Adventist Camporee Impacts Community with Acts of Service and Spiritual Activities in Nicaragua

More than 500 Pathfinders help share Jesus in a mostly unreached town.

April 30, 2024  | Wapí, El Rama, Nicaragua | Edith Patiño A., South Atlantic Mission, and Inter-American Division News

More than 500 members of Pathfinders and Master Guides in South Atlantic Nicaragua Mission (MATSUR) participated in the camporee “More than Victorious.” The event was held recently in Wapí, El Rama, about 290 kilometers from Managua, Nicaragua’s capital.

Young members of various clubs from 18 districts that make up the MATSUR traveled to meet with the goal of serving and helping other people and preaching the gospel in Wapí. Every year, the camporee coincides with Easter week, something that has allowed participants be a light in the community around the selected camping site, organizers said.

The late March Pathfinders event included services with inspirational messages, investitures, and physical and art events. It also included a concert with original songs inspired by biblical and spiritual themes, short film samples, and contests. These programs have emphasized continuous learning and working to strengthen the participants’ spiritual life, regional church leaders said.

Pathfinders members also actively participated in community rallies to support health, social outreach, and evangelism in the community. Participants cleaned the streets, painted sidewalks, houses, schools, and sports fields, and delivered food baskets to low-income families. They also brought joy and hope to the children in their homes.

“I thank you for coming to paint my little house, said Francisca Gonzales, 81, visibly moved. And Keyvon Prudo, a member of the Bluefields District Eagles Master Guides Club, added, “We can’t help if we don’t get out; we must get out. We helped an old lady and we could tell she was happy. It motivates me to work as a group with my club.”

On the other hand, Professor Francisco Salazar, a resident of the Wapí community, thanked Pathfinders for painting the classroom and courtyard of the school where he works. Before the arrival of Pathfinders, classrooms were not in optimal conditions to welcome students, and their parents are not able to support any improvement. “It is a great help,” he said. “When children arrive and see the school so beautiful, they will be more motivated to come and study.”

Other Pathfinders clubs delivered food baskets to the neediest households. Clint Tinkam, a member of the Seraphim Club of the Haulover Adventist Church, emphasized that “when Jesus was on this earth he helped others.” He added, “As Christians, we try to follow in His footsteps. Even if it’s just a little, we want to help.  I feel that it’s good to go out and I’d like to keep doing activities such as this one. It fills my heart seeing people happy.”

Elsa Martinez, a member of the church in Wapí, highlighted the arrival of young people to her community. “People are amazed; they want to know more about who we are,” she said. “Young people painted the local school field and they distributed food, and residents are seeing them in action.”

On Saturday afternoon, Pathfinders and Master Guides delivered 600 missionary book copies of Hope for Today’s Families and The Power of Hope, written by Willie and Elaine Oliver, Julian Melgosa, and Michelson Borge. They prayed with each person, encouraged the discouraged, and brought joy and hope into homes.

At his young age, 11-year-old Erick Pondler, from the Seraphim Club of the Laguna de Perla Adventist Church, went out excitedly to distribute missionary books. “People will know more about Jesus, I love Jesus so much,” he said.

The day closed with a baptismal ceremony of more than 50 people at the El Rama River. So far, there is only a small 8-member Adventist congregation in Wapí but church leaders hope to eventually have a larger church and build a church building there, they reported.

“This big impact will help strengthen the Adventist Church in this place,” said Pastor Humberto Cardoza, South Atlantic Mission president. “It has left a memorable image of the church in the community, and we believe that it will bear much fruit for the honor and glory of God.”

The residents of Wapí showed their gratitude and interest in learning more about the church, not only thanks to the acts of service carried out on their behalf but also because of the spiritual activities involved. “Many families came to the camp to witness the activities happening at the event,” said Misael Munguía, youth ministries director of MATSUR. “A mother with her children came to witness the marching contest, and she told me how much she would like her children to be part of our clubs,” he shared. “It was really nice to hear it.”