maxey mark pauline 1973 japan

14
A MONTHLY REPORT lY THE (tUnK 0. MAXEY FAMILY 'LimLexrea, TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUBHU CHRIffTIAN MISSION KANOYA. KAGOSHIMA |03, JAPAN - tOX 417, NORTH VERNON. IND. 47268 Linkletter No. 215 Dear Christian friends, - .4 i- 'BLE5S OUR By short wave radio, we Listened as the first group of prisoners ar- '''• k rived at Clark Field, P.I. We choked up with them as they said, "God bless ^ ^ America" and as the gathered well-wishers returned the greeting, "God bless America." It was almost like a litany at a Christian service. One of the most 1] W' difficult periods in American history is now coming to a close. | '= nX The war still continues in Viet Nam. Already it has been named "Viet mj' ffl Hi! Nam War - III." The communist armies are still In place In South Viet Nam and their objective of bringing the entire country under their countrol has not FM 1- changed. The original plans remain. Only the timetable has been altered. i ITll'T^fl f '' P EA-ElmwAS® For us at least, the war is over. Now we can turn our energies and'thoughts to the problems at home. If there ever was a consensus among Americans there is one now. It can be stated, "We have ignored our own country too long. It's about time we did something for America." It would be easy for Christians to let this become our think ing in regard to Christian missions as well. An American missionary presented his passport to the Japanese consulate in Sao Francisco and asked for a visa for Japan. The Japanese clerk said in a voice for all to hear, "What's the matter? Can't the Japanese do the job themselves?" The whole office laughed as he walked away. A missionary from India when asked at a missionary gath ering about the possibility of the Indians evangelizing their own country said, "I say let them do it themselves if they will." Another missionary made his plea for Japan at the Sunday morning service of a Texas church. Afterwards the deacons of the church braced him on the front steps: "Why should we support missions in Japan? Those people are taking our jobs away. Let them support their own evangelism." Each of these had their own reasons for making the comments that they did. The Japanese clerk was letting his super-nationalism show. The missionary was not returning to India and yet he hoped that somehow the job would get done. The deacons were making a negative spiritual decision for financial- reasons. It would be easy to nod our heads and say, '^es, that's right. Let them do it themselves." But think a lit tle deeper. Pride in one's country may lead one to overlook its weaknesses. In this case, Japan's spiritual condition is its weakest point. India has 15 million Christians but of a population of 500 million. This is only 4.4% of the total and most of these are from the lowest castes who are illiterate, dispirited and underfed. Thev need all the spiritual help they can get. As for Japan it has indeed become a prosperous country. The Japanese are a capable people who can do any thing they set their hands and hearts to do - including preaching the gospel. It has been a hundred years now but still the nation has not opened its heart to the gospel. At best, only 1% million people out aa population of 110 million acknowledge Christ in any way. The church in Japan averages 30 members. They can and do support themselves but there |is not much financial power there. The well-to-do are the least evangelized group of people here - as in the rest of the world. I am personally very proud of what the churches here are doing in spite of great difficul ties. They can do more than they are, I know, but they welcome partners in proclaiming the gospel. The whole united voice of the church is still a voice crying in the wilderness. There are hundreds of small islands and thousands of villages and new areas ^diere there is no church and no witness. Believers here are praying for a Christian Japan. Christians in America need to be praying for the same thing and sharing in the task in every practical way. God has blessed us not to bless ourselves but that we may bless others. Though the rest of the country may turn inward, Chr istians must always be turning outward toward a world without Christ. VIEW OF MT, FUJI ON THE WAY - TO SEMINAR ON THE HOLY SPIRIT PAULINE PREPARES HER MESSAGE

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  • A MONTHLY REPORT lY THE (tUnK 0. MAXEY FAMILY

    'LimLexrea,TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUBHU CHRIffTIAN MISSION

    KANOYA. KAGOSHIMA |03, JAPAN - tOX 417, NORTH VERNON. IND. 47268

    Linkletter No. 215

    Dear Christian friends,

    - .4i-

    'BLE5S OUR

    By short wave radio, we Listened as the first group of prisoners ar- ''' krived at Clark Field, P.I. We choked up with them as they said, "God bless ^ ^America" and as the gathered well-wishers returned the greeting, "God blessAmerica." It was almost like a litany at a Christian service. One of the most 1] W'difficult periods in American history is now coming to aclose. | '= nX

    The war still continues in Viet Nam. Already it has been named "Viet mj'ffl Hi!Nam War - III." The communist armies are still In place In South Viet Nam andtheir objective of bringing the entire country under their countrol has not FM1-changed. The original plans remain. Only the timetable has been altered. i ITll'T^fl f '' P EA-ElmwAS

    For us at least, the war is over. Now we can turn our energies and'thoughts to the problems at home. Ifthere ever was a consensus among Americans there is one now. It can be stated, "We have ignored our own country toolong. It's about time we did something for America." It would be easy for Christians to let this become our thinking in regard to Christian missions as well.

    An American missionary presented his passport to the Japanese consulate in Sao Francisco and asked for avisa for Japan. The Japanese clerk said in a voice for all to hear, "What's the matter? Can't the Japanese do thejob themselves?" The whole office laughed as he walked away. A missionary from India when asked at a missionary gathering about the possibility of the Indians evangelizing their own country said, "I say let them do it themselves ifthey will." Another missionary made his plea for Japan at the Sunday morning service of a Texas church. Afterwardsthe deacons of the church braced him on the front steps: "Why should we support missions in Japan? Those people aretaking our jobs away. Let them support their own evangelism."

    Each of these had their own reasons for making the comments that they did. The Japanese clerk was lettinghis super-nationalism show. The missionary was not returning to India and yet he hoped that somehow the job wouldget done. The deacons were making a negative spiritual decision for financial- reasons.

