AREA 47 CHURCH SENDS FIFTY PATHFINDERS TO CAMP

A total number of fifty Pathfinders from Area 47 SDA Church departed on Sunday morning, 25th August, 2024 at 9:00 am going to Ngodzi Camp Site in Salima for a week long pathfinders camp.

"I am so excited to make it on this trip, I look forward to learn more from the Instructors and also learn from my colleagues," said 10 year old Chipo Mtambalika, one of the debutants on this year's camp.

Speaking during the send off, Pastor Frackson L. Kuyama, Pastor of Area 47 SDA Church, advised the pathfinders to manage their excitement and expectations by ensuring that they adhere to rules and regulations at the camp.

"We all know you as well-behaved children and we anticipate that you will maintain the discipline that you always show at this church and we expect you to listen to the elders and that you will carry out orders and instructions where you are going. The place where you are going is located close to the lake, that could be enticing for swimmers but make sure you only swim or visit the lake during designated times, when you are permitted to do so," the Pastor cautioned.

Pastor Kuyama and some parents assisted the children during their luggage loading and later prayed for their safe travel mercy and good health during the week.

Master Guides Elijah Masanga and Gloria Nyangulu, AY leader and Deputy AY Leader respectively, took turns in thanking all the parents who have sent their wards to the camp.

"This year we have seen the number of pathfinders going for camp almost doubling compared to the previous years. This shows that the lessons and activities at the camp are beneficial and attracting more youths when they hear what their friends learnt and their experiences" said the leaders during an interview with the reporter.

Parents who gathered in the morning to give the children an exciting sendoff expressed satisfaction with the way the leaders had organised the trip after seeing that the number of leaders accompanying the children was increased to 4 from the initial 2 due to the large number of children going to camp.

Dingiswayo Sambo, one of the parents who saw the children off, had a brief chat with some of the children to check their expectations and he was satisfied with the responses that the children gave. The children demonstrated that they were prepared to move away from the comfort of their homes and mingle with other children in the conference. The children indicated that they were well aware that they have to learn how to survive in a different environment and were eager to meet and learn from other children from the conference.

Twenty eight girls and twenty two boys registered for the Camp Meeting, and that is expected to be the highest number sent by a single church.

The Pathfinders Camp is an annual event which brings together pathfinders from Churches in the Central Malawi Conference.

By Owen Chona

CMC Media