Rainbow Over Hell
Nothing beats a good handshake.
I stuck out my hand and smiled. He smiled back and reached out. He shook my hand and in broken English started telling me his story.
“I live on Saipan during WWII. I hide in hills. I kill two men, not Americans, Japanese.”
I leaned over still holding his hand straining to catch each word in the noisy sanctuary. Around 80 years old, Saburo Arakai, a Japanese prisoner of war turned pastor has lived an amazing life. A church member gave me his book, Rainbow Over Hell, for Christmas. As I flew back to Saipan, I read the story of a young man whose life was shattered by a war long ago. Many of the places in his story were familiar to me. But when I think of Banzai cliff, Marpi, and Suicide Cliffs, I see sunsets and hear the laughter of friends. Saburo Arakai remembers fear, the smell of death, and a black hatred.
His story is inspiring. The way God reached this young man drowning in hate gave me chills. His unshakable belief in the power of prayer opened new avenues to me. And here, I was still shaking his hand and hearing his story in first person.
It only took him three minutes to sum up his book, and he shook my hand the entire time.
Later in church he went up front to share. He surprised us all when he pulled out a harmonica and played us three songs. He was good and so cheerful that we couldn’t help but smile. Then he started to tell his story again. Brit and I moved up front where we could hear better. Even though his interview was only supposed to last five minutes, Saburo Arakai kept talking. No one in the audience minded. This was a rare treat. But soon his wife stood up, walked to the pulpit and told him his time was up. He frowned at her, nodded, and then smiled.
“After the service, I talk again!” I grinned. I was fine if he took up the rest of our church time.
Later he showed the documentary they made of his story, and after a quick picture I shook his hand one more time.
I’ll never forget our first hand shake, his story, and the privilege it was to see this man of God. His story calls us to be better people. It tells us of forgiveness and answered prayers. It shows what God can do to a life fully surrendered to him. But don’t take my word for it. Read his book. Rainbow Over Hell is not classic literature, but it has a classic message.
Read it, and find out for yourself.
I stuck out my hand and smiled. He smiled back and reached out. He shook my hand and in broken English started telling me his story.
“I live on Saipan during WWII. I hide in hills. I kill two men, not Americans, Japanese.”
I leaned over still holding his hand straining to catch each word in the noisy sanctuary. Around 80 years old, Saburo Arakai, a Japanese prisoner of war turned pastor has lived an amazing life. A church member gave me his book, Rainbow Over Hell, for Christmas. As I flew back to Saipan, I read the story of a young man whose life was shattered by a war long ago. Many of the places in his story were familiar to me. But when I think of Banzai cliff, Marpi, and Suicide Cliffs, I see sunsets and hear the laughter of friends. Saburo Arakai remembers fear, the smell of death, and a black hatred.
His story is inspiring. The way God reached this young man drowning in hate gave me chills. His unshakable belief in the power of prayer opened new avenues to me. And here, I was still shaking his hand and hearing his story in first person.
It only took him three minutes to sum up his book, and he shook my hand the entire time.
Later in church he went up front to share. He surprised us all when he pulled out a harmonica and played us three songs. He was good and so cheerful that we couldn’t help but smile. Then he started to tell his story again. Brit and I moved up front where we could hear better. Even though his interview was only supposed to last five minutes, Saburo Arakai kept talking. No one in the audience minded. This was a rare treat. But soon his wife stood up, walked to the pulpit and told him his time was up. He frowned at her, nodded, and then smiled.
“After the service, I talk again!” I grinned. I was fine if he took up the rest of our church time.
Later he showed the documentary they made of his story, and after a quick picture I shook his hand one more time.
I’ll never forget our first hand shake, his story, and the privilege it was to see this man of God. His story calls us to be better people. It tells us of forgiveness and answered prayers. It shows what God can do to a life fully surrendered to him. But don’t take my word for it. Read his book. Rainbow Over Hell is not classic literature, but it has a classic message.
Read it, and find out for yourself.
posted by G-rant at 10:27 PM
1 Comments:
Mind if I borrow your copy, if you've got it handy?
Post a Comment
<< Home