,.30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JAPAN: 1950 - 1980

J/umLexrea/1979-80 FURLOUGH REPORT OF MARK & PAULINE MTiXEY

TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONKANOYA. KAGOSHIMA 803. JAPAN-BOX 417. NORTH VERNON. IND. 47265

* A direct support mission of churches of Christ S Christian* churches Your ^ifts may be deducted from your income tax,* A non-profit religious corporation of the State of Indiana.* Mrs. Carol Couchman, Forwarding Secretary . pH: (812)346-2639.

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To know where we are at the present a lookbackward is as important as a look forward.

My great grandfather, Asa Maxey (1792-1879)was an active evangelist in the restoration movement in Bath County, Kentucky for 51 years. Hisgrandson, R. Tibbs Maxey, was a pioneer preacher ofthe same gospel in the mid-west and far west alsofor 51 years. He and his wife, Maude B. Maxey,had nine children, six of whom survive,all activein Christian service. I was the 6th Maxey child.

I began to preach 40 years ago (June,1937)at the Church of Christ, Madelia, Minnesota. TheTruman Church of Christ, also in Minn, ordainedme to the Christian ministry in January, 1940.

Pauline Pethtel of Mind Ridge, Penna. cameto Cincinnati Bible College to prepare to be amissionary. We were married there, Dec. 29, 1941.We have had eight children. Five survive: PAULA,wife of Kiyoto Vanaginwto, mother of four children - Edmonton, Canada: WALTER, husband of Mary,father of two children, missionary and co-workerin Kagoshima Prefecture; GREGORY, husband of Beverly, both public school teachers in Cincinnati,Ohio; FAITH, public school teacher & wife of PaulAxton, graduate student In Lincoln Christian Seminary and HOPE, student In Milligan College.

We served the Christian church at NorthVernon, Indiana from 1941-44 followed by a fiveyear tour as a U.S. Anny Chaplain. A part of thistour was served In occupied Japan at the end ofWorld War II. It was an introduction to that nation and its people which was unforgettable. We resigned from the army in August, >949 to establishthe Kyushu Christian Mission and arrived in Japana year later, August, 1950.

Our goal was to find a place in i^ushuwhere nobody had gone or was likely to go andbegin there. Meanwhile a letter of Invitationhad come from a group of believers meeting inthe city of Kanoya at the southern tip of Kyushu. Chaplain Paul Cook had taught and baptizedthere. We accepted this invitation as the Lord'sleading and went Immediately to Kanoya on a journey of faith - without knowing the land, the peoplenor the language,,Our faith has been rewarded by afamily of Christians there and now all over Japan.

Though the Haxeys were pioneer missionaries In Osu-mi Peninsula of Kagoshima they were certainly not the firstmissionaries in the prefecture. In fact, the first missionary to Japan, the Intrepid Jesuit, Frances Xavier. landed 1nKagoshima City, August 15, 1549 over 400 years ago. A goodbeginning ended 88 years later in persecution to the deathby the Tokugawa government. The effects of that persecutionlinger with us even today.

As a result of Comnodore Perry's visit to Japan in1853,a treaty of commerce between Japan and the U.S. wentInto effect July 4, 195S. allowing Americans to live andwork in Japan. Missionaries began arriving the same year.The total results of all their labors in all Japan was tenconverts by the year 1872. That year the first church beganin Yokohama. The New testament was published in Japanese in 'April, 1880 and the entire Bible in 1888.

In a real sense then, the evangelism of Japan didnot began until 1860. only 120 years ago. It still continues with most of the work yet to be done. There 1s wideacceptance of Christian ideals and practices but there isgreat resistance to personal acceptance of Christ as Lordand Saviour. We face little open hostility or outright persecution but the resistance is still there.

One reason is the nature of the country Itself. Itis small (about the size of California) and Isolated (com-pletely surrounded by the sea) so the people learned to getalong without the outside world. Because of the great massof people (now 120 million) packed together, Japanese society developed rules which gave the highest virtue to harmony. group activity and building up the group ratherthan the individual. The greatest evil was to break thegroup harmony and act independently. To become a Christian is to break the unity and to invite the disapproval offamily and society. No one wishes for that.

The country is barren, two-thirds mountains. Veryfew natural resources. Early on the Japanese learned tobe frugal and self-sufficient. Later they learned to Importraw materials and make things to sell to the world. Theworld agrees, sometimes in pain, that they have done verywell at it. But the Japanese still think in terms of hav-

sofnething to offer to the world but not to receive.This includes Christianity which is often considered to bea foreigner's religion, interesting but,not needed.

