By MAGGIE ISHINO
From when I was 10 years old until I was almost 17, my family and I lived near a Japanese Congregational Church in San Diego. The minister asked my mother several times when I was going to be baptized. My mother’s firm reply was, “When the time comes, my daughter will decide.”
To this day, I have appreciated my mother’s faith in me regarding this decision, which I made while being incarcerated in Poston, Arizona, in September of 1943.
A few months after I became baptized, there was an announcement about a contest in the church bulletin asking members to submit their testimonies. The announcement indicated that the winning testimony would be published in the church bulletin and the prize would be a Scofield Bible in the King James Version. I said, “Why not?” I therefore submitted the following testimony:
Each week when I read the testimonies of my sisters and brothers, I am greatly inspired and blessed. Time and time I have said to myself I must write a testimony so others, too, may share my joy in knowing Christ and accept Him as their personal Saviour.
I have been going to Sunday School ever since I can remember, but I only took it as a matter of habit. Then, I came to Poston where I found a Friend, a true Friend whom I promised to follow. It was on a lovely Easter Sunday morn of this year (1943), that I became baptized.
Truly words cannot express my feelings and the peace which came into my soul after the confirmation. Since then I have anchored my soul to the Haven of Rest and I know I have a beautiful harbor which I may go after my life on earth.
Those who have not yet accepted Christ as their Saviour are missing out on something grand, the best thing in life. Get God’s sunshine into your heart and then you can always smile away.
Take your burdens to Him and He will carry them for you. There is no friend as Christ. Remember always John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God answered my prayer. I was elated that my testimony was selected and to receive the winning prize, a beautiful Scofield Bible. I read from the Bible daily and by reading and studying the Scriptures, it deepened my faith in God. This Bible is still in my possession after 69 years and the original copy of the testimony that was printed in the church bulletin is kept in the back cover.
God has continued to answer my prayers and made a dream become a reality. Because of the kindness and willingness of Editor Gwen Muranaka, I now have my own column. Writing the articles for the column have been such a joy and so thought-provoking. Meow!
PLEASE NOTE: JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, I will “meow” any comments, problems, questions you may have. Please mail letter to me in C/O of The Rafu Shimpo, 701 E. Third St., Suite 130, Los Angeles, CA 90013. I will answer SELECT letters in my column.
Maggie Ishino is a Rafu typist. She can be reached at online@rafu.com. Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.
Maggie, I am so thankful for your testimony. You certainly are an eloquent writer. A friend shared your testimony with me. She receives a hard copy of Rafu Shimpo and I decided to look you up on line. Your testimony is going far and wide. We live in Illinois. I truly praise God for you.
Maggie, thank you so much for sharing your story! I loved reading it! Clearly, you’ve been an eloquent writer and inspiring Christ follower since you were a teenager!