Maxey Mark Pauline 1960 Japan

A monthly report by the Mark G. Maxey familyto the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan

February, I96O

Dear Christian friends,

m-ct ^

Is it too late to say something about Christmas? Perhaps it is nevertoo early nor too late to talk about that happy time.

Early the 24th I looked out the window and saw a pretty package hang- ^ing on front gate. Markie brought it in. It was a record of Christmas Imusic; a present from one of my English students, a young man with the Year I96OJapanese Navy here.This note was attached: Paula & Faith"To Mr. Maxey. Merry Christmas to all of you.This is the first time in my life I can say, write this word. But now I'm very glad to say it.Veil, what puzzled me really was what Christmas present was the best for your families. But Idecided that very day, take this disk as my present. Please, don't believe me good or bad, I'll beon duty at Christmas and going to other base for enroute training with airplane. After the duty,I-ll see you, Mr. Maxey. May God reward and bless Yanagimoto. "Well, Yanagimoto-san, you'll never know how good that letter and record made me feel. It set thetone for the whole season. Such voluntary expressions of thanks from the Japanese have been somewhat rare for me so this was a real boost to missionary morale.

J

At Kushikino after attending their Candle Light Christmas Program, the church gave me a lovelyhand-painted silk tie. At the Kanoya program, the church gave us a beautiful flower vase. At theleper colony after the Christmas service, the members there gave Pauline, Paula and I 1000 each inthanks for holding services and Cormen's meetings there. These plus the greetings, gifts, and boxesof many friends like you made our Christmas a joyous one indeed.Christmas week we had a big sukiyaki supper for our co-workers and thier families. The day beforeChristmas we took boxes and cakes Pauline had baked to them and to others in need. Christmas nightwe stayed up till midnight waiting for the carolers to come and to have them in for cupcakes andhot chocolate. Christmas morning the children were up in the cold, grey dawn to find their gifts.Then we all went to the leper colony for morning service and to the orphanage for a short programand presentation of gifts to each child.

Then we were all set to enjoy Pauline's Christmas dinner of ham and turkey and all the trimmings.For one of the less-traveled spots of the earth, we had a good supply of Americans on hand: VelmaHeld, faithful Christian and helper of missionaries from Hampton, Iowa, now teaching in the Armyschools in Tokyo; Clarence Petro, of Irwin, Penna but for the past 8 years, teacher of English inthe High Schools of Kagoshima City; James Lewis, Aviation Electrician Chief of the U.S. Navystationed in Kanoya and our nearby neighbor; and Ernest Sims from the Reflectone Corporation inConnecticut, installing a complicated navigational training device at the Naval Air Station. Ve hada big table, a big meal and a big time. A Christmas day made happier by having some one to shareit with.

The day after Christmas we were able to arrange a trip for the orphans to visit the U.S.S. Alamo,a navy ship making a goodwill visit in Kagoshima Bay, They sent small boats out to Mt. Sakurajimato meet us, gave the youngsters a tour of the ship, a .big dinner, pockets full of candy, a movieand a cash gift to buy something they needed. Our youngsters went along and all of them wound upinterpreting before the afternoon was over.

The following Tuesday, six officers from the Alamo and the U.S.S. Tioga came to Kanoya County asguests of the local Rotary club, and the Japanese Navy, Pauline had them for coffee here and thatnight Capt. Loustaunau of the U.S.S. Alamo invited us for dinner in his cabin in honor of our 18thv;edding anniversary. It was a very happy and memorable anniversary.

Gregory became 8, December 30th and graduated to Markie's full-size bycicle. Markie became 14,January 16th and moved up to a small motor-bike about which he had been dreaming and for which hehad been saving for a year, Markie is a fine young man and a great help to us. It will be lonelywhen he and Paula go off to Kobe to high school this fall,

January 19, we bagan a six weeks Leadership Training Program at the Christian Center. Bro. Yoshiiof the Kanoya church and I share the teaching on alternate nights. He is teaching the first halfof the book and myself the last. There are eight regular students.

We have had a n\imber of letters recently asking when we are coming home. All of us have had atinge of homesickness this winter and we'd like nothing better than an chance to see home placesand home faces, but that will not be for some time yet. Since we will stay six years this term,our furlough will begin the summer of 1962, In this way, Paula will finish high school in Japanand Markie will have two years more when we go home. This is the way we are planning now, but wemust_add.._L'if .the Loxd wil3.s_j^e_vill d.o this or that."Until nexttime think of Japan and pray for those working here. An aged Catholic priest friend ofmine who has spent all his life in these parts wrote me the other day, that the difficulties ofteaching the Gospel in Japan reminded him of the words he had heard from a Professor in Seminary,"Plow the rock until it yields." Japan's nev; prosperity,intellectualism and Buddhist-Shintorevival make the rock harder than ever. Ve continue to plow.

