The Waves of Change Flowing in Uganda. / The 3rd Uganda World Camp News

The 2013 Uganda World Camp opened with the bright weather on June 4th. It seems like the University of Makerere is welcoming our 4 days of World Camp. The University of Makerere, which is a partner with IYF, was established in 1922 as the first prestigious university in the eastern part of Africa and is known to have a high ardor for study. Since the World Camp is opening at the University, this became a great chance for the students to get to know about IYF during promotion.

On the camp day, about 450 high school and college students from Uganda, Kenya, Congo, and Nigeria were waiting on the line to register with hopeful eyes. This World Camp was prepared with 50 college volunteers and has many programs for all the participants. After the orientation, it seems to be great that each group gathered and talked about 4 days of World Camp.

At 5:50 am, everyone greet the morning with the early morning service after an exercise with the fresh air. For the guest speaker, the director from Enterprise Uganda gave a lecture about the mind of entrepreneur and the department of education lectured about wishes from the government to the students.

After a delicious lunch, Academy moved the heart of all participants. Even though it was a short time; Taekwondo, Language (Korean, Chinese, French, and Swahili), Music, Dance, Car repair, Bible, and GNC were well prepared to pull some interests from the students.

The opening ceremony in the main hall of Makerere was reechoing. For the induction ceremony, dance team from Uganda and Kenya with Nairobi international students performed dance and culture perform. Everybody gaily enjoyed the performances and responded in acclamating. A cappella from international high school that followed the former performances was enough to make all people to open their minds and make them glad.

There were congratulatory messages from the president of Mekerere University and Pastor Kim Wook Yong. Pastor Kim Wook Yong, the main speaker of Uganda World Camp, talked about Matthew 5:14-14 to preach about how we can’t shine through our own power but we can be stars through God and the life leading by God not by our own thoughts.

On the third day during the guest speaker time, there was a special lecture for students at Actionaid. Since Africa is exposed to AIDS more than other countries, students’ attitude toward the lecture was serious. Scavenger hunt after the academy! It was the special outdoor activity that GNC short-term missionaries (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and so on) prepared for the World Camp. All people who participated in that game enjoyed the game convivially. No matter they won or not, there were only happy smiles on their faces. Even though it was a short time, people became much closer by solving the problems together, and we hope they all can share their minds with each other easily than before.

Every night they had a group meeting. During that precious time, they talked about the leadership and the mind-ship that they had learned during the day.

The Talent show that people waited for the most started. The day before the Talent show, 11teams out of 50teams were selected through the audition. Eleven teams showed their talents by dancing, singing, and singing in chorus. It seemed like they are all famous celebrities while they were performing. Regardless of rankings, all people cheered for participants who did their best. During the Talent show, the main hall was filled with the acclamation of students.

After all the programs, the World Camp ended with missionary Hyeong-jin Kim’s closing. He gave his testimony about him changed through IYF and said he hopes all students who participate feel the true change with IYF.

After the World Camp, there was the volunteers’ workshop that lasted for two months until June 8~9th. Even though the World Camp ended, their hearts were still warm with undying fire. By sharing experiences with God, they were more impressed.

Nambi Stella (Volunteer / Makerere University) One day, I saw someone handed out flyers in the university. Even though I got the flyer, I did not care about it, because I thought the word ‘youth’ does not include me. However, I registered as a volunteer for the World Camp, because I was attracted with the writing that said we can learn how to share our minds. During the camp, it was really hard, but I was happy. It seemed like all volunteers had the same thought. During the mind education, I was taught how to share my mind with others and it was a great experience that I could change myself. Through the gospel class and the group meeting that followed after the mind education, I was happy that my mind is free from sins.

Katherine Adoi (Volunteer/ Makerere University) After the test while I was interested in new things, I saw the wall poster about the World camp by accident. At first, I registered it to take a rest, but when I heard they need volunteers, I re-registered as a volunteer. During the volunteers’ workshop, I heard totally different gospel from the gospel that I had known before. We talked about the prodigal mentioned in Luke to talk about the world of heart. I could not understand when I heard it first, but through the continual group meetings and sermons, I can feel my mind was changing. On the second day, I realized ‘Ah, even though I am a sinner, I am a righteous person in front of God’ while listening to the sermon about the salvation. During the sermon about the patient mentioned in John who was infirmity for 38 years, I also realized that God can work for me when I am in the place where I cannot do anything. I am so thankful to God for letting me to listen to the true gospel and I hope IYF will change all youths in Uganda as they changed me.

All these people experienced changes, God, and the salvation through the Word Camp. Now, they want to share their happiness with other friends. I am so glad to think that volunteers from the camp can help their club in the university and they also can be workers in the church. All people were happy to hear from the missionary that through these students, not only Kampala but also Uganda will be changed. Even though it was only 4 days, it was the impressive World Camp that all people can learn about God and can share their minds. We find true hope, happiness, and love of God in people who participated in the camp. We hope all of them grow as future workers in Uganda.