<Begin Segment 11>

SF: After you were turned down for the chaplain position in the 442, then I -- then you decided to go to Bethel Seminary...?

PN: Right.

SF: ...in Minneapolis? How did that happen, and why did you go to Bethel, as opposed to some other seminary?

PN: Very good. First of all, we couldn't be choosy. Secondly, Bethel Seminary was in Minnesota where our MIS school was there -- maybe 5,000 of the Japanese American (at a time). And the denomination arranged it for me. And so that's where I, I wanted to go. Actually, it was more Swedish, it was a Swedish seminary, and more conservative, you might say on the whole. And I stayed in the home of the one who became the general secretary of our whole denomination. And he was considered a "Jap lover". And my friend, Dr. Jitsuo Morikawa, who was outstanding Japanese American minister, he stayed there also before me. And he forgot his toothbrush or -- so he needed to buy something at the drugstore. And Dr. Reuben Nelson, who was the host, he said, "I'll get it for you." And the reason for that was it was a little dangerous for Dr. Morikawa to go out and buy his toothbrush. And Reuben Nelson, went on his behalf, was considered a "Jap lover" by some of the people in that community. And there was a little tension in trying to get out of camp and resettle in different areas. But we had good people from the denomination and other Christians that were there to really support us. That meant a lot. I mean, you feel the strength because you had these people around you.

BF: Did you pretty much have to restrict yourselves to the campus, then? Was, or, as far as facing discrimination or...?

PN: I had several experience. But one in particular where -- being a Japanese at that time, they would like to hear what you have to say. So I was kind of going to different churches throughout that area, and they would put me up in a hotel. And then there would be rumors that, "There's a Jap in that hotel." And so the church would kind of always keep someone kinda watching, so that nothing would happen to me. But I've had experiences like that, you know. In one of the churches, I went and I spoke about my experiences and all. And one dear mother had tears in her eyes says, "The Japanese, they killed my son. But I want you to know that I love you Japanese." That moved me.

SF: Yeah.

PN: They associated me with Japan, of course. But God's love was such that they'd embrace everybody. But things like that did happen as I went around the churches in the outskirt of where I was living -- yeah.

BF: But in the churches and at seminaries people were able to, to get beyond their prejudices because of, of their faith? And so you had a warm reception in the seminary and support of teachers and students?

PN: Yeah. That really meant a lot. People don't realize at that time how much that means to a person. When you come out of this incarceration, and you come out and you don't know what to believe and how the people respond to you. And to know there's a group of people who always protecting you, supporting you. Sure meant a lot. People don't realize how much that means at a time like that.

BF: Yeah.

<End Segment 11> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.