In His service,

LIMLBTTERMonthly Publication of

Kyushu Christian MissionBox 159

North Vernon, Indiana

Form 3547 Requested

2 1W0

IJr, Harold McFarlandJUissions ServicesBox 96&JoHet, IlUnois

Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE

PAIDNorth Vernon, Indiana

Permit No. 1

No. 109

A monthly repwrt by the Mark G. Maxey familyto the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission


March, 196O

Dear Christian friends,They Completed Six Veeks

Training Course

March 33:'d., I had an invitation from Bro. Ikeda on the island of Tannegashima to comedown for the dedication of their new kindergarten building. Pressed "both for time and money, Idelayed until the last moment and finally left "by the island-hopping airline early that morning.Unfortunately, halfway there, the pilot turned hack "because of poor visibility. Ve sat on theground for three hours and by the time I arrived in Tannegashima the festivities were all over.The telegram I had sent was undelivered. They had waited a half-hour for my arrival and then wenton without me. I had to be content with taking pictures, visiting some of the Christians and having an enjoyable fellowship with the Ikedas before returning on the all-night ferry.

This incident is rather descriptive of most of the things I have set my hand to the lastfew months. Nothing seems to have turned out as well as expected and spiritually and physically,we are at a low ebb. Perhaps it might be explained by the quotation: "A man's reach should exceedhis grasp else what is heaven for?""

One notable exception was the six-week's training course just completed at the Center.The seven pictured above completed the course''With"""75^'attendance""'and passing grades. They wereawarded certificates closing night. Of these seven, four were not Christians. At the invitationgiven that night three made the good Gonjfe_ssion: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God".These are the two men'""at the rear center and the woman, front row left. Two of them were baptizedthe following Sunday at Knoya church and the "o^Her will be shortly. Mr. Nagayoshi, the oldestman, is a retired school teacher who heard the gospel the first time at the meetings in Kanoyalast fall and has been studying earnestly since that time. Needless to say Bro. Yoshii and I aregreatly encouraged by these decisions of mature men and women.

The momings mail brings a card from Bro. Tanijiri at Kushikino. '^Good news", it says."At last after the fall meetings and many weeks of teaching there is one person who has made theconfession and will be baptized on March 6". Please be praying for us on that day". This will begladly done.

Visitors are alwavs welcome at our house and provide occasions for relaxing the dailyschedule. m Powers of the Christian Advent Mission. He lives on themain island of Japan on the west coast. He spent a week with us observing the program here inaction. Ve had a good time exchanging ideas on mission methods, Christian doctrine and visitingthe ch\irches in the cold spells we have had in 40 years they say. He Dlaved the trumpet in the un-i^4.ti_5iMJXches and _it was really fi^ny seeing the blast of steam coming out the beft,! Qi!.,th!C"trrum-

After he returned, he sent me a copy of the report he had prepared to share with othermembers of his mission. Interesting to see yourself as others see you.

, , Richard Hemdon, American Consul located in Fukuoka, Kyushu'sgShefwrvili^T^^'^ fifty miles northwest. He spent anight and a day with us and to-Rotarv Clu^ Hp Navel Air station, city officials and he was guest speaker at the

Our co-worker, was a very recent visitor. He had a long week-end betweentests and the beginning of the next term in language' sc!iooT7"~ He came down to Kyushu with one

mind - to find_a sîta>lQ..^pi eca ,of land to which_he coTjJLjd. come_wh^n_ s^chool is outTTTissummer and build a house for his family, We_dnesdaj night he arrived at our houre'.'" Thursday, wedrove a:'ound the bay to Kajiki and within a short time he was shown what to me was a piece ofground perfectly suited for a missionary residence and at a very reasonable price. Paul preachedfor me Sunday on the Satsuma peninsula circuit - Kagoshima, Kajiki and Kushikino - , On Monday;y^â"r-ranffements for the land had been completed and tViP y^^^yip^nt mnHp. Truly, phenomenalspeed in this land where even speedy things get done slowly - and a sign of the Lord's leading.Getting the rest of the payments made and a building on the land is the remainder of the problemwhich I am sure, the Lord, and Paul, and Christian brethren will work out, also.

Aside from unusual seiges of cold weather, another almost daily visitor has been -^ng^âaja^rom Mt. Sakurajima 15 miles north of us. The first term out T could hardly wait to seethis volcana blow onnp>. This term_I_aan hardly wait until~it quits. The dust oflen~festslike a grey pall on everything and farmers near'ahT'on'the mountain have suffered great loss tofiniit and vegetables.

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A number of projects loom up in the immediate future:The annual church and missionaiy conventions come the end of March. Ve try to assistfinancially so that someone from each church can go and bring back inspiration and information from this gathering.ThKa,iaki church is built ..on rent^ land. The city has asked for the land back by theend of March. Ve must complete arrangements to buy another piece of land and move thebuilding very soon.

3..-ilac.h-

rZTNKZcrre^

No. 110



May, 1960


1

CONVENTION CHORISTERS

As they say in Japanese letters: "Please pardon the long silence". The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. In fact, about the end of March, most of the flesh around this placewas very weak. Pauline was in bed a couple of weeks. I was having trouble getting to sleep andhaving bad dreams when I did.

