Dear Friends,
 

Sorry that it took me a week to update you about our recent camp held from February 25 to March 2. This was due to fatigue. After a hectic weeklong camp, I was so exhausted that I had to rest awhile before sending out my update. But I have rested and back! There goes the wonderful update …
 
 
 
Years ago, Liberia was on fire as rebel forces and government troops engaged in a decade long civil war which led to the death of thousands of people. But after a little over 2 years of peace and stability, Liberia is now on fire for Jesus as Young Life reaches lost kids, and many kids are being made followers of Christ.
 

Truly, last week Young Life Liberia 2008 Youth camp was exclusively part of what the Lord is doing through Young Life to reach lost kids for Jesus in Liberia.
 

The 2008 camp was held at Camp Falconer or Baptist Youth camp, owned and operated by the Baptist Church in Liberia. The camp has no power, but as usual, Joseph Boye, one of my leaders, connected wires and hung light bulbs in all the cabins, dining and club halls and all over the camp and hooked it to a generator-and there was light.  There is no running water at the camp, only a well but the water was muddy. Marvelous and Rancy helped the contractors we hired to construct a mini reservoir (poly tank) that stored 1000 gallons of purified water from a water truck that came in everyday.  And there was enough water for showering, washing and cooking. Samuel Giah, Roland Harris and other leaders erected three camp tents and there were additional accommodation for kids, apart from the six cabins.  Kids came and there was camp. 
 

David Wilson and Allen Webster from the USA did program-Super Heroes. David’s wife, kaitlin assisted with program and work crew, while Tennille Porter, a research assistant from Oxford University in the UK also did work crew jobs.  Zinnah Yallah (a local leader and I were the speakers, while Roland Harris, another local leader served as camp manager. 
 

Camp 1 (February 25 to 27), we planned to have 125 kids show up but only 107 kids came. Among this number was 16 key kids or student leaders and campaigners kids who later helped as work crew for the second camp.
 

Camp 2  (February 29 to March 2), we also expected another 125 kids to show up, instead, 191 kids came. Some did not ride on the buses that brought kids to camp. Few of them transported themselves and some even walked a long distance to get to camp.  Camp 2 was held during the weekend, kids were not in schools during the weekend so many decided to come.   Some came because kids from camp 1 told them about the wonderful experience they had at the first camp. Some of these kids’ names were not even on our camp list. When the buses arrive, kids who transported themselves or walked to get to camp began to jump from the nearby villages and brushes to mix with the kids who had arrived on board the buses. As I thought about accommodation and food for 191 kids and 31 persons (program team, leaders, and work crew), I began confused and decided to ask the Lord for direction. What a huge number?  I had to talk with kids about the camp being overcrowded, and to have some of them sent back. None of these kids wanted to leave. So, we provided food and accommodation for everybody until the next morning we managed to convince 29 kids and transported them back home. We were now left with 162 kids for camp 2, which means we had additional 37 kids. And a total of 269 kids attended both camps. These were kids from more than 35 high schools and colleges in Monrovia.  About 20 of these kids had no experience with Young Life prior to camp.  Our previous plan was to only have 250 kids for both camps, but we had little over this number.
 

As the camp was going on, many leaders and I had conversation with several kids regarding their experience at camp.
 

“ I have never experienced youth camp,” said Armstrong, “This is my first experience and I feel so great being here.  I love the food and care given me.”  Armstrong gave his life to Christ at the camp.  He told one of the leaders that his biggest challenge was when he listened to the message about the Cross, watched a movie click of how Jesus was treated and follow by a cabin time question “what do you have to offer Jesus for paying the price for you?”  Armstrong said “ I really struggled to answer this question, but I later realized that the best answer was for me to offer my life to the Lord, which I did. Thank God I had the opportunity to do just that.”
 

Another kid named Philimena, “I am excited with anything at camp. I love the way the message was presented to us. I am deeply moved by it and I have made my vow to follow the Lord.” Philimena, a senior student, composed a song for Young Life and she sang it at the camp dance and talent party amidst cheers and applauses from kids and leaders.
 

