The 2023 Japan Service Tour was an incredible opportunity for our students to grow in Christian discipleship, mission-mindedness, as well as Japanese language acquisition. Tour organiser and Japanese teacher, Mrs Louise George, believes there is no better way to love our neighbour as Jesus commanded than to go to their country, not just as a tourist, but as someone who is invited into their home and school.
Jesus' command to love your neighbour as yourself is very important for us. What better way is there to love your neighbour than to actually go to their country, not just as a tourist, but as someone who is invited into their home and their school.Mrs Louise George, Tour organiser and Japanese teacher
Over 11 days, three of our teachers accompanied 16 Covenant students to visit the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. The itinerary included a guided tour of Kyoto, a trip to Universal Studios, attending four days of school in Osaka (even on a Saturday!), staying with host families, and a visit to two churches.
This inaugural trip provided a tremendous opportunity for our students to engage in a cross-cultural experience and share the good news of Jesus. With only 0.5% of the Japanese population professing to be Christians, this trip certainly opened the eyes and hearts of the team to the Japanese people and the opportunity to witness to the lifesaving work of Jesus.
As our students reflected on their experience, one found the constant exposure to the Japanese language significantly helped her confidence and accent. Another student commented on how the trip helped develop strong connections between the team.
We trust that God will continue the good work started with the 2023 Japan Service Tour and continue to equip these students for further service and servant-leadership, for God’s glory. We thank God for his care for this team while they were overseas, and for the ways they have developed spiritually, relationally and emotionally.