Youth Camp

Hi. This past week was a busy one for our family.The youth were at youth camp in Sikasso. The Alliance church put on this huge youth event, and we took our youth. Between our church and the Alliance church in Kadiolo, we took 34 youth! We rented this bus to send everyone on.
Loading it was pandamonium, of course, so unfortunately I didn't get a pic of our whole group. Oops.There were 230 people at youth camp this year! We were the biggest group outside of Sikasso. (The Sikasso youth could come to camp on their bicycles!)

Camp involved a lot of singing, dancing, and eating of course.There was also a great opportunity for the youth to hear the best Bible teachers available. There were two sessions in the morning,and a session in the afternoon, followed by some free time, and a big session in the evening. The theme for the week was:"Youth, what are you doing with the gifts God has given you?"A very fitting theme. It also allowed the teachers to talk about all the different areas in your life that God has given, and how to live those areas as a Christian.

Here are some of the girls from our group in the session.

The afternoon dating topic was particulary heated with questions and answers. Several questions embarrassed the leader in front. Finally, they called me up. "Hey, white guy. come and answer this question for us." So I got to come up and answer if it was okay to hug or kiss someone you aren't married to. I was really explaining differences between western dating culture on TV, and western dating culture as accepted by Christians in the church. Fun.It was a fun afternoon.

The next day, I got sick. So I was hampered a lot. I struggled through the night, but wasn't any better. Ernie had to come to Sikasso on an errand, so I ended up going home with him to Kadiolo.
I was sad to miss half of the camp week, But was glad to have participated as much as I did. Next year, I'll be there for the whole thing. Freddy tells me after speaking a bit in the sessions, they'd like me to be a teacher maybe next year. That could be fun.

Here are some of the pics,Food is done differently at a Malian camp than an American one.Everyone brings their own plate & utinsels, and scoots off to eat with friends. Food was often rice & sauce, of course. One day they had cabato (Corn dumplings with sauce.) One day they had spaghetti as well. They had 30 women from Sikasso churches who volunteered to cook for camp. Here is q pic of two of our guys enjoying riz gras. (fried rice with meat.)

Rice is ready, come and get it!

Camp closed out Sunday night with a campfire, and an all night sing n' dance. Our kids arrived back in Kadiolo on Monday afternoon, tired, but full of the joy of the Lord! Here is a pic of some of our group at Camp.


Thanks for stopping by:Tom & Lisa Seward