Convention time saved the day. It was a strain getting ready and even more so going,butthe spiritual and physical rewards made it worthwhile. The end of March till the middle of Aprilis between the terms for all Japanese schools. Result: everybody travels and the trains are insufferably crowded, standing in line a week in advance from about 7 we were able to buyenough ^I'd class sleepers for our family. So away we went. It was a big adventure for the kids.Gregory and Faith both spent most of the night looking out the windows.

The convention this year was at-Tanabe with Vivian Lemmon as hostess. That meant ajourney of about 750 miles up to Osaka*and then back down the peninsula a half day's journeysouth. We got there for one day of the convention of the Japanese brethren and all of the missionary convention. The, spirxtual^-emphasis was the best, of any of pur conventions. There weresessions for the adults, the teen-agers and the children. Pauline led one evening session and Igave the closing address on Saturday, At this session, the teen-agers present sang for us. Theyare: (I. to r,) Steven Pleenor, Paul Pratt, Janet Dittemore, Paula Maxey, Carol Mings, and WalterMaxey. Patty Likins played the organ. (Her Daddy took the picture). While they sang their parents comforted themselves with the thought that if they don't get the job done in Japan, maybethe next generation will.

The convention closed with a gift for Grace Parnham and farewell messages by herself andsome of the rest of us. She will return to the U. S. this summer after a lifetime of service inJapan. She has set us a worthy example.

Afterwards we went to Kobe and spent several days with Isabel (Dittemore). Prom therewe had good visits with her and the other missionaries in Osaka and Kobe. One day was spent inIQyoto visiting the Baptist hospital. All of us got thorough physical examinations. We came offin pretty good shape, I got some sleeping pills, Paula some Iron capsules, Greg, a bottle ofpills for possible T,B, infection (nothing definite) and Pauline, a recommendation for vitajninsof most letters of the alphabet. In parting we held out our arms for the inevitable shots toward off current ills, Markie was happy to hear the doctor say that he will probably grow to sixfeet, two by the time he is eighteen.

Soon after getting back home, I spent 5 days at the spring conference of the General Conference Mennonite missionaries. These fine people work in the prefecture adjoining ours to thenortheast, I spoke three times on the theme "Called of God", ending up with the question: HasGod called us to an impossible task in Japan? Answer: Even though it may often seem so and theobstacles outnumber the victories yet it cannot b'e," "At" Tast, "Every knee shall bow and everytongue confess that Jesus is Christ the LGPd",'- Thinking -and praying through this problem wasvery important for me - and for that reason especially I-was very glad that they asked me tocome. The wonderful fellowship was an addad:(blessing,

There are signs of new life in the churches. At two churches where forper leaders hadgone away, two young ladies volunteered to teach in the Bible school. Seven from this area wentto the convention and one of these made a confession of Faith, There have been five recent baptisms in the Kanoya church by Bro. Yoshii,

Last week I went down south to the island of Tannegashima for the "hi-mnnthiy p-pgaflriVig-rg^legiing. Taking advantage of two Japanese holidays, Bor, Ikeda arranged for a '^two day gathering ofChristians with many of them bringing their bedding and food and staying all night. This turnedout to be one of^the finftRt mftfttings I have attended.in Japan. Each preacher was asked to preachor teach on a major subject of faith or living. I have not heard better preaching or better presentations in Japan. These men are continuing to study the Bible carefully and with much prayer.They are presenting it so it can be understood. The opposite of many preachers here who provetheir learning by preaching subject matter that they know the people will not understand. I spokeonce on "The Christians Reward" but most of the time I just listened. The people who came enteredin heartily both in hearing and asking questions-indicating the effective witness of the Ikedasand the church and kindergarten, I came away counting my blessings - especially the blessing ofhaving a group of consecrated men to work with.

On the return trip, the ship was too crowded with horses,pigs and people to have any roombut deck space. I staked out a place on a tool box. 1/iy air matress had a leak in it so I had astraw mat under me and a blanket over me. The Mayor had given me a farewell gift of Easter lillieswith 4-feet stems. These were stretched out alongside - somewhat like a funeral. In the middle ofthe night it began to rain. I put the straw mat on top and hoped. Sure enough it stopped. Arriving in Kagoshima at 4 a.m. I got in my truck to drive away. Too bad - flat tire! Such is life inJapan - a fly in every ointment, a nail in every tire.

One pleasant stirprise: Vivian Lemmon was on the ship when we went to Tannegashima. TheIkedas had invited her to share in the program. Afterward, she came back and spent a week with ushere, speaking at the Kanoya church and the Leper colony.

Two other surprises: Two new baby boys in the preachers families. The Yoshiis in Kanoyahave a son, their first child, named: "Makoto" - sincerity*. The Daikusonos in Kushira have a son,(th^r" fir^t"was a girl)rn^ed:"R^riaki"~^ w6Merfur"ex^pIe7 B^tfi families are very happy"andTwe are happy with them.

