Mr. Yamanaka

Last night my mom gave her testimony/life story at a dinner party hosted by my dad's brother. I have heard it before but certainly learned new things as well. One of the stories I knew very little of was Mr. Yamanaka's. I have always known that via written letters (sidenote: I REALLY wish this was the main mode of correspondence today still) my mom & Mr. Yamanaka formed a relationship. He discipled her to Christ through these letters. And in a way, he is my spiritual grandfather. Their last letters back and forth took place on January 1, 1985 when my mom told him she was engaged to marry my dad that spring. Mr. Yamanaka's reply was the last letter she ever received congratulating her and telling her how proud he was of her.

Earlier in his life he had been disowned by his Buddhist parents after converting to Christianity.  He lived in Japan during Japan's invasion of China but was jailed because he was a conscientious dissenter. The Japanese government starved him while he was in prison. Eventually, Mr. Yamanaka was so weak and lethargic that they assumed him to be dead. They called his wife (appropriately named Mrs. Yamanaka) to pick up his body for burial. On the way home from jail, it was discovered that Mr. Yamanaka was ALIVE! He was nursed back to health and moved to San Francisco shortly thereafter.

I know I'm butchering the story. Missing details. But all that to say, God had a much larger plan for Mr. Yamanaka. Because of his faithfulness in dissenting to the military campaign Japan was waging he was saved for larger plans. His entire goal in life was to convert unbelieving Japanese to a saving faith in Christ. My mom was his last "Timothy".

I am so thankful for Mr. Yamanaka. I am so excited to meet you in heaven & meet everyone you brought to Christ. Thank you for being a "Paul" to my Mom.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12: 1-3



me & my mama

 *picture of Mr. Yamanaka to come later*