Acampamento 2015 - Dia 2

February 15   Sunday

 

At 2:30 this morning, Merl was to take his shift of patrolling the camp with Pres. Marcos.  We were having a restless night anyway, and Merl was getting up to get dressed when someone knocked on the tent to tell us that he didn't need to get up.  Too late. . .  We walked down to the restrooms, and Merl took a long hot shower while I went back to the tent.  The morning wake up call came at 6:30 a.m., and our Sunday began.

 

We got up, dressed in our Sunday clothes, and walked down to the lodge - only to find most of the youth all dressed and at the tables reading scriptures and writing in their journals.  The wet night and misty morning had not dampened their spirits.

After breakfast, our regular church schedule convened.  The three Young Women groups separated, two in parts of the lodge and the third outside one the lawn.  The three Young Men groups also went their separate ways to an area outside to hold their Priesthood meetings.  It was a bit chilly and the grass was wet, but there seemed to be no complaints.  The beauty of the area must take precedence over the discomforts.


For the second hour (Sunday School), everyone picked up a chair from the lodge and set up a large classroom in the center of the old barn - still smelled a bit of animals.  Pres. Nunes led the discussion with the assistance of youth called up to pick a piece of paper from a large replica of spectacles.  Each paper had a scenario asking them what they would do in a situation - again going back to the them - Embark in the service of your God.  It appeared to be a good lesson that kept the attention of everyone.


Shower towels drying

Sacrament meeting was held back in the lodge - so everyone carried their chairs back to the lodge.  Testimonies were shared as part of the meeting.  These kids are great!  After the meeting, lunch was served (the big meal of the day).  Everyone then went back to their tents to change clothes into appropriate clothing for the rest of the day's activities. 
Merl went to the camp office to continue his work on his Family Home Evening presentation on Monday night.  The youth had a no electronics rule for the camp, but I was allowed to have my computer brought from home so Merl could prepare his material and I could download photo files and charge batteries. 


As everyone was gathering, I found a few leaders preparing little yellow envelopes with each person's name on it.  The envelopes were then taped to a window.  I wasn't sure what they were going to be used for.

The girls had a craft project, removing the liquid from glow-in-the-dark sticks and putting it inside a glass jar.  They then added glitter and shook the jars till the insides were covered.  They put the lids back on and tied a piece of fabric around the lid.  Supposedly will glow in the dark back at camp.  The boys appeared to lay around their camp visiting during this time.

Everyone gathered on the soccer field and were taken to a rickety bridge crossing the lake.  Groups of five walked over the bridge at a time, walked across the grass on the other side, and disappeared behind some big trees.  I went over with the last group, escorting Maria who was scared to death. 



As we went behind the trees, we saw the other groups; and in front was Pres. Nunes and Counselor Rafael - in nautical attire.  From what I could gather from the presentation, Pres. Nunes - as their captain - gave the youth instruction on a Plan of Action (pamphlets handed to each person) on things they could do to embark in the service.  They were invited to enter the forest/jungle for some alone time and to pray about the direction they wanted to take.  There was a group prayer at the end, and everyone crossed back across the lake.  There they found the envelopes taped to the window.  One of the actions in the pamphlet was to write secret notes of appreciation/incentives for each other and put in their envelope.  From then on, notes were being written and read with lots of smiles. .  and I am sure, thankfulness.  The schedule of activities seems to satisfy many needs going from physical highs to spiritual highs.  It has been a great experience to be here.

The camp staff brought a load of wood from the forest to be used in the campfire tonight.  They have been so gracious to help us with all the arrangements and activities.  After a late  dinner, everyone gathered around the fire and divided into their groups again.  Tonight, as a group, they were to put on a skit depicting something about their age group.  They ranged from waiting for a missionary to helping someone on the roadside (Good Samaritan)

Then it was to bed with lights out and quiet tents by 10:30.  Merl and Pres. Marcos had camp patrol tonight until 12:30. 

I didn't hear a sound after I climbed into bed.  We really needed a good night's sleep.

News from Ann on the home front:
Sunday, Feb. 15--Went to church.  Only about 60 people there because a lot of them were at the campout.  No baptisms or confirmations today.  This is the first since we have been here since Nov. 2014.    Walked home, ate, took a nap and left for Gramado at 3:15 to teach a piano lesson.  Melissa Roth from Taquara wanted to take lessons.  I gave her an hour lesson.  She will do really good.  Caught the bus home.  David has lost his camera battery so we walked back to the church to see if we could find it.  No luck.