Camp IGNITE Continues to Burn.... Strong.

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Day two of Camp Ignite was an awesome experience.  Friday morning everyone woke fairly early – and by that I mean as I was making coffee at 5:45am several young people were already out of their rooms.  Our three cooks prepared refried beans, eggs and journey (local pronunciation sounds like “Johnny”) cakes

for breakfast.  This is a very typical first meal of the day for Belizeans.

After breakfast, the young men and women groups gathered for morning devotions in the chapel and then scattered throughout the camp grounds to play their favorite games.   Our first group project of the day was something called “Architect” – which allowed small teams to use only yarn and popsicle sticks to make structures that were no more than one foot square and one foot tall.  The assembly was constructed to find the building that could support the most weight.  

Shortly after this event, everyone was itching to play more sports - so back to the fields we went.  We had volleyball teams, soccer teams, basketball games, Twister being played on the open grass, boards games under the porches.  Young people and counselors were everywhere and excited to be there.

As we returned to the dining area for lunch, we could smell the aroma of stewed chicken, rice and beans and cole slaw.

It was, by far, the best lunch of the camp thus far.

After lunch, girls and boys separated for the afternoon devotional.  It has been great to experience the participation of the these campers in the spiritual component of camp.  They help to read scripture and most of them like to respond and answer questions about Christ and faith.

The afternoon found us playing team games again.  And as the sun rose high in the afternoon sky, a single water balloon came flying into a group of young people.  And let me say, it only takes one splash to "ignite" a water war for 60+ people.

Soon there were hundreds of water balloons flying, people being soaked with buckets of water, water hoses, water cups, water - water, and oh yes.... more water.  Liquid refreshment to soothe the summer heat and humidity and as many pranks as it took to quench the need for the slightest revenge. :)

We even organized an activity where the youth had to make shelters out of a small group of provided materials and then throw water balloons at the opposing team's constructions.

The end of the day brought showers and dinner for all and soon it was time for worship again.  Evening chapel was electric and the youth were very involved.  We covered the walls and windows with glow sticks, sang their favorite contemporary worship songs.  Brad Medford led the praise on guitar and Joy Roberts gave one of the most heart-felt testimonies I have ever heard in Belize.

As has become a tradition, we finished worship in the dark - with only the lights from glow sticks and the projector.  The kids love this time and they sang so loud I am sure all of Camalote village could hear us.

Well, I gotta run.  Late for breakfast again and another lively day lies ahead.  Pray for our team - pray for these youth.

Joey

Belize Youth Camp "IGNITE" Burning Strong

Well, much belated greetings from the Evangelical Quest Church “IGNITE” Youth Camp at Blue Thumb Missions in Camalote Village, Belize!  Our team has experienced some challenges with getting an adequate internet signal and that has delayed our regular daily blog posts.  But take heart – we are trying our best to overcome this and find a solution to update those of you following the team from the States.

Yesterday 50 campers, ages 13-18, began arriving around 9:30am.  They were welcomed into the chapel by Alice and Vani Gallardo and several members of the Quest Church mission team.  Each camper was assigned a colored wristband that told them what small group they would be in – and then they were given room assignments.

Shortly afterward, each small group (team) was participating in icebreaker activities – designed to become familiar with each other’s names. These are always a little awkward at first but turn out to be important later in the day.

And as is so very customary here in Belize (and in part due to FIFA World Cup fever) game time soon saw all of the young men on the football (soccer) field.  The passion for this sport runs deep inside the young people of this country and we can sometimes barely keep up with them - although Dru Cartledge has been an exception to this.  Dru played school soccer back in Augusta and has impressed the boys.

The ladies enjoyed playing “the human knot” – a game of untying themselves after their hands are joined together with others.  This was popular at last year’s camp as well.  And they also spent time together in the chapel creating beaded wrap bracelets.   

(Just to mention, we are honored to have several local women to cook for our team and the campers.  They begin very early in the morning and finish later in the evening – so we asked them to spend the night with our group so that they didn’t have to get up around 3:30 am to arrive at camp at 5am.)

As the day progressed, many other games, races and sports were being played all over the campground. Some young men played basketball – some ladies had a tug of war and played volleyball.   We also built four ladder ball sets and had a competition.  Matt MacDonald, Brad Medford and Mike Alexander have done an awesome job of keeping up with so many activities and the youth.

Even though we have been blessed with a great breeze since we arrived, yesterday was our hottest afternoon since we arrived.  So we gave the kids plenty of opportunities to cool off.  Water balloons were a theme late in the day – and led to all-out war.

As evening fell, we ate dinner and showered around 6:30 and then had evening worship together at 8pm.

I want to finish by saying that we are very grateful to German and Alice Gallardo and the EQC church for their love and support during daily camp life.  They work hard to keep everyone having fun and in uplifted spirits.  It is easy to see why God has put them in this ministry.

Peace... for now.  Oh, and take a look at the photos below.

Joey