We have lived in this area for years and know about Walter Weston but had never participated in the annual memorial event that honors him. So this year the boys participated in the hike and sleep over in Kamikochi and the rest of us joined them on Sunday for the Weston memorial.
Walter Weston (Wikipedia) was a protestant missionary to Japan between 1888 to 1895 and also helped popularize recreational mountaineering in Japan.
After attending the memorial I was a bit disappointed that he has only been remembered for his contribution in furthering outdoor recreation and none of the people who spoke of him even mention that it was his faith in God that brought him to Japan in the first place.
It is my faith in God and a desire to share the joy of salvation with people in Japan that lead me to Japan also.
A few years ago Hannah and I were given a chance to hike Mt. Hotaka and while we were hiking the scripture from Romans 1 became much more real. To look at all of God’s creation and be surrounded by the beauty He created made me feel insigificant in a good way. It made me think about life and want to give thanks to God for the life he gave me.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. [19] For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20] For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Claiming to be wise, they became fools, [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:18–23 (ESV)
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