The Japanese have a culture at least 2000 years oldand maybe older. Over the centuries, they have made distinctive borrowings and adaptations from the Asian mainland.This ancient culture still determines how Japanese life iscarried on today. The Japanese feel it Is equal to '' notsuperior, to other cultures. They feel no ne^ to itor to add on another culture, the Christian or Wes le.

Not the least of Japanese culture is its dis velanguage (the world's most difficult); Its long histo.. or"learning and its impressive array of social, medical andgovernmental systems which work perfectly well for them.Thusthe missionary can never approach the Japanese with a suoer-ior view of teaching them how to read & write & heal theirdiseases. One exception is the English language which theJapanese are eager to learn but find difficult to master.

There is no nation without religion. Either theyhave accepted the one taught in the Bible or they havedeveloped one of their own. The Japanese have done the latter. Shinto, the oldest, Is basically animism but it is alsothe carrier of the Emporer system, the syirbol of the Japanese race unbroken from time inwiemortal. Buddhism was eagerly received from China in the seventh century. It

JM M TfyKAN OVA C.

Mission House

line Speaking

formed a base for the arts, education and culture. Italso provided an ethical system and a way of death. Confucianism also came from China. It established the rel-ationships between people and loyalty to the government.From the 17th century onward this was the basis for astrong warrior system and later a fanatical army.

So the best the missionary can hope for is toapproach Japan on the basis of equality in regard toculture, education, social customs and technology. Onthe matter of religion, the Christian missionary comesout of a strong conviction that Christ THE way. THEtruth and THE life. That Christ alone has the answerto man's sins and the promise of life everlasting. Ofcourse, that is the very thing about which the Japanesemust be convinced. How does one do that?

PRESENTPermanence is one factor .Me came to Japan to be

partakers not tasters of Japanese society and culture.That is to appreciate the culture, enjoy it, use it andto become a part of it for a lifetime. Permanence demonstrates cotimittment in Japanese society. Youth has itsstrengths but maturity also has its merits in terms ofrespect and the opportunities to be heard and followed.

Rearing one's family in Japan is always a plusfactor. Our children have always opened doors and madecontacts we could not have made ourselves. The demonstration of a Christian family in action, the love ofhusband and wife, the respect of children for parentsand the faith in God of all is a witness beyond reckoning. The return of our oldest son. Walter, as a missionary is tremendous statement of family influence. Igive the highest praise to my wife, Pauline, for the wonderful way she has conducted our home, reared and taughtour children and imparted her deep faith to them andto others. Nothing that I have accomplished, could havebeen done without her. She is a partner of whom I amproud. She has had a trenendous witness as a teacherand speaker in women's gatherings and teacher trainingin addition to her vital role S example as homemaker.

Preaching, that is, sharing the Good News aboutJesus with a view to persuading hearers to believe Himand obey Him must always be at the center of the missionary's- thinking. preparation and activity. The word"missionary" itself is a distinctive word wnich says thathe is sent out to do just that. Sunday by Sunday andnight by night, this is the center of our activity.

This must be followed by teaching, that is thetraining of believers in Christian living & practice.This is also a vital part of our activity carried outthrough regular Bible classes & courses on a scheduledbasis. Also by means of expository preaching of theBible, verse by verse and chapter by chapter ratherthan topical and popular preaching.(CUT BZRS s use this as a label to ^et in touch with us)

KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION. BOX ^117NORTH VERNON, INDIANA ^7265

//ew Camp Buildinq

Kagoshina CAureh

MARK MAXEY

PMJLIJ^ MAXEY'^wxey^qh''^ e\i^uy^table''

WAY DOWN HERE - Relive 20 yearsof the missslonary life of Mark &Pauline Haxey In Japan $10.50HISTORY OF THE PHllIPPIKE MISSIONThe background of direct supportmissions.Important history $6.50PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN RESISTANTFIELDS - A Japan Viewpoint $2.50SECOND THOUGHTS - About MissionsHen, Methods and Japan. $3.50THE MISSIONARY AS AN EVANGELIST

WHO IS A MISSIONARY -Do you know?Find outlVou can be one too $2.00MISSI0NS:MY STORY - How I came tocenter my 1l/e on this. $3.00GUIDE TO CHRIST.THE CHURCH & THECHRISTIAN LIFE in Japanese i English. Read it & share it. $2.50LINKlETTER-a Personal.mailed rep-ort of the Haxey's dally life andwitness In Japan. Per year $2.00TAKING THE WOE WT 0- WORRY - TheWritings of Maude Haxey .mother ofmi$sionar1es.Wit-Humor-Tears$5.00***

Or order direct from: GO YE BOOKS147 AVE COTA.SAN CLEMENTE CA92672Please send check with your order

