LINKLETTER #295

March 1991

Mr. and Mrs. MarkG. Maxey

Kyushu Christian Mission
Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan
Box 139, North Venion Indiana

*THIS IS THE WAY THE TOP OF OUR LETTER LOOKED 35 YEARS AGO*
Dear Christian Friends

Pardon our long

silence. It has taken a long time to get
organized and back into the swing of
things again. Little by little as they
say in Japan.
By any calculation, it has been
a year to do down in history. The Jap
anese have a way surmiing up things in
their own "shorthand". So they have
named "Desert Storm" the "Wan-Gan-Sen-

so." Wan=BAY; Gan=SHORE and Senso=WAR.

So it is the Bay-Shore-War in Japan.

Great Teaching Singing &Plajring 40th Yr. in Japan:Markby Bro.Nomura by Sims & Maxey Pauline Maxey Honored

Due to the time difference, the

end of each day's war was the begining

of the day here so we had full news &
views of the war early every day. Let
us praise God it was over speedily and
let us pray to God that such a war or
any war will not have to be repeated.
15 years ago I took my wife and
2 daughters to the historic sites in
Iran, traveling by bus. To the oil
loading isle of Kharg thence to Khorramsharr, at the head of the Persian

gulf. There I dickered for a dinky

boat which took us up the Shat-AlArab to Bosra. We climbed up a mud
bank there. Hired an open-aired Mer

M.Nomura Conducts 29th Leadership Training Course

37th Annual Conv. of Kagoshima Churches-Nov. 23,1990

cedes cab which took us across the

vast expanse from the Tigris to the

Euphrates-a day's ride about which
I could write a book. Finally to
Nasariyah where we climbed the ziggurat at Ur and stuck our head in
the door marked home of Abraham.

(He and Sarah weren't in having left

mm

for the Holy Land 4000 years ago).

On north to Karballa, a sacred spot
for Islam.(We were denied entry to
the mosque). Thence to Bagdad while
the radio tolled the names of the

Iraqi army men shot that day by the

government. A day at the Bagdad muse
um ended our stay in that troubled
land. This has three sections, each
featuring one era/culture/artifacts
of that country. Fabulous! Someday

Church Leadership is Interviewed by Hideo Yoshii(R)

I'd like to return and look for a week.

Well, let's see. The last time I wrote I left you in North Pole, AK- which, by the way, is a
very nice place to be. Next stop was at the village of Millet, Alberta, Canada.(Get a map and look it up.)
It is in the province of Alberta. Well-received at King Edward Park church in Edmonton on Sunday. Great
reunion with daughter, Paula, husband, Kiyoto Yanagimoto, and four live-wire, handsome grandchildren. All
August birthdays in the family remembered there.
Finally, back in Pierre SD again we retrieved our car and enjoyed two days of preaching and fellowship

at the Pierre church. Pauline and I both have August birthdays so we enjoyed birthday parties in several
places. Pierre had a beautiful cake showing a Japanese bridge connecting the USA to Japan. In Kirksville
MO,Jan Green had prepared a cake with 73 candles. When I blew them out, the smoke rose to the ceiling and

set off the fire alarm, turned out the lights and turned on small battery-powered ceiling lights all at the
same time. Things can be dramatic at Kirksville. Another birthday cake and party at Truman MN where I was
minister 50+ years ago let us know that friends and memories of the past live on into the future.
The drive north from Pierre SD on the east bank of the Missouri river is lonely and beautiful. Happy
reunion with Bill and Mary Lou Hoist in Yankton SD. A week end in Storm Lake lA with the church there and

