A Little History!

Recently we were able to make a short trip to the city of Nagasaki, Japan. We really wanted to visit there because of all the history of war as well as Christian and European history. So, we played tourist for a day and soaked up as much history as we could.


It was kind of sureal to stand at the hypocenter of the atomic bomb that was dropped here in 1945. There is a tombstone placed here for all the lives that were taken and are continued to be taken by the aftereffects over the years. The number is 145,984 and climbing. As we visited all the musuems we noticed that everything includes the word "Peace." This memorial area was specifically developed so that all people and countries could see the devastation of an atomic bomb and promote Peace among the world. So, we did not feel any hostility toward us as Americans. However, we did feel a few peoples wandering eyes on us. It was very interesting to read all of the history leading up to this event and gain the perspective of the opposing side. Since visiting both Nagasaki and the Kamikaze Musuem in Japan we have a better understanding of the Japanese culture post war.

As we learned about the history of the war, the history of Christianity at this time was intertwined. There were at least two church buildings that were standing during the time the bomb was dropped. They have since been made into musuems. This Catholic church was completed in 1925 after 30 years of labor. Once the largest church in Asia which had more than 14,000 members! It was destroyed by the atomic bomb and rebuilt in 1959.


The other church building that remains standing in Nagasaki was built by French missionaries in 1864. This building is now a National Treasure and the oldest church in Japan. It remains as a symbol of Nagasaki's deep ties with Europe. It was very interesting to see these buildings in Japan. As most "Cathedrals" here are not and never were used to worship God. Most of the "Cathedrals" are just wedding chapels and that's it. In a believer's eyes the chapels are nothing more than empty shells. It was a little sad to see that there was a fee to enter these churches in Nagasaki. I'm not sure if I've ever paid money to enter a church! So, we didn't take the opportunity to actually go inside.


This is a picture of a memorial that was built for 26 Christians that were martyred in Japan during the 1500's. In 1597 six foreign missionaries and twenty Japanese Christians were crucified on crosses on a hill in Nagasaki. They had been arrested after the decree to outlaw Christianity in Japan. It was moving to pray at this spot for the spread of Christianity in Japan and for missionaries that live and work here now.


Japan has had it's fare share of war and battles. Even though the country is at peace with the world...the spiritual warfare is strong at hand! Continue to pray as God makes His TRUTH made known here.