One method of teaching that we have emphasized from our very first days in Japan 1s tha^writing, publishing & Sdistribution of Christian tracts^ booklets and books. We ghave also encouraged &assisted others to write & to get ^their writings into print. Me have a Christian bookstore gin connection with our Christian Center in Kanoya by which =Bibles i Christian materials are distributed to local cus- Jtomers &all over the nation by mail. Financiany. it Is a a:deficit operation. But It is a plus operation in carrying 2.out one of our missionary objectives - to teach the Word. S

The missionary must never think that he Is the only 3=one who can preach and teach the Good News or that he Is 5the only one who will. So to think S so to act Is to fall. 2So training leadership has always been a vital Interest.This means seeing leadership possibilities 1n others, en- Scouraging them to choose Christian service, fi providingleadership training both at the local level and at Osaka 5Bible Seminary where I have served as trustee for many i;,years.Since our very first year, we have always had stu- dents there. They are active in the churches throughoutJapan both as Christians and as leaders. All but one ofour Kagoshima preachers was trained at Osaka Bible Sem- i?inary &returned to serve in this isolated area. g

To me, the ultimate test of the missionary's service .gIs whether he has been able to establish churches &encour- caged others to establish local churches that will survivehim. These must be churches that will not only support them- ^selves but will also carry out their own programs of teach- SIng & preaching, evangelizing S starting other churches -that is. Indigenous churches. We have five such churches S,with their own ministers. We have three churches without regular ministers but served on a regular basis. These 3 ychurches are holding out but not reaching out. In addition S"Walter has established a new church and preaching points oIn his area. We can state with assurance that we have 5churches here which will not only survive but also grow. S"All churches have their own land &buildings which they **maintain themselves. >

FUTURE I(1) As long as the Lord gives us strength, we will con-

tinue our witness in Japan; work with present ministers and nchurches and carry on our preaching, teaching and Christian ffliterature ministries. J;-

TzTThe Lord and His people both in the USA S Japan have ngiven us a $50,000 camp ground. Now with $10,000 In Improve- Sments it is fully operational for 40 people. Our next goal Isan additional building so we can serve 80-100 campers. We want S*to have a planned program of year-round activities and teach- *'ing there. Already it Is being very well used. 5"

(3) New leadership is an imnediate need. Extension Bible 2.teaching is one answer. We will work with Osaka Bible Sem1nar78as they put their courses on video tape which can be mailed to 3-us.These with teaching guides will give us the quality train- ing we need. Several video tape players at $1100 each needed. SWE ARE ASKING YOU TO HAKE THE FUTURE WORK 4 WITNESS ^OF THE KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION A PART OF YOUR OWN PRAYER LIFE '^^J?-9y?IIIAL51VINGi.IE.YOy_WILL_W_SO^_LET_yS_KNgW.GOD BLESSJ

ADDRESS:

MAY 2 "A Monthly Report By The Mark G. Maxey Family

/UNKLerreR/To The Friends Of The KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION

Kanoya, Kagoshima 893, Japan Box 417, North Vernon, Indiana 47265

LINKLETTER NO. 244 - JUNE 1980

Dear Christian friends,

Continuing the announcement above, among other problems Pauline has endured increasing back pain the last four years. Hence the major operation. She will be in the hospital about ten days followed by two months of recuperation if all goes well. Meanwhile Faithand Paul Axton will move into our Louisville home since she will be teaching herein the fall.Paul will be at Chaplains School, Ft. Dix, NJ six weeks from mid-June. Hope will be home fromcollege. So she and Faith will take care of Pauline at home while she recovers. I will finishtwo months of speaking in the wests rejoin Pauline and we will go to Japan as soon as she isable to travel. We can continue to receive mail then at our Louisville address till mid-August: PO Box 58128, Louisville KY 40258 . Please remember Pauline when you pray.

It has been good to have Pauline traveling with me this year. Mostly on formerfurloughs I have traveled alone while Pauline kept the home for our children still in school.Pauline has been a much-appreciated part of our program at each place. She was a featuredspeaker at the Georgia Missionary Rally, Atlanta and the Missionary Convention at NebraskaChristian College. She is the only person I know of that can talk for two hours straight andhave no one look at their watches.

Our travels have taken us west to Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota andIllinois. South to South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. North to Canada, Manitoba and Alberta; back through Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio.A swing East bymyself to Virginia, Maryland, New York City and Pennsylvania - a total of 40 churches. Inaddition we have taught classes and spoken in chapel at 12 Bible Colleges: Central Collegeof the Bible, Orlando; Atlanta Christian College, Johnson Bible College, Immanuel Schoolof Religion, Milligan College (last three in Tenn.), Eastern Christian College, Bel Air,Md.,Cincinnati Bible College, Kentucky Christian College, Boise Bible College, Platte ValleyBible, Scottsbluff, Neb., Nebraska Christian College and Minnesota Bible College.

