Chapter 34
SHOW ME THY WAYS, O LORD
(From 30 September 1977 to
1 August 1978, the day I rent a house 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 that way 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. There are lots of missionaries and churches 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 Thy Will
is for me to go to, 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 a different train line,
Koumi Train Line, meanders lazily thru ancient, rural “laid back” central Japan
with small train stations close together, ideal for me doing
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, 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 seemed 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 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 along.
But He did not.
For months, Dick had been going by car to a few different areas in
the vicinity of the Koumi Train Line to do “start up” 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 mail and such. I have already gotten a somewhat
thick envelope from Truk. 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 world 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.
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
and then 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 and 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, right at the base of the rugged mountain
range, too close to suit me. I know roughly that Isobe is about 3 stops ahead.
That area 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.
So Isobe is out.
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 it’s
on the edge of town where housing areas play out and fields begin. I need 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 give the name of the next station also. Isobe
is next ahead. I do not want to go to Brother Mogi’s town.
So these various facts (I’ve 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. 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 across the river bridge 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 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 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 the Saito’s family house and they rent 3 upstairs rooms to guests.
I step into the foyer and call out. Mrs. Saito is most
surprised to see a Caucasian face 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 reluctant,
she says I can have a room for the night. I follow her upstairs, leave my bag
in the small straw mat floor room she shows me, and tell her I’m going out. I
walk more of the 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 and 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 girls hail me as they come out from the school.
(In this rural town, most children under 12 have never seen a Caucasian
in person.) These 2 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, I go sit in that small playground by this 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 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 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
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 12
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. 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 to what I said.
But she was more seriously attracted to me than the
others were, but more so attracted to the Bible stories
and singing. Yesterday, she hung on every word of the Bible stories
and my speech 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, doing no undue urging.
“I want to trust in Jesus.” Emiko’s firm words 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 words of a prayer for salvation 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”.
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 day of acquaintance with these 3 small eternal souls now with
me on the porch of this idol. 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). You can easily calculate her age at the time you read this. 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 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 his house is next door to
it. He leaves and returns about 10 minutes later 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 and ride the train back to Karuizawa to
thank God in my room till after midnight and then retire. Almighty 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 of use to the police chief, giving me rapport with him. Truly,
Thou doest work mightily. Glory be to God for it all!
Thursday 13 October: I return 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 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. One other girl tagging along with Emiko also follows in praying.
“And a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)
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”. Then I play much with them and a few others join us who will
play, but won’t partake of Jesus Christ.
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.
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 attend it.
I walk around at length 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 aren’t 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 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 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 the devil deceives them and
entices them to indulge to the limit, in the lust of the flesh (particularly
the firewater this man is drunk on), the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life to make them happy forever. Lord,
help me to proclaim Truth to this whole town.
Long before you read this, the Grim Reaper had taken that drunkard into eternity. From then on, he immensely desires that I boldly preach Truth in his town. Tonight, I return to my house in Karuizawa, heartbroken over the steeped (deep seated from ancient days) idolatry in Matsuida.
“Stay away from him! He’s dangerous! He’s a thief! He’s a
kidnapper! Don’t go around him!” Early this week at the grammar school, 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 been in
eternity for a few decades already, 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 and sit waiting as usual. But today, most kids take a back path
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. They find it
impossible to march by, eyes straight ahead. They stop and stare silently at
me. I wave silently. In unison, they silently wave back. Instantly
in unison, they flee. (Writing this exactly 39 years later, I chuckle at
their unrehearsed, yet precision movements, like proficient
Marines moving in precise formation.)
This day, I start looking for a realtor to inquire of a house or
building to rent.
Friday 21 October: I talk with a realtor, am shown 2 places for
rent, but neither are suitable at all. Thirty-five years later, I will teach
the realtor’s daughter (who has become a grandmother) English conversation in
her home.
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?” a 3rd grade girl (Kiyoko) finally asks me.
‘No I am not.’
“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, when I move into my permanent house
here.
From the 1st day I played with kids in this playground,
a 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 was sitting alone in the playground on a “rocker swing” as
several kids stood at the edge of the street to warn others not to come in,
when this Little Princess came bounding in from a side dirt path that leads
toward her house. Thus she bypassed the “guards” nearby. That Cutie bounds up
to me (as has been her custom), and climbs up onto my lap.
“Come here.” “Get away from him.” “Come back.” “He’s dangerous.” It’s
amusing how the “guards” tried 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. This is a tremendous
encouragement, for God’s special chosen one to return to me. The next day she
again comes to me, talks friendly a while, and upon parting she calmly
announces that she can’t play with me any more because Teacher forbids it.
‘For how long cannot you play with me?’
“Forever,” she calmly replies as she walks away.
(Fortunately, “forever” lasted only a week or so.)
I mention to Mrs. Saito in the inn that I’m looking for a place to
rent. “The house right behind here is empty,” she happily tells me. Lord, Thou hast changed her heart so that she’s no longer leery
of me. Thank Thee, Lord. I excuse myself,
exit the front of her house and walk around to the next street to view that
house. A realtor’s sign hangs on the door. I copy down name and phone number.
