Tokyo minister’s home destroyed by fire

The family of Yoshiya Noguchi awoke to flames on Sunday, Nov. 4.

The remains of Tokyo minister Yoshiya Noguchi’s home. (Photo provided by Dwight Albright)

The minister for the Ochanomizu Church of Christ in Tokyo and his family — wife Emiko, children Hannah and Aito, ages 8 and 6, and Emiko’s mother — escaped “with only the clothes they had on,” said Dwight Albright, a longtime missionary to Japan and member of the Park Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis, Tenn. The Noguchi’s attended the Park Avenue church while Yoshiya Noguchi studied at nearby Harding School of Theology.
Emiko Noguchi spent a night in the hospital due to smoke inhalation.
The family is staying with relatives in Mito, Japan, and Yoshiya Noguchi has returned to work as chaplain for Ibaraki Christian University and Schools in Hitachi City, Japan, Albright said.

Yoshiya Noguchi preaching at the Ochanamizu Church of Christ. (Photo via ochanomizuco-christ.or.jp)

The Ochanomizu church is collecting contributions to help the family, as is the Park Avenue congregation. Checks may be made to the Park Avenue Church of Christ. Please note “Noguchi fund” and send contributions to:
Park Ave Church of Christ
5295 Park Ave
Memphs TN 38119
www.ParkAve.org
In a message to members of the Ochanamizu church, the minister said, “Even in the midst of this, God supports us and gave us a way of escape through the prayers and support of everyone. Rather than counting what we have lost we will count what we have received and have been provided. The lives of our family and neighbors were protected. That is truly a big thing for which to be thankful.”

• Feedback
  Emiko and family, I was so sorry to learn of your loss of physical possessions, including your home, but thankful that all of you escaped safely. My prayers are with you.

  Patty Barrett

  November, 19 2012

  Ralph & I were very sorry to read of your loss, but we are very thankful to our Heavenly Father that your lives were protected. I hope you remember us from “HUGSR days” and Emiko traveling with us to Curve, TN. We will continue to pray for you.

  Darlene Shook

  December, 6 2012

  We were so sorry to read about the damage your house sustained. We remember Emiko Ikeda and the assistance she gave our LST team while we were in Mito in the summer of 1996. She was a blessing to our work. I am sure God’s people will help the Noguchi family during their time of recovery.

  John & Nancy McCurdy

  December, 20 2012