continued happily rocking back and forth with me as she had done
before. Thank Thee, Dear Lord, for
assuring her that she had nothing to fear.
22 October: When I come into the
playground today, the 4 children playing here flee. Later Emiko
and a few others come together and play. They all ignore me till the others
leave, and then Emiko comes to me “delicately”, for the 1st
time since the big warning. Tremendous encouragement this be, God’s special chosen one returning to me. The next day she again comes to me,
talks friendly briefly, and upon parting she calmly
announces that she can’t play with me any more
because Teacher forbids it.
‘For how long can you not play with me?’
“Forever, (zutto)” she calmly
replies as she walks away. (Thank God, “forever” lasted only a
week or so. Short forever!)
I mention to Mrs. Saito that I’m looking for a place to rent. “The
house right behind here is empty,” she happily tells me. Thank Thee, Lord, Thou hast changed her heart so that she’s no
longer leery of me. Elated with
that news, I excuse myself, exit the front of her house, and walk around to the
next narrow street behind, to view that house, thus wise taking a major
step into my future on earth. A realtor’s sign hangs on the
door. I copy down name and phone number. My Lord makes me patiently
wait 9 months while He works miracles, and
then allows me to rent that house and move into it on 1 August 1978. I still
live in that house as I re-edit this in 2025. Lord, I thank Thee for planting me so firmly in Matsuida,
perfectly guiding my every step!
Sunday night 23 October: After 3 days of intense spiritual warfare
in Matsuida, I return to my house in Karuizawa. Today’s long diary entry
ends with: ‘Thank Thee, Lord, for problems. Give me more.’ I’ve forgotten I
was that courageous.
Friday 28 October: I call the realtor to
ask if I may rent the house behind the Saito house.
Realtor lady says the lady owner wants to sell. ‘Meanwhile, will she rent
it to me?’
“No, the owner will not rent it. How about buying it?” I politely
decline, often not even being able to buy food. I commit my cause to my Lord,
praying for Him to provide me the perfect abode
to rent in Matsuida.
Thursday 3 November 1977: A Japanese holiday, and annual “Town
Field (Sports) Day” in Matsuida, held on the elementary school ground, when all
citizens from 6 years old and up participate and compete in various fun
events. (A year from now, I will enter the adult 1500-meter race for my
neighborhood.)
Today I attend as a spectator; do not impose myself on anyone, but a few people of various
ages gather around me. Most are friendly. But one girl about 10 years old tells
me I look like a pig, and tells me to
get out of their town and leave them alone, because they are forbidden to have
anything to do with me. Save them all, Lord!
“Now we all know what Richard looks like!”
‘I thought you might say that!’
Friday 11 November: Looking at every empty building as I walk
around town praying, I copy Takashi’s name from a small metal placard on the
outside wall of an empty prefab building, find his phone number in the phone
book in a phone booth, and call him. Today, I meet him
in person for the first time. He is not the owner, but
knows the owner of that empty building. (In a few days, he takes me to the
owner who will not rent out the building. That is the end of that
matter.)
But I rejoice to make
friends with Takashi today, who is about 2 years younger than I. He likes
foreigners, talks to me openly, thinks all religions are good, and drives me up
the mountain to my house in Karuizawa. In my room, I give him a Bible, and tell him of Salvation in Christ.
Takashi is a draftsman by trade (self employed), but also a black
belt Karate instructor. Today starts a friendship between us that lasts for
decades, till he loses his mind when he is about 60 years old (due to demon
possession, I think). When I repeatedly speak to him of Christ, he readily
professes to believe in Christ (along with his family heathen
religions). His is a tragic case.
Sunday 27 November: At suppertime, I stew a tomato, add tomato
juice and slowly sip it to break a 17 day fast, during
which I have fervently prayed (as late as 1 AM to 3 AM nightly) to The
Lord of Hosts to break away the demonic chains binding the souls in Matsuida. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,
saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) Lord God Almighty, we
are ever so prone to strive ferociously in our own
human might and power, while being ever so lazy to intercede unceasingly
for Thee to work in Holy Ghost Power upon the souls around us. Please have
mercy upon us all to perfect us in this important matter. Make us into
intercessory prayer warriors.
I ceased staying in the inn earlier this month (to save money), but continue to ride the trains
down to Matsuida and back 2 or 3 days each week. By the time December arrives,
the Lord has led me to pretty much put Matsuida on the back burner,
meanwhile praying and biding my time as the Lord leads. Lord, open doors that no man can shut. It’s a tremendous relief to start joining various Christians and churches in Christmas
activities, thus licking my wounds on “R and R” from my spiritual
battlefield.
Monday 12 December 1977: Annually a few Japanese Christians and
missionaries drive from Karuizawa to the leprosarium on the outskirts of
Kusatsu City, Gunma Prefecture, to have a Christmas service for the lepers.
Several of the lepers are Christians. Today I go with
5 other friends, the first time for me to go there, and the 1st
time for me to behold a leper. Upon arriving about 11 AM, we
go from room to room visiting bedridden patients, and then have lunch followed
by our service at 1 PM; singing, Bible reading, and
preaching. Seeing the lepers with fingers, ears, noses, eyes and such eaten
away by that loathsome disease is heart breaking. Back in my room tonight I
weep much as I kneel and pray for them.
