Stan Murray writes about Reid and his recent trip to Japan/Okinawa

October 15, 2009

Reid and I have had a wonderful time with partners and missionaries here in Japan/Okinawa so far. We spent two nights in Okinawa meeting with the Turleys, seeing Okinawa Christian School International, and visiting with the leadership of the OBC. Now we are making our way through the many events associated with the celebrations of Kanto Gakuin's (K-Master's) 125th anniversary celebration here in Yokohama. Started by IM missionaries in the late 1800s, it is now a thriving school system with about 18,000 students. The school is highly secularized and there is a battle to maintain the Christian influence. These days of remembering the sacrifice and dedication of those early missionaries (Tennys and Bennettes especially) has been a good way for the Christian beginnings and purpose of the school to be made known to so many who do not know. Yesterday's program included a bugle and drum corps of the elementary and middle school students, a 60 piece middle and high school orchestra, a nursery school of 80 kids singing "Every Day with Jesus" and Reid giving greetings before the crowd of several hundred with ME translating into Japanese. It was scary because I am so rusty but everyone was gracious and I think most of it was communicated. There are about 15 people from each of the Bennett and Tenney families here for the celebrations some of which did not know that Kanto still existed much less that they would have the opportunity to make their first trip to Japan to learn and celebrate what their ancestors had done. There are some tours to the original and present campuses tomorrow ending in a dedication service at the gravesites of the missionaries who literally "gave their lives" at the cemetery for foreigners here in Yokohama.

Reid returns to you on Tuesday but I am staying on for a few more days to visit the Amagosts in Kobe and return to spend some additional time in Okinawa. Pray for Japan! In spite of the strong Christian witness through the starting of a number of schools and churches here, Japanese Christians struggle for a vision to reach their nation for Christ. They need our encouragement and support. See you all in a week or so!