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WAYDOWNHERE
by
MarkMaxey
ThisisthestoryofhowtheGoodNewsisbeingpreached
andpracticed"waydownhere"inthesmallcityofKanoya,in
KagoshimaPrefecture,ontheislandofKyushuatthesouthern
tipofJapan.
Thisstorywaswrittendownmonthbymonththelasttwenty
yearsandpublishedintheLINKLETTER.Selectionsfromthese
lettersformthechaptersofthisbookbeginningwithSeptember
1949andrunningthroughDecemberof1971.Therearetwenty-two
chaptersdividedinto100sectionseachwithitsownsub-title.
Thisisalargebookatabargainprice.Ithasover500
pagesandissixby9inchesinsize.There'salotofreading
andlivingbetweenitscovers.Thisisamissionaryexperience
andadventureofourowntimewrittenasitwaslivedina
stylethatallcanenjoy.
II:isallhere-twentyyearsofthelifeamissionary
familyinruralJapan.Liveitoveragainwiththem.Thejoys
andthesorrows,thevictoriesandthedefeats,thepassing
oftheseasons-butmostofall,listentothestoryofthe
seedfallingonthesoil,somegood,somehardandsomerocky
andbringingforthaharvestinitsseason.
Thereissomethinghereforeveryoneandasubjectindex
hasbeenincludedtohelpyoufindwhatyouareinterestedin.
Herearesomeofthem:Births,Buddhism,Building,Camp,Child
ren,Christmas,Christianity,Conventions,Conversions,Customs,
Death,Difficulties,Familyhistory,Furlough,Lepers,Leader
shipTraining,Missionaryviewpoints,NewYear,Shinto,Sick
ness,Travel,WeatherandWeddings.
Thisisabookyouwillwanttoreadandre-readagain.
Youwilluseitforasourcebookofmissionarythoughtsand
experiencesthatyouwillwanttosharewithothers.Hereis
abookyouwillenjoygivingasagift.
Detachandsendtheorderfrombelow.Includeyourcheck
for$4.95plus30cforeachcopyordered,(Formorethanone
copysenttothesameaddress,one30?chargeforpostageand
handlingwillbesufficientforall.)
Thislabelwillbeusedformailingyourbook(s)toyou.
Pleaseprintwithinkortypetobesureofdelivery.
I
NUMBEROFBOOKSWANTED,
AMOUNTENCLOSED
NAME
Detachhere-
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GIFT0F_
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ADDRESS.
CITY
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ADDRESS,
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^
A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY
TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONKANOYA. KAGOSHIMA
893, JAPAN - BOX 417, NORTH VERNON, IND. 47265
KYUSHU
* Okina
IT'S ALL HERE - 20 YEARS OF
THE LIFE OF A MISSIONARY
FAMILY IN RURAL JAPAN.
LIVE IT OVER AGAIN WITH
THEM! 500 PAGES.
SUBJECT INDEX.
-
HOKKAIDO
HONSHU
SHIKOKU
Tokyo
ORDER FROM:
GO YE BOOKS
147 AVE COTA,
SAN CLEMENTE, CA. 92672
Add 30^ for postage& handling.
by MARK MAXEY 4JI5
GO YE BOOKS
147 AVE COTA,
SAN CLEMENTE, CA. 9267?
-
A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY
umLexreaM^TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANOVA. KAG06HIMA 883. JAPAN - BOX 4t7. NORTH VERNON, INO.
47266
Linkletter No. 208 April, 1972
Dear Christian friends,
Japan can be wet, cold and dreary. We've had several months of
that. Japan can also be dry, warm and beautiful. We're just
beginning that. The grass has never beengreener, the cherry
blossoms pinker nor the flowers more inabundance. All have given us
a sense of blessing and joy.
Since the school year ends in March and the nextschool year in
mid-April, spring vacation is long and atime of travel. Walter and
Mary had three weeks off fromlanguage study which they were able to
spend with us. Walter took some of my preaching duties at
Kagoshima, Kushiraand Sueyoshi. That was a great help to me and a
blessingfor those who heard him.