    It would be easy to nod our heads and say, '^es, that's right. Let them do it themselves." But think a little deeper. Pride in one's country may lead one to overlook its weaknesses. In this case, Japan's spiritual conditionis its weakest point. India has 15 million Christians but of a population of 500 million. This is only 4.4% of thetotal and most of these are from the lowest castes who are illiterate, dispirited and underfed. Thev need all thespiritual help they can get.

    As for Japan it has indeed become a prosperous country. The Japanese are a capable people who can do anything they set their hands and hearts to do - including preaching the gospel. It has been a hundred years now butstill the nation has not opened its heart to the gospel. At best, only 1% million people out a a population of 110million acknowledge Christ in any way. The church in Japan averages 30 members. They can and do support themselvesbut there |is not much financial power there. The well-to-do are the least evangelized group of people here - as inthe rest of the world. I am personally very proud of what the churches here are doing in spite of great difficulties. They can do more than they are, I know, but they welcome partners in proclaiming the gospel. The whole united voice of the church is still a voice crying in the wilderness. There are hundreds of small islands and thousandsof villages and new areas ^diere there is no church and no witness. Believers here are praying for a Christian Japan.Christians in America need to be praying for the same thing and sharing in the task in every practical way. God hasblessed us not to bless ourselves but that we may bless others. Though the rest of the country may turn inward, Christians must always be turning outward toward a world without Christ.

    VIEW OF MT, FUJI ON THE WAY - TO SEMINAR ON THE HOLY SPIRIT PAULINE PREPARES HER MESSAGE

  • "Turn backward, turn backward, 0 Time in thy flightl" Early in January I journeyed to Osaka for a committeemeeting at the Seminary. The next day Martin Clark drove Ray and Donnie Mings and myself to a Baptist convention centernear Tokyo for a three day seminar on the Holy Spirit. Over 100 missionary men gathered from all over Japan to discussthis vital subject. It was inspiring and yet unsatisfying. Unsatisfying because all the words about the Holy Spirit -the gift, the baptism, the spiritual gifts, the fruits of the spirit, the speaking in tongues - were used as if theyall had the same value. Sometimes they were used interchangeably as if they meant the same thing. So there could be nosatisfying conclusions except a desire for more skillful use of God's word and an appreciation of what it says. On SundayI had valued fellowship with Harold and Lois Sims at Mejirodai church and on Monday attended the Tokyo area minister'smeeting at Paul and Kathleen Pratts at Isehara.

    The return home is always the nicest part of the trip. Sometimes it takes so long and requires so many transportation changes that I wonder why we chose to come "way down here." Pauline and I completed 31 years of married lifethe last of December and are shooting for 50 - the Lord willing. She and Hope spend most of every day having school.This is her 19th year as a school teacher In her own home. At regular Intervals she takes time out either to speak to orto attend the women's group at Kanoya church.

    Money problems are always in the news. 15 months ago Japan revalued the yen 17% . That reduced the exchangerate of the dollar from 360 to 1 to 308 to 1. Now the yen has been allowed to "float" , that is reach its own exchangelevel in the market place. In the first few days it has been revalued another 17% . Now the rate is 264 = $1.00. Sothe dollar has lost 7J4 of its purchasing power in 15 months. Along with that has come a skyrocket Inflation which seemsto have the blessing, or at least the toleration of the Japanese government. A cup of coffee in a restaurant costsat least 150 (or 53

  • A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY

    iWKLerreRTO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION

    KANOYA, KAGOSHIMA 893, JAPAN - BOX 417, NORTH VERNON, IND. 4726S

    T 1 >. Mn 91A April, 1973 AUNT HOPE andLinkletter No. 21 GRANDAUGHTER SHELLEYDear Christian friends,

    April showers have brought April flowers - Japan's famed cherry blossoms. 17 years ap_weplanted a number of cherry saplings along our driveway. Now they have grown to bless us with their lovelyblooms in the spring and their shade in the summer. Everytime I see their sturdy and thickening trunksam reminded of the fact that he who plants the Word of Life will just as surely see the Tree of Li esprout and grow, bringing forth the beauty of Christ in due season.

    "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." One He has given recently is Tomoko Okazono ofKushira, neice of Bro. and Sister Yoshii in Kanoya. Her parents, though not Christian, came to share thejoy of her baptism. Eight Kushira young people formed a chorus to praise the Lord to end the service.

    One whom the Lord took away was Masa Kudo. She passed away in her sleep peacefully at age 90.The Kushira church began in her home and she was its mainstay for years. Her quavering voice but steadyhands on the organ keys at every service will be a lasting memory. Our two oldest children always thougof her as their Japanese grandmother. It was a pleasure to conduct her funeral. Almost all the mournerswere believers so they didn't'fnourn". Instead it was a joyful meeting of praise and hope. Later we alwent to the cemetery with the family and helped place the urn with its ashes in thethe family gravestone.The surviving sisters each prayed,we sang the DoKology and returned to our homes.

    Koichi Homori at the Tarumizu church, the youngest of our ministers, agreed_to work with thearea young people. Under his leadership a successful two day rally was held in ^He asLd several of us to take part in the program. Christian young people come mostly from non Christianhomes. Not only do they lack understanding on the part of their parents but they facein finding life careers consistent with their Christian faith and in finding Christian mates. Yet, theyface the future with courage and joy. Their prayers, songs, test imonie^a^.dd'^ ??;^g^^ us.

    The purpose of the training session held each winter at t^ Christianand instruct leadership in the local churches. The theme this yean was Creeds and Cultssessions were held, one at Kagoshima church and one at Kanoya. ThikS^^ tteaching. Bro. Tanijiri of Kushikino told us about Jehovahs \^xtnesses, knock onevery door with their message of God's avenging work in Armageddon after which Christ will lead an armyof righteousness to anihilate Satan and bring in an endless era of blessedness which only a remnant willenjoy. Bro. Ikeda of Tanegashima discussed Mormonism, a group which is having tremendous success inJapan as its personable young missionary men from the U.S. go out two by two with the Bible plusthe Book of Mormon. Their greatest number of additions come from believers. The approach: "Your a Christian? That's wonderful! That means that you are ready for the message that we have."