A1 and Mary Giese (she is iny younger sister). Reunion at Truman MN Church of Christ where I was a young
preacher 50+ years ago. Lots of faces and memories of the past there. South to Union lA. Hard to find but
lots of people found it for a great time of fellowship.
Mitchell Maxted was there. He said, "Did you know that the daughter of Charles E. Garst was still alive
and well?" I did not know that. I knew about Charles E. Garst, our ftrst mlss,ionary to Japan; of his untimely
death there at age 45 and of his family returning to Iowa, their native state. But I did not know of their
having, a baby^dau^hter.before her_father_Ls_deajth. The next day we.drove to Des Moines. I made th& telephone
people happy by phoning all the Garsts living in Carrol County. Finally, I got the information I was looking
for. Rachel Garst Merrill, age 93, was living in a condominium in Des Moines. Pauline and I went to see
her immediately.We found her to be a gracious lady, keen of mind and spirit, faithful to her church and
ready_and willing to to talk about all things Japanese. We were her guests for lunch and a couple of hours

of visiting before we had to continue our journey.(Our mission in Japan began in 1883 - 108 years ago)
Here if a brief summary of our travels as we turned eastward: Christian church. La Harpe IL, Jerry
McCune, minister- a hearty, faithful people worshipping in a fine, new building. Members of the Evening
missionary group from Ancona IL church filled the Charles and Betty Coe home to hear and talk about Japan.
A great day at Streator IL speaking to the women of the area and at Central church of Christ, filled with
people iny age from various persuasions - but interested in the faith and needing the fellowship of others.

Still, in August, an overnight visit with Jim and Barbara Linder in Urbana; all night with Bruce and
McQuigg, Rankin II. , computers determine when and how much their hogs will be fed. Niece, Roberta Longawa
drove down from northern IL for a short visit with us. On August 16, Faith Church of Christ and Burlington
Church of Christ joined together to welcome us. Long-time family friend, Sarah Ward, made us welcome at
her home as we visted the church in Terra Haute IN. August 17 we spoke at the church in.New Holland OH.
There were three people there who graduated with me from the New Holland grade school.Amazing1 The next
day we attended the 55th reunion of the class of '35 , Circleville OH high school. Half of us were able to
attend. I gave a few words, more or less well spoken. Paul and Mary Turner hosted the class and us. Memo

ries of the depression fade while the meaning of life becomes more real.It was good, real good, to meet again.
Well, I am going to run out of space: In Michigan we visited Pleasant View church, Cassopolis, none
more faithful; Dr. and Mrs. Joe Schaeffer, way up north. He took care of Paula when she had polio. Also

saw long-time friends: Bill Plank aiid Allen Law. He was my chaplain's assistant in the Philippines.Now the
space is gone and so much to be said. Thanks and greetings to churches and friends we haven't the room
jto-jneiition,who jLte, nevertheless, a part o.f this_work jthrough_thesfi jnaDy_yea_rs. We saw themJbl the churches
we visited in Ohio and Indiana. In a swing to the east: Pennsylvania (and Pauline's home town of Wind Ridge);
Bakerton WVA; Washington DC; Mechanicsville VA; Jacksonville NC; Asheville NC; Flag Pond TN; Pennington Gap
VA; Mt.Sterling KY; Mt.Byrd church, Milton KY...and time has failed to tell by name all who havetheir
faith, love, hospitality and means to help this mission continue. God bless you all. IN HIS SERVICE.

UNKLrrTER

Non-Profit Orguiisation

Publication of

U. S. POSTAGE

Kyusliu Ciiristian Mission

Box

PAID

417

Louisville. Kentucky

North Vernon, Indiana 47265

Permit No. 537

Address Return Requested

EDITOR

HORIZONS
BOX

2427

KNOXVILLE TN 37901

644

A Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

/UNKLerrefi/

Kanoya Chdrch of Christ

hftd

To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Awalkof 40 yeaijaY^40 th Anniversary

Kanoya. KagosMma 893 Japan - Box 417, N. Vernon IN 47285

LINKLETTER #296

4 0^c!};^

*1950*

*1990*'

JUNE 1991

Dear Christian friends,

It's been a long time since you heard, from us. Too long! Either events are
getting more numerous or we are getting slower. At any rate, this letter will let you
know that we are still engaged in mission.

