This is from Bryan Stinocher (sixpacktr@hotmail.com), who served from 1979 to 1981

I was in the first group that President and Sister Tsuya had (July 1979). We were able to grow up together, as it were, in being missionaries and learning to follow the rules, although I never got that down as well as I should have, as some of my companions and fellow apartment dwellers can attest!

I have two things that stand out in my mind with President Tsuya. One is when I was out 6 months (4 in the field). I was in Futenma, and we had just had a Kikuchi-kun "big boat" talk at the Naha chapel (it was some missionary conference on one type or another). As a side note, when I went back and lived in the Tokyo area several years later, I was at the Koiwa chapel preparing for something or other, and noticed that Elder Kikuchi was speaking to the missionaries. For old times sake, I snuck in. And guess what?! He was giving the big boat speech! I guess you go with what works! At this time, Elder Kikuchi told us to NEVER, EVER be without our companions, as Satan would do all he could to tempt us.

Anyway, I was alone in the missionary apartment behind the Futenma chapel, lying on my bed and studying the lesson plan, when all the sudden I hear "anyone home?" I get up and go to the front of the apartment, and in walks Kikuchi-kun and President Tsuya. Of course, I didn't even have my tie on (always have hated the things). First words out of Kikuchi-kun's mouth are "Where is your companion Elder!?" I told him he was in the chapel studying. I thought that President Tsuya was going to die, and take me with him!

My next story is when I have 5 months left in my mission. I had been transferred back to Fujisaki to be a ZL with Cunningham choro. Problem was that I had always disliked ZLs with a fury (It has been our sad experience that some men, when the get a little authority...), and here the Pres was making ME one! I sat on it for about 2 weeks, then went into the honbu to talk with Pres Tsuya. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that I hated ZLs, never wanted to be one, and couldn't he just leave me in Fujisaki as a DL to die? He looked me in the eye and told me something I have never forgotten. He told me that when his call was coming, he went fishing. He knew it was coming, but he didn't want to take it. He "hid out" for 2 weeks, and finally came home. And accepted his calling. And then he said "Stinocher choro, if I have to be mission president, you have to be ZL!" I laughed at the time, but it bound me much closer to him.

I am very grateful for a man that answered his call, and taught me, a snot-nosed punk, that in the church we don't seek out callings, but that duty requires we answer the call, and let the Lord teach us how to do it. I don't know how I did as a ZL, you'd have to ask some of those I presided over. I hope I never exercised unrighteous dominion  I tried to help those that needed it. But I learned a great lesson from a great man.

This is from Rich Larsen, who served from 1976 to 1978...

I was at the Family History Library working on a computer next to a Japanese fellow and a FHC staff member. I was very impressed by the amount of genealogy this fellow had, all in Japanese. The staff member was doing his best to offer assistance but their was a definite lack of communication between the two. Both were getting frustrated so I decided it was a good time to break in with something a little more light hearted.

I mentioned that I had gone to Japan on my mission which really lihgtened the Japanese fellow. He excitedly ask where I had served. When I replied that I had served in Fukuoka, he really got excited and asked when. I replied that it was 76-78 he was a little disappointed and said, "I just missed you" It turned out to be President Tsuya and we had a delightful conversation for about 20 minutes. He was in great health and very genki! Just thought you might like to know.......

This is from Ron Downer, who served from 1977 to 1979...

I've just got to put my two bits in to say that Goro Yamada Dendobucho was the most wonderful mission president imaginable. To this day I often think of and admire his wisdom and compassion. He carried himself with a stature and composure that I was in awe of. I couldn't wait until taikai to be able to get personal instruction from him. His wife was equally inspiring. I can scarcely imagine, now being older and more jaded, how Sister Yamada could seem so genuinely excited whenever a missionary would come to the honbu. I often remember her coming to greet us and insisting that we come inside to enjoy a homemade goody and a glass of mugi-cha. I remember Sister Yamada telling me, while still in Japan, that they would come down from Canada and go through the temple with me when I got married, as my parents would not be able to. I never did ask them to, knowing what a burden it would be, and knowing how crushed I would be if I really did ask, and then they couldn't.

President and Sister Yamada, where ever you are, thank you! You have been among the most influential people I have ever been blessed to associate with.

This is from Steve Gilchrist, who served from 1979 to 1981

Follow-up to Downer Choro's Story...

I served under President Yamada for only 3 months, and other than at the honbu when we first arrived, I only met him once, at a zone taikai in Sasebo a month before he returned to Canada. Despite that, somehow he knew when I returned to Canada, and contacted me. I asked him if he would like to speak at my homecoming, and he agreed! 

He and Yamada Shimai traveled two hours to the small Southern Alberta town where I attended high school (I was reporting in my former ward) and after I spoke he got up and for ten minutes thanked those humble farmers for raising wonderful sons and sending them to far-away places to search out the seekers of truth and teach them the Gospel. He told his conversion story and about his experience as mission president, and how much he and Sister Yamada loved the same sons that those people loved and sent out. It was absolutely the most humble and spiritual sacrament meeting I have ever attended, all for a punk kid he had only met twice over a year and a half before! I still see him and Sister Yamada at the Cardston temple every couple of months, and they both still light up when they see me. What an amazing couple!

This is from Scott Giles, who served from 1993 to 1995...

It was a busy summer morning in Fukuoka. Many of us had spent hours travelling to the honbu for Zone Leaders taikai and were anxious in anticipation of our short activity before the serious business of goal setting, planning and instruction began later in the hot afternoon. Relishing the opportunity to renew aquaintainces spirits were high and youthful enthusiasim abounded. We wasted no time in donning our P-Day attire leaving white shirts, ties and suits strewn everywhere. Perhaps most noticible were the assorted pairs of shoes cluttering the genkan to the office. Shoes worn and dusty from the daily rigors of housing and streeting, some more than others showing the signs of wear, some coming apart at the seams. Not entirely unlike the missionaries who wore them. With childlike abandon we raced impulsively to our exciting destination, Momochi!

While we cherished the fun and freedom of an afternoon in the sun little thought was given to our devoted and thoughtful President, toiling and preparing his messages for us.

Fulfilled and refreshed we sauntered back to the honbu and hurriedly changed clothing in preparation of meetings. In our haste to get ready not all of us noticed that our dusty, worn shoes had been lovingly polished and carefully straightened during our absence.It did not dawn on me for some time as to who could have been so kind, to perform such an humble Christlike act. Yet once it became clear that our dear Mission President had given of self and taught us by precept the principle of service talked about by King Benjamin, a tear came to my eye.

I thank Heavenly Father eternally for wonderful righteous men who serve as Mission Presidents. In particular for me President Figuerres and President Pincock. God bless them and all the missionaries.

This is from Ken Smith...

I remember working under President Figuerres and the Ammon Project. I remember the first time President Figuerres asked us to contact at least 25 people a week and we all laughed at him. He had a broader vision then we did and it was hard to have that blind faith in him that he asked for. I tried to apply the things that he was asking us to do and soon found out that it really worked. If I truly tried to contact 25 people a week then I truly did see 1 baptism every other month.

I remember my first interview with President Figuerres. He asked me what I wanted out of my mission and I said to him, "nothing, I just hope it goes by fast." He then asked me if I had a girl friend, and I told him I did. He then told me in no uncertain terms that she would not be there when I got home. I was thinkg to myself at this time, "Do you want to buy my plane ticket home now or later."

He is a great man and I am the person I am today because of the patience he showed in me. I will never forget him.