EARLY in the century an American missionary stopped off at the island of Okinawa on his way to Japan. His visit to the wee village of Shimabuku was brief but while he was there two young natives pressed faith in the Lord Jesus, and he left them a Bible.
These two were brothers and that was the only contact they had with any Christian for many years. But the Bible was wonderfully blessed of God to their souls as they poured over its sacred pages. As a result of their faithful Christian lives and teaching many if not most in that little village became true believers in the Lord Jesus.
The Bible was read every day in the school. Its teachings became an influence in the village government, and pagan beliefs and practices disappeared.
Then 30 years later World War 2 came. The little village of huts was severely shelled when the U.S. troops swarmed over the island. When the American advance patrols charged the village with guns levelled they were stopped short by two little old men who came forward bowing and speaking politely.
Through an interpreter the soldiers found they were being welcomed as fellow-Christians! and not as enemies. The brothers explained that the missionary who had brought them the Book years before was from America and though the new visitors had a different approach they were still being welcomed.
The dumbfounded soldiers sent for their chaplain and together with their officers they toured the village. Instead of the usual poverty, ignorance and filth they found clean little homes and streets with happy and dignified citizens. The Americans could hardly believe their eyes.
The two aged Christian leaders mistook the American’s amazement for disappointment. They apologized saying they had had no Christian sent to them since the one who gave them the Book. They had tried to live as Christians; perhaps their visitors would teach them how to live better.
But many of the American soldiers went away feeling that the two little men and natives of Shimabuku had taught them that day a lesson which they, brought up in the midst of Christianity, had never learned.
In 1959 one from the Japanese Bible society visited Shimabuku and found the two dear brothers both working diligently for the Lord, and the Bible was still the heart of the community. Oh, what one Bible can do!
ML-09/22/1974