At the Alumni Banquet held during the annual Mid-Winter Conference at MinnesotaBible College, Rochester, Minn., I was given the Distinguished Alumni Award. Pauline stoodwith me as co-recipient as the citation was read and handsome plaque presented. March 24 wasMark Maxey Day at Shively Christian Church, Louisville, where we have our membership. Theyhonored us with a plaque for 30 years of missionary service and had a reception for us atnight. A very nice day.Thanks to ministers Dave Cordrey and Mark Johnson

As we have traveled it has been our joy to meet the finest Christian people inin the world. To listen to, to talk with, and to be received by these people in a loving,gracious way in their homes is a taste of heaven indeed. To see the breadth of beauty ofthis land has been a joy. Also an eye-opener: a land where every other yard and garage isfor sale; where you can buy a Cadillac pick up truck in Phoenix for $30,000.(For the man whohas everything, something to carry it in); wonderful roads going endlessly into lost horizons where the trucks go 70, the state police 62 and the rest at 58;home of the bumpersticker (On a camper in Florida, "We are living on our children's inheritance."); huge plast-tic bulls in front of steak houses - they look so lonely - as genuine idols they at leastdeserve fresh flowers laid between their front feet daily; USA, land of handsome young peoplewho will lead us into the future without an adequate knowedge of the past - at one collegeEnglish class I taught, not a single student knew Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; America, aland some say is in hopeless moral decay but which has more preachers, churches and peoplein Sunday School than all the rest of the world together."God Shed His Grace on Thee!"

We have not forgotten to smell the daisies along the way. We have seen Christianfriends from our days as an army chaplain in Japan, Ft. Meade, Md and Ft. Custer, Mich. Wehave spent time with our children - visiting Hope twice at Milligan College. She was home for

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As a result ot extensivemedical tests during May,Pauline will enter thehospital late June 1,have neurological testsJune 2 and early June 2have a spinal fusion of3 lower vertebrae.PLACE:SUBURBAN HOSPITAL, 4001

\ Dutchmans Ln, LouisvilleN

break for a week. Over Easter, we were able to spend 8 days with Paula and Kiyoto(gimoto at their farm home at Millet, 30 miles south of Edmonton. We had a happy time

{tting re-acquainted with our grandchildren: Megumi, Temujin, Takanobu and Tamon. We visitedheir school and met their teachers and friends. They wanted us to stay a month. We have promised to see them one more time as we return to Japan. In the Wed., Feb 13 issue of the Wetas-in Times featuring Valentine messages from children, Tem Yanagimoto (9) had this poem for us:

TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA"Being with you is like something new. I know you're kind and gentle, too.There's only one thing that's left to do...Give you a card and say, "I love you."

Thanks Tem! We spent a week with Faith and Paul in Lima, Ohio speaking that weekend with Bryan and Kathryn Maxey in Defiance, Ohio. In the west, the Missionary Convention atNebraska Christian College, Norfolk not only was the finest college gathering we have attended but a family reunion as well. Ora and Lee Townsend of Onawa arranged a room for us alongside :theirs at the Holiday Inn so v/e could have that time together. Ken and Bessie Kawami cameup from Omaha bringing some delicious Japanese food and two beautiful ceramic plaques she hadmade. Big sister, Isabel Dittemore,just back from Thailand, was on the program, too. Littlesister, Mary Ellen and her husband Alvin Giese, came over from Storm Lake for the convention

and took-usHDack for a wonderful weekend with them and the church there.

We can only mention a few of the memorable gatherings we have attended: The loving welcome of the black congregation of Wash. Shores church, Orlando, FL: the bubbling enthusiasm of the young church in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the outstanding evening with the multinational Greenpoint church in New York City, keeping the faith in spite of great difficutlies.The super group at Erranmet, Idaho. Minster, Fred Bittner,thoroughly prepared for our comingand the congregation responded . The five days spent preaching at Pierre, SD, encouraged bythe faith, love and prayers of that congregation and the hospitality of Ed and Kay Hoist whofor the fourth time have seen that we have reliable and comfortable furlough transportation.Our car left there revived for further travels courtesy Hoist Motors, Bill Holst^proprietor.The southern hospitality of Macedonia church, Bonneau, South Carolina where minister, LarryBradberry has done a consistency fine work year after year. The Georgia Christian MissionaryRally, in Atlanta, the finest of its kind in the USA - all the area churches involved.The twodays spent at the Incorporators and Trustees meeting at the College of the Scriptures, Louisville. founder Tibbs Maxey and wife, Norma attending. Greatly impressed with the collegeleadership and the intellectual and spiritual calibre of the black trustees. Fine men of God.Our apologies to to all the other fine churches and firm friends, as precious to us as ourown kin, who have made our furlough day so great but whom we can not list here.

