September 28, 2006

Greetings from Nagasaki as the seasons change!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of mission activities around the world. It is essential to know that we are members of the one body of Jesus Christ wherever we are called to serve in God’s creation.

Kwassui Women’s College is currently finishing up first semester intensive classes and make-up examinations, leading into second semester, which begins October 1. This summer I remained in Nagasaki for a change, but the weather was unusually hot and humid, with a typhoon arriving in mid-September.

As the number of young people in Japan continues to decrease, the Christian schools are facing issues of reorganization within the institutions and occasionally together. In the middle of September, the university division of the southwestern district of the league of Christian schools held a study conference in Nagasaki at which Kwassui Chancellor Nonomura presented the keynote speech. After his talk about goals and practices in higher education in Christian schools, there was discussion, both in small groups and in the whole group of about 20 administrators, chaplains, and other instructors from throughout the large island of Kyushu. In the general session, representatives of the universities spoke about their school mottos or key statements.

These included:

“Life, liberty, love, light”
“Respect God, love your neighbour; Respect Heaven, love knowledge.”
“Hearing the (good) news, serve” based on Jesus’ saying
“I came that they might have life.”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14).
“I am the vine and you are the branches” (John 15).

Kwassui Gakuin does not have such a motto, but the name “Kwassui,” which means “living water,” is based on John 4:14, in which Jesus Christ offers “living water” to the Samaritan woman by Jacob’s well. This Bible passage is always included in entrance and graduation ceremonies, and the message is emphasized symbolically by a traditional water bucket which a graduating student hands on to a representative of the remaining students. During the rest of the year, the bucket with its carefully selected ribbons symbolizing desirable characteristics for Kwassui women is displayed in the Religious Affairs Center. Also on display is a container of water from Jacob’s well, which was given to Kwassui by Chaplain Ohno after his visit to the Holy Land a few years ago. In addition, each year a Bible verse is selected by the chancellor and written in grand calligraphy for display in prominent places in campus buildings. This year’s verse proclaims, in Japanese: “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another” (1 Peter 4:10). The chancellor talks about the yearly verse in the opening chapel services.

Kwassui also has a school song, with words written in the early twentieth century by the aunt of our former chaplain and with music by a missionary teacher.

At the end of October, when the student festival at Kwassui Women’s College is held, there are various entertainments. The name of this festival, Keisetsukai, recalls the fireflies and moonlight that helped students to study diligently in the early years of the school, which began 127 years ago, before electric lights were in common use. This year, two of our third-year music students wish to perform the school song in English in a jazz version they are creating, so I was asked to translate it from the Japanese. Because of the rhythm requirements and the vast difference between the Japanese and English languages it is not a direct translation, but I would like to share it with you here.

With the Planter’s patience reaching out to us,
New leaves of camphor trees on the campus,
Symbolizing living hope crossing over seas,
Bring into our memory God’s deep mercies.

When we think of Heaven together with true hearts,
In our world’s green fields also springing everywhere
Living water comes to all, flowing from the source,
Bringing God’s own glory near us from far away.

Although I am not a particularly skillful translator, I hope that some of the atmosphere of our historic campus and the spirit that sustains us daily come across. It is encouraging that the students have taken this message to heart. Please pray that as the students sit in chapel hour each week, they will be moved by the Holy Spirit to come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in God’s sovereignty. Young people in Japan are in great need of filling the emptiness of their spirits. About 10 percent of all Japanese university students attend Christian universities, so there is a great outreach opportunity.

With thanks and praise to God who enables us all to serve in mission wherever we are located.

Barbara Easton

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 252