W e Reach A New Harvest Field
By Sydney A. Best
E ARLY in the afternoon of May 16th, the fog began to lift and in the hazy distance the form of mountains could be seen from the deck of the F. J. Luckenbach. Great joy flooded the hearts of the six missionaries of the FAR EASTERN GOSPEL CRUSADE as they realized that they would soon be in the land of Japan—to live and work for the Lord who had called them to this part of the whitened harvest field. We reached the Pilot Station about 6:30 p.m. and at first thought that we would have to stay outside the harbor until the next morning. However, before long, the pilot came on board along with the Medical Officer, and in a short time we were moving into the inner harbor. Darkness had settled as the ship pulled slowly into the dock and then we realized that there were missionaries there to meet us. As soon as we got close enough to join with them in song, we all lifted our voices in the Doxology. My sister, Helen Best Degelman, whom I had not seen for thirteen years, was on the dock with her husband. They have been missionaries in Japan for four years under the Evangelical Alliance Mission. After we were through Immigration and Customs, we rode through the streets of Yokohama where one sees much evidence of the occupation and western influence. That night we went to my sister’s home in Yokosuka. The fol lowing day we were brought into Tokyo and had our first ride on an electric train from there to Higashi Kurume. These electric trains are a vital part of Japanese life and they run on an exact schedule. We soon found this out when we missed one by about thirty seconds! They are usually very crowded, and a place to sit is at a premium. However it is a wonderful place to get acquainted with the people and to do personal work for the Lord. When we reached Higashi Kurume, in the country about an hour’s ride from downtown Tokyo, we made qur way on foot through the little village to the property of the Japan Bible Institute. School is not in session, so this is to be our home for three months where we will have the first part of our language study. When we were shown to our liv ing quarters, we were told that we should remove our shoes before stepping onto the floor of our living room. This was our first step in becoming “ as the Japanese” and already we have become quite accustomed to the slippered feet indoors, and even at the church services. A knowledge of the language is vital to any missionary who wishes to reach
read and appreciated. The opportunities seem endless. In order to carry out a program of rural evangelism, we urgent ly need a boarding school for the chil dren of those who go to live in the vil lages. September will soon be here and many of us would like to see such a school in operation by that time. The present Christian Day School in Tokyo is inadequate. Plans are afoot for this project, but there are many details to be worked out. In addition to the teaching staff (two are ready to come out as soon as the way opens), there is the need for living quarters and all the other things that go to make a home for the little ones who have shared with their parents in the cost of bringing the gospel to the people of this land. This is a project which needs urgent prayer. Just a week ago I was on a field trip along with another new worker, an older worker, and a Japanese interpreter. We stayed a night in a Japanese hotel, the manager of which permitted us to use three connecting rooms for an evening service. About eighty people attended this meeting and most of them seemed to have a definite desire that a mission ary couple come to reside in their area. The next morning we went to another small town for a service in the home of a Christian. There are about twenty be lievers in this area who need teaching. On Sunday afternoon we visited one of the largest Buddhist temples in Japan. One could not help but think of Proverbs 16:25: “ There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We went in to see the bones of Nichi Ren, the founder of this sect of Buddhism. All the time that we were in the room a priest had to chant prayers and beat on a drum. After we came out of this room, our interpreter spoke to the priest who was showing us around, telling him of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. How good to be able to tell the people of an empty tomb and a risen Saviour! This priest told us that he did not have the peace for which he was looking. He told us that he was going to start reading the Bible. Will you not pray that the Lord will open his eyes that he and many others of these re ligious leaders may see Jesus who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. The task in Japan is great and will require our all, both in earnest endeav our and personal sacrifice, but we rejoice to think that we shall have a part in reaping in this harvest field. Please pray that we, who represent you in this land, may walk worthy of this calling where with we are called.
the hearts of the people. We have often noticed how pleased the people are when we use one or two words of our limited vocabulary. Invariably a broad smile lightens up their faces. We have three fifty-minute classes each morning in Japanese with three different teachers.
Rev. and Mrs. Sydney A. Best, and sons, Theodore, Trevor, Richard
The speaking of English is not permitted in these classes. I wish you could take a peek at one of our language classes and see us as we sit on cushions on the floor, which is covered with grass mats. We seat ourselves around a low square table. Perhaps by watching the little dark lady who is teaching us, you would under stand by her actions that she is saying, “What is this?—It is a red book.—This is a yellow pencil.—Is that small box over there red or blue?—You are study ing Japanese in this school. What is your name?” and so on. The Far Eastern Gospel Crusade has fifty teachers in Japan and is stressing the need for work in the rural areas. There are many in the villages who have never heard of the Saviour, and the Lord is opening many doors to us. From observations of the people in this vi cinity, one gathers that they are friendly and ready to listen to the messenger of the Lord. Tracts are readily received,
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