We did by a large size tourist coach. It was not packed but a good bus. What does the Lord teach us, or what utterance does He gives us? We are expecting fully.
This Bus!
2012/04/25
Yamamoto Village
2012/04/25
February 5, 1597. First martyrdom took place in Japan on the orders of Hideyoshi, father of the imperial adviser.
We followed the trace of the Twenty-Six Saints of Martyrs. First place to visit was Yamamoto Village.
Twenty-four Christians arrested in Kyoto and Osaka totally became twenty six because two other ones added independently in Yamamoto village, Saga.
They were taken to Nagasaki to martyr. Their march lasted more than one month.
Prayer In Yamamoto Village
2012/04/25
In Yamamoto Village, Karatsu,
Trying to rescue a twelve-year old boy, a supervisor, Hanzaburo Terazawa, said, “Can I adopt you as my child?”
The boy Louis IBARAKI refused his request and chose to martyr on the cross.
“I can’t change immortal eternal life for temporary life of flesh_ _ _ Why don’t you believe in Christ and go to heaven together with me?”
Only twelve-year old boy responded so.
He longed for heaven and was full of joy. His heart was set firm on the most precious one.
Prayed here.
Scripture
2012/04/25
Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Mark 8:34 – 36
His Tears
2012/04/25
Father Peter Baptist, the leader of the Twenty-Six dropped tears.
Officers were laughing behind them, “Now he is scared to die.” What cruel mind a man has!
His tears came out considering the lost souls in Japan and closed mission work in Japan.
Paul Miki understood his heart well, but asked him not to cry watching officers misunderstood.
The priest immediately stopped since he didn’t make them stumble. Everything for the Lord.
Togitsu Port
2012/04/25
The Twenty-Six were brought from Higashi-Sonogi to Togitsu by ship.
It was very cold night. That’s the very last night they spent on the earth_ _ _ it was the Gethsemane for them.
Because here’s the town of Christians, the riot was warned and the Twenty-Six were not permitted to disembark that day and remained on wind-swept ships.
Their Prayer
2012/04/25
In that coldness of the month, February, they were bound and being shaked in boats _ _ _ they must have prayed.
On prayer pondering the weight of the prayer _ _
Then, February 5, the date of martyrdom. They walked to Nishizaka where they would be executed.
Even In the Bus
2012/04/25
Rev. Isaiah Makoto Kihara, Instructor, Guide.
Even in the bus, he delivered the testimony a lot and talked about the Twenty-Six Saints of Martyrs and people of faith.
Cross
2012/04/25
On the hill of Nishizaka _ _ _
Climbing up the hill, “Which is the cross I will be placed?”
The twelve-year boy, Louis Ibaraki embraced his cross, the first smallest one, and kissed.
The boy of Anthony proclaimed from the cross toward his parents trying to stop with crying.
“Rejoice. I’m going to heaven.” ”Please accept Jesus Christ as your savior, my father and my mother, and then come to heaven.
“Rejoice”
Hanzaburo Terazawa, an executioner, and Paul Miki had been close friends. Hanzaburo was painful.
Paul Miki preached on the cross to his last, “I forgive Mr. Taiko, Hanzaburo, officers and the executioner. I don’t hate at all. My desire is all Japanese believe Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and are saved.”
love your enemies, bless those who curse you, Matthew 5:44
Heavenly Praise
2012/04/25
A twelve-year old boy Louis Ibaraki sang praise Psalm 113 on the cross together with a thirteen-year old boy Anthony.
“Children of God, Praise the Lord.” Four thousand gathered crowd started to sing praise in spite of themselves.
Praise the Lord!Praise, O servants of the Lord,Praise the name of the Lord! Psalm 113:1
