On May 17, Saitama Missionary Area’s Group for Promoting Christian Veganism Established and Advocated by Masaaki-sama hosted its first event at the North Saitama Church. Some participants traveled from as far as Aichi Prefecture and Kyushu, with a total of 48 attendees including 14 non-members, their accompanying members, and cooking staff. Among the non-members were nursery schoolteachers, school lunch workers, a city council member, former members, and members of Toho no Hikari. The event originated from a heartfelt letter written and sent out by Missionary Area Chief Kawakami of the Saitama Missionary Area, expressing his sincere desire for as many people as possible to encounter Christian Veganism established and advocated by Masaaki-sama, and to come together in discussion about this Christian Veganism as a means of saving the world. He sent this letter to Christian churches, Christian-affiliated preschools and day care centers, and splinter groups with faith in Meishu-sama in Saitama, Tokyo, etc. The event was ultimately realized through sacred guidance received from Masaaki-sama and Mami-okusama. Missionary Area Chief Kawakami opened by speaking about the revolutionary philosophy at the heart of the Christian Vegan Diet established and advocated by Masaaki-sama—Christ Jesus was the last and ultimate sacrifice, so it is no longer necessary to eat a diet that comes with the suffering of animals—affirming that, unlike the animal welfare concerns, environmental causes, or health-motivated vegan diets found in the wider world, it is the Christian Vegan Diet established and advocated by Masaaki-sama that is the true form of food for the salvation of humanity. Participants broke into small discussion groups. To the point that it was hard to believe that many were meeting one another for the first time that day, conversation flowed with remarkable ease and liveliness. Afterward, participants took part in a decorative bento-making activity following the example of Mami-okusama’s vegan decorative bento. With Masaaki-sama’s Sacred Word and the articles featuring Mami-okusama’s vegan decorative bento within their hearts, staff members joined participants in preparing rice in clay pots, the Totoro and Mini Totoro figures from Mami-okusama’s Totoro bento, and komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) tossed with nori and soy sauce. When the rice finished cooking and the lid of the clay pot was lifted, steam billowed into the air. As the fluffy rice came into view, a gleeful chorus of “Wow!” filled the room. Participants crafted Totoro figures with their own individual expressions, and packed their bento boxes with broad bean patties and simmered hijiki that staff had prepared in advance, along with flower-shaped carrots and more, creating one-of-a-kind decorative bento full of personality. Once complete, participants at each table joined hands and recited Masaaki-sama’s World Church of Messiah Mealtime Prayer together in unison. Upon eating their bento, delighted reactions came from every direction: “This is incredibly good!” and “The rice balls made from clay pot rice are incomparable to anything available at the store.” “The talk by Missionary Area Chief Kawakami about Masaaki-sama had a big impact on me. I want to try making vegan food myself.”“I'd like to incorporate vegan food in my home and share it with my family.” “Masaaki-sama speaks to everything I have long been searching for and much more—he is truly extraordinary. The fact that he speaks the truth about vaccines as well shows an incredible depth of resolve and readiness.” These were the kinds of impressions that came from the non-member participants, one after another. In his closing remarks, Missionary Area Chief Kawakami said: “Some of you mentioned tasting something nostalgic today, but I believe that is not simply a personal nostalgia. It is the ‘original flavor’ that God is wishing for, God who lives within each and every one of you. The emotion you felt today came from touching the heart of Masaaki-sama, who established and advocates Christian Veganism. If making a bento could move you this deeply, imagine how much more you would feel upon actually meeting Masaaki-sama in person. You will surely sense something. I know it.” And with those bold words, he went on to warmly encourage attendance at the Birth of the Messiah Service and the Grand Ancestor Service. Even after the event officially concluded, participants lingered, continuing conversations here and there throughout the venue. On the drive home, too, non-members who had only just met that day reportedly spent four hours talking about Masaaki-sama together. One member who had brought a non-member guest and attended alongside them began speaking about Masaaki-sama with a passion, seeming to have transformed entirely—a change so striking that their family was not merely surprised, but overwhelmed. “Coming into contact with Masaaki-sama will transform your life.” These were the very words Mami-okusama spoke last year, and just as she said, members and non-members alike, all who came in contact with the heart of Masaaki-sama could not help but convey his existence to those around them. The heart of every participant was unmistakably moved by the vibration of Masaaki-sama’s truth. Masaaki-sama and Mami-okusama gave them sacred guidance on multiple occasions in preparation for this day—carefully attending to ingredients, cooking methods, and more—and staff members held repeated meetings and made extensive preparations. All of it was for the sake of bringing forth Masaaki-sama into the world, driven by a single-minded devotion to serve Masaaki-sama with everything they had. There were staff members, too, who said, “Today felt like an entirely new form of missionary work,” and “It felt like another dimension—I witnessed something extraordinary,” buzzing with excitement. Missionary Area Chief Kawakami said the following: “The joy of encountering Masaaki-sama is beyond all words, and there are many people in this world who are waiting—even if they do not yet know it—for their encounter with Masaaki-sama.” On this day, when all present knew with certainty that a new era of missionary work by Masaaki-sama had dawned, the Saitama Missionary Area—with Missionary Area Chief Kawakami leading and united as one under Masaaki-sama—continues to boldly move forward toward the salvation of the entire world.