In Japan, Walter and Mary, hold down the fort as well as carrying on their ownwork. Walter has found an purchased for us a used mid-size car, diesel engine, 18000 milesfor $5400. So we will have a"gospel chariot" waiting for us to use on return. A number ofKagoshima Christians, led by Koichi Homori, minister of the Kagoshima church, made a tourof California churches and sights in late April. We were sorry^nolr^to be able to go seethem there. After a long delay, our new book, "The Church Begins: 35 Lessons in the Bookof Acts " has been published in Japan. It is a study course with English and Japanese inparallel columns on each page and every paragraph numbered. It represents about three yearsof writing, rewriting, correcting and numerous publishing difficulties. Special thanks toson Walter for seeing it through to completion in oi^ a^ence. Must close for this time.God bless you all. IN HIS SERVICE 4CO^

UNKUeTTEftMonthly Publication of U.S.POSTAGEKYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION PAIDBox 417 LOUISVILLE. KY.

PERMIT NO. 537North Vernon, Indiana 47265EDITOR, HOKIIiiONSBOX 177

Return Requested KEMPTON IN

AUG 2 7 1980

A Monthly Report By The Mark G. Maxey Family

/LyNKLerrefi/To The Friends Of The KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSION

Kanoya, Kagoshjma 893, Japan Box 417, North Vernon, Indiana 47265

LINKLETTER NO. 245 - AUGUST, 1980

Dear Christian friends,

/5k/

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BAPTIZING MEGUMI

Greetings from Portland, Oregon where five of the Maxey children were born and whereI spent a good many youthful years. Going through on the train the other day, I spent the waiting time going through the grand old station. I remembered it with awe when I left there as aboy on the way to Boise, Idaho. I am spending a week here both speaking and to buy and packthe things we want to take back to Japan. Howard and Joy Harris are helping me mightily.

I left Pauline in Louisville, June 13, in the good hands of daughters Faith and Hope.The doctors assure us that the operation was successful and that she should have complete recovery within a year. Meanwhile her pain and weakness are very real. Two operations were performed.One to relieve the compression on her nerves. The other to fuse the three lower vertebrae. Thisalso involved on operation on the hip to remove enough bone to use in the fusion. AfterwardsPauline was in the recovery room over five hours - they said the longest anybody ever remainedin the recovery room of that hospital. Complications I So we feel very keenly that the prayersyou offered for the success of the operation and for her recovery have been heard. Her firstfive weeks were very, very painful and did not give her much encouragement for the future. Butnow the corner, has been turned and she is gaining strength day by day. She spends a lot of timewalking. She has already thanked you but I will add mine also to all those who have written,phoned, visited and prayed on her behalf. " Like a mighty army (prays) the church of God."

My first speaking dates heading west were at the churches at Ancona, 111. and Truman,Minn, where I spoke at women's retreats. They had agreed to accept me in lieu of Pauline, notthat that can be done, so I just talked about Pauline, of her life and Christian witness. Thenclosed with a tape she had made for them from her hospital bed. So I got safely through and lefther blessing with those that heard.

Preaching at Streator, 111. June 15 and at Madelia, Minn. June 17. There were fivepeople present who heard me preach my first sermon. Hardy souls!. On that 1st day Mrs. Nichternsaid to me as she went out, "I felt very sorry for you today." To which I replied, " I feltsorry for myself, too." All night with sister, Mary Ellen, and husband ,Alvin Giese, at StormLake, Iowa. Each farewell tinged with a tear ef parting and possibility of not seeing each otheragain on this earth. Next stop at Pierre, the center of South Dakota and the geographical centerof North America. Always a home for me there with Ed and Kay Hoist. I had brought a car full ofboxes so drove up to United Parcel Service and let them haul them the rest of the way West.Left the car for Walter and Mary to use on furlough next year. The Hoists will use it and carefor it meanwhile. An enjoyable picnic with the good folks of Pierre on the banks of the Missouri.

Onward by air. Sunday, June 22, with the church at Rapid City, SD, started by my bro.,Tibbs and now ministered by my nephew, Brian Giese and his lovely, Sylvia. Exhanging ideas a 100miles an hour while not preaching. Up to Rushmore memorial in the Black Hills, the second mostvisited spot in the U.S. Well worth a visit for a meditative look at four great men of the past.We need some more like them. Vote your Christian convictions this fall.

