August 3: Preparing for FMTC

Tuesday morning, we ate toast at the hotel, then some of us walked to the McDonalds because Richie really wanted to eat a hamburger. Unfortunately, their breakfast menu was the same as in the states.

We held a brief team meeting with time for prayer and a devotion led by Joanne. Then Mr. Nozawa and Mr. Inoue came to pick us up at 11 AM and drove us to lunch at a Chinese buffet restaurant. It was delicious!

Then they drove us to a Sakuragaoka church plant that Sakuragaoka Church built not too long ago. From there, we walked to an outlet mall. They had many western shops like Nike and Coach, but most of the shops were smaller clothing shops.

When we were walking back to the church, we walked down a path lined with trees that were buzzing with the sound of hundreds or maybe even thousands of semi (cicada bugs).

The rest of the afternoon, we spent practicing our skits and worship songs for the Free Methodist Teen Camp (FMTC) in the sanctuary at Sakuragaoka Church.

Nojiri-sensei and Mr. Inoue took us to a restaurant called Bikkuri-Donkey, which was known for their hamburg. Hamburgs are like a mix between meat loaf and a hamburger patty. Our stomaches full and tired from the day’s events, we walked back to the train station and returned to our hotel.

Wednesday, we are leaving for Oshima and FMTC. We hear that the island and the camp is going to be especially hot, and in the past, many people (both staff and youth campers) have passed out with heat stroke. So we hope to be extra cautious about our health and keep hydrated. Emi has a stack of cool packs, just in case. I think she is also the most prepared member with bug repellant, even though she is the only one who has not been bitten by a mosquito yet.

God has been preparing us both mentally and physically for this next leg of our journey, and we thank you for your continued prayers!