Sunday 18 December: This morning I preach a Christmas sermon in
the Bible Church in Ueda City. In the afternoon, I attend Eiken’s Christmas
program. (I still teach English at this cram school.) At refreshment time, a
student’s mom listens to me well as I tell her of the Saviour born into the
world.
Sunday 25 December. I preach the morning
Christmas sermon in a church near the new Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture.
We have Christmas lunch in the church and an afternoon service in which I
preach in English with the Japanese Pastor interpreting. Then I spend the night
with this young, enthusiastic pastor’s family. He has just started this
church in an area that is bustling because of the new airport. He pushes me to
join him here, mainly to teach English conversation, which will be a drawing
card to the numerous aspiring young souls drawn to this thriving area.
Pastor has no apparent desire for our Lord’s Will to be done in my life, rather
that I become his lackey. That is disappointing to see. I decline his pushy proposal.
Monday 26 December: I go by train to Fred Hersey’s house for cheerful
Christmas fellowship. The following day, he takes me to Karuizawa in his van.
He stays in Karuizawa 2 nights. Then on Thursday the
29th, I ride with him back to his house.
Saturday, the last day of 1977, I immensely enjoy in the Hersey home. During this highly
eventful year in my life, I “flew away” on about 12 different airline flights,
to a highly varied, variety of spots on this planet, making this
the peak year of my life for that much gallivanting around, ever
so rich and blessed! Also, I entered Japan’s
Matsuida Town for the very first time, not knowing that my Lord had ordained
that I live out the remainder of my life in Matsuida Town, while still
traveling far and wide numerous times during that time!!!
Sunday 1 January 1978: I
preach in Fred’s church service this morning. Today I enjoy turkey and much
holiday cooking at his house. The following day, I go
bowling with Brother Fred, his daughter and 2 sons. I fellowship with the
Herseys (and numerous friends and neighbors of theirs) till Thursday 5 January,
and ride the trains home to Karuizawa. Everyone was relaxing in a holiday mood,
which greatly helped me recuperate from the spiritual battle in
Matsuida. Also, there was plenty of delicious food to eat in their
houses, which wasn’t the case in my house.
I soon turn 32 years old. I’m surprised
at the diary entry of me jogging in snow in a T-shirt in Karuizawa this month.
The world is snow white. This month I fast often and study the Bible and pray
much, hovering close to the heater in my bedroom.
Sunday 22 January: I preach at the night service in Sister
Yamamoto’s house. She is a widow and a dentist. After the service, we few sip tea and talk. One of the adults asks me to walk
Hitomi back to Bethel House where she is staying tonight. Hitomi (about 19)
trusted Christ over a year ago, and is rapidly
growing spiritually with an intense desire to serve her Lord. I have a
most blessed 25-minute walk and talk with Hitomi. The sky has cleared up. The
many stars are sparkling and twinkling ever so brightly, and the full
moon illuminates the lovely snow-white world that the wind is whipping around,
adding more joy to our stroll.
“Sounds romantic!”
‘Yep, sounds that way.’
“And you have just turned 32 and she is about 19?”
‘Yep, looks that way. But in due time,
she marries a fine Japanese Christian man her age, and they have a
family.’
“That’s an immense relief to hear!”
‘Yep, sounds that way.’
Saturday 4 February 1978: I end a 17 day fast, thanking my Lord
for much Spiritual Food during that time, precious fellowship
with Him, and stronger faith to see Him tear down strongholds in
Matsuida. I pray all night tonight.
Sunday 5 February: With much help from Takashi, I have gotten
permission to use Yokokawa Community Hall 3 Sunday mornings each month to hold
Christian services. My first service is
this morning, thus the 17-day fast, and praying thru out this
night, pleading for Holy Ghost Fire to fall from Heaven. The past
several days, I’ve invited everyone I could, to come today. One man comes, Mr.
Sato. He is Takashi’s father’s age, a friend of their family, lives within
walking distance of the hall, and professes to be a Christian. Today, I speak to him from Psalms 8, and
then pray. He takes me to a restaurant for lunch
(tastes so delicious after the fast), and then he drives me around to a few scenic
spots in the area.
Saturday 11 February. By God’s Grace, I pray all night.
Sunday 12 February: Again Mr. Sato comes to the service, but no
one else. He has his own Bible. I speak on salvation from I Timothy, Romans and
John Chapter 3. He firmly professes to be a Christian believer. He has
never attended any church regularly.
Saturday 18 February: Schools go till noon on Saturday. As
students leave at noon, I pass out notices about my service outside the junior
high school gate near Yokokawa. I fast this day and pray all
night.
Sunday 19 February: My one faithful “church member” previously
told me he has to go to Tokyo today. “Mr. Kuribayashi
will open the hall for you.” When I arrive at the hall
this cold morning, it is still locked.