We arrived back in Japan on October23. 1990, after a six month furlough. Our
yard was full of people to welcome us "home". It was a very good feeling indeed. In
our absence,Katsuo Shimoda, my right hand man, had replaced the living room ceiling.
It had done its best for 40 years but now its time was up. He had the mission house
and Christian Center and yard looking mighty fine.

A 10 Year History
-by Minister, Hideo Yoshii
4*e*o*e*e*o*oo*o*o*o*o*ooo*oi*o*o*

Before going any further, let's take note of the pictures. In January of

this year, Bro. Yoshii, minister of the Kanoya church started work on the 40 year his
tory of the Kanoya church. Several months of research and hard work resulted in a fine

history written and published. We were able to aid his work through photos and a re
cord of the people and events contained in almost 300 issues of this Linkletter. His
book is all in Japanese so don't write for a copy.
A few miles out in the country from our house is a a hospital-housing com
plex built for victims of Hansen's disease (leprosy) 45 years ago. We have served the
Christian community there for 40 of those years. Also Bro Yoshii. Now they have called
a minister of their own - Hironofu Ito. I participated in his installation. Mr. Ito
was born in one of the Okinawan islands. He caught this disease as a child. By God's
grace he is one of the few who conquered the disease and has no visible marks of the
disease. Bro. Yoshii and I will continue to visit the Keisei church for preaching and
teaching

as we have before.

Another activity which we have continued from the beginning is holding reg
ular services for the children and young people living in the Osumi Gakkusha. This
institution takes care of those who have lost a parent or whose families are unable
to take care of them. We have also gone to this institution since the very beginning.
Bro. Yoshii and I alternate in holding services there. Let's sum up some of our actities under the following headings:
FAMILY NEWS: Walter Maxey, wife, Mary, and family will be in the USA on a year's fur
lough beginning August 3. They will make their home in Murphysboro IL. Daughter, Shelle will be in her second year at the University of Illinois. Son, Trent, will be in his
third year of high school.. Our third daughter, Hope, will come "to Japan this summer.
She will be living in Walter and Mary's home and also be teachi'ng'fnglish in the Kagoshima area schools. Paul and Faith (2nd daughter) Axton continue to live in Tsukuba,

Pauline's Mother's Day-Bouquet

a couple of hours north of Tokyo. They serve the Tsuchiura Church of Christ in that
area and also the American Chrstian College which they started in Tokyo. It is now in
its second year. Grandson, Tamon Leroy Yanagimoto, will enroll in Lincoln (IL) Christ
ian college this fall.
MEDICAL NEWS; Pauline continues under the care.of Dr.Suzaki, head of the local branch
of the Kagoshima Prefectural Hospital. She sees him twice a month and he sees that she
gets the medicine and assistance that she needs. He charges nothing for his services.

Her medicine is expensive but this cost is mostly taken care of by the Christian Medi
cal Society to which the mission belongs. Pauline continues to take care of her home

and teaching responsibilties and is always with me as we are teaching and preaching
in the churches. As for myself. Pauline went witn me on the five hour drive north to

the Ideta Eye Hospital. The vision in my right eye had been deteriorating for some
time. In a rather lengthy operation. Dr. Ideta removed a cataract from ny right eye
and in the same operation put in a lense implant. Because of the eye's condition, the
lense kept slipping out but the operation was completed successfully. On a scale of

