April 17, 2011 – Mexico City, Mexico…Fabiola Quinto/IAD
Pathfinder clubs began arriving early from Mexico and abroad for the third and largest division-wide Pathfinder camporee, which begins tomorrow. The only thing still missing in the campgrounds was to set up tents and to install kitchens.
Julissa Madrigal is a Pathfinder who travelled came from Mexicali to Mexico City, the site of the event. Since Mexicali is a town very far from Mexico City, they decided to travel by plane. “It was cheaper than to take a bus,” she said. “It took us three hours and 10 minutes to arrive. We left Mexicali at 6:00 a.m., everything went smoothly and we had no setbacks.”
“I hope this camporee is fun and that I can make lots of friends,” Madrigal continued. “I come from the Central Church of Mexicali, better known as Zaragoza, and the name of my club is Pioneers.”
Jaime Camerun, who arrived from San Jose, Costa Rica, was also excited. “For me, I know it will be a beautiful experience; I want to make lots of friends and I hope there will be a lot of activities.”
Although his club left at 3 a.m. to arrive in Mexico City at around 4 p.m., Camerun – who is in a companion level – felt the trip was not that long because he is anxiously awaiting his birthday, which he will celebrate tomorrow.
Jassai Delgado from Cerro Zaul, Veracruz, is excited about his first camporee. He hopes to experience a wonderful adventure which he has been longing for. On Sabbath, April 23, he will be baptized. “I have prepared myself during some months back to be baptized here. I am very happy,” he said.
Jassai is 10 years old and is in the Friend class. His club, Pioneros from the Mirador Adventist Church, left on Apr. 16th at 11:00 a.m. His director surprised them with a visit to the Chapultepec Zoo. For that reason they arrived at the campgrounds at 4:00 p.m., just when the rain started. In spite of that, the entire club unloaded their belongings enthusiastically, he said.
Many clubs were setting up their tents without minding the torrential rain. Others who had already finished pitching their tents were literally singing under the rain.
Also under the rain were more than 300 volunteers working as security.
Eduardo Serrano, age 17, is a master guide for his club in the Central Mexican Union. Serving God is the most important thing to him, and to do it in the area of security is a wonderful experience.
“This is my first camporee as a volunteer and I hope to make lots of friends,” he said. “But above all, I hope there will be respect for my work and for that of my fellow volunteers.”
Even with the rain, more clubs kept arriving to set up. It was a day full of excitement and wonderful attitude to spend at the Ciudad Deportiva.
