Quality Time With Player and Family

Leading up to the trip this year, we intentionally prayed for God to provide homestay opportunities for our team. The hope was to spend more quality time with students and their families outside of basketball clinic hours and to deepen relationships in Japan.

A week away from kicking off our first clinic, we still had no idea whether the homestay was going to happen and continued to pray for open doors. Ikeda-sensei, the head coach at Hara Junior High School in Yokohama City, graciously asked around to see if he can arrange potential homestays with his students. And lo and behold, we received news at the start of our trip that not only was Ikeda-sensei willing to host two of our teammates but also one of his student’s family was opening up their home to us!

I had the chance to stay with his student, Rino, and her family for two nights and three days. During these few days, I experienced wonderful hospitality. Rino’s family welcomed me on the first night with a DIY sushi roll party and even prepared a bento for me to take for lunch the next day. Rino’s friend, Meisa, from the same basketball team also came to sleepover the first night and we got to play card games, watch the Olympic basketball game, and enjoy ice cream together while talking about nonsensical, fun topics that allowed us to open up.

It was such a blessing to build a friendship with Rino and meet each of her family members (her mom, dad, twin sisters, and a brother). Her mom—we call her Kazu-chan—was especially happy with our time together and told me that she’d love to have me and the team over again next year! I kept in touch with Rino and Kazu-chan throughout our travels in Japan and recently checked in with each other to see how we’re doing after the trip.

Praise God for the answered prayers and new relationships! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to spend quality time with people of peace that the LORD prepared ahead of time. Please continue to pray with us for more open doors with Ikeda-sensei, Rino, and her family, and for their hearts to be softened and ready to experience the love of Christ in tangible ways!

Written by Irene Pan

Irene (Left), Ikeda-Sensei, Kanta, Mike, and Rino (student).