At Faith's school, the Japanese language teacherdecided to stage
a Kabuki play, the traditional, stylizeddrama form. Long months of
practice followed. Only kimonoswere worn. The lines and intonation
had to be mastered inold-style Japanese. Faith played one of the
female .leads.Pauline went up to Kobe to represent the family and
sharethe great occasion with Faith on the day of performance.Mary
took over the kitchen and took care of us while shewas gone.
Paula and the three grandchildren came down fromTokyo with
Walter and Mary for our last visit together before their going to
Manila. We had baby beds, diapers andbottles in abundance and an
equal amount of joy with thechildren. I'm still putting things
together that Temujintook apart and looking for things that he hid.
Bless him!
We had invited James Ashida, American Consul inFukuoka (northern
Kyushu) to visit us and speak at RotaryClub. Both he and his wife
came. We had a good visit andhe spoke positively to us on the
future of Japan-U.S. relationships. Personally, I agree that they
must be streng-
thened in every way. The future of Japan and the U.S. arebound
together in more ways than economically and we mustexert ourselves
to make this friendship work.
On March 26 we all went to Kobe by car and ferry.We took Paula
and children to the Osaka airport so theycould go on to Tokvo. The
rest of us drove 3 hours south
WITH GRANDSONS TAKANOBU & TEMUJIN
ATSUKO TSUGIKI AFTER HER BAPTISM
CONV. SPEAKERWILLIAM ELLIS
-
and inland to the town of Hayashino in Okayama prefecture to
take part in the annual missionary convention. Audrey West, serving
alone in this rural are^ did an outstanding job both inpreparing
the convention program and in hosting it. Her newly built. Okayama
Christian CenteTwas the perfect setting for the three day
convention. The sessions'^gan early and ended late.Lots of time to
talk and sing and pray. AH the missionaries, including our own
family, hada chance to make a contribution to the program but the
five messages brought by our specialspeaker, William Ellis of
Orlando, Florida filled us with a sense of hope and victory.
Hespoke about Christ, the Church, the church's Witness, the Future
Life and the Second Coming.The Spirit was moving and at 2 a.m. the
last day a missionary son was baptized into Christin the Japanese
bath at the hotel where we were all staying. All our young people
receiveda special blessing at the convention.
Resurrection Day was a great day. Walter preached in Kagoshima
and baptized TanabeSan there. He had attended Kanoya church for a
long time without making a decision. At Kushirachurch Tsugiki San
confessed her faith in Christ. That afternoon the Kushira young
people wentwith me in the old truck for a picnic and then on to
Sueyoshi. Walter and Mary joined us thereWe showed the movie, "The
Cross and the Resurrection" and enjoyed the fellowship of the
Sueyoshi Christians before returning home.That night we showed the
movie again at the orphanage andthen went to Kanoya church for the
last part of Bro. Yoshii's sermon and to baptized TsugikiSan. It
was a very good day in the Lord's service.
Wednesday night, April 5, Paula phoned. Takanobu, 4 months old,
was critically illwith diarrhea and dehydration. She was taking him
to the hospital and would stay there withhim. Mary flew to Tokyo
the next morning. Bro. lijima met her at the airport and took herto
the apartment. Mary took care of Temujin and Megumi for four days.
Pauline went to Tokyowith Walter on Saturday and stayed for ten
days both at the apartment and at the hospital.Many prayers were
offered on the baby's behalf. He was in an oxygen tent and
intravenousfeedings for several days and finally came around. Paula
delayed her departure for Manila.The baby was released from the
hospital on April 15. Harold and Lois Sims made a home forthe
family over the week-end. On Monday Harold and Walter took them all
to the airport andsaw them on the way - Paula and her three to
Manila to join her husband and Pauline on thelast connection to
Kagoshima. Hope and I were waiting at the airport to meet her. Hope
is awonderful companion and a real help in the house and kitchen
but the house didn't seem likemuch of a home without Pauline there.
It was 10 p.m. when we drove into the driveway. Asalways, we
offered a brief but hearty word of thanks to God for arriving home
safely beforegetting out of the car.
