Youth Camp at Kuti

One of our first activities was the story of the Tree of Life and the Iron Rod. The youth were blindfolded and told they could not talk. We then told them the story, that they would be taken to the Iron rod and that they should not let go no matter what. One by one some of the leaders led them and put their hand on the rope that represented the Iron Rod. While the youth were moving along the rope, other leaders tried to get them to let go and follow the leader. If one of the kids let go, the leader led them a little way off and then just left them by themselves then went back for another target. The ones that were off by themselves were then approached by one of the branch presidents who quietly talked to them about repentance and forgiveness and then led them back to the rope. There were some of the kids who would NOT let go of the rope. At the point in the picture you can see that the rope goes through a fork in the tree. I tried to get Lamek to feel farther and that the rope kept going but he would not let go. I couldn't even pry his fingers open. Finally I had to quietly say his name and tell him to reach past the branch and then he was on his way again. It was a great testimony to me of how we need to cling to the gospel and not let go.

One of the girls' tents.

The YW leaders' tent - Sis Naomi, Otrina, and Sis Lifa. Sis Lifa is a returned missionary who got home in March. The girls love her.

One of the main purposes of the camp was to help the youth learn about the Book of Mormon. None of them have been baptized more than 18 months, few of them have very good English and none are very familiar with the stories in the Book of Mormon. We even had seven investigators with us. A couple of months ahead of time, each of the two branches were assigned to learn about 3 of the heroes such as Nephi, Captain Moroni, Samuel the Lamanite, Ammon and the Stripling Warriors. Then they were to prepare a little drama to teach the rest of the group the story and also what we can learn from it. They read the stories from the Book of Mormon Stories book and then they made props out of cardboard and carved knives and swords and bows from wood. They did a great job and everyone (even the leaders) learned a lot. In the picture, one of the groups is getting ready to stage one of their dramas.

Another part of the camp was a service project. Everyone was divided into three groups and they rotated through different assignments. We were to cut and mark a 5km hiking trail. One group had panga knives and slashers, hoes and rakes and you should have seen them go. It was a hard dusty job. Another group was working on making the trail markers. Some were sawing slices off a log to make arrow signs. Others were painting arrows on them (as you can see). When the paint was dry, they varnished them.

Somebody was assigned to drill a hole for the nail to go through. Others cut, stained and lettered the trail name signs. Another group took the signs and put them up to mark the trail.  Everyone was exhausted at the end but we finished the job. The camp director told the kids that it would have taken him and the regular volunteers more than three weeks to do what we did in four hours. So, if you ever go to Kuti game ranch and hike the Savannah Trail, we built it!

While we were working, some of the zebras came into the yard for a drink. The kids were excited to have their picture taken with them. This is Emelita Joseph and she was baptized about three months ago. About half an hour after we got to camp one of the giraffes wandered in too. I was so excited! We had been there four times and looked and looked and never found them. We also saw wildebeest, sable, impala, baboons, vervet monkeys and a couple of other things I forget the names of.

The last activity taught about the visit of the Savior to the Nephites. Again, the youth were blindfolded and led to a quiet spot where they were told of the happenings that took place at the time of the death and resurrection of the Savior, how he appeared to them and taught them, healed them and blessed their children. It was a sweet close to our camp.

The group (except for Brother Collins and Brother Backman who were behind the cameras). There may be a Liahona article if things come together.