Testimonies:       Introductions and Testimonies - Day 1 | Testimonies and Q&A - Day 2

Testimonies
Saturday, May 3, 2003

Tatsumi Katsuno San - Introduction
• Thank you for coming
• Much spiritual gift
• Kindig San and Alexander San here with us, they observe our study.

Takeki Ishikawa San
• My father (Ishikawa San) heard radio program in 1971 broadcasted by Bunko Hoso SP?. Br. Art Newell San spoke. That is the beginning of our family’s ability to attend this meeting. We are thankful for this opportunity.

Noriko Ishikawa San
• I am Noriko Ishikawa. I am happy to be here with you and to have such a wonderful meeting with you this week.

Yasunobu Morita San
• I am Mariko’s friend. Thank you for letting me attend this convention. I am looking forward to learning much here.

Norio Fukazawa San
• I am Norio, I am thankful for this opportunity to have such a wonderful convention at such a wonderful place.

Michko Fukazawa San
• I am Michko, I have been away from Bible sometime, since we joined CuSeeMe meeting, I could hear the Bible studies and learn some scriptures from the brethren. I feel like I was awakened. I am very happy to be here today and to have convention at such a wonderful place with such beautiful weather.

Kayoko Katsuno San
• My name is Kayoko. When we study Bible to the Bible Students by Emi Shari, we had a strong influence by American Bible Students. We feel that God has been overruling us patiently and we are very thankful for that. We would like to continue to study the Bible with your help. Thank you very much.

Mitsko Minami San
• I am Mitsko Minami. I met Alexander and Kindig before. Emi San introduced me to Bible Meetings. At that time, I did not understand the Bible very well. I remember it was very enjoyable and now Mariko brought me here and I am very thankful.

Mariko Isoda San
• My sister Emi introduced me to the Bible Students when Bob Alexander was here. I have left from Bible Study for ten years. During that time, I was trying to make my own what I learned from the Bible Studies. Now, I am very happy to be here again and I want to learn more and I think God is leading me.

Takayoshi Nishimoto San
• Thank you for coming to Japan for this meeting. My name is Taka. I am studying government economics. There are many problems, economy and capability. I want to do something to serve. I am interested in Bible because there are so deep meaning and I want to study Bible this time. His mother is a friend of Mariko San.

Junko Kamada San
• I think most of what I said is a history of my attending Bible Study meeting in Japan. I just want to thank my heavenly father for many blessings that I could learn so much over the years and know Japanese brethren and I feel like they are family.

Tatsumi Katsuno San
• It is 27 years ago when Kindig San made discourse to me. Every Sunday he gave a discourse and it was a joy. 26 years ago, Alexander San came to Japan for a year and he visited my house in Nagaoka. 17 times, he stayed in my dormitory and made lecture for me. I felt God communicating through Him. Every day I remember Kindig San and Alexander San and it is in my memory. I feel very happy to have you from America. I am very very happy to have the Alexander and Kindig families with us today. My two son’s and my older son’s wife.

Yasushi Katsuno San
• My name is Yasushi Katsuno. Elder son of Tatsumi and Kayoko. I am not so good at speaking English. Recently I have a chance to use English to communicate with American Company GE. I have to speak English. It is a good opportunity to attend such a meeting. I have to say that in any case, please go easy on me. It takes me a moment to remember the words.

Hiroko Katsuno San
• (Introduced by her husband, Yasushi Katsuno San) She is my wife and she is expecting a baby. In two months in July. We are so happy. When Alexander San came to Japan, I was a little boy. I couldn’t understand English but at that time, there was something special in the Bible Students. Even I couldn’t understand English but there was something special. It was a great memory for me. I could never forget that old memory.

Tetsuji Katsuno San
• About 30 years ago, Peg Kindig San came to Japan and took me to the ocean to swim. We don’t understand the same language but I feel that she loved me and I loved her very much. That experience makes me very happy and the memory has been living. Very beautiful even until now. I am very happy to see her grand children. Lydia is the same age as I was when I went to the ocean with Peg. I would like to take this opportunity to learn the Bible in English. I want to have a good time with you today.

Tatsumi San Reads Ephesians 1:16-23 in Japanese
• This is the scripture that the Columbus Bible Students sent to the convention. Bro. Tatsumi San read it in Japanese and said thanks to Columbus Bible Students. Thank you very much.
• Eph. 1:16 “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Mariko San Testimony
• I was born in a Christian home and used to go to a church. I couldn’t understand Christianity very well. My sister Emi San introduced me to the Bible Students, learned about Israel, a nation of God’s favor. Then it was dispersed and she was wondering why and she had many questions about nation of Israel and was very curious about it.
• Then she learned through Bible Study that God still lives and works in doing many things in this world. In 1986, she decided to walk in God’s way and she is forgetful and has forgotten many things that she has learned. One thing she wants to develop in herself is the love of God.

Michko San Testimony
• She was also introduced to Bible Students by Emi San and Mariko San. Many years ago when Owen and Peg stayed in Japan, they went to Toyahashi and stayed at their house for one week. They had a difficulty through communication. One thing she remembers is that it was a good experience to stay for one week with Peg and Owen. They explained Romans 8:28 and it was very impressive to her. Whenever she has difficulty, she remembers this scripture and it helps her. She is always thankful for this experience.

Mitsko Minami San
• She has so many blessings from the Lord. Too many to explain. She has experienced many difficult experiences in the past. Serious illnesses. Some of them were caused by stress. Sometimes doctors told her she would not live for long. But she did and she is thankful for that. Some people ask her how she can believe in God having so many difficult experiences. She feels that those trials and difficulties were given to her for her to develop herself so she is thankful for those difficult experiences.

Noriko Ishikawa San
• Matt 6:25-34 - Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
• After she married in Ishikawa’s home. Bro. Ishikawa would have a family meeting. At the meeting, they always prayed in the meeting. They learned how to pray. Even the young sons. They were told that whenever you had difficulty, pray to God. Now two sons have been grown up and are living by themselves. There are so many terrible things happening in this world that we can’t be controlled. Whenever she sees these things, this scripture gives her peace of mind.

Emily Crisan
• I am very happy to be here. It is interesting that you picked this scripture because Kindigsan considered this to describe the Christian life. I am married and live away from home and I am sure my parents have the same thoughts.
• Myself, I grew up in a Christian home like Mariko but I am also new as a new Christian. It is very nice to see you here and spend time with you and hear what you have experienced.

Tim Alexander
• I really enjoy being here. Ever since I was twelve years old I heard about the brethren in Japan. My parents always spoke so highly of each of you. I feel like family with you. We had such a blessings yesterday spending the day with the Katsunos. I have been thinking about the scripture in Proverbs 25:25.
o Prov 25:25 - As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
• News from a far country is like a cold water to a thirsty soul. But being here with you all is even better. It really was a blessing this morning to sit here and hear Tatsumi San speak about the truth.