Maxey Mark Pauline 1964 Japan

A monthly report by the Mark G- Maxty familyto the friends of the Kyushu Christian Siisti0

Kanoya, Kagoshima,

Linkletter No, 136 January, 1964

Dear Christian friends.

The U.S. has had the worst stomsof the Century. January in Japan has had the highest temperatures ever recorded for this month. So welive in different worlds in more ways than one.

The close of the year was full oftragedy in Japan with the railway disaster in Tokyoand the mine disaster in northern Kyushu. Both ofthese however, were overshadowed by the death of thePresident, YOUNG FOLKS AT HOME!

I have never seen such a genuine |outpouring of affection as the country manifestedfor the late President. One way the Japanese showed this was by personally coming toexpress their sympathy to their American friends. This happened to us often. At Sueyoshi,the congregation stood while Bro, Tanneguchi, the elder there, made a brief, formal statement of mourning addressed to our family.

In November I made a trip to Osaka Bible Seminary for the Councillor'smeeting, t^hile there, Walter and I had a fine but brief visit with nd and Bemice Olson,long-time friends from the church at Truman, Minnesota where I preached 25 years ago.There is special meaning in seeing old friends on foreign soil.

Markie (Walter at school, Markie to us at home) got home briefly atThanksgiving sporting a long beard he was cultivating for the Macbeth play at high school,Christmas he was here for two weeks and a happy time it was at our house. I told Markiethat in many ways it was the last of his boyhood as we didn't know when he would be homeagain for another Christmas,

We missed Paula very much. We tried to phone her at Claremore, Okla,where she was visiting her Grandmother Elrod (Maxey) but we couldn't hear one another.We are grateful to many of you for including her in your circle of loved ones.

Many of you also sent food boKes and other remembrances to our familyhere in Japan. Both the things sent and the thoughtfulness back of them let us knowthat we were in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks very much. We had ample opportunityto share. Markie had a Japanese friend from Osaka for a week. At Christmas time thePaul PRATT family came for overnight. The young folks had a happy time playing rough andtumble in the front room, (See the picture above). There were 16 at the dinner table JJec,30, Greg's birthday, including the Vemey Unruh family, missionary neighbors three hoursnorth. On New Year's Day, Bro. Yoshii and his family and brother came up. After a fewquick lessons on the carom board he was more than holding his own with the rest of us,

Christian service has not been neglected. Beside the regular schedulewe preached, showed slides and attended Christmas programs in four places. Gregory andFaith were in the Christmas program at the Kanoya church on the 22nd but I could not attend.At each place we went Pauline prepared beautifully decorated cupcakes for all thoseattending, over 400 in all. The ladies at the leper colony were especially appreciative.

Ns

V Missions Services

We had a happy time hying cookies, cakes, socks, a large curtain forthe auditorium plus a stove and rug for the infants room at the orphanage where we holdservices regularly. Antioch church, Mt. Sterling, Ky, and the church at East Orgnge provided this treet. Another class of youngsters at Sciotoville, 0, provided Testaments.

The New Year began with at 6 a.m. service at the Kanoya church. ThenOn January 3 and 4 a new feature of the area program began with a Young People's Rallyin a Youth Hostel 5et out on the old lava beds of Mt. Sakurajima, The preachers heldtheir bi-monthly meeting at the same time holding worship services jointly.

New Year is a big time in Japan. Everyone tries to pay up his debts.Employees receive an extra month's wage's as a bonus. Parents outfit their children withnew clothes. Young ladies buy new kimonos for themselves and the country in general closesshop for at least three days to celebrate. The man of the house saves some money backfor drinking. Between what he does at home and the saki he drinks when making the year-endcalls to his friends and relatives, his is pretty hard to live with when he gets home.

The idea back of the young people's rally was to give Chrsstion youngpeople a chance to get away from this situation and to have Christian fellowship instead.For the first try, we were very pleased with the results. Over 30 came. Our two boysand Mark Pratt came also. I thought it got the New Year off to a good start.

Last year when T spoke at the Past Tulsa_(Okla) church one of the membersgave me a diary taken from a dead Japanese soldier in the northern Philippines, He askedme to get it translated and to return it to the soldiers family. In the course of doingthat I appeared in three newspaper interviews and over the TV station that serves thisarea. No name ajJpeared in the diary but one diligent reporter eventually found the soldier'sserial number. With this his widow and surviving daughter were found in Oita, a city inNortheast Kyushu. They made a trip to our house to pick up the book and express theirthanks. It was the only word the wife had had concerning her husband since he boardeda troop ship near the end of the war. Happiness and good will were the result of the search.

We were happy to welcome the Miles Avenue Church of Christ in Cleveland,Ohio as a living link church in November. This makes a total of 16 churches which sharein the personal support of our family. About double that number regularly support thegeneral work of the mission. Without these and the personal contributors to this workwe could not be here in this ministry. We are happy to be representing you in Japan,

S,M, Chang of Korea to whom we introduced you in the fall continueshis studies at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. At Christmas time he was iatridd to Miss Park,his fiancee', who had also come from Korea to study at CBS. We wish them much happinessand success as they continue their studies before returning to Korea later in the year.We hope that it will be possible for those of you in that area to have him speak and toshow them both the hospitality of your homes. If they can return to Korea with an insightinto the ideal of restoring the church as it was in New Testament times and with a genuinefeeling of friendship toward the brethren in America, good will have come from their stayhere that will be felt in their ministry in Korea, Please do what you can,

Not long ago we sent out cards asking for your correct address. Alsoasking that you let us know you want the LINKLFTTFR by paying $1,00 per year. The responsehas been good. V'e are now trying to bring our mailing list up-to-date. If you haven't sentin your card yet, please do so soon. Or just send your name, address and dollar bill toBox 49, North Vemon, Indiana. Mrs, Mary Deiotte, our fowarding secretary will acknowlege.

This is the year of the Dragon in Japan. Since he is supposed to be activeand energetic, this year is supposed to be one of good fortune and prosperity. We hopethis is true for each of you in a spiritual sense. If some of the financial peesperity rubsoff on you, too - well, it couldn't happen to nicer people.

[n ilis^Service,^. Mark G. Maxey / ^

LINKLETTERMonthly Publication of

Kyushu Christian MissionBox 49

North Vernon, Indiana

Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Pleasure Ridge Park, KentuckyPermit No. 15

Box 968Joilet, Illinois 60434

A monthly report by the MMrk G. M*x*y familyto the frieflds of the Kymbu Christism Missiom

Kji^toya, Kagc^tou, Japan

LINKLETTER NO. 137

DEAR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,

MARCH, I961t

IN JANUARY THE PLUM TREES BLOSSOMED AND THE WEATHERMANPREDICTED A SPRING-LIKE WINTER. INSTEAD WE ARE HAVING A WINTER -LIKE SPRING. I WISH HE COULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT THIS TIME BECAUSETHESE WINTER BREEZES IN UNHEATED CHURCH BUILDT^'S REALLY BITEINTO MY BOhES.

IT SEEMS TO PAULINE AND I THAT IT HAS TAKEN THE FIRSTFOUR MONTHS SINCE OUR RETURN TO REALLY GET SnUARED AWAY FOR THETHIRD TERM WORK. PRACTICALLY ALL EQUIPMENT AROUTJD THE PLACE HADTO BE OVERHAULED. HUMIDITY AfO DISUSE TAKE A HIGH TOLL HERE. THECHEVROLET CARRY-ALL GOT ITS FIRST ENGIhE OVERHAUL IN 7 YEARS OFSERVICE AM> ONE YEAR ON BLOCKS, AFTER WE GOT WHEELS AGAIN, VCWERE ABLE TO PLUÊ INTO A FULL ROUMD OF SERVICE.

AFTER GETTING HER HOUSEHOLD IN ORDER, PAULINE LAUNCHED HER PUPILS, GREG AND FAITH, INTO THEIRSTUDIES. GREG IS PLUGGING AWAY ON 6TH GRADE WORK BUTHAS A HARD TIME KEEPING HIS EYES ON HIS WORK V/HEN HISPLAYMATES TURN UP IN THE YARD IN EARLY AFTERNOON. HEHAS MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN HIS CORNET LESSONS AhJD HISTF^CHER HAS INVITED HIM TO JOIN THE SCHOOL BAND. HEAND FAITH SPEND A FEW MI^WTES WITH ME EACH MORNING ATTHE CENTER STUDYING JAPWÊSE KANJI (WRITING) AFTERMORNING DEVOTIONS.

