Tiger Athletic Missions Experience Blog

Day 9, 10 Blog
Michaela McLemore - Sophomore
Kyla Arbuckle - Pom Head Coach
Farrah Dunaway - Acrobatics & Tumbling, Cheer Head Coach

Friday/Saturday, August 9-10, 2019
The ETBU Tiger Cheer, Pom, and Acrobatics and Tumbling teams wrapped up their Tiger Athletic Mission Experience (TAME) trip to Japan on Saturday and headed home after an incredible 12 day journey. It was a blessing and truly amazing to personally witness these young women love and serve the people of Japan and share their faith in Christ. They were able to use their God-given talents and abilities to minister and spread the Word to hundreds of people and children throughout the trip. I was encouraged and proud of our student-athletes as they served and poured our their hearts. The final recap of the trip is provided by Sophomore Michaela McLemore, Head Pom Coach Kyla Arbuckle, and Head Cheer and Acrobatics and Tumbling Coach Farrah Dunaway. 


"Friday was our last day at Camp Buttobi. Even though we were stretched during our time at camp, which included no AC, sleeping on the floor, and very different meals, we were all sad to leave. At breakfast the campers and staff thanked us and each one lined up to personally say goodbye and thanks. They gave us cards, CDs of their worship music, lots of hugs and a few tears. Everyone was touched, but the love shown by the campers to our team was something that we will all remember forever. 

After lunch we returned back to the church in Toyko, which took about six hours because of the rain and traffic. Once we had dinner, we all packed our stuff to prepare for a full day of travel back to Texas tomorrow," Sophomore Michaela McLemore stated. 


"This week has been eye opening not only for us individually but also collectively for our teams and the spirit program. We have traveled for days together, as well as slept side-by-side each night. This experience has brought our teams closer and we are thankful for the hard work that's been put into our experience. 


At the beginning of the week, we were excited to get to explore Japan and get immersed in their culture. We saw several shrines where the Japanese people worship while we prayed that their eyes and hearts would be opened to Christianity. Our teams got to put on a mini-festival in the front of a mall as well. Although there was a language barrier, we were still able to show the love of Christ through our smiles and interactions. This continued through Joy Joy Church and talking to strangers as we traveled through Tokyo. 


Camp Buttobi was our favorite part by far. Although we were washing dishes and preparing for meals, we had the best time serving the camp and getting to know each other better. Our hearts were touched by the relationships we created with the campers. They were so eager to love on us and were overjoyed to worship God. Even with a language barrier, we worshiped alongside the campers. We were moved by the way they were sold out for Christ even though we had no idea what they were singing or praying about. At the end of the camp, each camper and staff came to each of us individually and thanked us for our service. We were told that we were like angels to them and we believe they were our angels as well. Even though communication with them was limited, we will be forever grateful for the impact they made on our lives. 


Our teams have grown closer, our spirits have been freed, and our experience was unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who donated to our trip, organized our travels, and those who have encouraged us along the way. Without those people we would not have gotten to immerse ourselves into this life changing experience," Head Pom Coach Kyla Arbuckle said. 


"When called to travel with a group of athletes to Japan during a traditionally busy time in my life, I was willing and excited, but my flesh was weak. I had just come off of 10 days of cheer training and camp. 

Just before our Japan departure, my eyes were lifted to trust in His timing and His plan for my service.  Despite my heart being torn, there was no way of knowing what the Lord had prepared for us on this journey.

In preparation for this trip, I had been praying for three very specific things: that my athletes would be able to experience the Lord in a truly personal and unique way, that they learn to serve others when it does benefit them, and that the Lord would remove every bit of them from each and every circumstance to where they can only and fully rely on Him.

The trip began with much curiosity, anticipation, as well as some apprehension from some of athletes. With the three very different teams traveling as one, a changing itinerary, and an array of challenges with language and cultural barriers, mental toughness and flexibility was the order of the week.

We were welcomed most graciously by the ISF ministry team and immediately served by the staff of the Hongodai Christ Church. We had the opportunity to hike to Inoshima, where we explored the town, a shinto prayer wall and shrine, and the majestic North Pacific Ocean. The hiking was excruciatingly hot, but the cool of the ocean water the perfect remedy. Watching the students throw off their inhibitions and jump from the rocky shoreline into the foreign salt water with such joy and freedom was exhilarating. The cool plunge served as a refresher to fuel our trek back to the church for the night.

The next day we traveled to a local shopping area, which allowed the teams to engage the people with music and games. There was some initial hesitation from a few athletes to get silly or not worry about being seen as goofy, while others quickly engaged in the activities and embraced to opportunity to involve others in our play. Limbo was the biggest hit. Japanese of all ages danced beneath the rope, whether they were holding small children or in a suit holding a briefcase. Their curiosity and willingness to engage with us only propelled the athletes to play harder and smile bigger, freeing them even more from the chains binding them experiencing God's plan for them here.

Sunday Morning allowed two of the athletes to give their personal testimony to the children at the church. We then were able to perform short skills and worship with them. Watching one of my athletes give her testimony for the first time was so incredibly special! I could see the Holy Spirit work in her as well as in others with every word she spoke. 

Before traveling to serve at the Buttobi Camp, we enjoyed a day in Tokyo. I could not help but be broken for the mass amount of people who do NOT know the Lord.  On the way back to Hongodai Church, I noticed the great number of people that were  just getting off work so late at night trying to make it home to their families, only to repeat the schedule the next day. I again was broken for the people who do not have the hope of the Lord.

Tuesday we loaded the buses and traveled about five hours into the mountains to serve at Camp Buttobi. We had vague directions on what we were being asked to do while at this camp, but were excited to see what God had planned. Upon arrival, everyone was ecstatic to see us and we began to work right away. There were over 300 children and parents that we prepared food for on a daily basis. We prepped food, collected dishes and washed and sanitized them after every meal. The camp was complete with abundant stinging horseflies, interesting food choices, no mattresses, no air conditioning, few English speaking people, community bathing and confusing footwear traditions. Outside shoes, inside shoes and bathroom shoes. There was ample opportunity for our athletes to complain, shut down, or give up. Yet, the Holy Spirit shined through each and everyone of them more and more each day. So much to where I could not recognize them any longer but only see Jesus's face with every thing they did. These athletes served beyond their comfortability, beyond their own strength and beyond their individual expectation and reached the hearts of those we encountered. From singing baby shark in Japanese with toddlers and parents, to just embracing the Japanese children during worship, to being the hands and feet of Jesus in the camp, the Lord used each and everyone of these athletes and a very special way. We 


With the help of everyone who prayed for Japan, the children, and these athletes, the Lord answered every one of our prayers. When the athletes had nothing left in them physically, the Holy Spirit took over and became glorified! One of the greatest gifts in serving as a coach for these athletes, has been watching them experience the Lord, serve others, and realize what God can do through them if they are willing. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on behalf of East Texas Baptist University and Tiger Athletics. It was truly a gift to be a part of it," Head Cheer and Acrobatics and Tumbling Coach Farrah Dunaway said.