It is amazing how on special days
such as Camp, the weather happens to be just right. We had expected rains that
Friday afternoon; it turned out to be bright and sunny. We were headed for
Shalom, more like home now for many of the Student U old-timers. The red van,
trailer faithfully following behind; jubilant songs done in quick succession,
an occasional silence, and 87 km’s later, Shalom it is!
Shalom 2012 was an amazing and
refreshing encounter with the Sovereign God. Much like our semester theme, The Sovereignty of God – taken from
studies in the Book of Job, our Camp made for an appropriate complement. Friday
kicked off with the traditional mid-night supper and a hilarious game of Actionary. Saturday morning’s devotion
was a group devotion, and Willard started us off by sharing on our theme,
drawing from Psalm 33, and closing with what camp should be all about. Students
spent some time in quiet retreat, meditating on this and praying for each
other.
It was especially encouraging to
see how transformative our Talks throughout Camp were; hearing students pouring
out their hearts to the Lord in song, discussion and prayer was all the more
confirmation of this. Camp Talks were sectioned into four: Sovereign God – What Sovereignty is, how God is Sovereign, and the
question on the Presence of Evil. On this Talk, Gift drew parallels from Daniel
4: 34-35 on a seemingly sovereign king, Nebuchadnezzar, and how the Sovereign
King humbled him. Lennon delivered our second talk on Suffering and Comfort in light of God’s sovereignty. He dwelt on
the “Why?” of Suffering and “What our Comfort Should be in times of
Suffering,” drawing from Paul’s example in 2 Corinthians 11. Willard
concluded the sessions with talks from Job 1: 8-11, Questioning God, and God:
The Object of our Worship, and how we
ought to live in view of this reality seen evidently in Job’s conviction.
Canoeing was a major highlight on
our activities list. I must add that it is almost impossible not to see God’s
might especially in moments as these: on the waters stretching beyond the eye’s
reach. What a marvel of His creation indeed! Games such as Mafia, Commissioner , and Angels
and Mortals made for great interaction and fellowship. As if this was not
enough, moments by the big bonfire just had us all longing for more, and more,
and more of God’s presence, together, far from the bustle of City life. But
even there too, God is at work. Having been equipped by His Spirit through
Bible reading and sharing, through song and dance, through games and all other
activities, through even the most minute details at Camp, we left Shalom challenged
to live for this Glorious King, re-assured that even in our sufferings we have
the comfort of a hope and glory that no suffering can be compared to.
To Him be all honour and praise
By Simbarashe Manyureni