    Bro. Yoshii of Kanoya gave a thorough study of Toitsu Kyo founded by a Korean minister namedBunmei. He had a revelation that the Old and New Testaments were not.'enough. Just as the prophet Elijahfound his counterpart in John the Baptist so Jesus Christ finds his counterpart in our own time in himself, Bunmei. He has written down the new revelation showing that neither sin nor forgiveness areimportant. College youth form the nucleus of believers They have caused a lot of ill will for thechurches by calling themselves Christian youth and selling paper flowers on the streets at outrageousprices to finance their evangelism.

    Bro. Daikusono of Kajiki lectured on Genshi Fukuin, a Japanese cult which uses the Bible butteaches that there is no punishment hence no need for forgiveness. They also teach there is no SecondComing, salvation by works, magic, miraculous healings and speaking with spirits. Walter Maxey gavethe history of the creeds man has written to express his faith. He pointed out their value as wellas their weaknesses. Since Christ is our creed, what He means to us can never be satisfactorily writtendown by man, no matter how noble the effort nor beautiful the result.

    In our monthly visits at Kushikino we noticed the comraunion set was in very poor condition.The preacher's wife made a new set of communion cloths and Pauline and I presented a new service to Bro.Obara , deacon of the church. It was; a very satisfying service.

    Preaching the gospel with the printed page has always been an important emphasis with us. Oneju^.j^-iS'^ rough tracts like the four page one just revised and issued in a bi-lingual edition. Anotheris the through the BOKUTEKI, a monthly newspaper which serves the area churches. The editing and

    make-up is done at the Christian Center. Another way is taking Christian books and tracts to the people.Katsuo Shimoda has just made portable book boxes which will be placed In each church with books both tolend and to sell. Noriko Kusumoto, new helper at the Bookstore holds one of eight metal tract rackswhich will also be placed in the churches filled with suitable messages both for those seeking and thosealready walking In the way. So much to be done. So little time to do it. "Brethren^ prayjiheworld of the Lord may speed on an triumph, as it did among you.." IN HIS SERVICE,

    " AIJNT hope' andGRANDAUGHTER SHELLEY

  • TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

    Church lai. Jout id:"] tht docTVn 1< oo* ntr by m,IiSI wtU W Jghfi 10:9

    i u IBopti2ftd*THM 1*0 r*c4t*d irn rCB US Atf. !

    11 ctlp^wT 1 Inipltjd by ivd preIlcAbl |er*Mu. ami. le 3 tfoothy ^**6'

  • A MONTHLY REPORT BY THE MARK G. MAXEY FAMILY

    iiNKcerreRTO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION

    KANOYA, KAGOSHIMA 893, JAPAN - BOX 417, NORTH VERNON, IND. 47265

    Dear Christian friends, June, 1973

    After the passage of five years, it is furlough time again. Before I forget, Hl jBhere is our address: For mail; PC Box 58138; To phone; (502) 933 - 0299; and tovisit; 7321 Browns Lane, Pleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky - at the edge of Louisville.Don't call soon. There is a lot of work to be done and miles to be traveled before

    Every five years it is Kagoshima's turn to host the annual missionary conv-ention, usually it seems just before furlough. It is a lot of hard work well-re-warded by the inspiration of the gathering and the cooperation of all the mission-aries. This year was no exception! Since the Japanese convention was to be held inShikoku the first week in May, we decided to have the missionary convention in the tjAttt T\TT? A "PA TTTJsame place immediately following. May 5, 6 and 7. Don and Norma Burney, mission- r^AUJ-iXlNUi auQ rnXlnaries on the field agreed to be in charge of local arrangements. They did a noble job it it. I planned the program, Paulinethe women's meetings, Walter, the youth meetings and Mary, the children's classes and activities. Fifty-five friends gathered from as for north as Sendai and as far south as Okinawa to do their part and to make the meeting an outstanding one.

    G.R.F. Ellis, Professor of Old Testament at Kenmore Christian College, Queensland, Australia was our special speaker.The missionaries gave enough to pay half of his fare so he could be with us. His six sermons brought us a real blessing. Theconvention theme was, "Preaching the Gospel in Resistant Fields." Japan was, of course, assumed to be a resistant field.Five studies were given. I introduced the subject with, "Stating the Problem." I asked four of the younger missionaries toprepare Biblical studies - Walter Maxey, "What the Prophets Say"; Dale Wilkinson, 'Vhat the Gospels Say"; Milton Jones,"What the.Epistles Say"; and Lonnie Mings, "Principles, Precepts and Precedents," tieing it all together. Needless to sayafter Rex's powerful preaching and the forceful Biblical teaching these men gave, there were none of us willing to callit quits in Japan and return to the U.S. We are committed. (These five papers are being published and will be available inpamphlet form by the end of the summer.

    En route to the convention, Bro. Ellis came to Kagoshima and spent the Resurrection Week-end with us preaching seventimes in four days. Our scenery was pretty well washed out by the rain and we hardly had tiioe to show him our southernhospitality but the fellowship was great and his messages were spiritual food that we all needed. When we stayed all nightat a Japanese inn in Kushikino, he enjoyed his first Japanese style bath, sleeping on the floor and Japanese breakfast -raw egg, dried sea weed, miso soup and a bowl of rice. On Monday I went with him to Korea for four days where he spokeat the Pusan Christian Vocational College, S.M. Chang; to the Korea Bible Seminary at Taejon, C.Y. Kim; to the KoreanChristian Seminary in Seoul,Y.K. Chae and to Korea Bible Seminary, also in Seoul, Harold Taylor. In each of these placeswe enjoyed the unreserved hospitality of these men and their wives and of the faculty and students. Korea has a vitalityin its Christian life which is like nowhere else. Back in Toyko, I left Rex in the adequate hands of Harold Sims and headed south. It was the day of the biggest transportation strike in Japanese history but I made it home in five hours.

