Mission Camp 2008

Sunday night the campers divided into two groups and spent time talking about what it means to be tribal. They brainstormed features to make their tribes look distinct.

The Digo tribe drew markings on their arms.

The Malagasy men and women wore bright cloth wraps.

Monday missionaries helped campers understand the layout of a village hut compared to an American home.
They played "Running Water" simulating water being hauled to the village. The "water spirit" demanded offerings at the creek before a bucket could be filled. She was fickle and the campers never knew what would please her. Campers were getting a glimpse into the fear tribal people feel every day of their lives.
In the afternoon both tribes moved into their village huts. Their chiefs instructed them in the ways of their tribe. The Malagasy hut doors all had to face the same direction, each house had a holy corner and in the middle of the village was the spirit tree. The Digo chief tied a strip of bright cloth around his head, counselors tied them to their arms, campers tied them to their waist, leg or ankle. The higher up the band was tied the more important the person.

Tuesday some Native American Indians from the Yakima Nation visited the village. The speaker began by comparing the 12 tribes of Israel to the 14 tribes of the Yakima. Even in Biblical times God worked through tribes. Missionaries wanting to impact a tribe must first observe and come to understand the people and their ways.

Then the men sang a song of praise to God and drummed as the women danced.

A native from Papua New Guinea and an interpreter visited the campers and told of the spirits his village lived in fear of. When something bad happened they knew the neighboring witch doctor had cursed them so they would kill him. There was a lot of killing. When he was a young man white people came to live in his village. The missionaries learned their language and translated the Bible. The natives learned the God of the Bible was stronger than the spirits and loved them. When the villagers became Christians they started caring for and loving the neighboring tribes. In Papua New Guinea 170 tribes have a Bible in their language, but 694 tribes are still waiting.
Wednesday A missionary from Madagascar has a daughter who started a school there. The children attending Fitiavana (love) School are either mentally or physically handicapped. The campers gave $300 out of their snack shack money to help buy a bus for the school. During the offering times they danced and dropped their gifts in a basket.

After a missionary to Senegal and Morocco spoke about the elements of music that was particular to these people, the campers divided into small groups and wrote songs of praise to God. They chose bible verses for the words, made up a catchy tune, and made rhythm instruments from things found in nature, such as, seed pods, rocks, and sticks.

Thursday When parents arrived campers gave them a tour of the interpretive center. They visited prayer stations, viewed a movie about Kids Missions Camp 2008, and watched a missionary make a chalk drawing. There was food to eat, native items to buy, missionaries to visit with, and wild boars to hunt.