FAITH SKIPS THROUGH HER SCHOOL WORK. THEYHAVE 160 LESSONS TO DO FOR A YEAR'S WORK. SHE HAS 100OF THEM DONE AND HOPES TO FINISH SCHOOL BY MAY, SHEAND HOPE BOTH HAVE A YARD FULL OF FRIENDS EVERY AFTERNOON AND THEY TAKE AS MANY AS THEY CAN TO SUNDAYSCHOOL WITH THEM. FAITH IS TAKING PIANO LESSOê, SHEIS APT TO SKIP PRACTICE IF SHE IS NOT REMINDED BUT TO

MY UNPRACTICED EAR IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE HITS THE RIGHTNOTES WHEN SHE DOES,

THE CHRISTIAN CENTER UNDER THE EFFICIENTMANAGEMENT OF MISS OURASAKA HAS A FULL PROGRAM, HERREPORT FOR LAST MONTH SHOWED 171 YOl^G PEOPLE STOPPEDIN TO PLAY PING PONG (AND TO USE THE RF^^DING RACKSOF CHRISTIAN LITERATURE WHILE WAITING TO PLAY). 43CHILDREN ATTENDED HER BIBLE CLASS HELD EVERY FRIDAYAFTERNOON AND 193 STUDENTS ATTENDED MY ENGLISH BIBLECUSSES HELD FROM NOON TO FIVE SATURDAY AFTERNOONS.ON THE BOOKSTORE SIDE, SHE SOLD 56 HYMNBOOKS, 38 BIBLES, 56 MAGAZINES, 29 OTHER RELIGIOUS BOOKS AND WROTE64 LETTERS. SHE ALSO LENDS BOOKS, SLIDES, TAPES,CHARTS AND OTHER EVAtÊLISTIC MATERIALS. TIME BRINGSCHANGES, HOWEVER, AND MISS OURASAKA HAS JUST ANNOUNCEDTHAT SHE WILL BECOME MRS. IN THE SPRING. THE LUCKY MANIS A FINE CHRISTIAN FROM THE KAJIKI CHURCH. HAPPY FORBOTH OF THEM BUT SAD AT LOSING HER AhO SEEKING ANOTHERTO REPLACE HER.

THE PAST MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN EMPHASIZINGHOUSE-TO-HOUSE TRACT DISTRIBUTION. BRO. NEJIMA OF THEKANOYA CHURCH, TEMPORARILY UNEMPLOYED DEVOTED A COUPLEOF MONTHS OF SHOE LEATHER TO THIS PROJECT. THEN ONJANUARY 15, A NATIONAL HOLIDAY, BRO, YOSHII, THEKANOYA MINISTER, AND I LOADED THE CAR WITH YOUNGPEOPLE AND HEADED SOUTH ALOTJG THE SEA COAST PUTTINGA TRACT IN EVERY HOME AS WE WENT, AT ^JOON TIME WE ALL 'SAT DOWN IN A FISHERMAN'S BOAT ALONG THE SHORE A^D ENJOYED LUNCH TOGETHER. WE W^RIX/ED HOME AT hJIGHT WEARYFROM A HAPPY DAY OF FELLOWSHIP A^JD WORK TOGETHER.ABOUT 5000 TRACTS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED SO FAR. 20,000TO GO, WONDER IF WE'LL MAKE IT?

MISS OURASAKA

rr^

PASSING OUT TRACTS

LUNCH TIME AT SEASHORE

AN INTERESTING INTERLUDE IN LATE JANUARY WAS AN APPEARANCE ON THE mTIO^^AL TELEVISIONSTATIC*^ IN KAGOSHIMA, THE CAPITOL CITY OF OUR PREFECTURE. TWO OTHER MISSIOHWIIES OF THAT CITYWERE WITH ME. THE 30 MINUTE DISCUSSIWJ OF OUR LIFE IN THIS AREA CONSUMED THE ENTIRE DAY. WEMET IN THE MORNINS TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND ANNOUNCER. AFTER LUNCH TOGETHER WE GOT PRETTIED UP IN THE MAKE-UP ROOM AhO THEN WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM TWICE BEFORETHE ACTUAL PRESENTATION FOR TIMING AND CONTENT. I SUGGESTED WE ALL HAVE A CUP OF COFFEETO DRINK DURIMi THE PROGRAM SO I MANAGED TO HAVE SOME OF MY FAVORITE BREW AMD TAU, TOO. ASIDEFROM MY USING THE WORD FOR CHRYSANTHEMUM CKIKU) WHEN I MEANT TO SAY WEATHER (KIKO) THE PROGRAMWENT WELL At> WAS A VERY SATISFYING EXPERIENCE.

OUR PROJECTED FULL-TIME TRAINING COURSE AT THE CHRISTIAN CENTER HASN'T MATERIALIZEDYET, BUT WE MAY HAVE SOMETHING GOING THAT MAY BE BETTER. TAKING THE TRAINING TO THE CHURCHES.FOR ThE PAST THREE MONnHS I HAVE BEEN TEACHING C.J. SHARP'S TRAINING FOR SERVICE COURSE ATEACH CHURCH WHERE I GO TO PREACH. EVERY TVD WEEKS AT KUSHIRA, SUEYOSHI, KAIGATA, TARUMI2UAM) THE LEPER COLONY, AFTER MY SERMON AKD FULL WORSHIP PROGRAM, "mE CONGREGATION SITS DOWNAGAIN, DIG OUT THEIR NOTEBOOKS, WORKBOOKS, BIBlS AND PENCILS AND WE SPEKD ANOTHER HOUR ANDA HALF TOGETHER ON THE LESSON FOR THE DAY.

THE RESULTS HAVE EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS. THE PEOPLE VOTED TO BEGIN THE COURSESVOLUNTARILY BUT WE BEGAN SOMEWHAT HESITATINSLY KNOWING THAT TWO AhC A HALF HOURS IS A LONGTIME TO SIT. ALSO THAT EACH PERSON WOULD HAVE TO BUY A TEXT BOOK AND AN OLD TESTAMENT! MOSTOF THE CHRISTIANS OWN ONLY NEW TESTAMENTS AM) HAVE ONLY THE FAINTEST NOTION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AM) ITS CONTENTS. THAT IS CHANGING MOW. SO FAR WE HAVE SOLD OVER 100 OF THE COURSES.ATTENDANCE HAS INCREASED IN SOf PLACES, HELD STEW)Y IN OTHERS. THE PEOPLE HAVE REALLY BEENENJOYING THEIR NEW FOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE. IT WILL TAKE ALMOST TWO YEARS TO FINISHTHE COURSE AT THE RATE OF TWO LESSONS PER MONTH SO WE WILL BE TELLING YOU ABOUT THIS PROJECTAGAIN LATER.

WE HA\^ BEEN GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY PROMISES OF NEW OR INCREASED PLEDGED MO^m^LYSUPPORT FROM CHURChES AM) GROUPS IN AMERICA. HUMBLED, TOO, BY THE TRUST YOU HAVE PUT IN USAND THE EXPECTATIONS YOU HAVE FOR THE WORK HERE. THANKS FOR U^ERGIRDING US IN THIS WAY.

A SPECIAL WORD OF THWKS TO VERNON MILLER AND SON OF LEBANCW, OREGON WHO BROUGHTUP OIR FURLOUGH STATION WAGON FROM SAN FRANCISCO WHERE IT HAD REMAINED UNSOLD SINCE AUGUST.VERNON SOLD IT PROMPTLY AND THIS AKXJNT OF THE LORD'S MONEY WAS PUT BACK IN CIRCULATION.

WE HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY FOR SHARING. OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY AFTER A NJMBER OF YEWISOF STUDYING IN AN UMHEATED BUILDING FINALLY INSTALLED A FURNACE THIS WINTER. WE CONTRIBUTED$500 FROM THE MISSION FUND ON ITS COST.

PAUL PRATT HAS A VISION OF ESTABLISHING A WITNESS IN A NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTIN KAGOSHIMA CITY. WE HAVE PLEDGED $1000 TO HELP HIM IN THE PURCHASE OF A KEY PLOT OF GROCM)IN THE CENTER OF THE ARBA.