Abba Yealleh, my old friend from the former child soldiers’ camp told me, “I don’t know how to describe my experience at Young Life camp.” But he explained that Young Life camp is the place for kid like him to be.  He said having meal three times a day, adult serving him, playing with friends and listening to the speaker in the simplest way has changed his life. “Brother James, I regret my past life. I regret being forced to fight during the civil war and I don’t feel like thinking about my past. Please pray with me so that God will forgive me,” Abba narrated.  He is now a 9th grade student. At age 9, he was forced to join one of the rebel groups in Liberia. He was drugged for few years and also went to the frontlines with other kids and adults to fight.   He fought as a rebel and grew up as a rebel.  I got to know Abba in 2004 at the Don Bosco Homes former child-soldiers camp, where I previously worked and built relationship with several kids who participated in the Liberia civil war. After he gave his gun to the peacekeepers, Abba, and others former child-soldiers were bought to this camp for counseling, documentation and rehabilitation for only three to four days or sometime a week. After few days at the child-soldiers camp, we took him to live with his uncle in his home village as all efforts made to find his parents failed.  Since 2004, I did not see him until two weeks to our camp.  I visited a local school and a kid kept shouting my name “Bro. James, Bro. James, Bro. James.” And when I looked, it was Abba that I got to know since 2004.  I immediately invited him for club meetings two times and later signed him up for camp.  He left his uncle and returned to Monrovia two years ago. He and four other boys live together in a small room. Like many kids, Abba has still not seen his parents.
 

And Dennis, a 17 year old kid said, “ I have gone to several youth camps but not as incredible as Young Life camp.” He further said his life has a new meaning from such an incredible experience. 
 

Every kid has a story, but this year’s camp has left me with so many to remember. Memories that are too much to explain, but some will be unforgettable:
 

·       The program team thrilling the kids with joy, fun and excitement. And even loud laughter could be heard. These guys penetrated the culture of kids by learning lots of Liberian slangs, which they used through out the camp. One kid said, “What is that? These guys are speaking like us.” Many of these kids lack a smile from their parents or adults, but as the program team was upfront, I could see smile on the face of each kid, many of whom have lack a smile for years.  “ I can’t believe this,” said Linda, a kid, as the program team performed mixers, skits, etc. “ I have never had the opportunity to smile like this. My whole life has been with sorrow and bitterness”.  At age 2, Linda’s father was killed during the civil war. Her father was killed because he was a teacher at a government school. At certain point of the civil war, rebel forces began to kill anybody who worked with the government. Linda, her older sister and two brothers grew up being fatherless. Their mother is presently staying with her boyfriend in the rural part of Liberia.  Linda is a 11th grade dropout and a teenage mother. Her boyfriend abandoned her and the child. Linda is left alone to struggle and pay for her school fees and support her child. “My mother told me that my father was a loving and caring father. I don’t think my life was going to be like this if my father were living.” Linda tearfully shared with her cabin leader after she gave her life to Christ at last week’s camp. She praised God for the transformation she experienced at the camp. “With Jesus, I am convinced that all my problems are over” Linda said.
 

 

·       When both Say-So clubs ended, baskets were carried around for kids and leaders to collect offering intended to help Young Life Africa to reach other African countries.  When the baskets were brought back on stage, a total of L$6,283.00(Six thousand two hundred and eighty three Liberian dollars), which is about US$103.00(One and three United States dollars) was collected. It is not easy for a congregation to raise such an amount as offering at a regular Sunday service in Liberia. Yassah Harris, a kid said “ I put my L$5.00 in the basket as a way of showing my gratitude to those who continue to support Young Life ministry in Liberia and Africa. I have nothing to give them in return but to be part of this international African offering to help Young Life Africa reach other African countries.”  According to Yassah, “my L$5.00 (about 12 cent in US currency) is not enough to support YL work in any Africa country, but little is much when God is in it. And this is what I can afford and I want to show my gratitude to the Lord, as others have done for me.”
 

