/;2

FEB -j

QmiiXiAH 5et?VICi
DALE and PEGGY WILKINSON - MISSIONARIES

Ronald C. Riddle - Forwarding Agent

Box 14652, Cincinnati, Ohio 45214

From the rising of the sun to the

i~" ^

going down of the same, the Lord's

N

^.

1 Qftl

reoruary c.j X701

name is to be praised.
Ps. 113:3

MlSSION SERVICES,ASSOC|AT I ON ^ 1NC*

P. 0.

Box 177; 900 West400 north

Kempton, in

46049

Dear Christian Friends,

Greetings In the Wonderful Name of our Lord Oesus Christ, Who is Lord over
everything that happens both here and in 3apan.

Thank you for your continued faithful support of the 3apanese Christian
Services in 1980, A statement is included below for tax deduction purposes. Fur

lough is an extreriely important time for any missionary family and this furlough
has been no exjeption for Hale, Peggy, and children. Of course, there are the op
portunities to share first-hand the work in 3apan with stateside churches. What
is just as important though is that which occurs within the missionary family as
they re-aroup and gain a fresh perspective of the calling they have received
from theLord of the Harvest. This has been a growing time for the Wilkinsons
and your loving support has made it possible. Thank you.

The furlough is Hearing its conclusion with the Wilkinsons set to head for
the Tokyo area in mid-surmier. With inflation continuing to be a stubborn foe
and several new special funds(i.e. van fund), your financial undergirding of the
endeavors in 3apan is still greatly needed. In fact, perhaps you could increase
your support to at least match the inflation rate(app. 12%}?!? Whatever, your
monetary and prayer backing of Oapanese Christian Services is vital,
are
a partner in the gospel 1
God's best to you in 1981,
tefully in Christ,
H, Spicei
President, Bd. of Trustees

During the year of 19eo(aan. 1 - Dec.?!), Mission SERViCES-AssgeiATroN, Inc.

contributed $

50*90

toward the work of 3apanese Christian Services, Inc.

Treasurer/For. Agent

(the LIGHT)
TAKING CHRIST'S LIGHT TO JAPAN'S DARKNESS

NEWS FROM JAPAN

and the

WILKINSONS
MARCH, 1981

MARK, TIM, BETH, PEGGY, DALE, BILLY

WILKINSONS TO RETURN TO JAPAN ON AUGUST 3

Dear friends,

Our long furlough is rapidly drawing to a close. Lord willing, we will return to Japan on August
3. The extra time we have spent in the U.S. has been very helpful. Being away from Japan for a
while has enabled us to gain a fresh and valuable perspective of the mission field and we will be

better missionaries as a result of the time spent in America. We are grateful for your continued
prayer and financial support of the Japanese Christian Services during this time. Your patience,
understanding, and trust have meant a great deal. You have been God's encouragement to us to
continue this important work.

Our plans are to relocate on the northwest fringe of Tokyo. There has been a major population
shift to this area in recent years with the development of many large suburban communities. In
addition to the great potential for the Lord's work,our children,Beth,Tim,and Billy will be able to
commute to and from the Christian Academy, a school for missionary children. We are trusting
the Lord to lead us to just the right area and house. There is a possibility that we will have to live in
temporary quarters for a while until a house can be located through a rental agency.
Although our total mission income is higher than in the past, we still need additional support,
largely because of inflation, high cost of housing in Japan,and the need of our children to attend

school. Rent will be about $500 a month for a small house. We may have to pay about $1,000 for
rental deposit fees and also install our own heating system. The cost ofschoolfor our children will

be about $450 a month. Because the Japanese reading and writing system is so complicated most
missionary children must attend private English school. Altogether we need about $600
additional monthly support. The Lord has proved over and over again that He can and will
provide if we and you trust and obey His will. We feel though that the Lord is not pleased when we
go into debt, so we are determined not to do so. Several years ago, we were unable to pay our bill
at the Christian Academy and at the Language school and we also had other outstanding bills.
Our children had to drop out of school. Peg and I were forced to discontinue vital Japanese
language studies and even worse, non-Christians were tempted to speak evil of the Lord and the
church. This should never be! For this reason, we beg you to be in fervent prayer so that full
support will be provided before we depart for Japan this summer.

