The Christian Mission, Vol. 8, No.

12, December, 1964

Pa.ge 11

CHRISTIAN HOME FOR BOYS IN JAPAN

r^

The Christian Home for Boys in Japan is a new work and one that is somewhat unique,

ficance of the scripture, "Not by might nor by power but by my spirit, saith the Lord of
Hosts. " As humans with the carnal nature,

especially to Japan. This work was begun by Bro. John M. Kachelmyer in March of this year (1964) after many years of preparation.
Bro. Kachelmyer was converted to Christi anity from Roman Catholicism ten years ago this November, and immediately felt the call
to return to Japan where he had been stationed

we tend to think of the power to accomplish

as being within ourselves. If we cannot

achieve, then we think we must push our
selves harder and harder and, in the process,

often forget to pray because we are so worn

out with striving.

in the Air Force, During his years in college he felt more specifically the call to work among orphans. Feeling it unscriptural and impractical to seek support from a mission board, he left it up to God to provide the means of entrance into Japan. He was enabled to re turn to Japan in 1961 as a high school teacher at the Christian Academy in Japan, a school
for the children of missionaries. After two

I would like to give four examples from my work. When I went to the States to raise support and funds, I thought surely it will not
be too hard but after three months of preach

years at the Academy, God began to open doors and Bro. Kachelmyer returned to the States
in June of 1963 to raise support for himself

ing as hard as I could, only $20 was pledged to the work. I was getting desperate. Then it began to dawn. I had been trying in my own strength and I had been depending on people. But it was not by my own might or the power of other people but through the Spirit of the Lord, that this would have to be accomplished. From the moment of that
realization, the support began to come in. Then upon my return to Japan, I rented

and the boys' home.

The task only partially

accomplished, he returned to Japan in Feb. of this year because of an orphan boy waiting
to enter the home.

a house and began the boys' home with one boy named Sato-san. Now, I thought, I will
take the Bible and teach him about the Lord

The Christian Home for Boys has been founded to provide a home for older orphan boys. In Japan, younger children are taken care of in government or private institutions but no provision is made for them when they become of high school age. Upon graduation from 9th grade the boys are assigned to fac tories to work with no provision being made for a high school education. Many of these boys have the ability and the desire to obtain
what we consider a minimum education but

and he will acc ept. I was full of joy when just ten days after he came, he said he
understood and wanted to become a Christian.

I said I would make arrangements for his baptism; but then, to my dismay, he said he
didn't want to be baptized. For two and a

half months, I taught and argued and then taught some more; but he was obstinate.
He did not want to be baptized but only ac -

cannot. Thus the object of the Christian Home for Boys is to provide a home for such boys where they can live and go to high school. We trust that when they have been won to Christ they will be of special value to the spreading of the Gospel in Japan. At present the Home is run solely by Mr. Kachelmyer with one boy being in his care. It was not thought wise to take on more until

cept the Christian religion. Then I began to realize again that it was me teaching and that I had relied on my own abilities of per suasion. Then I had to say, "Lord, I have done all I can. By your Spirit, do the work in this boy. " Within a week Sato-san told me he was ready to be baptized and now he wants
to be a minister.

the various problems of purchasing or build ing a home and the various legal problems were all worked out. More boys will be taken
in at the end of the present Japanese school
year in March 1965.
SPIRIT OF POWER

Next, I had no funds with which to build a permanent building, but knew for several reasons that a building had to be started soon.
I tried to make plans to build but all were blocked. I tried to find a house already built

to buy, but every attempt failed.

Then again

I had to realize that "Unless the Lord builds

How often we fail to grasp the full signi

the house, they that build it labor in vain. " As He wants us to do with all our problems, (continued on next page)

Page 12

The Christian Mission, Vol. 8, No. 12, December, 1964

(continued from previous page)

I put this one in His hands. Very shortly after that someone unexpectedly came to my door and told me of a large house that was for sale. When I looked at the house and saw the layout, I knew it was exactly what I had been looking
for. Now we are established in a wonderful

Items of clothing can be used, especially winter clothing: underwear, pajamas,

sweaters, t-shirts, blue jeans or chinos,

socks, etc. We cannot use dress up cloliiing

as the boys must wear regulation school uniforms to and from school. Clothing, to
be useful, should be either new or in near-

home looking towards the future. The last situation followed right on the one
just mentioned. An initial payment of over

new condition. The boys are between 15 and 18 years of age, some short, some tall.

$2000 was needed with only three weeks in

which to raise it. I tried, in that short time,

Bright colored or gaudy clothes cannot be

used.

every source I knew to get the money; but just

before the deadline, I was fearfully short. I
had done wll I could and now left the entire

Items of food can also be used.

Our most important need is prayer sup

port.

matter in the Lord's hands. If He had brought us this far, would He not carry us all the way. Then one day a Japanese lady dropped by. She was not a Christian, but knew of my home and wanted to help. She then lent me the sum needed to make the payment. Do we not always have that feeling of fear that the Lord has seen us through past pro blems but maybe this time He will not? Grod's Word cannot lie. If we work through His
Spirit, we cannot fail!
SPECIFIC NEEDS

John M. Kachelmyer Christian Home for Boys in Japan

House No. 2001

Sayama-shi, Saitama-ken
Japan

Forwarding Agent:
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cord

Catlin, Illinois

61817

Mr. Kachelmyer's support comes from various sources and at present he is able to make ends meet. But when the new boys come next March, increased support will be needed. He as yet has no living link church.

/9 P

/-

The Christian Mission, Vol. 8, No. 12, December, 1964

CHRISTIAN HOME FOR BOYS IN JAPAN

John M. Kachelmyer

Sato Shuji

The building that houses the Home for Boys