    Following the convention in Kochi, we traveled together to Osaka. We were guests in the home of Martin and EvelynClark; took Rex to the airport for his return 'down under'; spent the day at the Kyoto Baptist Hospital getting shots,examinations and medicines and the evening at Faith's room in the Girls Dorm at Canadian Academy putting her possessionsinto boxes and loaded into the car for the trip home. The next day I attended board meeting at Osaka Bible Seminary, thelast for some months. Faith joined us for the all night ferry ride to Kyushu and we were home before noon the next day.She finished her packing and farewells and was here for Mother's Day. As Pauline says,"I now look up to the eyes thatused to look up to me." Faith is a wonderful-daughter. She graduates June 8. She will come to the U.S. with us andenroll in Cincinnati Bible Seminary in late August.

    Now we are involved in bringing our work to an end so that we can leave on time with our duties deligated , ourpreparations complete, our bills paid and our 'farewells' said. One doesn't just shut the door and walk away in Japan.Cards must be sent out announcing the time, place and method of departure so your friends can come and give you a properfarewell. The groups to which you belong have 'sobetsu kai" or 'farewell meetings. For us these are the church groups.Our last four Sundays have been arranged so that we can visit them all with a special message. After the service, wehave a meal together, words of greeting are exchanged and some gift or remembrance presented. As these meetings progress,we begin to sense the 'tie that binds' us together. It is very deep. At Kagoshima church, Takako Inaba presented us witha doll she had made. With it was a letter,"! thank you for the long preaching. Thanks to you I knew Jesus Christ and couldbe saved by Him. I am very happy and enjoy my Saviour. I pray to God for your safety on your way to America and for your r?health in America. " Thank you, Inaba san, we will treasure both the doll and the letter.

    Hopefully our boxes will be packed in time for our departure on June 6. Friends will line the driveway. We will bowto each and thank them for coming. Then we will take the train to Kobe for the graduation. The next day we will head southfor a visit with Isabel in Taiwan and Kiyoto,Paula and the children in Manila, Then we will take the long way home to arrive in New York in early August. We apCgrateful for the living churches who have provided funds for our homeward tickets.Anything required beyond that, we wijlfl' pay personally. If all goes well, we will drive up Browns Lane to our old Kentuckyhome to begin our fourth furlough on August 16.' It has been a long time an^h^re ^e beennai^ changes both in ourselvesand in the world. It will be good td see you all again. IN HIS SERVICEP.S. Special thanks are due Ed Hoist, Plymouth-Chrysler dealer in Pierre, S.D. for making a special low cost (and possiblyno cost) lease of a fine car for mission furlough use. This arrangement solves many problems connected with furlough travel.

    ALl Che llnhti ted SulCCairnlBlatiLemU

    4Door opn w

    0001

    rimft way SnrarH for boabi^^

  • FAREWELL MEETINGS AT KUSHIRA... AND AT KAGOSHIMA CHURCHES

    MMksKMBRO. ELLiS AT KUSHIKINO

    IN SEOUL,KOREA WITH BRO.CHAE

    Language Of BuddhismIT is often said that the best; selling book of

    all times in the West is tlie Bible. This isnatural in view of the fact that the culture of

    the West is based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. Quotations from the Bible are accepted at face value,because tliey are so well known.

    A great percentage of books written relies ona quotation or two from tiie Bible for emphasis andeffect. The Bible is so well known that such quotations bring to mind the whole story behind them,giving them particular meaning.

    When paintings and sculptures come into thepicture, the interpretations are more widely varied.But in the way of literature, It is not possible tounderstand Western culture without knowledge ofthe Bible.

    In the case of Japanese culture, what .can wehold up as the equivalent of the Bible in Westernculture? Heferences may be made to the sutrasof Buddhism or Siiintoism. These, however, sawtheir heyday in the ancient past

    On tlie other hand. Buddhism came to Japanmore than 1,400 years ago. The overwhelmingmajority of the people still bury tlieir dead withBuddhist rites, whether they are Buddhists or not.The Japanese people are indeed deeply immersed

    -ifiBuddhistbeliefB, but in most cases,-they-arehardly aware of the fact

    The 'Genkan" (front entrance) of the houseis a name taken from the architecture of Zen temples. Even foreigners recognize the word "Baka"(fool), a combination of the characters for -horseand deer. A lot of people think that it refers toa fool who is not able to distinguish between ahorse and a deer, but in actuality, it comes froman old Sanskrit word.

    In fact, the Japanese language is filled withBuddhist references, although few people realize thesituation.

    LINKLETTERMontlily Publication of ,KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox 417North Vernon, Indiana 47265

    Return Requested

    ^sionary Convent!

    TARUMIZU RECEPTION FOR R

    OUR BOOK DISPLAY AT CONVENTION

    Hissioi) Services; AssocBox 177lusmpton, IN 46049

    2 6

    MISS INABA AND DOLL

    Up, Up And AwayTwo months ago, you could buy ahead of cab

    bage for 14 or 15. Today, the same head willcost you 300; believe it or not. And the same

    trend is seen in respect to all vegetablesradishes,carrots, spinach, lettuce. It hits where housewiveshurt the most

    Price fluctuations of vegetables, of course, arenothing new. They happen all the time. Inclementweather may result in poor crops, hiking tiie prices.Good weather may result in bumper crops, bringingprices down, Ttiat is known in Japan as "bumpercrop poverty."

    A lot of farmers are complaining over the Gov-.emment's policy. "At the beginning of March, theMinistry of Agriculture and Forestry urged us tolimit cabbage growing because of the danger ofbumper crop poverty. We did and what happened?The prices have zoomed to the level seen today. Wemade a mistake following the Government's advice."