But all is not joy. Here is a letter I just received from a 14 year old girl: "Mr. Maxey,How are you getting along every day? Cherry blossoms had already fallen. I am Miss Churel. Imade it a rule to go to Matsuyama Church of Christ.

Maybe my question is stupid but would you please give me the answer? Sometimes I thinkof death and I feel veiy bad. So I don't know how to do. What shall I do? And toward evening notonly I but also other friends feel so, I am now in the second year of middle school. Do all thepeople think such a thing? Please write a letter very soon. I'll be waiting".

Our answer will tell her of "The Way, The Truth and the Life".In His Service,

P.S. If you have not already ordered, DVBS missionary lesson sets featingAJiis/work are ready andin the States. Write; Gladys Auerswald, Box 139} North Vemon, Indiana.

LINKLETTERMonthly Publication of

K^shu Christian MissionBox 139


Form 3547 Requested

iOS'C

Mr Harold McParlandiMissions ServipQsBox 96aJoliet, Illiiiola


PAIDNorth Vemon, Indiana

Permit No. 1

MADDEN MEMORIAL BUILDING PROGRESS REPORT

Facts Concerning the Building;

The beginning of the Madden Memorial Building was an earth shakingevent. The entire neighborhood was shaken as the piling were driven.The foundation work should be completed by the end of the year. Thismeans the second payment will be due on the building. The contract callsfor completio.n of the building by the end of February. At that time, theentire cost of the building must have been paid. The pictures on the reverse side give you some idea of the actual progress so far.

Facts Concerning the Funds?

Estimates on the building publicized earlier fell short of the actualcontract cost. Less than :p1^,000 has been received from the States. Mission property no longer needed for its intended purpose has been sold andthese funds will be used to cover a portion of the Madden Memorial Building cost. ^Jl0,000 is still lacking and MUST be on hand by February.

Facts Concerning Some of the Sources of Funds;

Two Japanese Christians have given the equivalent of ONE MONTH'Ssalary to the-memory of their beloved father and mother in the faithsTwo men from America who were with Brother Madden in his first ministrieshave sent substantial offerings. Recently a veteran missionary from Indiasent her contribution to^ the memory of the Maddens. Every missionary atthe convention in Nagoya agreed to their personal income in the pro-ject. These are a few examples of the deep concern for this Madden Mem^orial Building.

Facts about Which You Can Be Concerrled;'

The Japanese Christians hav$ faith in their American brethren. Thisfaith gives them their hope that this building will be realized. Yourlove for Christ and the preaching of the Gospel can help make a realityout of the hope of the Japanese Christians. This will be the most outstanding building of our people in Japan. It will be a building of whichall can be proud, and it will show to our Japanese brethren that we consider them worthy of such a structure. Surely a building costing only afraction of most new church buildings in America should not be denied ourJapanese brethren!

Facts to be Faced;

-Osaka Bible Seminary is the nn!l^.iJbl^^.ollege...in--Ja,pan ng-ithf^rRoman Catholic nor Protestants T'Te^^lieve this project to be God's will!!YOUR contribution is needed NOW to prove that you believe in it too andare willing to match the love of your brethren in Japan.

' iton-i'rofit OrganizatiorS. POSTAGE PAIDNorth Vcrnon, Indiana

Mr. Harold McFarland Bo, 1Missions ServicesBox 968Joliet, Illlaois

I- ; UvU

GROUND BREAKING

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Clark - Sugano

H. Sugano Speaking

191OM, B. Madden baptized H. Sugano# 193^M B. Madden purchasedthis property. 1937H. Cole began Osaka Bible Seminary. 19^1/^6H. Sugano held the property. June 7* 19^5U. S. bombers wiped outall buildings. 19^7H. Cole returned. Thirteen years later, I96OMadden Memorial Building, the first permanent building, is started.

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CONTRACTSeptember 7 196O

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July, 1960


These are troubled times for Japan. No one who has read thenewspapers the last two months can doubt that - Typhoons, tidal waves,strikes, riots and demonstrations have surrounded us.

THERE'LL BE A BETTERMY TOMORROW

In regard to natural disasters, we have little to worry about except typhoons. To themwe turn one cheek and then the other and get slapped on both sides. The first one this year wasvery light - mostly a good wetting.

Kanoya has an elevation of about 15O feet so tidal waves do not reach us. The nearestriver is about a mile away, down-hill, so we don't have to worry about floods.

Ve are also rather insulated from political disturbances. Tokyo is over a 1000 milesaway by rail and even more remote as far as peoples feelings go. In Japanese movies, it is always the high point of tragedy when the hero and heroine are separated and one or the other mustgo to Kyushu. Kagoshima being at the southern end of Kyushu is so much the worse.

In ten years here we have had not more than two or three insults just because we wereAmericans. Even those were some years ago. There are nasty people and nice people wherever yougo and the nasty Japanese are really nasty to their own countrymen and always civil to us. Vehave found that kindness begets kindness and we have been here so long that most of the time weforget we are foreigners.

