The annual Teenager Camp was held at the Heyshope Dam, near Piet Retief, from the 8^th to the 11^th December 2016. The theme of the camp was “To be a blessing.”

Pastor Kurt Böhmer introduced the topic in a presentation dealing with general considerations on interpersonal relationships. The core message was that the success of such relationships essentially depended on our attitude towards others and our interaction with them.

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We then spent some time with the teenagers to consider this topic in its biblical context. Along with many other biblical texts on the subject of  “to be a blessing,” there is the marvellous story of pregnant Mary visiting Elizabeth. Mary becomes a blessing in bringing Christ to Elizabeth. The exciting thing is that Mary is a blessing before she even thought of it, before she even considered doing anything. In the same way, as Mary brought Christ to Elizabeth and became a blessing, so too, we who have been clothed with Christ in baptism, become a blessing when we bring Him to other people.

In conclusion, Pastor Roland Johannes encouraged the children to reflect on their own lives and think about where they had been a blessing for others and how they could be that in future.

The Saturday afternoon was spent on practical applications of the theme. The boys made crosses and the girls baked biscuits as gifts for the Panbult church members on Sunday.

Besides presentations, the children enjoyed singing and playing of musical instruments under the caring guidance of Edeltraut Johannes. Needless to say, they also enjoyed sport and games as well as each others’ company.

Ralph and Liesl Voigts, the new teenager parents, prepared and ran the camp with great competence and love. Many thanks!

Thanks also to all those who provided accommodation for the participants: Laban and Lore Meyer, Edmund and Dingla Böhmer, Norman and Sigrid Weber, Friedel and Nettie Meyer, Bakkies Böhmer and Eckhard and Ingrid Paul. The ladies of the Panbult congregation catered for the lunch meals, while Eckhard Paul and Friedel Meyer were always available for advice and assistance. We were well cared for. Many thanks! We are indebted to you for your willingness to provide this charitable service within the Synod.

The camp was concluded with the Divine Service in Panbult.

Pastor Martin Paul, Pretoria