    Two months ago, there were so many cabbagesaround that it was cheaper to take a bulldozer andsmash the cabbage patch than to go to all the troubleof harvesting them. There was just too much cabbage. Now, we have to pay 20 times the piice ofthat time for cabbage.

    According to reports from producing areas, tiicsinister hand of market comcrijig is being notedIn this sector as well. Apparently in expectationof the price rise, cabbage has been bought up byentire fields. For example, a lO-are field containingab6ut~~Cooo heads of c^Bage"fliay" be pin-chasedfor a half million yen. That would mean 125 perhead of cabbage. By the time the cabbage reachesthe market, it costs 300 a head, a more than 100per cent profit

    Naturally, an element of speculation is involved.The price could go down, resulting in a loss. Butin this'day and age, who can expect anything to godown?

    There are also reports of tuna flsh being boughtup by the shiploads before they are even landed.Behind these speculators stand the specters of bigsupermarkets and Shosha trading firms. It meansthat speculation is at the very root of rising prices.

    Non-profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE

    PAID

    Louisville, KentuckyPermit No. 537

  • A IVIONTHtY REPORT BY THE MARK 0. MAXEY FAMILY

    /LiNKLgrreRTO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION

    KANOYA. KAGOSHIMA 893. JAPAN - BOX 417. NORTH VERNON, IND. 47265

    FURLOUGH ADDRESS: (Aug. '73-June'74)PHONE: (502)935-0299MAIL: P.O. BOX 58158, LOUISVILLE, KY. 40258HOME: 7321 BrownsLane. PleasureRidgePark, KY.

    Dear Christian friends, Septeii3)er, 1973

    You haven't heard from us for threemonths. People and places, events and gatherings have filled this time. Many friends gaveus a moving farewell at Kanoya on the eveningof June 6. Walter arid Mary with GrandaughterShelley joined us for the ovemi^t trainride to Kobe where we were the proud parentsat Faith's graduation from Canadian Academy,the fourth of our children to do so.

    Martin and Evelyn Clark made i homefor us in Osaka. I spoke at chapel at OsakaBible Seminary. Pres. Clark presented me aspecial seminary pin, voted me by the facultyas an "honorary member." We left Ossdca International Airport on Saturday after a tearfulfarewell from family and friends. With mysister, Isabel Dittemore, at Taipei,TaiwanPreached a Pentecost sermon on Sunday morning. Then on to Manila for a joyful week with Kiyoto and Paula Yanagimoto and the three grand-children-MegumiTemujin and Takanobu. We spoke at Cruzada St. Church of Christ and twice atManila Bible Seminary where Diego Romulo is the new president. Faith and I stayed with Mr. and

    jver 30 years. We also visited theHistory of the Philippine Mission

    Mrs. J.Willis Hale, faithful teachers at the snna Burgett along with faculty and students gave us a royal welcome. Weended up in the city of Kanpur \^ere Ralph has made his life count for Christ. The church hadtea first and then listened to my sermon. The right order I believe. India is a fascinatingplace for the tourist but a terrifying place for the Christian as he sees hosts of people aeal-ously seeking and serving every kind of god but the One, Living God.

    Christian fellowship was lacking in Moslem Iran. We rode buses south to Persepoliswhere we stood before the opened cliffside tomb of Artaxerxes and sang "God Bless America" onthe Fourth of July. I think he would have liked that. It couldn't be done but we crossed )theuncrossable border into Iraq and went across the burning wastes of the Tigris-Euphrates deltato ancietit Ur. We picked up tiny sea shells from the site, reminders of the fact that this wasa city by the sea in Abraham's time. On to Baghdad bv way of Babylon, still a remarkable cityin all its ruins, and these stretch out mile after mile. Many more difficulties getting intoand out of Syria. The privilege of walking "the street called Straight" in Damasctis was marred by getting cheated and deceived too many times in too short a period.

  • We breathed easier In Lebanon while visiting Byblos and Baalbedc. Faith and Hopewere sick our first two days in Cairo. We are Indebted to Mr. Fares Saroflm of the GoldenHotel and his nephew, Asdn Slmaika, who not only took care of us but showed us the best ofEgyptian character, culture and historic sites, including King Tut's grave and the world'slargest religious building, 2000 years abuilding at Luxor, a day's journey up the Nile.

    On the way to Rome, Japan Air Lines seated us in first class. The steward was Klyo-to's good friend so we had the best of everything. Mac Coffey and Charles Phipps gave us theglad hand of fellowship as we arrived in Rome just at dawn. They helped get us set up for camping and we spent a happy night with Charles and Mary Frances at Terraclna before starting out.In Frankfurt, Sid and Mary Allsbury made us at home in their apartment till our charter flightleft for the U.S. on August 8. Capt. Tom Poston and wife, Barbara waited patiently while wecleared customs at Kennedy Airport. We spent three days with them at Westover AFB in Massachusetts getting organized, shifting gears from one world to another and enjoying their superbhospitality. They had picked up the car that Ed Hoist had waiting for us on the east coast.

    We spent our first Sunday with the church at East Orange, N.J. They made us gladto be there but since we were still struggling to put our thoughts into words we felt theywere the losers. Capt. Lawrence and Hazel Swanson made us welcome at their home in Kensington,Marylmd. They had visited us in Japan when he was in charge of a project to map world bysatellite. It was a joy to renew our AmeRcai heritage by visits to the great naflnorlals inWashington and Baltimore. Hope was especially happy to visit Calvert School in Baltimore fromwhich she has studied by mail for so many years. On to Cincinnati. We stayed all night at theHoliday Inn where Greg works at the front desk. The management gave us room and meals on thehouse because, "Greg is such a great guy." Welcome words to any parent. After work he cameup to the room, introduced his friend, Beverly Gaskin, and we had a good visit.