The night before the Hagerty incident I was invited to a reception by the Mayor of theCity and the Admiral of the Naval Air Station here in honor of a U.S. Navy group visiting Kanoya.The goodwill and expressions of appreciation on the part of the Japanese that night made thetrouble in Tokyo seem very remote indeed.

In Kagoshima I saw a group of students and unionists snake-dancing through the streetscarrying banners denouncing the U.S. and the new treaty. I got out to take pictures, smiled andwaved. They replied in the same good spirits. In the Post Office I saw the walls plastered withthe same kind of anti-U.S., slogans. I asked the clerk about them while buying some stamps. Hesmiled and said: "Oh, we don't mean you!"

The cancellation of the Presidents visit was a real blow to us all. Soon after I was inthe Immigration Office getting my visa renewed, the chief of the section came over to me and saidi"If the President had come I could shake your hand and say 'congratulations' but now I can sayand do nothing." Such expressions of regret and apology were numerous.

Make no mistake about it, however, Democracy faces a serious crisis in Japan, It is aword on everybody's tongue but few know what it really means. To many Japanese the other personis undemocratic if he doesn't give in to the first persons desires. Kishi was undemocratic because he used his majority vote to approve the treaty. The police are undemocratic for notletting rioters enter the Diet building, etc.

A highly organized, well-paid, vocal minority have thwarted the will of the Japanesenation. Brute strength was stronger than'Democracy in action. Having tasted the sweet victoryof keeping the President of the U.S. out of Japan, the same minority will be using the samemethods even more effectively in the future.

In many ways, the problems facing Democracy and Christianity in Japan are the same.Democracy is an outgrowth of Christianity "but few Japanese know that. Until this relationshipis understood there is little hope for the former, Christianity, meanwhile, is highly praisedbut little understood. For many it is a pleasant veneer. For others it offers immediate physical benefits. But Christianity as "the way, the truth and the life" is not finding a wideacceptance in Japan today. A long time ago Christ said the gate to life is narrow and "fewthere be that find it." It would be hard to find a more fitting text to describe our resultshere.

Two full weeks of meetings here held in June, One week in a town hall in Tarumizu.The crowds were small enough to discourage the most stout-hearted preacher. The results; oneyoung university student who has not missed a service since that time. We expect him to make adecision for Christ and to be baptized soon. Needless to say, we are very happy for that one.

Another week of meetings in the city of Kagoshima produced no visible results. In eachof these meetings, as always, besides handbills distributed through the newspapers, every homewas visited, a tract given as well as an invitation to the meetings,

Also during June Markie and I were gone for two weeks. En route to Tokyo we visited the _pastor's house being built in Kushikino; visited two missionaries homes in southern Kyushu; gotmy passport renewed in Fukuoka (northern Kyushu) and visited with a Christian family in the AirForce, (the Don Smiths of San Antonio); attended church and visited north of Osaka where we werestationed in the Army; visited Pratt's and Dittemores briefly in Kobe and finally got to Tokyo,In Tokyo we joined the other Tokyo missionaries in greeting Lois and Laverne Morse en route toBurma; said farewell to the Likins family as they left on furlough; spoke to the combined Englishclasses of all our Tokyo missionaries (the idea spark-plugged by Velma Held, an Iowa Christianteaching in the Army schools in Tokyo); spoke in the Mabashiashi church Simday morning and Sundaynight held a get-together of many of the Kagoshima young people who had moved to Tokyo at theChristian Student Center where Dr. Hido Aoki holds forth. On the return trip, we spoke at OsakaBible Seminary chapel, had a day of fellowship and shopping with the Clarks before taking thenight express back home.

Having said all that, I must confess that we really went north to go fishing. For threeglorious days, Bro. Aoki took us fishing high up in the mountains where the snow was still visibleand the air and water ice cold. We caught trout and got little sleep but those were only minorregrets. The climate, the conversation and companionship were the real blessings that refreshedour souls and bodies.

We continue our schedule of church visitation, preaching and teaching, receiving callersand drinking tea, supe27vising the book store, writing letters and receiving more than we answer,encouraging the pastors and helping two of them get motor-bikes this month on a time-payment plan;and all in all, like they used to say about John D. Rockerfeller, trying to get a dollar's worth




Form 5547 Requested

In His Service,

f#'

Mr. Harold IflcFarlandMissions ServicesBox 968Joliet, Illinois



Permit No, 1

JBaptizing at Tarumizu

Stephen lijima, Walter Mark& Kenji Niro & tent atMatsuyaraa

No, 112 , September, 196ODear Christian friends,

This has "been the hottes't and driest summer I can remember in these parts. EJven thoughthis area is known as "typhoon alley" the seasons numberous blows have given us a wide berth# Thissummer, for once, we have been able to "make hay while the sun shines."

The first big event of the summer was the July 4th picnic at our house, 75 missionariesand children from Ka^oshima and Miyazakie prefectures spent the day with us. Picnic foods, hamburgers, watermellon, contests, sports, pledge of allegiance to the flag (a new 50 star one) patriotic songs, hymns and devotions made it a day to remember and help satisfy the longing for homethat creeps up on us every once in awhile.