The first of April Bro. Takeo limure retired from his work at
the Christian Center.He will continue to live in Kanoya and share
in preaching and planning with the other ministers. Miss Tomie
Nomoto is working at the Center now. The Japanese edition of my
book,SECOND THOUGHTS has just been printed here in Kanoya. We are
grateful to Bro. Stephen lijiimofMinato church for first
serializing it in Japanese in his monthly BOKKA magazine. This
madethe Japanese edition possible. After many months of
preparation, the bod'k WAY DOWN HERE hasgone to press. It is the
story of our lives in Kanoya the past twenty years as told in
theLinkletter. We hope it will be a blessing to all who read it. Be
looking for the announcement that will come your way soon. Vacation
Bible School will soon be here. We have an excellent collection of
materials, lessons and visual aids that will provide the
missionaryemphasis you need. The price is $5.00. Write to North
Vernon or Go Ye Books, 147 Ave Cota,San Clemente, CA 92672. Now it
is time to go. Peace! In His Service,,/ ^ /
LINKLETTERMonthly Publication ofKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox
417North Vernon, Indiana 47265
Return RequestedMission Services, AssooBox 177Kmpton* XH
46049
/rf-
Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDLouisville, Kentucky
Permit No. 537
-
A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY
LWKLerreRTO THE FRtENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANOYA, KAQOSHIMA 683, JAPAN - BOX 417, NORTH VERNON, IND.
47266
Llnkletter No. 210 July, 1972
Dear Christian friends,
If a picture Is worth a thousand words, as It has been said,
then here are19,000 words which we could have written the past two
months but didn't. It has been anunusual summer In many ways - more
rain, more wind, more family, more visitors, morechanges, more Joys
and at least one lingering sorrow.
Greg arrived in Tokyo in June to spend the summer. He visited
Canadian Academy in Kobe and then he and Faith came home together.
One of his first "enjoys" was tomake a cake. Naturally he was proud
of himself when it turned out well and we all turnedout to help him
eat it . Faith added her tutoring talents to Pauline's regular
teachingto help Hope finish up her 5th grade work and get her final
tests in the mall. All summerFaith and Greg and I are having two
hour sessions every morning at 8.30 in an Intensivestudy of the
entire Bible (The Bethel Course). We are trying to finish in 2%
months. ItIs a rough go for students and teacher but a privilege to
try to get the Bible as a whole.
Walter and Mary finished up their classroom Japanese studies in
Tokyo and returned home in early July. They have moved Into the
parsonage on the third floor of thenew Kagoshima church and will be
staking out a work and witness in that area. It is hardto grasp the
translation from that little boy we brought to Japan to that of a
man witha lovely wife both thoroughly trained and now here as
partners in preaching the gospel.The family remembered me with
special cards and gifts on Father's Day including a "BeatDaddy of
the Block" badge that Greg had brought from the U.S.
Koichl Homori completed his work at Osaka Bible Seminary and
returned June Ito preach at Tarumizu and Sueyoshi. We have helped
provide him with needed living equipment and motorcyle to help him
fully apply his evangelistic zeal to these two needy areas.He
demonstrated his capabilities in the thorough preparations he made
for the Ohio Singers.
Ron Secat, a Navy medical corpsman from Iwakunl, and future
medical missionaryspent a week-end with us. In addition to him,
nine of Faith's and Greg's classmates havevisited us this sunaner
and enjoyed the picnic and meals that Pauline has pr.ipared. She
iscentral to the hospitality and ministry of our home
A real tragedy was the sudden death of Mrs. Daikusono, 34, wife
of the Kajikiminister. She not only leaves her husband but four
children ages 14 to 6. Christians frcxnevery church rallied around
to make the funeral one of lasting comfort to the family andof
triumphant witness to the community. Remembsr Bro. Daikusono when
you pray. He isman of faith and principle who will rear the
children with loving care.
Two years ago Paul and Kathleen Pratt brought out the Ohio
Singers from Cincinnati Bible Seminary. This year he is leading the
NEW Ohio Singers on an 80 day tour ofJapan. We were happy they
could spend six of those days here in the "Center" of Japan.
Inthose six "days they sang 15 times to a total audience of 2260 at
3 churches (Kushlkino,Kagoshima and Kanoya), 4 town halls
(Tarumizu, Kajiki, Kushira and Sueyoshi), 3 schools,the leper
colony, the Kanoya Rotary Club and at the Shln-Al Kindergarten.