As I wait outside in the cold, Mr. Kuribayashi soon walks up from his house
nearby, greets me, unlocks the door, lights the kerosene heater, and excuses
himself with a sheepish look that says: “I feel sorry for you having to
sit here alone today because Mr. Sato is away, but I’m sure
not going to fill in for him by attending myself.” He walks home.
So, I huddle close to that small heater in this freezing,
large old hall. Walking here from the station, large spots on the narrow street
were glazed over with ice. Now my heart is cold over the
prospects of zero attendance today. But I don’t sit long in my cold
gloom and despair, before I hear lively rowdy voices in the foyer. I step out
there to see 3 boys (about 8 years old) coming to church, thank God. They
huddle around the stove with me and I chat to get
acquainted. “Mr. Kuribayashi is my granddad”, one boy says to me. (I will soon
learn that 4 generations live in Mr. Kuribayashi’s house.) I perceive
that the 2 other boys were at the Kuribayashi house playing with his grandson
when grandpa returned home. He ordered them all to come here (out
of pity for lonely, cold me). Praise God for His Ways of
Working!
I pull out my children’s songbooks and we sing a few songs. Then I
read 2 Bible stories and talk about Jesus. None of these eternal souls
have previously heard anything about Jesus. About the time we
finish Sunday school, a chubby 5-year-old girl walks in, bundled up like a
round Eskimo. She is Setsuko (Mr. Kuribayashi’s granddaughter). She had gotten
bored at home with all the boys gone. I now play boisterously with all 4
of them, which makes for fun, and warms up our frozen bodies. I leave today, rejoicing that 4 showed up. Later events
convince me that today is the start of salvation coming to 1 to 3
souls in the Kuribayashi house. “Save those 4 children and their families” is
my last diary entry on this 3rd day of
services in Yokokawa.
To Rise From The
Dead The Third Day.
Sunday 5 March 1978: At 9:30 AM, 2 boys and 2 girls come for
Sunday School. At 10:30, two 8th grade boys come. I teach them and
Mr. Sato from Genesis 1 and 2.
Sunday 12 March: Brother Kazama and his small son (from Bro. Fred’s
church) come to Yokokawa by train to attend my services. Two of the local boys
come today, and it blesses me to have a Japanese Christian man (Brother
Kazama) to talk to them of Christ. This father of 3 small children is so
good with kids!
Sunday 19 March: No one is at the locked hall when I show up after
9 AM. I walk back up the street to Mr. Kuribayashi’s house,
he gives me the key, and his 2 grandchildren follow me to the hall for church today.
Thursday 28 March: Unexpected, Mr. Sato shows up at my house with
his friend, Mr. Aizawa (bringing his friend to Jesus). “I don’t have any
religion, and I need something.” Hearing that from Mr. Aizawa, I
speak to him briefly of Christ.
The school year ends during the last week of March. After spring
vacation of 8 days or so, the new school year starts in early April. So, all my
children friends now advance a year in school. Emiko
goes up to 3rd grade. Lord,
be with dear Emi.
Sunday 2 April 1978: Mr. Sato comes for church and leaves early.
Business calls. Soon, Takashi shows up. I teach him from Genesis 3. He got
married yesterday. He is not romantic. His wife leaves him in less than 20
years.
Sunday 9 April: Two boys (regulars) are outside playing when I
arrive at the hall. They follow me inside. Mr. Sato comes, attends, and says he
might bring some people to my house this afternoon, praise God. And he came
thru, bringing young Mrs. Yukawa with her 2 small children and a lady friend of
hers. They listen well as I speak of Jesus Christ.
Friday night 21 April: Mr. Sato comes to my house unannounced, and is bubbling over with joy as he testifies
of Christ working in his life. Praise God!
Sunday 23 April: Weather is warm now. No longer need the “gas
chamber” kerosene heater in the meeting hall. It feels good to be truly warm in
this old building. Three souls attend the morning service. This afternoon, Mr.
Sato again brings the 4 souls to my house he brought 2
weeks ago. We sing songs. They listen well as I speak of Christ.
Tuesday 2 May 1978: Last night, I set in
praying, and my Lord gave me endurance to pray the night thru. As dawn breaks
before 5 AM on this day, a gentle rain is watering the good earth. I put on a
jacket, get my umbrella, and walk
out to lovely Kumoba Pond about 200 yards from my house. There is no
one in the world but My Lord and I. The sound of the gentle rain
falling onto the pond is ever so lovely, as I walk the muddy path around the
pond in close precious loving fellowship with My Lord Jesus. My cup runneth
over with Christ’s Love, Joy and Peace.
Sunday 7 May: Only Mr. Sato comes to my service in Yokokawa Hall
today. I strive to impart Spiritual Meat unto him.
Sunday 14 May: This following Wednesday, I fly to Guam. In God’s
Providence, today is the last of my Sunday services in
Yokokawa Hall (tho in just over 2 years, I will start having some richly
blessed services for children in this hall on weekdays after school,
with highest attendance being more than 50 souls). From Sunday 5 February thru
today, has been my start in holding my own Christian
services inside a building for Japanese people, singing,
praying, and preaching in their language. Glorious it be!