To Denver for a night with M/M Dick Tice. Dick was a flying officer in an Air ForceUnit i served in Palwan, P.I. Now, after long missionary service in Chile, teaching missionsat his Baptist seminary. We talked missions - theory, method, practice and committment - on intothe night. Grand Junction, Colorado will be the center of both the shale oil industry and synthetic fuel. Bill and Thelma Gardner took care of me while preaching at Clifton church there.After speaking at Montrose, CO Ron and Leta Secat and her parents took me up into the Rockiesfor a swim in a naturally heated pool and a picnic in the crystal air, peaks, pines and mountain streams. Wanted to stay and look a few more years. A ten-seater piano bounced me over the

of the Rockies and down into Salt Lake City. Guy Pethtel and wife served me the biggest T-bone steak I ever saw. I'll dream about it later in Japan. Neighbor,Arlo Jones drove us upto the Kennicot mine, the biggest man-made hole in the eaj;th, now over 50 years deep.

In Los Angeles, visited Schuler's Crystal Cathedral. Looks like a gi^nt l^nd-^lgckedbattleship made of glass - 17 million dollars worth. They will take an offering for missionson dedication day in September. Saturday night supper meeting with the Parkcrest church missionmeeting at the Kesslers in Long Beach. Preaching at the a.m. service. Roger Beard leading agrowing, glowing church. Sunday night at First Church, Long Beach, Thursday at the chuirch inMission Viejo. Guest of college classmates,Kenneth & Gertrude Hanson, Also M/M Bob JCnight,He was an airmen at Kanoya immediately after the war. Now a minister working with CalifoirniaJapanese with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, he rejoices that we are serving in Kanoya. He took me through Little Tokyo in L.A., - nostalgia plus a longing for home. At SanClemenlEwith John and Linda Baker. He was in Pauline's SS class in North Vernon when he Wc^sa little boy. Now son. Miles, sends out my GO YE BOOKS. July 4 with Bob Desbrow, faithfulfriend since his days as a naval advisor in Kanoya almost 20 years ago,

Sunday, July 6, was a great day at Southside church, Lebanon, Clarence and Jean Millerdrove me down from Portland. Wy and Loni Summers took good care of me and drove me to Albanyto catch the train for Seattle. First train ride in the US. Not bad. Saw some of the devastation of Mt. St. Helens along the right of way. Frank and Helen Ginger were my- perfect hostsfor the North American Christian Convention. M/M Herbs Works showed us slides of their visitto Okinawa and Kanoya. Homesick again. The convention was good. Relaxed, western style.Tibbscuid Bryan and families were there. We had a meal together. Met hundreds of people at the mission booth. Exhilirating and exhausting,too. Was asked to participate in three workships. Enjoyed that. Visited with Peter Suen, formerly worked with Isabel in Taiwan, Now in Seattleand translating for her radio programs there. Spent some time with a delegation from Koreacind a group of Oregon brethren. Sleep was something I longed for and got little of. The convention had something for everyone. It ended with a rousing Baptist sermon complete with everyhead bowed and every eye closed.

Preached at Lumby in beautiful British Columbia July 14. Then preached and taught atFamily Camp at 2-VM Ranch nearby. Every family cooked their own meals. Paula drove 540 milesto be there with the four grandchildren. So I enjoyed her good cooking and being with them. Onthe last day I baptized grandaughter, Megumi, 12,in a pool fed by a moutain stream. Chillinglycold and yet wonderfully warm. Don Lewis took me trout fishing. Caught three. Tasted great.

Non-stop to Alaska via Wien Alaska airlines. All day Sunday with the church at Kenai.Bob and Sheila-DeVold serve this congregation of young families, great in faith, overflowingwith hospitality and concerned about missions. They took me trout fishing but I failed. Didbetter at Homer where the men of the Christian Home there took me out in the bay. Caught twofine halibut, one 35 pounder. Preached at Homer church and at Palmer church, too, with Ed andJane story. All day Sunday, July 27 with Fred and Jan Green and the Southglen church, our 3rdvisit with them. And each one better than the last. Keen interest and participation in missions.LeftT for the "outHde^HviYh regret. Big, beautiful Alaska" - "Where every prospect please andonly(mein's junk piles)are vile." Noboru Tsukahara of Japan Air Lines sent a frozen salmonaboard the aircraft as a parting present. It will make the long trip to Louisville, Ky, i willreturn there to Pauline August 11, leave a week later, visit our Canadian family and departSan Francisco o/a Sept 7 on the freighter, TYSON LIKES, of Lykes Lines, It has an elevator soPauline will not have to climb the ships' ladders. She will be able to rest, exejrcise and addto her recovery as we return home. Our last address before sailing will be %HcHne*^oF Peace4700 Daisy, Oakland CA 94619. Thanks for helping us return to Japan. IN HIS SERVICE

tiNKUETTEtlMonthly Publication of

KYUSHU CHRISTIAN MISSIONBox 417North Vernon, Indiana 47265 ^

fcOnOK, HORIZONSReturn Requested IN 'K'O*"'

NON-PRORT ORO.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLOUISVILLE. KY.PERMIT NO. 537

a/7NOW HEAR THIS!

