[Handwritten by Lea: Shirogane Machi, July 1956]
Hachinohe Tent Campaign
Before the Campaign
For several months we had anticipated a tent campaign in Hachinohe and had been looking to God to prepare us, the Japanese evangelists coming to us and the hearts of the lost souls all around us. Finally on the morning of July 7th, the first of the team arrived and two days later they were intact and ready to start to work. We were glad to have them in our home and we look back with joy upon the hours of fellowship that were ours, some spent in prayer and Bible study, some in helpful discussion and some around our greatly enlarged table.
That first day was a busy one for the tent had to be erected on previously arranged-for property, benches were constructed from donated lumber, posters and handbills were displayed on busy city streets and large banners and signs were arranged in an eye-catching manner in front of the tent.
During the Campaign
Having seen to these details there remained yet the work of inviting in from the highways and byways the souls whom we were seeking. Throughout the campaign the afternoons were spent in house to house visiting and in street preaching. Most of the outdoor preaching was done on the wharf where crowds of fishermen gathered each afternoon before their boats put out to sea.
A good number of people came to evening meetings because they had been invited to do so during the day. Over 22,000 tracts were distributed and we know that many of them were preserved and read, for missionaries of another group have since visited along the coast and have found our literature in a number of homes. During the campaign a book stall was also set up outside the tent and portions of Scripture sold. Part of each day had to be spent in the preparation of tracts and literature for distribution and often further announcements had to be printed.
The children’s meeting began at six and was always packed out, the average attendance being around 200. The adult meeting began at 7:30 and there was often a full tent with more women than men. Watanabe San, the evangelist preached the Word with power and always followed it with a strong appeal to believe in Christ the risen Savior. About this time the coming and going would stop and those really interested would stay behind for a further talk with Japanese believers or the missionary. There was no pressing for decisions but during this time some did truly believe.
After the Campaign
We are conscious of a number of results from the campaign and cannot but rejoice in the increase, in attendance at services, in interest and in the number of callers we have. It is good to have people coming to our door inquiring the Way of Life.
We rejoice too at some of the signs of spiritual growth which we have already seen in the new believers. Miss Iwafuji who seemed to be really prepared of God is a truly born again believer and was so glad last Sun. to be able to witness for her Saviour and to give out tracts. She said “This morning when I got up I wanted to do some work for Jesus today, and I’m so glad now that I can give out tracts and help this afternoon.” Then there is Mr. Enomoto, a fisherman who attends our services regularly now, last Sunday, of his own accord, without prompting or teaching he left us some money for the Lord’s work. These things thrill us and we long to see more.
There is much visiting and follow-up work yet to be done and we know that you will pray with us for wisdom in it all and for fruit that will remain from this campaign.
Louise Little (signed by hand)
Hachinohe Tent Campaign
Before the Campaign
For several months we had anticipated a tent campaign in Hachinohe and had been looking to God to prepare us, the Japanese evangelists coming to us and the hearts of the lost souls all around us. Finally on the morning of July 7th, the first of the team arrived and two days later they were intact and ready to start to work. We were glad to have them in our home and we look back with joy upon the hours of fellowship that were ours, some spent in prayer and Bible study, some in helpful discussion and some around our greatly enlarged table.
That first day was a busy one for the tent had to be erected on previously arranged-for property, benches were constructed from donated lumber, posters and handbills were displayed on busy city streets and large banners and signs were arranged in an eye-catching manner in front of the tent.
During the Campaign
Having seen to these details there remained yet the work of inviting in from the highways and byways the souls whom we were seeking. Throughout the campaign the afternoons were spent in house to house visiting and in street preaching. Most of the outdoor preaching was done on the wharf where crowds of fishermen gathered each afternoon before their boats put out to sea.
A good number of people came to evening meetings because they had been invited to do so during the day. Over 22,000 tracts were distributed and we know that many of them were preserved and read, for missionaries of another group have since visited along the coast and have found our literature in a number of homes. During the campaign a book stall was also set up outside the tent and portions of Scripture sold. Part of each day had to be spent in the preparation of tracts and literature for distribution and often further announcements had to be printed.
The children’s meeting began at six and was always packed out, the average attendance being around 200. The adult meeting began at 7:30 and there was often a full tent with more women than men. Watanabe San, the evangelist preached the Word with power and always followed it with a strong appeal to believe in Christ the risen Savior. About this time the coming and going would stop and those really interested would stay behind for a further talk with Japanese believers or the missionary. There was no pressing for decisions but during this time some did truly believe.
After the Campaign
We are conscious of a number of results from the campaign and cannot but rejoice in the increase, in attendance at services, in interest and in the number of callers we have. It is good to have people coming to our door inquiring the Way of Life.
We rejoice too at some of the signs of spiritual growth which we have already seen in the new believers. Miss Iwafuji who seemed to be really prepared of God is a truly born again believer and was so glad last Sun. to be able to witness for her Saviour and to give out tracts. She said “This morning when I got up I wanted to do some work for Jesus today, and I’m so glad now that I can give out tracts and help this afternoon.” Then there is Mr. Enomoto, a fisherman who attends our services regularly now, last Sunday, of his own accord, without prompting or teaching he left us some money for the Lord’s work. These things thrill us and we long to see more.
There is much visiting and follow-up work yet to be done and we know that you will pray with us for wisdom in it all and for fruit that will remain from this campaign.
Louise Little (signed by hand)