2008 Africa Jam Camp

Hello Hello,

I apologize that it's been awhile since I've written. We have been busy out here, mainly with running the 6 day camp we put on for teenagers from all over Cape Town. I have also been introducing the city to some of my American friends in our spare time. It's been fun and hectic, but now things are starting to slow a bit as camp is over and I'm saying more goodbyes to my visitors. It was definitely hard to say goodbye to Chris who left this week. We have basically spent every waking moment together since the end of September.

I want to describe camp though, especially since so many of you have been praying for that and interested in how it went. We spend Jan 6-11 at Rocklands, a beautiful campsite overlooking False Bay. It was great for the kids to come there and enjoy the area, for many of them don't get to enjoy the beautiful parts of their own city.

Camp was powerful and tons of fun. The theme of camp this year was "Step Up." Everything, including the nightly message of the pastor, was about encouraging and empowering the teens. The focus was to step up spiritually, in their relationship with God, but also as leaders in their communities. Many of the kids at camp come from harsh environments. Almost all of them face some form or poverty, abuse, exposure to gangs, or drugs, or HIV/AIDS. Camp helped to provide these kids hope, a reason to dream, and challenged them to choose a different way than they see around them.

The kids were also offered life skills training seminars. We addressed relevant issues that face the kids such as TB and depression/suicide as well as offering them ideas on how to communicate better, how to do microfinance, and make good decisions with money. On top of all this, walls were broken down between these typically divided communities and the kids were allowed to be kids and have fun. We provided plenty of interaction, games, creative arts, pool time, and a ropes course to tire them out. I enjoyed teaching the kids how to sling the ball at each other in some intense dodgeball games.

Well, that's camp in a nutshell. Thank you for your prayers and support, it wouldn't have been possible without all of you. So please pray for me as I step into my day to day role with Africa Jam now that camp is done. And thanks for all of you who are sending updates from home...I love staying in touch and knowing what's going on....keep them coming. Peace
Ryan