Missionary Poems

[John of Japan]

I was looking through some stuff and came across a notebook in which I had written some poems early in my ministry. This was before the days of the PC, young whippersnappers, so I did not have them on disk! Thus, I thought I would type them in. And since I am doing so, I thought, why not share them with my friends on the Baptist Board?

You are entirely welcome to share poems you have written, or those written by someone else which you have enjoyed or been inspired by--giving due credit to the poet, of course. [img]graemlins/type.gif[/img]

[John of Japan]

The first poem I'll share was written on a China Airlines flight on the way over for the first time to Japan almost 25 years ago with my young wife Patty and baby Paul. We got on the plane at 11:50 P. M. on May 4. We then had a short 2nd wedding anniversary on the plane before we reached the international date line and lost the rest of the day. I gave my wife a Belgian crystal necklace. We first set foot on Japansese soil at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on May 6, 1981.

Imagine the mixed and powerful feelings of a missionary headed for his first term all the way across the world.


On The Way
By John R. Himes

There's a thunder of great engines,
Calling back to the homeland.
There's a stretch of lofting wings,
Reaching out a helping hand.
There's a quiver in the heart;
I wonder why I leave my land.
There's a longing for the future--
Many souls to feel God's hand.

[ March 31, 2006, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: John of Japan ]

[John of Japan]

Fly Swiftly
By John R. Himes

Swiftly past a river’s flash
My faithful blue car flies.
Herds of cows and sunset’s gown
And gentle woods flow by.

Faster yet than chariot
My thoughts race far ahead.
A treasure waits, much pleasure there
Where by my thoughts I’m led.

You wonder why I long to fly
Much faster than I am?
At journey’s end awaits a friend,
I treasure like a gem!


This was written in early 1979 while I was on deputation to come to Japan, and on my way to my fiance’s church.

[bapmom]

These are so wonderful JoJ!

Thank you for sharing....I almost feel like Im on my way myself!

[John of Japan]

I'm glad you are enjoying my little poems. I plan to add one a day until they are done--a couple of weeks, maybe.

[John of Japan]

God’s Man
By John R. Himes

God’s man is who I long to be,
A preacher of the Gospel free!

God’s place is all I long to have,
And there a road to heaven pave!

God’s work is quite the best there is,
Transcending all that is not His!

God’s Word I’ll hide within my heart,
Consumed by fire to do my part!


Written on August 9, 1980, while on deputation to come to Japan.

[Gwen]

John of Japan, I left the US for Japan in July 1980. A friend gave me a beautiful card with this poem hand written in it. I have always treasured this poem, and the friendship of the one who gave me the card.

My Cup Runneth Over
by Margaret Barber

There is always something over
When we trust our gracious Lord;
Every cup He fills o're floweth,
His great rivers are all broad.
Nothing narrow, nothing stinted
Ever issues from His store!
To His own He gives full measure
Running over evermore.

There is always something over
When we tell of all His love.
Unplumbed depths still lie beneath us,
Unscaled heights rise far above!
Human lips can never utter all
His wondrous tenderness,
We can only praise and wonder, and
His name forever bless!


I'll never forget flying thru the night, reading the cards from friends, and memorizing this poem. I'll always think of my year in Japan when I read it. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/type.gif[/img]

By the way, I came home from Japan on May 22, 1981, so we were in Japan at the same time for a couple of weeks.

[John of Japan]

What a beautiful poem, Gwen, and so true.

What were you in Japan for? You being such a young thing, you must have been attending a Japanese kindergarten as an exchange student, right?

[John of Japan]

I Must Work
By John R. Himes

John 9:4—“ I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

(To the tune of “I Must Tell the Wondrous Story”)


I must work the works of Jesus,
While it’s day and light is here;
For the day will soon be over
And the night will then appear.

Work the works of Him Who sent me,
Give the Gospel to the lost,
Tell all men that He’s the Savior
And His blood has paid the cost.


Written at midnight on June 25, 1981, when I could not sleep, during our second month after arriving in Japan for our first missionary term.

[Gwen]

John,

I worked for a year teaching Kindergarten in the Ebenezer Home for Japanese Children, run by missionary Betty Loudermilk. She is still there in Nagoya. I taught English in the Nagoya High School, and also helped out in the Mino Mission on occasion.

Thanks for sharing your poetry. Looking forward to the next one!

Gwen