Here Bro. Voshiiarranged for newsmen and a TV cameraman to be
present for later publicity in the papersand appearance on that
evenings TV Children's News program. No one knows how many
thousandsheard them sing on the MBC Sunday Studio which they taped
in Kagoshima on Tuesday. Kushlkinochurch and Kanoya church people
kept the group of 16 one night each. At Tarumizu the cityyouth
arranged individual housing .The Lion's club did the same at
Sueyoshi. We had themat our house for two nights, two midnight
swims, three meals and snacks most of the nightthrough as the
washing machine ran, they wrote letters, talked, practiced or just
relaxed.Pre-typhoon winds and rain dampened their bodies but not
their spirits the last day at .theleper colony. As elsewhere, large
crowds came to hear their joyous singing and to remainfor their
personal witnessing In small groups around the halls. The language
barrier wasthere but personal, vital faith,helped bridge the gap.
Our children had a chance to takepart as interpreters. Some
Japanese young people could not believe that these young people>
would come half way around the world for no other purpose than to
share their faith. Butshare they did and we were all blessed by
their coming. IH HIS SERVIC
AT LAST IT'S DONE ~It took one full year from Is M ^ Cstart to
finish of the book WAY DOWN HERE. It is the com-!^ ill f | ^ 1plete
story of our life heresince 1950! There is some- S^ S5!j Ithing in
it for everyone as |a glance at the index will ; gasi =" " |show.
Laughter and tears are 3^%there,too. It is worthy of aplace in your
home, church & emission group. Read it .You* lli:- :like it.
Get one for a frieniii
3 as
NOMINATED FOR BEST FATHER
FAITH TUTORING HOPE
GREG BAKES AN EDIBLE CAKE
WALTER 6c MARY - TO KAGOSHIMA
- -
^#1
-
FUNERAL OF MRS. DAIKUSONO FAMILY AFTER THE SERVICE OHIO SINGERS
AT AIRA MIDDLE SCHOOL
KOICHI HOMORI GRADUATES FROM OBS NEW OHIO SINGERS TAPING TV SHOW
MC INTERVIEWING PAUL PRATT
AUDIENCE AT KUSHIRA SINGING AT THE KINDERGARTEN KANOYA CHURCH
LISTENERS W SSING
AT TARUMIZU EACH OF THE SINGERS GATHER A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE
ABOUT THEM AND SHAPE THEIR FAITH
LINKLETTERMonthly Publication ofKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox
417North Vernon, Indiana 47265
Return Requested
Harrold MacFarlandMlssioa ServicesBox 177Kemptpn IN 46049
5?.r-o
I u
Non^Profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE
PAIDLouisville, Kentucky
Permit No. 537
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A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY
UNKLerreRTO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANOYA. KAGOSHIMA 883, JAPAN - BOX 417, NORTH VERNON. IND.
47266Linkletter No. 211
Dear Christian friends, ' ' "
During World War II it was not unusual to see a
G.I.wandering-through the company area with a glazed look in
his
...eyeS:.r--When ^iked, "Whatsa matter?" he might reply,"I just
got
August, 1972
JOINT AUGUST BIRTHDAY CAKEDon't Count the Candlps
af Dear John letter today."That meant he had just got a letter
from his sweetheart that she was
to marrry someone else. Eventually, "A Dear John" became a
by-word for any kind of letterthat contained bad news. (For those
who are interested, the right kind of a letter from yourwife or
sweetheart was called a "Sugar Report.")
Missionaries get "Dear Johns" too. Here's one that just came in
from a church thathas supported this work monthly for 22 years;
"Dear Sir, I am writing this to let you know thatdue to our
financial situation we are unable to continue sending you a
donation each month. Ourbest wishes and our prayers go with you in
the wonderful work you are doing, and may God blessyou. Sincerely
yours, , Chairman, Missionary Committee."
It seems the church has fallen on hard times. The missionary is
concerned and wouldlike to pray for his brethren in their need but
he does not know how - for lack of contact.Inthis case the church
has never shared personal letters nor church news with the
missionary. Hehas a feeling he ought to answer the letter but what
to say? He cannot say "thank you" for hehas just received a
one-sided decision from which there is no appeal. He does not want
to writea letter telling of the hurt the letter caused for fear his
disapointment will show through anda bad situation is made worse.