·       Watching kids playing kick ball, soccer, glow game, dancing, chicken base ball and many others laughing and taking to each other and leaders, I felt deep joy within me because many of these kids did not have the freedom and opportunity to play together years ago.  And seeing kids being ready to hear about Jesus when a speaker stood up to give the message of God's love in terms they can understand.
 

·      Looking at Marvin, one of my student leaders or key kids serving as work crew at the second camp. At age five, the rebels put an AK 47 in his hands, taught him to shoot and fight war. But today, he is humbled and working for his friends at camp.  He could be seen working with the dinning hall team, and other work teams. Marvin who is also member of our neighborhood choir assisted Marvelous to lead songs at camp.  “ I feel bless to sing for the Lord and serve my friends,” Marvin told me.
 

·      The words of the Senior U.S. Defense Advisor to Liberia, Colonel N. Craig Bailey to the program team when I took them at the military barracks in Monrovia prior to their departure. I just got connected to Colonel Bailey and I understand that one of his family members is a friend of Young Life in the United States. “Leaving your beautiful homes and everything in the US to bring the Gospel to kids in Liberia makes me feel that you are modern day Paul. The apostle Paul had a special job of bringing the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles. He traveled from place to place to make sure that this happened. And this is just what you guys have done,” Col. Bailey encouragingly told the program team.  Col. Bailey also took us to a spot in the barracks, where President George Bush stood to address the new Liberian army when he (the President) recently visited Liberia.  The colonel allowed us to take some pictures with him at this historical spot.  Please pray for Col. Bailey as he stays in Liberia for 6 months of assignment. He is here without his family.  He is amazing, has passion for what we do with kids in Liberia and expressed his desire to help in anyway he can.
 

 

·      At Say-So clubs, many kids stood up, while some were shy to stand. During the first camp, 28 kids stood up to give their lives to Christ, while 24 others decided to follow Jesus at cabin time.  Also, the second camp, 64 kids stoop up to make a committed to Jesus and 10 other gave their lives to Christ during cabin time. Amazingly, a total of 126 KIDS committed their lives to Christ at both camps. Wow!!! A total of 269 kids attended both camps and 126 of them have made a commitment to follow Jesus! I think the angels in heaven are still rejoicing for these kids. Let’s join the celebration in praising the Lord.  Among the kids who gave their lives to Christ, were 2 Muslim sisters and 5 other kids from Muslim families.  Amen, Lord, Amen for making this happened.
 

 

·      And my after-camp meeting with all leaders held on Tuesday, when we gathered to discuss about camp and how to follow up with the 126 KIDS. Leaders sharing stories and more stories…
 

Judging from these great memories, it was not a mistake when I said, “Liberia is on fire.” Certainly, Liberia is on fire for Jesus. Yes, it is no longer on fire for the use of young people as child soldiers by rebel and government forces. No, it is not on fire for looting people properties and burning down houses again. Instead, through Young Life, Liberia is now on fire for Jesus. We are entering into a revival, loving and building friendship with kids who will soon be leaders of Liberia and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus.  Leaders and volunteers are on fire for kids, there are growing in their faith and putting it into action.
 

Thank you David Wilson, Kaitline Wilson, Allen Webster and Tenelle Porter for leaving your families and areas in the USA and UK to serve as program team and work crew. Thank you my leaders and volunteers. You all have left an indelible mark for God’s Kingdom in Liberia, and Africa in general.
 

Thank you all faithful friends and partners for your prayers and support that had made this happen. And thank you Lord, for answering our prayers.
 

Liberia is on fire for Jesus!
 

Hallelujah,
 

James Davis
 
Area Director
 
Young Life Liberia
 
P.O. Box 1549
 
Camp Johnson Road,
 
Monrovia, Liberia
 
West Africa
 
Cell: (231) 6 596 106