    We met old friends and introduced Faith to the CBS campus before going on to NorthVemon for an overnight stay with Cecil and Shirley Smith, our faithful forwarding agents.Thursday morning, the 16th,we pulled into the driveway of our home at Pleasure Ridge Park, ast4>)irb ten miles south of Louisville, Ky. What a wonderful surprise. Pat Jones led a crew of30 or more people from the Shlvely church in repainting the interior of the house and gettingit in first class condition. People from both Shlvely Christian and Clifton Christian sharedfurnishings. The things we had stored had been brought. The DVBS children at Clifton withNorma Nichols as purchasing agent had filled the cupboards and refrigerator with food. The bedswere made. We were able to begin living Immediately. In fact, by one of her minor miracles,Pauline was able to prepare suklyakl for our evening meal. Norlko Kusumoto, a Kanoya girlnow living in Louisville for a year, sponsored by the Shlvely church, was our first guest.Arnold and Norma Nichols and son Lee of Clifton church have given many hojirs in travel and inskills in making our home livable. We are grateful to all who have made this great homecomingpossible. We have drtmk deeply from the cup of Christian love and fellowship, not only in Louisville but arotind the world, and it has been good.

    We have enrolled Hone in the 7th grade at Pleasure Ridge Park High School and sheis off to a good start. Faith is well into her studies at Cincinnati Bible Seminary and likesthem very much. Greg is in his senior year there. On Labor Day, three of the Maxey brothers,Victor, Bryan and myself, and 23 of theis kith and kin met at Stepstone, Ky, near Mt. Sterling,where our father was bom and reared. We had a picnic together, tramped over the hills and recalled the days when we spent our stimmers there. The day ended down on the banks of Slate Creekwhere we joined our voices in singing many songs of sacred and personal memory. As Bryan says.

    We may not be good, but we are loud." Space is iqp! We will be seeing you in the weeks andmonths ahead. We hope you will come see us also. If you can't come, phone. And don't forgetto pray for us, for Japan, for the faithful Christians and min4,iM:ers there and for Walterand Mary carrying double duty in our absence. IN HIS SERVICE,

    LINKLETTERMentkly ptiblleatloa of Hm KymtM CMsHm MImIm HCT A O

    MISSION SERVICES. ASSOBOX 177KEMPTON. IN 46049

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  • A MONTHUY RiPOftT IV THI MARK 9. MAXIV FAMtLV

    ^LiMKcerreRTO THE fRiENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHfliSTIAN MISSION

    KANOYA, KAQOSHIMA 803. JAPAN - lOX 417. NORTH VERNON. IND. 47286

    POR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR

    *EvanieHzingin southern Japan since 1950 The days and weeks, even the monthsMR. & MRS. MARK G. MAXEY have flown by like the miles since the last

    PHONE: (502935^0299 letter. I had forgotten how vast and beau-^ mail: P.O. BOX58158. LOUISVILLE.KY.4OT58 ^ country of our^is. It has

    HOME: 7321 Browns Lane, Pleasure Ridge Park, KY. lxlux liij-o . e * ^been a joy to find out again. So far myand Okolona churches in Louisville, KENTUCKY. travels have taken me to Shively, Clifton

    To the Hillsboro, Hollowtown, New Holland, Jamestown and the Westside church in Hamilton - all in Ohio. To the North Vernon, Columbus, Markle, Anderson, Liberty and Portland churches in INDIANA. To La Harpe, Ancona, Southwest church of Mt Vernon, Southside church in Springfield and Campus House, Urbana in ILLINOIS. To Cartervile and 0*Fallon in Missouri; to Exline inIOWA and to Parkcrest church of Long Beach; To seven North California churches participatingin their Schools of Mission-Citrus Heights; Oroville, Yuba City, Redding, Napa Valley, Martinez,and Santa Rosa- also the church at Aptos, all in CALIFORNIA and to Salina Heights church inKANSAS. I have participated in 8 Faith-Promise Rallies. These rallies are both a special blessing and a special challenge as one prepares to say something which will not be a begging formoney but a pleading for souls.

    At Moberly.Missouri Central College of the Bible; Ozark Bible College, Joplin, Missouri; St. Louis Christian College, Pacific Cnristian College, Long Beach, California; San Jose(Cal.) Bible College; Cincinnati Bible College and at Lincoln (111.) Christian College I havehad the opportunity of speaking to many hundreds of students both at chapel and in dozens ofclassroom sessions. The classroom subjects were varied but all were related to the point of howwe can Go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is Bom." The three days on the campusat Lincoln and with Max and Gladys Randall were a special spiritual joy. College appearancesare at once the hardest kind of work and the greatest kind of blessing. These young people areliking about their faith and their dreams of serving the Lord in the most natural kind of way.xHiT T faith, their prayers and their love. Some of them, I am confident,^11 find their way to Japan as missionaries

    f- f 1 fourth furlough since 1950. During all of these Pauline has been unableto travel with me except for week-ends when we are near Louisville. She has always had childrenrL sho^d^cLeInH r~ r t enjoying her shool year In Pleasure Ridge Park, Junior HI. Faithchan^rf often from Cincinnati. This Is a joy to them and to us. Our home gives us aB^vrfrL rr? ^ it- The Morse Salto's from Japan; M/M Claytonare Lmrwho w" M and Alan and Janet Bemo, Muskcgee, Okla. (on furlough from Taiwan)SmclTs h ur home. In addition, Pauline has been special speaker at Women's^ chircTL Srtl^d I Broadway church, Lexington; West Walnutcnurch in Portland, Indiana and at Westside church, Hamilton, Ohio.with us- Christian friends have received us. shared their joys and sorrows1th us, prepared us delicious meals and comfortable beds, and have often driven long miles to

    thank them all. Wecan only say here that their love and faith and prayers have Increased our faith and joy.the countrv"^ have expressed concern saying that we should be resting instead ofrunning aroundthe country. Well. Xam not running around the country as such. My trips are carefully planned

    PHONE: (502)93&0299MAIL: P.O. B0X5815B. LOUISVILLE. KY. 40258HOME: 7321 Browns Lane, Pleasure Ridge Park, KY.