IN THE TOV^ OF TARUMIZU, A FORMER ZEALOUS CHRISTIAN TURNED INTO AN IMPLACABLEENEMY OF THE CHURCH WHEN THE CONGREGATION; REFUSED TO LET HER CONTINUE TO RUN THE WHOL SHOW.HER PROPERTY IS AT THE REAR OF THE CHURCH. SHE BEGAN USING THE CrtiRCH LAND AS HER OWN. SHECCWJSIDERS THE CHURCH BUILDING AS HER PERSONAL PROPERTY HAVRJG PAID FOR IT WITH HER CHURCH OFFERINGS SHE SAYS. SHE IS A LARGE WOMAN WITH A VOICE AM) TEMPER TO MATCH. WHEN SHE TALKS THEWHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN HEAR AND STOPS TO LISTEN.

HER OPPOSITION BECAME SO INTEMPERATE THAT WHILE I WAS AWAY THE MEMBERS FORSOOK THEBUILDING AM) BEGAhJ MEETING IN THEIR HOMES. RECENTLY THEY APPOI^^rED A THREE MAN COWITTEE,I AMONG THEM, TO VISIT HER AND PROPOSE m AMICABLE SOLUTION. WE ONLY GOT IN ONE SENTENCEBEFORE SHE STARTED TO BERATE US IN A SCREAMING MONOLOGUE. WHEN WE REFUSED TO BE INTIMIDATED,SHE TOOK A LARGE WOODEN MALLET AND STARTED BREAKING IN THE WINDOWS, THE PLASTER AND THROWINGTHE FURNITURE OUT IN THE YARD. WITH THAT WE CALLED THE POLICE. THREE OF THEM FAILED TO GETA WORD IN EDGEWISE AS SHE CONTINUED TO SCREAM AND SHOUT. SHE WAS KIM) ENOUGH TO LAY DOWN HERMALLET.

RATHER THAN C,0 TO COURT OR INVOLVE THE POLICE AGAIN, THE CHURCH HAS DECIDED TORELOCATE AND SEEK A fJEW BEGINNING. THE TOWN IS TOO SMALL FOR A FURTHER BLACKENING OF THECHURCH'S NAME. A SUITABLE LOT HAS BEEN FOUhD AM) NEGOTIATIONS FOR ITS PURCHASE HAS BEGUN.THE CHURCH IS RAISING THE FIRST 100,000 AND WE HAVE PLEDGED TO RAISE 500,000 C$lt005 TOCOMPLETE THE PURCHASE. MUCH PRAYER, HEARTACHE AM) DISCUSSION TIME HAS ALREADY BEEN INVESTED.

AS YOU READ THESE-PAGESy PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE FULLY COMITTED ONCE MORE IN THEGREAT CHRISTI/Wg TASK HERE - AT ONCE FRAUGHT WITH FAILURE AND FILLED WITH PROMISE. TAKE AMOMENT TO PRAY.

IN HIS SERVICE,

MARK G. MAXEY ^ /

LINKLETTER M>N-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONMONTHLY PUBLICATION THE U.S. POSTAGEKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION PAIDBOX "tS, NORTH VERNON, IM). PLEASURE RIDGE PARK, KENTUCKY

PERMIT NO. 15

Missions ServicesBox 963Joilet, IlUnols 60434

Linkletter No, 138


A monthly reporc by the Mark G. Maxty familyto the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan

April, 1964

V/e can report that both the April showers and May flowers have arrived in Kanoya -at practically the same time. The cherry blossoms were beautiful but brief as the drivingrain soon made the petals fall. The cherry blossom is the Japanese national flower, you know.Its brief, brilliant beauty reminds them of mortal life, "Enjoy it while you may" it seems tosay.

Busy days these last weeks have been, A month ago we had our bi-monthly preacher'smeeting in Kagoshima City. Paul and Kathleen Pratt were our gracious hosts. These meetingsare always happy times of fellowship, prayer, serious study, a little 'horse play' and muchplanning for future activities. One ever-present subject for discussion is summer camp heldevery August in Kanoya. It falls my lot to be manager this coming summer.

The last of March Harold Sims and son Johnnie were our guests, Harold speaks thebest Japanese of any of our missionaries in Japan and, believe me, we gave him opportunity tospeak a lot of it during the two weeks he was here.

V/e had invited him to be guest lecturer at our 8th Training Course at the ChristianCenter. The course ran two hours each night for a week, Sunday to Sunday, The subject was: "TheGospel of Luke." Harold was thoroughly prepared and his lectures were as thoroughly appreciated.His wit and humor enlivened the sessions as he covered the most important events and teachingsof this gospel.

On several nights I brought in delegations from outlying churches taking them backhome later. Thanks to the wliolehearted cooperation of Bro, Yoshii of the Kanoya church 21of his members had perfect attendance every night. 22 others from elsewhere attended part-time,I thought it was our most successful training course to date.

We gave Harold a one day breather , Then lectures on Luke at the Sueyoshi churchon Tuesday, Kushira on Wednesday and Tarumizu on Thursday. In each place class was held from4 to 6 in the afternoon and from 7 to 9 at night. In between the church ladies served everyonewho came a Japanese meal. These institutes were an innovation in trying to carry a teachingprogram to those who couldn't come to us, V/e are encouraged to try it again.

Meanwhile V.'alter had arrived hone from school for spring vacation. He had sent wordahead to his Mother about the things he wanted to eat. Pauline provided them all in her owndelicious style. I think we all gained a couple of pounds in the week that he was home. V/e allenioyed his vacation with us, me, especially, as he did all the driving while he was here. Nowhe'is back in school for the final grind till graduation in June. He will return to the Statesto ent^r Seminary this summer.

Another overnight guest that week was Velma Held, teacher in the U.S. Forces DependentSchools near Tokyo, and famous for her care of the missionaries during her long stay in Japan.

MAKOTO YOSHII INVITES HOPE KAGOSHIMA PREACHERS MISSIONARIES SINGINGFOR A JAPANESE MEAL AT ANNUAL CONVENTION OF JAPAN CHURCHES

HAROLD SIMS OF TOKYOTEACHING GOSPEL OF LUKE

Next year she will be teaching in a school for missionary children in India at her own expense.More power to you, Velma! You have given an enviable demonstration of the contribution a non-professional missionary can make on a foreign field.

Harold Sims wound up his preaching with us by a three day evangelistic meeting in theKanoya church. Instead of the usual advertising, Bro. Yoshii had sent out personal invitationto all his contacts. I did the same for members of my English Bible classes. A former member nowliving in Tokyo sent a sheet of stamps as an offering. These stamps sent out the invitations.Many attended their first religious service because of this invitation method. Besides thepreaching, excellent religious movies were shown each night. No confessions of faith but manywrote on their decision cards of their personal interest in Christ and their desire to seek andfind Him as Saviour,

Resurrection Day began bright and early with Sunrise Service at the leper colony followed by the Osumi Taikai at the Kanoya church. (Osumi is the name of our peninsula and 'taikai*is the word for convention.) 8 churches and preaching points were represented. A student pilotfrom the Kanoya Naval Air Station made the confession. A rousing song service followed by personal testimonies brought the meeting to a close in the late afternoon.

Harold's visit wasn*t all work. We found time to whip up a freezer of ice cream,drive up the side of our favorite volcano, Mt. Sakurajima, and a trip to see a small rocketlaunched. We have Japan^s only rocket base being developed 25 miles south of us. "A poor man'sCape Canaveral" you might say. Nevertheless, mighty important and a real boost to our area,

Monday, March 30, Harold and I flew north. That night, as guest speaker at the KobeArea Missionary Fellowship, I stirred up a little interest, even some controversy, while speakingon the subject, "A New Strategy for Missions in Japan." That night we enjoyed the hospitality ofClaude and Evalyn Likins,

Most of Tuesday was spent at the Quarterly Councillor meeting of the Osaka Bible Seminary, A vital meeting but sometimes tedious as the Japanese like to talk around a subject morethan once before coming to a firm decision. In fact, at this meeting we are able to decide a matter that had been discussed for five years. Thirteen years ago, if someone had told me I wouldhave been able to endure that much talk on one subject, not of earth-shaking importance, withoutlosing my temper, I would have laughed in unbelief. But I did it.