Next, we were at Kushikino for the bi-monthly preacher's meeting and dedication of thenew parsonage there. I spoke of The Preacher and His House-a subject that I could handle with anair of authority. After the dedication, the preachers completed planning for camp and after themorning preaching and praying we all v/ent for a swim in the ocean. I loaded up the tools andremaining building materials in my trailer and together with most of the preachers headed forKagoshima city. Almost simultaneously two back tires blew out. Nothing to do but let it sit onthe road while we got out in a driving rain and hailed a bus. Such is travel in Japan - one minutesetting pretty, the next slogging through the mud and rain.

Event number three was the arrival of the Paul Pratt fajnily. They have completed twoyears of language study in Kobe and have now come to Kagoshima willing and ready for the task ofevangelism. Their two sons, Paul and Mark; and two daughters, Lydia and Mary, were joyfully welcomed by our own youngsters. Splashing water, barking dogs, whirling bicycles, dolls and disheswere the order of the day. The Pratts will be living and working on the other side of the baygiving the churches there much-needed stimulus and giving me more time with the churches and workhere.

August began with summer camp - the 9"^^ consecutive year and the 2nd here at the ChristianCenter. Two big tents were set-up on the grass in front of the center. One for girls and one forboys. In the back another tent served as cook tent and mess hall. The preachers, families andother guests lived in two Japanese-style houses we have. The center served as chapel and classrooms, Both Juniors and Seniors shared the same week of camp but separate classes and chapelservices were held. Total camp attendance was about 45* Responsibility and leadership are in thehands of the Japanese. Paul Pratt and I assisted in recreation and teaching. The camp was self-supporting except for use of the Center facilities. One day was set aside for ladies day when thewomen of the area came for a special day arranged by Pauline. The Sunday after camp there werefive baptisms in Kanoya church. Attendance at camp was one factor in helping them make theirdecision said Bro. Yoshii, Kanoya pastor.

Event number five were the evangelistic meetings. Advance preparations took over a month,Bro, Stephen lijima of the Minato Church of Christ in Tokyo .came to preach. Bro, Kenji Niro, oneof our own boys, and pastor at Moriguchi Church of Christ at Osaka while going to Seminal^" came tohelp with Vacation Bible School and to hold follow-up meetings,

"Dendo" is the Japanese word for evangelism, I wish it were as simple to do as say.First of all we prepared the advertising - 40,000 pieces. Each sheet had a map of the church, thetime of regular services, a picture of the pastor, a tract "What Christians Believe," and, at theend in red ink, information about the dendo and follow-up meetings. These were put into the handsof the newspaper distributors in each town for insertion the day the meetings began.

The Chevrolet Carry-All was rigged up as a sound-truck with speakers on top. Signboardswere hung on the sides and hack of' the truck telling of the services. Markie was my assistant insetting up the charts, hook box, speakers, screen and projector at the meeting place. While hewas doing that we covered every street and alley of the town with an invitation to attend.

Meetings were held in ten places - Kaigata, Tarumizy, Kanoya, Koyama, Kushira, Osaki,Matsuyama, Sueyoshi and Keai-en. Services were held in a town hall which had no seats; a tent inMaysuyama because the man who controlled the town hall belonged to one of the new religions andwould not let us use the buildingj an abandoned theater building, an ex-police station and, ofcourse, in church buildings themselves. Ihe crowds were good in every plaoft. Tti fact, I was moreencouraged than I have been for some time. They were genuinely interested in the Christian message and very many who came to a place of Christian worship for the first time. Bro. lijima's messages were full oJ* apt illustrations from Japanese life drawing attention to the teachings of Christ.Bro. Niro spent a week each in Matsuyama and Sueyoshi after the meetings closed leading and teaching. In addition, Daily Vacation Bible Schools have been held at Tarumizu, Sueyoshu, Matsiayama,the orphanage and Kanoya church with Center people helping or leading.

It goes without saying that all these activities left us pretty well depleted physicallyand otherwise. The old Chev drank up a couple of barrels of gas, developed knots on all four tires,turned 50,000 on the speedometer and seems to sag a bit herself as she sets in the garage.

The desk is full of unanswered mail - but give us a little time. Pauline and I both became a year older but we didn't take time off for much celebrating. Except we both admit to feeling our age a little bit. Ccane September first, Paula and Markie leave foiôbe,\whe^^they willbe attending high school at~ê--iOianadianrÂcademy- ^ going to le^ye^^bTg hoie^gi our family^life^ânSTmissionary work.^^^ also, we must say, in the budget. They will be TiirlHg*^th inyBister, Isal)el. JflTiet - "

Our metal pre-fab house has also been showing its age this s\immer and we have taken offall the outside panels, had them cleaned and treated for rust. Maybe it will hold together now forten more years. We hope so.

