I don’t usually like history. But the story of how OMF started work in Japan, well that gripped me. I saw God leading his people, getting the timing right and providing what was needed.
In the early 1950s the China Inland Mission (CIM) had to leave China.* Was this the end? Seven leaders, including the General Director, met in Australia in 1951 to pray and discuss the future. Many were dubious—the problems of continuing were vast.
But they realised that God did not want to disband this missionary force. So the directors decided to send survey teams to Thailand, Malaya, Indonesia, and the Philippines where they thought that CIM missionaries could work amongst migrant Chinese people.
Japan, however, was different; there were few Chinese people. The directors could not decide what to do. In the middle of this discussion, there was a break and an opportunity to read mail which had arrived.
When the discussion restarted, there was a smile on the General Director Bishop Frank Houghton’s face. He said: “I have a letter which I have just received from the General Director of the Sudan Interior Mission:
Dear Bishop Houghton: My Mission has … been considering the possibility of extending our work to Japan. A friend has even given as a cheque for US$1,000 [about $12,000 in today’s money] to start the project.
Our Council is not in favour of such a development. Knowing your present situation and your proximity to Japan, I wonder if you are, contemplating opening work there. If God so guides you, I will be happy to hand over this sum of $1,000.”
The smile spread. There was further confirmation—a second letter with a cheque for £500 [about £4,000 in today’s money], a part of which was for a survey of the needs of Japan!
The discussion concluded. They’d send a team to Japan also to explore the possibilities of commencing work there.
And the rest is history—of which we play a part. This story inspires me because “He who began a good work … will carry it on to completion” (Phil 1:6 NIV).
By Peter, an OMF missionary
An edited extract from Leslie T. Lyall, “A Passion for the Impossible
* CIM later changed its name to OMF