Since the missionary is not free to inquire into the
personalaffairs of the church, he can not write and ask what the
problem is. He must suffer in silence.
I ask the question, however, "Has the church really solved its
problem in takingthis action to cease missionary support?". It is
certain they are having money problems. Itis certain that they did
not enjoy cutting off the missionary. (It is also certain that
thisis much less painful than cutting off support from projects
closer to home or even within thechurch itself.) But no matter, the
church is still in trouble. The real problem lies elsewhere.
A skilled physician diagnoses the disease by observing the
symptoms. He is not fooledinto thinking the symptoms are the
disease itself though he will often treat the symptoms because they
need to be treated and/or to please the patient who is very much
aware of the symptoms- but is unaware of his disease. In this case,
ceasing missionary support is only a symptomof the church s real
disease - which is a spiritual one. No church which is concerned
primarilywith its own welfare, its own spiritual and physical needs
is spiritually well. As far as itappears to its own community and
membership, it may look very healthy indeed but the real diagnosis
must be made by the Great Physician himself. He said repeatedly
that his mission to mankind was to "seek and to save the lost" .
Before His Ascension He passed this mission on to thechurch. By
this we know that a healthy church seeks neither to conserve nor
preserve itself but'to seek and save the lost"wherever they may be
found. It is only in this seeking and saving thatthe church can
save itself, that is, keep itself spiritually well and healthy.
The first level of spirituality is to seek the Lord for one's
own salvation. Thenext level of spirituality is"to seek and save"
those-are are dear to you and those who arenear to you. The^ighest
level of spljituality is to seek the salvation of those who are so
faraway that you will never know them" or see them this side~6~f
heaven^ To visualize their need andto do something about it is
truly the noblest of Christian virtues.
When a congregation writes a "Dear John" letter to the
missionary-it is voting toretreat from this spiritual summit to the
valley below where it may hope to conserve itsstrength and preserve
itself. In a sense to write such a letter is to write one's
spiritual,obituary. It is for this that the missionaty weeps, not
for the loss of support.
INHIS service,
-
22nd ANNUAL CHRISTIAN CAMP - AUGUST 2-8 CHRISTIAN CENTER^
KANOYA
GROUP FROM TANEGASHIMA ARRIVE AT REGISTRATION DESK
HIDEO YOSHIICamp Manager
aTER MAXEYCamp Speaker
NAGANORI TANIJIRI EXPLAINSGroup's Schedules & Duties
MARK MAXEYSong Leader
BIBLE DRAMA-ELIJAH VS. PROPHETS OF BAAL ASSEMBLED ON LA^FC^DRAMA
NIGHT
MRS.SATO-CAMP COOK
LINKLETTERMonthly Publication ofKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox
417North Vcrnon, Indiana 47265
Return Requested
/ LISTENING TO THE GOOD NEWS
Mission Services, AssocBox 177Kempton, IM 46049
cr?
TIZING INTO CHRIST
Non-Profii OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE
PAIDLouisville, Kentucky
Permit No. 537
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A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK 0. MAXEY FAMILY
LiNKLerrefi/TO THE FRIENDS OP THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANOYA. KA006HIMA 603. JAPAN > BOX 417. NORTH VERNON. IND.
47286
Linkletter No. 212 October, 1972
Dear Christian friends,
It's worth waiting eleven months to get to October. It isa
wonderful month. But the chilly nights clearly signal not only
achange of clothing but of activities as well. Going back a couple
ofmonths, Greg, Faith and I finished up our intensive Bible study
inmid-August and then Pauline and I had a race with the calendar
getting them off to school - Greg back to Cincinnati Bible Seminary
forhis Junior year; Faith to Canadian Academy, inltobe for her
Senioryear and Hope to Fukuoka to enroja-rKT'thelnew^''^^
school.
Then Pauline and ;he was able to arrange spec__^ v-- uwu three
grandchildren, Takanobu,'^ egumi arid Tfemujin. It was a wonderful
time. We got to visit, go sightseeingplay with the children, enjoy
lots of fresh fruits and sleep. Excellent medical facilities nearby
took careof us when we both had brief sieges of illness, We had a
chance to share our faith as well. Bro. Pellinvited us to preach
two Sundays at the English service of Cruzada Church of Christ in
downtown Manila.Mr. and Mrs. J.Willis Hale, faithful missionaries
in the islands since before the war, welcomed us at ManilaBible
Seminary at the outskirts of the city. I spoke once and then went
back a second time fqr two lecturesfollowed by a lively session in
which written questions passed rapidly from hand to hand to the
front whilea tropical rain peppered the roof above. The basic
problems are the same. Only the setting is different.