    FALL RALLY - KAGOSIIIMA CHURCHES - AT TARUMIZU

    Dear Christian friends,, . , Deceirfoer, 1973

  • to fill specific invitations to speak, and to include along the way, both coming and going,visits to churches and people and places who have been part of our witness in Japan throughtjheyears. We want them to know us again, not as a remote mailing addres^ut as flesh and bloodpeople ("real, live missionaries") with whoir . they have shared. I want to say 'thank you* tothem and to report personally on Japan's spiritual situation and its continued need for thepreaching of the gospel. I WBatthem-^o know of Japan not only as an economic miracle but as

    f^place where Christ is not known by 99% of the people. I want to invite young people to thinkof the whole world as their mission field; to encourage both them and the churches to leapover the walls of a country friendly to the gospel filled with people mostly of our own raceand language, family and friends and into the spiritual deserts in the uttermost parts of theearth where all this is different: where to sing the hymn "What a Friend we Have -in Jesus"

    ^is to sing it with depth of meaning which moves one to tears.

    As for rest, we had a wonderful vacation en route to the U.S. A time away fromschedules, phones and responsibility. A time to see what others are doing in the Kingdom andto see places still waiting to hear the Good News. Now I am in the U.S. to work, not to rest.(Though I do know how to rest and relax when that time comes. Try me over a good meal or alively time of story telling. Give me a 15 minute nap on any space of floor where I can stretchout and I'll be ready to go again. ) No one persists very long in doing what he does not wantto do. I love to preach. I like,to talk about Japan. I like to meet people. I like to vevisitplaces and people of precious memory. I like to share the faith and the joy of Christian peopl?to pray with them and even to shed a tear togeher. I want to be part of the battle not sitting

    Special speakers of all kinds are "utflTze(3~in the churches with good effect,l^ielrtype of work is encouraged and approved. Even more important, it seems to me, is the needfor churches to hear missionaries and to have their vision renewed or increased by those whoactive on the foreign mission field. Such speakers are needed and wanted to keep the churchevery facing outward to a world, 70% of which is not Christian. Someday the battle, for meat least, will be over. Then you can lay me to rest. Whatever words are said over me, I hope

    they will include th-^se; "He died doing what he wanted to do- fcVi-l o... =o preaching the t.'ord."l>oM GO VE hOOXS 2

    147 AVI COIA San CKMINTC. %S Ca 9?67? m

    Add 30< pero9 $4.95

    A GOOD CHRISTMAS GIFT

    There is other news. We have a new grmdson Manila: TamonYanagimoto. Hope has entered the wohd^rful woMs of the 'teens'.Grandaughter Shelley in Japan has had her first birthday. We hada wonderful Thanksgiving reunion in Akron, Ohio with Pauline'sthree brothers, Allen, Boyd and Roy Pethtel, and their families.It was a very happy day and the food was worth coming home for,

    Kanoya church and Koichi HOmori of the Tarumizuchurch have sent us cassette tapes of greetings of the Christians,How precious these were. W^^terand Mary in Kagoshima keep in touchby tape and letter telling or^tKirr fruitful lives there. They arealso bearing some of our duties while we are gone. A fine r^lly,an annual event, of the Kagoshima churches was held in Tarumizu.New Christians are being bom into Christ in each place and therehave been some deaths, too, including Ero Taniguchi, elder at Sue-yoshi, at the age of 92.

    Now may God give each a full measure of THANKS, ChristmasJOY and New Year HAPPINESS. In His service

    LINKIETTERpwblitrwto ol tfco 0>riHyi MImIm

    Keiwyv, Jarm

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    Louisville, KyPermit No. 537

    RETURN REQUESTEDMISSION SERVICES. ASSOBOX 177

    KEMPTON, I?J 46049

  • 23 Years of Service to Japan 1950 - 73

    l-^VuNKLerreR/ iI 1973 - 74 Furlough Report of Mark and Pauline Moxey f

    TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONj KANOYA. KAGOSHIMA 893. JAPAN-BOX 417, NORTH VERNON, IND. 47265 "XV ^

    On August 15, i549j the intrepid Catholic missionary, FrancisXavier, arrived in Kagoshima and began to preach.In 88 years before thegreat persecutions of 1637,he and later missionaries made 150,000 converts. Then the church died not to rise again for 300 years.

    401 years later the Providence of God and the invitation of agroup of believers brought the Maxeys to the same area where Xavierbegan. In 1549, the population of Japan was 15 million. In 1973, itis 107 million concentrated in an area the size of Montana. The peopleare prosperous and literate, united in a common language and race, butlargely untouched by the Gospel. Only one million Japanese can be called Christian in any sense. How can a missionary set about trying toreach even a small part of this great nation? Here are some ways:CHRISTIAN HOME AND EXAMPLE. The Gospel must be lived before it canbe preached. Does the missionary pay his bills, keep his promises, respect Japanese customs, relish Japanese food and enjoy living in Japan?If so, doors are open to listen to what he has to say about Christ? Ishis home open to all and is rest & hospitality to be found there? Ishis wife united with him in his faith and work in a joyous, consecratedway? Are there children there who are being reared in love & trainedin the Christian faith? If so, the home becomes a powerful witness forChrist. We believe that Pauline has been the center of such a home.

    PREACHING: The Apostle Paul said: "It was God's good pleasure throughthe foolishness of preaching to save them ,

    has Day 'by day, week by week preaching for deci- I 9 Ision is carried out in 8 churches and num- I I \ ; - [erous preaching points by 5 ministers and I !! "re'!2 missionaries. This preaching plus reg- I ""ular evangelistic efforts provide the bas- I [fis for the 50 or so Japanese who hear and I 2S !Sbelieve the gospel in our area each year. H Si ISLITERATURE: The Japanese are a readingpeople. In general, first they read aboutthe Gospel and then they ask about it.Wehave been producing materials to win themand lead them from the very first. 100,000 Hcopies of our Guide to Christianity have Bnbeen used. The entire 5 book VizualizedBible Study series has just been producedLn Japanese. A mammoth piece of hard work. .

