Swaziland Baptist National Youth Camp 2008

The National Youth Camp is a special annual event for our Swazi youth and a highlight each year for me personally. Although I was not as involved in the whole youth camp planning and camp event as in years past due to Nathan joining our family this past year, it was still great to see our Swazi youth for a short time each day. God really moved in the lives of many youth! Back in 1999 when I came to Swaziland as a two-year missionary, I helped to lead and re-start the national youth camp. It had been several years since the youth had a national camp. I spent the next year teaching the youth leaders the basics of how to plan and lead camp and the national youth camp was revived in August 2000. Since that time, we have had camp every August and more and more responsibilities are handed over to our national youth committee. Little issues are being worked on every year and no, it is not always easy but it is like watching a child grow more and more each year. God is so good! The youth camp this year was four days, August 28 - 31, and had around 190 youth coming from our Baptist churches all over the country. Each youth has to pay a camper fee of E30 (about $4 and pays for all their meals, place to sleep and assists with the rental of the school for the camp location) as well as their bus transportation to and from camp to their homes. The theme was being made complete in Christ and it is our prayer that each youth understands that only Christ can bring full completion in their lives! This past weekend, the national youth committee met to evaluate youth camp and yes, even begin plans for the national youth camp 2009 scheduled for late August. Let us know if anyone is interested in coming to help us lead camp or bring a team to speak, lead worship, lead games and just hang with the youth!

The National Youth Camp worship session under the big revival tent!

Swazi praise and worship style of singing and dancing to the Lord!

Our Baptist pastors praying over the newly elected and current representatives of the National Youth Committee. There are eight representatives on the National Youth Committee, two reps for each of the four regions of Swaziland. Lacie and her new little friend enjoying some hang time at youth camp! Lacie loved going to see the "kids" as she calls the youth each day at camp.