Eleven years ago we left the anny to begin this work. Ten years ago this month wearrived in Japan. We, are staving six years this-termwill mt us home in the summer of 1962.Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.


K^shu Christian MissionBox 139


Form 5547 Requested

In His Service,

Mr. Harold McParlandISisslons ServicesBox 968JoUet, Illinois



Permit No. 1



Kovem'ber, 196OIT'S A GIRL

HOPEOctoter 4th

Linkletter No. 113


It's "been a lûsy and happy two months since you last heard from us. The "box at the rightwill tell you why. ])ue to previous disappointments we hadn't said much about the new baby's coming.We were preparing though - with hope and prayer and many were praying with us.

September 19 Pauline went up to the hospital in Kyoto 'JQO miles north of u-S. That left me,the general man about the office, school room, kitchen and what-have-you. It only takes a few daysof that to make a man realize the load the other half of the family is carrying.

Paith and Gregory were good sports though and we got along pretty well. Pauline and theDoctor set the date for October 15, so I was all set to make a leisurely trip north in time for thebaby's arrival. Consternation reigned (amid rejoicing) when Paula's telegm^^s^^^d'ê^rly Tuesday,the 4th saying a baby girl was born and well. Here, Pauline tell about """"N. \

Jod for the poVer of unitedHOPE MAXEY wai 4orn Oct-

,She was born "^-TJaesarian[rh?r-^cou3ffil?'^ eel God'sima TÎuubtr^ this possi

"I do praise and thank God for his great love and grace. Thanprayer and His wonderful answer in the gift of our precious littleober 4'th at 3:40 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and is healthy.!Section - my first experience with eight children. Through all these rohand leading and sustaining me. I pray that He has forgiven me for anybility. It seems He had a plan for Hope to join our family. As I look at this precious little babenow I realize again the great task that is ahead of me.

"Mark had planned to come later in the week but after receiving the telegram about the babyhe got things ready plus Greg and Faith and left in three hours. So he got here the next day - verytired but so happy and relieved that the baby was here. Mark returned ahead of me to be there tomeet me at the airport when I got back. The Mings family, our mission family nearest here, took meto the airport. Paula and Markie came to the airport to get a good look at baby sister. They won'tget to see her again till Christmas. Isabel Dittemore and Janet, the Clark family, Velma Held ofTokyo were also there to give me happy farewell.

"The Japan Baptist Hospital (Southern Baptist Convention) where the baby was bom is awonderful place. All the American doctors are missionaries - the Japanese doctors and nurses areChristians. Before they began the operation every one in the room paused while my Doctor prayedDr. Pontnote. They have prayer with every patient before they leave the hospital. There is a worship period every morning and evening that goes to each room by speakers, I have never seen a staffof nurses so wonderfully Christian in eveiy detail and care of us. The Doctor doesn't believe shecould have delivered the baby alive by natural birth, so you see God's plan again in using this wonderful women Doctor as an instrument in answering our prayers."

End quotation from Pauline. I hate to cut you off. Honey, but people will think this is^the first baby that was ever bom if we keep on talking about it, I will say, though, that HOPE isjust about the nicest thing that has happened around this house for a long time. It is not only ourhappiness at having here but many other expressions of brotherly kindness and neighborliness thatcame with her. Thanks again, everyone.

There were several side-benefits from the trip to see Pauline and the baby. For one thing,we stayed with my sister Isabel and had a good visit with Paula and Markie. I took one moming andvisited them at school. They are both studying very hard and taking an active part in the schoollife of Canadian Acadeinjr as well. When the officers of the Student Council were elected, studentshad to announce their candidacy and campaign for the office, Paula ran for the office of Secretary-Treasurer. Janet carried around a signboard, Pauline made "Vote Paula" badges and Markie & Janetpinned them on every student and teacher in sight. It was a family project and they were allequally happy when she won.

For another thing, Mr, and Mrs. Russel Morse were staying with Isabel at the same time -en route home from Burma, I had met them "before but this was the first opportunity to visit withthem at length and partake of their spirit and Christian witness. This was fellowship much appreciated. Along with that I was in Osaka at the right time for the missionary prayer meeting andget-together. Again a spiritual rewarding experience.

Once a year in September on the occasion of a national holiday when everyone is free wehave a convention of all the churches. This year it was at Tarumizu on the bay. We have had biggerconventions but not better ones. A1 Hammond just back from furlough was the featured speaker in themorning. There were good delegations from each of the churches. The morning came to a fitting andjoyous conclusion v/hen an elderly man from the Kushikino church made his confession in Christ. Atnoon each person ate the simple lunch (obento) he had brought or drank milk and ate rolls of breadmade available by the church. Of course, there were the inevitable pots of tea - in fact, itwouldn't be much of a meal in Japan without tea to finish it off.

