Dear Parishioners of the Castle Church,

I have been in Japan since September, where I am doing a volunteer service with the Berlin Mission Society.

My placement is in Tokyo at a Christian children's home. I have a small room right on the grounds. My work mainly consists of cooking lunch for the staff in the mornings and helping with childcare and playing with the children in the afternoons. The children's home has around 40 children, ranging in age from kindergarten to 17 and 18.

Learning Japanese is a challenge for me, as very few people in Japan speak English well. However, I attend a language course in my free time and have already made progress in my Japanese after four months. There is also a lot to do and explore here in Tokyo. I have already taken trips to the nearby mountains and the coast. I feel very comfortable at my placement and have been warmly welcomed by everyone.

Best regards, Lena Herzer