Sri Lanka’s first youth camp leaves participants wanting more
Friday, August 24, 2007
Hatton, Sri Lanka
From August 14 to 17, more than 60 youth came together for Sri Lanka’s very first Youth Camp. Filled with excitement from beginning to end, the camp was considered a huge success. At its conclusion, participants repeatedly asked youth leaders when the next camp would take place.

The camp was held at the Tsunami Training and Rehabilitation Center that thousands of Nazarenes helped build through their generous donations to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

During the event, youth listened to and participated in various sessions. Arthur Hope, district superintendent of Eastern Tamil Nadu in India, presented lessons on “Called To Serve,” and Ron Gilbert, South Asia Field strategy coordinator, spoke on “Servant Leadership.”

Youth and the district pastors participated in dramas and games together throughout the week, which allowed everyone to learn to work together with new people.

Since this event was the first of its kind, many of the young people had never met each other. As the week progressed, however, it was as if they had been best friends for life. This opportunity also allowed them to realize the church is much larger than just their place of worship. Youth were challenged to become active upon returning home in assisting their pastor to reach their world for Jesus.

Youth committed to make next year’s camp at least twice the size of this one, saying they want their friends to experience what it means to work together as a group of dynamic young people.

“We would ask for you to pray for the youth and churches in Sri Lanka,” states Gilbert. “There were many that were unable to come due to the military conflicts within the country and many are still suffering from the after affects of the 2004 Tsunami.”

According to Gilbert, the Tsunami Training and Rehabilitation Center, which housed the event, is not only being used to help in counseling for post-Tsunami traumas, but also in the development and training of current leaders and the leaders that will take the church into tomorrow.

Dedicated in May 2006, the center is located near Hatton in the mountains of Sri Lanka and is surrounded by the Nazarene Tea Estate, which provides jobs and helps to finance the NCM ministries that take place at the center. It also serves as a retreat and counseling center for individuals, especially children, who continue to struggle with the long-term effects of the tsunami disaster and the loss of family members.

Sri Lanka is a part of the Eurasia Region’s South Asia Field.
--South Asia Field