Camping, the Japanese way

Our last weekend in August was spent with our group of believers and seekers at a camping area in a mountainous area near Tokyo called Okutama. The venue was beautiful! The experience was really different. After checking into the camp ground we unloaded all of our gear into a small truck that took it to our site, where we unlaoded it and set up. That`s right - our vehicle stayed in a parking lot so all of our food and supplies had to remain with us at the campsite. Each camp area, consisting of maybe 4 sites, had it`s own cooking pavillion. It was covered and had stone "counter tops", sinks and cooking areas. It even had electricity, so there were lights and a plug (for your electric rice cooker, of course). We left our food in this unprotected area all night and it was safe. If that was Ontario, the raccoons would have carried it all away!! Each tent site had wooden pallets that were used under the tent to keep the tent off the ground and allow rain water to run underneath it.

We ate our lunch on a raised wooden plateform near the check in area, which also housed a coffee shop/restaurant and a nature centre. After setting up our tents we went on a long hike up and down the many hills that make up the park, ending up at a beautiful lake where the kids enjoyed skipping rocks. The scenery along the way was magnificent. After returning to our site, we started the bbq and enjoyed a North American style hamburger and hot dog meal on the grill, complete for corn on the cob and somemores for dessert. The kids really enjoyed the campfire experience and our first talk based on the relationship between Jonathan and David. Andrew Love (a college MK in Japan for the summer) did a great job telling the story dramatically using lots of "anime" (comic book language). The kids responded beautifully with lots of enthusiasm that carried through to our talk about friendship.

We did get some rain that night and a little the next morning, but not enough to dampen a wonderful breakfast outside. One of the women made a feast of miso soup, rice and a wonderful meat and potato dish that tasted especially good outdoors! The rain held off during our talking time - this time concerning creation. Japanese kids are taught evolution as a fact, not even a theory in school and we wanted to counter that by giving a different view point. Once again everyone listened and seemed to enjoy the talk.

The camp area also has a craft centre where you could do cooking, wood crafts or, in our case, a stone craft. The kids chose a stone and smoothed it using a wheel, then made it into a pendant or key chain. We all headed home tired, but really happy that the weekend turned out so well. The next day phone calls were made home from the school warning that the kids would be let out early because of the severity of the typhoon that was coming through that afternoon. Thankfully, the storm passed through with heavy rain and high winds the day after and not the day of the camping trip!

One couple, who are not yet believers, took part in much of the planning for the trip this year and seemed to really enjoy being a part of the group, asking questions and staying up late talking about how Christ may work in their lives. Please pray that this couple would become more involved with our group and that they would recognize their need for a Saviour. Another young man who was there is struggling with depression. Pray that the God who heals will strengthen

his mind and spirit.