The Trust Services department of the Hawaii Conference recently received a surprise call. The woman on the line asked if a representative could meet for lunch so she could further explain her objective. They agreed on a date, and at the appointed time and place, she opened the conversation by speaking in hallowed tones of her late friend, Yozo Endo, whom she had obviously loved and respected.

Endo's chosen trustee and friend unwrapped his story. It was obvious that she was telling of one who acknowledged and enjoyed a close relationship with the Giver of all good things. And he had a special passion for the support of Christian education.

When Endo's estate was settled, the Hawaii Conference would receive a substantial gift to benefit Christian education in specific locations of the Hawaiian Islands, the trustee explained. The estimated amount of the gift seemed incongruous with his work history.

At age 17, Endo was offered room and board on a chicken farm. While there was no pay for his labor, he had a place to grow vegetables, which he sold for mere cents. He later took a job pumping gas. But at age 22, he decided he didn’t want to do that the rest of his life, and began working for a cabinetmaker earning $20 a month, $15 of which went for room and board.

For the next 39 years, Endo labored in cabinetmaking, starting as an apprentice and working his way to a first-class cabinetmaker. So beautiful was his craftsmanship that he was eventually commissioned to build the desk for the governor of Hawaii.

In his self-written history, he acknowledged having decided to commit his life to God after a brief separation in his relationship with Him. Upon making that decision, he stated, “I think the best decision that I ever made in my life was to return to God and live in harmony with His will.”

Through the years, Endo carefully invested his financial resources and, at the same time, he cultivated his natural generosity, giving here and there as the Lord impressed. It wasn’t uncommon for him to appear at one of the church schools in Hawaii, not only for a visit, but to see what the needs were and to leave a sizable donation to provide for that need.

Upon his death, the trustee distributed Endo's assets as he had directed. The Hilo church held a Sabbath church service in honor of Endo. Members of his family shared personal memories, and the principals of the three church schools benefiting from his legacy expressed their appreciation not only for his generosity, but also for his dedication to a Christ-centered education.

When Jesus proclaimed, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” He was speaking a truth that can best be comprehended through experience.

For more information, contact the Hawaii Conference Trust Services department at 808-595-7591 or visit hwictrust.netadventist.org.