Dear Friends,
According to a recent National Police Agency report, the annual total for suicides in Japan fell for the sixth consecutive year in 2015, with a total of 23,971. This is a decrease of 1,456 from the previous year, and it marked the first time in eighteen years that the annual number fell below 25,000. While this is encouraging news, it still means that, each day on average, 66 people ended their lives. This is another reminder of the urgent task we have before us as the body of Christ in Japan to share the hope one can have now and after death through Jesus Christ.
One way the Yoshino church tries to get this message of hope out to as many as possible is through our annual outreach program, the latest of which was held on November 7th with evangelist Brother Fujii. Over six thousand flyers were put in our local newspapers, and church members invited their non-Christian family members and friends to hear Brother Fujii preach the gospel.
Bro. Fujii preaching at Outreach Program
We are happy to report that, out of the thirty or so who attended the meeting, one lady, Ms. Uezono, is now regularly attending Sunday worship at the Yoshino church and studying the Bible with me once a week. I was surprised to learn that she had attended Sunday School at the Yoshino church as a child. Ms. Uezono is earnestly seeking to learn all she can about Jesus Christ and Christianity, and I feel she will accept Christ as her Savior in the near future.
In our last newsletter, we wrote about the fear of a major eruption by our volcano, Mt. Sakurajima (located across the bay from us). It is hard to believe, but since the end of September it has fallen silent and not erupted once--following seven years of intense activity. This is disappointing to tourists who visit Kagoshima, but it is just fine with us who live here. We don’t miss the ash at all, though most people are apprehensive about the quietness, since magma levels are reportedly very high.
After 7 years, A Quiet Sakurajima (from the opposite, east side)
Here is a brief review of what else has been happening here the past few months. November 23rd, the Yoshino church assisted the Kagoshima church in hosting the 62nd Annual Rally for our churches in Kagoshima prefecture. Our speaker for this all-day rally was Ms. Reiko Saitoh, a native of Kagoshima and a graduate of Osaka Bible Seminary. Ms. Saitoh taught Christian Education at OBS for many years and assisted her husband in his ministry with the Kamizono Church of Christ in Osaka. She spoke about how the Lord had guided and used her in sharing the gospel through her children’s ministry, teaching Bible college students, and serving as a minister’s wife. It was also a great day of not only fellowship for the many Christians who don’t see those from other churches very often, but also musical sharing in the afternoon.
62nd Annual Prefectural Church Rally
Saturday, December 5th, I drove to the Kagoshima prison with several ladies from the Yoshino church for our annual Christmas program for inmates there. I work with the two other Christian chaplains at the prison to line things up for this program, which includes special music (hand bell concert and church music groups) and a Christmas message. The three of us bring this message on a rotating basis. I have been a chaplain at the prison for over thirty years, and I have never stopped being amazed and grateful for the freedom we are given to preach the gospel inside the prison.
Saturday, December 12th, the Yoshino church held its 8th annual Christmas program for children in the Yoshino area. The ladies of the church passed out flyers to children at two elementary schools, and 24 kids showed up, making it one of our best attended Christmas programs. The kids had a great time with games and handcrafts, and then listened carefully to the Christmas story presented by two of the church ladies and my brief message about the meaning of Christmas which followed. This was the first time for most of the kids to hear what Christmas is really about.
Neighborhood Children’s Christmas Program
Saturday, December 19th, I conducted a memorial service at the home of Mrs. Yamauchi for her husband, Isamu, who passed away suddenly on Christmas Day of 2014. Her two children & their families returned to Kagoshima to attend.
Sunday, December 20th, I preached for Christmas services at Kokubu and Yoshino. Our service at Yoshino was followed by our annual Christmas potluck dinner. After this delicious dinner, we began our Christmas program--in which everyone takes part, usually with vocal or instrumental special music. It is always a time of great fun and sharing.
The Yoshino Ladies’ Christmas Special
As is my custom each year, on December 21st, my last day of classes before winter break, I took English-Japanese New Testaments to each of my three classes at Kagoshima University, encouraging them to take one to read about the first Christmas for themselves. I was gratified again this year that the majority did take one.
The evening of December 23rd (a national holiday in Japan), we were unable to do our traditional caroling due to heavy rain. Instead, we gathered at the home of Mrs. Yamauchi for fellowship and refreshments prepared by ladies from the church. First, we sang some Christmas carols inside and then enjoyed the food and evening together.
Carolers Enjoying Fellowship and Dessert after our Meal
December 24th, I spent the morning taking cookies Mary had baked to church members confined to their homes. That evening, we had our Christmas Eve candle service at the Yoshino church.
December 25th, Mary and I enjoyed a family Christmas with my sister Hope and her husband Yasuto at their home on the other side of Kagoshima City. Mary and Hope jointly prepared a fantastic Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, including pumpkin pie (one of my favorites). Over the holidays, though we couldn’t be together, we had a great time talking with our kids and grandkids on Skype/Facetime.
December 31st, at a quarter to midnight, members of the Yoshino church gathered for our prayer service to welcome in the New Year. It was a time to express thanks to God for His guidance and blessings during 2015 and to ask for His direction in the New Year.
We want to close by thanking each of you for faithfully supporting our ministry here in Kagoshima during the past year. The Lord has sustained us and blessed us through your prayers and financial support, and we deeply appreciate it. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we strive to be effective witnesses for Christ in Kagoshima during 2016.
In Him,
Walter & Mary