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3574 SM. 12ih St,

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50315

EjwjL^t and and No-va ToAsa.

4-5 Nonih 49, Sa^i 15

De./) Ho-ine^, IA

HJ.gayiihJ, ku, SAPPORO 065 p\PA/\l

September 1985

Dear Friends in Christ,

Sometime in June a man came to the church door and began asking questions about the church here. Ernest invited him in and among the questions that he asked were: "Do you emphasize the cross? Do you baptize by immersion? Do you serve communion every Sunday?" By the questions we knew that he had some knowledge of Christianity, Then he

said that his family were members of the Mormon

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church but during his recent hospitalization he

had read the Bible through and had come to the conclusion that the Mormon church was wrong and he was looking for a church that was truer to

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been a member of the Mormon church would prevent

him from being a member of any other church.

the Bible. He also wanted to know if his having

and later with his

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After talking with him,

family, Mr. and Mrs. Iga [ee-gah] and his mother

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were baptized into Christ on July 7th.

On the same day a 59 year old man that Ernest baptized in Obihiro (his first baptism in Japan) came forward to rededicate his life and
to put his membership in the Higashi ku church. Over the years he has had serious trouble with drinking and infidelity. A few years ago his
wife l e f t him and h i s three children w i l l have

nothing to do with him. Presently he is in poor health with high blood pressure and diabetes. Please pray for him as we work with him.
MRS. YAMAKAWA AND DAICHI

Most of our regular supporters know that on Easter Sunday a son of one of our members was also baptized. His name is Daichi Yamakawa. He is a sixth grader. He says that he wants to be a preacher. Right now he is interested in doing what he can to help the church and live a Christian life.

Early this year we began thinking about trying to secure land and a building for a camp
for the Hokkaido churches.

After looking at and turning down one possibility, we decided

to secure the services of a land broker who has done business with us several times

the last 20 years. Ernest told Mr.Yoshida that we were looking for a camp site near a lake with an old building that could be converted to a camp building. He located a relatively se cluded i acre property over looking beautiful Lake Toya,
some hours from Sapporo. At first he suggested a used pre fab building but because i t wasn't possible to convert i t to a second story building he made arrangements to secure an old

TOYA CHRISIAN

HOUSE

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^ "^^t s i d e' w i n dows wer e al u mi n um' s o chen, and dining/meeting room' on

the first floor and two rooms
sleeping on the second

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stove, and other misc. things to

A fund that has built up over the years from money Japanese churches have paid on

MR. KIMURA PREACHING AT CAMP

their buildings and English

pay for the land and building. Costs were reduced as Ernest and Neva enjoyed a few days of vacation at the lake refinishing the inside windows and doors and painting
the woodwork. Moiwashita and Tomakomai churches donated some equipment for the
building.

class receipts was sufficient to

Dedication for the Christians from Higashi Also present were three building. Due to other

camp site, called Toya Christian House, was on July 21st with ku, Moiwashita, and Tomakomai churches of Christ present. gentlemen who were responsible for obtaining the site and the commitments the contractor was not able to be present.

Four different groups have used the site this summer with over 100 people involved , The Higashi ku Church is planning a fall retreat there on September 22 and
23, a national holiday in Japan. We look

forward to greater usage next year. Upkeep of the building is paid for from fees charged to
the churches who use the camp site.

Our summer schedule included VBS with 18 children in attendance. This was held July 29-

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enrolling in Sunday School. Our camp was held

We are having this letter commercially printed in order to get better reproductions of
appreciate the difference.

31 and resulted in two neighborhood children

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the pictures. We hope you like it and

We are always in need of your prayers-both

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for ourselves and for the local Christians and several interested people who attend services.

waiting for this letter, for letters you have

sent, and/or gifts that you have given us to
enable us to remain on the field.

We want to thank you for your patience in

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MR. YOSHIDA RECEIVING THANKS

Yours in His service.