DEDICATION

To our beloved children, Sandra, Gery, Sheryl and Gordon and their "Spice" Chuck, Anne, Mark and Lynn who have brought so much joy and excitement into our lives.

 

PREFACE

 

How ironic that the "Happy Way Courtyard" became an emblem of oppression under the heel of Japanese militarists! That which had formerly been a stronghold of conservative Christianity was drastically changed. For three decades these walls had housed a hospital, with nurses training school and doctors' residences, a Bible women's training school with dormitories, elementary and middle schools, as well as living quarters (single storied), row upon row. In a prominent place, near the main entrance, was the sturdily built brick church with a seating capacity of 300.

 

But in 1943 this community became the prison home for 1800 civilians from Allied nations. Malnutrition, disease and suffering made a mockery of the name, "Happy Way." Guard towers manned by Japanese soldiers, searchlights and machine guns became symbols of death and destruction. Yet, the sudden dawn of the atomic age dramatically changed all, and the glorious moment of liberty finally came. At last, the loathsome bars of confinement were broken.

 

This account of God's protection and care is a story of answered prayer. With the recovery of freedom we were ushered into a world from which we had been isolated for four war-weary years.

 

During deputation years (the years in the States which have punctuated a lifetime of overseas missionary work) many encouraged us to write down the story of our prison camp experience. We did have a journal, but it was a mere record of events, escalating food prices and deteriorating living conditions.

 

The first reader of my typed journal tersely said, "It won't fly." However, in the ensuing years we've had time to reflect on our story and share the heart as well as the events themselves.

 

Christine and I are deeply indebted to Carroll Ferguson Hunt and Edward M. Erny. Carroll did a rewrite of the original journal, preserving the facts and highlighting the more interesting sections. Then Ed, my nephew, added historical perspective to round out the story — describing our family heritage, the 15 months under house arrest in Peking, and a sequel to our Weihsien days.

 

A glimpse of the afteryears again shows the marvelous faithfulness of God and illustrates the way He has brought us through in the ultimate triumph He promises every believer. Etched indelibly upon our hearts is the appropriate word of Paul in I Thessalonians 2:8 (NASB), "Having thus a fond affection for you [our Chinese brothers], we are well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also, our own lives, because you have become very dear to us."

 

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