Although our remaining time in the U.S. is short, we hope to see you again before we depart. If
you would like for us to visit your congregation, participate in Vacation Bible School, Missions
programs, etc., please contact us as soon as possible.
Yours in Christ,

i
NARtTAlTf

If

O^yO lntfnof>o'9l^irpo.V.

ina Se

TOTAL

ON

STILL

NEEDED

HAND

NEEDED

$3,600/month

$3,000/month

$600/month

Travel and Shipping

5,500

5,500

-0-

Vehicle Purchase in Japan

6,400

2,060

4,340

700

-0-

700

Language School

1,000

-0-

1,000

Miscellaneous Supplies

1,000

70

930

Resettlement Costs

2,500

262

2,238

BUDGET

GENERAL FUND

Salary for Dale Wilkinson, Housing costs.

Children's education.Operating Expenses,
Work of Evangelism, etc.

SPECIAL NEEDS

16 mm Sound Movie Projector

(rental house deposit fees, heating system,

washing machine, etc.)

FURLOUGH ADDRESS

FORWARDING ADDRESS

If you would like for us to present our work in

Japan to your congregation or to send
Vacation Bible School materials, please

FOR FUNDS
JAPANESE CHRISTIAN SERVICES, INC.

RONALD RIDDLE, FORWARDING AGENT

contact us at our home address:

131 Edison Avenue

Circleville, Ohio 43113

phone: (614) 474-4806

BOX 14652

CINCINNATI, OHIO 45214

ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

The Board of Trustees of the Japanese Christian
Services, Inc., held their annual board meeting on
December 6, 1980, in Cincinnati. Plans were made
for the Wilkinsons to return to Japan,the budgetfor
1981 was approved, and officers were elected. Jim

Spicer, minister of the President Drive Church of

Christ is president. Ken Helms, an elder of the
Mason Church of Christ is Vice President, and
Ronald Riddle, an elder ofthe Western Hills Church
of Christ, is Secretary-Treasurer. Other board
members are Dan McArthur,Tim McDonough,Tony
Rocquemore,Bobby Kelly, Otis Goodin,Joe Morgan,
Fred Daugherty,and John Shipman,all of whom are
officers of the President Drive Church of Christ.

ABOUT JAPAN

Climate & clothing

Located in the North Temperate Zone, the climate of Japan
is similar to that of the middle belt of the U.S. end central and

Mission Services
Box 177

Kempton, Indiana 46049

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage
PAID

southern parts of Europe. Clothing worn there in the corre

sponding season is usually suitable in Japan. The mean tempera
tures. humidity and rainy days during the four seasons in the
major cities are as follows:

Kempton, IN
Permit #4

Spring

Winter
(Jan.)

Sapporo

22.8
33.1
Sendai
39.4
Tokyo
Nagoya
37.8
Kyoto
38.3
Hiroshima 39.4
Takamatsu 39.9
Fukuoka
41.5
Kagoshima 44.1
Naha

(Apr.)
R

Summer
(Jul.)

Autumn
(Oct.)

75 16 43.0 68 9 68.4
71 6 49.3 67 8 71.8
57 5 56.3 66 10 77.4
71 7 55.6 69 10 78.3
72 5 55.6 67 7 79.0
71 7 55.4 71 10 77.9
69 7 54.9 74 10 79.0

Note: "T" stands for temperature (in F.

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

80
86
79
81
76
82
81
75 12 57.0 74 10 79.7 80
75 11 60.1 76 12 80.4 82
60.8 70 13 69.4 79 10 82.8 82

(in %) and "R" for rainy days.

9 50.7
13 57.2
10 62.4
12 61.9
8 62.1
8 62.2
10 62.1
11 63.1
13 66.4
9 75.4

74 13
77 9
74 11
76 9
74 5
75 6
79 8
76 7
75 8
74 9

*H" for humidity

(the LIGHT)
TAKING CHRIST'S LIGHT TO JAPAN'S DARKNESS

NEWS FROM JAPAN

\ \'J
1

'

and the

WILKINSONS
JULY, 1981

MARK, TIM, BETH, PEGGY, DALE, BILLY

AUGUST 1 DEPARTURE DATE DELAYED

Even more difficult than the physical work of

moving is the saying of goodbyes to our loved ones

and friends. During the past two years we've spenta

Japan has come. However, due to the

great deal of time with Dale's Mom,and family. The

Lord has given us many special friends in Circleville
and especially at the Northridge Church of Christ. It
will be especially difficult to leave our son Mark in
the U.S., but since he has decided to attend Bible
College, we are not so concerned for his welfare. The
Lord encourages us with this promise of Mark

sudden death of Dale's brother, the

10:29, 30.

