The youth (12-18 years) gathered near Furukawa at a Youth Ranch where they spent 3 days together for a Youth Conference. The first day, Gary and I were invited to do a Devotional for them. We took the AP's and two of our best Shimai to help us.
Who wouldn't love these two sweet Shimai, Hyodo and Kimura.
The missionaries were great examples to the youth.
The AP's waiting their turn to speak to the youth.
About 50-60 youth attended with leaders.
Groups of kids worked on a project together and the
missionaries rotated around helping different groups.
Sister Hyodo (1 week in the mission) gave a great talk.
Elder Dowdy helped translate my talk.
We gave each youth this package which contained a package of hi-chew candy that I changed to "I Choose..." along with a list of the things we hope they will "choose" to do; ie: be involved in Seminary, go on a mission, marriage in the Temple, etc. The kids loved them!
Gary is always entertaining and fun -- the youth love him.
After our devotional, we all went outside where the camp had a
flag ceremony with all the groups using this facility that week.
One of the group of "campers" were these young boys--I think from a school. They looked awfully young to be away from home for several days.
A fun interactive game was played and, of course,
Gary got himself involved running around with the kids.
We had to take some pictures of just us missionarie before we left for home.
It had been a tough day!
Typical of Japan, this statue of a child reminding children to hold their
arm up so cars can see them as they crosses the street