Later that evening. Seminary president, Martin Clark and I took the electric train toNagoya for the ISth Annual Convention of the Japan Churches of Christ, Host missionary Howard |Davis, met us at the station and drove us out to the hotel where it was being held. For the fir^time I had been asked to give a convention address in Japanese. It is one thing to preach tohome folks in my very basic Japanese. It is another thing to appear in a convention before the"city slickers. I worked, worried and fretted and finally wound up reading the message. Nobodyslept, most laughed at my jokes and there was one real loud "Amen" when I finished. I took it asa sign of fervor, not of relief that the sermon was ended. After that the climax of the convention for me was the special music brought by the Kagoshima preachers and missionaries - of whichI was one of course. Then back home to Pauline and the children and another confrontation withthe opportunities and the problems that each spring brings to the work in Japan.

IN HIS SERVICE,

MARK G. MAXEY

LINKLETTER Non-Profit OrganizationMonthly Publication of U. S. POSTAGE

Kyushu Christian Mission PAIDBox 49 Pleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky

North Vernon, Indiana i i 1 Permit No, 15

Missions ServicesBox 963Joilet, Illinois 60434

i.mHi.mTtunA monthly report by the Mark G. Maxey familyto the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Linkletter No. 139 Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan


June, 1964

r

w 5iPauline speaking: "At the close of our April women's meeting in theKanoya church I suggested a Mother-Daughter banquet for May. I told them Iabout those I had attended in America. The minister thanked me for the ^suggestion, lie said that they were happy to get new ideas since the church , . Ipf " *in Japan has no background for special days in the church. w

"The women were interested but they had never seen a banquet like PAULINB S DAUGHTERSI had talked about. They did not know the work involved nor the proper Japanese word to describewhat it would be. UTien I got their approval, I asked for a committee to help. They came to thehouse to talk and plan. Thank God for that committee! They were hard workers and willing to giveendless hours to the project.

"As I first described it, the purpose of the banquet would be for the Glory of God.Mothers would bring their daughters and daughters their mothers. Or they could borrow mothersor daughters for the evening. Many Japanese Christians are only one in a family so it meant thatthe Christian women would he bringing some one outside of Christ,

"We decided that we would plan and advertize in such a way that no one would want to missit. First, the place. A large room in the local department store was promised. Mere we couldhave a meal without trouble to the women. It would also be a witness to those who worked in thestore. The time would be from 6 to 9 p,m. The price, 300 per plate (83$), This was as much asthe women could pay and yet high enough to provide enough food,

"Then came the calling by all the women in every home where the members had not come fora long time. The young women's group was represented in the committee and I think worked ashard as the mother's group, I told the committee it would take a good month to make all theplans. It did to the very day. Invitations were delivered by hand to every one and later sentbyrmail for the final answer. The committee thought we should plan for thirty people but Ithought at least fifty would come,

"We planned a program using three groups: girls from the Sunday School, young women, andthe mothers themselves. Our big attempt was a play showing a mother looking at a picture albumof pages of her daughter's life. Different mothers wrote the parts about each age. Then it wasall put together and'read by a single reader while the pages of the album were opened to reveal-the girl of each age. The young women spent many evenings to construct this album with itsbeautifully painted pages. It begaii with the minister's little baby as the first real lifepicture and ended with one of the girls dressed in a white wedding dress. I know that thisbrought memories to the women present.

"I was thrilled to hear mention of Christ and the church in every phase of the girl's

life from the time she was bom to the time she was to start her own Christian home. We hadthree generations represented in the play.

'As the plans progressed, the interest grew. Soon the fifty tickets were gone. 64 wereactually sold.- The weather was fine. Every one was dressed beautifully and the food was delicious Japanese-style. I had made a cup cake and favor for every plate. That added color tothe table. Mrs. Yoshii, the minister*s wife, did a wonderful job as mistress of ceremonies.Two women gave wonderful testimonies of how being a Christian helped them to be better mothers.One was an older Christian and the other a young mother who brought her little son of forty-onedays (the only boy to attend). The women had prepared scripture verses on large posters andhung on the walls.

"You could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the meeting. As I closed my eyes andlistened to the singing, my heart was filled with thanksgiving and praise to our Lord who willbless our feeble efforts with his power. He will do far more than we expect or ask. I believethere was real rejoicing in the hearts of those who worked -and especially those who broughtguests who had never been in a Christian meeting before."

So ends Pauline*s account of a wonderful meeting and a very satisfying project. Well,a few changes have taken place. To our great regret, the Paul Pratt family are leaving Kago-shima city to continue their children*s education in Tokyo and carry on the mission work ofthe Andrew Pattens now on furlough. We look forward to their return two or three years hence.Meanwhile they leave an unfillable vacancy in our hearts and in the work in the Kagoshima area.

Also, we had asked Takeo limure, minister of the Kagoshima church, if he would come toKanoya to take charge of the Christian Center work. He accepted and moved his family here inApril. We have a valued co-worker here who is also sharing in the preaching responsibilities.But the Kagoshima church is without a minister. Their need is great and so is our concern. Hereis a worthy object of prayer.

Last month I had something rare for me - a seige in bed. Five days of it. After I re- *covered, I took Gregory to Kobe for a brief visit. We saw Walter in a school play and helpedhim pack his trunks. He is graduating and returning to the United States this summer, Gregoryvisited the dormitory and classes at Canadian Academy, We are planning to send him up in September to enter the 7th grade.

Bro. Yoshii will establish a Christian kindergarten soon using land here at the mission.A new building with equipment must be prepared , however . This is expensive. Many of you whV)met him when he studied in the States two years ago may want to help this project. He would beglad to hear from you. Write: Hideo Yoshii, 8201 Kitada cho, Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan.

M r

A special issue of the Linkletter has been printed. It contains pictures and a briefhistorial statement of the Kyushu Christian Mission. If you'd like copies for DVBS, summer camp,or missionary gathering of any kind, write to North Vernon or to John Baker, 9164 North PlazaDrive, Northfield, Ohio, 44067. They are packed in sets of 100 copies.

. You will receive this letter in mid-summer, the very busiest time of Christian activityfor us. Each of you, also, have your own concerns. We hope that one of these concerns willbe for the physical and spiritual needs of the summer evangelism here. IN HIS SERVICE,





PAIDPleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky

Permit No. 15

A monthly report by the Mark G, Maxey familyto the friends of the Kyuihu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kagoshima, JapanLinkletter No. 140 July, 1964

Dear Christian friends.Come early summer and it*s time to think of school

vacation and graduation. This was true at our house. Paulineput her two home pupils, Greg and Faith on double schedule towind up their work by early June. V/e wanted to be on hand foran important event, Walter Mark's graduation from Canadian Ac-ademy in Kobe. |

The whole family were in their Sunday best for thehappy moment. You don't have sons graduating from high schoolevery day. We were happy to note that in his quiet way Walter Mark had made his Christianlife and purpose felt among his classmates. Though there were many children of missionaries inthe graduating class, Walter was the only one who had made the choice to prepare for missionaryservice and return to Japan. Pauline and I were happier over this decision on his own partthan we could have been about any honor that could come to him.

Diploma in hand, he joined us for the annual missionary convention on the island of^Shikoku. We are deeply grateful to Don and Norma Burney for making it possible. The conventionwas held in a mountain hotel which the owner ingeniously air conditions by pumping in air froma cave, In addition to the natural scenery, this area is famous for its roosters with tails30 feet long. That may seem like quite a tail - and it is.

It was a time of wonderful fellowship as you can imagine. Many of us do not see oneanother from year to year accept at convention time. We made our contribution to the program,Walter sang , Gregory played his first cornet solo in public, I preached on the subject: "Usingthe Bible as Criteria for Evaluating our Work," Thankfully, no one slept. We sent a largeselection of books from our Book Store and had a fine time selling them on easy credit termsto missionaries who had turned their pockets inside out to make the convention trip.

Returning home, we preached Sunday morning at the Hiroshima home of Mr. and Mrs,Kishi, Mrs. Kishi, a former Kanoya girl, is now working with Mrs. Dittemore in radio broadcasting and follow-up in that city. Sunday night we preached again in northern Kyushu at thehome of Bro. Yoshii's parents now living there. Monday, Walter got his own passport at theU.S. Consulate in Fukuoka. The visits and hospitality of missionary friends along the waymade the trip a pleasant one. Especially, Claude and Evalyn Likins in Kobe.