Sunday night 23 October: After 3 days of spiritual battle 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 that
I was that courageous.
Friday 28 October: I call the realtor and 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 place 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 events. 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 leave 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 off 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. I give him a Bible and tell him of
Salvation in Christ.
Takashi is a draftsman by trade, 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 professes to believe in
Christ (along with 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 the battlefield.
Monday 12 December 1977: Annually Japanese Christians and
missionaries go 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 to see 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 when I kneel to pray for them, I
weep much.
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 in to
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 was disappointing to see.
Monday 26 December: I go to Fred Hersey’s house for cheerful
Christmas fellowship. The following day, he takes me to Karuizawa in his van
and he stays in Karuizawa 2 nights.
Sunday 1 January 1978: Yesterday, Fred and I came back to his
house from Karuizawa and I preach in their 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,
and it greatly helped me recuperate from the spiritual battle in Matsuida.
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 20) 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 so bright and the full moon illuminates the
snow-white world that the wind is whipping around, adding more joy to our
stroll.
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 the 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 in 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 somewhat 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 says to me. (I will soon learn that 4 generations live in
Mr. Kuribayashi’s house.) I perceive 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 5-year-old girl walks in, bundled up like an Eskimo. She is Setsuko
(Mr. Kuribayashi’s granddaughter) and 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.
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 on the train to be at 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.
Sunday 19 March: No one 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 starts in early April. So all my
children friends now advance a year in school. Emiko goes up to 3rd
grade.
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. I’m surprised that he came today.
Sunday 9 April: Two boys (regulars) are outside playing when I
arrive at the hall and follow me inside. Mr. Sato comes 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 and is bubbling
over with joy as he testifies of Christ working in his life. Praise God!
Sunday 23 April: Weather is warm now. Not longer need the “gas
chamber” kerosene heater in the 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 all night. 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 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 Christian services inside a building for
Japanese people, singing, praying and preaching in their language.
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.
Thirty-three years later in 2011, I was passing out notices in front of the
elementary school closest to Mr. Sato’s house. The school principal came out
and talked kindly to me, telling me that he was Mr. Sato’s son and commended me
for my kindness to his father (now deceased). Please pray with me for
the salvation of Mr. Sato’s descendants.
This morning of 14 May 1978, God makes my Yokokawa final
Sunday service a monumental 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.”
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 learn that
4 generations live in this house; (1) the boy and girl who have attended my
services, (2) their 2 parents, (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 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.” She was not following dead church guidelines at all. It was
glorious. I thank her for the tea and depart, never again to see her on
earth.
Less than 3 years from this day I pray for great granny, 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 to her house 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. 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 and her little Setsuko.
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 and 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 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 on 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 and 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 and 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 would
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 unused
one up and running by Sunday. So today, I start inviting people to ride to
church with me.
Saturday 20 May: I help mechanic-minded churchmen get the old van
up and running.
Sunday 21 May: 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, a few 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 and Mrs. Lewis
flies out in the evening.
Wednesday 31 May: Brother Lewis goes to work. I take their son to
school and 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 now.
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.
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 two
score 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 arrives from the States and
all her family is most glad to see her.
Sunday night 18 June: At the short 6:30 service before the 7 PM
service at Harvest, I preach more than 10 minutes on “For We Are Journeying”,
my first time to preach on the title of this book.
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
end up fellowshipping with friends till 2 AM the next morning.
Tuesday 27 June: Pastor Wring’s family of 5 fly 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 Saipan 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’s 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. Brother Lewis drives my van to have
transportation to church. I ride in the van and we 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 her 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.
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 and stay “bed side” till 5 AM Friday so Brother and Sister Lewis
can get some rest. Then I go home for 1 hour of sleep before going to get Lynn
and teaching school. Precious Lord, it’s
most blessed 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 in 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 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 in your heart, or are you headed to eternal Hell fire to receive the punishment of your sins?
I greatly appreciate you diligent Sunday School teachers who tell your children about 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 she does that.
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 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. 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 and thus meeting many new kids and seeing a score or more pray to Christ to save them, was a blessed highlight of this time on Guam.
From the time I arrived on Guam, during practically all my 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 2 cents worth. 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 airport property, 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 and 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 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 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 know. 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?
The realtor’s sign is gone. 1. Good! The house appears empty. 2. Good! Now if only there was a “For Rent” sign out front. 3. But there isn’t. 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 corner right where you turn in to go to that 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 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). ‘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 deal he asks me, “Would you teach my children English?”
‘Yes, I would be glad to teach them English.’
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.
Sunday 30 July: I attend the Gospel Church in Karuizawa. Brother Hatori is the guest preacher today. As I write this in 2016, he is in his mid-nineties and doing what he can do for our Lord.
Tuesday 1 August 1978: A monumental day in my pilgrim journey. I borrow Bill Cook’s small station wagon, load it full of 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 to stay there 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 October 2016, 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 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’s 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 38 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.