  • ! MARK AND PAULINE

    A full-fledged bookstore serves the local area personallyand all of Japan by mail.

    TRAINING. It takes an extra effort to produce mature Christians in a non-Christian society. Special training courses have been produced. Outside teachers are invited toconduct an annual leadership training course in the Christian Center and in the churches. Visiting teachers addto our store of faith. Additional courses are offered inthe churches and Bible-centered preaching and teachingis emphasized.

    CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP; The missionary is only one. The Christian faith can be a permanent part of Japan only when itis preached by a continuing succession of Japanese messengers. We are seeing that happen in this area and it is ajoy. Kagoshima has already produced 9 ministers, 4 minister's wives and 1 seminary teacher plus faithful Christiansin places of leadership in churches up and down the land.We have a special interest in Osaka Bible Seminary, servingon its board, sharing with it financially and sending itstudents - especially the latter. Koichi Homori is the mostrecent graduate to retum. He has encouraged us very much.CHURCH BUILDINGS: The New Testament example of house churches must be copied in Japan but so far we have not beenable to make such churches last more than a few years.Churches in their own buildings make a permanent, livingwitness in their communities. Since members are few andland cost is high we have helped the churches on a shareand share basis in building projects. The Kushlkino church,ravished by flood, was rebuilt in a very attractive way.InKagoshima, a fine 3-story concrete building on a strategiccorner and providing parking, parsonage and meeting placewas finished just before yen revaluation and skyrocketinginflation would have made the project impossible. For a

    oic

  • coKen sum a corner of the mission land was shared with the^oya church. Now they have a fine church and parsonagethere. It is a pleasure to be neighbors to this church andits outstanding minister, Hideo Yoshii and family.CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: Fellowship means sharing. The morevalued the possession shared, the greater the fellowship.It may seem that the missionary is the only one doing thesharing. That is not the way it is. Here in Japan we enjoythe inestimable partnership in the gospel" with these min-isters (I. to r. in picture): JUNKO DAIKUSONO at Kaiiki*HIDEO YOSHII at Kanoya; KOICHI HOMORI at Sueyoshi and Taru-mizu; NAGANORI TANIJIRI at Kushikino; TADAYOSHI IKEDA atNishinomote and TAKEO IIMURE at Osumi Gakkusha. We meettogether one day each month for prayer and praise, studyand planning. It is a blessed fellowship. In the U.S we arTr Forwarding Secretary,Mrs. Cecil Smith

    . North Vernon, Indiana, with the hearty assistance ofher husband. They serve without pay. Time will fail to tellof the faithful churches, groups and Christians who supportus, many since 1949. We could not continue without them.They are sharing their faith with Japan through us.

  • PAULA is the wife of

    ber, 1946 as a military chaplain. Paulinejoined him there in June, 1947 ending a2 year separation. Their first hand exper-ience of living in a nation physically de- IBstroyedbut spiritually alive &seeking be- 1^*^came the turning point in their lives.They f 1 g

    ^ left the army in 1949 to begin the Kyushu A * 9Christian Mission and went to Japan in Aug.^1950. Except for three furloughs (1955,62and 67), the 23 years since that time havebeen spent in Kanoya, a city of 70,000 at 4the very southern tip of Japan proper. It vV

    so far south of Tokyo that they have ^called a book about their lives in Kanoya,

    reared five WALTER AMD MARY MAXEYchildren there.. Pauline has been their teacher for the first 8 grades all these years. PAULA is the wife ofKiyoto Yanagimoto, Dispatcher with Japan Airlines. They and their 3children live in Manila, P.I. and are active in the church there.WALTER and his wife MARY returned to Japan as missionaries in 1971.

    >4'hey are making Kagoshima City the center of their evangelisticwork. Now they have a baby daughter, Shelley. What a privilege tohave them here to work with us. GREGORY is a senior at CincinnatiBible Seminary and FAITH is a freshman there. HOPE is in grade 7.THE FUTURE: Jesus' command to "Go... teach...baptize... teach" mustbe obeyed till He comes again. We are pledged to do that in Japanby every means at our command. We heartily believe a Christian future awaits this nation. We want to be a part of that future. Weask for your partnership in that future also - by every means atyour command - including your own selves.mi >'(*** -k -k -k it -k -k it -k *The KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION is a non-profit religious corporation.Your gifts are tax deductible. Box 417, North Vernon, Indiana 47265The MAXEY'S FURLOUGH ADDRESS: PO Box 58158, Louisville, KY 40258

    < SEE THESE BOOKS BY MARK MAXEY ON THE DISPLAY TABLE

    1. WAY DOtfS HERE talli of tlM daeldoB to go to Kyuihu la 19A9, howtiM work baasa "My dewD than" 1b 19S0 ud glva a lively account oftha preaching of Che Cood Nav* up to tha piaaeDC tljw. Hera ara 49Spage* of Che joya and aorrova of Blaalooary Ufa in rural Japan aa livedby Mark and Pauline Kaxey. A nuac for your hcae. Ksad Ic to your children. Share apeelflc chaptara wl.h your nlaaloo group. Put a copy In thechurch Library. A cood sift to anyone at aaycl. $4.9-5. Check o.k.2. HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPIljE_mSHON of the churchea of Chrl.c fto-1901 to 1941. 330 pagaa of eloaely packed hlatory available oouhera elae.

    Heath by Booth, year by year It traces Che glorloue baglnalnga of ao organised lialoD, Che dlvlalon over Bodemlao, the Cragedy of decllae andcha start of che atlll on-goleg direct support nlaaloo prograa Id cbeIslaada. $2.95

    THBSB PUBLICATIONS ALSO' AVAIUBU$1.00 LlNrafTTBE. One year subscription to Chls highly readable account

    of the Kaxey's l