2022 Camp report
A multi-part report on the Karis Summer Camp 2022:
Part 1: The days leading to camp
Part 2: Bible Study
Megan’s reflections
[Video] Summer Camp team testimonies
Part 1: The days leading to camp
Written by Julie Winning
Earlier this year we prayed that God would raise up a Summer Camp team and that the right people would respond to His call. He did and they did!
It was a God-appointed team. With their many talents and giftings, we knew they would be such a blessing to the children and adults they worked with. Nick and I felt privileged to work with them.
Ready to depart for Seroma High School from Namirembe Guesthouse.
Pictured: Becky, Maya, Julie, Mandie, Megan, Nick, Wendy, Sebastian, Louise, Holly and Charles (our ‘tour bus’ driver).
Before camp started, we had 4 days to adjust to life in Kampala — all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes (not to mention the traffic). We crammed a lot in…
A welcome from the Archbishop of Uganda
Final camp training with the Ugandan team
Visits to families in Kalerwe and Wandegeya
Church services at St Nicholas, Kalerwe and St Peter’s, Wandegeya
The 50th Jubilee Celebration of Kampala Diocese at All Saints Cathedral
We even made time to get up close to indigenous wildlife at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and squeezed in a bit of craft shopping in Entebbe.
A joyful welcome.
Pictured with the UK team: The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu (Archbishop of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala) with Rev. Canon John Awodi (Diocesan Secretary), Ruth Owino (Head of Planning Health Services and Social Transformation), Ketrah Turyakira (Karis Programme Director) and Merab Gaamuwa (Diocesan Treasurer)
Final team training session.
Not a moment was wasted.
Part 2: Bible Study
Written by Julie Winning
As we mentioned briefly in our last post, on one of the first nights of the camp, 50 children responded to the good news and gave their lives to Jesus!
After the excitement of arriving at Seroma High School, the days took on a routine of rising before dawn for staff devotions (one of my favourite times of the day), followed by gymnastics to warm us up for the day’s activities.
After breakfast there was a time of exuberant praise and worship and then Bible time sessions in the 3 age groups: 9-12 yrs, 13-15 yrs and 16+ yrs.
The camp theme of ‘Hope alive - no matter what!’ (Lamentations 3: 21-23) was introduced by Rev. Anthony Kamukama (Diocesan Missions and Evangelism Coordinator) at the start of the week. He encouraged children…
to look to Jesus as their living hope no matter what
to put their whole trust in God because his love never fails and His mercies endure forever
that Jesus loves all of us no matter what one is going through
He also shared his life journey, which was a great encouragement to everybody.
We also were inspired by the testimonies given by Rev. Canon John Awodi (Diocesan Secretary), Merab Gaamuwa (Diocesan Treasuer), and Ruth Owino (Head of Planning Health Services and Social Transformation) of how they overcame challenges when they were younger.
We are really grateful to The Andre Trust for providing themed camp t-shirts for everybody. The colours denoted the age groups and staff members.
Group discussions happened in 14 smaller groups after the Bible time to allow more time for the children to interact and better understand the message.
Megan’s reflections
Written by Megan Lewis (Christ Church Winchester)
In late August, a team of 10 of us flew from the UK to Uganda to support the work at the Karis Summer Camp. The camp (which runs every 2 years) is for Karis youth – children and young people aged 9 – 24-ish.
280 children and young people were at the camp!
In the days before camp began, we visited families in their homes. I went to Kalerwe slum and visited six families (all linked with families at Christ Church, Winchester). We were so welcomed by each one and gave gifts sent by their UK links. Delivering the gifts in-person and meeting each family was very special — there was a lot of joy during on those visits!
It was tough to see the living situations of some of the families. There is a huge difference between what we take for granted in the UK and everyday life in the slums. Yet, their faith and attitudes towards life was truly inspiring! I really enjoyed meeting some of the children that I got to know know even better at Summer Camp — the building of relationships was a key part of this trip.
“I would say it was the best time of my life. Just so, so special.”
When the children arrived at camp they had their guard up, a protective layer to shield the burdens that they carry every day. But, over the week, you could see them laying down their shields and becoming child-like again. Camp was a safe space for them where they could chat, play, learn and connect with others, where they could simply be children.
It was what stood out to me the most — seeing how the children and young people changed through camp.
Thank you to all of you who prayed for this. It was such a special time. I continue to pray that the Summer Camp message of ‘Hope Alive — No Matter What’ will stay with the children as they go about their everyday lives. This message will certainly stay with me too!