God worked profoundly in bringing Mr. Sato in touch
with me. Unless he had to work his regular job or had other important plans, he
attended each of my services. Moreover, he brought other
souls to me for me to teach them of Christ (as I have related). He highly
encouraged me. I will see him a few more times over the next year or two. Thirty-three
years later in 2011, I will be passing out notices to kids in front of the
elementary school closest to Mr. Sato’s house. The school
principal comes out and talks kindly to me, telling me that he is Mr.
Sato’s son, and commending me for my kindness to his father (now
deceased). Please pray with me for the salvation of Mr. Sato’s
descendants.
This day of 14 May 1978, God makes my Yokokawa final
Sunday service a miraculous monumental
glorious occasion! To God be the glory! I ride the train down
the mount to Yokokawa, walk to Mr. Kuribayashi’s house, and he gives me the key
to the hall. Four boys playing outside follow me (Pied Piper fashion) to the
hall to attend Sunday School. I have a blessed class with them. Mr. Sato doesn’t come today. I wait till the final
end of church time, but no adults come. Then I kneel and pray,
lock up, and walk back to Mr. Kuribayashi’s house to return the key.
When I call out at the foyer, an 81-year-old lady answers me from
inside the house, and slowly makes her way out to the
foyer. I kindly give her the key, thanking her for the use of the hall.
“Would you please come in for tea?”
‘If it would not be a bother to you.’
“It’s not a bother. I’ve never met a Caucasian, and I would
like to meet your acquaintance.” (We converse in Japanese.)
I go in, and she prepares and sets out green tea as she talks,
telling me her age and such. She is Mr. Kuribayashi’s mother.
Thus I now learn that 4 generations live in this
house; (1) the boy and girl who have attended my services, (2) their 2
parents whom I’ve never met, (3) their grandfather (Mr. Kuribayashi),
and (4) their great grandmother (this lady). I had no idea this great
granny was here. I’ve never seen her before. But today (out of the 6
residents), she is the only one at home. She happily chats away.
“What were you doing at the hall?”
‘I was teaching about Jesus Christ. Do you know of Him?’
“No, I don’t.”
‘Have you ever heard the Name,
Jesus Christ?’
“No, I haven’t. I’ve heard of a religion called
Christianity, but I know nothing about it.”
Perchance her birthday has passed this year,
she was born in 1897. If it has not passed this year, she was born in
1896. She is already past the fourscore years the Bible tells us
a human soul might obtain on earth. But most tragically,
she tells me she has never heard the One and Only Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Almighty Lord God, I
praise Thee for taking this barefoot, poor farm boy from plowing horses on our
poor dirt & mud farm in Alabama, to the lofty skies of piloting jet
warplanes, and back down to this old wooden oriental house amongst these jagged
steep rock cliff mountains around Yokokawa to tell this precious lost elderly
soul of eternal salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. How
blessed and privileged I am!
As I sip the hot green
tea, I speak of salvation in Christ. She happily agrees with all
I say, making me think she is most senile, and that is causing her to go along
with what I say, just to be friendly. (But I later come to think differently,
as I will share with you.) I stay with her about 20 minutes,
and then ask her if I may pray for God’s blessings upon her house. That thrilled
her, and she happily consents. I close my eyes
and pray. She doesn’t know to close her eyes. She
doesn’t know to be silent while I’m praying. And as I pray good things for her
family, she repeatedly speaks up. “Oh, thank you!” “That’s kind of you!” “Thank
you.” This Buddhist was not following dead church guidelines and
customs at all. It was glorious and so spiritually refreshing!
I thank her for the tea, and depart, never again to see her on earth.
Less than 3 years from this day that I pray for
great granny in her presence, I start holding children’s
services in Yokokawa Hall. Her two great grandchildren eagerly come to those
services. On an afternoon five years or more after this day, I hold a
kids’ service, then play with them, and finally sit down to chat together.
Setsuko is present, now a chubby 10 or 11-year-old girl with a cheerful
disposition who enjoys the services.
‘How is your great granny
doing?’ Possibly that elderly soul is no longer on this earth, so I ask this to
find out.
“She’s fine. She
says that Jesus is good.”
‘Tell her that if she will trust in Jesus that He will take her to Heaven.’
“I’ve already told
her that. And she says she trusts in Him.”
Setsuko’s words surprise me, and fill my heart with joy. I perceive God
chose her great granny, and sent me from
Daddy’s farm fields half way round the world to her
house in rock cliff mountainous Japan to tell her of the Saviour of whom
she had never heard. Glory to God! Little Setsuko was born about
1973. As you calculate her age now, pray with me for God to save all
her house, and perfect the way of each soul in her house. Please
also pray for her older brother and family. I don’t recall his name.
This day closes
out my debut onto the stage of life in Matsuida,
during which time our Triune God gave me 3 groups of souls
that became most precious to me. 1. Emiko
and her playmates on the little playground. 2. Mr. Sato and several friends he
brought to me to hear about the Saviour of the world. 3. Great Granny & her
little Setsuko. Save all their houses,
Lord!