Friday the 15th, Pauline and I got in a taxi at 4.30 a.m. to go
to the airport in Manila andarrived at Aparri at the northern tip
of the Philippines at 7.30 a.m. Charles and Roberta Selby, Mrs.
Marj-orie Boudreaux and Ann Tolliver plus faculty members of the
Aparri Bible Seminary met us at the airport .Pauline and I went to
school with the Selbys 30 years ago but we picked up where we had
left off at thebreakfast table. Shortly after, Charles had me
speaking to the students about evangelizing in Japan. Thatnight the
college held a reception for us. They really made us feel like
something special. Pauline and Ihad a chance to speak of the common
faith that binds us together. The Selbys and their co-workers have
madea tremendous witness through their long years of service in
this lovely but lonely place.
Sunday morning we attended the Aparri Church of Christ, Faustino
Peneyra, minister. I had a chapter about him and the church and
their heroic fight against being forced out of their building and
intoa denominational church in my B.D. thesis. History of the
Christian Mission in the Philippine Islands.I had written Bro.
Peneyra, admired him from afar and thought him long since dead.
What a pleasure to meethim and hear him preaching Sunday morning
wearing a very formal (but very red) "barong" shirt given himfor
his 80th birthday. I was also surprised (and pleased) to learn that
the thesis, far from being buriedin a forgotten corner of the
library, has been copied and re-copied and is required reading in
at leasttwo of the seminaries for church history classes. Inquiries
were made as to th^ possibility of having itprinted in-English and
translated into Ilocano. That would take some doing but the
possibility is there.
The Philippines is a lovely land with a gentle people but
corruption is dimming their dreams.(Read about it in your daily
papers.) But there is faith here that will not be quenched. It was
a greatencouragement to us.We left Kiyoto, Paula, the children and
the Filipino brethren with regret.
By way of Taipei, it was 1843 miles back to Osaka. We picked up
Hope in Fukuoka and got to Kago-shima church in time for the all
day convention on Saturday . What a wonderful thing to be a
Christian.Wherever you go there is a family waiting to receive you.
We shared our experiences in the Islands durigthe program. It
seemed impossible to get up and go again on Sunday, the 24th. An
early morning phone callmade it possible. It was Walter calling
from Kobe telling of the safe arrival of a daughter, Shelley
Lynn,with mother and baby doing well. That morning at Kushira
church, Keiko Hanada confessed her faith in Christand that night
was baptized into Christ at the Kanoya church. What a wonderful day
and a wonderful way tobegin the fall work again.
It was a painful decision but we decided to have Hope study at
home again this year. A cable toCalvert Schools got her books here
in a week's time. She is hard at work. A great day in her life was
her12th birthday with hier family and friends joining in making it
a happy day. We drove to the Kagoshima airport and brought Walter
and Mary and the baby home to stay with us for a week. Pauline and
I got our "enjoys" every day holding the baby. Pauline is not ready
yet to spend all her time watching the grandchildren play in a
Japanese version of the "Old Lady in the Shoe" as in the cartoon
above. But it is a rare missionary family that gets to enjoy their
grandchildren and we are very much aware of the special
blessingthat is ours.
If you haven't read WAY DOWN HERE yet, John Miles Baker, 147
Avenue Cota, San Clemente, CA 92672will be glad to send you one for
$4.95 plus 300 postage. We are getting many favorable comments
about thebook and some humorous ones, too. From India Ralph Harter
wrote that he was going to call his book, "WayOut Here. Charles
Selby said that he would call his book, "Way U Here." If they have
the name picked outthe work is half done. Only the writing remains.
I hope they do it.^Until Une next time then, "Countyour blessings.