Laying on of hands for Hironofu

I to-new minister at Keisei church

#5 this eye now has a rating of #3. The eye is now flooded with wonderful light so that
I can enjoy reading and drive safely. Tam grateful. Pauline spent.a week with me there.
CHURCH NEWS: The first church on the western peninsula of our state was built on a
strategic corner in the prefectural capital city- Kagoshima. This was a project of
Isabel Di-ttfimore. An original pre-fab building was replaced by a second similiar build=
ing with living quarters above. This was replaced by a three story, ferro-concrete
building in the fall of 1971. Over the years, the grime of the city had left its mark
on the building both inside and outside. I suggested to the church, through its minis
ter, Koichi Homori, that the mission would pay half if the church would pay half for a
the repainting of tne interior as well as new ceiling lights. This was agreed and the
result is delightful new place of worship. Now the church will launch a similar pro
ject for the exterior. On June 2, Pauline and I attended the services there. Bro.
Homori, for the church, gave us flowers, a plaque and restaurant dinner in our honor

and to which the whole church was invited. Also matching tea cups made out of our area
pottery, known as "Satsuma Yaki" All in all, it was a really fine event.

Sunday P.M. Class at Or^ange

PREACHING - TEACHING - SHARING;

We had hardly got back in Japan when I was due to speak at the annual conference

of the Mennonite missionaries of Kyushu - meeting in the next prefecture - northeast. Some months before that I had
written a lengthy article under the title: "My Pilgrimage into Mission.". It was published in the Japan Christian
Quarterly in the Summer issue, 1989. I thought this would be satisfactory source material for the messages I would

give.

But halfway through the series of three messages I found that everyone present already had a copy of my paper

with them.

I was somewhat nonplussed but none of the missionaries present seemed to mind. So 1 proceeded. We had a

mutually satisfying fellowship as well as a sharing of insights, experiences and faith. I thank missionary Anna Dyck
for arranging this meeting together. This was October 29-30
Hiroshi Isobe. minister of the Mennonite church in Miyakonojo, just over the line in the next prefecture
asked me to speak Saturday night and Sunday on the subject, "The Japanese Christianity That I See." I found it dif
ficult to come to grips with the topic. The fellowship was great. I met some whom I had baptized and several who had
known me through the years. It is true: the good that men do lives after them. (Also the evil.)
The same month. High School principal, Mr. Kohtoku. asked me to give a lecture at his school on the subject*
"Japan: Inside and Out." I followed the line from the an old operetta: Accent the Positive: Eliminate the Negative.
November is one of the very busy months of the eyar. There is the annual convention of Kagoshima churches
on November 23, a national holiday. Kanoya church, Bro. Yoshii, minister, was the host church. The preparatiom and
program was outstanding, Harold Sims of Tokyo gave the convention address. Minister, Masatami Kikkawa held a revival

in the Kanoya church. Then at our preacher's meeting in Kagoshima, November 21, he told the story of the outstanding
and great church he has developed in the city of Ono {near Osaka}
An extended trip north took me the city of Klta Kyushu where I gave a lecture at the Laymen's Bible School.
I have had a long-time connection with the school but this was the first time to get to teach there. They were keen
listeners. This was March 19, Friday. Saturday I was the guest of Makoto Yoshii as he took me to vist the college where
he is teaching. Early Sunday I spoke at a girls high school where Hideto Yoshii is professor. 1000 girls all with black
hair, cut the same way and wearing identical uniforms. An amazing sight. They were attentive listeners. From there we
moved quickly to Onga Church of Christ where Hideto Yoshii is the dynamic preacher. Lots of friends, new and old, to
talk; to after church.

A very long ride on the "Bullet" train brought me to Tokyo and participation in the opening ceremony of
American Christian College, founded by Paul Axton and now beginning its second year. A board meeting followed. With
Paul by train to see the rest of the family: wife and daughter, Faith and two live-wire children: Erin and Zachary.
By train to Motoyuki Nomura and wife in their mountain home. They have welcomed 1048 guests in 5i years. By train on

south to Osaka. Received by Paul and Rickie Clark. An important visit with them to see his mother, EvelynClark, suff

ering from a stroke. Now removed to the USA.(There is a good possibility of partial+ recovery.) Keep her in your pray
ers. Spoke for chapel at Osaka Bible Seminary, Thursday, March 25. Finest looking student body I have ever seen at
the seminary. Very encouraged. Thence by air and bus back home to Pauline and Home Sweet Home.
VOLCANO NOTES: Our nearest volcano, Mt. Sakurajima, is only 20 miles away (as the crow flies) but a moun

tain shields us from the eruptlons-127 times by the end of May. Mt. Unzen, now In the news is a hard day's drive to
the northwest corner of our island. It 1s of no danger to us. ^t after a silence of 199 years It Is raining death
and destruction on the land and people of that area. Pray that the err'tions will cease. IN HIS SERVICE.