All this sounds interesting enough but we made it an adventure by going by car. Ittook doing to get the Chevrolet Carry-All in shape after eight years of rough roads, rustand rain. We could not have done it without the help of Ray Payne and A1 Giese of Storm Lake,Iowa, For years, these men have provided the spare parts for this gospel chariot apersonal project. At last we were ready to go. The local mechanic shook his head in doubt.Bro. Yoshii asked the church at mid-week prayer meeting to remember us and. the car in prayer.

We had driven from Kobe to Kagoshima two times before, in 1950 and 1957, Then it tookthree full days over unimproved roads. Some changes have been made. All but 100 miles in Kagoshima are paved. A tunnel under the sea leads out of Kyushu to Honshu,^ Toll roads are appearing, New roads have been carved out of virgin mountain territory. But in the old sections,bumper to bumper traffic is the rule. Usually the bumper you are touching is a huge truck. Youhaven't lived unless you have met one of these giants passing another truck on a blind, uphillcurve. The police don't seem to mind this but they arrive promptly to pick up the pieces ofthe unlucky ones who don't get out of the way in time.

We travelled 1800 miles over some of the worst and best road imaginable and by God'sgrace arrived home unscathed except for three flat tires, a few scratches and a do-it-yourselfwrap around bumper. Interestingly enough, during the whole trip no filling station offeredto wipe our windshield or check the water and oil. All were pretty sharp with the gasolinehose though. At one station, I drove on the hoist for grease. After one man got the truck offthe ground, another came running out yelling, "Don't use that hoist. It won't come down!"

He was right. It wouldn't and didn't. It took half the timbers in the lumber yard nextdoor and more wisdom than Solomon had before I was able to drive away from there, I didn'tlook back.

Three weeks of high pressure work plus the regular teaching and preaching schedulesfollowed our return home. Every effort was bent toward making preparation for Walter's trip 'to the U.S. and making his last days with us happy ones. Two weeks of solid rain dampenedour spirits. An insignifigant thing, of course, compared to the tremendous damage it didthroughout Japan plus the Niigata earthquake. Truly, Japan is a land afflicted with disaster.The third week it cleared and we stole time for a quick dip in the ocean every day. Walterwent with me on the visits to the churches. Each one gave him a farewell party and remem-

still remember him as a boy of four when he first came to Kanoya. Theystill fino It hard to believe that he is now a six-footer.

Okinawa. Walter left there by plane ati '"t the lumps inour throats got in the way. Some feelings are too deep for words anyhow. We hated to see

flnrf wL ^ t'" Pl" took off we knew that he had become a manand was on his own. He will spend the rest of the summer with my sister and husband at StormCincinnati Bible Seminary in September. We hope to be

present at his graduation in 1968,

V "r fellowship in Okinawa during our brief stay there: With DonThL Smth. and Air Force family, who opened their home and hearts to our familyIheL who he^L^rh Boulton. our missionariesthere,who helped chauffeur us around. With Harlan and Emeline Woodruff at their home andhL preached Sunday morning. We recalled the fellowship wehad ast year at Missions Week in Wi-Ne-Ma Camp in Oregon. With the First ChristiL church

Okinawa made up of military families on the island. It was a pleasure tn inin i-Vioi-r- r,ion the beach on Saturday and to preach for them on Sunday afternoon! '

baso Sroup of people making their witness felt for Christ on and off looking for a preacher to come and work with them. He can preach in English

w^"' he chu^L"n'pav' "rf" " "vere. e should have some income lo suppl^Ln?'hase in th^"pa1ifL^7;ny^^rusrndrt^/^S."cftlLârî,- ^Ve"cCfh feê^sUi^ '^lished, converts are being made, a great opportunity for missionary work among our own people

TP I"inister on the field can be the unifying force for a very imporLntRnv F m ' directly for particulars: First Christian Church, Koza CPOBOX J65, Koza, Okinawa,

Christian camp will be held in the Christian Centerare getting ready. Tents are being repaired. Folding tables and

^nn^c A - enough to accomodate all. Ceiling fans have.been put in the-class-_rooms-. A shade tree has been planted. The grass is thick and beautifull.

After camp, three weeks of the summer training program with a full schedule ofevangelistic meetings through August and September. TrLtf are being distributed vLnewspapers throughout the area. Advertisements are being printed. Meeting places and publicnreiL;,^tn T evangelistic aids have been ordered. Work and"ThA I is not enough. You can share with us in the vital nartRemember-The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working." ^ r% '

IN HIS SERVICE, A/- ^^^0Î Tkh^l ^ /imitTTEK

Monthly Publication ofK>'ushu Christian Mission

Box 49North Vernon, Indiana

Missions ServicesBox 9

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


Dear Christian friends,

Friends who have traveled to our home at the end ofJapan often say as they come in the door exhausted: "How inthe world did you ever find this place?". Here is the answervery briefly.

rUBFECTUKE

(aAotsoVoW

r K

Mark Gregory Maxey was born in Pomeroy, Washington vi^r cum i ^August 10, 1918, one of nine children bom to R. Tibbs andMaude Maxey. Six are alive today, all active in Christianservice: Isabel Dittemore, Tibbs, Mark, Mary Ellen Giese, 'Victor and Bryan in that order. His Mother lives at Claremore, Oklahoma, still active at 83.His Father died in 1938,

R. Tibbs Maxey believed in Restoration principles and preached the Book without fearor favor. He pioneered in lonely places without benefit of sponsoring organizations or permission from any headquarters. He believed that God cared for His own and so launched out in faith.His children follow in his footsteps.

Mark Maxey spent his boyhood in Oregon, Idaho and Ohio. He studied at the University ofMinnesota and graduated from Minnesota Bible College. In 1937 he began preaching at Madelia andTruman, Minnesota. Pauline Maxey was reared in Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania. A life-long desire tobe a missionary led her to Cincinnati Bible Seminary for training. She met her husband when hecame there for graduate work^ Mark and Pauline were married December, 1941, They ministeredat North Vernon, Indiana until Mark" left Tor five years of seiVice as an Ariny~^aplain.

The Maxeys have five children: Paula, Walter, Gregory, Faith and Hope. (We are livingon "charity".) Three other sons died at birth. The children are all fluent in Japanese. Throughgrade school they study at home with their Mother as teacher. For high school they must go tothe city of Kobe, 700 miles north. Both Paula and Walter graduated from Canadian Academy there.

Paula has completed two years at Milligan College and Walter has enrolled at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, Soon they can return to Japan as missionaries in their own right. Lonliness ,separation and homesickness are the bitter tea the missionary family must learn to drink withGod*s grace. Any kindness yuu can show to Paula and Walter will help sweeten that tea. (They cancome speak to your church, Bible school or young people on week-ends.)

June, 1948, Pauline joined her husband at a military base in Japan, Paula contractedpolio and their stay was cut short. It was long enough, though, to catch a vision of service.Vision became decision in August, 1949, They resigned from the Army to become direct supportmissionaries. They wanted to go to Kyushu because the church of Christ had not yet entered that

Hideo Yoshii

southern island. They wanted to go to a place where nobody had gone nor was likely to go. UTiilewondering where, a letter of invitation came from a group of believers in Kanoya. Paul Cook, nowof the Kaimichi Mission, had been in Kanoya as an Air Force chaplain. The teaching of he and hiswife had borne fruit. A nucleus had been formed.

The Maxeys gladly accepted the invitation. Kanoya was remote - 1000 from Tokyo, an arduous journey by train, ferry boat and bus. It was a city of 70,000, the trading center ofan unevangelized peninsula. Forty years before a British missionary had lived there two years.After him, no one. The Kanoya Naval Air Station was an important "kamikaze" base for the Japanesewar effort. Other than that, few Japanese knew where it was.

Arriving in Japan, September, 1950, the Maxeys went to Kanoya immediately. First theylived in an inn, then in an empty Army home, and finally in their own metal pre-fab house. Atfirst the area was lonely, but now the city has grown out to surround the 3 1/2 acre missionsite made lovely by its trees, flowers and grass.

Takeo limure and Sadahiko Motoyoshi helped Mr, Maxey as they planted churches in Kanoya,Kushira, Koyama, Matsuyama, Sueyoshi and Tarumizu. The nearby leper colony and orphanage in townbecame the first of many preaching points. Isabel Dittemore came to Kagoshima City in 1952 andbegan churches in Kagoshima, Kushikino and Kajiki. Junko Daikusono and Naganori Tanijiri preachfor these churches now.