Name them one by one." We are. IN HIS SERVICE
^ook'a vacation. Siry^ son-in-law Kiyoto Yanagimoto works fo.r
Japan Air Lines,for us t^fly to Manila to enjoy two weeks with he
and Paula and the
-
APARRT an VicenteJltg^nPoint
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Narvacaif TuCandca*' *'
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lov6a^aa^Corrtgio.Maii'l"
alolos
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ISLANDS
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FAREWELL TO GREG - BACK TO C.B.S.NORTHERN LUZON ,P.
SN'
& FAMILY NILA
ANNUAL CONVENTION - KAGOSHIMA CHURCHES - SEPT.23 AT KUSHIRA -
KEIKO HANADA & FRIENDS
LINKLETTERMonthly Publication ofKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox
417North Vernon, Indiana 47265
Return Requested
RN T^ALTER & MRY SEPT. HOPE MAXEY - 12 YEARS OLD
Mission Sei^vlces, ArsocBox 177 nfTf ' 107^Kemp ton, IN 46049 *"
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Non-profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE
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A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY
/UNKLerre^vTO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANOYA. KAGOSHIMA 693, JAPAN - BOX 417, NORTH VERNON, IND.
47265
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KYL^SKII
'MISSIONARY
again
pages
mark MAXEY
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GO YE BOOKS147 AVE COTA,
SAN CLEMENTE, CA. 9267?
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A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK 0. MAXEY FAMJLY
umLerreaTO THE FRIEND6 OF THE KYUSHU CHRJSTIAN MISSION
KANOYA. KAOOSHIMA aB3, JAFAN - BOX 417. NORTH VERMON, INO.
473tS
Linkletter No. 214
Dear Christian friends.
December, 1972
Handel's Messiah was given in Kagoshxma City. I went ov- 'er to
hear it. All too soon it was time for the "Hallelujah Chorus." We
were on our feet carried along by the music and praisingwith the
chorus, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords!" I prayed,"Lord,May it be
so for Japan." Then it was over. The conductor wasflushed with joy
as the applause rolled on and on. He bowed here.He shook hands
there. He exited. He returned for more bows andmore handshaking.
What a vain young man he was. He thought theapplause was for him
but we were praising the music and its message and ached to hear
the final triumphant chorus again. But itwas not to be. The
conductor disappeared at last into the wingstaking the glory with
him and leaving us desolate.
Perhaps this is what the non-Christian world has donewith
Christ's birth. It takes Christ's glory as its own without knowing
any better. If the Christmas greetings, cards andletters we have
received this year are any indication, I am persuaded better things
of Christians^ They know that Christ isthe source of their joy and
want to share that joy with others.Certainly they have brought joy
and love into our lives here andwe are praising God for that. Thank
you!
The Primaries and Middlers of Miles Ave. Church of
ChristCleveland, Ohio led by Don and Marikay Walton helped buy a
tenminute color movie with Japanese sound track entitled, "The
Very,Very, Very, VERY Best Christmas." A young boy takes
figurinesout of his sack and with them tells the Bethlehem events
to hisdog. It is excellent and brought joy and understanding to the
tenaudiences that saw it this year.
Each fall the Bible School at East Orange, N.J. has aChristmas
party for the orphange in Kanoya where Bro. Yoshii,Bro.limure and I
hold regular services. The offerings brought that dayare sent to us
and we have the joy of preparing gifts for them -82 this year.
Balls and Christmas story books for the pre-schoolers. A testament
and hymnbooks in a zipper bag for all the othersplus a sack of good
candies and fruit.
I guess Christmas began at our house on the 22nd whenFaith got
home from school. That night two of her friends came.We got out the
Nativity set and decorated the front room. Thatnight Pauline made
her Christmas cakes and Saturday I drove allday spreading Christmas
cheer to those dear to us here. In the
AFTER SERVICE STUDY AT KUSHIRA
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the afternoon I shared in the Christmas program at Kushikino,
the farthestpoint and at night our family was at the Christmas
meeting at Kushira nearerhome. Sunday morning preaching a Christmas
sermon at Kushira, at 1.30 enjoying the S.S. program at Kanoya
church in which Hope had a part. (Since she isgetting older she
thinks this will be her last time to be in a children's play.At
3.00 p.m. preaching and presents at the orphanage. At 7.30 to the
wonderful family Christmas meeting at Kanoya church. Walter aid
Mary and baby arrived at 9 p.m. from Kagoshima . The church young
people sang carols for usin front of the house at 11 p.m.
