Our group took 21 students and 3 Chaperones to Okazaki Japan. Our Engage Ministry trip orchestrated through the United Planet, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The students’ lives were changed through the experience of the Japanese Culture. Naoko and Elissa began the logistics for our trip a year in advance concerning the History/Culture and welfare / needs of our ministry. Our daily activities for the week were very well planned out. The students were on a schedule that never wavered but accommodated when needed.

Highlights for Service: the opportunity for volunteerism – Christian ministering at the Temple Mantokuji Elementary school engaging with the students and at the Okazaki Catholic Church through worship, camaraderie with Nuns / congregation following up with cleaning the sewers in front of the church. Volunteering at the Miyazakien Tea Plantation.

Highlights Culture and History: touring Okazaki Castle, dressing up in Kimonos, learning a Japanese dance, harvesting green tea / participating in the tea ceremony at the Miyazakien Tea Plantation, learning Japanese calligraphy at the “Global Studies Cafe,” walking to the 7-11 and restaurants, and listening to Naoko and Kuni explain the History of Okazaki 1455 Castle / first Shogun Tokugawa leyasu. Visiting the Taiko Drum maker shop was amazing as well. The food was delicious Japanese cuisine with an American Breakfast buffet.