Kids Camp (May)

Last week I participated in my third Kid's Camp program since living in Fukushima, Japan.  A group of about 25 of us (leaders, volunteers, parents, children) spent 3 days and 2 nights at a national youth camp in the mountains above Lake Inawashiro - the largest lake in the Fukushima prefecture and a very beautiful location!

One of the goals of this Kids Camp program is to allow families an opportunity to rest and have meaningful time together - in a location with a much lower radiation background level than in Fukushima City.  In addition to games and activities (in both English and Japanese), we spend some time singing songs, reading a Bible verse, and hearing the message of Jesus Christ's love for us.


Hands down this Inawashiro Kid's Camp was the most powerful for me.  I know that God will use ALL of our Kids Camps for His glory and purposes, but it was very apparent to me that there was an impact on lives of others this time around.  There was strong Japanese leadership from Mariko Fuyama Sensei - a young lady serving as a church worker in another Christian synod in Japan - and from Nomura Sensei - our pastor at Izumi Lutheran Church in Fukushima.  (Pamela Kuehne, my sister-in-law, and I will be providing some leadership and programming assistance as well).  Whole families (children, mothers, AND fathers) came together - very rare in Japan.  There were some very positive young adult Japanese Christians who volunteered at this camp.  Their presence was a blessing not only to the families, but for Pamela and me as well!

National Bondai Youth Friendship Center - a government run retreat center.  Lodging and meals are very inexpensive, and the site has a lot to offer groups that are visiting!

 

Twice a day - 7am and 5pm - ALL the groups staying at the retreat center gathered to hear announcements, do corporate exercises, and listen to the Japanese national anthem (during a flag ceremony).

 

The "Radio Taisou" exercises that we did every morning at the camp are practiced all over the country by students at school, employees at their workplace, and elderly in the neighborhood parks.  The radio feed in this You Tube video is exactly the same one we heard while we were doing exercises at 7:00am.  Kind of different than what we Americans are used to.

The kids playing games indoors during some free time.  Unfortunately there was a lot of rain during the 3 day retreat . . .

Pamela having a great conversation with the other young adult Christians.

We spent one rainy morning touring the the Aizuwakamatsu Castle.

Mariko Fuyama (left) and Nomura Sensei (right) provided some strong leadership for the event.

It was very significant that both mothers AND fathers came with their families.

The three junior high girls (center) really bonded with the young Christian volunteers.

 

Playing with balloons back at the gym in the retreat center.

 

A paper plane contest, led by the Japanese volunteers, was a big hit!

 

More paper planes.

The men really got into it, too!

  

Nomura Sensei had really good form!

The young children really took to the cute baby that came along.  : )

    

Saying goodbye to the young adult volunteers.  They were really a blessing to me!

As I reflect on the event, here were some of the ways that God blessed me during this most recent Kids Camp:

Fellowship with other young Christians (men and women volunteers and pastors) here in Japan.  Leading kids games and music.  Participating in games (while other Japanese people led)!  Watching families (including the dads) have fun together.  Having Christian conversations that were filling and uplifting.  Praying and worshiping together.  Seeing how the kids really made heart-connections with the other volunteers.

Praise God!  Please pray that He will continue to use this ministry to touch the lives of others here in Japan with His grace and love.