By Nov. Tsutsumi, Philip Neri

Tokyo, Japan, December 17, 2015 - The only novice of Japan province returned after one month of stay in the FIS-Cebu, Lawaan international novitiate back to Japan. Cf. AustraLasia news 3771 (III) October 16, 2015. It was a strong experience. Novice Tsutsumi shared during his short good night talk when back to Tokyo - Chofu:

"I was happy with one month long stay in Lawaan, Cebu especially thanks to the strong experience of community life, that supports my vocation. From now on I consider those 16 novices from the Philippines, China, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and Cambodia as my novitiate companions - although I'm back to my novitiate in Tokyo. It was really a marvelous experience to live in a larger community of brothers from many different cultures and backgrounds."

However it was not very easy experience - taking shower four times a day, loosing five kilos during 4 weeks and adjusting to very different climate and culture. The only 'serious disappointment' was with the not-so-strong personal prayer witness of some other fellow novices.

But first of all his strongest Salesian life experience was a direct encounter with the street children in Cebu: "I can't forget the eyes of the children in front of the Basilica of St. Nino in Cebu."

Novice Tsutsumi can manage already a fairly good conversation in English, and does nourish his missionary vocation, also thanks to another young Japanese Salesian - postnovice Cl. Jacob Chihiro Morito (Eastern Africa Province, now in the Tanzania postnovitiate of Moshi). And also looks forward the day of his first profession (God willing) on March 19, 2016.

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