Across the country, churches take advantage of the Carnival long weekend to host youth retreat camps. “Youth” in Bolivia is a rather loose term so campers range in age from 13 to 25. We grew up going to camp, so when we were asked if we could participate at the El Alto youth retreat, we jumped at the chance. Then we got the agenda and realized we were not being invited to participate and lend a hand, we were the camp speakers for over 130 people. Fear. Panic. Acceptance. Resolve.
Workshop Activity: Human Knot
However stretching it was, we had an incredible time with the youth and leaders and it was an experience we won’t soon forget. Over the four day weekend we did some spiritual development stuff like running several workshops and the El Alto churches collectively put together an incredible youth worship band. Kallie even preached her first ever Spanish sermon. We also did a lot of fun social activities like team games and challenges (many involving water. It was Carnival weekend after all!), and there was a skit and talent night to finish the camp off.
One of our highlights was running a workshop on growing in your faith. We set up six different prayer stations around the property and rotated groups through. Each station had a different focus. One encouraged thankfulness by collectively writing down personal blessings on a large sheet of paper and then journaling to God about things in their lives they were thankful for. Another station was set up with both Bolivian and international news articles posted on a wall. The group was encouraged to read and inform themselves and then pray for specific issues in response. The prayer rock station had youth associate a prayer request with a stone, which they would then hold and use as a tool for focusing their prayer and keeping their mind from wandering. From washing of hands in a fountain to symbolize forgiveness, to Scripture meditation and soaking in God’s presence, the group was exposed to different kinds of prayer that stretched their understanding of spiritual disciplines.
Turns out camp in Bolivia looks a lot like camp in Canada. There are camp-long teams with elaborate chants and rivalries, lots of creative messy games, and as spiritual guides we got pulled aside more than once for advice on asking out a crush. One big difference is that toilet paper was most definitely not provided… we’ll have to remember that small detail for next time!
One of our highlights was running a workshop on growing in your faith. We set up six different prayer stations around the property and rotated groups through. Each station had a different focus. One encouraged thankfulness by collectively writing down personal blessings on a large sheet of paper and then journaling to God about things in their lives they were thankful for. Another station was set up with both Bolivian and international news articles posted on a wall. The group was encouraged to read and inform themselves and then pray for specific issues in response. The prayer rock station had youth associate a prayer request with a stone, which they would then hold and use as a tool for focusing their prayer and keeping their mind from wandering. From washing of hands in a fountain to symbolize forgiveness, to Scripture meditation and soaking in God’s presence, the group was exposed to different kinds of prayer that stretched their understanding of spiritual disciplines.
Turns out camp in Bolivia looks a lot like camp in Canada. There are camp-long teams with elaborate chants and rivalries, lots of creative messy games, and as spiritual guides we got pulled aside more than once for advice on asking out a crush. One big difference is that toilet paper was most definitely not provided… we’ll have to remember that small detail for next time!
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