<p>My children loved to hear stories and that is one reason I love to tell them. I observe that the students in my classrooms pay closer attention when I’ve illustrated academic truths with stories from life’s experiences. I have also noticed that when I amplify points in my messages given in churches with a well told story that a few more people wake up from their naps. When asked to comment on a lecture or a message I am aware that the supporting stories stand out in my memory more than the factual points themselves. As I read the gospel accounts I am impressed that some of the greatest truths of Jesus are contained in stories. For these reasons the format of this book is story telling and I believe the stories will draw interest because they are true.  The mentors that God has placed in my life helped give me interpersonal peace and greater appreciation for others by removing misunderstandings that came from cultural stereotypes. Having served in the US Navy in World War II it was inevitable that I should be exposed to ugly, negative images about the Japanese. Because God called me to serve as a missionary in Japan I also became aware over the years of the beauty and sensitivity latent in Japanese hearts even prior to their introduction to Christianity. The true stories that I am recording do not gloss over human error, either ours or others, but they do reveal the socio-historical circumstances that compelled behavior that was later regretted. In addition to bringing understanding about historical and cultural contexts I want to recount the stories of changes in the hearts of people who have encountered the grace of God.  As well as going to bat for the beleaguered missionaries in Japan by relating accounts of their patience and faithfulness, I look forward to sharing many stories of dedicated national church leaders. In the process, honesty dictates that we reveal the tensions that arise at times between missionaries and their Japanese coworkers. Thankfully we can also tell of the healing and blessings that God brings when we mutually lay our problems before Him.  It has been fun to retell stories of living in Japan to my five offspring, three of whom were born there. Without discounting Catholic strengths in the focus on celibate workers, I want to affirm the testimony of the Protestant missionary family as one of the most effective witnesses in missions. My wife and children opened doors that would have remained closed to me. Our bonding experiences with Japanese families led to mutual understanding that would not have come as easily by the verbal teaching of an adult male alone. The age spread in our family prevented a generation gap in our witness. Our visible love for our growing children convinced others of our ability to love them also.  Above all I am glad that I can share true stories of the providential love of God. At times when our own efforts fell far short in communicating His message God provided bridges of understanding that closed the gaps. We were privileged to see Him change the hearts of others through circumstances of which we were unaware and did not fully understand even when we heard about them. We learned through experience that “all things work together for good to those who love God.” (Rom 8:28).   The structure of the book is chronological. Early stories are about our Japan experiences while living there from 1954 to 1970. Later accounts are about periodic re-visits as a missions professor introducing students to the field. These short term experiences extend from 1974 to 2001. Further updating has been done through correspondence to missionaries and nationals on the field and through research sources. The account of Japan’s dramatic change through the years is a fascinating story in itself.  Since the larger portion of my life has been directed by God to pass on mission insights to others, either on the printed page or in the classroom, I have an ongoing drive to share these perspectives gained over 50 years, inclusive of time in Japan and mission teaching. I have reached the age where I realize all the more that the task of bringing the gospel to the remaining unreached peoples must be passed on to the next generation. It is my prayer that our positive approach to the missionary calling to the so-called “resistant fields” will encourage others to take up the challenge. At the same time we who have reached advanced years need the reassurance of true stories that strengthen our hope for the final victory.</p>

Stories from Japan, Past to Present

Religion & Spirituality

Hammond, Alvin D.

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Books by Hammond, Alvin D.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Hammond, Alvin D.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Stories from Japan, Past to Present