(P.S. There are 1800 volcanoes in the world, 2^ of them In Japan, and 75 of them active! Mizpah)

"That's what the Good Book Says!"

Lecture for the Laymen's Bible School in northern Kyushu

LVNICUCTTEd

Non-Proflt OrganiMtlon

Publication of

Kyushu Christian Mission

Box

U.S.POSTAGE

417

PAID

North Vernon, Indiana 47265

Louisville. Kentucky

Address Return Requested

Permit No. 537

644

EDITOR
HORIZONS
BOX 2427
KNOXVILLE

TN 37901

/2/7
A 'Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

/uNKLerrefi/
To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

from MARKtWULK MAXEY

Kanoya, Kagoshima 893 Japan - Box 417, N. Vernon IN 472fiS

LINKLETTER #297

SEPTEMBER 1991

TO

iOME SWEET HOME

, TO
THE
f-aT'CENTER"-"''":

nc^!iAPaa_

Dear Christian friends,

September has come and with it a hint of coolness. The cherry trees in front of our house have shed their

leaves letting us know that autumn will soon be here. The typhoons we've had on our peninsula
and windy, but have not done much damage.

this year have been wet

Japan is one of the smaller nations of the world in terms of size but consider this: the Tokyo city govern

ment has

200,000 employees and an annuual budget of 16.65 trillion uen. ($1.00=135). Tokyo's annual budget is big

ger than the vast country of China and it equals the entire budget of the country of Australia.

Ever stop as you were driving to get something cool to drink? Japan has 100,000 roadside drink dispensers
scattered throughout Japan. These operate 24 hours a day using, it is said, the total electricity output of one power
plant. Anyone of any age can buy the drinks available, including alcoholic ones. The penalties for drunken driving,
however, are very severe.

For family news: We welcomed home our third daugher, Hope (in July). She will be teaching English in the col
leges and schools in the Kagoshima City area, which is west and across the bay from us. We spent some time with her as
she was finger-printed (a necessity for foreigners and criminals); was registered and was supplied with an affidavit of
support. All was done quietly, efficiently and with courtesy. When the lady that was doing her paper work asked
Hope where she was born, she replied, "in Kyoto, Japan." The lady looked up at her in surprise as if to confirm that
this was not a Japanese voice speaking to her.

Meanwhile, Walter and Mary Maxey and children, Shelley and Trent, have returned to the U.S. for furlough. They
will be living in Murphysboro, Illinois. Trent will attend high school there and Shelley will continue her studies at
the University of Illinois.

Every July, on or near the 4th, the Kanoya Rotary Club has Pauline 3s a special guest and asks one of us to
give a talk. This year I talked about my father, R. Tibbs Maxey, father of nine children, 5 sons and 4 daughters. Seven
lived to maturity. 4 of the boys served during the war. It was father that put the faith in our hearts and the steel in
our spines. Four sons and a daughter became missionaries and one daughter a minister's wife.

Health-wise, aging leaves its mark on all of us. Pauline continues under a doctor's care and on appropriate
daily medication, I have enjoyed good health all my life (except for severe asthma in my youth) but several weeks ago I
fainted while teaching a class. After I had fainted nine times on other occasions, I went to see Dr. Suzaki, head of the
Prefectural Hospital in our area. He gave me all the tests, took X-rays and told me I was in good shape. While he was

telling me this, I fainted and fell on him. So it was back to square one. I have been diagnosed as having a Stokes-Adam
attack. Since then I have been taking medication daily. So far, no more attacks. The possibility of a pacemaker is in
the future.