Wednesday 17 May 1978: Today I fly to Guam. Over 7 months ago on 5
October last autumn, I stepped off the train at Matsuida Station, read the name
of this town for the very first time, and entered this town for the
first time in my life, not acquainted with any soul
in Matsuida. Thank Thee, my Precious Lord
Jesus my True Guide, for guiding me perfectly and opening doors
that no man can shut. Thank Thee for teaching me patience, as I was
desirous to quickly rent a house and move into it. I praise Thee for what Thou
hast done for Emiko, Mr. Sato, little Setsuko, Setsuko’s Great Granny, and
several more Japanese souls during that time. But most of all, I thank
Thee for what Thou hast done for me, allowing me to wage spiritual warfare
in this satanic stronghold in central, rural Japan where idols abound and the
people are in deep spiritual darkness. Set many perishing souls free,
I plead!
The battle has been plenty rewarding and educational,
but also plenty tiring. It’s a great joy to
arrive on Guam for R and R, and to serve my Lord to the utmost
on this tropical island.
“Stay with my family the next time you come to Guam,” Brother
Lewis (at Harvest Baptist Church) warmly said to me last September. I have
stayed in touch with him and plan to stay at his house. I have also stayed in
touch with Billy Brunson.
As I am waiting for my suitcase at Guam Airport, I see Billy
Brunson arrive. Soon Brother Lewis arrives. After we talk briefly, he takes my
suitcase to his house, and I ride home with Billy to eat supper with his family
of 4, and ride on to Harvest Church with them for Wednesday night service.
Pastor Wring has me greet the congregation. It’s a joy to see my many Harvest
friends. After all is over, I ride home with Brother Lewis. We talk till late.
Thursday 18 May 1978: “You may use one of our 2 cars,” Billy had
kindly told me. So, when Brother Lewis leaves this morning, I ride with him to
Billy’s to get his car to use. I run errands and soon start knocking on doors
in an apartment complex, giving a tract and inviting souls to church. Then I go to Ipao Beach to preach in the
park area, on my 1st full day here.
Back in 1974 at Iwakuni, as soon as I felt the Lord calling me to
preach in Japan, I began constantly crying out to God to guide me
clearly as to what to preach, how to preach, where to
preach, and to whom to preach. Observing that very few Japanese
will come to a church service, public preaching steadily crystallized
in my mind till I knew without any doubt it was God’s Will for me to do
street preaching. I chose to start now on Guam, because it’s easier to
preach in my native tongue. For the first time in my life, I preach in a public open-air place today. You can read details
of that in Chapter 6 of my book, Safety, Rest, and Quiet. Thus, I will spare most of those details in this book.
Friday 19 May: Wednesday night at church, I requested a church van
to use to start my own bus route. They said they would try to get an old one
(in mothballs) up and running by Sunday. So today, I start inviting people to
ride to church.
Saturday 20 May: I help mechanic-minded churchmen get the old van
up and running.
Sunday 21 May: Navy sailor Nelson drives the van as I jump out and
call at the doors of the ones who said they would go. A good number come, thank
God. I attend adult Sunday School class, and then
speak in junior church at Harvest Baptist.
Daily I go fishing for
souls. I knock on many doors and several people
invite me in and allow me to speak freely of Christ. Several of them are deep
in sin’s misery. I call on them to come to Jesus. I visit
with my friends in Villa Verde and with Ricky and family in Perez Acres.
Witnessing to children as I play with them, one by one, a few of them follow me
in prayer, asking Jesus to save them. Most all are
eager to ride my bus to Harvest. Several start doing so. Sadly, some
parents forbid their children to do so.
Brother Lewis lives in a condo complex that is adjacent to another
condo complex and a row of cheaper apartments. Sitting on the grounds of
his condo, I start daily talking to children living in all 3 of these
complexes. I bring a Bible storybook, read stories and pray. One by one,
several follow me in prayer.
Sunday 28 May: I drive to Harvest at 2 AM, let myself in with the
key Brother Lewis loaned me, switch on lights and head straight to the burglar
alarm to disarm it before it soon starts wailing. I pray till about 7 AM, when
Brother Billy comes to turn on the air con. I go to his house for breakfast
with him, and soon run the bus route with 11 souls
riding the bus today, praise God.
Tuesday 30 May: Mrs. Lewis’ sister in the States is at the point
of death. Mrs. Lewis is now hurriedly preparing to fly to the States. So, I
drive their son to school at Harvest Christian Academy, and
speak at the morning assembly. It turns into a most busy day at the Lewis house,
as word comes this afternoon that Mrs. Lewis’ sister died. I run errands for
them. Mrs. Lewis flies out from Guam in the evening.
Wednesday 31 May: Brother Lewis goes to work. I take their son to
school and smaller daughter to her nursery. This becomes our daily routine
while their mother is gone. Thank Thee, Lord Jesus, for bringing me here in Thy Perfect
Timing to be of a help to the Lewis family in such a
time as this.
Sunday 4 June 1978: Revival services start this morning at Harvest
with Evangelist Dunn from the States preaching. We have nightly revival
services thru out this week with decisions for salvation most every night,
praise God! To God be the Glory!
