<Begin Segment 2>

MA: Were your parents Christians, then?

MM: Yes, they probably were Buddhist when they first came from Japan. You know, over there, they didn't quite hear of the Christian religion I don't think, as much as they did when they came over here. But, but then they -- not, I wouldn't say the majority of them, but they had the Christian church, so that's why my mom -- 'cause I think they were probably both Buddhists, you know. I think the majority of them were anyway, unless they were Catholics.

MA: And then, so, they were Buddhist when they maybe came from Japan?

MM: Yes.

MA: But then how did they become involved with the Methodist church?

MM: Well, there was a Caucasian lady who was, she was very, very active in our church, and she helped, she helped all of us so much. Because the mothers and dads couldn't speak that much English, and they were, they never went visiting another church like they do these days. And she tried to get them out to, and she was a very religious woman. And everybody worshipped her because she did so much for the church, but something that she lived with all her life. So thankful for her, because she really helped us.

MA: What was this woman's name?

MM: Mrs. Butler.

MA: So she was sort of really active in, in the Japanese American community with the Isseis, bringing them into the church?

MM: Very, very active, uh-huh.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.