REV. HAROLD AND MARGARET RICKARD
MISSIONARIES TO OKINAWA AND JAPAN, 1951 - 1982

A New Calling... The date is September 8, 1951 -- and a freighter known as the "Flying Scud" has just delivered Harold, Margaret, and three children to the island of Okinawa. Okinawa was the site of the final fierce battle of WWII -- a bloody battle between Japan and the United States which had been waged a mere six years earlier.	Above: The freighter "Flying Scud" (1951)

	"The scars of war were still very evident... We could still see the terrible destruction of buildings, fields, and trees..." When Farley Mowat later wrote 'And No Birds Sang' (1979), the title became the phrase by which Harold and Margaret would describe the destruction they experienced upon arriving in Okinawa.

Above: Shuri Methodist Church (~ 1945)	Officially, Okinawans were pounded by the "Typhoon of Steel" for three months. In reality, the U.S. bombing on Okinawa lasted a full year. One-third of all Okinawans died in the Battle of Okinawa. Not one Okinawan family was left unaffected. Thus, it was quite natural that great physical, mental, and emotional scars remained. The magnitude of those wounds was almost overwhelming. Fortunately, though, Christian pastors and lay people were bringing healing and hope.
Next: Nago, Okinawa ...and Naha. [click].

Top
Rickard Home
Missions Home | Golden First UMC Home

Please send your comments and suggestions to
Golden First UMC's Web Ministries.
Last Revised: October 4, 2002.