One note about a prior day. It turns on that on 8/4 when we went to Kyoto, that I forgot to post the pictures. So, at the end of this blog is a link to those pictures, along with today's links.
Today sadly was the last day of camp. It was a lot of fun, but we were sad to see it end so quickly. We started off the day with a camp-wide game of "Capture The Flag", and played for almost 30 minutes. After the game, we broke into our 8 stations and worked on various skills. During break, we did some fun things like a mini-magic show put on by True, where he "levitated" someone and did an amazing card trick. The kids really enjoyed it. When camp ended, we all ate lunch together in the pavilion with Subway sandwiches provided by the base. After lunch, we did our American song, and Jarrett gave his testimony. He did a good job (see video). After Jarrett's testimony, Todd gave a follow-up, and wrap-up of the week, including an explanation and opportunity to receive Christ. We closed in prayer and then spent a lot of time with kids taking pictures, and signing their shirts, team brochures and soccer balls.
The afternoon saw several hours of free time, followed by a game against the Marines at 5pm. We were joined in the game by Nozomu. His parents were led to the Lord by Paul's parents when they were missionaries here, and we have played his team in the past. He visited the first day and also joined us for lunch. He is a believer himself and it was good to be able to share a time of mutual encouragement. Although we have 24 players---enough for 2 full teams, it was still great to see that Todd & Phil found a chance for him to play some. It was a good game, but we mostly dominated, winning 5-0 and having numerous other close chances (see video). After the game we sang our American song, and then Todd gave his testimony. He did a great job gearing it toward a bunch of tough Marines (see video). Following the testimony, we gave them some gifts and then just spent some time talking. One interesting conversation was one that Spencer had. He noticed one of the Marines wearing the shorts of the national team from Cameroon. It turns out that indeed he was a Cameroonian and so he knew a lot of the places where Spencer had grown up (Spencer's parents are missionaries in Cameroon). The conversation ended with Spencer giving him his e-mail and telling him to be in touch, and that he, Spencer, would try to see if he could find a Bible in his dialect. (if anyone knows about Bibles available in Cameroonian dialects, and which ones---please contact us or Spencer).
After the game, it was back to the dorms for a quick shower and then off to Kintai for the big festival. Paul said that it is to celebrate their ancestors. The normally quiet river is packed with vendors, and there are maybe 10-15 thousand people packing the area (see pictures). The problem was that because it was so popular, and traffic was so bad, we couldn't get any taxis. Since it was a Saturday, all of our base liaisons were busy in the evening (last time we came to this festival in 2010, it was early afternoon and not a problem). So----we walked the entire way! It took and hour!! We didn't get there until a little before nine and fireworks had started at 8pm. That's OK though as we saw a lot as we walked toward it, and then since the show was 1 1/2 hours long, we still saw over 30 minutes. They would run fireworks for anywhere between 30-120 seconds, and then pause and then do it again---all for an hour and a half. It makes any other fireworks show I have been to look like child's play. After the show, we had an to hour to do what we wanted. Some crossed the bridge to the other side (normally a cost, but not tonight), while others went down to see the vendor displays (see pictures and video). It is really quite spectacular.
Coming home was an issue too. There were not taxi's to be had, so after trying that for a while, we finally got in the bus line (it snaked around the block, but they had a lot of busses running) and took a bus back to the Iwakuni train station where we then took taxi's back to our dorms. All in all a very fun time, but the guys missed getting to see it in the daytime and go up to visit the Iwakuni castle, and to see where Paul used to live when he lived here (ages 6-14). So---since we have some free time after church Sunday, we got to choose between going back to Kintai or up to Hiroshima. The latter would have been quite a production, so we choose to go back to Kintai. I think it will actually be amazing for the guys. It is beautiful, a great place for a team picture, the castle is very interesting and the view is spectacular. Also unique will be the chance to see how it looks cleared out from last night. I expect it will be quite a contrast. Well, you will see yourselves (eventually :-) )
Pictures (8/8 only)
Pictures (8/4 only)---(It was pointed out that I left out completely these pictures of our trip to Kyoto, enjoy them here, or go back and read the 8/4 blog again and click on the picture link there which has been changed to be 8/4 only)
Pictures (all the rest)
Video Montage
Testimony-Jarrett
Todd's Invitation
Camper of the Week Awards
Magic Show
Marine Game Highlights
Testimony-Todd
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