JAPAN CONVENTION TOUR

Dear Christian friends,

A Monthly Report By The Mark G. Maxey Family

/LfNKLerrefi/To The Friends Of The KYUSiHU CHRiSTIAN MISSION

Kanoya, Kagoshima 893, Japan - Box417, North Vernon, Indiana 47265

LINKLETTER NO. 246 - OCTOBER, 1980

I talked to you 3 months and 15000 miles ago front Portland, Oregon. With theenergetic help of Howard Harris and his trusty VW Kombi, we got our buying and packingdone by Friday night. Spoke at Somerset church near Portland and Woodland, Wash, duringthe same week. Sunday was a great day at Kern Park Christian in Portland. My fatherpreached there before I was born. Sister, Isabel, was baptized there. One lady told memy father baptized her. Another that her brother had been named after him.The good wedo lasts into eternity. I was glad to speak a good word there for Ben and Nobuko Hiro-taka, their missionaries at the northern end of Kyushu.

The greatest missionary meeting in the USA, bar none, is held the first weekof August every y^r at Cdn^"Wi"Ne Ma, near Clbverdale, Oregon.Over 1000 people registered. Five missionaries and one Bible lecturer make up the program. They keep you busy.At the end of the week you are wrung out and spoke out. Also wound up and ready to getback to your task. Thi-;is_the fifth time I've finished-a-furlough at Wi Ne Ma. What asep^^ff.I Thanks to the committee for the hard work and planning it took to make it go.

Down the cool, beautiful Oregon coast to Florence, Oregon for Sunday morning,August 10, my birthday. Across into the hot central plain to the capital city of Salemfor Sunday night. Kenneth and Ruth Fowler fed me and took me to Portland. All night toChicago. Arrived at Louisville at 10 AM. Family waiting to see me. Wonderful to holdPauline in my arms again after a two month's absence. Thrilled at the recovery she hadalready made. Greg and Bev, Paul and Faith and Hope in the welcoming committee^ too. Theybaked the much-travelled Alaskan salmon & they had a belated birthday party for Paulineand I. A week to wind things up and give brief farewells at Shively, Clifton and Lyndonchurches in Louisville.

The sadness of parting again on Monday, August 18 as we leave for Edmonton, Alberta. Pauline's hardest day. Canada is great but their airports offer long distancehall walks and repeated flights of stairs for the handicapped. All's well that ends well.Our Canadian family, Kiyoto and Paula; Temujin, Takanobu, Tamon and Megumi, met us anddrove us to their farm home 35 miles south near the town of Millet. We had a great tendays together - talked a lot, laughed a lot, walked a lot, rested a lot and ate a lot.Went with them to the Farmer's market at Wetaskiwin where the people lined up to buyKiyoto's super vegetables. Spoke to the youth at Camp Christian, Red Deer; at CambrianHeights Church, Calgary and at King Edward Park church in Edmonton, Paula and Kiyoto'shome church. A warm and hearty welcome everywhere.

Japan is calling! Thursday, August 28 we flew to Portland. Wy and Loni Summers took us to Lebanon for the week-end. Shopped at Summer's Cent-Wise Drug Store formedicines to take back to Japan. Wonderful fellowship at Southside church. Spoke toWy's SS class on "Faith Vs. Feeling." The bell rang before we got started. (That was myfeeling.) Back to Portland and down to San Francisco that night. Thank you Wy and Lonifor your special efforts on our behalf. A week at the Home of Peace in Oakland, an 1890Mansion built specifically to cake care of missionaries en route overseas.They have takencare of us many times since 1950. Their welcome does not wear out. Our room looked likethe "home of pieces" as we packed and re-packed our last minute purchases. We spoke VJed.night at Green Valley Christian, San Jose, a church vitally interested in Orient missions.

DATES; Leave Cal. July 21Return Cal. Aug. 4 (5)

VISIT;by bus & train: NaraKyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, Korea,Christian sites in Kyushu,ATTEND;All-Japan ChristianConvention^ in Kagoshima,July 24-28.Mark & PaulineMaxeys' 30th Anniversaryin Japan to be rememberedat Jpn. & English conv's.PRICE; $1800 per person(Tentative) Includes allexpenses except noon mealwhile traveling in Orient.LIMIT;40 persons(one busload) Convention hotel wi].lhold 400 people only so wemust reserve space for ourtour group very soon.COMING? Send name,address,phone no. and $100 each toreserve hotel space.(Fullyreturnable till Mar.31,'8]JSEND AIRMAIL; to me:

Box 14, KanoyaKagoshima 893, JAPAN

&: Wee KOf Missions!WI-NE-MA OREGON.AUG. 4-9.

