Wednesday, 19th December 2008
Leaving Our Old Lives Behind Us
Another early start after a late night and many look truly shattered, but everyone is pretty excited because this morning there will be a group of very special youngsters on the beach for their all-significant baptisms. After a bit of preliminary packing-up, clearing out and cleaning up, we enjoy a final breakfast with one another before heading down to the beach to witness the baptisms. Jean-Claude and Clarence share with us about the significance of the step that they are making in affirming their commitment to follow Christ and how they are now leaving their old lives behind them. As each person is raised up from out of the water, there is cheering from the crowd. What an awesome time!
Stay on Fire For God!
After more packing and cleaning and sorting out, Lindsay shares that we need to cut off with those around us who indulge in sin, the ones who intentionally take the wrong road; not to let ourselves be contaminated, but to build up and encourage one another instead; to take a step in the spirit so that this year we are here and next year we have progressed - taken a step higher, a step further with the Lord - by His grace we move forward. Bernard has a parting encouragement for all those present by saying that we should serve the Lord and remain well in Him, watch over one another, remain on fire for the Lord, stay excited and encouraged.
Powerful Testimonies
A wonderful time of sharing testimonies is next, and each team elects one member to testify about what Youth Camp 2007 has meant to them, about what the Lord has evidently done in their hearts. Wow! The Lord has truly touched lives at this camp and it is incredible to hear from such a diverse group of people, how He is dealing with individuals in individual ways! The gospel of the cross is really powerful to change lives! The elders have really encouraged us not to lose the deposit that we have received during these last few days; as we go back to our countries and homes, we must remember that the "Camp of Life" begins now; we must stay close to the Lord.
Protect This Investment Lord
Teams are able to spend one last time of fellowship with each other and many can be seen with bowed heads in prayer, thanking the Lord for His presence and His word this weekend, asking Him to help protect the investment that has been received.
Many Hands Make Light Work
After that, it's time to pack up camp! The de-registration process begins as luggage is loaded on lorries and a large-scale clean up operation begins. All get involved to stack tables and chairs, dismantle the stage, pick up garbage and empty the bins. Within a half hour there is little evidence left of the chaos that was the camp site over the last few days. Many hands make light work! Once the luggage trucks depart, we board the waiting buses team by team again, to return to Curepipe. One camper is heard to comment, "I cannot believe it is over already, the time went so fast!". As the last bus moves off the sight of two abandoned mascots hanging from the cross-beams of the tent structure is all that remains of the liveliness that pervaded the area only a few hours before.
A Sad Departure
The bus trip home to Curepipe is significantly less vibrant than the journey to camp just a few days earlier. There seems to a prevalent sadness to leave camp and maybe even the newly found friends that live in different countries. Overall a completely meaningful and logistically successful camp! A big thank-you must go to the hundreds involved in making the camp what it was; what a blessing each of you are and please know that we have truly felt the heart with which you did all this for us! Thank you!
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