Tag Archives: missionary work narrative

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 73

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The following is a translation of Part 73 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the January 2009 (No. 481) issue of Taimō, pp. 34–35. This translation is a preliminary one and thus may require further revision.

Part 73: Making Earnest Efforts Toward O-Tasuke

In 1894, Kano Murofushi departed Shizuoka for Oshu, accompanying her husband Yasubei to engage in missionary work. Whenever they arrived at a fork in the road, they took off their footwear and threw them in the air. They then went in the direction their footwear happened to fall toward.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 65

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The following is a translation of Part 65 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the May 2008 (No. 473) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 65: The Reflection of Sincerity

Yoshi Nakagawa spent her days and nights engaging in salvation work while living outdoors. Talk began among her devout followers to rent a place for her.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 62

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The following is a translation of Part 62 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the February 2008 (No. 470) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 62: A Resolution to be Single-Heartedly Dedicated to God

The Shiwaku Islands in the Seto Inland Sea comprise 28 islands of various sizes. The islands are renowned for their panoramic, scenic beauty. The name “Shiwaku” is said to have derived from “shio-waku” (literally, “gushing current”), which describes the swift ocean currents that flow between these islands. One of the central islands of Shiwaku is Honjima. In 1896, the man who transmitted the path to this island was a missionary named Eisa Sato.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 58

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The following is a translation of Part 58 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the October 2007 (No. 466) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 58: “God the Parent Will Prepare Everything for You Beforehand”

Sakujiro and Tsushi Ueno left for Hawaii in 1929. They decided to dedicate themselves to the overseas mission when they were nearing their 50s. While a normal couple may have had trepidation about the future, Rev. and Mrs. Ueno had faith in the words of the Rev. Yoshizo Katayama, the head minister of Honjima Daikyokai, who told them that, “God the Parent will prepare everything for you beforehand,” and they left for Hawaii with only enough money to cover immediate accommodations on their arrival.

As soon as they arrived, they met a young Chinese sweets confectioner who sought relief from his debilitating asthma. Rev. and Mrs. Ueno immediately left to administer the Sazuke on this young man. Although they could not communicate with him because of a language barrier, with their diligent administering of the Sazuke, the young man could see how they were fervently praying for him and he clasped his hands in prayer together with them.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 50

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The following is a translation of Part 50 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the February 2007 (No. 458) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 50: Saving Another At the Risk of Her Life

This is a story from the time when Yoshi Nakagawa, the first head minister of Tohon Daikyokai, was still doing missionary work in Akakuma. She stepped into a general goods store and the old woman who ran it mentioned to her that a woman nearby had just passed away after suffering form post-delivery complications. Yoshi causally responded to this by saying: “That’s quite a shame! It wouldn’t have come to that if she had only clung to God for protection!”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 49

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The following is a translation of Part 49 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the January 2007 (No. 457) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 49: “Solely On Your State of Mind”

February 1931 in Niigata: An elderly woman suffering from a middle ear infection came to Suibara Senkyosho seeking for help. Her doctor had said, “I cannot guarantee that your life will be saved even if I operate.”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 45

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The following is a translation of Part 45 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the September 2006 (No. 453) issue of Taimo , pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 45: Indigo Ball

In 1879, Bunkichi Nakagawa, who made his living as a dyer in the Honden section of Osaka, succumbed to a sudden illness of the eyes that left him nearly blind. As Bunkichi’s dyeing business was flourishing, he spared no expense on doctors and medicine. He also prayed to the gods and buddhas at various shrines and temples for a full recovery, but there was no sign of any improvement. His illness grew worse and his doctor declared his case as hopeless, saying, “There’s no chance for a full recovery.”

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 41

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The following is a translation of Part 41 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the May 2006 (No. 449) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 41: Bamboo Brooms

Naka Higashida was born in 1893 in Mifune-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture. When she came of age, her aunt who had relocated to Hawaii came to her with a marriage proposal. It was an arranged marriage with a mere exchange of photos, and it was decided that Naka would go to Hawaii to marry. Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 41 →

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 40

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The following is a translation of Part 40 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the April 2006 (No. 448) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision. (This is part two of a two-part series [see part one])

Part 40: The Faith of Choe Jae-Han (2 of 2)

Choe Jae-Han (the first head minister of Won Nam Seong Gyohae) was brought back to life after Rev. Hideno Kimura’s administering of the Sazuke. Still, he had lost much of his vision and his arms and legs were bent inward, making him look like a cicada nymph.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 35

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The following is a translation of Part 35 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the November 2005 (No. 443) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 35: The Faith of Yoshi Nakagawa (3 of 3)

Yoshi, who just gave birth to her third child Mitsunosuke, had made a promise to take a blind old lady to Jiba. The day that Yoshi made this appointment happened to be three days after she gave birth. In normal circumstances, a person would have either been forced to postpone or cancel the appointment altogether on the premise of having just given birth. But Yoshi was different. She had not only made a promise to this old lady; she had made a promise to God as well. The people around her tried to persuade Yoshi from doing so but she paid no attention to their pleas.

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