Monday, July 7, 2008

We heard the roaring of a HOG approaching Itayanagi Chapel. The thunderous bellow of a customized Harley-Davidson motorcycle stopped as the rider, Mr. Arthur Hollands, dismounted at the front door of the chapel at 6:45 PM, a scant 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting. He was scheduled to be at the chapel three hours earlier, but he found some extra ministry opportunity along his way. So, we were told that “he will be here before the meeting.” And he was.

He is not a big man by western standards. He is less than six feet in height. However, he appears to be much bigger man in his snake-skin boots and leather riding garb. He is trim and fit. At the age of 57, he still possesses the bearing of a former martial art champion. Friendly, but piecing eyes, and his confident walk, make it easier for us to imagine what he was like as a SAMBO and Judo champion in his youth.

He and his steed were the center of attention. Some people were very excited to see the man in person. I heard a lady shout, “He is here!” Some are interested in his motorcycle. One man came, riding his own motorcycle. Everyone was asking questions, taking pictures, and moving around this very unusual evangelist. Although his name is not Japanese, he converses with flawless Japanese; his “mother tongue” is Japanese. He was born to a Japanese mother and an American Marine, in Osaka. He finished high school in Japan before moving to the United States, where he excelled in the martial arts. There in America, he became a baptized Christian at the age of 23.

Finally, he has to excuse himself to get inside the building. At the start of the meeting about 25 people were in attendance, which grew to about 35 by the end. His fast-talking style, humor, and anecdotal stories from his 30,000 mile annual journey on bike, simply captivated the audience, while slowly, but surely, he delivered the message of God’s love and His plan of salvation through the cross. One and a half hours later, he finished. According to Mr. Martin Ghent, the pastor of Itayanagi Chapel, about one third of the people in attendance were non-believers. It is important to note that this is a significant number of people hearing the gospel at one time in Japan; it, simply, does not happen often here, in Japan. He ministers in this way, 300 to 400 times every year, riding throughout Japan.

After the message many people requested his autograph and they took photographs. I had an opportunity to chat with him at the end of the evening. Both of us are born in the same year in Japan and stayed in Japan to finish high school. We became Christians at just about same age in the United States of America. Both of us have long hair and pony tails. And I have to admit, that I am a little unconventional, as is Arthur Hollands.

At the end I realized, although I am 100% Japanese and he is only 50% Japanese, he is more Japanese than me, because he asked my birthday and then added that I am “Oni-i-san” (Older brother) because my birthday is earlier than his! (For the interest of western readers: Japanese language has no word for brother. We always define ourselves as “older brother” or “younger brother”)

Takashi Ida