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Cryderman
and Ansted Ride Circuit in Japan
by Dale Cryderman
I traveled for several days with the man who holds one of the most
difficult jobs of any Free Methodist minister. Even the old Methodist
circuit rider would have to whip his horse into jet action to keep
up with Chaplain (1st Lt.) Harry Ansted out here in the Far East.
Chaplain
Harry "Bud" Ansted visiting an orphanage in Tokyo,
Japan. |
Chaplain Ansted (better known as "Bud" to his Asbury
seminary and Seattle Pacific college friends) holds the position
of protestant chaplain for the 527th Air Craft Warning group, which
proves to be one of the most important groups in the defense set
up for Japan. His men are scattered on numerous islands rimming
the southwest end of Japan, maintaining a radar watch of the skies
for enemy planes.
In this one short trip to just a few sights, we traveled by train,
staff car, jeep, ferry, Japanese fishing boat, weapons carrier army
liaison plane and the C54 troop carrier. Much of the traveling is
done by night to give additional time with the troops during the
day.
No pastor in the States ever received a more enthusiastic welcome
than does Chaplain Ansted as he arrives at these lonely outposts.
Consultations, character guidance lectures and regular religious
services fill his time. Frequently, the day room or lounge serves
as a chapel, the altar often being a pool table and even the bar
is transformed into a counseling chamber.
The largest contingent of men at any of these sights totals only
slightly more than 100, so the chaplain does not preach to hundreds
of men but finds an enthusiastic response to the Word by the small
groups of men who can be present for services. …
At the invitation of the U.S. Air Force, I was on the trip for
a "Preaching Mission." The chaplain had planned for two
and three services a day. We saw scores of men seek the Lord in
each service. What a thrill to lead men to Christ at the pool table
or the bar! Many who had once known the Lord came back to Him and
the entire tour was marked by victory.
Knowing that he cannot visit these sites more than once a month,
Chaplain Ansted is organizing Bible study groups. Now several of
the places have groups of men meeting on Sunday morning to spend
an hour in fellowship and study. …
I came back from this tour with a new appreciation for the work
of our chaplains. On he goes day after day - no chapel, no pulpit,
no choir, no beautiful organ. Just the rugged, rough job in all
kinds of situations and under all types of conditions … preaching
the good news of salvation. And men - your own men - are daily finding
Christ because Free Methodist pastor accepted the challenge and
now reaches youth for Christ. I'm sure the Master looks down on
this hard-working, rough and tumble chaplain and say, "Inasmuch
as ye do it unto the least of them ye have done it unto Me."
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