Triple 7 is a day that has finally come with much anticipation among the young 2nd generation of Filipino-Japanese Blessed couples in Mie Ken. It is the day of dream and excitement for the 2nd round of Summer Camp for the kids. The location is the sprawling beach side of Kawage Gifu Marina Sports Complex, Tsu Mie Ken. Around 37 children ranging from age 6 to 12 years old gathered for this two days occasion and some children came all the way from neighboring province of Nagoya Aichi and Shiga Ken. The avenue provided an atmosphere of camaraderie that is in line with this year's theme for the camp: A Paradigm towards Kingdom Building through a Deepening Relationship of Love between Parents and Children.

The participants were hosted with warm reception from volunteer parents. As the seminar commenced, the kids gradually build their own sense of bright atmosphere through songs while at the same time, the assimilation process became so natural as they began to fit in their new environment with both familiar and new faces of friends and acquaintances. The first hours of the seminar saw the kids hurdle the baptism of the word as they went through a lecture on the Principle followed by a Video presentation of Hyun Jin Nim and the speaking tour in Tokyo few months ago.

As the twilight approached, the children were assembled at the mezzanine where they were tasked to prepare and cook their own dinner. It was a wholesome experience to many being exposed to outdoor kitchen and you can watch them cheering as ingredients were poured one after another on to a big pan over a wood fire. By diligently following the direction of the cook instructor, the kids were treated to a sumptuous Spanish dish at the porch of the wharf overlooking the romantic view of the sea and those magnificent sailboats anchored by the bay side added more beauty to the scenery.

In the evening, they enjoyed each other's company through competitive games by team until the events were engulfed by the darkness of the night. To cap the days' activities, the kids had their own version of Bhanabi (fireworks festival) as both parents and children gathered together to form a big circle and lit their fire crackers. It was a day full of fun, well meaning experience and blessings. We concluded the night with a prayer and cheers of mansei.

The following day, everyone woke up at 5am for the prayer followed by an hour of Tongil Moo Do training. Most of the kids barely began to train in martial arts and you can see the enthusiasm in their faces despite the hard schedule. Well, some kids could not cope up with the physical demand of the training but tried anyway. They finally posted for a group picture at the backdrop of a chilly day in summer overlooking the bay.

After a modest breakfast, everyone equipped themselves for the day's adventure canoeing. The dads helped out in carrying 15 loads of canoes to the beach for the day's activity. All were excited by the new adventure as the kids lined for their turn to take the ride and challenge the ocean. In a seeming conspiracy with nature, the ocean remained calm and peaceful for these neophytes to enjoy the showdown.

As the first canoe went its way to the sea and the two kids began to paddle their own way, the rest of the kids were encouraged that it was indeed doable and no amount of fear conquered their desire to challenge. The next hours became an enjoyable scene as they take turns to have their ride and while waiting for their turn, the rest simply enjoyed the bath and played at the sands. The parents are all keenly watching by the beach and ready for any eventualities but thanks God the whole event went well.

At the closing of the program for this 2 day camp, the kids gave their impressions and realizations. It was an array of memories to be added to their vocabulary of life's experiences. Their interaction with friends, their bath together in a big bathtub, their sleep together in a room, their first taste of outdoor kitchen, their first challenging experience with ocean canoeing, the fireworks, the prayers and all the minor events that created the bonding among friends and parents are worth a celebration.

And what more, everyone look forward to the third summer camp as the countdown begins at 365. As everyone depart from the building that hosted the party, the Dads were already there waiting at the beachside with barbecue prepared just in time for the grumbling stomach after a day of excitement. There's nothing more to describe the atmosphere of a community of families that bonded together hoping to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others hoping that each day could be a little heaven down here.