The best week ever!!

For many young people in Zambia, camp is the best and favourite time of the year for them. Once every year we hold camp and many young people from various locations in Zambia attend this event. It’s a time they look forward to being found in the zone, making new friends and being surrounded with people of similar beliefs.

This year’s camp was held at Verino on the church property hosting a total number of 98 people, 80 campers and 18 staff from different areas in Zambia. It was a power and fun packed camp with a wonderful theme ‘God’s vision for you’ reminding the young people of their place in this world and the plans that God has for them.

Camp lasted for 7 days. Arrival was on the 26^th of August and departure on the 2^nd of September. It was directed by Pastor Talama and Mrs Talama and Pastor Siame and Mrs Siame. There was lots of fun and games and a visit to a walking safari just about 5.5km from the campsite. There they saw different kinds of animals and birds ranging from the peacock to the ostrich.

The activities included arts and crafts, first aid, health and hygiene, baking, choir rehearsal and many sporting activities such as speedaway, volley ball, swimming, handball and lots more. This year another activity called ‘the challenge’ was added. This was where each team picked random items from a box and were asked to come up with the best art project using the items they picked. They were then asked to make a budget worth K50 ($5) to purchase anything that they felt could help them with their challenge. The team that made the best art project made a mosaic out of millet, toilet paper and card box. From their K50 they purchased spray paint, glue and needles. This mosaic had this year’s theme ‘God’s vision for you’. T’was amazing to see young people work together, share ideas and being creative. The art challenge was not the only new item on the ‘menu’. There was also the singing challenge. Random hymns from the hymn book were selected and they were asked to come up with a creative way to present the hymn. It was wonderful how they blended the lyrics of other hymns to the one they picked, blended different tunes together and harmonized and added beats without losing the original tune and lyrics of the hymn they picked.

Of note, this year’s camp was extra special in that there was a boy James, 15 years old, who is both deaf and dumb attending from Mufumbwe, Northwestern Zambia. He was brought into the church by Mr Kaputula a church member. He attends church in Solwezi every Sabbath and is very dedicated. He is in the 7^th grade at a special school. Despite his limitations, this boy is filled with a lot of zeal for learning God’s truths. He is so determined.

It was heartwarming to see other young people accommodate him in every activity. According to him, there was no dull moment for him. He even attempted to teach his fellow campers sign language for easier communication. Mostly, conversation with him was on paper. Whatever one wanted to say, they had to write it down for him. Everyone was eager to help him. They shared their Christian living notes with him so that he wasn’t left behind. Everything they heard, they wrote down for him.  By the end of camp, he emerged as the best sportsman.  Indeed how good and how pleasant for brethren to dwell safely together in sweet harmony. This is what it feels like to be in the zone. A place of love, unity and togetherness. A place where one is free to be them and enjoy the company of fellow believers.

On the Sabbath, brethren from Lusaka congregation graced us with their presence. We had a beautiful Sabbath with them. We even witnessed an ordination of one of the deacons to minister.

To conclude, we would like to send our sincere gratitude to all who made this camp a possibility. Thanks to lifeNets for providing funds to purchase a projector and screen that was used at the camp. And also for maintenance of the sewer system and water pumps.

Mukumbuta Nawa Talama.

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