<Begin Segment 33>

AI: Why don't we, maybe you could tell me how the missionaries came and a little bit about what they did.

KM: Well, the missionaries were, originally, they had gone to Japan. And they loved Japan and they loved the people. And then, Japanese people, most of them are Shinto or Buddhist. And they wanted -- they were Church of Christ people -- and they wanted them to know the Christ. And especially during the war, they wanted to have them have a hope. They don't want to be discouraged and go to camp, some people might even commit suicide, just give up. So they wanted to just encourage them. So they came to our family and different family and they said that they wanted to do whatever they can. Well, while we were still on the outside, there wasn't much they could do for us. But they followed us into, when they found out all the Fowler people in the vicinity went to Gila camp, they followed us and they moved to Arizona. And then they went to get a special permit. Like I said before, gas and everything was rationed, and then they would save their rationing ticket, and then walk for shopping for, and to, (do) their own thing, and then they would come out to the camp. And they would come every week, just week after week and try to visit all the people that was in need. And that's how they found me. And then they wanted to convert me to Christianity. But there was opposition because both our families were Buddhist. And, but, oh it took about a year, just one week after another. I saw something within them. And then they were poor. Their car was, they barely made it to the camp and then, in spite of being poor they adopted children that were homeless, or they didn't, something happened or disabled. And so I think, "Oh, they sure must have a real genuine love within themselves to think and care for others." And so it was through their life that slowly we both saw that they've got something that we don't have. And many times when they came, we didn't want to see them any more 'cause they keep saying, "Don't you wanna trust Jesus? Don't you wanna trust?" And we just didn't know what to say. We ran out of excuses. And there was one time that I even locked, when I saw the car coming, I locked my barrack and pretended I wasn't home, because I just ran out of excuse. And my mother-in-law was going to my mother and saying that girls can influence man. "So you influence Kay to make Jack change, and don't let them become a Christian."

And see all that was going on while the missionary was trying to... [Laughs] And here again we had all kinds of mixed emotion, and we just didn't know what to do. But as we gradually studied some of the tracts that she left and, it was really by their life that we saw the difference. And then we finally said, "Well, we'll be baptized." And so we were both baptized in a portable baptistry in the hospital. That's why, how come we came, we became Christian. And there was other phases, too. I mean, while he was in the hospital we saw when a Buddhist minister came to visit, they would never get close to the bed. And then, you know they would be far away, and very formally, bow. But when they came, they would sit on the bed, hold your hand and pray for us, put his arms around us. It was just entirely different. And also through them, we saw the other Christian people that came. And they put on a program for Christmas and Easter. And they always came to each patient. So we saw such a difference that we were convinced and we wanted to be that kind of people to help others, because we were so neglected in so many areas. It just taught us things that we have never heard before or learned before.

AI: That is so interesting. It must've been a very different way of...

KM: But it was a battle. Because between my in-laws wanting us to stay Buddhist. And then because Jack was the first child, first son, only son that to carry out the name, and that we would break that lineage. And oh, it was a terrible time. So when we got baptized we just didn't say anybody. But you know, in camp, one people hears it, everybody hears it. [Laughs]

AI: And what about your parents? What was their reaction?

KM: My parents, they, she said, "It didn't matter," because she said, "You're married out to the family. Whatever Jack says," she says, "...abide by it." But my mother, after our children were born, she used to come every summer, three months or so to visit. And she said she saw such a difference, the way we raised our kids because we would raise them as the Bible says, to honor your parents and so forth. And so they said, "Even though how poor you are" -- we are -- the kids never begged for things, 'cause they knew we would give them whatever it was needed, not what they want. There's lot of difference between wanting and needing. And so Mother says, "You guys sure did a good job of raising your kids." And she said, "Is this the Christian way?" And she even attended church with me once, a few times, because she was so (impressed) and yet, at the very end when this minister came and said, "Mrs. Nakahara, don't you wanna accept Jesus as your savior?" She said, "Jesus is good, but Buddha first." [Laughs] "...Jesus second," she said. And so I don't know whether she really accepted, but she was very, very affected by Christian people. How, because even during nursing confinement so many Christian people came to see her.

AI: Well, thank you for telling me...

KM: So it's really important to, your life is an example. And we have to, I mean, it's better to show by your action, through your life than to preach at them and nag at them. [Laughs]

[Interruption]

AI: Well, you were just finishing telling about the missionaries that made such a big difference in your life. And can you tell me their names?

KM: Yeah. Their name was Mr. and Mrs. Owen Still. I don't know where they were originally from, but I just remem -- met them in Fowler before evacuation. They followed us into Gila River and then ministered to us. And that's how I got acquainted with them.

AI: Oh, I see.

<End Segment 33> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.