In the afternoon session, four men gave their testimony based on the convention theme:"The Word of God still lives." Mr. Tanue from Tannegashima said he first came to hear the missionary and the pastor as an opportunity to court his wife and ask troublesome questions. But atlast the word of God gripped his heart. Mr. Hakamura of Kanoya said he first came to study at theSTommer course of the Christian Center because he thought it would be interesting. He heard Mr.Maxey-tal-k-but-he hadn-'-t -thes-l-i^htes% idea-of-what- the Bible teaching was -really-all about. Butin spite of ignorance, hearing the word of God began to change his heart and life so that he accepted Christ, Mr. Kuwabata of Tarumizu said he had studied all kinds of religions trying to findhealing for his body. When he heard about the special meetings in Tarumizu he dicided to find outwhat Christianity was all about. He went. He listened. He dug out an New Testament that was inhis house. He discovered that there was indeed physical healing in Christ but more, much more thanthat. There was the Saviour, Jesus Christ, to be believed, obeyed, and followed. He continued toread the word of God with the result that he decided that his main purpose should be to followChrist rather than to selfishly seek healing for himself. Mr, Kawasaki of Kushira told of the deathof his younger brother, only 12, by cancer. The days preceding death and the funeral itself are thetimes when Buddhism comes into its own and takes over in Japan. Not so in this case. Bro, Kawasakihad been reading the Bible to his brother. The parents, neighbors, friends, relatives and familyelders had been listening too. The brother's heart was comforted. He died in peace and with faith.Unanimously, the family decided there would be no Buddhist ceremonies at his funeral. Instead theBible was read, hymns were sung and a Christian message given by Bro. Kawasaki himself. Yes, theWord of God still lives. Spiritually, this day was the high point of the year. I left with a heartfull of faith and joy and I think I speak for everyone els who was there.

In His Service,

Annual Convention at Subyoshi, 196O




Non-Profit OrganizationU. S, POSTAGE

PAIDNorth Vernon, Indiana

Permit No, 1

Mr. Harold McFarlandMissions ServicesBox 968Joliet, Illinois

Form ^547 Requested

Linkletter No. 114

A monthly report by the Mark G. Maxey familyto the friends of the Kyushu Christian Missiort

Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan Decem'ber I96O


We are enjoying a very spring-like winter. How about you? If your weather is not the same asours, at least we have one thing in common - the days roll "by with appalling speed. We confess to"busyness" but often wonder somewhat uneasily if ê Lord's business has been benefited thereby.

Early in November I made a trip to Osaka Bible Seminary for a meeting with the faculty andother counselor's on the curriculum of the school and plans for the future. Particularly encouragingwas the progress on the new seminary building. I predict that this building will bring a new senseof victory, unity'and "beginning'of^growfH for the^ \toTk here in^Jaân.

The following day my former right-hand man, Kenji Niiro, was married to a lovely young ladyfrom Okayama-ken-Kher-e_tha_Wast^ work* I hnppy-to do the_Jionoxs. After he compl&te-s.-hi p trainsing at O.B.S., Niiro san is firmly committed to return to Kyushu for pioneer evangelism. In Japan,as all over the world, a wedding is a happy time both for those being married and the merry-makers.

/îx years ago Markie had a playmate named_Na^gjm^, the son of the principal of the Middle^->^^S^p'ol near us. He and Markie were baptised the same day but afterward he moved away to another \paj't of the prefecture and eventually to a village south of Osaka. But we kept in touch. He wrotet/at he was faithful at church even though busy with the final exams of high school. I wrote him oconsider the ministry for a life of service after he graduated. He said that he would like to knS'more about it so we arranged to meet while I was in Osaka. He saw the Seminary and its students j^dPresident and Mrs. Clark had him for dinner. We talked together and prayed. He said he would t^kit over. This week, we received the happy word that his mind was made up. He would be a student/^n"tie Seminary when the new term opens next year. Once again a seed sown has brought forth a hîêstnot^tx-days, nor six months, but six years.

Ward Patterson, Christian minister form Mansfield, Ohio and Hays, Kansas has just spent a weekwith us. He is en route to Australia for graduate study and fellowship and preaching with thebrethren there as he has opportunity. We enjoyed his presence here and gave him a good workoutspeaking at the various churches and Rotary clubs and introducing him to some of the mysteries andsurprises of life in Japan,

While wondering whether the fall months had been productive of any spiritual progress or not,we find on closer look that we have had an excellent ministry by letters; growth in Christianfellowship and understanding through those who have visited here; an ever increasing Christianwitness through the bookstore;* and a growthaffriendshipon--the--partof--the Japanese and anincreased understanding of what we are trying to do in God's grace. We look forward with you to agood New Year.




Form 5547 Requested

e

i

Faith and Gregory admire their new "baby sister, Hope

" rs ^

att(I a verxr=-y c>

THE MAXEYSPauline and Mark, Paula, Walter Mark,Faith, Gregory and Hope

Kyushu Christian MissionKanoya, Kagoshima, Japan

' December, 196O

not: UicCd, a fyxCnq Lfou qood tidtuqi of qxEat foii, wkiak A.kaCC (je to a[[ fizofiCz." Jlu^e. 2:10

Documents

Maxey Mark Pauline 1960 Japan