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.
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, "
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
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."