Missionaries Japan Rusty and Brenda Carney Joyful Kids Camp
Brenda, Grace and I recently had an opportunity to go across to the east side of the island of Hokkaido and help one of our national pastors (Pastor Ishii) and his church put on a camp for their Joyful Kids Club that normally meets on Sunday mornings. They called it "Joyful Kids Camp" and the attraction was that some native English speakers would be there to help teach some English at the camp. So this camp not only served the purpose of providing a time of more intense Bible study for the normal kids group, but also served as an outreach to draw other kids into the group.
The experience was very good for us! We went a few days before the camp and stayed with pastor Ishii and his family. It was a great time for us to be able to put all of this Japanese that we've been studying to good use.
The camp was for two days near the beautiful Lake Saroma. The kids were able to canoe in the lake, take part in English classes, participate in a Bible treasure hunt, as well as times of Bible stories and a message by pastor Ishii. They ended the camp by writing a picture diary (with a little English) of their time at the camp.
We praise the Lord for all the seeds that were planted in the lives of these kids, and for one little boy who pastor Ishii was able to lead to the Lord after his message!!!
Thanks again for your prayers. Please also pray for pastor Ishii and his work in the eastern part of the island.