Paul and Kathleen Pratt have continued in Kagoshima since 1S59 in a fine way. They havemade significant contributions through radio broadcasting and developing a Bible correspondencecourse. In 1951 work was begun on the island of Tannegashima 50 miles south, A1 and EleanorHammond with Tadayoshi Ikeda have expanded that work. It continues under their direction.

A Christian Center was built in Kanoya in 1958. Leadership training, literature evangelism, young'people's summer camp, equipment for teaching and evangelism and various teaching ministries are located here. It is the hub of the work. Takeo limure conducts the Center programand preaches at Kushira.

From the mission in Kanoya, Christian carpenters have gone out to build ten churchbuildings, six with parsonages attached. About 20 Kagoshima young people from this prefecture,ten from the Kanoya area, have prepared for Christian leadership at Osaka Bible Seminary, Theirlives have blessed the entire work in Japan, One Kanoya young man, Hideo Yoshii> has returnedto minister to Kanoya and this area. Co-workers of his ability and dedication encourage themissionary to continue.

A good beginning has been made. Christian roots have gone down. But the real jobremains to be done. - 99 3/4% of the Japanese are still not Christians. Rising costs and thechallenge of the unfinished task make additional friends and supporters welcome. Will you be one?The Kyushu Christian Mission is a recognized non-profit corporation. Your gift is tax-exempt.The Maxeys report their ministry each month by this Linkletter. The cost is $1.00 per year ifyou'd like to receive it.

To correspond with the Maxeys direct, write them at: Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan. Sendcontributions and Linkletter subscriptions to the mission forwarding secretary: Mrs. Mary DeiotteB^x 49, North Vernon, Indiana, 47265. Order slides and display materials from John Miles Baker,'^'l'64irorth' Plaza Drive, NortfTfield, Ohio, 44067.

A closing thought; The world must be won to Christ! If not by you, by whom?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMKNT: A lecture I gave last year at the Central College of the Bible, Mob-erley, Missouri has been printed also in A1 Hammond's fine magazine, Far Hast Christian MisS'ionary. This quarterly is getting the total missionary message out to a wide audience. Youshould be getting it. (Cost: $1 per year, 27 Sakurayama cho, Shinjuku ku, Tokyo, Japan)

Now this lecture has been re-printed in a booklet. The Title: ESTABLISHING THECHURCH ABROAD: THEN AND NOW. If you are interested in the hard facts of the missionary situation today, you will find this booklet necessary and profitable reading.

TO ORDER, TEAR OFF HERE AND MAIL TO THE ADDRESS ON THE OTHER SIDE. .

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

Kanoya, Kagoshima, JapanLinkletter No. 141 AucAugust, 1964


The word for August is more. More rain,more heat, more wind, more work, more satisfaction. The firstweek always belongs to summer camp, now in its 13th year andheld permanently in the Christian Center here in Kanoya,

CAMP FACULTYWe have two large tents so the campersreally camp. Out of kindness to the girls we give them the tent most likely to survive astorm. One always comes. This year the typhoon was kind enough to cone a day early. Wedelayed setting up the tents and then worked extra hard on Sunday afternoon. After that weslept snug and dry in spite of showers every day.

It was a fine camp, 80 campers though not all at the same time. 8 facultyincluding two students from Osaka Bible Seminary, Carl Fish as chapel speaker, Paul Pratt herefor his 4th year, myself and three preachers of our area - Takeo limure, Hideo Yoshii and Tadayoshi Ikeda. The manager's job rotates each year. This year the lot fell on me. Since thecamp schedule ran from 6,30 a.m. to 10,30 p.m. it was the manager who was beat at the end ofthe week, not the campers. They never ran down.

Two Christian ladies served as cooks. Pauline and Bro. Ikeda helped addvariety to the menus. Chopsticks and rice were essentials for every meal. But for the firsttime wc noticed food left on the plates. Evidence of Japan's increasing prosperity and well-being. Perhaps another good reason for left-overs was that the campers bought 800 ice creambars during the week.

Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors attended the same camp. This would bean impossible situation in the U.S. but the Japanese are adaptable. Separate classes were heldfor ail three levels but worship and recreation included all. Awards were given for Biblememorization (written), for the best posters dra^vn before camp time to advertize it; and forthe best Bible plays by the various teams.

Tuesday afternoon the campers took a bus to the sea shore 5 miles awayfor swimming and games. Pauline used the calm at camp for Ladies Day. She had a fine attendance and program with Kathleen Pratt as the featured speaker, Thursday night climaxed the cam]-with stunt time, inspirational sermon and the outdoor bonfire with singing and testimonies.Camp ended Friday noon and all pitched in and helped break camp.

BRO. IIMURE'S JUNIOR CLASS THE CAMPERS

I enclose Please send copies of MarkTO: Mrs. Mary Deiotte,Box 49North Vernon, Ind.

SEND TO: (Your name)

Maxey's booklet, "Kstablishing the Church Abroad: Then and Now,"(The cost is 25^ each, plus ten cents postage. Postage free if fouror more ordered at the same time. In bulk, 50 copies for $10,00,

Street,City State

We had two campers from Tokyo, 1000 miles away. One of them wrote back:"I think you know every day I spent at the camp was a hearty experience and a very preciousthing for me. Also I could get something in me as to my way of life. How I could enjoy myself in that tent - hearing the rain falling, sometimes mosquitoes, boy's talking in theirsleep, and the sweet wonderful smelling grass."

The preachers stayed over another day and night for their regular meeting.We began with a discussion of the camp - its mistakes and successes - and ended with a wat-ermellon feed on the front lawn. One missing member was Bro. Naganori Tanijiri of Kushikinochurch. lie had a serious kidney operation and was unable to attend camp. Much better now.

Tochihiko Shimada, faculty member of Osaka Bible Seminary, and his familyhave spent August with us. lie conducted the 9th Leadership Training Course on the subject:"Elements of the Bible". The course lasted 3 weeks. Each morning.after I had taught an English class from 8 to 9, I led devotions and then Bro, Shimada taught till noon. There were6 regular students, 6 others who came part time.

Shimada-san was also the preacher for 3 evangelistic meetings heldthe last three week-ends in August. "Dendo" is the word we use in Japan. 20,000 handbillsand 5000 tracts were distributed. Hoping to attract people who might not enter a church wewent elsewhere: the town hall, a primary school, a firemen's assembly room. Attendance ranranged from good to bad to indifferent but everywhere we found a few who were really seekinga new way of life. These made the effort worthwhile,

^Mondai" is the Japanese word for problems. We had those, too. In Sue-yoshi we ran competition with the annual mid-August Buddhist festival called "O-Bon", Atthis time the souls of the dead are supposed to return to the family circle. It is a timefor feasting, re-union, candles, gift giving. Non-believers find it hard to resist even asnon-believers in America would find it hard to escape Christmas. But the Sueyoshi Christianswere faithful in attendance. They cleaned the church, put up posters, provided the meals.Their cooperation and decision to re-open the long closed Bible school was reward enough.

At Koyama, Typhoon Kathy huffed on Friday, puffed on Saturday (only 8came) and obliterated us on Sunday. What a gall She made a complete circle of Okinawa, rested a day or two and finally came our way at a leisurely 5 or 6 miles an hour but with 80m,p,h, plus center winds. The typhoon was so big it took 48 hours to pass over Kanoya, thelongest typhoon we have ever endured. We were shook up mightily but no serious damage here.

Miss Ourasaka has given the month to DVBS work: Sueyoshi, Kushira, the -orphanage and the Christian Center, 76 attended here, many getting their first Christianteaching. Our own children. Faith, Hope and Greg , have attended faithfully bringing a hostof their Japanese friends with them. You would be surprised to hear them recite their memory verses in Japanese each day.

And so into September. Pauline has decided not to send Gregory away toschool but to teach him at home another year. We feel that he needs us and we neea him alittle longer. The Calvert school books, lessons, paper and pencils are here for the children to begin. The teacher (Pauline) is depending on occasional trips to the principal'soffice (me) to keep her students in a serious mood,

IN

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Kanoya, Kagoshima, JapanLinkletter No. 142


October, 1964

These are heady days for Japanl The Emperor's young- |L ^ êst son has just been married to a Tokyo girl. Now all ^CtTthe children are married and I can imagine the Emporer gi||iWand Empress are heaving asigh of relief like other par- ||R|b^

On October 1 the world's fastest train began operating between Tokyo and Osaka after five years_of work and EVANGELIZING AT SUEYOSHIa cost of one billion dollars. People are expected to come from half way around the world just to see it and ride it, I'm looking forward to it myself.

