Page 29 - good and useful man 2022 cover page

Chapter 6

The First Missionary Step

The wind, rain and waves pushed the ship from every angle.
Water splashed onto the ship, soaking everything in its way.
Charles paced across the deck of the ship, hour after hour. He
prayed for the safety of the passengers. After three days and
nights, the sea became calm and peaceful. Everyone was alive.
At night, Charles and his wife would listen to the gentle
waves which rocked them to sleep. God felt very close.
For three more weeks, the ship continued sailing toward
Japan. At last, the missionary couple saw land in the distance.
Soon, they would reach their new home.
Their friend, Juji Nakada, was waiting for them when they
arrived. It was exciting to see different people, smell new
smells and hear unfamiliar sounds during the first few weeks.
But Charles felt alone, even when he was in the middle of a
crowd. Many people were sad. They lived like there was a dark
cloud around them. Being a missionary in this country was not
going to be easy. Charles was a stranger. The Japanese people
might not understand when he tried to speak their language. He
felt that he could not lead them to Jesus. He felt the Japanese
Christians would have to bring their own people to Jesus.

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