Dear Friends,
One of the perks of living on a plateau overlooking Kagoshima City is being able to look out our windows to see our majestic volcano, Mt. Sakurajima, located across the bay. Following some quite intense activity the first half of the year, this summer it had seemed to be unusually quiet, so we were startled to hear on August 15th that the Meteorological Agency had raised the alert level from 3 to 4 (on a 5-point scale).
This meant that a major eruption could be imminent, and residents within three kilometers of the crater were evacuated. Repeated mini volcanic tremors, along with the buildup of magma near the vent, led to this alert. Fortunately, a week later, things settled down, and the evacuees were able to return to their homes.
We were never in any danger, since we are located four kilometers (2-1/2 miles) across the bay from the volcano. However, being “high and lifted up” makes it pretty stressful when a typhoon comes our way. Just a few days after the volcano calmed down, Kagoshima was hit by a very strong typhoon (the largest in ten years), which blew off our carport roof and caused widespread damage in the prefecture. We were very thankful to have no more damage than we did.
While the volcano and typhoon kept us on our toes for most of August, the highlight of the month was our trip to Kobe (four hours north by bullet train) to attend the 66th All Japan Christian Convention, hosted by our churches in the Osaka area August 27th-29th.
66th All Japan Christian Convention in Kobe
The theme for this year’s convention, “God’s Call” (1 Cor. 1:9), was developed through the messages of the three main speakers. I had the privilege of being the speaker for the opening session. The title of my message was “The Blessings and Responsibilities of God’s Call” (1 Cor. 1:1-9). The positive response I received afterward made all the time and effort spent preparing the message worthwhile. Having been the first speaker on the program, I was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the convention with Mary. Our thanks to the ministers in the Osaka area, who did a great job in planning and hosting this year’s convention.
Let me back up and briefly review some of the highlights of the past few months. Sunday, April 5th, members of the Yoshino church gathered at the church mausoleum for an Easter Sunrise Memorial Service. This is always a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, while, at the same time, remembering and giving thanks for the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone to be with the Lord.
Easter Sunrise Service at Church Mausoleum
The message of the hope of eternal life we have through Jesus Christ is really needed in Japan. A young girl in her twenties wrote a letter to an advice column in a major Japanese newspaper this year, asking for help in dealing with death. She said she couldn’t stop thinking about death after her father was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and was filled with fear when she thinks about everything having to end someday. (2015, February 11). Yomiuri Shinbun.
Prefectural Combined Ladies’ Meeting
May 21st, Mary and the ladies from the Yoshino church drove to Kanoya to attend the annual combined women’s meeting at the Kanoya church. The speaker for this all-day meeting was a Christian math teacher (in the center of the third row from the front, in the burnt orange top), a member of the Kushikino church who had recently lost her husband to cancer. The ladies were inspired and encouraged by her messages, which were filled with her unwavering faith even in very trying circumstances.
May 25th, I flew to Busan, Korea, to speak at the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Kyungnam College on May 26th. This Christian college (affiliated with churches of Christ/Christian churches) was established in 1965 with nineteen students. Today there are six thousand students.
50th Anniversary Chapel Service
My father encouraged, assisted, and supported Dr. S.M. Chang when he began this college. Dr. Chang, who is now in his eighties, invited me to come and speak for the chapel service that would kick off a full day of activities celebrating the fifty-year history of the college. I was happy to go and represent my father (Mark G. Maxey), who had visited the college many times to speak and encourage Dr. Chang in his efforts to promote Bible-based higher education in Korea.
With Dr. & Mrs. Chang in Busan, Korea
June 11th, the trustees of Kyushu Christian Mission gathered at the mission office in Kanoya for our annual trustee meeting. This mission, of which I am now the head trustee, was established 65 years ago by my father. At the present time, the main ministry of this mission is the Christian Center Bookstore in Kanoya. The trustees of the mission are also in charge of overseeing and maintaining three church buildings and one campground in Kagoshima Prefecture, which are all mission properties.
June 26th, I drove downtown to speak at the interdenominational prayer breakfast at the Christian Center. My favorite part of this prayer breakfast is answering questions about my message and other matters dealing with the Christian life as we eat a light breakfast together.
Saturday, July 18th, the Yoshino church held a summer outreach program for children in the Yoshino area. The ladies passed out flyers to children at two nearby elementary schools, and Mrs. Hashiguchi, our Sunday School director, planned a program filled with games, handcrafts, and a Bible story/message time about God, the Creator. The day of the program, only a handful of children showed up, but they all had a great time. Most importantly, they listened very intently as I talked to them about the God who created them and loves them very much. This was the first time for them to hear about a God who was not created by man.
Message at Children’s Outreach Program
Mary and I finished the first semester of teaching at our respective colleges the end of the first week of August. (The school year begins in April in Japan.) We have been using the two-month break--before our classes begin in October--to take care of various projects we have had to put on hold and to work with members of the Yoshino church in preparing for our fall evangelistic outreach program on November 7th. Please keep this in your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry here in Kagoshima. We are grateful for your partnership. God bless you.
In Him,
Walter & Mary