This month Japan is host to the 18th Olympiad, In preparation the whole nation has spenta great deal of its strength and money the past four years. The face of the nation's capitolhas been lifted. New roads fashioned where only alleys existed before. The entire sportsfacilities have been created new from the ground up. 100 yen and 1000 yen commemorative coinshave been issued to say nothing of a dozen or so special Olympic stamps. Collectors beingwhat they are, these coins and stamps are already too valuable to use.

The Olympic torch made its way ftom Greece and was brought to Kagoshima by airplane. Ourfamily went to see its arrival and shared the thrill of the Japanese watching the sacred flamebegin its journey. Most surprising was that the flame was carried by a young woman forthe first leg of its-trip to Tokyo. In the land of the always superior male, I thought thatwas quite a concession,

October is Happy Birthday for our happy four-year-old, Hope, Farmdale church, her livinglink in West Virginia, sent a special gift and with that we had a little play house builtin the back yard. This is where her friends assembled for the special cake and treats thatPauline had fixed. It has been a pleasure to watch her personality develop this year. If shekeeps going at the present rate, Pauline and I will either keep younger longer or get old before our time. Probably the latter,

It(was fourteen years ago in October thatiour family actually began to live in Kanoyaafter a year of preparation in the States and two months getting to Japan and actually findinga piece of land on which to build. Some of you will remember the story - how we were ableto'buy 1/4 acre of unused- Army land from the Japanese government for $300, It was verytonely then. No trees and only one house in sight. That is all changed now. This is the liveliest, growingest neiglôrhood in Kanoya,

Later we added^^ree acres 'of land alongside and built the Christian Center there. Butsince our return last'year we have heard rumors that the land, was going to be divided up andsome of it given to othersÊumors became fact a few days ago when the City Hall announcedits plan to criss-cross, the area with roads., , Everybody is to lose 22% of their land, propertyboundaries are to be changed and the land t(f be divided up among existing owners.

This plan, if carried out, will give a big hunk of land facing the highway to three otherpeople, cause the loss of four smaller buildings plus the removal of the Christian Center fromits present beautiful sight to the back of the property where it can neither be seen nor heard.It looks like the Mission land is the special target of the city planners. Naturally we areprotesting. We do not know what the outcome will be but are determined not to worry about it,especially when we can pray - and you can do the same.

(over)

Please detach here for your ANNUAL LINKLETTER SUBSCRIPTION through October, 1965

* Please mail with $1,00 to Kyushu Christian Mission, Box 49, North Vemon, Indiana, 4726S* Your dollar helps share the cost of this paper and lets us know that you are interested

enough in this work to want the LINKLETTER to come to your home every month,* Please look at your address on the other side. If it is not correct, please make any changes

and add the zone number if we do not have it,* Feel free to subscribe for some one else if you wish. If so, write their name and address

on a separate card.* If you have already paid for the coming year, please do us the favor of sending in this slip

anyhow and writing PAID near your address on the other side.* Library and exchange copies will continue if you will return this slip to us.

Also at stake is the kindergarten project of Bro. Yoshii and the Kanoya Church of Christ.They are going to use about half of the mission land and their contract with the governmentrequires that it must be in operation by April next year. Any delay by the City in making ajust solution will make that impossible. Another reason for prayer. Thanks to all of youwho have sent Bro. Yoshii offerings for this project. He still needs $3000 for constructioncosts, l^hen you plan your mission budget this fall, maybe you could include an amount forthis purpose. We will be glad to see that it gets into his hands.

Do you remember the story we told you last fall about the disgruntled church member inTarumizu who tried to knock the building down with a wooden mallet. Since that time, to avoidfurther trouble with her, we bought another piece of land in another section of town. A fewweeks ago we started to dismantle the building. Before we could move it all, this woman tookall the windows and timbers. After we appealed to the police, they warned her that they wouldarrest her for stealing if she did it again. She repented and said to "save face" she couldnot return these things herself but if some one came and got them she would not object.

We took her at her word and hauled the things from the back of her house to the new building site, Alas! She came that night and stole them back again. When we asked the police thesecond time, the detective laughed and said, "She must be crazy. We have no authority todeal with a crazy person. You will have to appeal to a court." That solution is out. Newlumber was bought and the work carried on. The roof is on, the walls are up and we are looking forward to the dedication in November.

Another typhoon has hit us. The hardest we have ever endured. My big sister, IsabelDittemore, arrived from the U.S. en route to her new work in Formosa just in time to sit outthe storm with us. It was no pleasure to look out the window and see 100 mph plus windsflattening the trees and even less pleasant to know that our farmers were losing over halfof their finest rice crop in history. We lost a lot of trees and damage to outbuildings.The Sueyoshi church was badly battered. The frame of the church going up in Tarumizu leanedover pulling up part of the cement foundation with it. Typhoons are expensive business andJapanese companies will not insure for them. Life and limb are intact, however, and we aregrateful for that.

The typhoon ruined the planned boat trip to the island of Tannegashima for the annualchurch convention September 23. An alternate plan to hold the meeting iii Kanoya church hadbeen made in case this happened. It was a good convention but small in attendance. Ferryservice is cut off well before a typhoon hits. A1 and Fleanor Hammond came from Tokyo todeliver the message and renew fellowship with many Christian friends they had made duringthe two years they carried on for us here during our first furlough and later year of lang-

-uage-study.- . _ _ . __ - _

Martin and Evelyn Clax^-of Osaka Bible Seminary spent 17 days with us in September. WithBro, Yoshii as interpreter and Martin as evangelist we had fine evangelistic campaigns inKagoshima; in Kushikino with Bro. Tanijiri; in Kajiki with Bro. Daikusono; and in Kanoya.The Moody Science Film, "Red River of Life", a movie about the heart and the blood started offthe program each night, Bro, Clark preached sennons using the theme, "The Source of Life".Again daily ads were placed in the newspapers. The Carry All carried everything and servedas sound car as well. Preachers and people worked together to provide meals, put up posters,pass out tracts and welcome people to the meetings.

At Kanoya the to^m hall v;as rented. The crowds were exceptionally good and the follow-up meetings at the close well-attended. In fact, we can say that the meetings of August andSeptember while costly in preparation, bodily strength and finances produced better crowdsand more interested ones coming to church afterwards than we have had for meetings in recent years. Six were baptized recently in Sueyoshi. We are encouraged to continue. Thanks toBro, limure at the Christian Center for all the posters he made and advertising handled andto Pauline for her wonderful hospitality to the evangelists and many guests of the summer.

October has brought cooling breezes, a welcome change from Japan's hottest and longest-summtsTi^Even-so the^-^as^ to be^done and responsibilities assumed are beyond our strength. ~Please join us in "casting all our care upon Him". IN HIS SHRVICn.


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LinkletterNo. 143 i-mHi-etrett


November1964

The Olympics linger in our memory. In the national drawings, we were eligible to buyone ticket to the'opening ceremony. By family decision, Gregory journeyed to Tokyo alone toenjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity. He returned to tell us all about it. Televisionprovided a ring side seat, however, and we managed to enjoy it that way. It was a thrillto see the American athletes do well and an equal satisfaction in seeing the Japanese stagethe worl3*s finest Olympics and come- in third in number of medals won.

By Olympic rules, only 30 seconds of a national anthem can be played during an awardceremony. That left the "Star Spangled Banner"dangling in mid-air over thirty times - a frustrating experience. One day an American dance band playing in a Tokyo night club came totKe"stadium prepared. \Vhen the official band had finished the first half of the U.S. anthem, theband rose where they were and finished it off with a flourish. They got a rousing ovation.

