The 49th English Class of Shuyoka (the three-month Spiritual Development Course) began in the Home of the Parent on April 1 as part of the 1,006th session of Shuyoka.
The English Class has 14 participants: four from Kenya, three from Hawaii, two each from Australia and Brazil, and one each from Canada, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
The homeroom instructor is Rev. Masahiko Okamoto, a staff member of Tenrikyo Overseas Department. The assistant instructor is Rev. Burt Yuji Iwata, head minister of Wahiawa Church. Rev. Okamoto teaches the classes on The Life of Oyasama, the musical instruments, and faith experience speeches, and Rev. Iwata on The Doctrine of Tenrikyo, the service dance, the Mikagura-uta (The Songs for the Service), and the musical instruments. Rev. Okamoto leads other class activities such as homeroom, sermon practice, guided tours of the Residence and historical sites, practice in missionary work, and practice in administering the Sazuke, together with the assistant instructor, Rev. Iwata.