Tuesday night 6 June revival service: At invitation time, Charles
comes forward to pray for salvation. Last Saturday night, I was inviting people
to church, as they came out of bars. Charles came out of a bar, and I invited
him to church, praise God!
Monday 12 June: Tonight, Evangelist Dunn preaches the final
revival service. During these 9 days of revival preaching, approximately 40
lost souls came to the altar at invitation times and called on God to save
them. The zealous Christians at Harvest have exerted every possible effort
inviting and bringing people to the services. I am most blessed to have joined
in those efforts. At each invitation time, a good number of Christians came
forward to pray. There was much weeping. It was glorious!
Thursday 15 June: At 4 AM, Mrs. Lewis returns from the States.
Hubby, son and daughter are all most glad to see her.
Sunday night 18 June: At the short 6:30 service before the 7 PM
service at Harvest, I preach about 10 minutes on “For We Are Journeying”, my
first time to preach on this book’s title.
Monday 19 June: I take Lynn to summer school at Harvest Christian
Academy, and there tutor her myself. She has finished 1st grade in a
public school. Her teacher told her parents that Lynn needs remedial work. I
asked her parents to let me teach Lynn in Harvest’s summer school, and they
agreed. Today, I test her level in English reading and in math,
and start teaching her both courses. Summer school ends at noon each
day.
Pastor Wring is resigning from Harvest with plans to go to West
Germany to start one or more churches near U.S. military installations
(churches for U.S. military personnel). Harvest calls Brother Robinson from the
States as their new pastor.
Friday 23 June: I arise at 4:15 AM to ride to the airport with
Brother Lewis to meet the new pastor and his family arriving about 5 AM. Many
Harvest people come to the airport. From there, we all go to the church to
welcome the new pastor. This grand reception ends by 7 AM. I drive
to Villa Verde, get Lynn, bring
her to Harvest, teach her till noon, take her home,
and return to the Lewis house to sleep till 5 PM,
weary from an early start. Then, I fellowship with friends till 2 AM the next
morning.
Tuesday 27 June: Pastor Wring’s family of 5 flies away from Guam
today, amidst emotional Farewells from many church folks at the airport.
Wednesday 28 June: Mr. and Mrs. Sparks plan a trip to nearby Saipan
Island for 3 days, and ask me to lodge with their
3 sons in their house, to look after the house, and the boys. ‘Sure.’
Friday 30 June: The 2 teachers at Harvest summer school have other
things they want to do today. “Sam, please run the whole show.”
‘Sure.’ I brought Lynn. Only 3 other students are here
today. I teach all 4 till noon, and then drive all 4
to their houses. Praise Thy Great Name, my
Great God. There is nothing more fulfilling than
having an abundance of work to do for Thee. Glory!
Sunday 2 July 1978: One (of the 2 Lewis’ cars) is not running.
Both son and daughter (in Lewis house) are quite sick
this morn. Mrs. Lewis takes her children to the doctor in their 1 useable car.
Brother Lewis drives my van to have transportation to church. I ride in the van
to pick up 24 children this morning, thank God. It’s a large van. And it is packed
full.
Monday 3 July: At school I administer an English test to Lynn, and am most glad to see her pass it. Her mother has
raised Lynn speaking Vietnamese to her, making it little Lynn’s first language
with English in second place. Thus 6-year-old Lynn had plenty of trouble with
English when she started school (similar to the
way I had trouble in English class, being raised a redneck).
Thursday 6 July: I teach Lynn at school till noon. The Lewis’ son is hospitalized today with a stomach
disorder, his mother beside his bed. I buy baby food
for their infant daughter, and take it to the church
lady that is keeping the daughter in her house. Tonight, while I’m driving on
church visitation, the muffler falls off Billy’s old car. I have much trouble
dealing with that, but still make a few visits. I return home to take my 3rd shower today,
repeatedly sweating till I stink. Just past midnight, I drive to the hospital
to stay “bedside” till 5 AM Friday, so Brother and Sister Lewis can get
some rest. Then I go to their house for 1 hour of sleep before going to get Lynn and teaching school. Precious Lord, truly it is most blessed and
fulfilling not to be idle.
Sunday 9 July: By God’s Grace, I did much visitation this past
week, and 30 precious souls ride my van to church today. One by one, several of
these children are praying to Christ to save them, in their Sunday School
classes and in Junior Church.
Friday 14 July: I baby-sit Ricky and Nu’s
2-year-old Diane, while they go bowling and such
tonight, returning at 2 AM. So, I just spend the rest of the night in their
house.
Sunday 16 July: Praise God that 34 precious eternal souls ride
with me to church today.
Tuesday 18 July: Day after day, reading Bible stories to
children, singing and praying together, and getting them taught well at
Harvest, it’s most rewarding to see the Holy Spirit work godly
sorrow into their hearts. “Uncle Sam, I steal candy at the store,”
confesses a 7-year-old girl (out of the blue).
‘I see. You must tell Jesus you are sorry and ask Him to forgive
you. Will you do that?’ She sadly nods her head and follows me in prayer. ‘We
need to go tell the store lady and pay her.’ This is the hard
part, but with God’s Help I talk her into going with me. I question her
as to how much she thinks she has stolen over a period of time,
and give her a $5 bill to pay for it.
