Over 3200 young people from around Southern Africa and beyond converged on Vulindlela Bush Camp outside Dundee for a South African Union of the Seventh-Day Adventists Camporee.
Pastor Craig Baxter said the pathfinder camporee, from April 5-11, is one of the highlights of the year where students come for a week of their school holidays and are taught different skills such as swimming, leather-work, astronomy, woodwork, crafting, birds, prayer, stewardship and pin trading and more.
Young people also had the privilege of horse riding and even touching a horse for the first time.
For South Africa, this was the first ever SAU Camporee. SAU covers South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia.
“We were also graced with visitor pathfinders from Malawi and Canada. The guest of honour was Dr Letseli and other speakers included Pastor Trevor Conene.
“The camp was so big it looked like a mini city at night. Early in the misty morning one heard the students arising and starting their morning marching and drum routines, this was in practice for a competition march and demonstration of band skills on the Friday.
“Every evening all the students came together in a large marquee tent and listened to guest speakers and singers from all over. One of the highlights of every evening was for Dundee-based youth group, Abundant Life, to do a puppet show. Each show had object lessons for young people concentrating on problems such as suicide, drugs and other worldly deceptions which lead them astray. Young people learn more through puppet shows. A Christ-centered foundation was the focus of this Camporee. We wish to especially thank Abundant Life for their untiring work efforts at this camporee.”

Weeks of planning and committees allowed this event to be rated as one of the best ever taken place in Africa.

The students also participated in community-service events such as handing out food to underprivileged, taking random people for an ice cream, and other such like events. The Christian message was spread by the handing out of booklets like The Great Hope and tracts.
Much infrastructure had to be in place before this event could take place. Weeks of planning and committees allowed this event to be rated as one of the best ever taken place in Africa. While showers were cold, the organisers hope to make it even better for 2020.
“We thank Mark Donaldson of Edumeni municipality who provided a back-actor to dig trenches for water pipes for the event. Moreover, rubbish was collected daily by the municipality. We are so thankful for the assistance in making this camp a huge success.”
A highlight was the attendance of Swazi and Zulu royalty at the Sabbath worship services on the Saturday, many of whom themselves are members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church.
“It was wonderful to see about 500 young people accept Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. These are young people who have known Jesus but not yet been baptised, so now they have made a firm commitment to the one who created them and has a definite plan for their lives.
“On the final night Abundant Life outdid themselves once again. The curtain came down with a spectacular fireworks display.”