Thank you Miss Yamada and goodbye

 Misao Yamada was born into a family of 4 children, with later 2 step brothers. She didn't have the benefit of a good education, and early went into service as a maid. After that it was factory work. Her elder sister had worked in this same factory, and the factory had been very good to that sister in her terminal illness. Miss Yamada in gratitude worked harder and longer hours than anyone else, with the result that she was promoted in preference to others. Let her tell the story herself:

"Naturally I was the butt of jealousy, but I took no notice of it and things went smoothly for a few years. Then little by little I began to get proud. I thought there was no-one in the factory to compare with me in skill. But my self-confidence was soon to receive a bitter blow. The linen thread I was used to working with was changed to cotton, which I had no idea how to handle. On top of this a new girl arrived who was a whiz at cotton! How I hated her! At first it was only inwardly, but soon I began to bully her. At night my conscience gave me such a hard time I could hardly sleep, but at the factory my bitter spirit continued. And all the time I knew that if things continued this way, my work would suffer even more, and I would lose my supervisory position."

"It was when I was at the height of this distress that a friend took me to church. It was water to a thirsty soul! For a whole year I went, come wind come weather, but though I learnt a lot, I didn't manage to find salvation. Again and again I was told, you've got to have faith! At last I realized that Jesus died for me, wicked and polluted though I was. I was broken before Him. How great was my sin, but how great was His love!"

"In deep repentance I approached my factory 'rival' and asked forgiveness for my wrong attitude towards her. We became the best of friends, helping and encouraging each other in our work. Whenever I was tempted to self-importance and pride, the cross of Jesus would rise before my eyes, and I would sense his gentle voice saying, 'Follow me'."

       From the first Miss Yamada was all out for the Lord, doing her utmost to bring her fellow factory workers to the little church where she worshiped, and to introduce them to the Saviour she loved.

       It wasn't long before she heard the call to fulltime service. But the Bible College staff was not so sure! A week into the course she was called up and told, "You're going to find the study difficult. If you can't keep up with the other students, we'll have to ask you to leave!"  The tears fell thick and fast. The call of God was on her life - what else could she turn to? It was the Word of God given by a missionary that sustained her through this crisis - "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act" - and by the grace of God, and a determined spirit she managed to stay the course.

       Miss Yamada was known as the little lady with the enormous voice! Irelle White, who did a lot of the caring in her last years, had this to say about her earlier life: "Even her whisper could be heard right across a large hall. I was soon to discover her generous heart matched her voice for size as she lavished love and care unstintingly on whoever crossed her path." Irelle continues: "I have two lasting impressions of Miss Yamada from the first year that I worked closely with her. One is of a woman whose whole life and energies were dedicated to her work for the Lord. The other is the copious buckets of perspiration that she continually mopped from her face regardless of the season."

       Yes, Miss Yamada was a hard worker! Daily rising early to pray, she then filled the days with activity. First to be attended to was a thorough cleaning of the house. Then there was visiting, counselling, letters, house to house leaflet distribution, many hours on the sermon preparation that she never really felt finally at home with, and in the latter half of her life, baking of countless pound cakes to say thank you for favours received and to encourage the downhearted. No wonder she "never had time for a holiday"! We who worked alongside her in camp ministry were left puffing in the rear.

       Miss Yamada's first love was children's evangelism. Children always had a welcome at her door. And sensing this they flocked around. An 18 year old youth, now coming to a church where Miss Yamada once ministered, shared memories of his time as a child in her Sunday School: "We would have games first. Then Miss Yamada would lead the singing, at the top of her voice, with whole-body actions. I loved it!"

       Yes, she loved children, but like most of us, circumstances didn't permit her to major only in the area that interested her most. The lack of men to pastor the WEC churches that were coming into being left a gap that often had to be filled by women. Miss Yamada, reluctant, and yet willing to fill any role for the Lord she was asked to take on, found herself in the responsible position time after time. Many have cause to bless the Lord for her devoted pastor heart.

       One of those who were blessed through her ministry, found herself wondering what Miss Yamada was going to do when her strength gave out. With no family, and no resources, where could she go?  This lady gave generously to start a fund to build a retirement cottage in the HQ garden.

Others added their love gifts, and the result was a lovely house where Miss Yamada could spend her failing years, in an environment familiar to her, near enough to those who could keep a loving eye on her when necessary. How good the Lord is! He is true to his word: "Give and it shall be given to you - a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!" While living in this house, Miss Yamada had regular visits from the community home-help service. After her death, the "helper" was heard to say with tears in her eyes, "I will miss her so much. I always looked forward to my visits with her." What greater tribute could be given to Christian character?

        One night, Miss Yamada failed to put her light out. It was discovered that she had passed into the presence of the Lord. The funeral brought many from far and wide to give thanks for her life. Some of these are not clear yet in their commitment to Christ. Now a booklet is being prepared, as a memorial. It is our prayer that the testimonies and thanksgiving contained in it will be for Miss Yamada a fulfilment of the words "She being dead is still speaking", to the glory of God and the salvation of her fellow men. ( Heb. 11:4)