Wilkinsons Make Necessary

Change in Plans
After a long two-year home-leave,
the Wilkinsons' time for their return to

Wilkinsons will not be returning on

August 1 as had been planned. They
have now set the last week of A ugust as
their scheduled time of departure.

Verily Isay unto you, There is no man that hath left

house, or brethren, or sisters, or father,or mother, or
wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the

The remainder of the copy of this

gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in

newsletter was prepared prior to the

this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and

mothers,and children, and lands, with persecutions;
and in the world to come eternal life.

unexpected death of Dale's brother.

The Lord has already provided a house to rent in

Japan.
Our house is now a beehive of activity. So much
needs to get done. There is final shopping for

supplies and extra clothing, deciding what to mail,

what to ship, what to discard, what to do with three
cats. The task of moving overseas is one of the most
difficult for a missionary family.
FORWARDING ADDRESS FOR FUNDS --

JAPANESE CHRISTIAN SERVICES,INC.

RONALD RIDDLE,FORWARDING AGENT
BOX 14652

CINCINNATI, OHIO 45214

Julius and Virginia Fleenor, long-time

missionaries, wrote and said that their rental house

would become vacant this summer. Several years
ago,the Fleenors purchased property and there were
two houses on the lot. They tore down thefront house
and built a church building with their apartment on
the second floor. The other house was remodeled and

is rented out to other missionaries. We will be living

next to a huge park, and just down the street to the
local train station. Beth, Tim,and Billy will be able
to commute to school at the Christian Academy in
Japan is only 20 minutes without any transfers.
This house, by the way, was the first place we ever
stayed, when we went to Japan in 1970. I Peter 5:7.

Yesterday we received a letter from Betty Patton in

Yokosuka. She has arranged for missionary Harold

As we pack our supply boxes and suitcases,and try to

decide what are the most important things to take,

Sims to meet us at the Tokyo airport with his van to

we remember the list of needs we mentioned in our

take us to Sayama. Betty is getting some of our

very first newsletter, when we wentto Japan in 1970.

Now, as then, there are a great many things that
we'd like to take, but what we NEED TO TAKE IN

things we had stored in Yokosuka ready for us. We

have some furniture there, and so we should be able
to set up housekeeping quickly.

OUR LIVES are these:

Our new address in Japan will be:

FAITH - THE DEEP-DOWN CONVICTION
THAT OUR LIVES ARE SAFELY IN OUR

Dale and Peggy Wilkinson

2001, 25-8 Irumagawa Machi, 4 Chome
Sayama-Shi, Saitama Ken, 350-13

HEA VENL Y FA THER'S HANDS.

LOVE - HAVING THE WONDERFUL HEART OF

After such a lengthy absence from Japan, we feel as

JESUS WITH A SPONTANEOUS COMPAS

if we are going there for the first time - as raw

SION FOR THE LOST.

recruits. Japan is a difficult mission field. The na

tion of Japan seems dedicated to the pursuit of
materialism, humanistic

philosophy, and

the

preservation of Buddhist traditions, and Shinto

nationalism. There is a great spiritual apathy in

Japan. There are many though who are"Hungering

and thirsting for righteousness." It would be a sad
commentary on our lives if we didn't at least try to

reach these with the gospel of Christ. We are

confident that God will give us victories. But we need

your prayers! With the Apostle Paul, we beg . ..

Pray for us, that God may open a door for
our message, so that we may proclaim the
mystery of Christ....(Col. 4:3)
Pray for~uS that'tfie message of th'e Lord
may spread rapidly, and be honored...
(2 Thess. 3:1)

HUMILITY - HAVING THE SELFLESS MIND

OF JESUS, BOWING IN FULL SURRENDER
TO GOD AND IN TENDER SERVICE TO
OTHERS.

PATIENCE NEEDED TO ENDURE LONG

HARD MONTHS, AND YEARS OF DIFFICULT
WORK, WAITING FOR THE LORD'S LEADING
AND THE PROMISED HARVEST.

ZEAL A BURNING DESIRE AND DRIVE TO

OBE Y THE GREA T COMMISSION OF CHRIST
WITHOUT REGARD FOR PERSONAL COSTS.
AND MUCH MUCH MORE...