Because of the above, Pauline and I did not attend the annual missionary convention - held this year in Kochi
city, on the island of Shikoku, one of Japan's four major Islands. Don and Norma Burney have served there for 35 years.
The convention-goers gathered around the phone to say "hello" and to wish us well. This was good medicine for our ears.
The 1991 Christian service camp was in the campground of our area churches. It had been decided that instead
of having three consecutive camps, all three would be held at the same time but in different places. To accomodate the
groups, a large tent was furnished. This and the porch and rooms of the camp's main builidng provided good settings for
all the campers and staff. This plan will continue in the future. My class. Great Characters of the New Testament was

held outside, under the trees.

I chose five men to discuss: Jesus, John, Peter, Paul and Luke. "Lives of great men all

remind us...."

1991 Christian Camp-3 Age Groups-August 4,5,6

Adult Class

Mark Maxey, Teacher

Great Characters of the New Testament

I enjoyed not only the preparation required for this class, but also the cooperation of my students and my
renewal of acquaintance with these great men of old. Jesus,himself, as well as the recorded words (f these great
men continue to speak to us in the pages of the New Testament.

We enjoyed having two students from Osaka Bible Seminary with us during part of July and in August. These

were fourth year student, Hiroyuki Sakasegawa from the island of Tanegashims, south of us, and Katsuyuki Ueno, a mem
ber of the Kanoya church and a first yeat student at Osaka Bible Seminary. Sakaseqawa preached at the Kushira church
during the summer. Also, Yuichi Tsurugaoka, at age 33, has entered Osaka Bible Seminary to train for the ministry.
Ever; if you don't pronouce their names correctly, keep these mm in your prayers as they prepare to live and share
the Good News of the Gospel.

August is birthday month for Pauline and I. Thank you to all of you who sent to us cards and letters. It
makes growing older a pleasure.

The week-end of August 24 was a memorable one. Pauline and I were guests of the Hideo Yoshii family as we
went with them by plane to Osaka for the wedding of their daughter, Noriko.The beginning of a new Christian family is a
significant event anyplace, but especially in Japan where only one percent of the people are Christians. Thirty years
ago I held the wedding ceremony for Mr. and Mrs. Yoshii of the Kanoya church. Now it was my pleasure to hold the cere
mony for their daughter, Norikoto Tatsushi Sato of Osaka. The beginning of a new Christian family is a significant event
anyplace, but especially in Japan where only one percent of the people are Christians. The wedding reception that fol
lowed was special not only for the food that was served but also for the hymns that were sung, words of praise for bride
and groom as well as words of encouragement offered to them both.
The wedding was held on Saturday, August 24. On Sunday morning, Kenji Niro, faithful Christian friend and asso

ciate since our early days in Kanoya, came to the hotel with his wife. They took us to morning services in Horiguchi
church, Osaka. Seimin Sugiyama is minister there. Again a time of wonderful fellowship and preaching. We had a good visit
with Paul Clark and wife, Rickie, in Hirakata before she took us to the airport for a flight back to Kagoshima. Paul has
lost both parents recently.
Now, as seminary president, the weight of leading the school has fallen on him. Keep him
In your thoughts and prayers

Let me close with this story. Five or six miles from us is a hospital of lepers (Hansen's Disease). I met the
leader of the small group of believers soon after arriving In Kanoya. I began preaching and teaching there regularly.
This was in the fall of 1950. Several monnths later, in August 1951, I baptized 23 of these people. At that time fear of
this disease was very strong. I determined, however, that 1t was my sacred duty to baptize these new believers and to
put my confidence in God for the outcome - both theirs and mine. Now, after 40 years, four of those who were baptized are
still alive. They are: Hiroshi Morishita, Etsue Sakaguchi, Fusako Toyoshima and Kane Kimura. The latter recalled that it
was 40 years ago that I had baptized she and the others. Now, the remaining four wanted to give us a gift in memory of
their baptism long ago. It was a heart-warming event and an assurance that, indeed, "The good that men do lives after
them," Must close. Blessings to the readers of this letter. IN HIS SERVICE, Mark Maxey

HmGMDNG

August Birthdays;
Pauline and Mark

Auaust 2-Waiter Maxey family-Furlough to U.S.