I walk to the small store nearby with her in tow, and we go to the
counter where the store lady is. ‘I’m Uncle Sam. I’ve been teaching these
neighborhood children about Jesus, and “Celina” tells me she has been stealing
candy from your store. She has come now to tell you she is sorry. “Celina”--.’
“Sorry.” From a little sinner’s head bowed most low in
shame; the tiny voice sounds out for all eternity and is recorded by the Judge
of all the earth. Glory to God!
‘Pay her the money.’ Then the little angel hands the lady
the $5, and we soon leave. No doubt this gave the store lady food for
thought.
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be
repented of.”
Reader Friend, have you allowed the Holy Spirit to work godly sorrow into your heart, or are you headed to eternal Hell fire to receive the never-ending punishment of your sins?
I greatly appreciate you diligent Sunday School teachers who tell your kids’ class of my missionary work, and sometimes give me their offerings of $3 or so. Please tell them this story of “Celina”. and that I use their offerings in such manner as making restitution for this repentant girl. Thank you, children, for giving.
Thursday 20 July: My return to Japan is approaching. For days, I’ve been talking with Lynn’s parents. ‘She will get a better education at Harvest Christian Academy than in the public school. If you will let her go to Harvest, I’ll pay for it.’ I was most desirous for Lynn to also get spiritual training at Harvest. They thanked me for my kind offer, and left the decision up to their little girl. This day Lynn tells me she wants to stay in the public school, and that she does.
Sunday 23 July 1978: My last Sunday on Guam (this trip). “Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul!” Again, 34 souls ride to church with me, a steady increase from the first Sunday that I started a Harvest bus route.
At 10 AM, I attend the adult Sunday School class. But they run me out at the end of it, so they can talk about me behind my back. At 11 AM, I teach in Junior Church. After the invitation is finished in the auditorium, they call me back to the main worship service, present me with a generous love offering, and have me stand up front for all souls to shake my hand. Sweet Jesus, it was most precious and blessed. Bless them all richly.
Tonight, I give a short testimony in Harvest Baptist Church.
Monday 24 July 1978: Nineteen dear friends come to the airport to see me off, church friends versus non-church friends, about equal in number. Each of those 2 “classes” of friends naturally gravitates into 2 separate groups at the airport, and I circulate back and forth between groups till boarding time. Farewells are heavy laden with emotion, and I finally board.
As I ascend to high skies, my cup runneth over from this another trip to the tropical Pacific on the Fullness Plateau I wrote of near the end of the previous chapter. God worked ever so miraculously while I was on Guam. A good number of young ones followed me in prayer for salvation. Several who rode my bus to Harvest will never again attend a fundamental church service. At church, several prayed to Christ to save them. Thank God for giving me rapport with their parents, that resulted in permission for their children to go with Uncle Sam to Harvest.
Chau’s family had moved out of Villa Verde before I arrived on Guam this time. After taking Lynn home from a half day of summer school, I often did much bus visitation in Chau’s new neighborhood, in Michelle’s new neighborhood, and in sisters Marie and Vicky’s new neighborhood. (Previously I wrote that those girls’ families had moved out of Villa Verde.)
This time on Guam, often I sat on the grass on the shaded side of Chau’s house to sing, read Bible stories, and pray with as many as 7 neighborhood kids present. When I arrived at Chau’s house in the bus on Sunday mornings, usually 5 or so kids were waiting outside to get on the bus. A few also came from each of the other 2 neighborhoods. Only a very few of them keep riding the Harvest bus after I leave. Also, I never again have a Harvest bus route of my own. So, working the bus route, thus meeting many new kids, and seeing a score or more pray to Christ to save them, was a blessed highlight of this period of time on Guam.
From the time I arrived on Guam, during practically all my many waking hours I was constantly “doing” and mingling with many other folks. Alone now on the airplane, my mind settles down into peaceful solitude. I thank my Lord for such a blessed time on Guam. During that time, I prayed for Matsuida, but also shut it out of my mind much of the time, in an act of licking my wounds from it. Now, as I fly back to Japan, I pray for miracles in Matsuida, mainly for God to provide me an abode in that town.
Today, I fly into the new Narita airport for my first time. There, a Japanese newspaper press agent confronts me wanting my opinion of the weakening U.S. dollar. So, I give him my weak 2 cents worth of mind. Exiting the airport terminal, I take the bus to the airport train station. Wire fences and security look like a war zone. Several groups have strongly opposed the building of this airport. Some of those groups are radical and violent. There has been fighting, destruction of new airport facilities, and 1 or 2 deaths. Thus, much security is in place at this time.
I had a morning flight, and it’s one hour earlier in Japan. I go to Bank of Tokyo to send money to Viet Nam. Then I find a PO near Tokyo Station, and send 2 packages to Viet Nam. My Vietnamese friends on Guam cannot yet do those things directly from Guam, U.S.A., because of enmity between those 2 nations. So, I bring their money and packages to Japan to send them from here. It’s a relief to be free of those packages, lightening my load.
