[India] News of the first IYF World Camp Opening Ceremony in India! (May 28, 2011)

“Let’s say victory, all together let us say it!” The first World Camp began on May 23, 2011!

Many brothers and sisters faced difficulties due to the persecution from the Hindus in 2005 in Orissa. For countless days they were not able to go home and while fleeing they cried out to God with their hearts. At that time God sent the servant to the land of India and showed them how great the love of God is and gave them so much joy.

2009 and 2010 Nagaland conference, through the persecution of the Christian organization many people were scattered and we lost the venue to hold the conference however we were able to beautifully hold the conference as God has planned. Although it is the same land in India, Nagaland which was disregarded many people received salvation and a church was established.

And now, here in Pune the first world help is being held and how could we describe the hearts of the brothers and sisters. India in the land of the Hindu and Islam, this was the World Camp we’ve all been waiting for and now it is our festival!

The students from all regions of India on train and buses from 5 hours to as long as 2-3 days, one by one began to come into the stadium. At 6:30PM approximately 2,000 people filled the hall.

Righteous started dancing followed by Lincoln School House ‘jangguchum’, ‘taegwonmu’ and the students could not conceal their surprise faces. Especially when the Indian dance ‘ppuremu’ was performed by the short-term missionaries, the students got up from their sits and began dancing with joy.

“I really cannot believe this show as they were fantastic performances. I could not believe how big this event is very surprising. This camp is the most important is to create leaders of tomorrow. This is very important. Experience different cultures and hope to have the wider knowledge and experience. I congratulate all of you who is attending this camp” -Dr. Narendra Jadhav

* Author of “Untouchables: My Family’s Triumphant Journey Out of the Caste System in Modern India”, former president of Pune University, senior economic advisor to the Reserve Bank of India, advisor of the International Monetary Fund.

In India where is difficult to hear classical music, listening to “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art!” by the Gracias Choir the sounds of the music was more beautiful than ever. Specially, when the Gracias Choir sang the Indian native song and even before the song was over the students got up and their applause filled the stadium hall.

“During the period of the camp I like to speak to you the world of the heart. Knowing the world of the heart, more than anyone can be a powerful and wise. While in the camp, open and share your hearts. With the friends, teachers around you, and go home and share your hearts with your family”.

Pastor Ock Soo Park delivered a message to the students and said that when the heart flows from one to the other one can be happy and to widely open their hearts during the camp.

Here at the India World Camp, most of the students are first comers to the IYF. We hope that during 3 nights and 4 days, the students were able to receive true change and be free from bondage.

The India World Camp will continue from the 23rd – 26th.