Family Christmas at 7 a.m. Grandaughter Shelley was the centerof
attention in her bright red. sleepers with white tassle buttons. At
8.30Walter and I are off to the leper colony to share their
Christmas worshipservice and communion. Bro. Yoshii preached a
wonderful sermon. I rememberhis concluding statement: "Christmas is
the result of Christ's coming butit was not His purpose in coming."
Afterwards there was plenty of time tovisit with the leper
Christians in front of the church while the morning sunwarmed and
cheered us. That afternoon and night I helped prepare for theannual
Christmas meeting of the Rotary club as part of the planning
committee. I was especially.glad.to be able to show the movie to
the entiregroup of 190 including families. To bed at midnight just
in time to get aphone call from son Gregory in Ohio. The whole
family soon gathered aroundto exchange greetings. It was a great
way to end a happy-day.
To go back a little. In October, I attended a seminar of
missionleaders from all over Japan. We concentrated on
problem-solving in regardto church planting. One of the problems is
land for church buildings. One missionary told of avisit of a
Christian business man from the U.S.A. The land problem came up
just as they were driving past a small vegetable field. 'Wiat is
the cost of that field?" the businessman asked. Aftera quick mental
calculation the missionary replied, "About $25,000." The business
man expldded,"A $25,000 patch of land planted to cabbages?" That is
Japan today. The building is a minor problenicompared with buying a
place to build it on. Last we^.a^iiui-l.ding and a modest piece of
land soldfor $141,600,000. That cost $33,330 for every six square
feet or $167 for a piece of land the siof a postcard. , "
Each November finds me heading for the annual preaching
convention of Osaka Bible Seminary.It held the best one ever this
year. on the way I called at Kochi City on the island of Shikokuand
visited with Don and Norma Burney and Bro. Hattori, local minister.
They are helping with localarrangements for the annual missionary
convention to be held there in May. It is the Maxey's turnto plan
the program. In Osaka I attended the Councillor's meeting of the
college, had a smallpart in the program and was a proud father
listening to Walter giving the closing sermon.
A welcome December visitor was Bro. S.M. Chang, President of
Pusan (Korea) Christian Vocational College. We spent three busy
days together talking over his plans for the future of thecollege,
visiting the Kanoya agricultural high school to see field and
hothouse techniques in rais-flowers and vegetables and having Mr.
Miyazako, one of Japan's leading authorities on the subject
,explain citrus fruit culture at the experimental station in
Tarumizu. Bro. Chang spoke at the lepercolony Wednesday afternoon
and was guest of the Kano;^ church that night for a wonderful time
ofprayer and fellowship.
The countryside was filled with high-powered advertising and
high-pitched loud speakersuntil the election was over. Prime
Minister Tanaka can now proceed with his plan to rearrange theJapan
archipelago. .1973_is the Year c^^he Ox.--He will need thv^
strength of a^ oj^ to do hi^joband we will need the Vame
10 MillionA Tsubo
There has been so much!talk about the advanccJof inflation and
rising
land prices that such matters no longer provide subjects for
columnists. Yet, therecent case of the sale ofthe NHK Building and
landat Uchisaiwaicho in Tokyocaused a major sensation.It was a deal
which involvedthe dizzying sum of 35,^million. Broken down, itmeans
10 million per tsubo(3.3 square meters). It isa whopping amount
whichcan find 10,000 bills covering the entire land spacefive
deep,- with more tospare. We can also pointout that a postcard size
pieceof land here would cost 50,-000. We don't know whofigured
these out, but someone must have had a lotof spare time.
10 Million = $33,330A Tsubo " 36 sq. ft.
50,000 = $167
is cne xear ci-tne ux.-ne wiii need tnv^ strengtn ot an to do
hi^job2 for ours. Pray for us and with us. IN HIS SERVICE,
vMir 'vjusr w'mv' wmv' wmv wmv wjuhp
UNKLETTERMonthly Publication ofKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox
417North Vcrnon, Indiana 47265
Return Requested \
Mission ServiceSj Absoci3o3- 177KeaptOQ, IN 46049
Non-profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE
PAIDLouisville, Kentucky
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