In closing, may I remind you to endeavor to live a

victorious life in Christ, waiting, working, and

watching for our returning King.
In the words of Paul(Hebrews 10:23),

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

for he who promised is faithful.
In Christ,

Mission Services
Box 177

Kempton, Indiana 46049

Non Profit Org

U.S. Postage
PAID

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Kempton, IN
Permit #4

Street scene in Yokosuka, Japan

(the LIGHT)
TAKING CHRIST'S LIGHT TO JAPAN'S DARKNESS

i \i

NEWS FROM JAPAN

V

./

and the

WILKINSONS
OCTOBER, 1981

MARK, TIM, BETH. PEGGY, DALE, BILLY

Dear friends,

On September 3, we arrived in Tokyo, to begin our third

term of missionary work. Harold Sims was at the airport
early in the morning to greet us and to drive us to our house

in the city of Sayama,about 3 hours away. Milton Jones,

with whom we previously worked in Yokosuka, was on the
same flight from San Francisco. Milton came back to
Japan for a few weeks to gather information which he

needed for future planning concerning his family's return

to Japan for further missionary work. Milton stayed at our
house in Sayama most of his time in Japan, and was a

reluctantly, is struggling with a piano keyboard for the

first time. He'd much rather be in the park with a ball bat
and glove. Billy is learning to read in the first grade and to
speak Japanese at the same time. His favorite activity is
walking the Fellnors' dog in the park. When he found out
that most Japanese department stores have kiddie-lands,
complete with rides, on the roofs, he decided that maybe
he'd learn to like Japan after all.
Mark is a freshman at the Cincinnati Bible College. Two
days before we left for Japan,Peggy and I went with Mark
to Cincinnati to get him settled in the dormitory. Mark

great help in carrying our suitcases to and from the

writes that he was chosen to be in two singing groups and

airports.

that he is really enjoying school. The Mason (Ohio)

Our house here in Sayama was built years ago for an

American Air Force family. For about the past 15 years it

has been used by different missionaries. It now belongs to

Julius ai^ Virginia Fleenor. The Fleenors moved to

Sayama several years ago from the Shimo-Ochiai section
ofinner Tokyo. They built a two story building on the front
part of the property. The Sayama Church of Christ meets
on the first floor and the Fleenor residence is on the second

floor. Ourhouse,which werentfromthem,isnextdoor. To

one side of us is a large park which is popular with

Japanese families. We also live next to a Japanese Air

Force base and are treated to the sound of many jets which
constantly fly in and out on training maneuvers.
Since we had some furniture and household things left in
Yokosuka, where we previously lived, we were able to set
up housekeeping quickly. Milton Jones gave a much
needed hand in helping us move. It takes about 3 hours to
drive one way from Yokosuka to Sayama and we had two
round trips in a small truck, so we had a traveling time of
12 hours just to move furniture. On the first trip back to
Sayama, we neglected to cover our load with a tarpaulin
and of course, it rained. Our mattresses, pillows,and some
boxes were soaked by the time we got to Sayama.
Eventually everything dried out. The next day we covered
the second load. You guessed it -- no rain, whatsoever.
Since we were delayed in coming to Japan, Beth,Tim,and
Billy's school, the Christian Academy in Japan, had
already begun classes. Right away - before they had
gotten over their "jet lag", and even learned their way

Church of Christ is paying V2 of Mark's tuition and he also

is getting some assistance from the government BEOG
grant program. Ruby Smith, who attends the Cincinnati
Western Hills Church of Christ, sent a special gift of$100
to help Mark buy text books. Mark had to secure a loan

from the college to pay the rest of his school bill and this
needs to be paid off by the end of the semester in order for
him to register for the second semester. Perhaps your
Sunday school class or church group would like to consider
Mark's school bill as a special project. Please send such
help directly to either Mark, or to the Cincinnati Bible
College, 2700 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45204,
designated for his account.
On our first Sunday in Japan, we took the train to
Yokosuka. We had to transfer three times,and the trip took
about three hours from Sayama. But the reunion was well
worth the effort. We enjoyed seeing Andy and Betty
Patton again and also the Japanese Christians-Yoshidasan, Yokomizo-San, Ichino-sei-san, the Sunday School
children, and others too. Yoshida-san had just completed a
year at the Osaka Bible Seminary and was now living with
the Pattons for a while.