I ride the trains to the Herseys’ house and spend the night.
Tuesday 25 July. Mrs. Hersey has a cooking class today for Japanese women (to also impart the Gospel to them). A Japanese Christian lady is scheduled to give a testimony to the lost ladies who attend, but she calls to cancel out. Mrs. Hersey volunteers me, and I teach the ladies from the Bible. After that, I ride the trains on to Karuizawa and take a taxi to my house (still have plenty of luggage). Many summer guests are now lodging in Christian Center. Preacher Akira Hatori and family are staying in my house. Mr. Nakata gives me a temporary room in the large dorm on the hill behind my house. It’s good to be back.
Friday 28 July: I ride the train to West Matsuida Station and walk straight toward the house directly behind the Saito family inn. I pray that if it be the Lord’s Will, it will be available for me to rent. From the time I first saw that house (for sale), I would regularly, prayerfully walk past it when I was in that area. I felt in my heart that it was meant for me, because the Lord led me next door to it on my very first day in this town, and because I found no other house to rent. It’s a 7-minute walk to that house from this quiet, rural train station. I well know, because to date (2025) I’ve literally walked it more than a 1000 times. This day, my heart is in my throat. If I were a child, I would have my fingers crossed. What will I see? Will it be occupied by other people?
1. The realtor’s sign is gone. Good! 2. The house appears empty. Good! 3. Now if only there was a “For Rent” sign out front. But there is not. Well, two out of three isn’t bad. That leaves much room for hope. I walk around to the Saito house and call out from the foyer. Mrs. Saito comes out and seems genuinely glad to see me. ‘What has happened with the house out back?’
“The Nakahara family bought it, but no one is living in it.”
‘Do they plan to use it?’
“I don’t know. Go ask them.”
‘Which house is theirs?’
“The one on the opposite upper corner, right where you turn in to go to that empty house.”
I know the house she is talking about. I thank her and walk around to the Nakahara house. They run a small lumberyard on their quarter acre of property, and several of the 6 family members (3 generations, 2 souls each) are home now. I recognize chubby Hiro who played with me before, now a 5th grade boy. He is happy to see me show up at his front door. Mr. Nakahara is friendly and jolly (as might be expected of a man with a big belly). I state my business to him. ‘Mrs. Saito said that little empty house right over there belongs to you. I’m looking for a house to rent, and want to ask about it.’
“I see. Actually, it belongs to my younger sister’s husband. Their family lives in Takasaki.” And ever so quick to see what he can gain from the potential deal he asks me, “Would you teach my children English?”
‘Yes, I’d be glad to teach them English.’ Made a contact!
Mr. Nakahara rings his sister’s house and states his business. I soon greet the brother-in-law on the phone and make plans to meet him here tomorrow to talk about the house. After we get off the phone, Mr. Nakahara takes me to the empty house, opens up with his key and shows it to me. Ever so simple, clean and neat, only 7 or 8 years old, God’s perfect provision for me. I return home to Karuizawa with heart overflowing with thanksgiving.
Saturday 29 July 1978: I return to Matsuida. The owner comes with his 5-year-old son to Mr. Nakahara’s house. He agrees to rent to me at a fair price. We make the deal for me to start renting from 1 August (3 days away). Each month, I am to pay the rent and utilities to Mr. or Mrs. Nakahara, just 2 doors away (most convenient). If I have any problems with the house or questions about it, I can tell that to the Nakaharas. Convenient!
Sunday 30 July: I attend the Gospel Church in Karuizawa. Brother Hatori is the guest preacher today. As I write this in 2025, he died about 6 years ago in his mid-nineties.
Tuesday 1 August 1978: A monumental day in my pilgrim journey. I borrow Bill Cook’s small station wagon, load it full of my bedding and such daily use items, drive to Matsuida and unload all that into my new abode. I kneel on my floor in thanksgiving for this abode and in petition for God to bless my future life of missionary service in Matsuida. I will continue to rent the house in Karuizawa just a few more months to use part time, and to transition gradually into my new abode. I drive back to Karuizawa to return Bill’s car, and I stay in Karuizawa tonight.
3d On 1 August 1978, I rent a
house in Matsuida Town, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. For the first time since going
out from my earthly father’s house in January 1965, I finally settle down long term in one house on this
earth. As I pen these words in August 2025, I still live in that same house in Matsuida.
“Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel…I
will plant you and not pluck you up.” (Parts of
Jeremiah 42:9 & 10)
By God’s Grace, I’ve traveled many trips
far and wide on this globe since 1 August 1978. I’ve been away from my little
house in Matsuida as long as a year at a time. Down
thru the years, it has been an immense relief to be planted long term, never
having to take any more belongings than I plan to use while away, and always
returning to the same house for more than 47 years.
My Precious Lord Jesus Christ, My Creator God, My Lord,
My All, I fervently worship Thee. Truly, Thy Way is Perfect. Thank Thee for
perfecting my every way. Thank Thee for firmly planting me in Matsuida.
Save many precious souls in this town!
The
End of Chapter 34