This is my story - 6

6-The Japanese soldier prayed and wept

Much has been written about the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during the war. People in their seventies and above can recall those terrible years we hope and pray will never be repeated. The television series, “Price of Peace” and “War Diary” bring back memories of those dark days from 1942-1945. However, not all Japanese soldiers were cruel. Among the conquering Japanese army were some of God’s saints.

There is always the danger to stereotype people and lump together those from one country or race under one label. I don’t want in my memoirs to give my readers the impression that all Japanese are bad and wicked people. In every race there are the good and the bad. We have many Japanese friends and some of the greatest saints we have encountered are Japanese.

When I was the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia, it was our privilege to visit Japan to conduct official business and meetings. We found the Japanese very hospital, polite, generous and kind. They were often among the first to respond to our plea to help others in need.

After the fall of Singapore in 1942, the men and single women officers were taken prisoners of war. The Japanese, however, allowed two women officers, Major Bertha Grey and Captain Elsie Willis to remain free for some time to look after the children in the care of the Army. The two had to wear armbands in Japanese to indicate that they were aliens! After about six months, they were put in prison like the rest of the western foreigners.

One day during this brief period of freedom, Major Bertha Grey was walking along Bras Basah Road when she met a Japanese soldier by the name of Ando. Noticing the Salvation Army uniform, he quickened his steps and soon was walking alongside Major Grey. He stopped the Major, pointed to the S’s on her collar and said, “Kiu Say Goon” (Salvation Army in Japanese.) He then walked the Major back to 30 Oxley Road where the children were now housed. He showed them a photograph of himself and his family. They were in Salvation Army uniform! There is only one Salvation Army united in love for Christ and our mission in soul saving! Ando was a Japanese soldier, but more important was a soldier of Jesus Christ and of The Salvation Army!

From then on he came every Sunday to join in worship and also had lunch with the officers. He was a very kind man and often came with food for the officers and children. When it was time for prayer he would pray aloud in Japanese which no one understood. It was a beautiful relationship that existed between him and the officers, one of Christian comradeship rather than captor and captives. The love of Christ transcends all barriers. I am reminded of the words of Dr. Vincent Peale who once said “that the affairs of Christianity should not be determined by war hysteria.” That was what happened during those months at the Army centre.

This went on for a few months. Then one Sunday after lunch he indicated in sign language that he wanted to pray for the officers and the children. No one understood a word of what he was praying, but all sensed his passion and earnestness. Suddenly he stopped. There was silence; he could not continue, and began to sob. He could not control his tears that flowed freely from his eyes. Everyone, officers and children saw this weeping Japanese soldier, cried too. The whole congregation was weeping.

Through sign language, the officers discovered that this was their last Sunday together. Major Grey and Captain Willis would be taken to prison soon. Ando would be assigned elsewhere. It was their farewell meeting. Soon those children who had relatives were sent home while the rest were taken to the Poh Leong Kok Welfare Home. The Army centre closed.

On that day at 30 Oxley Road, the Spirit of God came upon that small group of officers, children and the Japanese soldier. There were no visible tongues of fire or mighty rushing wind to mark the event, but The Holy Spirit was there just the same. Otherwise how could anyone explain the kindness of a Japanese soldier, a member of the notorious Japanese Army, praying with his captives, two English ladies and a group of children of different races whose plight was yet to be determined. Amongst that group of children, was a little six year old girl, Fong Pui Chan who can still recall vividly that scene etched indelibly in her memory. (Fong Pui Chan and I were married on 7th June 1958) She was an eye witness to this incident.

The Holy Spirit tears down and destroys all superficial differences between people and emphasises the eternal values we share in Christ. Writing to the Ephesians Paul said, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Eph. 2:14. Spirit filled believers look at and accept each other as family members of God’s family. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” Eph. 2:19

I am glad I am part of the International Salvation Army. The word ‘international’ was coined by Jeremy Bentham in 1780. He wrote “The word, it must be acknowledged is a new one though is to be hoped, sufficiently intelligible.” Well there are many international agencies and organizations, but I am glad, the kingdom of God to which I belong has no frontiers!

In Christ there is no east of west,
In him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
(John Oxenham. SA Song Book No. 826)