Kensei Yokomizo-san had

graduated from secular university and was now on

vacation from the Osaka Bible Seminary. We had worked
with these two young men in evangelism prior to our
furlough and we are happy that they are receiving
additional training to become church leaders. We are
planning to return to Yokosuka on a regular basis to do
evangelism there.

around -- they had to start school. The first couple of weeks

were really difficult. They had to learn how to travel to
school by train. More than once, they transferred from the
express train to the regular train at the wrong place and
ended up in unknown territory. The train they board at our
local station doesn't stop at the station nearest the school,
so they must change trains both going to school and
coming home. The Christian Academy is rather advanced,
so that means loads of homework most nights. Most of
September it was rainy and cool,and by 5:30 it was already

dark outside,so there was little time for outdoor play which
was frustrating for Tim and Billy. For the first few weeks,
the often repeated remark from Billy, who wasn't all that
excited about being in school all day,since he only went to
kindergarten a half day last year, was, "Let's go home
now"!(back to Ohio). It was hard for him to realize that we
had moved. Now that we have more furniture,a TV set,and
have overcome the initial shock of culture change, we are
fairly well organized again and adjusted to Japan. Beth is
in the CAJ school choir and she and Peg are sewing her
choir gown. Beth has renewed friendships with girls she

went to school with several years ago. Tim, though

Paul Pratt teaching the gospel to school children In Kamo.

Peggy and I have begun to help out in the church work here
in Sayama. This past Lord's Day, for example, the
Fleenors conducted a retreat at their camp facility in the

mountain village of Karuizawa. Peg and I stayed behind

"to hold down the fort". Peggy assisted the Japanese

Sunday School teacher. During the morning worship

service I showed a moviefrom Dr.James Dobson's FOCUS
ON THE FAMILY series. Over twenty Japanese were

present,some for the first time. After the service,there was

a pot luck lunch, complete with rice balls wrapped in sea
weed, other oriental foods, and American and European-

type dishes. In the afternoon, I taught a Japanese Bible

study from the book of J ames. I was also in charge of the
evening English service, which involved leading the
singing and preaching.

Together with other area missionaries, we are part of a

team called the Kanto Evangelistic Association. The word
"Kanto" is the Japanese term for the part of the country
covered by the Tokyo Metropolis and six other prefectures.
Missionaries working now with the KEA are Stephen
Fleenor, Julius Fleenor, Paul Pratt, Warren Christianson,

Dale helping Christians in Kamo prepare tracts for distribution.

David Cole, Bill Turner, and myself and from time to time
other Church of Christ missionaries.

Most weeks on

Thursdays and Fridays we distribute Bible portions at the

schools and from door to door in various neighborhoods.

As we drove to the places of baptism -- a small river just

outside of Kamo, we passed through a picturesque farming

area. Niigata Prefecture is the "rice basket" of Japan and
this was harvest time. Scores offarmers and their families

were in the fields, wielding large sickles, to harvest the

grain. Others were now using modern combines. The

sheaves of grain were then hung across drying racks at the
edge of the rice paddies. After the precious grain had been
harvested, the farmers then set fire to their fields to clear
them of the unwanted stubble.

The smoke from the

burning stubble was so thick at times, the speed limit on

the highways had to be reduced because of poor visibility.
This scene was a vivid reminder of God's word which

speaks of the end times when all the evil and wickedness of

this present age will be destroyed like stubble which is

burned (Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 3:12). The conversion of
Igarashi-san and his baptism there in the river near Kamo
prove that a harvest of souls is ready in Japan. May we
all be diligent in God's field while there is still time.

Evangelistic meeting in city of Kamo.

Also we teach Bible stories, using picture rolls, to school

children right at the school gate. In September, we made a
special trip to the city of Kamo, in Niigata Prefecture,
which is on the opposite side of Japan. The trip by car took

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shout-

about 6 hours one way, through the mountainous interior.

inp. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag

Gospel portions were distributed to students at several

of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout ofjoy,

schools along with invitations to the evangelistic meetings

each night at the Kamo Church of Christ. The response
was exciting. Julius Fleenor baptized a young carpenter,
who had been won to the Lord by the local Christians,
when he came to build doors for the new church building

bringing his sheaves with him."

last year. Twelve other mailed in cards and requested that

In Christ.

Bibles be sent to them. Others wrote and asked that an

evangelist counsel with them.

There is no Japanese

preacher with the church at Kamo - only a small band of

enthusiastic Christians. Because of the need and open
door in Kamo, Julius Fleenor and I have decided to make
the long trip there once a month to nurture the church and
to assist them in evangelism. Please pray for this worki

Mission Services
Box 177

Non Profit Org.

Kempton, Indiana 46049

U.S. Postage

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Kempton. IN

PAID

Address in Japan;
Dale and Peggy Wilkinson
Box 22. Irumagawa-Machi, 4-2r>-8
Sayama-Shi. Sailama-Ken. 350-13
Japan

Permit 4

Forwarding Address:
.lapanese Christian Services, Inc.
Box 14H52

Cincinnati. Ohio l.*)2M

-Psalm 126:5,6