^

Noriko Yoshii Weds

Sato Tatsushi-24 Aug.

LlNICLCTTCft

^Kyushu
fubKon
Christian Mission
Box

417

North Vernon, Indiana i|7265

- . ,

Permit No. 537

Address Return Requested

EDITOR
HORIZONS
BOX

2427

KNOXVILLE TN 37901

(Ul

A Report by Mark and Pauline Maxey

/LfNKLerreR/
To the friends of the Kyushu Christian Mission

Kanoya, Kagoshima 893 Japan - Box 417, N.Vernon IN 47265

LINKLtTTER #298

DECEMBER 1991

Dear Christian friends.

The earth turns, the sun suLb, the moon shines and present

ly the sun is on the horizon again. Everything is in motion and yet

nothing seems to change from day to day. But change is always with us

and all of a sudden It

reachcs out and tuucht'S us In stcirtlimj and

frightening ways.

LUXtz Baby in a. mangeA,

In September a typhoon roared up with the south seas.It hit

Nestled Zn a b&d

the northern corner of our huge isl and (Kyushu) full-force . It then
continued up the center of the Japa n archipelago devastating fruits,
vegetables, roads, bridges and hous ing as it went. Finally, the storm

blew out to sea a 1000 miles north of here. Immediately afterwards,

local markets cut lettuce heads in two and sold each half at the former

price of one head. Living in the mi dst of the sea, we are always aware

of approaching storms and dangers, The weather is fully reported along

with the news on both radio and TV.

Special visitors have come our way. Dick Lash, long-time

missionary in Korea, spent a week with us after a renewal of ties with

the churches and leaders there. Dr. S.M. Chang gave him a royal welcome
to the the campus and its new buildings and facilites. Just this year,

the college has become a university under Bro. Chang's leadership.

Also visiting us was Ted and Beverly Skiles and son, Brad.
Theirs has been a ministry of faith, perserverance and outreach in Cent
ral Taiwan. They have provided a haven for orphans, the Christian wit

ness of a living church, a Christian bookstore and place of encourage

ment and stimulus to our other missionaries on the island,.

On October 9, I had a life-changing experience. I was having

fainting spells of short but increasing frequency while taking medica
tion three times a day. But one day I fell down and woke up with my
dog licking my face. I was taken to the local hospital where I prompt
ly fainted again. The hospital staff decided to send me to Kagoshima

City Hospital located on the western peninsula. Pauline had a hour to

gather the essentials. Then she went with me in the ambulance to the

hospital. Pauline stayed in Walter and Mary's (Maxey) house during my

20 days in the hospital. Daughter. Hope, is also staying in this house
during Walter and Mary's absence - and while she is teaching English in
the Kagoshima area high schools, colleges and universities.
Dr. Ishigami, a member of the Kagoshima church,has been a

payment of hospital Insurance came through. We express our thanks to

them.

38th Annual Convention-Kagoshlma Churches of Christ

A& you'A.e, boA.n on ChAX&JCmcu Vay?

Litttz Baby in a mangeji,
Having no plac.t in tkz inn,

I Vo Vou knou) the pAi.ce you-'tt pay

I

I
I

i
I
I
I

To A.&dzejn mankind

6in?

Little Baby, in a mangeA,

Ve^tinzd ioA a cAaet
Giving up youJi
to o^^zA.
VoAdon, peace and iiboAty.
LiXtte Baby in a manges,
I4e6tted in a bed oi hay,
Vo you knou) uihat tie6 ahead

Aa You're boAn on C.hxUitma& Vay?

