Tongan Update, 08 Sep 2008, Camp Yagottawanna
The young women in our branch just returned from a three day camp at the beach. Several of the girls shared their experiences and testimonies with the congregation at a Stake Fireside. As I listened to what they said, I decided “camp” had many similarities to a “mission.”
The girls described packing all their needed clothes and supples, then meeting at the Stake House where they sadly said “goodbye” to families and loved ones. They boarded buses and traveled the short distance of twenty miles to the “Heaven on Earth” beach resort owned by our stake president, President Nau. Thinking that they would stay with the girls in their own wards, the young women were surprised when they were separated from the friends and assigned to a “family” not of their own choice. Once taken out of their comfort zones, many said they felt a little lost and lonely, even homesick.
(All right, you return missionaries…does any of this sound somewhat familiar to you…the departures, uncertainties, changes, feelings?)
Somewhat reluctantly the campers set up their tents and nestled into their new homes. Once camp was set up the girls were involved with the inevitable activities of craft making, knot tying, hiking, eating, etc. In other words, they got involved with the work.
Many campers laughingly complained about the three mile hike that felt like five or seven or ten miles depending on who was talking.
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