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M I S S IO N S F E A T U R E
When I Was Sick
by Thomas W. Klewin
most essential ingredient of all — love. It is this which Bill Ontjes is bringing to the lepers at Tama-gen- shoen. He works with and through the tiny nucleus of Christians at the le persarium. A Japanese pastor and an American missionary have been try ing to give some of their limited time to the work at the lepersarium, but they were in need of help. Sgt. Ontjes and a few others from Tachikawa AFB are trying to extend the scope of the work. What does Bill Ontjes do since he knows no Japanese and the patients know no English? How does he com municate with them? His communi cation is twofold. The pastor and the missionary are his interpreters. But more important is the communica tion Christians have used since the days of Christ — Christian love.
own society. Today he is fed, clothed, and housed by the Japanese govern-
I f y o u a s k the Air Force who he is, they’d reply with his name, rank, serial number, and the organization for which he works. Ask the same question of the lepers at Tama-gen- shoen, Japan, and they’d answer, “ He’s an angel from heaven.” If you put the question to the man himself, he’d modestly reply, “ I’m only a Christian doing what Christ has com manded of me.” In reality, S/Sgt William Ontjes of Tachikawa AFB, Japan, is a little of each. As a member of the Air Force he has a name, rank, and serial num ber. He is stationed only 20 miles from the lepersarium of Tama-gen- shoen where he spends some of his off-duty time working with the 1200 lepers living there. The key to this Sergeant lies in his perspective of life. He considers himself as a dedicated Christian who happened to choose the Air Force as his career. Yet it has never super seded his love for the Lord who died for him. It is for this reason he has chosen to work with the lepers during his off-duty hours. It was his deep concern for the spiritual welfare of the lepers which led him to give his time to working among them. He stated it succinctly, but sincerely when he said, “God showed so much concern for me, I can’t help but re flect some of this concern for others.” Bill Ontjes began his work among the lepers when a friend invited him to spend an afternoon at the leper sarium. The first visit convinced Bill that this was a mission project in which he could lend assistance. As he said to me, “ I had little money, but plenty of time. I discovered at Tama- genshoen how little it costs to bring the Gospel to others — all it takes is time and love.” As was true in the days of Christ, the leper is still an outcast from his 20
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This is the first American pumpkin pie this Japanese Christian leper has ever eaten. Although leprosy has taken both of his legs, yet his faith and joy in Christ are a blessing to all he meets. (Sgt. Miller is on the left and Sgt. Ontjes in the center.) ment. He is offered the finest in medi cal care. But this does not supply that
The “ Chapel Choir” is being led by Mr. Ushino.whose wife has leprosy. Note the joy that Christ brings to the lives of these people although they have lost portions of their bodies because of this dread disease. The joy of Christ among these faithful witnesses is a marked contrast with the general hopelessness in the area.
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