The long awaited camp has finally begun. Music and laughter fill the atmosphere, it will be a great week.

Camp facilitators from the Southern African Regions as well as those from Switzerland, Northern Ireland and USA arrived a few days in advance to prepare for the camp and were excited when the delegates finally arrived to kick off the camp! The first camp day started with the arrival of the different groups from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Malawi arrived last and the team became complete. After breakfast delegates started getting to know each other while the facilitators prepared for the auditions that would begin later in the day. The camp organisers were busy making sure that the venue for the opening service was setup and ready for the service.

Auditions

During the auditions, the brass players were asked to play any song of their choice and then some scales like A or F major. It was made clear that the auditions were not a competition but rather a way for the facilitators to best assess how to work with all the musicians. The auditions also had coaching element with the facilitators providing guidance on what key were to be played and how they could reach the right tones.

There was a panel of six facilitators that listened to the music sang by the songsters to determine where to place their voices (Soprano, Tenor, Alto, Bass). A lot of the delegates came in nervous but when they realized that they were not at all being scrutinized they opened up and broke out in song making the work of the facilitators easier and the process of placing the many voices quicker.

Opening Service

The opening service started with lively music from the South African group, this brightened the atmosphere, there was no question that it was indeed African worship. the energy lit up the room. The songs that were sung were all spontaneous and anyone of the group members could start to sing and lead the song and carried it through with power. Next came the Zimbabwe Territorial Band that played a celebratory piece that saw the rest of the delegates accompanying the music with ululating, singing as well as getting up from their seats to go and dance in the front of the auditorium.

There was then the introductions of all the Southern African Region countries represented. The Commissioners and Territorial Commanders wished the delegates and facilitators well and said they would be praying for the success of the camp. The Zimbabwe Timbrels took the stage with an incredible level of energy and technic that left everyone screaming with praise. Indeed the heavens were shaken today and hearts were blessed.

The Swiss, Northern Ireland and American team then played two pieces that got the congregation appreciating the beauty of worship music. Zambia came in with the most powerful vocals that reached levels that not even words can describe, simply phenomenal

Expectations

Delegates from each of the territories were asked to make a list of what they expected to get out of the camp and here is what they said:

• Spiritual growth
• Deeper understanding of each other’s cultures
• Building deeper relationships with God through music
• Having fun together
• Learning, being groomed on how to play and minister as groups
• Celebrating what God has done for all, bringing these countries together to worship Him
• Having good meals and good sleep

Despite the full program and exhaustion, the day ended on a high note, with the end devotion reminding everyone about the beauty of worship and how we are to use it to glorify God. Also shared was information of the many exciting workshops that will be running through the week, details of which will be shared here. Tomorrow is a new day and new opportunity to praise and worship and once again, we expect God to dwell among us as we raise our voices to praise him.

Photo Credits: Tobias Kramer

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