WELCOMED BY WALTER & MARY

FAREWELL TO BEV (Greg) ,HOPE,FAITH(Paul)GREG,AND PAUL PAULA,TAKA,TEM,MEGUMI,TAMON & KIYOTO

visited San Jose Bible College Thurs a.m. on the way back. Had a good visit with A1 Hammond, former missionary inKagoshima. Saturday, Don and Pat Bean came from Santa Rosa to get us. We had many things to talk about as we droveand had a meal together. All night with senior saints, Alan and Lois Stiles. Minister, Ted Smith, welcomed us atFirst Christian church, Santa Rosa, Sunday morning, September 7. It was non-stop - preaching to two services,showingslides at Bible school in between. Couldn't ask for a finer audience. Russell and Lois Davis, friends since we werechaplain's together in the Philippines, came up from San Diego to see us. They drove us to Alta Vista church in S.San Francisco for Sunday night. Reunion with Diego Romulo and wife. Longtime friend and minister in Manila,..now co-minister with Vyron Fender of a Filipino-American congregation. Warmly welcomed by this international church. Ourhearts and faith were one - never mind the rest.

Tuesday noon, boarding time for the SS TYSON LYKES, one of four ships in the US Merchant Marine that hasa landing ramp built into the stern that lets down onto the pier. Rugged fork lifts carrying giant containers side-wise go directly into the ship and deposit their loads in the lower decks.The entire vessel can be loaded in a mefeturof hours. Unfortunately, since we were at a freight pier, no one could see us off. Also, unfortunately, the chiefengineer had a heart attack just before sailing time so our departure was delayed until midnight while another onewas found. Up the Pacific coast for a Thursday evening arrival at Seattle.Beautifulsailing down the Puget Sound. Wehad a fine evening together with Howard and Joy Harris who drove up from Portland for the occasion. Frank and HelenGinger of Seattle whose home has been hospitality center for countless missionaries shared Friday with us. We partedwith prayer in our cabin just before the ship sailed at 10 p.m.

Thankfully the Pacific was fairly 'pacific' as we sailed the great circle route to Japan. After four daysof fog, it lifted and we were able to see the Aleutian islands passing by - Seguam, Amlia, Atka, Great Sitkin, Adak,Kanaga, Tanga, Amatignak. It was a rare sight. Because of the weather they are visible only 50 days of the year.Many of the ship's crew had never seen them. We are averaging 20-23 knots (nautical miles per hour) 24 hours a day.We have 5940 nautical miles to go. Because of the distance traveled one hour is added to the clock every day duringthe night, suddenly, we pay these hours back and more as we cross th'* International Date Line and lose Thursday completely. The ship has six cabins , three on each side joined by a comfortable and spacious lounge. We held churchservices there the two Sundays we were at sea. Passenger, Troy Alexander, accompanied us with his guitar. We had lotsof time to sing and talk about Japan afterward. There were 12 passengers, a congenial group. We enjoyed each otherscompany, the meal times, the walks on deck and the never ending vista of the sea. Lee Alley from Culver, in easternOregon joined us in Seattle with 54 beef cattle he was to take care of all the way to Japan. Since they were on theforward deck and we were aft, We always had some good old American smell blowing our way when we walked. It didn'tmake me homesick.

I broke my little toe walking across the cabin in the dark. The first mate said the best he could do wastape it back into place alongside the next toe. So he did and so it stayed for the next three weeks. In a solemnceremony, the passengers presented me with "The Order of the Wayward Toe" complete with hand knit sock and a life-liketoe carved from ivory soap hanging thereon. As memorable an award as I ever expect to get, Pauline did nicely, Thebeds were comfortable. She took time to rest, read and write. An elevator tooks us to meals two decks below,Pron5>tlyat 8 a.m. Monday, September 21 we tied up at Yokohama. Makoto Motoyoshi, wife and two sons,one of them named for mewere on the pier to greet us. VERY NICE. Walter & Harold Sims were there to help us move from ship to shore.Waltertook Pauline on south by coastal ferry. I had to stay over to take care of the freight & paper work. Spent the nextday with Harold and Lois Sims. We had lots to talk about. All day Wednesday in Yokohama customs.All day Thursday inKobe customs house. Tedious but necessary. By air to Kagoshima on Friday and a joyous reunion with Kalter and Mary^Shelley and Trent. Preached for Yoshino church where Walter and Mary are on Sunday, Japanese coming out o.k. At 4,30Sunday afternoon, Sept. 28 we drive into our driveway at Kanoya. Christians were there to greet us. Bro. I^^ii of-ferred a prayer of thanks. We ate supper with them. USA was great but'hocnelis better. God bless. IN

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