Oh, love beyond aZZ othvi tovzJi
A Love we cannot undeutand,
Vou fenowand 6titt You come

To lay dom YouJi tiie ioK man!

Little Baby, in a mangen.,

Nestled in a bed o^ hay,
We pAai^e You
the tacnX-iice begun
Ai You'fie boAn on ChAi6tm6 Vay,

f
\

- Copied.

staff member of this hospital for many years. He introduced me there.

Also, he and his wife arranged a loan to pay my hospital bill until

hky,

Do Vou knoio LOhcLt tiiL& ak^ad

"The Good Physician"-Dr. Ishigami

A Hospital Visit

daughter - Faith M
While waiting for surgery, I got word that Bro. Takeo Ilmure
had died. He was the first man I worked with after our arrival in Kanoya,
now 41 years ago. He was active in teaching, preaching, writing lessons,
interpreting and in preparing the many documents needed to become a part
of the community in the city of Kanoya. His funeral was held in the Ka
noya church by Bro. Hideo Yoshii. His ashes were placed in our Christ
ian mausoleum located in a nearby cemetery.
Tuesday, October

9, was the day for a pacemaker implant by

Dr. Toda and assistant, Dr. Tominaga. Also present was Nurse Enokizono,
a member of the Yoshino church. She got her duty day changed so she could
assist during my operation. As they prepared to begin the implant, she
leaned over and whispered, "You don't have to be quiet. You can cry out
if you want to." Hers was a comforting word and a comforting presence.
Actually, I did not experience any pain during the operation - but much
Jfrthes days that followed.

When the operation was finished some changes had taken place:
I was an American who had received a German-made pacemaker implanted by

a Japanese doctor. Just call me "Mr. International."

I was amazed - and also blessed and comforted - bv the many

people who came to call - each with a specially wrapped money gift to
help on the hospital expenses. Also there were words of prayer and en
couragement. Gifts of food and fruit.
Always fresh flowers on the win
dow-sill, Hospital life does have its pleasures to offset its pains.
I was in a room with three

And

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g ra n dch iId r e

Erin &Zacharv^^^HnfllH

others, so there were lots of

visitors coming and going. Missionary Ben Hirotaka spent a day on the
train to pay a visit. He came down from northern Kyushu and back again.
Second daughter. Faith, came down from north of Tokyo bringing her child
ren: Erin and Zachary. They put life Into that hospital room . Baptist
missionary, Paul Shook, stopped by for a visit every night, bringing some

Ted, Bev Brad Skiles

Holding the Missionary

Fort in Taiwan

thing of interest each time. Pauline was reading to me every day and
seeing that I took my pills - and whatever.

Finally, it was time to go home. I talked the doctor into

letting me go home a day early. So finally, on October 28, we were on
the way back home. November was upon us before we were finished with
October. November 12 was a special day as Pauline gave her annual mes
sage to the joint women's meeting - Kanoya church and the women of the
Keisei church (Hansen's disease) - held at their church out in the country.

A big event each year is the annual convention of Kagoshima

churches, held each. November 23, a national holiday. This was its 38th
year. Bro. Naganorl Tanijirl and the church at Kushikino hosted.the
convention. It was an Ideal day and the building was full. Bro. Makoto
Yuse from Nagoya brought morning and afternoon message. This is the
church farthest away from Kanoya so we left early and got home after
dark - but fellowship and the inspiration were worth It.

According to the zodiak, this year (1991) was the year of

the lamb. 1992 will be the year of the monkey. Monkeys can do some smart

things and some dumb things. So let's not let the Newy.^ar make a "mon
key" out of us. Blessings to all. IN HIS SERVICE,

Dick Lash - Revisiting His

Missionary Service in Korea

LINKLETTrft

Kyushu Ch?istiSnMission
Box 417

PAID

North Vernon, Indiana i7265

.

, ,

rnnit No. 557

Address Return Requested

EDITOR
HORIZONS
BOX

2427

KNOXVILLE

TN 37901