The marathon was unforgettable. The whole nation cheered for the mighty Ethiopian,Abebe, and groaned v;hen the Japanese runner was beaten for 2nd place at the last moment bya British runner. V/hat moved me to tears was the tremendous applause the Japanese gave toevery runner who finished the race, no matter how long he took. In fact, the later the runner arrived, the more ovation he got. As one bewildered straggler said; "I lost but I won."There is a spiritual meaning here, of course. The Apostle Paul said it long before: "I havefinished the race. I have kept the faith. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,"

The Olympics provided good preaching material as I pointed that the Apostle Paul wasvery familiar with the rules, the prizes and the events (especially running) of the Games,Also that the New Testament was written when the Olympics were at the height of their popularity, In fact, the first year of the 195th Olympiad was the year of Christ's birth. Sometimes the Bible has a touch of unreality to the Japanese and they are surprised to find thatit both records history and is history,

Hebrews 12: 1 2 was my sermon text. "The cloud of witnesses" recalled the thousandsin the stadium and the millions at their TV sets viewing the races, "Let us run with per-serverance the race that is set before us" recalled that only this virtue can keep the bodyor the soul running till the finish line was crossed. "Looking to Jesus the author andperfector of our faith" recalled the added incentive the Japanese must have received asthey struggled to finish the race with their eyes on the Emporer in the royal box. Probablythe athletes who took part would think it strange that any one could find viewing the Olympicsa spiritual experience, but it was that for me.

The year's end - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years - is a time when one thinks of hisfamily and friends and longs to see them again, hear their voices, exchange family news, andto share a meal or a cup of coffee together. We would like to do that with you - very muchso, but we all know that is not possible. The best we can do is this sheet of paper. Because we have given some thought to it, we hope it will let you know in a personal way thatwe are well and happy and wish the same for you. IVhen the rush is over, clip the pictures andslip them in your Bible or some place you see often. Perhaps when you come across them lateryou can grace the moment with a word of prayer for us and Japan. We'd like that.


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North Vernon _Indiana Louisville, KentuckyPermit No. 537

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Mark and Pauline MaxeyKyushu Christian MissionKanoya, Kagoshima, Japan

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Trmu^trEmA monthly report by the Mark G. Maxey famtlyto the friends of the Kyushu Cbristsan Mission


Linkletter No, 144 December, 1964


Another year has passed. We have been back on thejob 16 months. It hardly seems possible. We do not findtime to be despondent. Indeed, there are signs of growthwhich are encouraging.

November 1 the whole family made a journey. First toKyoto for our annual physicals. Our general health wasgood but the Doctor advised extended rest for Pauline, DEDICATION DAY AT TARWIZUEasier said than done, of course, with ; an energetic family and school to teach in yourown home. But the whole family is trying to share more in the household duties.

Thence to Osaka Bible Seminary for three days of its "Tane Make Kai" (Seed Sowing Conv.).This was the first purely preaching, singing and fellowship convention ever held by our Japanese brethren. For the Japanese accustomed to long discussion with a definite conclusions announced at convention's end it was baffling but before it was over many of them relaxed andgot into the spirit of the thing. Gregory brought his cornet and joined the missionaries whogot their instruments out of mothballs and formed an orchestra for the occasion.

From Osaka to Tokyo we rode Japan's new 200 m.p.h. train. John Muto, Harold Sims, PaulPratt and A1 Hammond rode with us. ' Before we got the problems of the world settled we werepulling into Tokyo station. For five days our family stayed with the Pratt's and Sims' familieswhile enjoyed the sights and sounds of the world's largest city and refreshed ourselves withthe fellowship of both missionaries and Japanese brethren. I helped earn my keep by speakingfor the monthly fellowship of Missionaries and Ministers, preaching for the English serviceheld early every Sunday for missionary families and brethren in the Tokyo area, and in Japaneseat the Nakano Church of Christ where Bro. Itagaki preaches, Tokyo is 1000 miles away fromus and we get there seldom - but this visit was the finest and most refreshing of any visit yet

Returning home, I got off the train in northern Kyushu and took the overnight ferry toPusan, Korea, So near and yet so far. Passports, papers, visas plus customs, immigrationand quarantine inspections make the trip so difficult that few want to try it more than once.In Pusan I enjoyed the hospitality of Dick and Melba Lash as we talked over mutual concerns forthe ongoing of the gospel, S.M, Chang introduced me to his wife and new baby boy, had me speakto his mid-week meeting downtown and we talked over the year of study and fellowship he hadjust completed in the U.S. One's heart is warmed by the Christian fellowship found in Koreabut the suffering, spiritual and physical, of the country remains in the memory continually ,

Faith's 9th birthday was November 13 but she put off her party for three days till I gothome, IThat a wonderful girl she is! Friends everyrvhere, A perfect command of the language, Akeen mind bubbling over with ideas and enterprises. Her latest is the formation of a LoyalTemperance Legion with her Japanese friends. She duplicates the English program material inJapanese and Pauline helps her with the refreshments afterwards. It was a solemn moment whenher friends stood up in our front room and she led them in the Japanese version of the NoSmoking - No Drinking pledge. The church in Vandalia (Mich,has a fine missionary in her.

We've told you of our troubles at the Tarumizu church. We are glad that the story has ahappy ending. The churches of the area joined in dedicating the new building on November 29,The basic building was the same, but a new slate roof, hardwood floor, plywood paneling, andrecessed lights gave a bright new air to the place. A sour note of the dedication camewhen the woman who had been causing us all the trouble came and glared at us through eachwindow till she was sure all had seen her. I have never seen a face that shrank my spirits so

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much. After staring at the preacher from the doorway for ten minutes she left without causinga disturbance. We all breathed a prayer of thanks.

That night, Bro. Tanijiri of Kushikino church began a week of preaching.Leaching visitation that has resulted in three baptisms, including one school teacher whohad been a Sunday School pupil at the Tarumizu church twelve years before. After a number ofyears of meeting twice monthly, the church has resumed weekly Sunday services and started theSunday scTiool again. A new church, new Christians and a new spirit make it a joy to go to thischurch again. As I drove home the other day T had the distinct feeling that the renewal atTarumizu alone was worth the last 16 months of missionary effort.

Our o\m land problems with Kanoya city have not been solved. They havemade some concessions and so have we. Still at issue is the favored front corner where theChristian Center building sets. The city still wants to take over this site and make us movethe center and other related buildings. The Japanese do not press for quick solutions in thesematters and that is good. We are going to drag our feet all the way to the finish line.

Bro. Yoshii^s new building for the Christian kindergarten is well underway, This was made possible by a special gift of $1000 from, the church at Vandalia, Michiganat .Thanksgiving time. At a special victory service^q^ember 23, we talked together by trans-Pacific phone and the church relayed the happy news to Bro. Yoshii that their project" to raisethis amount was successful. Thanks to this fine gift and others from friends in the U.S, andJapan he has enough for the first building, lie seeks an additional $1400 for equipment inside.

Incidentally, a new cable was laid across the Pacific this June so you canget immediate and perfect connections. Call us up some Sunday night after church. (It will beMonday morning here.) Sunday rates are about S6.50 for three minutes, $2,25 for each additionalminute. Our number is Kanoya 2374, It would be a thrill to talk to you.

Pauline has just had her Christian Women's meeting for the area in theCenter building. Christ and Christmas was the theme with Pauline giving the message in theafternoon urging them to take this day which has become very popular in the Japanese calendarand use it for Christian witnessing. This is the first of many Christmas meetings that makeDecember such a wonderful month here. Christmas cards, messages and remembrances have brightened our hearts and told us that though we may be out of sight we are not out of mind. Thanks!

We miss our two oldest children especially just now, Walter has made a goodadjustment at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. (2700 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 15204) Paula isin her Junior year at Milligan (Box 184, Milligan College, Tenn,) and we are anticipating herspending next summer with us in Japan and sharing in the work at the same time. Parkcrest ChurclChurch, Long Beach, Calif, has graciously undertaken to raise the funds for her round trip fare.If you*d like to help, write: Mrs, Harvey Beard, 1503 Vuelta Grande Ave, Long Beach, California,

A new slide set for 1964 with script is ready. Write: John Miles Baker, 147Avenue Cota, San Clemente, California 92672, He is the man to write to not only for slides, butfor publicity and display materials. You will get a prompt reply from him. Paula and Walteralso have slide sets in case you want them to come your way for a presentation. Remember to renew your Linkletter subscription soon if you haven't already. We hope that you still want it.

The Japanese like to suggest themes for great occasions. A New Year is agreat occasion and we suggest as a theme for 1965 what the Apostle Paul said to young Timothy:"Train yourself in godliness,,,as it holds promise for the present life also the life to come.'

IN HIS SERVICE, MARK G, HAXEY ^LINKLETTER

Monthly Publication ofKyushu Christian Mission

Box 49North Vernon, Indiana

Missions ServicesBox 9^^Joilet Illinois60h^


PAIDLouisville, Kentucky

Permit No, 537

Documents

Maxey Mark Pauline 1964 Japan